I've moved far enough away from my parents and other family members that I can no longer borrow stuff when I need it. I'm wondering if I should build up quality tools slowly, or should I just buy a bunch of Harbor Freight stuff and replace with quality stuff as needed in the future?

I've currently got a small basic set of tools, but it's all kinda abused garage sale/dollar store type stuff. Nothing like some of my dad's Snap-On, or even Craftsman, quality tools. Also, no real power tools.

And since I use my tools outdoors a lot, I thought I'd post here. Plus, I think posting on the general board would've been a waste of time.

For starters, Craftsman screwdriver set, Harbor Freight hammer (cheap but works), quality crescent wrench set, drill bits, mini socket wrench set, pliers, dikes, measuring tape...

You'll get a lot of different thoughts and mine are worth less that you paid for them... with that disclaimer out of the way....

I would

• get a good quality (not snap on quality) mechanics set from somewhere.. Craftsman brand has changed owners recently but I'd look at Costco or Sam's as they usually have a pretty extensive socket set.
• Screwdrivers - I usually buy a set from Harbor Freight or catch them on sale at Lowes/HD
• Hand tools (hammers, crescent style, sets of pliers I get at Harbor freight
• Circular saw - I'd start with a corded one
• Battery operated I currently own 18V Dewalt tools (drill, driver, 1/2 inch impact, 5 inch (?) circular saw If I had to do it again I'd buy Rigid stuff since if you register your purchases they offer a lifetime battery replacement program.
• Specialty tools that I won't use a lot I go with Harbor Freight. This includes air tools.
• Ratcheting open/closed end wrenches I picked up on sale at AutoZone/Oreilly/Lowes/Home Depot

I built my set up a little at a time and buy new tools when I need them for a project (like a sliding compound miter saw for new baseboards).

Whatever you do have fun!

What everyone needs is a collapsible ladder.

I say "quality" for the stuff you'll use frequently or is important for your safety. For me that was:
Sockets
Ratchets
Screw drivers
Cordless drill
Miter saw
Jack
Jack stands

I'd quoted quality because I wouldn't spend on pricey top of the line tools like snap on, but go for middle of the road stuff like craftsman, channel lock, crescent, klein, knipex, etc.

One off or specialty tools I usually go harbor freight cheap. I try and add quality if I think it's something that'll get more than a couple uses.

I love harbor frieght but my advice is to Watch Slickdeals for sales Mechanics toolset from craftsman. Keep an eye out and you should find them for around $.35-.45/piece.

Pliers go with craftsman. The harbor freight ones just aren't as nice. They tend to rust a lot easier. Craftsman has a r4 piece set that will get you started.

Screw driver set from Sears is a good starting point. You will want to get a high quality #2 Philips screw driver like a klien.

Keep an eye out at Lowe's and hd for irwin vise grips and cresent wrenches. They are good enough. The harbor frieght ones just don't cut it. Especially the cresent wrenches.

Wired electrical tools that you need to do that one project, One off tools (auto repair stuff, etc) or blunt force tools (hammers, saws, etc), go to harbor freight.

The harbor friend tool chest are probably the best deal out there. (The big red ones, not the crappy black ones)

Cordless tools, I would go with rigid (if they still have the lifetime warranty) or Ryobi because they have maintained backwards compatibility with thier batteries.

-Klein screw drivers and pliers. They have a screw driver set that's costs around $50 that should be last money you spend on screw drivers if you don't lose any. Get a set of yellow handles needle nose and a set of blue handled high leverage lineman pliers. If you do any electrical, their electricians pliers are the tits.
-cordless impact/drill set in blue/red/yellow maker of your choosing
-Kobalt wrenches and ratchets work just fine for not being snap-on
-couple good saws(back/rip/hack)
Everything after that tends to be specialized and you can get it as you go.

Over the years I've done both. Nothing wrong with some of the HF hand tools. Hell, i use some of their air tools as well. Consider how hard/often you are going to use the tool, and then decide.

All of my air tools are hf. I haven't had one fail me yet.

Duncan Idaho said:

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All of my air tools are hf. I haven't had one fail me yet.

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Oh man, I love hf but I have broken a ton of their stuff. I never get mad because of the price.

highvelocity said:

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eric76 said:

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What everyone needs is a collapsible ladder.

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WHERE DO I FIND ONE OF THESE

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I got a 12 1/2 foot Ohuhu brand ladder on Amazon.com a couple of months ago for $99 with free shipping. Max capacity is 330 pounds.

