Auto Tool Set Requirements
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 1
From: Richlands, NC
Auto Tool Set Requirements
Hey guys.
So, today being Christmas and all, I received a 154 piece Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Set includes:
Now, if you look through all the different what-not, I still need a few different tools.
If what I have above is ALL I HAD, what other tools for automotive work should I get?
Stuff like extensions, swivel heads, etc. etc.
What other tools should I get?
(Now, I am going to get all Craftsman because they have a lifetime warranty... and because i'm a craftsman guy)
Thanks!
So, today being Christmas and all, I received a 154 piece Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set.
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Set includes:
- Sockets
- Combination wrenches
- Extension Bars
- Spark plug sockets
- Additional tools
Now, if you look through all the different what-not, I still need a few different tools.
If what I have above is ALL I HAD, what other tools for automotive work should I get?
Stuff like extensions, swivel heads, etc. etc.
What other tools should I get?
(Now, I am going to get all Craftsman because they have a lifetime warranty... and because i'm a craftsman guy)
Thanks!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
I got this several months ago. Right now it is priced higher than normal. I think I got it when it was $150 or $160. Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
Anyway, when I got that some things that I also had to go out and get or that I already had: pliers (needle, regular). channel locks, screwdrivers, vise-grips, punches, cold chisel, hammer, 3lb sledge, universals for sockets, extensions (mostly 1/2). socket reducer 1/2" to 3/8".
personally, i'd buy the most expensive set you can afford that comes with a case. this is because tools are A LOT cheaper in bulk than individually and you will be ever expanding your collection. not to mention you'll have them all together in one nice case and not carrying around 10 different tool boxes. the one i listed above has a big tray open in the top where you can put the box end wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. it's great. you'll have them forever. and they pretty much hold their value if you ever have to sell them.
Anyway, when I got that some things that I also had to go out and get or that I already had: pliers (needle, regular). channel locks, screwdrivers, vise-grips, punches, cold chisel, hammer, 3lb sledge, universals for sockets, extensions (mostly 1/2). socket reducer 1/2" to 3/8".
personally, i'd buy the most expensive set you can afford that comes with a case. this is because tools are A LOT cheaper in bulk than individually and you will be ever expanding your collection. not to mention you'll have them all together in one nice case and not carrying around 10 different tool boxes. the one i listed above has a big tray open in the top where you can put the box end wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. it's great. you'll have them forever. and they pretty much hold their value if you ever have to sell them.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Swivels, wobble extensions, offset box wrenches, gear head wrenches, vice grips, channel locks, a good selection of different pliers, chisels, punches, pry bars, feeler gauges, distributor wrench, spark plug socket, plug wire pliers, stubby wrenches, torx bits, air ratchet, impact gun, oil filter wrench, gasket scraper, wire strippers and crimpers, magnetic retrieving tool, inspection mirror, mechanics stethoscope,compressor, engine stand, cherry picker, and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I've got a lot of Craftsman stuff, too, I like the forever guarantee and many of
the hand tools are still made in USA (important to me) although not
everything is this days.
The U-joints for ratchets (already mentioned) are pretty handy, say, for
removing exhaust pipes from manifolds:
Probably the extra wrenches I'm most happy I got are kind of like
combination wrenches but one end flexes and ratchets, these are GREAT for
things like water pumps:
I replaced an ABS pump on a friend's Acura a few weeks ago, it sucked
because because a few of the bolts were exceedingly hard to get to. I later
found at Sears some wrenches I wish I had that would have made that job
LOTS easier:
But, they're made in China, I don't like that even though they still have a
forever guarantee. Harbor Freight offers similar Chinese-made wrenches for
less than half the cost that also have a forever warranty.
SK tools are good, I'll get their torque wrenches one of these days.
