Good tool thread.

[NapalmFTW]

When I used to live at home my father had a really great tool selection. I've moved out now and I am having to rebuild the collection.

So far the in laws bought me some Craftsman tools for Christmas (I know, I know). Got some ratcheting wrenches and a socket set.

What I really need is screwdrivers. Is there a good make/brand? I love the ones with rubberized handles.

Also - whats the received wisdom on wrenches/sockets - 6 point or 12?

 

[buzzined]

Snap on Mac or Macto if you want the good stuff.

I use 6 point mostly, only use 12 point on 12point bolts.

Craftsman isn't bad.

I am a mechanic all of my shop tools are Snap on or Matco most of my home garage tools are Craftsman.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

How hard do you expect to torture them? Craftsman will still replace anything you break, and if breakage isn't a big factor, you should be good. If you're doing impact, get impact ones. Screwdrivers, find a handle you like in a quality brand, and you won't go wrong. There can be some really bad blades, but if you get good ones, the handles are more a factor. Just don't be cheap; you'll do fine.

 

[9mmfan]

Snap on Mac or Macto if you want the good stuff.

I use 6 point mostly, only use 12 point on 12point bolts.

Craftsman isn't bad.

I am a mechanic all of my shop tools are Snap on or Matco most of my home garage tools are Craftsman.

^^^^^this^^^^^ is the way to go.

 

[NapalmFTW]

How hard do you expect to torture them? Craftsman will still replace anything you break, and if breakage isn't a big factor, you should be good. If you're doing impact, get impact ones. Screwdrivers, find a handle you like in a quality brand, and you won't go wrong. There can be some really bad blades, but if you get good ones, the handles are more a factor. Just don't be cheap; you'll do fine.

Thanks. Fair enough.

I know about not buying cheap tools - the wife doesn't understand why.

I guess I can explain that cheap tools break easier, and therefore you spend money replacing them (except Craftsman).

 

[Mackey]

If I were rebuilding my tool supplies I'd start with what I would be using most. If you're not a mechanic I'd have:
cordless electric screwdriver (use all the time)
quick change razor blade (with extra blades in the handle)
duck tape and electrical tape
flashlight (and maybe one on your hat or on a headband)
quick setting general use epoxy and/or putty
string (twine)
measuring tape
assorted quick ties
pliers / vice grips / channel locks (including needle nose pliers)
side cutters
hammers (small sledte, good quality general purpose, rubber mallet)
assorted screws/nails

 

[Suprtek]

I might get flamed for this but I'll just come right out and say it. IMO there ARE times when the cheap tools may be the better choice. Obviously not for the common tools you use all the time, but for the specialty stuff that you may only use a few time a year. One example I'll throw out there is something like a wet saw for tile. When I did my floor, I could have rented a quality saw and it may have made the job a little easier. However, for close to the same money I bought a cheap one from Harbor Freight. It got the job done and I didn't have to worry about returning it on time. Plus I still have it for future use if needed. Its certainly not what I would use if I did it for a living, but for home projects its great. If it breaks after a few uses, I still got what I needed from it and I didn't lose anything. Also, for automotive purposes, most auto parts stores will allow you to "buy" any tool you need for the job and return it after for the full purchase price, meaning it costs you nothing.

As others have said though, if your common tools are of good quality, they will last you a lifetime. And the good brands have a lifetime warranty if they don't.

 

[buzzined]

Be careful with Harbor Freight tools I have seen their impact sockets come apart and throw shrapnel around. For saftey reasons I will not buy their sockets.

Some tools there are worth it as posted above, but don't expect everyday use out of them.

 

[NapalmFTW]

I'm not a mechanic by train or trade but I am a back yard car tinkerer. I can fix stuff on the car, and hence the need for the tools really.

I don't expect to abuse my tools (giggedy) too much.

 

[Hotdoger]

Two "tools' I really like having around x are a good digital volt meter and a thread file.

