"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
11/22/2016 at 01:52 • Filed to: None
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"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
11/22/2016 at 01:52 • Filed to: None | 0
| 15 |
Here’s the deal, I’m looking into a new tool set. I’m a hobbyist wrencher. I can do most things myself. I won’t touch anything where I need a spring compressor or have to yank a transmission out of a car myself. My current Craftsman set is *holy crap* TWENTY THREE YEARS OLD.....
The set itself is long obsolete. I love the tools themselves, but the case is a blow molded job which is easy to tote around — that is when the locking clips were still there. They broke off LOOONG ago and due to this I have to be extra careful in my schlepping the tools around now. Even being careful I’ve lost a few sockets over the years...
I have no intention of getting rid of the set. I’m actually retiring them to the big box in the storage room behind the garage. What I want is a decently sizable set in a blow molded case that has extra storage space in it for maybe some tools that AREN’T included in the set that I may deem useful......
Herein lies the issue..... My old set was a completely 100% made in the USA deal. A good deal of the Craftsman line is made overseas now. That doesn’t bother me to no end. What DOES is the quality..... they really AREN’T the same. I’m not looking to break the bank with some Snap-On/Mac/Matco/S-K or even *faints* Stahlwille tools.
I have a Lowe’s nearby and I have some experience with their Kobalt brand and the Home Depot Husky brand. Personally I prefer the Kobalt stuff. I’m also open to the Stanley/Bostich and KD/GearWrench brands. If all things were equal quality wise; I’d like to keep my cash in the U.S. by buying U.S., but as stated; I don’t want a maxed out credit card or empty bank account to do so.
Some options so far....
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Just wondering what some of you guy use. Any ideas/thoughts on the sets I posted are welcome.
Also; my original set with the broken case?
Here’s the case:
Craftsman # 33822 for tool set #33820.....
If anyone can find me a link to that actual case for sale it’d be appreciated.....
bob and john
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 02:16 |
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i rock a stanley set. our canadian tire has a 400 peice tool set that normal retails for something like $899 for $199 right now (no, that is not a typo...they actually knocked $700 off the price of a tool set)
atfsgeoff
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 02:18 |
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My advice is to streamline, carry just one ratchet drive size (3/8") that runs the range of all the sizes you’ll need. Grey Pneumatic is great for that.
https://www.amazon.com/Grey-Pneumatic-81659CRD-Fractional-Duo-Socket/dp/B0029XKZKG
Then stack the rest of the odds & ends (combo wrenches, allen keys, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.) into a small metal box. That way you can pick & choose exactly what you use most often to go in the kit, and not worry about everything fitting into a blow mold case.
gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> bob and john
11/22/2016 at 02:52 |
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Wishing I had money.
I have the Stanley 243ish piece set. It’s pretty good. And yes, I only paid around $75 IIRC, when regular price was over $200. I want to say almost $300 but it was four years ago. I have no idea how CT manages to make money when they have sales like that. No sense ever buying anything at full price there.
But yeah, nothing in the set has broken or anything yet, even the case is still good, all the clips work, all the sockets and things still snap into place, and that’s even after getting run over by mistake... I honestly didn’t realize I’d done it, but I was filming a noise shot and saw it a couple days later on video, clipping the edge. My only complaint is that the multi-bit screwdriver is terrible to use (the handle is ergonomically poor), and sometimes it feels like the ratchets don’t have a very good ratchet and swing, as in sometimes in low clearance areas where it’s hard to swing the ratchet more than a few degrees at a time, it doesn’t have enough swing to ratchet back to the next click. I also don’t like that the sizes are only printed on the sockets, not engraved or something, so I know that one day they’ll be unreadable. I suppose it’s also frustrating that it doesn’t include a 3/4" 1/2"-drive socket, even though it does for the 3/8"-drive.
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bob and john
> gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
11/22/2016 at 03:04 |
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I tend to get what I can on sale and when i need it. I have a torx set + allen 3/8th drive set, the stanley set, bought a set of JIS spec screw drivers ($20 @ princess auto!) and torque wrench.
in 5 years of wrenching on bicycles, motorcycles, and the occasional car, I haven’t needed anything more.
(actually, no i’m lying, I needed a chain tool and a spring compressor tool that I have to borrow)
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gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
> bob and john
11/22/2016 at 07:58 |
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I think I also have the same Torx/Allen set. Mastercraft screwdriver set I’ve had ten years, and an assortment of other automotive tools... ball joint press, steering wheel puller, harmonic balancer puller, lock-plate tool, transmission jack, engine hoist, compressor and air tools... The list goes on, no way I could go over it all off the top of my head.
Mattbob
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 08:11 |
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“The set itself is long obsolete” Tool sets never become obsolete. My advice would be to get yourself some socket sticks, and a decent tool bag or box. Those blow molded boxes suck when you start getting oddball stuff (for instance that 32mm spindle nut socket, or that extra 1/2" ratchet with the flexible head) that won’t quite fit. Then you start having to carry the blow molded box, and another tool bag or box. https://www.amazon.com/Olsa-Tools-Aluminum-Organizer-Premium/dp/B019S583TC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479820239&sr=8-3&keywords=socket+holder
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V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> Mattbob
11/22/2016 at 08:25 |
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By obsolete I mean no longer in production. I’m looking for something more on the go than a metal box would offer. Even an inexpensive Harbor freight box can get pricey with organization tray and socket holders.
You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 08:27 |
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I was going to suggest buying a new case. I bought that exact case a few years ago to replace the case that had totally blow apart on me. It was purchased in a real life brick and mortar store. Maybe check your local Sears or Ace Hardware. I think it’s Ace that carries Craftsman stuff, they may have that tool case.
ETA: Mattbob has a good idea of getting some socket rails and a bag. I’ve got a few CLC tool bags from TSC for different things. I’ve got a bag for tractor tools, one for my Kreg jig, another in my boat.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/clc-23-pocket-12-in-bigmouth-tote-bag?cm_vc=-10005
They do make bigger bags than that and have some other styles with different pocket set ups too.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/tool%20bag
TheRealBicycleBuck
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 09:26 |
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The second clip on my Craftsman blow-molded case just let go. To be honest, the loose tolerances have always bothered me since some of the tools just refuse to stay in place when the case is picked up. I’ve seen some of the DIY solutions with either expanding foam or foam inserts. I wonder if anyone has experience with a custom box with a custom foam insert.
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V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> TheRealBicycleBuck
11/22/2016 at 09:54 |
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Cardboard was my friend for keeping the smaller ones in place until the clips broke.
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 09:55 |
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I tried that too. I’m pretty sure the extra pressure from the cardboard contributed to the demise of the clips.
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V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> TheRealBicycleBuck
11/22/2016 at 10:12 |
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LOL, yeah I would have to agree.
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Mattbob
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 10:14 |
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I see. I use a smallish canvas tool bag. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Heavy-Duty-Contractors-2610922842/dp/B002ENJQBK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1479827442&sr=8-6&keywords=bosch+tool+bag
and just throw in what I use most often. I really like using a bag over a box, as it somehow seems to fit more in less space. I am just suggesting it because I also have a crescent set in a box like you are looking for, and it is just a pain in the ass to lug the thing around separate from the other bag of things that I also use.
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V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
> Mattbob
11/22/2016 at 10:50 |
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I’ve thought about a bucket with an organization pouch and some socket holders....
Spoon II
> V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/22/2016 at 15:00 |
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As far as tool quality goes, I’ve never had a problem with the Stanley stuff. They always go on sale at the Canadian Tires around here, and I haven’t broken anything yet.