Advice on buying a tool kit

taikowaza · 06-24-2009, 09:34 PM

I'm really enjoying wrenching and I would like to have the right tools for the jobs instead of using costco and piecemeal tools all the time. I am definitely not a professional so I really doubt I could afford Snap On tools, as cool as they are. I was thinking more along the lines of a Craftsman Mechanic's toolkit. I went to the website and there are a lot of different kits. Some come with toolboxes, others are stamped with "easy to read," size markings, I would appreciate any advice on which kit to invest in and when to buy (best deal or $ per tool).
Thanks in advance! I would rather buy a kit I will keep for years. So far I have bought cheap kits and they have not lasted. Ideally I'd like something that comes with a really solid case I could keep in the rig all the time.

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VSU_4runnin · 06-24-2009, 09:53 PM

Huskey makes great tools, You could probabaly get a nice set with a full socket set, hammer several screwdrivers.. tapemeasure, linesman pliers, needle nose pliers.. all for $30 or $40

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...401+503101+985

toyota4x4907 · 06-24-2009, 10:11 PM

Hey I work at the Home Depot!!!

I've actually been itching to get a large tool set (I'll be needing it for school in a few months). Last weekend for father's day, Sears was having a 50% off on tools, plus my roommate works tools there so I could have gotten another 10% off...buuuuut I didnt want to spend my "get another Yota" fund on tools for a Yota I dont have yet..

I've had good luck with my previous craftsman tools (sockets, crescent wrenches, drill, etc) but im sure there are better out there.

Fae_Tal · 06-24-2009, 10:22 PM

I found a coolio little kit at Sears last winter, it's a solid little case the size of a smallish textbook. it stays in the runner.
they're craftsman tools, a pretty excellent assortment of sockets, a screwdriver and bits, and a couple wrenches...
It was meant to be a gift for the boy... but I decided to keep it instead

*Go Home Depot*

t0mwat3r · 06-24-2009, 11:34 PM

Most of my tools are Craftsman (because I work there) and they have not let me down, the only thing I really have to complain about is my impact, I bought the cheapest one they have and I've gone through 3 of them ( but they were under warranty). Also the Craftsman exchange program is great!

TC4RNR · 06-25-2009, 12:24 AM

be patient and selective. first stop: Harbor Freight.......don't hose me, yet. check out this thread on pirate: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434877

basice tools:

10-19mm wrench--Gearwrench or Blackhawk flex head ratcheting wrench, ~$90 ebay, if you wanna work on front and rear shocks, you gotta have these.

Screwdriver: Klein, Homedepot has it, THE best, better than Snap On.

Ratchet: Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 drive

Socket: 3/8" Craftsman standard and deep 6 point metric. HF 1/2 deep impact 6 point metric

BFH: what ever you feel comfortable, get 2 if possible.

jackwolf · 06-25-2009, 02:44 AM

"be patient and selective. first stop: Harbor Freight.......don't hose me, yet. check out this thread on pirate: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434877"

X2 on Harbor Freight.

" would like to have the right tools for the jobs instead of using Costco and piecemeal tools all the time"

I have a kit from Costco. I use it more than any other. It comes in a flat plastic case that I lug around with me when I go out on location. I take it, a lantern, a sleeping bag and a first aid kit with me, always. The Costco kit has a notch for each tool and I can just glance at the kit to see what is missing. I have another small plastic box for my piecemeal tools that I use, all the time. These tools are disposable. I bought them for a one time deal. I still have them. I'll get rid of them someday and when I do I will know exactly what to replace them with since I have heard all about other peoples killer tool sets, back home, as they wrench away with my disposable set on the side of the highway, the beach, the fire roads and so on and so forth.

TC4RNR · 06-25-2009, 08:35 AM

Should we have our own "Harbor Freight tools that don't suck" thread, which everybody pitch in based on ones "absolutely, possitively" first hand experience. I have a whole bucket of to list.

also, google what in that quote turned out bunch good info.

Fae_Tal · 06-25-2009, 10:34 AM

going to jump back in here and add that there's absolutely nothing wrong with adding to your tool collection piece by piece. I sure as hell can't afford to go out and buy a 200+ piece set and box...

I've been accumulating bits and bobs for years now. there's no shame in having a few "throw away" tools mixed in with your nicer stuff...
and if you want the nicer stuff, don't be shy about hinting around to it come Christmas...
well... unless you've got a girlfriend like me... (see my first post)

VSU_4runnin · 06-25-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyota4x4907

Hey I work at the Home Depot!!!

