I want a nice tool set...

[003]

I am in need of a tool kit with a fairly expansive range of tools. Not any kind of specialized kit, just a general home use one. Any suggestions? I tried google but searching for tool kit doesn't bring back many useful results.

 

[mr_baseball_08]

Well what kind of tools are you talking? Do you want a set of wrenches, ratchet and sockets, drill/saw combo, screwdrivers, or what? You'll probably want to be a little more specific, as there's not one set that has everything you'd ever need. Might want to check out www.sears.com and see if they have any sets that you're looking for. I prefer Craftsman when it comes to wrenches/ratchet/sockets because the no hassle lifetime warranty is great.

 

[003]

I'm looking for a set that includes things like the following:
Allen wrenches
Pliers
Hammer
Measuring tape
Knife
Wire stripper
Bit driver, preferably with a longer and thinish shaft (but strong)
LOTS of bits, from common ones to very obscure, from the tiniest size to the largest.

And things to that extent.

I want a QUALITY set, with all QUALITY tools. Ones that have a good grip, are comfortable to hold, and WILL NOT BREAK if you try to hit or tighten something to hard.

 

[Tbeze]

i really like craftsman tools, thats what i use. you cna buy a homeowner kit, or there "professional" line is also nice. love there screwdrivers and wire strippers.

but if your really inclined to spend a lot, and have great tools that will last forever and a day Snap-On is the end all. But if you think audio gear is expensive ......

 

[pne]

to get tools to last long, you have to use them properly and treat them well, this means not using pliers as wrenches, screwdrivers as chisels or crowbars, etc. Your requirements are pretty broad and I don't think there is a kit out there with them all, you're probably better off assembling your own kit in a small toolbox, usually kits come with some pretty bad stuff in them.

the best allen wrenches i've seen are the ones used for RC cars, they are pricey but built to last, usually with titanuim nitride coated shafts and replaceable tips. The only come in small sizes though. Nothing like 5mm.

knife-this is so broad its hard to recommend anything. I use box cutters and a n old swiss army pocket knife. Box cutters are cheap to replace and sharp enough to do most of what I need.

bit driver-doesn't need to be very expensive, I got mine for about $15. I perfer ones with a rubberized handle for easy gripping even with greasy hands, and rachetting action really helps in tight spots. Keeping the bits clean and free of grease after each use will help them last longer, but replacement sets are always easy to find as well.

hammer, pliers, measuring tape....go to home depot or something. This stuff should be a no brainer, and pretty much anything you buy will be of high enough quality as to not break with a few uses.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd recommend seeking out the best in each category and buying a nice toolchest to put them in.

My favorites are Estwing hammers, Klein screwdrivers and Channelock pliers. Over the past five years, my father and I have gutted and renovated a mess of our apartments. We're nearly done, and I've enjoyed it. My day job is white collar deskwork, so swinging a hammer is always a nice break.

Though I treat tools with respect, these have been put to the test, time and again. Years of hard work, and they hold up.

For electrical tools, I prefer Milwaukee, Metabo, Hilti, and Porter Cable. They hold up.

If you want nice rulers, calipers (exceptionally hand for DIY casework), squares, etc., buy Starrett, they're excellent.

If you're interested in fine woodworking tools, look no further:

http://www.lie-nielsen.com

Exceptional tools that are as good as they look. I've put heavy use on a #4; it's an amazing tool.

Some further advice: don't buy your power tools from Home Depot or Lowe's. Even the big brand names manufacture cheaper models for them because they leverage the price. I know it costs more up front, but you'll want to buy tools from a real tool store or an online one. Yeah, you might pay another $40 for a drill, but that drill will not quit on you. The brushes will wear out eventually and so will the cord, but good tools don't fall apart. You really do get what you pay for.

 

[kingsqueak]

I used to sell tools. Quality tools are never the cheapest. A quality tool will outlast you too, so they are not a bad investment.

As for a complete kit, 99% of the time, any kit I've seen is stuffed with crap you won't really use/need and you pay for that fluff and the 'custom case' when you could be better served paying for more tools you would use.

1) Get a toolbox
2) Buy 'sets' instead of a kit (screwdriver sets, socket sets etc.)
3) Put them in the toolbox

Craftsman is a great entry point for halfway decent mechanic's tools.

