Tool Upgrades - Socket and Wrench Sets?

[Bumbo]

Like most I started with something from Craftsman... I ended up getting something similar to this and it really has worked out just fine over years I have owned it.

I was thinking of getting another small set for the truck to take with me when I go off-road, but instead of buying another small set, I am considering upgrading my garage box instead and turning what I have into my truck kit.

I am slowly becoming a more serious DIY garage mechanic and I would like an upgrade from Craftsman... Not really because I feel like I NEED it, but more because I am just curious about seeing what a different brand has to offer.

Part of this level of curiosity is coming from some recent hand tool upgrades too... I used to have Harbor Freight cutters, pliers, wenches for a long time... I recently bought a set from Channel Lock and I was filled with excitement when I saw how much better they performed. I also purchased some made in Germany Wera and Wiha screw drivers sets and again, wow... what a difference.

What do you guys recommend I look at?
Any tools that you just really like?

 

[ZebRuaj]

Tool branding is like oil, you'll get opinions and heated arguments galore .. You can vary from Supertech (HF), off the shelf M1/Pennzoil (Craftsman, Gearwrench, Stanley, Husky ...) to specialty Amsoil (Snap On, Matco, Mac ....)

In the end, how much do you want to spend? and does it make you feel tingly inside knowing what you just purchased? Hand tools, I don't really favor a brand. Power tools, stay away from HF. I've collected a little bit of everything over the years. Shopping tip: frequent garage sales when nicer weather hits. You'll be surprised the tools/deals you can find on the penny.

My attention now is towards specialty tools, but those are things you don't buy until you need them, then question how often you'll use it (bolt extractors, tap/dies, ball joint separators ...). That's where the quick trip to HF and it's 20% off coupon comes into play.

Sorry for rambling. To answer your question, right now I really like ratcheting wrenches, pass thru socket/wrench kit, gearless ratchets, flex head ratchets, universal and wobble sockets and extensions for hand tools. (Can you tell, its all stuff to get into tight places?). Can't forget things like lighting and BFH for the tool box.

 

[noclue90]

Like Zeb said, stay away from HF for most things power related. However if you're wanting just a spare set to keep in the truck and you have a good set at home, HF has some decent kits for no more than you'd use it in an emergency. I try to look for a kit that meets my needs more than about a brand. Having the wrong Snap On tools does you no good.


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[Bumbo]

Tool branding is like oil, you'll get opinions and heated arguments galore .. You can vary from Supertech (HF), off the shelf M1/Pennzoil (Craftsman, Gearwrench, Stanley, Husky ...) to specialty Amsoil (Snap On, Matco, Mac ....)

In the end, how much do you want to spend? and does it make you feel tingly inside knowing what you just purchased? Hand tools, I don't really favor a brand. Power tools, stay away from HF. I've collected a little bit of everything over the years. Shopping tip: frequent garage sales when nicer weather hits. You'll be surprised the tools/deals you can find on the penny.

My attention now is towards specialty tools, but those are things you don't buy until you need them, then question how often you'll use it (bolt extractors, tap/dies, ball joint separators ...). That's where the quick trip to HF and it's 20% off coupon comes into play.

Sorry for rambling. To answer your question, right now I really like ratcheting wrenches, pass thru socket/wrench kit, gearless ratchets, flex head ratchets, universal and wobble sockets and extensions for hand tools. (Can you tell, its all stuff to get into tight places?). Can't forget things like lighting and BFH for the tool box.

I am fine with rambling, I do it all the time on this forum haha.

I totally get it... and I have been reading around but most of those are garage forums or tools forums... Many people with a lot of opinions, many coming from a professional background so I try to step back and see it from their perspectives too. I totally get the tool truck way of life, but being a home mechanic its rare that I would need the level of service and support... I firmly believe that much of what you pay for also has to do with service and support.

I asked here because I wanted to see what others in my position might be running at home... and now that you mentioned access tools... am even more interested in what YOU have to say since we wrench on the same or similar cars...

What I want is value, but I don't mind paying for a good tool. I just bought a single Knipex Cobra after borrowing a friends and its the type of tool that brings a tear to your eye... Not just because its so good, sooo damn good, but because its so freaking expensive that I can't afford to just "buy the entire catalog".

So often times I try to find a middle ground, like Channel Lock, which gets me like 90-95% of the way there anyways.

In regards to ratchet wrenches, I have one small $50 Gearwrench set from Sears... Also purchased after borrowing a friends 14mm to do my front shock top hat bolts. I can't believe how much time and frustration was saved. And what a deal on a set of wrenches.