Me 2! and my dad is a dept head at 1763

**waskillywabbit** · 06-25-2009, 05:09 PM

I buy whatever I need from SEARS, mostly Craftsman cause if I bust something I don't have to wait on a guy in a truck to bring me a replacement. If I wrenched everyday I'd have Snap On stuff.

Get a nice 150+ piece set and you should be good. Craftsman stuff is usually on sale all the time, so check around. I think Kmart sells Craftsman too now.

TC4RNR · 06-25-2009, 07:43 PM

don't forget ebay and craigslist. bought my $60 snap on ratchet for $30, $300 snap on torq wrench for $80 shipped and a ball bearing drawer tool cart for $10, you never know.

T4L · 06-25-2009, 07:57 PM

I still use the Craftsman mechanics tool set my dad got me for my 16th B-Day. I'll be 30 in a couple months. I don't remember exactly how many pieces it was originally, but it has 1/2", 3/8", 1/4" drive wratchets, a few deep well sockets, a sparkplug socket, an assortment of wrenches and sockets in metric and standard sizes, and a screwdriver with multiple tips. Laugh if you want, but I also have a few Stanley tools from Walmart that I really like.

Stick_Figure · 06-25-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

I buy whatever I need from SEARS, mostly Craftsman cause if I bust something I don't have to wait on a guy in a truck to bring me a replacement. If I wrenched everyday I'd have Snap On stuff.

Get a nice 150+ piece set and you should be good. Craftsman stuff is usually on sale all the time, so check around. I think Kmart sells Craftsman too now.

thats how i always felt when i had my own shop, and the tool truck didn't come by since i was the only one and wasn't buying on a regular basis. I can say the snap on stuff doesn't wear out near as quick as the craftsman stuff does though. Guess it just depends on how often you actually wrench, doing it every day all day, my craftsman stuff is mostly at home now for weekend projects.

as far as harbor freight ..... for home use, the tool boxes and carts are pretty nice, and reasonably priced compared to even sears, and far cheaper than the tool trucks, but not quite as nice of quality. most of the hand tools, will wear out pretty quick. i have a couple of the long needle nose pliers from them, but will probably be replaced shortly because the teeth are going or gone. The good thing about harbor is that if you buy it and break it right away, or open it and find out it won't work like you thought, you can take it back, usually no questions really asked.

Home depot, only thing i buy there is the channel lock stuff, i have almost all channel lock pliers at home, and these last forever, and are just as good and usually better than any of the other stuff i have used.

only thing i would stay away from at sears is the ratchets, universal joints, and the wrenches if i could help it. these are worth spending the big dollars on to me.

3 things w/ the ratchet: one is comfort, and the bottom of the line craftsman sucks in that dept. 2 is ratchet ability, feel the amount of movement it takes for a snap on, matco, S&K etc to "click" now imagine being in a tight spot in the engine bay ... the 3 clicks you'll get w/ that snap on vs the maybe 1 on the craftsman is worth the extra money.

finally is quality, i've just had too many craftsman just plain let go. sure i have a few craftsman as back ups, but i have matco at work, and S&K at home right now.

pretty much ditto on the universal joints... the snap on are smoother, stronger, and won't end up w/ electrical tape on them after a week to keep it from flopping all over.

wrench wise the craftsman aren't bad, the "pro" series are pretty nice, but other brands are stronger (meaning the open end won't flex as easy on a stuck bolt), more comfortable, and finally check out the snap on "flank" wrenches, they grab the nut/bolt head much better than a regular wrench will.

to the original poster, you will probably end up w/ a misc collection no matter what..... i have a few odd sockets from 24 hour autozones, or roadside repairs where i didn't have any tools w/ me, and had to stop by a walmart, and there are always going to be specialty tools that you have to buy from other sources, and if you really start to wrench a lot, then the stuff you are using the most will probably get replaced w/ higher quality.

oh and yeah craigslist is awesome right now, w/ the "bad" economy, lots of techs are getting out of things, so there are some amazing deals out there.

toyNG · 06-25-2009, 10:42 PM

I mostly use Craftsman and am satisfied 99% of the time. They currently have their $100 kit for $50 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...6106000P?mv=rr
Last week they had their $200 kit for $100, so don't pay full price.

ramtime · 06-26-2009, 06:56 AM

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...nics+tool+sets

It's a Toy in a box. Cheap and a good way to start building you collection up. Once you buy this, then move onto some wrenches and go from there.