There are some with a max capacity of 250 pounds that are in the area of $70. I've also seen a 14 foot collapsible ladder, but it was much more expensive and its max capacity was also 250 pounds.

The 330 pound capacity ladders are far more sturdy than the 250 pound ladders. If you weigh anywhere near 250 pounds, they sag inwards a lot while climbing the 250 pound capacity ladders. The 330 pound capacity ladders sag a little, but far less then the 250 pound capacity ladders.

I'll probably order another in the next month to carry around in the trunk of my car.

I've been running some ethernet cables in the office. There is something like six feet of room between the tops of the walls and the ceiling. The collapsible ladder makes it real easy to go up through the ceiling tiles. Extend it a enough to reach up to move the ceiling tile out of the way, climb down, and then extend it all the way up.

Salt of the water said:

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I say "quality" for the stuff you'll use frequently or is important for your safety. For me that was:
Sockets
Ratchets
Screw drivers
Cordless drill
Miter saw
Jack
Jack stands

I'd quoted quality because I wouldn't spend on pricey top of the line tools like snap on, but go for middle of the road stuff like craftsman, channel lock, crescent, klein, knipex, etc.

One off or specialty tools I usually go harbor freight cheap. I try and add quality if I think it's something that'll get more than a couple uses.

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Completely agree with that.

I used to be a hardcore Craftsman fanboy, and I have built up a large collection of craftsman hand tools, but will also admit that their quality hasn't been as good in recent years since they stopped being made in the USA. They used to have an excellent warranty system. Just walk into any sears and with the broken tool and they would grab a new one off the shelf and hand it to you right there. I haven't had to warranty anything recently, but a friend tried recently and the store employee told him from now on they are only warranty-ing items that say "made in USA" on them. Any of the new Chinese made pieces breaks and you're SOL.

That being said, I'm not sure who the go to brand would be for tools like sockets, ratchets, pliers, and screwdrivers that's still "quality" without breaking the bank like Snap on or Matco. I guess Craftsman still fits that bill and we just have to settle for slightly lower quality these days.

For cordless power tools, stick with Dewalt, Makita, or Milwaukee. The Ryobi tools aren't exactly junk, but there is a noticeable difference in quality if you step up to one of the brands I mentioned.

If you're really interested in building up a set of tools on the cheap fairly quickly, I'd hit garage and estate sales each Fri and/or Sat for the next month. It is very hit and miss but you should find a few things to get started. At these sales, I'd stick with the brand names you know -- Craftsman, Stanley, Kobalt, Husky, and of course, the higher quality lines like Snap-On if you find any. Remember -- this is a first step and you're just getting started. You may luck out and find all you need or you may strike out.

Assuming you don't find a chest, look online to see if you can find some good deals on used chests -- on CL -- or demo/scratch and dent/etc. at stores. I haven't looked closely, but I *think* Harbor Freight's chests are at least decent and may be good. Sears runs theirs on sale fairly regularly.

From here, it is just buy what you need when you need it or when it is on sale. I've bought many wrench and socket sets from Sears when they go on sale. I would start with the screw drivers or sets, pliers/cutters, nut drivers, socket sets, wrenches, and hex keys/drivers, in that order. Add a hammer, mallet, some levels, maybe a speed square, and you've got 80% of what you'll ever need. I have a bag of Klein and other electrical tools and a small bag of Kleins for computer work but they all stay inside. The Craftsman and Husky screwdrivers I bought between 10 and 25 years ago sit in my top tool chest drawer, get used fairly often, and are still in good condition. Meaning, I don't recommend you go for the higher end brands right now. The listed brands above will last plenty long.

I've used harbor freight sockets for over a decade for mostly normal use and never had a problem.

I got some basics and then just buy as needed. Good to ask for for Xmas too.

I am a cheap mf'er. Look at my texags user name.

If it has any moving parts, buy some place that will back it up. If not, go to the Harbor. If you buy something from the Harbor, just plan on it being a one time use. If you get more out of it, bonus!

eric76 said:

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What everyone needs is a collapsible ladder.

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We bought one of these for the office because you can check it as baggage when we needed to go check out a site in far away lands. The one we got
1. Is heavy AF
2. When fully extended has some wiggle to it. There's enough play in the joints to where it will bow a bit when you lean it against the building.

When I had 99% of my gear stolen years ago, I started over with a XX piece Kobalt combo set. It was augmented little by little as needed, and with Christmas and birthdays.

