finally starting my own tool box, what to get?

[AlienInv8r]

I think I've gotten to the point that I want to have my own tools. I've been using my Dad's at home, but I wanna have a nice tool box while I'm at school to use also. So I've decided it's time for me to start my own tool collection.

What would you guys get to start things off? I'm planning to spend about $100 on the tools for right now. I've been debating between buying one of the craftsman mechanics tool kits or piecing together my own kit. The Harbor Freight in my area has tools for pretty cheap that also come with a lifetime warranty on them also (Pittsburgh tools). So what would you guys do? Should I get craftsman since they're such a trusted name, or would the less known company make a good tool box for starting off with?

[hawgs]

98v6 & Skapimp are a couple good tools to keep handy if you want to hear unrealistic views of the world.

[Silv6]

Rachet set, screw drivers, needle nose plyers, cresent wrech

[Linxs]

Personnaly I would go with Craftsman, I do not know what kind of problems you may or may not get with the other companies (cause mostly I do buy from them) when you are trying to get a replacment for a broken tool. With Sears you can take it to any sears and get a replacment. Just my 2 cents...

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

craftsmen here cuase what happens if you move away from pittsburg ???? lol

BTW my dad turned a tool in and latter he got letter in the mail asking him he had broke it like he did from crafs men...lol they wanted to know to se if they could fix the problem.....

[L32Projekt]

I'd suggest a set from Craftsmen. I've used my tools pretty hard and the wife loves it... err. I mean they haven't broke, but you can go to any Sears and they'll replace it on the spot. Pretty handy.

[ellik]

thinking about it, ive spent nearly 2g's on tools this year alone. Its an addicting hobby.
If you are just getting started, sears does have nice packages... the mechanics sets like you are talking about have a lot of the basics, especially if you get in the $250 range sets.

I would definately recommend craftsmen just because of their warranty and ease of replacing them. I have bought stuff at flea markets and off ebay for next to nothing that were nearly or already worn out and taken them back and exchanged for new/ refurbished replacements.

[Machiavelli]

Originally posted by hawgs:
98v6 & Skapimp are a couple good tools to keep handy if you want to hear unrealistic views of the world.

ROFLMAO
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
[img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]

These are my own emotions, I have not been coerced in any way by Mr. Hawgs to react in this way. Ross is my hero.

['98 BlackBird]

Originally posted by hawgs:
98v6 & Skapimp are a couple good tools to keep handy if you want to hear unrealistic views of the world.

That is F**kin hilarious [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]
My god, Hawgs does have a sence of humor, WELCOME TO THE CLUB

As for tools, I would start of with a nice ratchet set from DeWalt or Craftsman.

[speedracer95v6]

snap on

[chas]

craftsman or snap-on are good. snap-on are a little more expensive. get a decent english/metric socket set. if you can afford it a torque wrench wouldnt hurt.

[AlienInv8r]

Cool, it seems the unanimous consensus is to go with Craftsman. I guess I'll be doing that. I went and checked out some of the tools at Harbor Freight today and they just didnt seem to have that craftsman feel. I think I'm gonna partially be sucked in for the craftsman name, but you all do have a point. If any tool ever breaks from them, they replace it no questions asked. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Now I just gotta figure out if I want a kit, or to piece together my own set of craftsman tools.

[L32Projekt]

Originally posted by speedracer95v6:
snap on

Speedy, he was saying he was going to spend $100, I think you tacked one too many 0's on there buddy! ;)

[L32Projekt]

Try to find a kit and then piece in what you need that it doesn't have. :thumbsup: You won't be disappointed!

[camarofan]

Craftsman has a lot of kits out there, just be careful on which one you get. The more pieces in the kit the more garbage you get. A basic 100-210 piece is about all you need for starting out. You'll learn pretty quick which additional tools you need.

If you do comparative shopping look at a basic kit and then one of their kits with about 100 more pieces. The hundred extra pices are mainly going to be hacksaw blades, bit drivers and allen wrenches, all of which will be buried under everything in the odds and ends drawer of your toolbox.

I'd say the best investment and most used tools in my toolbox would be my Gearwrenches. I have 8mm-25mm and hardly ever use regular wrenches now. You won't need the bigger sizes unless you plan on doing frontend work. I'd say a good starting kit would be:

Complete socket set with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives

20 piece screwdriver set

Assortment of pliers. side cutters, needle nose, channel locks and the ever needed vicegrips

A set of nutdrivers and torx bits

Wrench set, standard and metric, I prefer Gearwrenches

Allen wrench set.

Most of these you can get in one set.

The kit I bought to start out with was this one
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00933841000

I added a 19 piece screwdriver set and a 5 piece plier set and had enough to do most jobs. Another handy tool to have is a digital multi-meter. Can usually get one for pretty cheap that will be sufficient.