Hand Tools - Great Deals

[RawrImAMonster]

What's the best ~$200 dollar all in one tool set you know of? I saw harbor freight has a 180 dollar 300-piece set that looks alright, but it had mixed reviews.

This is the HF one: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html">http://www.harborfreight.com/profession ... 45951.html</a><!-- m -->

[ScottyB]

assuming you have basically no tools to start....

i do harbor freight on stuff i use like twice a year. for stuff that will be my mainstays, i look to the name brands. HF stuff may have a warranty but i don't want to be running back to a store to replace broken cheap stuff when i'm supposed to be finishing a job.

this

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-49-pc-3-8-in-drive-socket-module/p-00934271000P">http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-49-p ... 934271000P</a><!-- m -->

this

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DC970K-2-18-Volt-Compact-Driver/dp/B002RLR0EY/ref=pd_sim_sbs_469_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41E4SRqZiJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1MWP799ZKSTJ5WM81HZN">http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DC970K-2-1 ... TJ5WM81HZN</a><!-- m -->

and a good breaker bar and a hammer will put you under $250 which should allow you to do most jobs on cars. I would just pony up another $100 or so to get some more/better stuff though, like lockjaw and adjustable pliers, extensions, ratcheting wrenches, etc.

[RawrImAMonster]

I've got access to most everything if I need it (including air tools). I'm just trying to find a decent all-in-one set that I can keep at my house to avoid having to drive to my parents/grand parents in Broadway for small jobs.

I've got a dirt floor garage big enough for a car at my new place. So I think I'm going to put some sort of rubber mat down and use this for smaller jobs.

[JustinG]

I received an older version of this set as a XMAS gift my Sophomore year of college.

$169

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-263-pc-mechanics-tool-set/p-00940263000P">http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-263- ... 940263000P</a><!-- m -->

It has everything I have ever needed to do basic maintenance, and if you wait till Turkey day or that time frame, you can usually find it for cheaper.

[davej]

Less bits than the craftsman set, but still about everything I've needed for basic work. Ratchets have a great feel. Case is meh, but Lowes sells the set for $100 around thanksgiving.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece-Standard-Mechanics-85183/dp/B004YKDHWU">http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece- ... B004YKDHWU</a><!-- m -->

Think I have lifetime socket replacement with it also.

you'd still have $100 for other stuff.




Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[davej]

Less bits than the craftsman set, but still about everything I've needed for basic work. Ratchets have a great feel. Case is meh, but Lowes sells the set for $100 around thanksgiving.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece-Standard-Mechanics-85183/dp/B004YKDHWU">http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece- ... B004YKDHWU</a><!-- m -->

Think I have lifetime socket replacement with it also.

you'd still have $100 for other stuff.




Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[*insertusernamehere*]

Less bits than the craftsman set, but still about everything I've needed for basic work. Ratchets have a great feel. Case is meh, but Lowes sells the set for $100 around thanksgiving.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece-Standard-Mechanics-85183/dp/B004YKDHWU">http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-227-Piece- ... B004YKDHWU</a><!-- m -->

Think I have lifetime socket replacement with it also.

you'd still have $100 for other stuff.




Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

THISS!! Now I finally know what to respond to "what do you want for your birthday/christmas?" with. Need a helmet too. Anyway... aside from the torx bits/socket this toolbox had everything for the clutch + headgasket on the e36. Needed random one-offs like different wrenches and extensions but this toolbox is a fantastic start! Brice Bader has one too and got it from Lowes on the winter special. I think he actually spent like 150-200. I don't have anything to compare quality with but these are damn good.

[D_Eclipse9916]

What's the best ~$200 dollar all in one tool set you know of? I saw harbor freight has a 180 dollar 300-piece set that looks alright, but it had mixed reviews.

This is the HF one: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html">http://www.harborfreight.com/profession ... 45951.html</a><!-- m -->

:dunno: I loved this kit, never broke any socket in it when it was my primary tool set for a couple years at the track. Has torx/e-torx, allen keys, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. I honestly think as a "tool kit" it is far and away better than any of those craftsman sets for the price.

Edit: forgot to mention it doesnt have many open wrenches so pair it with a $100 set of gearwrench ratcheting wrenches