That said my first experience with Gearwrench was with a 4 ratchet flex head set of the 120XP ratchets... I badly needed to change out my regular Craftsman wrenches because they actually started to hurt my hand and I needed more leverage.

I hate missing sizes, and I think at this point I should be looking at larger or more complete masters type sets, and just buy something that is going to help take me to that next level...

Im just trying to gauge if Tekton/Gearwrench is my sweet spot, or if its worth spending a few bucks on SK, Wright Tools, or whatever else over Craftsman when and where it counts.

 

[Bumbo]

Like Zeb said, stay away from HF for most things power related. However if you're wanting just a spare set to keep in the truck and you have a good set at home, HF has some decent kits for no more than you'd use it in an emergency. I try to look for a kit that meets my needs more than about a brand. Having the wrong Snap On tools does you no good.


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I completely agree... personally I don't (or try not to) actually buy a tool until I need it.

If I didn't do that, I would end up spending so much more...

Speaking of Snap-On, I did buy a small set of used Snap-On line / flare nut wrenches, first time I have ever owned a Snap-On tool. Also the first time I owned a line wrench of any type, and first time I ever worked on my own brakes in any car.

To be honest I am quite proud of them... I feel like I earned them. They paid for themselves on the first job, I saved money, and I got out of that entire project for much less than I would have paid at an independent mechanic and with some sweet tools for keeps.

My problem is I have gotten a taste, and it tasted good...

 

[noclue90]

I completely agree... personally I don't (or try not to) actually buy a tool until I need it.

If I didn't do that, I would end up spending so much more...

Speaking of Snap-On, I did buy a small set of used Snap-On line / flare nut wrenches, first time I have ever owned a Snap-On tool. Also the first time I owned a line wrench of any type, and first time I ever worked on my own brakes in any car.

To be honest I am quite proud of them... I feel like I earned them. They paid for themselves on the first job, I saved money, and I got out of that entire project for much less than I would have paid at an independent mechanic and with some sweet tools for keeps.

My problem is I have gotten a taste, and it tasted good...

Nice! Congrats on the tools and for taking on a job you hadn't done before. There is something just awesome about doing it yourself!


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[Bumbo]

Sorry for rambling. To answer your question, right now I really like ratcheting wrenches, pass thru socket/wrench kit, gearless ratchets, flex head ratchets, universal and wobble sockets and extensions for hand tools. (Can you tell, its all stuff to get into tight places?). Can't forget things like lighting and BFH for the tool box.

[MENTION=142282]ZebRuaj[/MENTION]

I never took the time to look into those things until you mentioned them just now...

I could have used things like that pass thru socket if I knew what I was looking for at the time.

Sometimes you don't know what you don't know... thanks for those recommendations.

Tell me more about gearless ratchets... seems interesting, never tried one. Why am I just hearing about these lol. Seems like a makes the entire conversion about teeth and swing arc a moot point? Kobalt seems like a good entry point? Which ones do you have or have your eye on?

 

[ZebRuaj]

I've been using a set of Craftsman pass thru socket set. Works wonders when disassembling the top hat assembly on shocks and struts where you need an allen key to stop the bolt from spinning.

I stumbled upon the Channelock 0* ratchet set at Sam's Club for $9 as they were trying to clear their stock. I've used it a few times but am afraid of really torqueing something with it. The universal sockets that it came with suck. Honestly, I haven't really used it all that much as my habit/muscle memory is to grab my regular ratchets when working in the garage. I've played with the Kobalt one at Lowes when I go in, but haven't gotten myself to but it. I have about 8-10 misc 3/8" ratchets already. The market still favors fine tooth right now.

I give you props for venturing into the expensive side (IMO) of tools. I have a few Matco and SnapOn's hand tools, but I picked up on the cheap side at garage sells.

I used to love watching the old Eric the Car Guy videos (my family all has Honda's) because he would do tool reviews or give the tool # on specialty tools he used in said videos. His latest batch of videos building his darkmatterpikachu don't really intrigue me. The other Eric (South Main Auto Channel) is another cool channel I watch here and there. He'll also throw in tool #'s and show you what he's using. And lastly random tool truck videos. I'll watch them here and there to see what everyone raves about and ponder if I'll ever have a need for them.

I went thru the hand tool phase, pneumatic, and now cordless. I've spent too much money filling up the garage. Now, if the tool aint broke, I don't really look to upgrade anymore (i.e. my HF impact sockets).

 

[Bumbo]

Awesome example with the top hat... I experienced that once so far.

