Whats the best place to get tools localy?

[KGB7]

Ive been using my decade old tools to my best abily to fix the car. But now im at the point where i need few more tools to finish the job. I also want to get a new set. The tool set i have is worn out, part broken and few things are missing.

I tried Sears but they are over priced even for a single 1/2inch rachet. HomeDepot has a limited selection. Not sure how good the tools are at AdvancedAutoParts. I will drive out to Autozone or Pepboys tomorrow or on the weekend.

Perhpas i should buy them online?
Any recomendations on brand?

Thanks in advance.

[DUDMD]

I use a craftsamn 192pc kit, has most of the tools you'd need. If any of them ever break/snap/crack/wear out, you can replace that broken piece at any local sears at no cost.

[Saj8986]

Bobs tool shed.... about a mile down the road from me.

Srsly....home depot is where I go to buy the basics at a good price.

Specialty stuff....I search online and compare pricing.

[psjr]

I think Home Depot has the best value (price/quality) locally (I heard they will replace stuff pretty freely like Sears, but their stuff is cheaper). As you said their selection is extremely limited.
Since I didn't need anything right away, I bought a bunch of tools online and would recommend it.

[coleshooter]

I use a Husky 185 piece mechanic's tool set I picked up at Home Depot. They work just fine. It's by no means a totally comprehensive set, but it generally does the trick for a pretty decent price. I believe they've got a lifetime warranty as well.

[KGB7]

I have an old sears set as well. Perhaps they will replace the broken once for free.

My local sears is a mess. Two guys sitting around doing nothing, while is a pile of sockets sitting on a shelf in a big pile. Its like going to easter egg hunt.

I do need to find a mini t-30 torxe.

[coleshooter]

I haven't been crazy about Sears for some time. I'd just as soon hit up home depot. Plus, the cost of Craftsman tools is pretty steep.

[motion]

With today economy it's a good time to shop the pawn shops for Craftsman tools, buy them cheap. Bring them to Sears, they're guaranteed for life (not taps and dies). Just my .02

[toomann]

Most of my tools are craftsman. I also have a mixture of mac tools as well. Craftsman tools are not all that expensive when you factor in free lifetime replacement. Few times I was wrenching on a car in the middle of a project. Dirt poor and a wrench or screwdriver snaps because I was just a little harder on it than I should have been. No problem. Just take it to the nearest sears store and it's replaced for free. If your hard on your tools it's worth the cost.

[racer2086]

I have all craftsman tools. When I was in the market, I kept my eye out online for the sales. They'd have a huge sale on tools (especially around holiday time). I got my 150 piece or whatever it is set for $100. Bought a nice torque wrench, too.

Then on another sale, I got one of their workbenches for my dad for basically half off with the item sale and the web sale that was going on.

They can be more expensive tools, but can be had for cheaper if you play it right. I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for" when it comes with tools. I can definitely notice a difference between Craftsman stuff and cheap stuff from an auto parts store for example.

And if you have an old Craftsman set, yes, they will replace the part.

[JTech007]

Harbor Freight sells tools... I believe their hand tools are made in America and have a lifetime warranty. Great place for the obscure tool that you will only use once or twice that the big box charges 10x as much for.

I looked in your area and there is a store in Gaithersburg, it might be worth the drive.

[bteeley]

Ive been using my decade old tools to my best abily to fix the car. But now im at the point where i need few more tools to finish the job. I also want to get a new set. The tool set i have is worn out, part broken and few things are missing.

I tried Sears but they are over priced even for a single 1/2inch rachet. HomeDepot has a limited selection. Not sure how good the tools are at AdvancedAutoParts. I will drive out to Autozone or Pepboys tomorrow or on the weekend.

Perhpas i should buy them online?
Any recomendations on brand?

Thanks in advance.

I forget if it was autozone or advanced, but snap on builds their sockets. Exact same gears, interchangeable parts. They have the same shape, just less finish work. A friend who worked at snap on told me. Appears accurate to me.

I have had my craftsman socket wrench replaced every year bc the ratchet no longer engages. I suppose its good it is warranties, but it would be better if they did not fail.

[IcemanBHE]

Snap-on or Mac comes right to your house. :D

[TxDarth]

Any recomendations on brand?

Thanks in advance.

Sears - can't go wrong -guaranteed for life no questions asked.

Got plenty of money go Snap-On or Mac - I think they are worth the money. They always seem to have the extra where needed. I have had some of my Snap-On for 50 years - still going strong.

[COLO740iSport]

I have had some of my Snap-On for 50 years - still going strong.

