If this post is messed up, I've tried to fix it but can't. Sorry.

I like working on my own stuff but usually find that I don't have all the right tools to do the job. I have a bunch of tools for my full time job, some of which will work on a vehicle. I'm just getting sick of having a job take way too long because I don't have the right tools.

My plan is to go all out and set my self up. I would like to spend under 10k (guess I'll have to wait to get a new truck). I'm not sure how to get the most value for the money though. I'm wondering if Crafsman tools will be good enough or if I should spend the big dollars and go with Snap-On, or something like that. I also want to get a compressor and as many air tools as possible. Got to get floor jacks and things like ton a vehicle. I'm just getting sick of having a job take way too long because I don't have the right tools.

My plan is to go all out and set my self up. I would like to spend under 10k (guess I'll have to wait to get a new truck). I'm not sure how to get the most value for the money though. I'm wondering if Crafsman tools will be good enough or if I should spend the big dollars and go with Snap-On, or something like that. I also want to get a compressor and as many air tools as possible. Got to get floor jacks and things like that.

Do you folks think that I can get what I need at Sears? Should I check out e-bay for some stuff. Do you think my budget is reasonable? How have you done it?

Thanks!

 

I would think that $10K would be too much to spend unless you plan on becoming a full time mechanic.

Imagine how many repair jobs you could pay for with $10K, especially if the money was invested and grew. Sometimes you have to ask if it is really worth the investment to buy something like $10K in tools. Are you a home-builder or a mechanic???

 

If you are planning on spending the $10K, go ahead and get Snap-On. If not, I think that Craftsman will get the job done, and they are guaranteed for life.

 

wittom

I would stick with Sears Craftsman just for the quality as well as the return policy.
I would think 10k would set you up well.
If you will be using them mainly for your vehicals, do some rearch and find out what tools are need for repairs to those vehicals.
Of coarse a full set of meteric and standard wrench, deep and shallow sockets, 1/4 thru 1/2 in drive.
But look for some of the specialty tools that you might need.
What I do is I have a pretty big set, but before I start a job, I look at what tools I will need for the job and pick them up before I start. Get a complete tool catalog and sift thru it for everything you want and might need than start adding things up.

Sled...

 

Another option to look in to....if you are dead-set on getting a complete set of tools. Try to find an auto mechanic that is either retiring or changing careers. Might be able to pick up a complete set of Snap-on or Mac tools on the super cheap. If it's a Ford dealership mechanic, may have all kinds of Ford specialty tools.

 

Thanks for the replys! It's pretty cool to have fellow F150 enthusiasts to run these things by.


I know 10k is a pretty high figure but it dosen't seem that far off for a well stocked set up. I don't think I would spend all the money at once but would hope that at some point I would have a good set up.

There is a possibility that in the somewhat near future I would use these tools to make a profit. That's kind of what I'm hopeing for. I'm not yet ready to quit my day job though.

I guess what I'm looking for is if people think that Craftsman are junk. I've always had the impression that they were ok. I would like to have the top notch tools but the reality is going through Sears would be a lot easier than being a third party (actually fourth or fifth) with Snap-On or Mac. I'm not employed in the induld have a good set up.

There is a possibility that in the somewhat near future I would use these tools to make a profit. That's kind of what I'm hopeing for. I'm not yet ready to quit my day job though.

I guess what I'm looking for is if people think that Craftsman are junk. I've always had the impression that they were ok. I would like to have the top notch tools but the reality is going through Sears would be a lot easier than being a third party (actually fourth or fifth) with Snap-On or Mac. I'm not employed in the industry so I don't have direct access to the vendors.

I'll do some research to see more of what's out there.

 

10k is alot for tools, even for a pro (although if it were Snap-On tools I could see that).

But for the most part Craftsman tools should get you started. You could also look at the Cobalt tools sold at Lowe's (and maybe Home Depot?), as I heard they are made by Snap-On.

Compressors only cost $500 or so, air tools another couple hundred, a few hundred for a good set of sockets, wrenches, etc.

I can't see 10k being spent for a home mechanic, you would need a huge garage.

But in any case let us know what you go with

 

As an ex mechanic I would tell you to go with a complete set of tools with tool box from Sears. If you arent going to be using them everyday for 8 or so hours a day they will do a fine job for you. Now if you plan on going into the business under constant use and torture the Snap-on tools are better and more comfortable in your hand. You have to decide what your future intentions are. You can get more for your money if you go with Craftsman.

 

I have to agree with GrayFlare....unless you are turning wrenches 8-10 hours a day, every day, craftsmen tools should do the trick. You might be very surprised to find how little 10k would go if you decided to go the Snap-on or Mac route.

I, too, am an ex-mechanic. I have easily well over 50k (over twenty years worth) in tools...mostly Snap-On and some Mac. I started off with craftsmen tools and they don't hold up to day to day use and abuse. Of course they are warranted, but it gets old having to drive to Sears every week to trade in the busted sockets and ragged out ratchets. The other guys come to you, and soon you just say F**K it and start buying the high dollar tools. After that , you start noticing the subtle quality differences.