I wouldn't exactly give myself props about those Snap-On tools...to be honest it was a purchase that happened more out of worry/fear than anything else. I hate, HATE stripping fasteners, bolts, screws, whatever.... it makes me feel like I should have never picked up a wrench when it happens.

I bought those wrenches because I was trying to buy myself a better result out of fear of something rounding off. And when it came to the brakes and dealing with the hard-lines... I just wanted piece of mind. That said, they do make a really nice product, but going that deep into that brand really isn't for me.

I kinda get what ur saying across your post... I have my days, and my moods, and right now, I am probably going a bit overboard since I am focusing on mechanics hand tools. Going based of what you said, there is no need for me to actually upgrade my sockets, because they have been working just find, but I am going to ignore logic and do it anyways...

 

[Fidgets]

I've had a Craftsman socket (standard + metric) set forever.

I recently picked up a set of SK 6 point 10-24mm 3/8" sockets and a ratchet.

Really happy with the new set. Beefy, operate smoothly, comfortable to use, and amazing finish.

 

[Iluvboost]

Theres things where nothing compares to snap on. I have their ratchets. I got tired of having cuts and bruises on my knuckles. Especially here where everything rusts. The tech with their paws is awesome. 7 teeth holding the drive gear and the angle it holds it at instead of say a craftsman thats only 2. I have their electric impacts too. And those are awesome. I have mac sockets but am going to switch to snap on. That being said, I'm impressed with the hf ratchets. For the price, those things are awesome.

 

[KidVermicious]

Ok, so basically you've got the HF style budget stuff, then the just-barely-better-than HF stuff you'll find at the Autozone, then your basic hardware store brands (Stanley, Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, etc), then the tool truck stuff (Snap-on, Matco, etc). The tool truck stuff is mostly higher quality and has good warranties but is way too damned much money unless you either have a lot of money or are making your living with those tools (and even then some of the tool truck stuff is stupidly overpriced for what it is). And sometimes the tool truck guy can be amazingly hard to find when it's time to redeem that warranty. The HF stuff is perfectly adequate for a tool chest that's only going to see very occasional use (like your kit to keep in the truck), and the hardware store brands are definitely good enough for the average car enthusiast/driveway monkey.

Old Craftsman sockets kick ass. The newer ones do not, super thin walls and lame markings and a sloppy fit. If you want to upgrade your sockets, check out Kobalt. They have a real lifetime warranty, they're color coded with laser engraving, and they're much beefier and tighter on the fastener than the newer Craftsman stuff IMO. If you want to upgrade your driver OTOH, what you want is more teeth. All the hardware store brands have improved ratchets, but I really like my Gear Wrench 84 tooth ratchet drivers. They fit well in the hand and ratchet smoothly and positively and the extra teeth mean you can loosen fasteners with fewer degrees of swing, very handy in tight spots.

If you REALLY want to change your wrenching life though, what you need to get is a Milwaukee M12 right angle ratchet and M12 1/4 inch impact driver, and a set of Gear Wrench flex head ratcheting box ends. In terms of all my hand tools, and I've got a lot, those are the three that I go back to again and again and again and they make wrenching so much more enjoyable. If you really want to spend some money on improving your tool chest, I'd get those three over and over again before I invested in tool truck brand stuff.

 

[Bumbo]

[MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION]

Solid recommendation on that Milwaukee M12 ratchet...

I have a small 25 gallon air setup and I got lucky back in the days on a clearance ingersoll rand 3/8 air ratchet and its about one of my favorite tools, awesome when under the truck and taking off things like skid plate.

I've been wanting to buy a 1/4 air ratchet too, but I like the idea of electric as well. I might have to look into this one more.

I am covered on the drill and driver side already, but I have been thinking of making a larger investment into a complete system vs just a tool here and a tool there.

The Dewalt 18v and 20v large sets seem like a great value too... I am also into wood working and I would be filling a lot of gaps in just general tools that are also good to own... Circular saw, reciprocating saw, and all that other stuff...

 

[Bumbo]

Theres things where nothing compares to snap on. I have their ratchets. I got tired of having cuts and bruises on my knuckles. Especially here where everything rusts. The tech with their paws is awesome. 7 teeth holding the drive gear and the angle it holds it at instead of say a craftsman thats only 2. I have their electric impacts too. And those are awesome. I have mac sockets but am going to switch to snap on. That being said, I'm impressed with the hf ratchets. For the price, those things are awesome.

I have always been curious about their dual 80. Seems like the gold standard for sure. One day when I have a better balance in the tool box and if I still like wrenching on my own stuff I will treat myself to one. But for now, the Gearwrench 120XP has been a really nice upgrade from the Craftsman stuff.