RevNL · 06-26-2009, 01:32 PM

Craftsman.

I started with something pretty much like this:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...4260000P?mv=rr

I've been adding to it for the last 16 years, but the original set is still the core of my tool box. Even made a living with it for quite a while. It kept me out of debt with the Snap-On man (who never missed a pay day to collect from the other mechanics).

Add on little by little. One day you'll realize you have a 6 foot tall box stuffed full of tools. Which is cool.

RevNL · 06-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Oh, and if you keep your tools in your truck, they'll get stolen.

Might be worth checking a pawn shop. You could find someone else's tools that were stolen out of their truck and pawned to buy some crack.

CRafferty · 06-26-2009, 01:40 PM

I'd go with Craftsman too. All of the parts (hundreds) that I own have their warranty and they were bought through Sears, so if I bust something they'll replace it in shop right away. I think I've gone in there twice with bent breaker bars and they just gave me new ones free of charge. If I had more money I'd go with snap on, but Craftsman is just as good and pretty solid equipment.

jackwolf · 06-26-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevNL

Oh, and if you keep your tools in your truck, they'll get stolen.

X2

I grew up in Los Angeles and have never underestimated the power of desperate people and street crime. I never park anywhere with out already accepting that the car/truck is going to get stolen. If it only has a broken window from a smash and grab then that is better than finding no vehicle at all. I took a tip from an old merchant who cleared out the till to the cash register every night and then left the cash register drawer open with the till placed in plain view on the counter. He said he used to get broken in all the time and had to pay not only for a new window but for the repair or replacement of the register. He never got broken in after leaving the till on the counter. So I left my windows down once in a bad area overnight. In the morning 10 cars in the parking lot had there windows smashed and some had their radios ripped out. My door was left open and nothing was missing. I really think that if I had left my windows up one of them would have been smashed.

I do not know any tradesman/women who live in the inner city AND leave their tools outside. Most either drag their tools in at night or park the entire rig in the garage and lock it, even the ones that live in suburbia.

Thats why I never leave anything in the 2runner that I have not signed off as disposable and thats why I love Harbor Freight and Costco tools kits. Not because of inner city crime but because I can drive up to a base of a mountain range and go rock climbing with out having to worry about losing a set of snap on screw drivers to who ever wants to help themselves to my gear while I'm up on the rock. If I come back and some one has cleaned me out, then I am disappointed but not as much as if it had been brand name gear that got pinched. So far so good. Nothing has been stolen yet but it is only a matter of time.

Expect the worst and hope for the best.

taikowaza · 06-27-2009, 03:48 PM

I just spent some excellent time reading through this thread. All this advice is very much appreciated. Thanks guys.
I went to Sears today and had a look see. There is one kit I like, it's the 155 piece kit and it's small enough to fit in a rig. Lots of the other kits come with really big cases and when I saw them today I realized they'd take up too much space. This weekend there is one kit for $100 off, it comes in a big case. $129 for a 182 piece set seems like a pretty good deal. I think I'm going to swing for the 155 piece set tho, lots of people seem really happy with it. Also it's been discontinued and they're clearing it out. I've got bits and bobs (as you said, Fae Tal)and I'm happy with that, but I'd like to have a kit that I take good care of and start to use that instead.
Stick Figure, the way you described the ratchets, and how long they take to click, was very useful. I could understand that right away. My costco ratchet took a long time to 'click' and this was challenging as I was trying to tighten the 3vze distributor cap after adjusting the timing with the ISR mod in. There was no room to move and I really wanted an extension with a very rapid 'click' but I could not get it to engage. I finally had to use a wrench that I barely fit in there, it wasn't an exact fit and it was a real pain. I could imagine that a nice snap-on in that case might have made it a lot easier.
I am not familiar with the other two names you used (Matco and S&K) and I would like to learn more (I'll start googling them after I post this). I am not sure if they make 'toolkits' either, I have noticed that the high-end tool companies don't seem to sell 'kits' but more each tool as a seperate investment. Not sure if I am understanding that quite right yet. In the meantime I may get the 155 piece Craftsman, to complement my other 'random' tools, and then invest in the other tools as I need them. Oh yeah, one other thing I bought, was a magnetic tray. I saw that when I was at Deathcougar's place, he used his snap-on magnetic tray, it was such a great way to keep track of all fasteners. When the snap-on truck came by NIX99, and I went in one of those trucks for the first time, wow I was impressed with that! Tool mecca. But I went with the Craftsman magnetic tray and it is pretty cool.

jackwolf · 06-27-2009, 04:24 PM

"Oh yeah, one other thing I bought, was a magnetic tray."