Some other things you'll need/want (stuff I use a lot, some already
mentioned):
1/2" -> 3/4" drive adapter for hub nuts:
A scribe (dental pick):
vise
torque wrenches both 3/8 & 1/2
wire cutters
vice grips
channellocks (the giant, 16" ones are MOST handy! So are the small ones)
needle nose pliers
crescent wrench
allen wrenches (steering column, etc.)
torx wrenches (seat belts, etc.)
snap ring pliers
files
wire brushes
pry bars
punches & chisels
timing light
volt/ohm meter
compression gauge
mini-sledgehammer (3 or so lbs.)
impact (air-powered) tools ROCK!!!
Those dog bone things I see don't ratchet so I'll prolly never get one.
Buying things in sets can be both good & bad.... the cost per tool is lower but
you'll sometimes end up with things you'll never use, for example 18 different
screwdriver-handled nut drivers, I find those unnecessary andjust one
handle/extension that can have any sized 1/4" drive socket attached to the
end will work just fine.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 498
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Sockets and wrenches are cheap, It's all the other stuff you need to go along with them thats expensive. If you haven't done so, join the Craftsman Club. There will be a sale after christmas, you have to ask if the sale is on, sometimes they will give you the sale price or you can go back when the sale is on and get credited for prior tool purchases.
As others have said, look for the sets of other hand tools, take your time and analyze their contents.
Now is where the real money starts. You will have more in ratchets than sockets and more in hammers than wrenches.
I normally stay away from those sets because you will end up with every 1/4" ratchet stuff they can't sell.
As others have said, look for the sets of other hand tools, take your time and analyze their contents.
Now is where the real money starts. You will have more in ratchets than sockets and more in hammers than wrenches.
I normally stay away from those sets because you will end up with every 1/4" ratchet stuff they can't sell.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
IMHO Snap On tools are still wayyyyyyy over-priced, even with that discount.
Add to that, warranty support.... If you need to get something replaced, it's not as easy as
running to the nearest Sears store and exchanging it....
Add to that, warranty support.... If you need to get something replaced, it's not as easy as
running to the nearest Sears store and exchanging it....
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
Yeah, what I have found from my old craftsman set. I used the ratchet set the most, and when I returned it they had a box of broken and refurbed ones. Inside the craftsman sockets is a plastic gear drive or some mixture of metal and plastic that is prove to breaking. I paid real cheap for my craftsman and my snap on pretty pricey, but they feel wonderful in your hand and real tough.
Just a word of caution if you purchase snap on, mat co, or mac tools tell no one. I have had snap on tools dissapear sitting right next to my craftman ones. It has happened with oakleys, carhartts, nice knives, just what happens when someone purchases expensive stuff.
Just a word of caution if you purchase snap on, mat co, or mac tools tell no one. I have had snap on tools dissapear sitting right next to my craftman ones. It has happened with oakleys, carhartts, nice knives, just what happens when someone purchases expensive stuff.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Yeah, what I have found from my old craftsman set. I used the ratchet set the most, and when I returned it they had a box of broken and refurbed ones. Inside the craftsman sockets is a plastic gear drive or some mixture of metal and plastic that is prove to breaking.
give me the kit (when they get it) and let me do it myself) so what you say
there is probably true although I haven't seen inside of it so I don't know the
particulars.
But I was given the 1/4" drive set for Christmas when I was 16, that was
about 20 years ago and it's taken this long to wear out, that's a pretty good
lifespan in my book.
There are other threads in the Garage & Workshop forum where this gets
talked about sometimes.
In any case, yes, you're right, the Mac/Snap On/etc. are great tools, that's for
sure. They're built for professional mechanics who use 'em every day for a
living whereas the consumer-grade tools aren't.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
Yeah thats how I look at it. I figure buy a good set when I am 19 and not worry about it. Plus with a good discount and potential mechanic work later on down the road on heavy rigs I figured I'd bust loose the coin. However, I do know plenty of guys who work on big rigs and farm equipment with plain jane tools. I think if I went this route good air tools, and a strong ratchet is about all you need. I hate broken ratchets and have broken 2. Both the internal ratchet gears, I leave em in my tool box for some reason pry hoping I come out and they work. But sadly I gotta go through all the *******s when I am under my truck and I have done that atleast 2wice haha.