"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
09/17/2019 at 12:34 • Filed to: None
1
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"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
09/17/2019 at 12:34 • Filed to: None | 1
| 18 |
So, I recently realized that my random assortment of tools is.... stupid. I’ve collected them from the junkyard and occasionally bought the specific one I need at the time, but I’d rather just go out and buy a proper toolbox with everything in it already, especially since my old box actually broke during my accident. So... what’s the best basic, all-inclusive tool set I can find for ~$40 or less? When I say basic, I really do mean it. I want some screw drivers, pliers, and only the most common sizes of wrenches. There's a Harbor Freight somewhat nearby and I'm guessing that's my best bet for something so basic?
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:47 |
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I do not like comprehensive tool sets. You usually end up with things you won’t use and the quality is poor. I would start with a set of end wrenches, like Husky or similar quality and a set of 1/4 and 3/8 sockets to 19 mm or 3/4 inch. You can then buy a set of screw drivers, pliers, dikes, needle nose and chan nel locks, and crescent wrench and you are there for less than $100 and your tools will last forever.
functionoverfashion
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:47 |
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I bought a Husky set from Home Depot on a road trip out of necessity, I think it was $60 ish? And that was in 2007. It has not only lasted, but I think they ONLY piece I’ve managed to break was the 1/4" ratchet. I’ve gotten a TON of use out of it. I think they have a decent warranty as well, but I haven’t asked.
I also have a $10 set with VERY basic tools that I keep in the boat, Husky too. It’s lasted a decade as well, but with light use.
razorbeamteam
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:47 |
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Harbor freight, Amazon, or eBay would be your best bet. The Masterforce brand from Menards isn’t half bad either.
My Stanley socket set is from Amazon and has held up remarkably well even using a cheater bar on the ratchet to get my head bolts off.
Whatever set you buy, I would recommend chrome over black. The black tools look cooler, but are hard to find if you drop them.
lone_liberal
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:48 |
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I bought my dad a basic Harbor Freight set to keep in his camp trailer for emergencies and I think it’s fine for that but I don’t know if the quality would be good enough for heavier use. You might try Lowes or Home Depot to see if they have a “household” set that’s just a little bit better.
GoodIdeaAtTheTime
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:49 |
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Random assortment is fine, just look in any mechanics tool box ;)
Pawn shops, craigslist, facebook, etc. Best thing to do is find a mechanic getting out of the business, usually get tools .30-.40 on the dollar. It’s how I started out. Honestly for under $40 (I have individual sockets that cost more than that) harbor freight will be your friend, though I would not expect the tools to last a long time. That said I’ve got a bunch of stuff from them, with mixed results.
ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:53 |
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https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/105-piece-tool-kit-4030.html
For around $40.00 this is the best basic tool kit I know of. It covers the basics, has a useful case and it cheap enough to not care about. For the last 15 years or so, I keep one of these kits (with the addition of a good hammer, prybar and filter wrench) in the boat full time , and I’ve kept one in older trucks that I’ve owned. I also throw one in when I’m towing longer distances.
Throw a hammer and maybe a pry bar with it into your truck behind the seat and it covers the basics pretty well. If you need more than that, you’re probably not fixing it on the side of the road/out on the water anyway. The kit is cheap enough to be throwaway tools, so when something breaks or if one of my boxes grows legs and walks away at the marina or something, there’s not much at stake.
Chuckles
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 12:59 |
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If you can wait a little while, I see a lot of tool sets go on sale around the holidays. I got a basic set at Lowe's a few years ago in December.
ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 13:09 |
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I have this 40 piece set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009EMKLDG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also have this to use with my harbor freight impact gun: https://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-64387.html
Sovande
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 13:11 |
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Get a set of Tektron wrenches (the ones made in Taiwan) a good ratchet set (Tektron again makes inexpensive and pretty nice sets - look for the sets made in Taiwan ). A philips screwdriver, flathead, pair of needle nose, hammer, adjustable wrench and whatever else you may need. I’d skip the all-in-one sets, but that’s just me. I started with a Crescent all-in-one which was fine until it wasn’t.
TorqueToYield
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 13:19 |
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10 pc Screwdriver set $7.95: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Screwdriver-Set-10-Piece-60-100/203707212
3 pc Plier set $12 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Basic-Plier-Set-3-Piece-84-114/203713344
6 pc SAE wrench set $10 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Chrome-Vanadium-Steel-SAE-Combination-Wrench-Set-6-Piece-79-143/300955823
And whatever cheap toolbox you can find.
That’s what I would do anyway. I like Stanley hand tools as I think they’re in a good spot of price/quality but pretty much every tool mfr will make similar sets at various price points.
Also check out estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, used hand tools are awesome and so cheap.
vicali
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 14:20 |
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My toolset is a combo of a socket set I got when I was 15 and other tools I’ve found, been gifted, or last res ort bought as I needed.. L ook for garage sales, CL, etc for tool boxes full of good stuff.
I have bought a decent set of screwdrivers, and my original socket set was decent enough to have lasted 25 years and a dozen vehicle projects..
Good luck in your search, figure out what you need - is the Colorado
mostly imperial? Vice grips, hammer, bailing twine, and
zip-
ties go a long way..
Grindintosecond
> Chuckles
09/17/2019 at 15:57 |
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Like right before like they needoney for Xmas, or day after like it's unreturnable but not what they need ?
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Chuckles
> Grindintosecond
09/17/2019 at 16:15 |
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I think I bought mine a week or two before Christmas. I guess the thinking is that a basic tool set makes a great gift for a variety of people.
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Grindintosecond
> Chuckles
09/17/2019 at 17:23 |
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True. I'll look around then. My sockets have most all walked away or turned into 3-4 identical 10mm 6 points....part of me wants the whole shebang kit and relegate leftovers into a travel bag.
f86sabre
> functionoverfashion
09/17/2019 at 21:58 |
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I like the Husky sets as it seems their wrenches are thinner than most. Good for the tight spots.
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f86sabre
> Rainbow
09/17/2019 at 22:00 |
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Plenty of good advice here. Get a couple of extra 10mm wrenches and sockets as they get lost easy and get a set of deep sockets. Don’t forget your spark plug socket.
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functionoverfashion
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/17/2019 at 22:06 |
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This is true, and it depends what your goal is. I have sets like you’re describing that I’ve bought over time, and when I’m home I rarely open the Husky box. But when I need to go somewhere to work on something, I always toss it in because it handles all the “oh I didn’t think I’d need that.” But for sure, there are quite a few pieces I’ve never touched.
oldmxer
> Rainbow
09/19/2019 at 00:48 |
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Lowes has a nice basic set i bought to carry in my truck that comes in a nice roll up c onfiguration and i love it, it’s about the size of two loaves of bread with a handle, you unfurl it and everything is in it’s own little pocket, it’s about $50, check o ut on their site, way better than harbor quality, for a little more