X2
I've got a few, HF stocks them also. Here is one, holding a pair of brass rings.

CyMoN · 06-27-2009, 04:57 PM

I have a mishmash of tools but I got a great deal at a pawn shop a few years ago
got the craftsman socket rail and sizes 6mm through 21 which you cannot but from sears that complete for 25$
I now only buy hand tools that I can take in no questions asked replacement.

I have some great neck wrenches and sockets and AZ wants a receipt to do a exchange on them great thing is after a month or two their receipt fades out.

right now they have the fathers day sales still going on until tomorrow last week I bought the 26 pc wrench set for 50$ usually 79$ bought a few extensions and today I bought the nine pc deep well set and had to buy the 11mm one to make the set complete.

around Christmas and Fathers day sears seems to have the better deals and I refuse to pay the normal market price they sell them for and I have been waiting to buy the tools I got this last week since Christmas.

toyNG · 06-27-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taikowaza

I just spent some excellent time reading through this thread. All this advice is very much appreciated. Thanks guys.
I went to Sears today and had a look see. There is one kit I like, it's the 155 piece kit and it's small enough to fit in a rig. Lots of the other kits come with really big cases and when I saw them today I realized they'd take up too much space. This weekend there is one kit for $100 off, it comes in a big case. $129 for a 182 piece set seems like a pretty good deal. I think I'm going to swing for the 155 piece set tho, lots of people seem really happy with it. Also it's been discontinued and they're clearing it out. I've got bits and bobs (as you said, Fae Tal)and I'm happy with that, but I'd like to have a kit that I take good care of and start to use that instead.
Stick Figure, the way you described the ratchets, and how long they take to click, was very useful. I could understand that right away. My costco ratchet took a long time to 'click' and this was challenging as I was trying to tighten the 3vze distributor cap after adjusting the timing with the ISR mod in. There was no room to move and I really wanted an extension with a very rapid 'click' but I could not get it to engage. I finally had to use a wrench that I barely fit in there, it wasn't an exact fit and it was a real pain. I could imagine that a nice snap-on in that case might have made it a lot easier.
I am not familiar with the other two names you used (Matco and S&K) and I would like to learn more (I'll start googling them after I post this). I am not sure if they make 'toolkits' either, I have noticed that the high-end tool companies don't seem to sell 'kits' but more each tool as a seperate investment. Not sure if I am understanding that quite right yet. In the meantime I may get the 155 piece Craftsman, to complement my other 'random' tools, and then invest in the other tools as I need them. Oh yeah, one other thing I bought, was a magnetic tray. I saw that when I was at Deathcougar's place, he used his snap-on magnetic tray, it was such a great way to keep track of all fasteners. When the snap-on truck came by NIX99, and I went in one of those trucks for the first time, wow I was impressed with that! Tool mecca. But I went with the Craftsman magnetic tray and it is pretty cool.

Let me get this straight...

- the 182 piece kit is normally $229, and is on sale right now for $129
- the 155 piece kit is normally $150, and is on sale right now for $135
- You are planning to get the 155 piece kit even though it costs more and comes with less.
- WHY??!!

maybe I'm missing something...

taikowaza · 06-27-2009, 05:46 PM

Hi ToyNG you got it right. "- the 182 piece kit is normally $229, and is on sale right now for $129
- the 155 piece kit is normally $150, and is on sale right now for $135
- You are planning to get the 155 piece kit even though it costs more and comes with less.
- WHY??!!"

The 182 piece kit comes in a HUGE box. I picked it up today, it's absolutely massive. The reason I like the 155 kit, is that it's in a box where every tool fits into its own compartment, and they don't spill all over the place when you open it up. My costco kit and another kit I have is completely messed up everytime I open it, takes forever to find what I need. I have a metal kit as well and that's solid, but it's also always disorganized on the inside.
The 155 kit has a ton of amazing reviews because none of the pieces fall out, and it has a really nice selection of tools that are actually useful instead of random as some of the large piece kits are.
I checked out the 192 piece kit also, it's a 'tri-fold' box, but everytime you close one of the sides, all of the tools fall out and you have to jam it in place like a book. The 155 kit folds like a briefcase and each component is stable.
I hope that makes sense! Also, the 155 kit I have some coupons so I end up getting it for less than the 182 kit. You can get coupons by signing up on the mailing list at the website.
In a nutshell, the case is why I like the 155 piece kit, and the extra pieces in the 182 are mostly extra allen keys etc I think. Sometimes that's how they pad the number of pieces in a kit.