 

[KidVermicious]

[MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION]

Solid recommendation on that Milwaukee M12 ratchet...

I have a small 25 gallon air setup and I got lucky back in the days on a clearance ingersoll rand 3/8 air ratchet and its about one of my favorite tools, awesome when under the truck and taking off things like skid plate.

I've been wanting to buy a 1/4 air ratchet too, but I like the idea of electric as well. I might have to look into this one more.

The M12 definitely doesn't have the grunt of an air ratchet though. The M18 might come closer? but it's got a bigger head and needs more clearance. I'm not paid by the job and don't have room for a big compressor, so I went with the M12 for it's size and don't mind breaking a fastener loose by hand when I have to.

I have Dewalt and Ryobi 1/4 inch impact drivers. Both run about 80 ft/lbs and have been great performers (I think the Dewalt battery is better) but if I were buying new and air wasn't an option I'd definitely get a Milwaukee because I'm tired of fifty different battery chargers and that right angle ratchet is seriously a game changer. Nobody else makes a good cordless right angle that I can tell.

 

[Bumbo]

Smaller is nice too, I like the M12 now that I have looked at it.

Brand standardization on the electric side goes a long way in saving $ and convenience... Its really a choose wisely situation which is why I haven't really jumped into anything new in a while.

Sometimes I can't help but be a cheap @$$... I have a few air tools from Harbor Freight too and for the type of work I do, and for how often I use it, its such a deal.

I remember I had to clearance some plastic on my 4Runner grill for a lightbar and a mini reciprocating saw for a under $20 was just the ticket. Its hard to beat the value of air tools but accommodating the tank can be an expensive venture if you want to do it right. All my stuff came from a friend for a good deal when he upgraded.

 

[Bumbo]

So... I just realized my Craftsman tools, sockets,wrenches, screw driver are all make in the USA.

No wonder I haven't had a problem with anything... guess I have owned them for a while too.

Now I am even more curious about the differences with the made in China sockets. I kind of really like this set but I dont want to go backwards in quality. That said for the price is seems like a nice 2nd set.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-311-piece-mechanics-tool-set-with-75-tooth-ratchets

Has anyone actually compared both US vs China manufactured Craftsman?

 

[MN4runnerman]

So... I just realized my Craftsman tools, sockets,wrenches, screw driver are all make in the USA.
Has anyone actually compared both US vs China manufactured Craftsman?

I haven't compared the U.S. made sockets to the China ones. But I have compared the ratchets. I have two 1/2" craftsmen U.S. made ratchets and those are great, but my four 3/8" ratchets that were U.S. made have worn out and so I warrantied them at Sears and got some China ones. Those suck I replace them about once a year. My four 1/4" U.S. made ratchets are great too, they haven't worn out. I have some Snap On ratchets and haven't had any issues with those. And my sockets are all U.S. Made craftsmen ones; I've never had an issue with them. I've got full sets of 6 and 12 point sockets both standard length and deep. (All of my craftsmen tools were my grandpa's and they are older than me)

 

[LittleCaesar]

It really depends on how often you turn a wrench and how much money you want to spend.

Old Craftsman stuff is good but will break and the replacement piece(s) will not be in the same league, though maybe B&D will have the Craftsman hand tools made in the USA again sometime in the future.

I was told to invest the money in hand tools such as wrenches and sockets as far as my wallet would carry. I have the 4 pack of Gearwrench 120xp ratchets and love them. Many of my tools are Gearwrench and have performed well. They can usually be warrantied at one's local Fastenal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ltNpZeq6E

Tekton is also a good buy for not a hefty price with good customer service:
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-14967-8-Inch-13-Inch-Ratchet/dp/B00OHSRRA2

 

[Bumbo]

Final Update

After much research I decided on tools from Gearwrench and Sunex... This is what I ended up adding to what I already had to expand my set and give myself more flexibility.

I also feel like I am good on mechanics tools for the foreseeable future. There are a few things here and there but I will worry about that when I need it.

I can finally use the same size on different tools, ratchets, and torque wrenches without having to constantly pull one to move it. I've been doing it wrong this entire time.

I also decided not to de-case these things and put them in my tool box. Because the boxes and wrench roll are really nice for the Gearwrench set; its going to turn into my truck set when I need to be mobile with my tools.

This little guy is becoming a tool box favorite real quick.

Long pattern 12 point metric masters set.

Metric 6 Point - also part of my truck kit.

Impact Sets from Sunex

Gearwrench Ratchet Wrenches

This thing because I have a belt to do on 2 cars right now.

I guess its basically a pass-though setup to keep it low profile.

Now its time to get to work...