ubet

As I was trying to take my turbo off today (long story short their is now a drill bit somewhere in my manifold/turbo), I realized I am in dire need of some basic wrenches/sockets etc. Was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on a set for less than $150 or so thats worth getting.

I am no mechanic (obviously being as I have a drill bit in my turbo) and do not plan to be, they would be for just basic household and vehicle maintenance stuff.

Thanks

.boB

First off, remeber that you can't afford cheap tools. They'll fail when you're almost done with a job.

Spend the money and get good tools. Not necessarily the top of the line Snap-Ons, but good ones.

I'v been using Craftsman tools for decades. I have some that are more than 30 years old.

You can't do a good job with cra ppy tools.

torquefan

Good advice here. You don't have to spend a fortune on the best stuff, but try to stay away from the worst. Craftsman is a decent compromise between quality and value, is easy to find, and has a good selection.

madhat

Do you have a harbor freight or northern tool around? They sell some decent tools for the money. They are not snap on or craftsman, but they are ok.

madhat

Man, where do you live? I would love to help you out...

roughstock

Craftsman is ok. I have some of their stuff,but they skip sizes in their sets, it will go, 11, 12, 13,14, 16,18,19,22,24mm etc. so then u have to go back and buy individual sockets. I like SK or grey pneumatic.
Both are lifetime warranty, do not skip sizes, are GOOD quality and most of GP come in nice, handy cases and all their sockets are impact grade. Google "grey pneumatic duo sockets". Those are nice sets, have nice case and a fine tooth ratchet. And include every size. No skipping. They have a lot of dealers just call them and they will tell u who is in your area. And are priced right

ubet

I am in northern ca. Their is a harbor freight around here , looking up grey pneumatic right now

ubet

Right now though its wrenches I need, in fortunately I need some tomorrow

madhat

NorCal... too far for me. I am in SoCal from time to time... Maybe you want to look in the chapter forums and see if there is a chapter close to you, maybe someone can help you out.
Harbor freight has good wrenches. Go to their website, sign up for their e-mail. I get 2 a week most times, they have some decent coupons in there.

Also, look in large magazines, they normally have an ad in the back for HF, and usually have a 20% off coupon in the ad. Diesel power is one...

nkennedy

Look on Craigslist for tools too. You can buy used Craftsman or Snap-on, and the warrenty still applies.

Totallyrad

Silly as this sounds, when you get this project behind you and start shopping for more tools, look toward Advance Auto Parts. Register online and watch for their coupons. They typically offer 15-30% off online orders of $100. Right now I think the offer is 15% off $100 plus a $50 credit toward your next order. Don't be afraid to call in because once in a while you can do even better actually talking to a live person.

1-2-3

For $100, I got a set of task Force at our Lowes. It's in a case. Has every size from 5/32 to 1-1/4 and 4mm to 32 mm. Both of those are shallow and deep sockets, so a ton of sockets, and all the wrenches from 1/4 to 3/4 and 9 to 16. It's a really good set, other than I'd like it to have a 17 and 19 wrench, but I already had several of those. And it's lifetime warranty so any Lowes will replace anything that breaks.

patdaly

Then get a cheap set of Harbor Freight or even Autozone ones. I keep a set rolled up in the truck. You won't want to use them all the time, but they are cheap, and when you have to bend or modify one, it won't hurt you to do so. ( it is sacrilege to modify really good tools ).

Then, as time and money allows, pick up some decent tools. I run about 80 percent Craftsman. For a good all around set, they have a 154 Pc. set that usually runs 99 bucks, 1/4-3/8-1/2 Ratchet and 5/16-3/4" wrenches.

Another good investment is a good set ( Gearwrench brand ) of gear driven wrenches. I have both the straight and the 15 degree offset in both Metric and SAE in the truck with me, they aren't cheap, but are really, really handy to have.

infidel

Harbor Freight has some decent quality and values but never buy anything from them without seeing it first.
The majority of their stuff is junk.

SIXSLUG

Well i was gonna suggest Craftsman since you used to be able to return them in almost any town with a Sears, but those days are over!

The Lowe/Home depot was what I was going to suggest, since they will return anything with no question, as long as you bought it there.

I back the guys on suggesting quality when buying tools. And also taking care of them adds to their worth. Wipe em down, store them dry and be careful who you loan em to! And they will be worth the money you spend time and again.