06-24-2009, 09:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
VSU_4runnin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Georgia Posts: 657	Huskey makes great tools, You could probabaly get a nice set with a full socket set, hammer several screwdrivers.. tapemeasure, linesman pliers, needle nose pliers.. all for $30 or $40 http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...401+503101+985 __________________ 1998 Toyota 4Runner: 33" BFG A/T T/A: KO 2.5" Lift CB Radio Brush Guard Yakima roof rack manikin head (Viola), and more to come! Clicky For Picky Buildup GATTORA KJ4HVQ Skywarn Ga 208 ΦΣK DAMN PROUD! Last edited by VSU_4runnin; 06-24-2009 at 09:57 PM.

06-24-2009, 10:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,335	Hey I work at the Home Depot!!! I've actually been itching to get a large tool set (I'll be needing it for school in a few months). Last weekend for father's day, Sears was having a 50% off on tools, plus my roommate works tools there so I could have gotten another 10% off...buuuuut I didnt want to spend my "get another Yota" fund on tools for a Yota I dont have yet.. I've had good luck with my previous craftsman tools (sockets, crescent wrenches, drill, etc) but im sure there are better out there. __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS

06-24-2009, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
t0mwat3r Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sierra Vista Arizona Posts: 160	Most of my tools are Craftsman (because I work there) and they have not let me down, the only thing I really have to complain about is my impact, I bought the cheapest one they have and I've gone through 3 of them ( but they were under warranty). Also the Craftsman exchange program is great! __________________ '86 4runner - 33's 4.88's locked f/r Duals soon! '86 4runner Sr5 - not running at the moment.

06-25-2009, 12:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	be patient and selective. first stop: Harbor Freight.......don't hose me, yet. check out this thread on pirate: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434877 basice tools: 10-19mm wrench--Gearwrench or Blackhawk flex head ratcheting wrench, ~$90 ebay, if you wanna work on front and rear shocks, you gotta have these. Screwdriver: Klein, Homedepot has it, THE best, better than Snap On. Ratchet: Craftsman 3/8 and 1/2 drive Socket: 3/8" Craftsman standard and deep 6 point metric. HF 1/2 deep impact 6 point metric BFH: what ever you feel comfortable, get 2 if possible. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-25-2009, 08:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	Should we have our own "Harbor Freight tools that don't suck" thread, which everybody pitch in based on ones "absolutely, possitively" first hand experience. I have a whole bucket of to list. also, google what in that quote turned out bunch good info. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-25-2009, 02:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
jackwolf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 136	"be patient and selective. first stop: Harbor Freight.......don't hose me, yet. check out this thread on pirate: http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434877" X2 on Harbor Freight. " would like to have the right tools for the jobs instead of using Costco and piecemeal tools all the time" I have a kit from Costco. I use it more than any other. It comes in a flat plastic case that I lug around with me when I go out on location. I take it, a lantern, a sleeping bag and a first aid kit with me, always. The Costco kit has a notch for each tool and I can just glance at the kit to see what is missing. I have another small plastic box for my piecemeal tools that I use, all the time. These tools are disposable. I bought them for a one time deal. I still have them. I'll get rid of them someday and when I do I will know exactly what to replace them with since I have heard all about other peoples killer tool sets, back home, as they wrench away with my disposable set on the side of the highway, the beach, the fire roads and so on and so forth.

06-25-2009, 05:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,548	I buy whatever I need from SEARS, mostly Craftsman cause if I bust something I don't have to wait on a guy in a truck to bring me a replacement. If I wrenched everyday I'd have Snap On stuff. Get a nice 150+ piece set and you should be good. Craftsman stuff is usually on sale all the time, so check around. I think Kmart sells Craftsman too now. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

06-25-2009, 07:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: used to be so. cal. now Indy Posts: 643	don't forget ebay and craigslist. bought my $60 snap on ratchet for $30, $300 snap on torq wrench for $80 shipped and a ball bearing drawer tool cart for $10, you never know. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. LC80 wheels, SS 1.2 lift, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders. ScanGauge II 04 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD. 265/75/16 BFG KO, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

