I need a mechanic's tool set recommendation, please & thank you

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
09/23/2014 at 21:15 • Filed to: None

First off, I am on a budget. Preferably under $150. I'd like 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", and the last two are most important. I am planning on doing shocks, struts, springs, and a sway bar in two week and would like a decent formal set to get the job done. Yes, I know an impact driver would work wonders, but college budget. I've been primarily looking at Craftsman sets, mostly because they are proven and the lifetime warrantee. These two sets seem to stick out, but I know there are Chinese and USA Craftsman tools with different quality. Overall, I'm confused and would like some guidance. Thanks.

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http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-1…

DISCUSSION (20)

jkm7680 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:16

Try Harbor Freight! I'm not sure what they have, but they'll have something that'll fit your needs.

For Sweden > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:18

Pawn shop

Sweet Trav > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:18

Top one gets my vote. PLUS a good half inch drive torque wrench and angle torque gauge.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > jkm7680
09/23/2014 at 21:19

I kinda want to buy quality the first time

STREPITUS > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:20

I have that 192pcs set and its great. Has pretty much everything you will need and the case is fairly compact. You might also want to look at this 250 pcs, http://m.sears.com/250-pc-mechani… .

Captain_Spadaro > jkm7680
09/23/2014 at 21:22

Seconding this. HF has a 64 piece kit with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch ratchets and sockets that would be fine for what he needs.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > STREPITUS
09/23/2014 at 21:23

I think either one of those with a 25" beaker bar and I'm set. The 250 piece is tempting.

unpredictable_swerve > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:23

craigslist. Seriously. I have a set of the newer craftsman stuff. Rusts as soon as they come into contact with oil. Bought a bunch of tools in a toolbox off craigslist for $200, ended up getting almost $700 worth of snap on sockets alone, plus snap on wrenches, a ton of plomb and blackhawk, really just a lot of older well made american tools. Gave away a ton too, including a few snap on wrenches.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:23

either look for new old stock US made craftsman, or try pawn shops. the new chinese craftsman stuff doesn't strike me as being as well made.

or, check craigslist

jkm7680 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:24

Yup, It wouldn't hurt to go check out a set at a store though!

Birddog > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:28

I recently pulled the engine in a Jeep Grand Cherokee using a 23 piece metric socket/shorty box wrench set from Lowes and a 6 in one screwdriver.

The only tools I had to borrow were a breaker bar, a U-joint and an extension.

More tools doesn't mean you have the right tools.

That 192 piece set looks like a good starter set at a good price. The second one looks like a lot of fluff.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:35

Go on craigslist and find some estate sales. Old people typically have huge amounts of quality American tools that you can get for cut rate prices when they're emptying out the house.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:37

I've had the 250 piece set for the last 6 years and it's done me well, but the toolbox itself is pretty shit, don't ever carry it by the top handle. Most of these kits will not come with a breaker bar, but thats a tool you can cheap out on and get at harbor freight, it's not like there is much to it.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 21:48

Used. Craigslist, pawn shops (not my favorite). Look at garage sales especially. Easy to find older guys with some damn good tools for less than Craftsmen, which is always nice.

STREPITUS > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 22:00

These are also 3 good sets to look at

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-220p…

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-263-…

http://m.sears.com/craftsman-283-…

f86sabre > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/23/2014 at 22:02

don't knock harbor freight for things like breaker bars. I also got a fairly nice extension set there the other day.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > f86sabre
09/23/2014 at 23:02

I am going to get a 25" breaker bar there.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/24/2014 at 01:13

Get some cheap mechanic gloves to go with it, if that bar breaks you will want to be wearing gloves. Ask me how I know.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/24/2014 at 01:25

Some of those bigger sets are almost identical to what I first started out with about 8 years ago. I still use a lot of that stuff to this day, have just built on top of that first craftsman set.

That being said, if I had to start over on a budget again, I would probably first go to craigslist.

Don't forget to check if the car you will be working on will require anything that isn't in the sets you are looking at. Such as torx, triple square, or tamper proof stuff. A good set of pliers, vice grips, and hammers will be very helpful also. Harbor freight should be fine for things like that (well, not vice grips, HF vice grips are useless).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
09/24/2014 at 15:39

my first set was a step above the 192, I think it was 255 or something. maybe something like this:

http://www.sears.com/250-pc-mechani…