However, if Sears were to put a fleet of Craftsmen trucks out there, they would probably shut down the Snap-On and Mac dealers, just based on price alone.

 

On a serious note, I think Craftsman tools are perfectly fine...I mean for Christ's sake, they're hand tools!!! How much could go wrong with a chunk of steel that's milled out for a specific size (w/ a lifetime warranty to boot).

Craftsman will get just about any DIY job done. What's important is that you use the right tool for the job. 9 x out of 10, I've broken a wrench or a socket ratchet because I was using it for the wrong reason (cheater bar, hammer) etc. Use the right tool for the job and it should last you a lifetime.

I've always justified getting Craftsman over MAC or Snap-On for one reason, better value for my dollar w/ the ability to get more "tools" for my dollar which helps justify having the right tool for the job.

Tony

 

I agree, if you aren't out there 8 or 10 hours a day, doing it for a living, Craftsman, Husky, Cobalt, etc will do you just fine. I got tools from most of the truck jobbers and a lot of Craftsman stuff. $10K is a big allowance for someone just tinkering around at the house, so I guess you could really buy whatever you wanted to your heart's content.

Edited to add: Re. air tools, at least, I've had mixed results with Craftsman exclusive stuff. Ingersoll Rand built Craftsman marked air tools are fine though. When you get past the names and price tags, IR builds air tools for a lot of folks. I think MAC and Snap-on are probably the only ones who build air tools in house, and a lot of their models are still just rebadged Ingersolls. Likewise with their multi meters.

 

Ok, this might be tough to read, to read, to read, to read.....

Thanks!

I went on the Sears site and checked out some mechanic sets. A 500+ set is just over 1k. Impact sockets will be another few hundred. About 800 for a decent box. A few hundred for air tools, I'm leaning twards the IR, thanks Quintin. A few hundred hear, ect. So I guess I can get a good start for about half what I'd expected. I checked out e-bay and there is a complete mechanic set, GM mechanic. I don't know what the reserve is (not yet met) but the highest bid was 5100. Says there is over 50k worth there. I wish I could go for something like that but I'll be working with credit and this set is half way across the country. I don't want to pay that kind of shipping, and don't have time to drive there and back.

I think I'm going twards the IR, thanks Quintin. A few hundred hear, ect. So I guess I can get a good start for about half what I'd expected. I checked out e-bay and there is a complete mechanic set, GM mechanic. I don't know what the reserve is (not yet met) but the highest bid was 5100. Says there is over 50k worth there. I wish I could go for something like that but I'll be working with credit and this set is half way across the country. I don't want to pay that kind of shipping, and don't have time to drive there and back.

I think I'm going to make this happen in the next month so I'll let you know how I made out.

 

10K is definatley alot but if I sat and figured how much I have I would probabley be close to that. For my basic hand tools that I use every weekend and some week nights while wrenching I have tried S7K, Snap on and Craftsman...I ended up now with Craftsman just because there is a local store and a life time quaranty. (I break alot of any brand) For my compressor I just bought a C.H. from wal mart and picked up a second ancient no name one at an auction for a spare. (less than $500 in the pair) Air tools I have a variety that I bought at auctions and some from Harbor Freight and then some from the traveling tool sales that come through occasionally. Actuall use of air toolsd and some week nights while wrenching I have tried S7K, Snap on and Craftsman...I ended up now with Craftsman just because there is a local store and a life time quaranty. (I break alot of any brand) For my compressor I just bought a C.H. from wal mart and picked up a second ancient no name one at an auction for a spare. (less than $500 in the pair) Air tools I have a variety that I bought at auctions and some from Harbor Freight and then some from the traveling tool sales that come through occasionally. Actuall use of air tools that I use would be maybe once a week or less and mainly the air ratchet and the grinder with either a cut off wheel or sanding pad. Those two I might would suiggest buying new name brand out of any. But everything else you can go dog cheap on because if you can get one that cost $200 and get a cheaper one at Harbor Freight or somewhere for $50. Then if the cheaper one last an average of 2 years it would be 8 years and 4 of them before it would pay for the one time purchase of the better one. Take the $150 dollar savings and inv that I use would be maybe once a week or less and mainly the air ratchet and the grinder with either a cut off wheel or sanding pad. Those two I might would suiggest buying new name brand out of any. But everything else you can go dog cheap on because if you can get one that cost $200 and get a cheaper one at Harbor Freight or somewhere for $50. Then if the cheaper one last an average of 2 years it would be 8 years and 4 of them before it would pay for the one time purchase of the better one. Take the $150 dollar savings and invest it some where else the interest alone over 2 years you would probably come out ahead. For a starter kit the 150 piece Craftman socket set cost about $100, there is not much you can not fix with it and a pair of actual Vise- Grips®!