UnderoosAg said:

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EagleFordEarl said:

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-Klein screw drivers and pliers. They have a screw driver set that's costs around $50 that should be last money you spend on screw drivers if you don't lose any. Get a set of yellow handles needle nose and a set of blue handled high leverage lineman pliers.

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Harumph!

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This. Klein 9" lineman pliers can do 90% of the jobs you'll ever do. Their needle nose pliers are great, and their screw drivers will last forever. Also if you use one improperly and break it, Home Depot wil, exchange it for you.

I have a good "base" of craftsman sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers and combination wrenches.

When it comes to my "electrical" tools. I like Kleins. I use these tools everyday for my work. I like the kleins because they are not magnetic as I work with electronics for center pivot irrigation systems. These tools stay in my pouch that has climbed 1,000's of pivot towers.

When it comes to power tools, I try to buy quality. All of my cordless tools are dewalt.
Don't overlook ryobi for some of your power tools. I have servers pieces and they have performed flawlessly.

When it comes to welders, I have a Hobart mig and a miller bobcat 225 for larger work.

Bottom line is, these will be YOUR tools. Take pride in whatever you buy and take good care of them and they will last.

For a standard home/shadetree mechanic I think any of the store brands are sufficient.

GearWrench makes a pretty good tool for the price. They have a great warranty, even have warrantied other brands off their van. Husky in my opinion is hit and miss, Kobalt I think has better sockets, ratchets and wrenches, I'm not a fan of the basic Craftsman Ratchets. I've had good luck with my Stanley 6 point set.

Many of the mechanics at work use HF impact sockets. Most of my driver sockets are HF, torx, hex etc.. as they aren't used a ton.

I personally like Craftsman or Husky screw drivers, and Klein 11-1 for having on me at work.

My home socket set is Stanley, only issue is the selector switch on the 1/4 drive is a bit sensitive. At work I've got a mix of everything, the new 239 piece GearWrench set I was sampled just completed the suspension upgrades to my Jeep without issue.

As far as cordless, I'm a big fan of the Milwaukee M12 line. Sure they don't do everything an 18 volt will, but they're compact, comfortable, and mine have held up great.
I hate the fact DeWalt has changed their batteries again, and have quite buying them for my staff.

Starting from scratch, depending on what you're doing and budget.
3/8 Drive Socket set, 6 point SAE and Metric, Standard and Deep, if you're doing lots of Auto work 1/2 drive as well.
Set of Ratcheting Combo Wrenches. SAE and Metric
Husky or Kobalt, pliers, wire cutters, needle nose set.
M12 Drill, Impact Driver set.
Craftsman or Husky screwdriver set.
Channelock 420, 440 pliers
Adjustable wrenches 8 and 10in. I prefer some Stanley's I found randomly at Walmart, better than the Proto's I have at work, and I really like the Proto's
Second recommendation for Corded Circular saw, cordless are convenient but not very powerful
Torpedo level and 2ft box level.
tape measure 16 and 25ft
Claw hammer
Moderately price Multi-meter. Craftsmen used to have some decent ones, Extech's aren't bad, Fluke is considered the Gold Standard, but pricey.

Slickdeals has been a great source for tool deals, Lowe's often has stuff on closeout because they changed a couple pieces in the set.


Good luck.

Mule_lx said:

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I got some basics and then just buy as needed. Good to ask for for Xmas too.

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This is very similar to the advice I would give. Before going back to school to earn my degrees, I was a carpenter. I learned fairly quickly that cheap tools are usually 2-4x as much in the long run. So buy as you need items as well as whenever you have extra money. When you buy, try to buy high quality, but don't worry if you have to settle for cheaper tools from time to time. Make a list of tools you want/need (if you haven't already), then prioritize them. Keep it where you can easily find it and mark tools off (or add them). If it's something you don't think you'll need again, see if you can rent the tool(s). If you can't rent, then settle for something not as expensive (no use wasting money on a specialty tool you won't use again).

I'd buy hand tools from the closest/most convenient place to where you live. Warranties aren't worth much if it's a pita to swap out the tool.

To start, I'd recommend:

A good socket set. I have a Craftsman set that has about 150 pieces. That's covered everything I've needed a socket for thus far...from working on a weed eater to changing my brakes and assembling kids toys. These also tend to come with allen wrenches.

Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get:
- set of pliers
- set of screwdrivers
- set of crescent wrenchs
- level
- hammer

Spend the money on a good cordless drill or driver. Dewalt is what I have and it serves my needs.

If you're one that changes your own oil, rotates your tires, etc, then a good jack and jack stands would be needed. Also a breaker bar and torque wrench.

A toolbox is up to you. I have everything in a toolbox that I can carry around (minus the sockets) and I can get by. When we move into a new house with a bigger garage, I'll break down and get a big toolbox to keep everything organized and appease my OCD tendencies.

That's a pretty good start with stuff that should last you for years. My dad has Snap-On and Mac tools from back in the 80's that I'll get one day, but I also have the above and it has served my needs for 95% of what I've needed to do. Really the only things I've had to borrow from somebody have been saws.

Duncan Idaho said:

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All of my air tools are hf. I haven't had one fail me yet.

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The internals are the same as IR. A buddy of mine work on pneumatics for a living and says the internals are the same just a little lower quality build. "Keep then oiled and they will last just as long"

He convinced me and I have not had an issue.

I would get a little better quality than HF (Pittsburg brand) on screw drivers.
The metal tips on some I have used has twisted and bent.
Maybe they have some with hardened tips now.
The black tip Kobalts I have seem to be much better.

I would agree with garage sales as a good place to build up cheap ... if you have the time.

If you go cordless power tools pick just one brand if you can.
I went with Ryobi, because I was cheap back then, and they do everything I need for my weekend sized projects.
So I see no reason to switch to anything more expensive.
You can get a box set with many of the basic cordless tools ... Drill, Saws, Lights, & batteries.

I have used sockets and wrenches from craftsman to autoshop (O'Reily & Autozone) most seem about the same anymore. But remember I need them as a homeowner not a mechanic or home builder.
Sams has some big hand tool kits around Christmas I believe.

Keep in mind that you should never pay full price on anything at Harbor Freight. They always have coupons available online, in the NRA magazine, mailed in the little promotional junk mail coupon envelope, etc.

I use HF for limited use specialty tools, storage, etc. I haven't been impressed with their sockets or combination wrenches.

Pawn shops might also be good places to find assorted tool collections, if you can stomach the fact that most of them are likely stolen.

Went with a friend of mine to some random pawn shop a while back because he was looking at guns. I wandered thru the tool area and there was a wide assortment of tool bags loaded with stuff. I was a little bit surprised some of them didn't still have the guy's water bottle, lunch, and car keys in it.

I own complete Craftsman wrench, screwdriver, socket, etc sets that I got mostly as wedding/shower presents.

That said, this is the handiest tool in my toolbox.



www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Ratcheting-Screwdriver-Set-10-Piece-236360100/204364629

Don't forget Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. I've gotten some good deals there.

My strategy has been

• Ask for tools I want/need for Xmas/birthday/anniversary
  
• If you need something that you haven't gotten as a present, then you buy it.
  
• If there's something you know you'll need in the future and you find it on a really good deal/sale (my rule is better than 30% off), and you have the room in your budget, go for it.
  
• Power tools- you only want to pay that money once, so make it count. For me, I go with Rigid unless there's something better rated or a better deal(table saw and circular saw are Rigid, but Sawzall is Milwaukee and corded drill is DeWalt). If you go for a cordless set, see what their history is with keeping battery designs backwards compatible. Rigid and Ryobi are great at this, but DeWalt, Black and Decker, Porter Cable, etc. screw with you a little bit.
  
• Hand tools-I've gone away from Craftsman, the quality just took a nosedive. I've had good luck with Kobalt (though I've got a relatively new ratchet that's screwing with me) and Husky. Pittsburgh sockets are ok, I've heard good things about the ratchets, but I hate a ratchet that messes with you. Really like my Kobalt combo wrenches. Klein tools are good. Channel-Lok pliers have been really good to me. Do NOT go cheap on wire nips, you'll regret that one every time.
  
• Tool boxes- Craigslist/Facebook/estate/garage sales. Seriously. The prices people ask for these things anymore has gotten ludicrous. I've got a decent Craftsman tool chest that's older than I am that I picked up at the Pate Swap Meet in Dallas for about $75, I think, 2 or 3 years ago.

If you are not buying a higher end multi-meter, go with the Uni-T off amazon. True RMS auto ranging like a higher end fluke for $50 bucks, and all the testing on youtube (along with my own use) show that it is really good for the price. I have the 61E. It even has serial output if you want to record to the computer.