where to get a decent toolset online?

[lionken07]

I've been thinking about getting a pretty large toolset for a while since I work on my WRX more and more... I want something like craftsman or something of that nature. Something that won't break that easily, but won't cost a leg either.

Where should I order such a set from? links?

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[Mulder]

Since you're in NYC why don't you just head over to Sears and check out their Craftsman sets? That way you can also look at and handle them before buying instead of just seeing some pics online.
You can start out with a nice basic assortment of metric tools and add to it as needed. For most typical jobs you'll mostly use sockets and box wrenches in the more common metric sizes, with the occasional specialty tool needed.

[lionken07]

i went to the Sears in flushing and they don't have jack...

which Sears should i go to?

[Schlogen]

http://www.sears.com/craftsman

[Uncle Scotty]

harbourfreight.com

[Jason]

Originally posted by lionken07
I've been thinking about getting a pretty large toolset for a while since I work on my WRX more and more... I want something like craftsman or something of that nature. Something that won't break that easily, but won't cost a leg either.

Where should I order such a set from? links?

I would not buy "a large set" of tools from sears. If you plan to only work on your WRX, you probably dont' need half of the tools in a set (all the standard ones).

Craftman is usually sufficient for weekend jobs. Also, take a look at this article . it has some pretty good readings on tool selection and what to get 1st.

[Mulder]

You can try one of the Sears stores in LI. The one in Lake Success (shopping center on Union Turnpike) has a good selection of tools.

[lionken07]

I know I won't be needing many tools from a set but I don't want to be needing stuff every other month while working on the car. I plan to keep this set for a very long time, perhaps even after I get another car so I need something with a wide range of stuff in it.

I've look over the sear/craftsman link you gave me Schlogen. Still not exactly sure which set I should get...any opinion?

[cnk]

Since you're only using the tools to work on your Subie, I would save my money and not buy a set. Instead, put together your own set of tools. There have been many posts from people asking about which tools are used most often. A good starter is to get regular and deep metric sockets, wratcheting metric wrenches, jack, jack stands, ramps, 1/2" socket wrench for the rear diff, torque wrench, etc.

Calvin

[ultrasonic]

The Craftsman sets are a better deal than buying individual pieces, if you can afford to cough up the dollars all at one time. Especially when you catch them on sale. Fathers Day should have some good deals going. The price gets down to $1/piece in the kits. They often include a molded plastic case with storage slots for each piece, so you know if you've missed an item when cleaning up after a job.

The lifetime warranty is cool... walk in the store, show the broken tool to a salesperson, they pitch it in a big barrel and give you a new one. Done.

[vile]

when i started, bout 12 yrs. ago....i bout the craftsman 150 piece set, and build on that

my collection is still building, and will always be growing

btw, i still have that set, intact and working

[Schlogen]

whats your price range lionken? if your just going to be workin on the subie start off with some metric sockets 3/8" 12pt. from around 10 to 21mm. get some combination wrenches of about the same sizes. torque wrench is very important. make sure you got a jack, jack stands, creeper. youll need the spark plug socket. get some ratchets and extentions....get as much as you can afford!!!

ps - dont forget a tool box!

[Uncle Scotty]

Get 6pt sockets...1/4 & 3/8 drive...and extentions and a swivel.....and I have used ramps FAR more than stands.

[ultrasonic]

From Sears, on sale until 6/20: item #00933151000

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00933151000

151 piece mechanics tool set for $99, includes molded plastic tool case.

If you bought two 2 1/2"metric socket sets (standard and deep) for $15 each and a ratchet wrench at $20, you are already at $50. Throw in a combination wrench set for $10+ and the 3/8" drive sets and 1/4" drive sets, extentions, etc. Obviously if you buy this set just for the metric stuff, you pretty much get the SAE stuff for free. If you can put down $100 at one time, you really get quite a bit for your money. And, it's American made, guaranteed for a lifetime.

That's a good start for anything you'll need for the rest of your life.

[ImprezaVA]

Everything mentioned so far is all good. However, never think you will never use this tool, or need that tool. There will always be a time, now, or in the future that you will need a tool and if you don't have it, it will cause some frustration and might stall the job. Personally, I like the Craftsman 254 pc set for $200 on sale right now at Sears. Set contains 156 sockets, 26 wrenches and 9 drive tools with a wide range of sizes in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 in. drive and includes 63 specialty tools.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00933354000

Of course, money is an issue for most of us so the occasional shop around at http://www.harborfreight.com will net you some decent tools at a fair price.

Good luck with your selection and I commend you by working on your own car.