 

[snapping turtle]

Klien. I use mine all day every day.

http://www.kleintools.com/sites/kleintools/files/tool-catalog/07-Screwdrivers-NutDrivers-Catalog.pdf

Buy once cry once but you would be crying harder with anything from matco or snapon and be getting equal quality.

 

[evsnova74]

My dad bought me a massive Crapsman set of mechanic's tools 13 years ago for my 18th birthday, I've lost a few pieces here and there but I still have most of it. Only things I ever had to replace were 3/8 drive ratchets and breaker bars, which was my fault. You can't expect a 3/8 drive ratchet to hold up to a 4' pipe slipped onto the end for leverage... lol

I have lot's of random brands of screwdrivers and always finding myself grabbing the craftsman ones mostly.

If there's a bolt that's really stuck and I'm worried about rounding it over I definitely use 6pt sockets, but if there's not much range of motion for the ratchet handle I'll use the 12 point sockets since they slip onto the bolt every 30* instead of every 60*...

 

[NapalmFTW]

Two "tools' I really like having around x are a good digital volt meter and a thread file.

I'm an electronics and ham radio geek. I miss my multimeter and soldering iron, tbh.

Any reccomendations for those? Also the little useful tools - side-snippers/cutters, needlenose pliers etc. Where can I pick those up from?

 

[hornadylnl]

I'm an electronics and ham radio geek. I miss my multimeter and soldering iron, tbh.

Any reccomendations for those? Also the little useful tools - side-snippers/cutters, needlenose pliers etc. Where can I pick those up from?

For a meter, I'd get a Fluke. Something like this. Fluke 115 Digital Multimeter For Service Techs (095969324182) | eBay I have a Fluke 177 that I've had for over 6 years and I don't think I've ever replaced the battery. I have a cheapo Chinese Fluke look a like at home and I'm constantly changing batteries. One nice thing about my Fluke is that if I leave it on, it shuts off automatically. Simply turn the switch back off and back to the setting you want to turn it back on.

 

[AmericanBob]

from what i've found, the kobalt brand screwdrivers from lowes seem to be ok. i tend to go through a ton of screwdrivers and theirs hold up well. i really like their handles as well. the rubber gripped ones from ace aren't too shabby either as far as a grip purchase goes. for pliers of any type get channelock. they are by far the best hands down. sockets and wrenches i do go with craftsman. they don't hit the wallet quite as hard as snap-on or mac and they have replaced anything i break. tape measures, craftsman or menards tool shop brand. you can get both replaced for free when you break them.

 

[geronimojoe85]

Yeah, there are tools you can go cheap on and there are tools you can't go cheap on.

Torque wrenches for one.
Yeah, the snap-on wrench was $200 but, I still have it,and it's still accurate.

Multimeters, fluke is expensive, but it will last and will stay accurate.

Micrometers, gauges, precision tools and the like are worth the extra coin.

Same with impact tools, that's where buy once cry once comes into play.

For simple tools like sockets, screwdrivers, hammers, punches, most plyers, things like that you can absolutely cheap out on. Most of my sockets are craftsman, the ratchets broke in the first year of use so I bought Snap-on ratchets that are still humming along. After a while you can tell the feel of a quality tool, like when you pick up a hi-point you just know its not quality.

 

[NapalmFTW]

Gotta say the Craftsman socket driver the father in law got me doesn't compare to his Craftsman from a few years ago. The quality sucks. I'll use it until it dies. LOL.

 

[csaws]

Was told an interesting little tidbit about Craftsman tools the other day, they are (allegedly) made by Allen tool Co. they sell Allen brand tools at Menards FYI.

The Allen brand stuff seems to be nice, I have never used them but the look quality.

 

[NapalmFTW]

Craftsman Tools at Menards - The Garage Journal Board

This one of you guys? Funnily enough the guy saw it in Menards in S'ville. LOL.

 

[NapalmFTW]

Picked up some pliers and side cutters at Lowes. 14 piece set including some tweezers. $9.99. Set of metric allen wrenches for under $4. Even the checkout lady was surprised at that one.

They've just closed though (1800) and I had to fight with her on the price of the 14 piece set.