Recommendation for tool set?

[thunderball]

Whos making the good american made tools now? I need to start aquiring a second collection of tools since I work in 2 locations and am tired of moving tools between constantly? Looking to spend about 150 to start.

I bought a sears mechanic set out of convenience but I havent picked it up and Im having second thoughts about going with craftsman in 2018

Thanks and Merry Christmas

 

[Streetbu]

Kobalt from Lowe's is actually pretty good. Believe it or not SOME of the Harbor Freight tools aren't bad either. Their ratchets are actually decent, just have to put loctite on the bolts keeping them together... I just picked up a complete set of standard Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches for $29 at Tractor Supply.

 

[pontiacgp]

I look around for what's for sale used. Alot of the quality tools have a lifetime warranty and no receipt for proof of sale is needed.

 

[mikester]

A number of years ago I decided to buy all 6 pt sockets and get my tools all straightened out since I had a ton of mismatched stuff. I wound up buying sets of sockets from guys that put them together on ebay. I wanted to get them from Sears but it seems every set from the store was short a few sizes and by the time you picked those up it was pretty pricey. The sets that were on ebay were complete and not that much money. I bought metric and SAE in both 3/8 and 1/4 drive. I have a Husky SAE set and a Proto metric set in 12pt for the junk yard trips.
I also found some great deals on combination wrenches on ebay. Proto, Armstrong, Williams, Blackhawk. All very good quality. Most are polished. Same with Ratchets. Got some real nice Protos off ebay. Some used, some new. Cheap.
I used Proto tools at my old job. Great tools.

 

[TURNA]

American??????

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

None!!!!

Just get the ones that have the easiest exchange/replacement policy in your area!!!

 

[ssn696]

I agree, reluctantly, with the HF recommendation. Bums me out recommending imports, but their stuff has gotten much better in the past few years. I also heartily agree on the six-point socket recommendation, especially since most of us use the 'star torque' method. (Lean on it until you see stars.) If you are pushing on the flats rather than the points, you are less likely to round off a bolt or nut. And absolutely get a set of Gear Wrenches. Then you lack an second elbow joint, and you aren't torquing the snot out of it, these things fit in tiny places (like headers, etc.) and get the job done. Just keep them clean so they don't bind up and revert to being an expensive combo wrench.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

If you are near Canada,the Canadian Tire line of Mastercraft tools are pretty decent.
My buddy Mark owns a 2 bay garage and it's almost all that he buys.Canadian Tire will replace broken tools,no receipt needed,and if a ratchet mechanism starts to go bad they will give you another one.
Guy

 

[TURNA]

150 will, or should I say might buy you one American tool truck 3/8 ratchet!!!

Just don't break it cause you will be waiting a week or so to NOT get it replaced but "fixed"!!

 

[ssn696]

150 will, or should I say might buy you one American tool truck 3/8 ratchet!!!

Just don't break it cause you will be waiting a week or so to NOT get it replaced but "fixed"!!

Or keep 2-3 of them on hand for disaster recovery. I found the newer Craftsman ratchet pawls don't hold up very long. I would not be surprised to learn they shifted from forged to powdered-metal after about 1995...

 

[Turbo Zach]

I recommend Stanley tools. Cheap, but very good! Stanley also owns Mac and now Craftsman. Biggest tool company in the world. They also own more brands too, just not sure witch ones.