06-25-2009, 07:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
T4L Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: S.R., PA Posts: 102	I still use the Craftsman mechanics tool set my dad got me for my 16th B-Day. I'll be 30 in a couple months. I don't remember exactly how many pieces it was originally, but it has 1/2", 3/8", 1/4" drive wratchets, a few deep well sockets, a sparkplug socket, an assortment of wrenches and sockets in metric and standard sizes, and a screwdriver with multiple tips. Laugh if you want, but I also have a few Stanley tools from Walmart that I really like. __________________ 92 4Runner SR5 4x4 3.0 Auto, stock, 116,900 miles, 15-16 mpg avg., (fixer-upper) So far: New 1/2 shafts, new front shocks, new washer fluid pumps, new windshield, new idler arm, new pitman arm, new exhaust (cat-back), ISR mod, Xtra tailgate window switch mounted at rear dome light, 31/10.5/15 BFG AT KOs

06-25-2009, 10:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
toyNG Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 563	I mostly use Craftsman and am satisfied 99% of the time. They currently have their $100 kit for $50 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...6106000P?mv=rr Last week they had their $200 kit for $100, so don't pay full price. __________________ 1986 pickup 4x4 SR5, 5-spd, 33x10.5 BFG KM1 muds, 2" body lift, front and rear lockrights, 4.88s, 4.7 t-case with Dave'z twin stick, BudBuilt crossmember with 1" drivetrain lift, Downey grille guard and skid plate, TG sliders Still needed: rear bumper (Marlin, TG, or Dave'z)

06-26-2009, 06:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
ramtime Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 96	http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...nics+tool+sets It's a Toy in a box. Cheap and a good way to start building you collection up. Once you buy this, then move onto some wrenches and go from there.

06-26-2009, 01:32 PM	#17 (permalink)
RevNL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 76	Craftsman. I started with something pretty much like this: http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...4260000P?mv=rr I've been adding to it for the last 16 years, but the original set is still the core of my tool box. Even made a living with it for quite a while. It kept me out of debt with the Snap-On man (who never missed a pay day to collect from the other mechanics). Add on little by little. One day you'll realize you have a 6 foot tall box stuffed full of tools. Which is cool. __________________ 1993 Toyota Xtra-Cab - Mods In Process: 5.7L TPI V8, 4L60, NP208, Dana 44 F, Ford 9" R, Lift

06-26-2009, 01:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
RevNL Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 76	Oh, and if you keep your tools in your truck, they'll get stolen. Might be worth checking a pawn shop. You could find someone else's tools that were stolen out of their truck and pawned to buy some crack. __________________ 1993 Toyota Xtra-Cab - Mods In Process: 5.7L TPI V8, 4L60, NP208, Dana 44 F, Ford 9" R, Lift

06-27-2009, 03:48 PM	#21 (permalink)
taikowaza Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 768	I just spent some excellent time reading through this thread. All this advice is very much appreciated. Thanks guys. I went to Sears today and had a look see. There is one kit I like, it's the 155 piece kit and it's small enough to fit in a rig. Lots of the other kits come with really big cases and when I saw them today I realized they'd take up too much space. This weekend there is one kit for $100 off, it comes in a big case. $129 for a 182 piece set seems like a pretty good deal. I think I'm going to swing for the 155 piece set tho, lots of people seem really happy with it. Also it's been discontinued and they're clearing it out. I've got bits and bobs (as you said, Fae Tal)and I'm happy with that, but I'd like to have a kit that I take good care of and start to use that instead. Stick Figure, the way you described the ratchets, and how long they take to click, was very useful. I could understand that right away. My costco ratchet took a long time to 'click' and this was challenging as I was trying to tighten the 3vze distributor cap after adjusting the timing with the ISR mod in. There was no room to move and I really wanted an extension with a very rapid 'click' but I could not get it to engage. I finally had to use a wrench that I barely fit in there, it wasn't an exact fit and it was a real pain. I could imagine that a nice snap-on in that case might have made it a lot easier. I am not familiar with the other two names you used (Matco and S&K) and I would like to learn more (I'll start googling them after I post this). I am not sure if they make 'toolkits' either, I have noticed that the high-end tool companies don't seem to sell 'kits' but more each tool as a seperate investment. Not sure if I am understanding that quite right yet. In the meantime I may get the 155 piece Craftsman, to complement my other 'random' tools, and then invest in the other tools as I need them. Oh yeah, one other thing I bought, was a magnetic tray. I saw that when I was at Deathcougar's place, he used his snap-on magnetic tray, it was such a great way to keep track of all fasteners. When the snap-on truck came by NIX99, and I went in one of those trucks for the first time, wow I was impressed with that! Tool mecca. But I went with the Craftsman magnetic tray and it is pretty cool. __________________ 92 4runner,Thorley Ceramic Headers,Stan's Custom Exhaust,OME Suspension,DowneyHDCoils,MarlinHD Clutch,PIAA520s,24/30"Magnaflow Muf/Cat,Warn Hubs,BudBuilt IFS Skid+Xmbr,Sonoran Truss,Odyssey Batt,33x10.5 BFG A/T,ISR Mod,Boyle's Alternator,TJM T-15,Demello Sliders,Warn XD9000,Dual 4.88 Truetracs,LCE bored TB,Weasy Cams,NWMP Xtnd Range Tank, and most important,Husky Liner WOT Mod :)

