hello all, i'm about to purchase a new set of tools from sears and want to know what's a sufficient set to get? i was thinking the 190 piece one is nice? should it be good enough? also what set should i go with wrenches?

 

technically this isn't a UTH topic, however, the people who post in this forum will be more knowledgeable about the proper toolset, so I'll let it remain here.

 

Check the set to assure that the sockets are 6-point versus 12-point (6 sided vs. 12 sided)...As far as the combination wrenches (open on one end, closed on the other)...again, my preference is for the 6-point vs. 12-point (I have both...just in case I need them). The general wisdom is that a 12-point socket/wrench could round off the edges of a 6-point bolt. Craftsman is still notorious for selling a lot of sets that really do not have the most appropriate tools for our cars...that said, I find lots of smaller "sets" from them that are exactly what I need/want (my tools are almost all Craftsman and Snap-on.)

Other common tool advice (from others I have read):
"Buy the best you can, and if it breaks, buy a better brand."
"Go with Sears/Husky/Cobalt, unless you work with tools for a living...then Snap-on or MAC"
"Cheap tools break at really bad times..."

Just my 2cents...check some other tool forums for similar auto-tool advice if you want.

 

Craftsman tools are the best bang for the buck, and are well made. I use them ALOT an they have proven to be great.

 

The set to which you're referring sounds great. I love Craftsman hand tools, though I've been using Husky with excellent results too. I'd go ahead and pull the trigger on that one. No toolset, short of the massive mechanic's sets, will come with all the little things you need, so just buy them as the need presents itself.

As far as wrenches, get the ratcheting combo wrench set. It's a little more expensive, but they get more use than any other tool in my toolbox. They are simply indespensable for all jobs. It's one of those tools people will have to pry from my cold, dead, hands!

 

THANKS for all the advice so far! very helpful! i'll probably go with the 190 pc set and go from their. probably some ratchet wrenches as well.

 

buy a bucket too, and after you buy the 190 pc set, throw all of the SAE stuff into the bucket, you'll almost never use it working on hondas.

 

I've been using Craftsman for all my life, and i love them. As to the 6 point vs 12 point, most of their sets in the higher numbers come with both for each size.
And on a side note, I've cracked Husky sockets and bent one of the ratchets before doing an engine swap...so I'm kinda hesistant on Husky products now....
plus craftsman has a lifetime warranty!

 

i'm not really mechanically inclined but what do you mean 6 vs. 15 point?

 

6 point means it uses a hexagon. As in the socket only has six sides.



I use craftsman for everything and probably wouldn't buy anything else.

Lifetime guarentee with no receipt? Decent prices? Tons of Sears around? Winner!

Be prepared to buy a ton of other things though when you buy sets, they always miss some important stuff. I bought an 100+ Mechanic set and it is missing many many sockets that I needed to do simple stuff on the S2k.