Time to buy some tools

[MoonieGT]

It's pretty sad but I really have no tools other than small ratchet set... time to invest in some new tools. I don't even really know what I need. Should I be buying one of those 150 piece kits, or am I better off picking and choosing what I need? Let's assume I have nothing... what should I get?

I'm budgeting about $400 to get wrenches, ratchets, screw drivers, jack, and jack stands. If I don't have to spend it all that's fantastic. Kobalt from Lowes? Craftsman from Sears?

Thanks for the help

[ken o]

Buy tools compatible with your car and the task you might want to accomplish.

[MoonieGT]

I guess I should have specified that. I want to be able to work on my miata: maintenance, suspension, brakes, headers, exhaust, etc.

[Titus]

If it was me, I would get the following:

1) Get a Craftsman Mechanic set, 200 piece or larger. Watch the sales... They always have some on sale, and usually once a month one will be 50% off. You should be able to get a good set in the $150 range.

2) Go to HarborFreight and get an aluminum racing jack. Again, watch the sales, and be sure to bring one of the 20% off coupons when you go. You should be able to get something in the $75 range.

3) Jack stands can be had for around $25 a set if you shop around. I have no real preference here, But I did see some nice ones at Tractor Supply for $5.99/ea last time I was in there.

4) Pick up a set of metric Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. Sears puts them on sale for 50% off several times a year, so you should be able to get them for $35-40 a set.

5) The craftsman rachets that come in the big kits suck. Personally I added Snap-on 3/8 and 1/2" ratchets to my tool collection. They are pricey, but can be found for decent prices on ebay. If I had your budget I would probably look for a new Snap-On "Dual80" 3/8" ratchet on ebay for $50-60, and then add a good 1/2" on later. Alternatively, I have heard that GearWrench sells nice 3-piece ratchet sets but I have not tried them and don't know what they run.

6) Screwdrivers- The regular craftsman screwdrivers hove gone down in quality lately, but if your budget is running out you can get a nice complete set for $15-20 on sale. I upgraded to a Craftsman Professional set last year for $40 on sale... I like them a lot more than the standard ones, but I have already broken the tip off of one. They swapped it out for free, but it is still a pain. I may break down and get a Snap-on set some day, as I am told they are the strongest and most comfortable on the market. Being Snap-on, they are of course very pricey at $135 for an 8 piece set, and never go on sale.

[MoonieGT]

Thanks for the shopping list, that's just what I needed to know.

[ken o]

Check CL for used Snap-On stuff.

Also get a big ass hammer.

[jrj512]

Get a breaker bar and some extra pipe to extend it.

I get most of my often-used or important tools from Craftsman. I get the rarely-used or unimportant tools from Harbor Freight. HF has 20%-off coupons in all of the major car mags right now.

[motorollow]

I would also try to get a compressor (check Harborfreight). They are handy for projects around the house.

[sammm]

For the average DIY'er, Craftsman or Kobalt are great choices for hand tools. They both offer lifetime replacement guarantees.

Sears started replacing tools with 'refurbed' ones instead of new last time I brought in a ratchet to swap out.

[Titus]

Yep... I will go out to my shop and scan my boxes for other frequently used tools. Off the top of my head, some that get a lot of use include Breaker bar (Harbor Freight, <$20 ), pry bars (Craftsman often on sale for $20 for 3 piece set), and picks (I have craftsman set that was on sale, but the handles suck... look for something with a screwdriver handle). Also you should get a selection of pliers if the Craftsman set doesn't have them.

[channelmaniac]

+1 on watching sales.

If all you can afford at the moment is an HF tool to get the job done, then buy it. Simply replace it with a good quality tool when you can afford it.

Pawn shops, flea markets, sales, internet coupons, and other ways can be used to keep the costs down. Sears doesn't care about receipts if you have a broken hand tool (power tools are a HUGE exception) as they'll simply swap it out for you.

There's a Craftsman tool club you can join. They'll send you special sales offers that can save you a lot of money.

Another thing you can do is to read up on everyone's price matching guarantee. This way if you need to buy a power tool or something that multiple stores carry, you can take the sales ad in for one store to another and force them to give you the discounts.

I did that when buying my Paslode Cordless Framing Nailer. Payless Cashways had a 25% off anything you could fit in a paper grocery bag that was in the newspaper. They said the Paslode would fit. I took the bag to Lowe's and got an extra 10% off, which is what their policy was at the time. SCORE! (That WAS a $400 nail gun before I used their policy against them.)

[trickyrix]

2) Go to HarborFreight and get an aluminum racing jack. Again, watch the sales, and be sure to bring one of the 20% off coupons when you go. You should be able to get something in the $75 range.

