Tools
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,429
From: plano texas
Tools
Im lucky enough to have parents buying me tools for christmas or thinking about it, its really expensive, Im just curious what sort of brand of tools is good enough, not too expensive but nothing crappy, and I would have enough to do just about anything on my car with, like swap a cam or pull a motor or something like that, minus the crane heh. I was looking at some craftsman tool sets at sears one cme with a box and had like 250 pieces or so for like under 300 bucks I think just dont know what all tools I will end up needing adn what is going over board. So maybe list some of the tools you have and whats the most youve been able to do with them and that would help me out a lot thanks...
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,442
From: Tacoma, WA, USA
Craftsman. If you don't own any tools yet, get the biggest set you can now. Buying tools individually costs more, although as you start to work on cars you'll inevitably do this anyway. It has taken me 15 years to get all the tools I have now. I started out with a decent set, and just bought the extra's as I needed them with various jobs. I still shop around for different tools, but I don't think any motorhead ever really stops buying tools.
Mac and Snap On are nice tools, but expensive. And if you break them you can't just run down to the store like you can if you buy Craftsman tools to replace them.
Mac and Snap On are nice tools, but expensive. And if you break them you can't just run down to the store like you can if you buy Craftsman tools to replace them.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 343
From: 757 VA
c-r-a-f-t-s-m-a-n
get the biggest set you can find, and get a tool cabinet setup not just a box. you'll outgrow it in no time. also ask them to pick you up the new ratcheting wrench line from craftsman. man they are sweeeeet they saved me about 2 hours on my header install
get the biggest set you can find, and get a tool cabinet setup not just a box. you'll outgrow it in no time. also ask them to pick you up the new ratcheting wrench line from craftsman. man they are sweeeeet they saved me about 2 hours on my header install
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,104
From: springfield, IL
i have the biggest set of craftsmen and HATE em...... KOBALT from lowes is what my dad has and i LOVE em!!!!! i'm trying to talk him into getting me a set because i like em so much. if you break it, they will give you a new one. we put the sockets on our impact wrenches and have for 4 years without breaking one! i put my craftsmen on it and needless to say i had to take a trip to sears 
my vote is for Kobalt! also made in the USA and has a lifetime warrenty
my vote is for Kobalt! also made in the USA and has a lifetime warrenty
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,531
From: Tucson, AZ
Craftsman isnt what it used to be. I am not saying it is junk, but i have some of my fathers craftsman tools from probably 20 or 30 years ago and they are a much higher quality than the new ones i buy at sears now.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 226
From: Iowa
I have about 95% snap on and 5% craftsman...and I even work in tools at sears. I got 50% off of my new snap on tools and cabinet so i went with them.
Whether it be NAPA, husky, craftsman, mac, matco, cornwell, etc....I think that anything with a lifetime warranty will do just fine. They don't have to be expensive to be good quality. Some tools are built better than others, that's what makes them better. All I can say is....nothing beats a snap on line wrench.
Whether it be NAPA, husky, craftsman, mac, matco, cornwell, etc....I think that anything with a lifetime warranty will do just fine. They don't have to be expensive to be good quality. Some tools are built better than others, that's what makes them better. All I can say is....nothing beats a snap on line wrench.
Registered User
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,201
From: HI.
I have Craftsman and Snap-on. Snap-On is was better quality, but fot the price and convienience you can't beat the Craftsman. Life time warrantee. I buy all Craftsman now.......the Snap Ons were inherited from Pops. 
Advanced Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874
From: Under The Hood
I'm Using El Cheapo Autozone tools and thier getting the Job done 
It's not the tools it's how you use them. Tell them you want cheap autozone tools.
Did I mention these cheap AutoZone tools have a lifetime warrantly...yeah..if you break one you get a new one...I have yet to break one....I"ve been trying to do so purposely, but they hold up just as good as my Stole...umm I mean borrowed Craftsman tools from my neighbor.
It's not the tools it's how you use them. Tell them you want cheap autozone tools.
Did I mention these cheap AutoZone tools have a lifetime warrantly...yeah..if you break one you get a new one...I have yet to break one....I"ve been trying to do so purposely, but they hold up just as good as my Stole...umm I mean borrowed Craftsman tools from my neighbor.
Last edited by Heatmaker; Nov 13, 2003 at 08:34 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 13
From: Garden Grove, CA
Craftsman is pretty good for the money, guarantee, and convenience. If something breaks you can bring it back and get a new one, no matter where you are. There's a freakin Sears in every town.
Their basic tools are pretty good: sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches. But, they sure aren't as good as they used to be and their ratchets suck. Snap-on is the best, but not worth the $$$ for a home user. Mac is good too, and usually a bit cheaper. My advice is to get at least Craftsman, because cheap tools suck. If you have grease under your fingernails, you know what I mean.
Their basic tools are pretty good: sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches. But, they sure aren't as good as they used to be and their ratchets suck. Snap-on is the best, but not worth the $$$ for a home user. Mac is good too, and usually a bit cheaper. My advice is to get at least Craftsman, because cheap tools suck. If you have grease under your fingernails, you know what I mean.