Recommendation for tool set?

[69hurstolds]

I use of course......

ARGHH ARGHH ARGHH!!!!

Seriously, though, if you have a LOT of money with nothing to do or need it to make a living, go buy the good and expensive stuff.

If you approach it as more of a hobby, find the ones you like and does the job. A lot of good suggestions in here. Asking others to pick tool brands is akin to asking someone which color to paint your car. Buy the best you can afford. The best "sets" are usually the ones that consist of various brands as you collect the tools you like. Like cars, your first one is usually the cheapest, and as you go through life, you usually end up spending more on the better ones later on.

 

[pontiacgp]

I like the snap on quality and when I worked on aircraft way back then snap on was the only company who made aircraft specific tools that was available to us. With aircraft you can't make any marks on the fasteners or the aircraft itself so quality tools was a must if you didn't want to be known for causing so many problems they'd take the tools out of your hands and put you in management

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Up here we have Mastercraft from Canadian Tire. They had a professional line for years and every week something different was on sale. Eventually I acquired one of everything. Very good stuff and lifetime warranty. I will probably buy some big brand ratchets because they are the weak link but I use all of it, even at work. Just start buying bits and pieces, you will eventually fill out your tool set with what you like. FWIW I use DeWalt power tools and they are very good.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-233-pc-socket-set-0589235p.html#
I commented on the Mastercraft line of tools a couple of pages ago,for what you can pay for on sale items they are awesome tools.
I just bought my second set of this 233 piece kit. I have one set for work out west in the winter and now I’ll have a second set for home This one will be going in my Monte.
This was,IMO a smoking deal,regular price of $ 349.99 on sale for $ 99.99.
Good quality tools and a lifetime warranty.
Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Here’s a few pictures of what you get with the 233 piece kit;

 

[pagrunt]

Here’s a few pictures of what you get with the 233 piece kit;

What, no bacon, maple syrup, or hockey tickets? I thought Canadians got that with every purchase.

 

[fleming442]

What, no bacon, maple syrup, or hockey tickets? I thought Canadians got that with every purchase.

Their bacon is just ham! 😛

 

[motorheadmike]

Up here we have Mastercraft from Canadian Tire. They had a professional line for years and every week something different was on sale. Eventually I acquired one of everything. Very good stuff and lifetime warranty. I will probably buy some big brand ratchets because they are the weak link but I use all of it, even at work. Just start buying bits and pieces, you will eventually fill out your tool set with what you like. FWIW I use DeWalt power tools and they are very good.

Ditto.

I just killed the On/Off switch on my Mastercraft bench grinder - fortunately it failed in the ON position; and I just had one of their cheap angle grinders die on me after many years of abuse.

I am going to pick up a newer 9A unit for 50 bucks because it is convenient. If I was a pro and my tools made me money I would have a toolbox like my Dad had full of name-brand stuff. But, as a home-gamer/hobbiest? No way is that even remotely justifiable because I would have a bunch of nice tools and a sh*t car to use them on.

Also remember what the exchange rate and taxation does to our buying power up here - we need to stretch a dollar real far to have anything that feels like an extravagant lifestyle.

 

[Kratos]

My experience/situation is a little different from most guys that are in the trade, simply because I'm a collision guy.

I have a fair amount of Craftsman bought 20-25 years ago, a bunch of Matco stuff, a little Snap-on, and maybe a half-dozen Cornwell.


Of course there are some other names in the box...Lisle, K-D, gearwrench, mostly for specialty stuff.

I guess my point is: consider the use that they will see, and buy accordingly.

My junkyard box has a mix of stuff that was bought cheap at pawn, or donated/found stuff

Last thought, if you're going to buy off the truck, the driver/dealer makes or breaks the experience. We had a GREAT Matco guy and the Snap-on guy was a dick at my first job. Currently, we have a good Snap-on guy, a pretty new Cornwell guy that seems like a good guy, and are getting a new Matco guy after the first of the year, haven't seen his predecessor in like 5 years, despite calls to his cell, emails, and requests through the website.

Very Similar experience.
our Snap on and Mac guys were OK, but the Matco guy was Awesome! when Davey showed up., all wrench work ceased for about 30-45 minutes. Everybody on the truck for the latest racin news, rotten jokes and of course what tools were on sale. Reportedly the #2 top Matco salesman in the nation, right here in little old central Pennsylvania. You are right, the tool Guy can make or break the whole experience. The majority of my stuff is Matco, with Craftsman as a close second.

 

[wskirvin]

I've had a lot of different brands over the last 15 years. Stanley screw drivers or Matco torque 2's i like the most but its personal preference. Definitely the Gear Wrench sets are worth grabbing. I tend to use the Craftsman 6 point sockets, but all the Sears and Craftsman stores are slowly going away around Indy and its a hassle to try to get something swapped out at Lowe's or Ace Hardware. Been a fan of Snapon tools just because we have a great salesman that is at our shop 3 times a week, but i've never bought new off him. I always scour Ebay or Pawnshops, craigslist, and flea markets for 80% of the tools I have. I will agree with several of the guys on here though, some of the Harbor Freight stuff is getting a lot better with quality and i have a few things that haven't broken yett. Still a fan of the Snapon ratchets though, even if i buy one somewhere else, if i have an issue he fixes it or replaces it no questions asked. I"ve been using the Craftsman Electric impact, but after it wouldn't break a sway bar link bolt loose that i could get off with a 1/4" ratchet and a box wrench, I switched to a Milwaukee Fuel M18 and have loved it. Just my 2 cents but you can definitely find some deals out there on used stuff with a lot of guys retiring or passing on and the kids dont know how to use any of it and just want to get rid of it. Another option i've come across if you are around any Kenworth or Peterbilt dealerships, they are carrying their own tools labeled TRP. They are made by SnapOn and are basically their BluePoint line in a TRP package. and are pretty reasonable on price as well.

 

[paul.m]

Well like many others have said here , buy the very best you can afford ! You will never be disappointed with yourself for buying a quality tool and a quality tool can be passed down for generations ! I have some older then I . 55 + yrs . I have a combination of old craftsman , and matco for the most part. Although i have never had any trouble with mac either . And of course a few snap on . The ratchet,s are where your going to see the AMERICAN MADE QUALITY difference ! If you really use your sockets a lot you will see it there too but it will take a little longer. We dont see much cornwell around here any more but they used to be a pretty decent tool for the money , and last i knew was still made ine USA . If you want quality and cheap used is going to be your best bet . MARKET PLACE / CRAIGSLIST