Set of tools... which one?

[gregus73]

I have been very happy with my Craftsman set. For power tools I use Milwaukee or Dewalt.

Wera looks pretty nice, but a bit pricier than Craftsman.

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[Lazygreek]

I highly recommend getting some ratcheting wrenches, for those tight spots it makes the job easier. I week ago, I bought a set of mechanic tools. I picked the black Husky set. From sockets, to wrenches. Looks nice to me. But, there are some sizes I can't get in black.

 

[ely-bound]

I am looking to purchase a small set of automotive related tools so that I may do some of the easier mods on my Jeep myself. I am looking at these options and so I like to get some insight and suggestions.

Starting with a torque wrench:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL0R...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Then socket sets-I am debating between these two options, leaning towards the smaller set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4W...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758FNX3...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Impact driver:
https://www.amazon.com/DECKER-BDCI2...r=1-1&keywords=black+and+decker+impact+driver

I have the regularly found household tools including a drill, drill bits and such--aside from these, what else should I have on hand?

Thank you much in advance.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ES8L3V0/ref=twister_B01DDXDYH6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I filled one of these tool rolls with various tools that I keep in the rear cargo storage cubby. Added a 3/8" drive socket set, torx tool, 4 way screwdriver, vice grips, channel lock pliers, razor knife, small roll of gorilla tape, etc. Just a few emergency tools that stay in the Jeep while I'm away from the garage.

I find the tool roll pretty handy while working in the garage as well. Seems like 90% of the tools I need are in the roll when doing small mods. Good luck.

 

[D60]

Craftsman is alongside Gearwrench in a race to the bottom. These days I'd choose any of the HF hand tools over Craftsman or GW - quality can't be worse and the price is way better.

For ratcheting wrenches if you can afford it I'd get the reversible version (with a thumb lever to reverse, flipping them over is not reversible). The first time you back a stiff fastener into a tight spot and then realize you can't get the wrench off the head and you can't run the fastener back in 'cause you can't reverse ratcheting direction, you'll understand why.

That said I typically carry the bottom dollar non-reversibles on the trail and keep good (ie anything that is NOT stamped Gearwrench) reversibles in the shop. Williams or anything OEM'd by Kabo is always promising.

 

[Onward4x4]

It's been 8 months, I imagine the OP has either purchased some items or decided agasint it.

ANy feedback OP?

I'm a major house and car tool nut, been using them professionally for 3+ decades. I certainly have my opinions.

I've been reading this thread off and on and missed yours...

So far these are the stuff I have purchased:

TEKTON 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RCYX4WI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TEKTON 24335 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL0RU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TOOL BAG
https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/tool-bag

10 Inch Adjustable Wrench
https://www.tekton.com/adjustable-wrenches?quantity=1&length=10-in

Flex-Head, Extendable Ratchet
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Flex-Head-Extendable-Ratchet-H38FERAT/206038328

And an assortment of various tools I had in the house. All of this is inside a:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Box-Black-226036/206291778

I am still looking for the impact tools and such but when I installed my front bumper and winch, a friend helped me out which made it unnecessary to buy my own... So, I suppose when I install my rack and tent I may have to actually get my own.

 

[cosmokenney]

Torque wrench is always a great idea and a necessity in my opinion so definitely one of those. Can't comment on that brand but I have a Craftsman one that's been good to me for 15 years now.

The old Craftsman Torque wrenches were great. But the new ones are complete junk. I've thrown out three so far after just one or two uses. Same thing with Tekton and Harbor Freight.
I was really hoping the Tekton would last since it's such a nice wrench. But like most of the others the ratchet mechanism falls apart after a few torques. I've got PT brand now from Reibes Auto Parts and they seem to be holding up okay.

 

[Onward4x4]

The old Craftsman Torque wrenches were great. But the new ones are complete junk. I've thrown out three so far after just one or two uses. Same thing with Tekton and Harbor Freight.
I was really hoping the Tekton would last since it's such a nice wrench. But like most of the others the ratchet mechanism falls apart after a few torques. I've got PT brand now from Reibes Auto Parts and they seem to be holding up okay.

I ended up getting the Tekton and have used it a good bit and so far so good... am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

The old Craftsman Torque wrenches were great. But the new ones are complete junk. I've thrown out three so far after just one or two uses. Same thing with Tekton and Harbor Freight.
I was really hoping the Tekton would last since it's such a nice wrench. But like most of the others the ratchet mechanism falls apart after a few torques. I've got PT brand now from Reibes Auto Parts and they seem to be holding up okay.

Tekton will replace for free, and it couldn’t be easier. (You just send them a picture.) I have two Tekton torque wrenches (3/8” and 1/2”) and they’re lasting well for me. I’d let them send you a replacement and see if you have better luck.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The old Craftsman Torque wrenches were great. But the new ones are complete junk. I've thrown out three so far after just one or two uses. Same thing with Tekton and Harbor Freight.
I was really hoping the Tekton would last since it's such a nice wrench. But like most of the others the ratchet mechanism falls apart after a few torques. I've got PT brand now from Reibes Auto Parts and they seem to be holding up okay.

