Hand Tools - Great Deals

[D_Eclipse9916]

I figured since there was a thread for cordless impacts, I would start one about hand tools. Some of our newer members do not have the "collection" of tools that I have, and NO ONE has the collection of tools Kaan has :lol:

Harbor Freight's 301PC tool set is a screaming deal on sale right now for $189.99
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html">http://www.harborfreight.com/profession ... 45951.html</a><!-- m -->

I can attest this kit is very good! Includes 99% of tools you would ever need. Torx, Hex, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, allen keys, extensions, swivels, screwdrivers. The only thing that is missing from the kit is a decent set of ratcheting wrenches. I used to bring a ton of tools to the track, since I picked this up, I just bring this tool set alone (aside from bmw special tools) and I always have what I need.

[CaptainHenreh]

Uhh..looks a bit unwieldy as a hammer.

[Mike]

Ew. I've been impressed 0 with HF hand tools. I've done the Chinese route before... never again after breaking far too many, which is dangerous more than annoying. Looks great for a "throw in the trailer and leave it there," but I wouldn't go near that for home/regular use.

[Evan]

wouldnt touch it.

so many HF hand tools are total shit. Loose tolerances and soft steel.
not to mention, that kit has SO many tools that you dont need and will never use which just makes it big,heavy, and inconvenient. Its SO much better to peice together toolkits with tools that you actually need and use. especially portable toolsets that you carry around.

craftsman is still the goto for good tools at reasonable prices.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Funny, I have used it for over a year and I have used almost every bit in there (bmw has lots of torx/allen bolts). Also the tools have never failed or broken, and I use my tools a lot. Even funnier that you say "throw in the trailer and leave it there", I use my tools far more with a race car and project cars than I do for home use.

Craftsman are junk nowadays unless you buy their professional line which is no longer reasonable in pricing (might as well buy Matco). They also no longer "warranty" their crafstman sockets anymore, instead giving you remanned or making you have to wait to ship a tool. I would have agreed with you 7-8 years ago, but craftsman is not the same it used to be.

For the record, I have only broken 3 tools that I can remember:
Snap on 3/8 ratchet that was a pain to find a Snapon Guy to replace
Advance Auto 1/2 drive ratchet, because I used it as a hammer.
Harbor Freight "chinese" 1/4 extension, that I then used a 3/8 adaptor and used my long-handle Snap-on Ratchet. It broke.

[Mike]

agree to disagree? and you completely misunderstood me.

throw it in the trailer and leave it there = only use it at the track and not have to deal with lugging all your nice shit there.
when i was tracking, i did 99% of my wrenching in my home garage. that's where i like to have quality stuff.

[D_Eclipse9916]

agree to disagree? and you completely misunderstood me.

throw it in the trailer and leave it there = only use it at the track and not have to deal with lugging all your nice shit there.
when i was tracking, i did 99% of my wrenching in my home garage. that's where i like to have quality stuff.

Oh definitely fair enough. This box is perfect travel box at least for me, and many may not use a lot of these tools (female torx/male torx/allen) but since I have a GMC truck, a BMW race car, a Nissan SCCA car, and a VW chump car, I need all those funky tools to get shit done :lol:

What kind of tools/tool boxes do you guys have at home? I have never been a "box" kind of guy (tools everywhere, terribly disorganized garage); but I am attempting to get things in order. So I am spending too much time on Garage Journal as I know getting organized will not only make it more efficient when working, but help clear my mind. Grabbed a workbench and just picked up 2 of these for a steal. Small but good progress, hopefully I can get a lot of work done on the garage this year:

[Ryan T]

I go back and forth on Harbor Freight stuff. I keep older Craftsman (still U.S. made) in the toolbox in my truck and in my box at home. Exchange has always been easy and I haven't broken a craftsman socket or ratchet in a long time. I have been less than impressed, personally, with HF sockets/ratchets. I have a bunch of their wobble extensions and they are ok but they don't hold the sockets on very well. Things I do like from HF are screwdrivers, picks, and other light duty stuff. I also have a HF welder that is decent for what it is. But as for heavy use handtools I stick to craftsman

What kind of tools/tool boxes do you guys have at home? I have never been a "box" kind of guy (tools everywhere, terribly disorganized garage); but I am attempting to get things in order.

I have an 11 drawer craftsman box but it is totally stuffed. I plan on buying 2 of the same bottom cabinets I have and they will fit perfectly underneath my workbench. That should give me plenty of tool storage. As for the quality of the craftsman box, it's no snap-on, but it's decent for a ball-bearing unit. The drawer with all my impact sockets and heavier sockets you can feel the weight in the drawer, but it still functions fine.



As for a workspace I bought this at Sams club and it's nice. Heavy steel frame, butcher block top but it has to be the worlds softest maple. It dings and dents pretty easily, but it's a workbench so I don't care too much. For small/sharp items I usually put down a towel or pad to put items on.

[Sully]

I have all 3 sizes of the harbor freight torque wrenches and love them. Before you say they probably aren't calibrated. I tested them against a snap-on digital wrench and they are close enough for $12

Not a hand tool but I also have the shop press and its not too bad

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[D_Eclipse9916]

Nice Ryan. I know you are proud of your tools. Ever though about a 44' harbor frieght tool box? Or Viper? Get amazing reviews on Garage Journal...