-Charles-

[il96]

Harbor freight is crap. I ordered a few things from them and returned them all cuz THEY SUXORED!

Thread hijack: I need a decent 3/8" torque wrench, but I don't want to spend $150 on it. What are my options?

[DrD]

If you want a craftsman set, and your local sears doesn't have it in stock, you can buy it online, then pick it up once it arrives at the local Sears if you select "pick up" as the delivery option - you get an email when the tools are there. It's actually a pretty nice system if you want to buy something but don't feel like dealing with the sales people or are in a rush - you just swing by the pick-up counter with your printed out confirmation email, grab it and go!

If you have essentially no tools, and do more than (or want to do more than) just simple things, then a decent sized tool set is the way to go - much more bang for your buck then picking things up piece by piece - there will always be odd sizes which you won't use, but then it will be much less likely that you will find yourself in the middle of a job without the right sized socket or something like that.

Craftsman is nice because of the lifetime warranty (which is actually useful because Sears is everywhere, and it's not too likely they will be closing shop any time in the near future)

[realwomble]

I recently spent several hours staring at the confusing array of discounted tool sets in sears. In the hope that this will reduce time spent on this by anyone else, I ended up with...

(all craftsman)
3/8in drive 5-80 ft-lb torque wrench $80
102pc socket/rachet set $49 (reg. $100)
3/8<>1/2, 3/8<>1/4 drive adapter pack ($9 - reg. $20)
deep 17mm socket (for strut top centre bolts) $5
oil filter wrench $9
(all -10% for getting sears card last week).

Unfortunately all the sets contain SAE sockets, and all but 1 have at least some 12pt @$%! sockets. Some even have 8pt!! One set was all 6pt but wasn't on sale, and was $150.

Main differences between many of the sets seem to be... # of combo wrenches; # torx/driver bits; number of deep sockets; presence (or not ) of 1/2 in drive parts; # of 12 and/or 8 pt sockets (mostly useless for us as far as I can see), and laser etched, or not (usually $20 premium).

edit: re above: i.e. 8 pt is useless. 6pt is preferable to 12pt.

HTH.

[DrD]

Originally posted by realwomble
edit: re above: i.e. 8 pt is useless. 6pt is preferable to 12pt.

the 8pt sockets are for square nuts (not found on cars)

The problem I have looking at many of the lower priced current toolsets is that there are lots of things which the typical home mechanic will need, which aren't included (such as metric flare nut wrenches) - I started with a 150pc set back 10 yrs ago - I have had to add many, many things to it - 99% craftsman - all good quality, and nothing has broken. (well - one thing - a 3/8-1/4 adaptor, but that was probably my fault )

[RayO]

I had a 1/2" drive breaker bar given to me by an uncle. My neighbor was always borrowing it. One day, he brings it back with the drive snapped off.
We look it over, and it turns out to be a Craftsman, a really old one that looks nothing like what they currently make. He goes down to the local store, and I've got a brand new breaker bar at no cost.

[Psydotek]

I also recommend a Metrinch toolset. Since i got my car i've pretty much used almost nothing but my dad's Metrinch set on my car.

[armand1]

Originally posted by DrD
the 8pt sockets are for square nuts (not found on cars)

Miatas need an 8pt for the square transmission fill plug.

Once you get a set that covers say 60% of your needs, you can fill in a lot of the rest at good prices by buying on eBay. Got my 8pt sockets there.
Also, the ratcheting flex-head Gearwrench metric sets at Lowe's (and elsewhere) are often reasonably-priced.

If you're going to be doing a lot of ratcheting, I would strongly recommend looking into getting high-quality ratchets, like the Facom Palm-control line. They're amazingly refined, and still strong (5 degree minimum ratchet angle, but they engage 17 teeth at a time for strength). The only better ratchet is the Mac Zero-Degree ratchet (IMHO).

[lionken07]

I just got the 151pc craftsman set for 99bucks! reg. price was 149.99! it also come with a pretty nice case.

I think it will cover most stuff that i will do. the tools are nice and its forged!

[WRXGurl]

I bought the Jesse James black chrome tool set online. It comes with a great selection of Mac tools (500+ pieces), a nice box with graphics, and a liner which holds all the tools by size. Super easy to locate and determine if anything is missing after using them. The coolest thing is they are black chrome and if "someone else" borrows your tools - these are very easy to identify.

[donmei]

I buy my hand tools either through the Bargain News, a local classified paper in CT or on ebay.

I've got some great stuff for cheap and actually purchased a whole set of SnapOn wrenches from someone getting out of the business for less than a new set from sears.

Used is great for hand tools.

Don