I ended up getting the Tekton and have used it a good bit and so far so good... am keeping my fingers crossed!

Tekton will replace for free, and it couldn’t be easier. (You just send them a picture.) I have two Tekton torque wrenches (3/8” and 1/2”) and they’re lasting well for me. I’d let them send you a replacement and see if you have better luck.

With China, Taiwan, and other far east countries producing so many of the tool brands out there, it's a crap shoot on whether they hold up or do what they're supposed to do. These "off-shore" tools have their place. There are some scattered among my tools which were mostly acquired before the off-shore tools saturated the market. The good ones are at least as good as the old old Craftsman US stuff. The bad ones....suck.

I bought the micrometer lbs/ inch and foot Craftsman torque wrenches maybe 6-7 years ago. They're the off-shore version (china or Taiwan, etc.) I've only used the lbs/inch torque wrench a few times and it did what it was supposed to do. The 50-150 lbs/ft torque wrench has seen quite a bit of use and it hasn't failed me yet.

I also have a Proto 10-300 lbs/inch torque wrench I bought maybe 40 years ago, that still works well. I should probably send it in for a calibration check. Recently, I bought a big 50-250 lbs/ft Proto micrometer torque wrench for doing the big work. It's longer to give me more leverage and I have a bit more trust in the brand than Craftsman these days. The thing about a quality torque wrench is that it comes with a certification of it's calibration. If you're going to dabble in the off-shore torque wrenches, that's something to look for.

 

[Maverick909]

I am looking to purchase a small set of automotive related tools so that I may do some of the easier mods on my Jeep myself. I am looking at these options and so I like to get some insight and suggestions.

Starting with a torque wrench:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL0R...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Then socket sets-I am debating between these two options, leaning towards the smaller set:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4W...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758FNX3...colid=ORBTA7P9A09D&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Impact driver:
https://www.amazon.com/DECKER-BDCI2...r=1-1&keywords=black+and+decker+impact+driver

I have the regularly found household tools including a drill, drill bits and such--aside from these, what else should I have on hand?

Thank you much in advance.

my opinion Tekton all the way for the sockets and the torque wrench. I cannot say anything about black and decker impact. I am a big time fan of Milwaukee M18 line. ive had one of my impacts of 9 years from them and yes its gotten weaker but after 9 years and a few 10' falls off ladders Im still impressed. just recently got a new compact fuel impact and its great. I don't care for Milwaukee drills though. i wear those out pretty quick in my line of work but thats all good. its a price i pay for using cordless for the convenience. i will stay with my Milwaukee kit

 

[LostWoods]

Another vote for Tekton hand tools. I have a full set of Snap-On from when I wrenched but I really don't feel comfortable leaving $10k (might be slightly exaggerating...) worth of sockets and wrenches in my truck so I bought a full set of Tekton. I figured they would just be the trail kit but I honestly use them for everything since the tool roll is always in the truck. Very high quality stuff for the price.

 

[D60]

my opinion Tekton all the way for the sockets and the torque wrench. I cannot say anything about black and decker impact. I am a big time fan of Milwaukee M18 line. ive had one of my impacts of 9 years from them and yes its gotten weaker but after 9 years and a few 10' falls off ladders Im still impressed. just recently got a new compact fuel impact and its great. I don't care for Milwaukee drills though. i wear those out pretty quick in my line of work but thats all good. its a price i pay for using cordless for the convenience. i will stay with my Milwaukee kit

Much like FCA can't build a steering box, Milwaukee can't build a drill chuck. My ~7 Milwaukee drills have all received Rohm chucks and it's a worthwhile upgrade. Just watch out for the 9/16-18 spindles on the newer 27xx+ and make sure you're getting the right Rohm

In other news, I see even after sweeping the forums and moving a lot of threads even the mods have forgotten there's now a Power and Hand Tools section...

 

[roaniecowpony]

I've been reading this thread off and on and missed yours...

So far these are the stuff I have purchased:

TEKTON 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RCYX4WI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TEKTON 24335 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL0RU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

TOOL BAG
https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/products/tool-bag

10 Inch Adjustable Wrench
https://www.tekton.com/adjustable-wrenches?quantity=1&length=10-in

Flex-Head, Extendable Ratchet
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Flex-Head-Extendable-Ratchet-H38FERAT/206038328

And an assortment of various tools I had in the house. All of this is inside a:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Box-Black-226036/206291778

I am still looking for the impact tools and such but when I installed my front bumper and winch, a friend helped me out which made it unnecessary to buy my own... So, I suppose when I install my rack and tent I may have to actually get my own.

I like that bag, but $135 for a bag is past my thoughts on what I'd pay for it, by a few times over.

 

[Jitzy]

I love my Tekton tools.

 

[cosmokenney]

Tekton will replace for free, and it couldn’t be easier. (You just send them a picture.) I have two Tekton torque wrenches (3/8” and 1/2”) and they’re lasting well for me. I’d let them send you a replacement and see if you have better luck.

I tried and they told me to take it apart and fiddle with the internals. But it never worked once the gears mauled themselves.

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