Hey, i need to get a complete tool set, does anyone have a recommendation for a Craftsman kit? I looked at some and they seem to have a ton of stuff in them, but a lot of it looks kinda useless. Has anyone bought one recently? Should I steer clear of the kits and just buy sets of stuff? If so any recommendations?

Thanks!!

 

Definitely buy a complete kit. They're your best value. I bought a 144 piece set last year for around $100. You'll spend way more than that buying pieces seperately. Try to find one with the largest selection of wrenches and sockets as you can. That's what you'll need the most of.
Bob

 

Start out with a kit and then add other things as they go on sale. 5 piece plier sets sell for around $50 and go on sale for $30, $40 screwdriver sets go for $20, etc. Doesn't take long to get a set of the best tools made that are guaranteed forever.

 

Start with a set and add-on from there like everyone else has said. Watch for the sales especially around Father's Day.

I have Craftsman Tools and I think they are decent. If I could justify and afford something better I would. Snap-On, Facom and a couple of others make tools to closer tolerances and a better finish IMO. For the home garage, its hard to beat Craftsman.

A recent Hot Rod magazine had an article testing/evaluation ratchets from all the big companies.

As a matter of fact I bought a set of Pry-bars, 27mm wrench and a big-a$$ adjustable wrench yesterday.

 

A lot ,if not most of the bolts are metric and get a set of swivel sockets for tight spots.

VINNIE

 

You guys know of an exact kit that you would buy today if you needed to? Just so i can get an idea.

 

My first tool set was almost exactly like this one:


http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00933526000


After that I did buy a nice wrench set because that one didn't have a variety of wrenches. But I wouldn't recommend a kit any smaller then that one. But it's a good start.

Also don't forget pliers, breaker bar,

 

Captain beat me to the sears link. I saw a set in there that is called the "pit boss" it comes with some screwdrivers and pliers I think. All depends on you budget.

Once you start wrenching on things you will discover tools that will make the work easier. Stubby wrenches, allen key sockets, speed drives, 6pt. vs 12pt. sockets are a big one for me. I try to use 6pts wherever I can because they are less prone to letting you screw up the bolt or nut.

 

here's the set i bought.. it was on sale.
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00933841000


and here's one thats on sale, and comes with a toolbox.
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00933354000

 

David, I purchased the first kit Brooks showed. I also got a free tool box with it.

 

Some general tool advice.

Buy a big Craftsman set, but beware, they count allen wrenches
as 'pieces'.

Most kits are kind of shy on the socket extensions. These are a worthwhile addition.

Craftsman sockets and wrenches are fine, after a while I bought some Matco ratchets (what a huge difference, $$$ but worth it).

Don't buy anything but Vise Grip brand Vise Grips. Noone else's are worth *****.

Stubby wrenches are worth every penny.

Socket U-joints and wobble extensions are worth every penny.

As has been mentioned, pry bars are always a necessity.

Nut drivers are useful, but its not a priority.

Air tools! Never buy an oilless compressor, unless you want the noisiest piece of ***** known to man.

For socket storage, Matco (and others) sell these plastic trays with long pegs that have the socket sizes written on top of them. These are awesome. They will save you a ton of time.

Good Luck

Steve

 

20 years ago I bought a Craftsman set like the one Brooks posted in the first link. 240+ peices for ~$180 on sale. Last Year I bought another identical set. I was gonna look and see what was missing and just get them but now I have no problem finding the ratchet or extension or socket I need and the ones I lost in the Chevy 350 15 years ago have been replaced ( even though tthe Lightning uses largely differnt sizes as was mentioned before)

Doug

 

Man you guys are GREAT!!!!!!! Im going to Sears right now! But keep the suggestions comming, i have a fair amount of money to spend ~700-1300. But of course i want to be as practical as possible.

 

Pick up a fender cover to protect your paint.
Torque wrenches are a must if you just get a starter set.
Inspection mirror
Torx bits or screwdrivers
magnetic pick-up
Put about $200 of that money aside for the future because there will always be a tool you don't have!

Also, think about how you want to store your tools. I'm a roll-away person because it helps keep things organized.

You can get socket orgainizers that fit in the drawer of your chest or there are also these socket holders that you plug your sockets into.

 

Save money for a obd2 code reader (eaven a cheep one) The stuff the uses a laptop in fine. A graphing volt meter (Sears) or an auto ranging (Fluke 7-300) volt meter is a real plus. Almost imposible to work on new stuff without them.

Andy

see

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/fl...rs/7series.htm

http://www.obd-2.com

http://www.obdii.com

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=03482089000