For electronics stuff, I like Crescent/Channellock, Excelite, Klein, Ideal

Stanley industrial (Proto) is good, Armstrong too, but the prices on those are really high.

Go slow, buy tools as you need them for projects, store them well and they will always be there for you.

Just don't let your brother load $5k in tools into a duffel bag that he's going to leave unattended in a damned parking lot, only to be stolen. Because it will take you years to make that up again. Feh....brothers.

Oh and never underestimate the value of a paint bucket as a portable "I need this pile to get this job done" transport.

 

[TopShelf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsqueak /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used to sell tools. Quality tools are never the cheapest. A quality tool will outlast you too, so they are not a bad investment. As for a complete kit, 99% of the time, any kit I've seen is stuffed with crap you won't really use/need and you pay for that fluff and the 'custom case' when you could be better served paying for more tools you would use. 1) Get a toolbox 2) Buy 'sets' instead of a kit (screwdriver sets, socket sets etc.) 3) Put them in the toolbox Craftsman is a great entry point for halfway decent mechanic's tools. For electronics stuff, I like Crescent/Channellock, Excelite, Klein, Ideal Stanley industrial (Proto) is good, Armstrong too, but the prices on those are really high. Go slow, buy tools as you need them for projects, store them well and they will always be there for you. Just don't let your brother load $5k in tools into a duffel bag that he's going to leave unattended in a damned parking lot, only to be stolen. Because it will take you years to make that up again. Feh....brothers. Oh and never underestimate the value of a paint bucket as a portable "I need this pile to get this job done" transport.

Agreed. Buy them when you need them. My tool box is very very heavy these days. It started small, but each time I needed to borrow a tool, or needed one, I would buy it. That way, your not wasting your money on things that look "cool" or neat, that you will never use.

About half of my tools, are Stanley. You can get them on sale, every few months, sometimes upto 25 to 30% off.

Hammer, levels, tape measures, tin snips, I use from Stanley
Vise-Grip, is another brand, more made for wrenches etc, that are pricey, but do a very good job

Alot of products, have lifetime warranties, so go with them as well.

A good toolbox is a Cantilever Tool Box. They are usually made of metal, (red) and when you open it, four trays fold out. They are about 60 to 70 bucks, but are amazing, for carrying around, and can get beatup pretty bad

 

[Senn20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsqueak /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used to sell tools. Quality tools are never the cheapest. A quality tool will outlast you too, so they are not a bad investment. As for a complete kit, 99% of the time, any kit I've seen is stuffed with crap you won't really use/need and you pay for that fluff and the 'custom case' when you could be better served paying for more tools you would use. 1) Get a toolbox 2) Buy 'sets' instead of a kit (screwdriver sets, socket sets etc.) 3) Put them in the toolbox

I agree completely. There's no such thing as a tool kit with quality tools. Buy each tool separately and as you need them. Go to the store and get a feel for the tools as you buy them.

 

[meat01]

For small screwdrivers, I like the Wiha.

For allen wrenches, I like Bondhus or similar ball end wrenches.

Craftsmen is great also as others have said.

 

[vibin247]

Sears should be having a sale, or at least they did during the Christmas holiday on their Craftsman tools. Good quality for the price. I have a cousin who works in automotive repair, and he loves his shop's Snap-On setup, but it's fairly expensive.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif For electrical tools, I prefer Milwaukee, Metabo, Hilti, and Porter Cable. They hold up.

Ehh... I've stripped the gears on a few Milwaukee drills in the past, but I do put a lot more wear and tear on my tools than just home DIY stuff..

 

[The Monkey]

If you're going the kit route, Stanley Supply & Services (formerly Jensen & Contact East) has some pretty extensive offerings.

 

[Kwisatz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif For electrical tools, I prefer Milwaukee, Metabo, Hilti, and Porter Cable. They hold up.

Thanks to my father I've been exposed to many a different brand of power tools over the years, and I must say the one that stands out the most in my mind right now is Festool. I can't comment on the long term reliability since they're recent purchases, but good god they are the most over-engineered power tools that I've come across to date. Heck, even the cases are built to stack and lock together. But like you said, you get what you pay for... and they're certainly not cheap tools by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[archosman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopShelf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Buy them when you need them. My tool box is very very heavy these days. It started small, but each time I needed to borrow a tool, or needed one, I would buy it. That way, your not wasting your money on things that look "cool" or neat, that you will never use...

That should be a sticky...