... and I thought you were like in your thirties! :-)

Rocky Mountain 2000 740i Sport

[sfgearhead]

In my experience, Craftsman quality has gone downhill. My basic socket set and screwdrivers are from Craftsman. The warranty is nice, as I've broken a few sockets (mostly 17mm which gets used for wheels) and my wrenches finally died after 20 years and they replaced them.

Unfortunately the replacements suck, they barely turn. I picked up a nice wrench at Harbro Frieght for under $10 that is nicer, works well, feels good and has finer teeth than my Craftsman wrench.

Also try Lowe's, I have one of their toolboxes and again for the same price it's nicer than my Craftsman box.

If you have a HF near you, check it out. Look at their more expensive tools, the ones made in Taiwan, not China. They're a pretty good value, and will usually go on sale, or if you get a Sunday paper get the 20% off coupon.

And in my opinion, Snap On and Mac are definitely high quality, but unless you have lots of money to spend, are probably not a good value for a weekend wrench.

[COLO740iSport]

In my experience, Craftsman quality has gone downhill. My basic socket set and screwdrivers are from Craftsman. The warranty is nice, as I've broken a few sockets (mostly 17mm which gets used for wheels) and my wrenches finally died after 20 years and they replaced them.

Unfortunately the replacements suck, they barely turn. I picked up a nice wrench at Harbro Frieght for under $10 that is nicer, works well, feels good and has finer teeth than my Craftsman wrench.

Also try Lowe's, I have one of their toolboxes and again for the same price it's nicer than my Craftsman box.

If you have a HF near you, check it out. Look at their more expensive tools, the ones made in Taiwan, not China. They're a pretty good value, and will usually go on sale, or if you get a Sunday paper get the 20% off coupon.

And in my opinion, Snap On and Mac are definitely high quality, but unless you have lots of money to spend, are probably not a good value for a weekend wrench.

Back when I was 16 tearing down my 4 cylinder I had the Taiwan/Chinese tools I got for gifts. I was trying to take out a head bolt and I rounded it off. I had to use an easy-out to get the head bolt out. I told myself I would never own cheap tools again. Craftsman may not be Snap-on quality but for my use it's works for me.

[KGB7]

I exchanged two broken ratches today at Sears, in return i got used ratches that were rebuilt. They have few boxes behind counter with these things that they use for warranty exchanges. Yeah... great freaking warranty. At least i have working ratchets again. Guess i cant complain sine i got 10 years out of mine, lets hope these last me 10 more.


Thanks for the Harbor Freight Tools suggestion. I went there and bought few things. They are much cheaper when it comes to same or similar tools from other stores. Not a huge selection like Sears but, i was able to install OSV tonight for half the price.


I think at some point i will get a nice set either from Harbor Freight or a Husky.


Thanks again for the suggestions.

[IcemanBHE]

^ I know. I hated that. Broke a brand new 1/4 drive Craftsman ratchet....Brand new. I mean Brand new.

The gave me some worn, scuffed up, dirty, bedraggeld looking replacement.

That cost them my business.

[BobsBimmer]

^ I know. I hated that. Broke a brand new 1/4 drive Craftsman ratchet....Brand new. I mean Brand new.

The gave me some worn, scuffed up, dirty, bedraggeld looking replacement.

That cost them my business.


They have lost my business for the same reason! I have been buying Kobalt brand for Lowe's, they have served me well.

[ElleShooTiger]

Search in the Off-Topic forum on this site, tool threads come up quite often and they're usually 3-5 pages long. :D

Sears has the 255 piece, and maybe 300 piece, sets come up for sale quite often. You can get the 255 piece for around $150 if you're lucky and it has one of the best collections of sockets you'll find in any pre-packaged "set". It does have a lot of SAE sockets that you'll never use, but the Metric sockets cover almost every socket you'll ever need.

I'll second the Harbor Freight 1/2" ratchet, I bought a few in 2007 for $10 each, and they have never given me any problems and they feel good in your hand too.

Harbor Freight also has a 1/2" impact socket set for about $20, it has a lot of sizes from 10 MM to 23 or 24 MM. I've had this for 5 years and its worked perfectly, they also come in handy for when you need a deep socket or a bigger socket than what is in your regular socket set.

Specialty tools and sockets are cheap at HF, and usually pretty good for home mechanics. They do have warranties, but you might have to keep the receipt. I needed a hex bit socket set, HF had a full set for $13, but since I like to use my impact, I bought a smaller set from Sears for $20 for the easy warranty, and the larger bits that werent included can be found for a few bucks at Autozone. Hex and Torx sockets suck under heavy pressure and can strip or bend, so I figured I'd pay a bit more to have the better warranty.

[Da Dark Jedi]

SK tools made in U.S.A.. Look into this online store for a good price.

http://mytoolstore.com/