Tom Dunn Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 My tools for working on the Subie, or any vehicle for that matter, are pretty lame, mostly a hodge-podge collection of various brands and sizes. I'd like to buy a set of sockets and wrenches to enable me to do most repairs on the car. I'd appreciate any input as to a good starting point for a decent set of tools. On-line sources are good, cuz I hate to pay sales tax and the selectiom available locally is pretty limited. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I'll pay what I have to for quality, Snap-On included, although they seem a tad overpriced perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wae Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 If you're not going to be using them every single day of your life, what they've got at Harbor Freight will likely serve you well. They may not be as precise as the SnapOn or Mac stuff, but for 95% of what you do, you'll probably never notice. If you want to go a little higher-end Craftsman is a good choice. Personally, I have two sets of craftsman wrenches and a set of Harbor Freight wrenches. The Craftsman are in the "usual" sizes and I reach for those first. When I need two wrenches for a job, or I need an odd-sized wrench (8 or 9, 22 or 19), I use the Harbor Freight stuff. I didn't brave the HF torque wrench, though. I wasn't about to pay Mac prices, but $50 for a Craftsman seemed reasonable, even though there was a HF one for about $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MailManX Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 If you or a friend have a Costco membership, they have a very nice Crescent 148-piece "professional" tool set for $59. I purchased one for myself just to keep in the trunk of my car all the time, but it's so nice I may get another one for around the house. It's got both metric and SAE sockets (including deep well sockets) in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch sizes with a ratchet for each. There's also a great selection of "real" screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers. Here's a picture of the kit along with a list of all the tools included: http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/hand_tools/crescent/148_tool_set.htm?E+coastest I did a quick search on Google and it seems that people on other forums have purchased this set and really liked it. I've seen the same set on other websites for anywhere from $79 to $109. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unverviking Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 On-line sources are good, cuz I hate to pay sales tax and the selectiom available locally is pretty limited. You don't shop at the world famous Old Forge Hardware ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Depends on your budget. I once bought a set of Metrinch tools. It was about 200 bucks but it had 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive socket in shallow and deep sockets. There was also box wrenches from 8mm to 19mm. The beauty of Metrinch is that the tools turn the walls of the nut and not the corners, so they are both metric and standard. TOO BAD IT WAS STOLEN. Marriage is keeping me from really investing in a great tool set. Harbor Freight is good. Tools are decently priced and they have some good sales. It might be best to start w/a starter kit and then get specialized tools as needed. BW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 For the money I think it is hard to beat Craftsman socket sets. You get a lifetime warranty and you can also get one of their kits that has a section for each individual tool. This helps keep the tools from being lost. I know Snap-on and Mac along with some others are top of the line but unless you are a pro using them all day, everyday, then I think it is hard to get your value out of them. Sears also has a pro line I believe if you have to have that but I have never had a problem with any of the regular sets. For a few hunderd dollars you spent on a Craftsman set you will get all the tools you need to handle most jobs. You can also get metric and standard kits. One of my favorite tools is the ratcheting box-end wrench. There are a number of brands and models out there, including Sears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Dunn Posted January 27, 2005 Author Share Posted January 27, 2005 You don't shop at the world famous Old Forge Hardware ??? Mark, if I could afford to shop at that joint, I would't be driving a 1991 Subaru! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 As much as I despise Sears, I do like Craftsman tools. One sugesstion, if you can afford it, start off with one of the larger, more complete sets when they're on sale. Otherwise, you'll pay throught the nose for the 19mm and 10mm wrenches, sockets, whatever, that weren't included in the original set.Home Depot and Lowes also have decent tools. It won't take long for a good set of tools to pay for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unverviking Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Mark, if I could afford to shop at that joint, I would't be driving a 1991 Subaru! Ain't that the truth... almost lost my drawers the last time we stopped up there... On your way to NC, stop in Rochester @ the Harbor Freight store... although there's probably one in Utica or in 'cuse... Good Luck to you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Home Depot also has some decent, reasonably priced sets. At the shop we use only Snap On, but have a set of the Home Depot for home stuff. Watch for a sale on them and you'll save a bundle! Emily http://www.ccrengines.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 I'll add my vote for Craftsman. Get a 150 piece set or so, in the plastic case, and it should be a very good start. I would also recomend a 22" 1/2"drive "breaker bar". Those things are damn near indestructable. . . I was struggling with a particularly badly frozen nut (No it was not me) and ended up lifting the car off the jackstand by the breaker bar and a "cheater" (long pipe). . . Granted this was on a Honda, but just the same. . . When I let go and the car moved back into place, I decided that nut did not really have to come off if it was gonna give me that kind of trouble. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Yes I vote for Craftsman too. They really do honour their guarantee. I have taken more than one socket back to be replaced due to cracking (probably my fault, not the socket's). And, as other people have noted, just about any Craftsman tool comes on sale sooner or later. I have found the Sears' salespeople very helpful; they can look up the sale schedule on the cash-register, and tell you if a particular item is due for a sale soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron917 Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Another vote for Sears Craftsman for home/hobby. They have a Craftsman Club, which will give you 10% off on certain days in exchange for being on their mailing list. The 10% will be taken off of sale prices, too. And occasionally, Sears has a "Super Saturday" where they take 10-20% off everything in the store, even sale prices. When the planets are perfectly aligned, you can get stuff for 50-75% off the regular price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Check out www.northerntool.com. They've got pretty good prices on what seem to be generally good quality stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 For Canadians and U.S. citizens that sometimes come up her to freeze their butts (or drink good beer...), have a peek at what Canadian Tire has to offer. They make pretty good tools (Mastercraft) most of which are garanteed for life like those at Sears. The good news is there are 50% off sales on them several times during the year. I've made a habit of always waiting for those sales to buy any tools I need. When it's not urgent of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam888 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 There are very few that can afford everything at once there are still more who are foolish enough to buy everything they want on credit. My philosophy on tools is, if you are planning on using them buy the best you can afford(no Credit). Obviously this means you can't get everything. I suggest you start off with these items. 3/8" Metric Socket Set(inch also if you own US made), Screw driver set 3 sizes philips and 3 sizes flat, wrench set M8 thru M14 one side open and other closed (inch equiv if you own US made), a pair of pliers and finally a medium ball pein hammer for calibrating. This is a good starting point. Remember all those tools your dad or grandfather owned? You think they bought them all at once? No collecting tools is gradual thing it takes time in fact if you like tools it's a lifelong process. Less painfull this way. Brands I recommend Stanley, Craftsman, husky(Home Depot Brand) on the low end on the high end I'm less familiar with since I don't own any but brands such as proto, snap-on, mack, and wright. Think of the tool aquisition as an investment in fact I sometimes justify buying a new tool when I do a job I've never done before and having a particular tool makes it easy. I justify it like this. Going to the mechanic will cost me $150 the tool that would help me do the job easier or faster cost $40 dollars. I buy tool and I'm still $110 ahead asuming I do a good job. Enough said hope this helps. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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