3) Jack stands can be had for around $25 a set if you shop around. I have no real preference here, But I did see some nice ones at Tractor Supply for $5.99/ea last time I was in there.

4) Pick up a set of metric Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. Sears puts them on sale for 50% off several times a year, so you should be able to get them for $35-40 a set.

2) Just saw an ad in R&T and the aluminum racing jacks are still on sale for $59 - I've got 2 just for the hell of it.

3) The thing to watch on jack stands is how deep the "V" is on top. I picked up a cheapo set from HF and they're too deep to use on the jacking points. Instead, I have to go for the control arm attachment points.

4) If you ever want to change your own alternator, You will need the Gearwrench. It will keep you from beating yourself in the head with every other tool in your kit. I use my set quite a bit in lieu of a ratchet and socket.

Listen to Titus and consider taking his "TCB Tool Purchasing 101" class this semester.

[channelmaniac]

Also you should get a selection of pliers if the Craftsman set doesn't have them.

Sears sells some Craftsman pliers that are made up of sheet metal riveted together. These pliers are the definition of suck. Avoid them.

[Titus]

Listen to Titus and consider taking his "TCB Tool Purchasing 101" class this semester.

Lesson #1) The Sears Wishlist is your friend.

Sears.com has a wishlist that is designed to be used as a gift registry for your birthday or Christmas. Set one up, but use an event date of 2015 so it doesn't get deleted. Add all of the tools you are interested in buying some day to the list. Visit sears.com several times a week, log in, and scan your list. The prices of items currently on sale will appear in red. While some things never go on sale, many things end up on sale for a few days every month. I have made at least a dozen purchases over the last 2 years of Craftsman tools for 50% off by using this process.

[CosmosMpower]

Don't forget a decent torque wrench!

[altiain]

If it was me, I would get the following:

1) Get a Craftsman Mechanic set, 200 piece or larger. Watch the sales... They always have some on sale, and usually once a month one will be 50% off. You should be able to get a good set in the $150 range.

2) Go to HarborFreight and get an aluminum racing jack. Again, watch the sales, and be sure to bring one of the 20% off coupons when you go. You should be able to get something in the $75 range.

3) Jack stands can be had for around $25 a set if you shop around. I have no real preference here, But I did see some nice ones at Tractor Supply for $5.99/ea last time I was in there.

4) Pick up a set of metric Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. Sears puts them on sale for 50% off several times a year, so you should be able to get them for $35-40 a set.

5) The craftsman rachets that come in the big kits suck. Personally I added Snap-on 3/8 and 1/2" ratchets to my tool collection. They are pricey, but can be found for decent prices on ebay. If I had your budget I would probably look for a new Snap-On "Dual80" 3/8" ratchet on ebay for $50-60, and then add a good 1/2" on later. Alternatively, I have heard that GearWrench sells nice 3-piece ratchet sets but I have not tried them and don't know what they run.

6) Screwdrivers- The regular craftsman screwdrivers hove gone down in quality lately, but if your budget is running out you can get a nice complete set for $15-20 on sale. I upgraded to a Craftsman Professional set last year for $40 on sale... I like them a lot more than the standard ones, but I have already broken the tip off of one. They swapped it out for free, but it is still a pain. I may break down and get a Snap-on set some day, as I am told they are the strongest and most comfortable on the market. Being Snap-on, they are of course very pricey at $135 for an 8 piece set, and never go on sale.

Great suggestions. One note - Harbor Freight has an ad running in several current magazines that offers 40% off the standard aluminum racing jack (from $99.99 to $59.99). I saw the ad in Kiplinger's this month - should be able to get a copy at Barnes & Noble.

[altiain]

Don't forget a decent torque wrench!

+1 to that. I have a Craftsman 1/2" drive Digitork torque wrench in the shop, and I've been very happy with it. I also have a cheap 3/8" drive shorty toqrue wrench that measures in inch-pounds for smaller bolts.

[Robert]

A tool I really like is the magnet on the end of a stick. They come in real handy when you drop a screw or tool down inside something.

After you get a good basic set of tools just buy the other stuff as needed.

[POS Racing]

A tool I really like is the magnet on the end of a stick. They come in real handy when you drop a screw or tool down inside something.

What about blue painters tape Robert??



Get a decent tool box nothing less fun that trying to find the tool you know you own but can't find!

I got two rollaway tool boxes now with all my stuff and I note the neighbors show up asking if I have random tool and so far I seem to always have it!

[Robert]

What about blue painters tape Robert??

No for repairs you need the silver duct tape and bailing wire.