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Complete Tool Box?

Flying_Lavey

Flying_Lavey

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For hone use, this is the way I'd go in spite of all the ballers and "all-or-nothing" guys here. For my starting point anyways.


Then just grab various tools sets as needed or desired. I'd suggest avoiding the Pittsburgh brand if you can. The ICON stuff is great as stated here, but the Quinn stuff us pretty solid also.

You could stock your garage with a pretty complete set of decent tools for $5k.

For the home guy, I don't think the Icon storage boxes are worth it. The US General boxes are fantastic.
 
TimeBandit

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Jay Dub said:
All this talk of tools. I recently decided I "needed" a SAE 8-point socket set. I came across Williams Tools. really nice quality, made in USA. Been around since 1880's.
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Williams is snap-on's industrial sales line. They bought the company in 1993.
some of the tools are identical just marked Williams. the last time I bought a Williams 10 mm off Amazon it said China on it though.
 
monkeyswrench

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Jay Dub said:
All this talk of tools. I recently decided I "needed" a SAE 8-point socket set. I came across Williams Tools. really nice quality, made in USA. Been around since 1880's.
Click to expand...
I have some "Williams" sockets. Some were hand-me-downs, and a few I've bought as needed. They are all 1" +, and also all ³/⁴ or 1" drive. Never broken one, which is pretty impressive with the breaker bar, fence post and fat-ass jumping on it :oops:

Another option for the OP: Mac, SnapOn and Matco all have mechanics "starter packs". They have them both in top shelf and secondary lines, and they offer them at good prices to trade school students. Some of them get listed for sale as the new techs don't want to be seen with "training wheels", and some people end up deciding they don't want to wrench for a living. They come up for sale in bigger cities fairly often. When I was starting out, a couple grand for a tool purchase was a ton. Now, I would see those as more "entry level". The more you do, the more weird specialty stuff you end up with. Most of the special tools make things easier, but a few make an impossible job doable.
 
ltbaney1

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Tank said:
I never really used or even held a snap on ratchet until
I borrowed one from
AJ recently. I just gotta say…HOLY SHIT! I almost think the price is worth it. The feel in your hand is instant “dayum!” And the click on the ratchet is so solid and smooth reminds me of some type of race bearings or some shit. Mother fucker was heavy as shit too. There’s zero doubt snap on is a way superior product. Like I said, I see why they’re so much.

With that said, I’m not a professional mechanic. So, husky, craftsman some HF crap is good for me. Lol
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my 3 go to ratchets are snap on 1/4, and 2 different length 3/8. my sockets are mix of craftsman, second hand snap on or HF. the ratchet makes the difference for me.
 
Bowtiepower00

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If you have cash, watch OfferUp, CL, etc, and buy Snap on, Matco, and other pro tools for Pennies on the dollar.

I have several sets of tools. I started building a craftsman set 30 years ago in High School, and still have it as my secondary/ truck/ loaner set. I worked as a mechanic for several years after that and built a decent Snap-on set back when they were still American made, and I probably spent 50k+ on the truck between 2000-2005.

I have plenty of HF stuff too, and keep a set of Pittsburgh tools in the RZR, stuff that I don’t care if it gets lost or stolen. HF is also great for stuff that you rarely use or really big stuff that is $$$$ anywhere else.

I agree with the Husky comments, they make some nice stuff that goes on major sale a few times a year. They also offer single sockets in case you lose one and need to replace it.

IMO, Everyone who wrenches frequently (even as a hobby) should have some nice tools for the things they use most often like ratchets, 1/4 and 3/8 metric sockets, metric combo wrench sets, screwdrivers, pliers, and torx/ hex bits. The difference in quality is worth the price on stuff you use a lot- not to mention time saved on stripped fasteners, etc.
 
Badchoices03

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Flying_Lavey said:
For hone use, this is the way I'd go in spite of all the ballers and "all-or-nothing" guys here. For my starting point anyways.


Then just grab various tools sets as needed or desired. I'd suggest avoiding the Pittsburgh brand if you can. The ICON stuff is great as stated here, but the Quinn stuff us pretty solid also.

You could stock your garage with a pretty complete set of decent tools for $5k.

For the home guy, I don't think the Icon storage boxes are worth it. The US General boxes are fantastic.
Click to expand...

Thats a perfect set-up....all thats listed is about $1400...add in another $1000 on some specialty/random stuff....and you have a great home set for $2500, way under $5k...obviously we are just talking hand tools....not power or precision tools...
 
Flying_Lavey

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Badchoices03 said:
Thats a perfect set-up....all thats listed is about $1400...add in another $1000 on some specialty/random stuff....and you have a great home set for $2500, way under $5k...obviously we are just talking hand tools....not power or precision tools...
Click to expand...
Exactly. I have a couple sets of the Quinn sockets and they have been great. Seem to be well made, nice finish, color code between metric and SAE, and I haven't noticed any size skipping.

