Hi everybody. A new guy here with an 86 Ford project truck. I am trying to learn as I go, I know very little at this point, and I am in need of some basic tools to get started.
I am looking to buy a set of SAE wrenches and sockets. I am on a budget so I am looking for affordable yet decent quality option. I am considering Kobalt and Craftsman. Anybody have an opinion on these? Which ones wold you choose? Is there another brand that is a better deal in this price range?
Thanks for any suggestions or guidance that you might be able to offer.
Jim

 

I don't think you can beat Craftsman for your needs. The 309 piece set goes on sale for $200 every few months and can then use coupon codes to get it down to around $180. Whatever set you buy do some research and see what the bottom price is that they go on sale for and wait for it.

 

Hey Jim,

Sounds like a cool project. For a budget-minded tool buyer, you probably can't go wrong with either Kobalt or Craftsman. I was in your situation in about 1981. I started buying Craftsman hand tools and I still have all of them. If one of them breaks, I take it in for a replacement. If one of my ratchets gives out, I take it in and they rebuild it while I wait. I don't own any Kobalt tools but that's just because I have accumulated so many Craftsman tools over the years. Are there better tools on the market? Sure. But, for the money and the warranty and the availability, you can't go wrong with some good Craftsman hand tools. You get pretty good value when buying a set of ratchets/sockets/combination wrenches but make sure there isn't a lot of duplication in the set or tools you will hardly ever use. You will want a set with primarily 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchets, sockets, and extensions as well as metric and SAE combination wrenches. You will also need some larger sockets in a few areas depending on how involved your project gets. There will be a need for some 1/4" drive tools as well, especially with the interior.

Enjoy the project and post up some pix along the way.

T-

 

Can't beat the replacement warranty with Craftsman. I have one of their smaller (160 I think) mechanics tool sets, and I love it. I've broken ratchets, extensions, stripped out sockets, etc. and they always replace it.

 

You all will hate me but IMO craftsman blows. They used to be good, now they are just way over priced junk. Almost every decent tool company has as good if not better warranty and you don't have to deal with sears to use it.

I only have one good thing to say for craftsman/sears. Generally they are the only place that stocks a fair amount of 6pt wrenches, but you pay HUGE for them. I'm always on the hunt for good 6pt wrenches.

 

I have had good results from Husky tools from Home Depot. I've only broken one 1/2" ratchet (due to using it WAAAYYY beyond it's design limits) and they replaced it no problems, no questions asked. Craftsman are good, too. I don't own any Kobalt so I can't give you any advice there.
Just stay far away from Harbor Freight hand tools! One trip to the ER will wipe out anything you might have saved on the tools!
I am constantly telling my son: There are some things in life you can skimp on. Your tools are not one of them.
One other thing you will want to invest in is a good set of ratcheting wrenches. They resemble ordinary combination wrenches, but the box end has a ratcheting mechanism built into it. When one side is down, the wrench loosens, when that side is up, the wrench tightens. I absolutely love mine!

 

Like flyboy2610 said, ratcheting wrenches are a godsend. I used to think that "sure it's cool, but i'm not spending that kind of money on ratchets". Well I got a sae set of the gearwrench ratcheting, and by god I don't know how I ever worked without them

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like Craftsman would be a good choice for me. Your comments were noted BruteFord and I appreciate your honest opinion.
Ratchet wrenches are on my wish list. I have used them some and they are a great invention. I'm just buying a little at a time.
Jim

 

I buy a far amount of harbor freight stuff and in general am pretty happy with it. With harbor freight you have to pick and choose, some is only as good as craftsman/total junk, some is pretty darn good, some I am VERY happy with. Though being able to get twice as many for the price and living only about 2 miles from a harbor freight works for me.

As for what to buy, IMO invest in 3/8" drive ratchet/sockets as your primary tool. At least 2 ratchets, a full selection of sockets(6 pt), extensions, crows feet, etc. You really can't have too much 3/8 drive stuff.

I don't bother much with screw drivers, 1/4 drive ratchets, torx drivers, allan keys, etc. I fill those needs with a ratcheting bit driver, a large selection of bits, and a 1/4 adapter.

For wrenches, as stated ratcheting wrenches are awesome but I love 6pt combination wrenches. They can really get you out of a bind.

1/2 drive, I see no reason to bother with short handled 1/2 drive ratchets or 12pt 1/2 drive sockets. When you need 1/2 drive you will need a long handle and 6pt sockets, otherwise a 3/8 would work.

Edit
And Vise grips vise grips and more vice grips, that is a tool I do not skimp on you can really hurt yourself with cheap copies.

Don't bother with normal drill bits, search out some cobalt drill bits, they are worth there weight in gold but only cost about 50% more then high speed steal, and the titanium coating things are a gimmick run.

I can go on but .....

 

Please excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between 6pt and 12pt wrenches? The ones I am looking at are 12pt, I didn't even know there were 6pt wrenches.
Jim

 

6 point grips the bolt or nut better 12 point has its place but for a stubborn not or bolt 6 point is the way to go

 

Just the number of points, 99% of bolts are 6 point. Tool companies make mostly 12 point tools as they can take a grip on the bolt at smaller increments and they (wrongly) think people prefer that. Thus most people who don't know better end up buying the more common 12 point cause it's what they sell. However as was said the 6 point wrench can get a much stronger grip on a 6 point bolt. As often we have to deal with rusted stubborn bolts having a 6 point in your hand over 12 will save your **** over and over again. And when your wrench and socket ratchets you have zero use for 12 points. There are a few 12 point bolts used in vehicles and you will need 12 points for those, but you'll find the 6 point much much more usefull.



Notice how the 12 point only grips the tips of the nut. When that nut is rusted and rounded off from years of poor fitting wrenches that 12 point is just going to round it off more making it near impossible to get off.

This reminds me of another tip, even if your vehicle is all SAE or all metric, get both. Having both provides in between sizes to grip bolts made smaller by rust. For example one of my by far most used tools is my 6 point 3/8 drive 14mm socket. Why, 6 point and 3/8 drive I've mentioned, but 14mm is just a bit smaller then 9/16 so I can often get a better grip on a stubborn bolt with a 14mm then I can with a 9/16.

 

BruteFord, that was a really great explanation. Thanks for taking the time to do that. You taught me something that I new nothing about.
Jim

 

When considering wrenches, look for smooth flanks. The raised panel wrenches like the standard craftsman wrenches get uncomfortable when you have to pull hard and use them all day long.
Another point to consider is the length. The longer the wrench the more torque you can exert. A short wrench is cheaper but harder on your hands.