And Matt, I am not sure I would trust a torque wrench from there, but if you checked it (and continue to check once a year), I dont see why not.

[Mike]

i have a big red portable craftsman box. will get something "adult" when i buy a place... moving every few years = not wanting to tote around a big box.

[.RJ]

I have one of these - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMjQ1NDA4MzEiLCJza3UiOiI5NTI3MiIsImlzIjoiMTY5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p%0D%0AZCI6IjMxNDAifQ%3D%3D%0D%0A">http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawe ... D%3D%0D%0A</a><!-- m -->

Really happy with it, its great for the $$. The drawers and construction are way better than the craftsman boxes I've looked at.

[Apoc]

i have a big red portable craftsman box. will get something "adult" when i buy a place... moving every few years = not wanting to tote around a big box.

You know what I realized? Renting a house and not having any auto/bike projects means you NEVER use tools. I like it.

[Ginger]

Seems like as good a place as any for this: just picked up a Craftsman round table with 2 bar stool style chairs for $30 at Fair Oaks Sears.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.searsoutlet.com/Pub-Table-Two-Stool-Combo/d/product_details.jsp?pid=97828&mode=seeAll">http://www.searsoutlet.com/Pub-Table-Tw ... ode=seeAll</a><!-- m -->

Haven't put it together yet, but looks nice. Especially for $30.

[Ginger]

Seems like as good a place as any for this: just picked up a Craftsman round table with 2 bar stool style chairs for $30 at Fair Oaks Sears.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.searsoutlet.com/Pub-Table-Two-Stool-Combo/d/product_details.jsp?pid=97828&mode=seeAll">http://www.searsoutlet.com/Pub-Table-Tw ... ode=seeAll</a><!-- m -->

Haven't put it together yet, but looks nice. Especially for $30.

[Ryan T]

Nice Ryan. I know you are proud of your tools. Ever though about a 44' harbor frieght tool box? Or Viper? Get amazing reviews on Garage Journal...

I love Garage Journal, found sooo many good tips and tricks on that site. I've looked at the 44" HF box and it's nice for the cost. But at this point if I got a box like that I'd have to move everything in my garage around to fit it. If my work bench didn't have the steel supports and legs in the middle the 44" HF would go underneath it perfectly. But since the legs are in the way I can fit 2 26" wide Craftsman boxes in there just fine. Plus they are on sale for $93 each.

[Kaan]

I've literally ABUSED (like they were gingers) my Craftsman Tools. I've broken my fair share, but generally i'm using the tool for something other then intended. Use a breaker bar, dont just toss a bar on the ratchet... use impact sockets when using the breaker bar, standard sockets dont handle it well... but i've never had an issue returning parts and getting new ones.

I did have to seek out really good snap ring pliers because i broke ALL store brand snap ring pliers while rebuilding a transfer case. I found a guy out of winchester that sells used snapon and matco stuff and picked up a set of snap ring pliers for CHEAP. What i spent hours to fight (with two people) with turned into 20 minutes (alone) to get the job done.

All the HF tools i've ever owned (even the awesome t handle allen sets) die a horrible death when the pressure is on. I sheered a punch from HF that nearly lodged in my hand. I will pick up supplies from HF, like rags, sand paper, tons of throw away sawzall blades, etc. Hell the engine stand and picker work fine for a hobby work... their impact sockets work great too (except they are usually too thick to fit in most places). This doesnt mean i dont have them in the box, but they arent my go to tools at all.

My tool box is a SnapOn Series 78 lower half with a hardwood top i put on it to use as a work bench. I also have a basic craftsman chest (top and bottom) that holds all the precision tools and supplies. My work bench was made by an old master carpenter that i picked up at an estate sale for $200... you say "WTF $200 for a bench?" its SOLID oak, dove tailed together, then drilled and tensioned with all thread, etc. i could park my car on it and it wouldnt make a sound.

I have purchased a lot of tools... and for general use i stick with craftsman and for special tools i will spring for the good stuff. one time use items i will generally go with HF... if they hold up i'm surprised and they will stick around until the break.

If you want better tool prices on Craftsman stuff... just wait for black friday. they dont ever sell out of the tools, you dont have to go that morning at the ass crack of dawn. every year the basic TQ wrenches are on sale for 50%... there is always a set on sale (or 5)... and special wrench deals, etc.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I have one of these - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMjQ1NDA4MzEiLCJza3UiOiI5NTI3MiIsImlzIjoiMTY5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p%0D%0AZCI6IjMxNDAifQ%3D%3D%0D%0A">http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawe ... D%3D%0D%0A</a><!-- m -->

Really happy with it, its great for the $$. The drawers and construction are way better than the craftsman boxes I've looked at.

Funny enough I just got a coupon in the mail for one of these for $99. I am going to pick it up with some grip liners for all the drawers. This week is pulling down some of the shelving that is currently in my garage and getting the workbench + toolchests where they belong instead of the middle of the garage.

[.RJ]

Mine came with the drawer liners already in there too. For $99, no brainer.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Mine came with the drawer liners already in there too. For $99, no brainer.

Sweet, too bad my Husky ones didnt come with them.