The nice thing about going this way is this gives you the basics that are needed in just about all sets, but there is PLENTY of money in the budget to customize the box for what you really need and that changes from person to person.

For example if you are only wrenching on modern vehicles, there isnt much need for SAE tools to the extent that there is for Metric (obviously still a need for them). This would allow to expand the metric side more so than the SAE side or vice versa.
 
RiverDave

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DUNEFLYER said:
Thanks for all the replies.
Suppose I should have mentioned some sort of a budget. I am not the 10-15k kinda tool guy.
I was thinking more the 3-4k kinda set.
Click to expand...

I believe we had this talk about a SXS once.. you ended up buying the expensive one. Lol
 
JFMFG

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JLG614 said:
Posting pictures of your brother in laws box now? 😂 you don't wrench bro, don't lie to these people lol
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It was. it is mine now bought it from senior a year ago 😂😂😂. Call your cousin to verify 😂😂
 
D

DLC

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I just went thru this for the Hava house…
I wanted full sets w/ out any skips

I bought Olsa sockets
1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 chrome - m & SAE short & deep, also got their 1/2 impacts short & deep

I also bought Milwaukee ratchet wrench & flex wrench both M & SAE

I have a lot of other wrenches - gear wrench, Husky, crescent, Kobalt and Craftsman from my dad and growing up

I bought Hansen 3 row socket racks from Depot online and also got a couple from Olsa - the Olsa 3 row rack fit the impact sockets

Ernst wrench racks are the bomb! Just buy few extras

IMG_0592.jpeg
 
TimeBandit

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Some good harbor freight coupons today on Quinn tools including a big set for $319.

Sign up for an account and get email coupons.
 
Bobby_329

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I have the husky box from Home Depot and 500 piece craftsman set. Its not as nice as snap on but wrenching is not my profession it does the job and costs way less. I just bought my dad the 498 piece gear wrench set for his retirement and I think I like it more than my Craftsman stuff the ratchets are definitely nicer.
 
monkeyswrench

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This has been a handy set for a lot of crap over the years. This is the "modern" version of the sets I've had for 25 years. Simple briefcase deal, I keep one in the small enclosed trailer, and one at the river pad. A basic set like this can do most normal stuff.
Screenshot_20240828-084005_DuckDuckGo.jpg


A couple of the younger guys I knew, I set up with sets like this, in a two drawer service cart. They were wedding gifts really, for construction dorks starting out.
 
counterpart7

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HF box(US general) and a mix of HF, gearwrench, and snap-on. The Icon line of tools is hard to beat from HF.

Boxo is nice if thats all you’re going to own. Seems like a pita to add to/swap things out. If you dont love some of their tools and want to swap say a ratchet, where does it go in the foam tray?
 
counterpart7

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TimeBandit said:
Some good harbor freight coupons today on Quinn tools including a big set for $319.

Sign up for an account and get email coupons.
Click to expand...
I have this Quinn set at home. Covers 90% of the shit I do. Ratchets are meh but add a couple of GW, snap-on or Icon ratchets and you’re set.
 
mjc

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this Quinn add came out for today only. seems like a good deal to start.
go.harborfreight.com

1-DAY FLASH SALE! WEDNESDAY, 8/28 ONLY – WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Buy the QUINN 3/8 in. Drive, SAE and Metric Master Socket Set, 72-Piece (Item 70317) for $69.99 with coupon code 12334885, valid 8/28/24 only. Valid in-store only. See coupon for details. The QUINN…
go.harborfreight.com go.harborfreight.com
 
T

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T

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I like Wright tools also made in USA seem very good quality and cheaper priced than Snapon and Matco stuff...

believe Wright makes for US military etc..
 
Outdrive1

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Tank said:
I never really used or even held a snap on ratchet until
I borrowed one from
AJ recently. I just gotta say…HOLY SHIT! I almost think the price is worth it. The feel in your hand is instant “dayum!” And the click on the ratchet is so solid and smooth reminds me of some type of race bearings or some shit. Mother fucker was heavy as shit too. There’s zero doubt snap on is a way superior product. Like I said, I see why they’re so much.

With that said, I’m not a professional mechanic. So, husky, craftsman some HF crap is good for me. Lol
Click to expand...

They really do feel better.

IMG_1978.jpeg

IMG_1977.jpeg
 
D

DLC

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I have a few tool box’s
This is my new series 3 HF box
IMG_8876.jpeg
IMG_8877.jpeg
IMG_8879.jpeg
IMG_8880.jpeg
IMG_8881.jpeg
 
D

DLC

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Finding the correct organizers are key to setting up

I have a drawer full of extras That I think I’m not going to use

IMG_8885.jpeg
 
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