06-27-2009, 04:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
jackwolf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 136	"Oh yeah, one other thing I bought, was a magnetic tray." X2 I've got a few, HF stocks them also. Here is one, holding a pair of brass rings.

06-27-2009, 04:57 PM	#23 (permalink)
CyMoN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,164	I have a mishmash of tools but I got a great deal at a pawn shop a few years ago got the craftsman socket rail and sizes 6mm through 21 which you cannot but from sears that complete for 25$ I now only buy hand tools that I can take in no questions asked replacement. I have some great neck wrenches and sockets and AZ wants a receipt to do a exchange on them great thing is after a month or two their receipt fades out. right now they have the fathers day sales still going on until tomorrow last week I bought the 26 pc wrench set for 50$ usually 79$ bought a few extensions and today I bought the nine pc deep well set and had to buy the 11mm one to make the set complete. around Christmas and Fathers day sears seems to have the better deals and I refuse to pay the normal market price they sell them for and I have been waiting to buy the tools I got this last week since Christmas. __________________ my rigs 89 4runner 1989 4runner v6 5 speed everything factory +4susplift running bfg 31s and a aux gas tank and more aux lights than needed 86 pickup 1986 stock pickup 22r 31.10 BFG ATs flatbed a sad day for the 4runner "One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

06-27-2009, 05:46 PM	#25 (permalink)
taikowaza Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 768	Hi ToyNG you got it right. "- the 182 piece kit is normally $229, and is on sale right now for $129 - the 155 piece kit is normally $150, and is on sale right now for $135 - You are planning to get the 155 piece kit even though it costs more and comes with less. - WHY??!!" The 182 piece kit comes in a HUGE box. I picked it up today, it's absolutely massive. The reason I like the 155 kit, is that it's in a box where every tool fits into its own compartment, and they don't spill all over the place when you open it up. My costco kit and another kit I have is completely messed up everytime I open it, takes forever to find what I need. I have a metal kit as well and that's solid, but it's also always disorganized on the inside. The 155 kit has a ton of amazing reviews because none of the pieces fall out, and it has a really nice selection of tools that are actually useful instead of random as some of the large piece kits are. I checked out the 192 piece kit also, it's a 'tri-fold' box, but everytime you close one of the sides, all of the tools fall out and you have to jam it in place like a book. The 155 kit folds like a briefcase and each component is stable. I hope that makes sense! Also, the 155 kit I have some coupons so I end up getting it for less than the 182 kit. You can get coupons by signing up on the mailing list at the website. In a nutshell, the case is why I like the 155 piece kit, and the extra pieces in the 182 are mostly extra allen keys etc I think. Sometimes that's how they pad the number of pieces in a kit. __________________ 92 4runner,Thorley Ceramic Headers,Stan's Custom Exhaust,OME Suspension,DowneyHDCoils,MarlinHD Clutch,PIAA520s,24/30"Magnaflow Muf/Cat,Warn Hubs,BudBuilt IFS Skid+Xmbr,Sonoran Truss,Odyssey Batt,33x10.5 BFG A/T,ISR Mod,Boyle's Alternator,TJM T-15,Demello Sliders,Warn XD9000,Dual 4.88 Truetracs,LCE bored TB,Weasy Cams,NWMP Xtnd Range Tank, and most important,Husky Liner WOT Mod :) Last edited by taikowaza; 06-27-2009 at 05:48 PM.

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