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Mechanic tool set

k5ryder

k5ryder

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Im in the market for another "mechanic tool set". The one I have now I got when I turned 18 and has served me well. It's a craftsman 165 piece set. I'm looking for something similar with nice carrying case. I prefer it to have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2" drive sets. Anybody have Any suggestions?
 
That's the one I've had in mind the whole time. I was just looking for other suggestions
 
How well do all the sockets and things stay in place? I've been thinking of a new box or even a set. All my stuff is tossed into a small tool box, single tray, flip up lid deal.
 
mrschaeferpants said:
How well do all the sockets and things stay in place? I've been thinking of a new box or even a set. All my stuff is tossed into a small tool box, single tray, flip up lid deal.
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This is why I'm looking for a new set. The flap of the lid doesn't hold the tools in anymore. When I open it the sockets fall out EVERYTIME.
 
I fear that every time I pick it up :D Luckily if the latches fail, it's before it lifts off the ground and the lid just opens. Mine's showing it's ware, but mostly it's too small. And until I build a shop, I need something portable that I can carry, or wheels that'll take abuse over rocks and uneven ground.

Thought about just buying one of those stanley towers with a handle and wheels at wally world, and putting some dolly type tires on it.


That or I have a nice big pellican case with a handle and small wheels I could do the same thing with, and customize the box with rails and things. Screw the socket rails to the lid, side walls, etc. It has the grid foam so you can tare out sections to put things in.
 
Get the 309 pieces set and old school lunchbox type box and buy the socket rails and cloth wrench wraps not as flashy as the plastic boxes but works better and if you want plastic you can get a water resistant box. The box for the 256 piece sucks, the only plastic box I have that I like is the water resistant Stanley and it was a gift. The Craftsman rally box is good all around box but full it is to heavy for most to move and really to big for a trail box. I work out of trucks all the time and I am setting up a box for my blazer and will probably be using a ammo can of some sort. Spend a little bit of money on tool holders and I think you will be better served than any of the blow molded cases I have seen. Don't over look a canvas tool roll and or bag the military still uses them and they work.
 
Be wary of Craftsman ratchets,they suck now..I took some old stripped ratchets back and was given cheap crap ones with plastic levers to change the dirction that bust off like peanut brittle ,and they skipped the first day I used them...

Their other tools and wrenches are OK,but I'd buy a Cobalt set at Lowes ,their ratchets are better and have the lifetime warranty..and are probably less money..their sockets and wrenches are decent quakity..Husky's aren't bad either..

Looking back,I wished I had opted to buy six point sockets ,most of the "mevhaincs tool sets" either come with all 12 point ones or only a few six points,and no deep ones..12 point sockets in new england are as useful as screen doors on submarines...:rolleyes:..most bolts look more like rivets here in a few years of salt exposure..

I had a cheap tool set I threw together by purchasing a used "Boss" brand tool bag,and some six point deep and shallow impact socket sets in 3/8" and 1/2" sizes from Harbour Freight ,and some used Craftsman combination wrenches,allen wrenches and screwdivers and pliers..
I used those a lot and never broke any sockets,the ratchets were old Cornwell flea market specials..

I used to lug that around with me in case I needed tools,and if they got swiped,at most I had about 100 bucks invested in them...after losing a whole set of brand name stuff and things like ball joint forks,pullers,and other "special" tools get stolen,I no longer bring "everything" with me..
 
rebu9a8y.jpg

Picked this up today $179.99
 
Sweet. I needa go out and redo a box and some tools. I'm tired of finding 5 12mm sockets while looking for a 1/2 or 13 :haha: I don't even know where they all came from. I also have 2 or 3 13mm wrenches.
 
Either they changed the box some or I never knew it had the slots to hold the wrenches in the top like that. If mine does that would be great, one of few things I dislike about that set is the top seems to never be organize-able.
 
dabomb6608 said:
Either they changed the box some or I never knew it had the slots to hold the wrenches in the top like that. If mine does that would be great, one of few things I dislike about that set is the top seems to never be organize-able.
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I think its a "newer" kit, that for some reason is getting discontinued. I broke down and bought another one myself. I've bought a few and this is the only one I have with wrench slots. I'm 50/50 on them. takes away some top storage in my opinion. Still handy as hell and the right price. Other thing I noticed.. CHINA!! .. as to most are now days..
 
They have a 263pc, similar box in the Black Friday ad for $150. Plus the wrenches are ratcheting in the BF special. Plan to grab a couple.

Lowes and Home Depot both have similar sets for $99 on Black Friday.
 
BADB0Y said:
They have a 263pc, similar box in the Black Friday ad for $150. Plus the wrenches are ratcheting in the BF special. Plan to grab a couple.

Lowes and Home Depot both have similar sets for $99 on Black Friday.
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Waiting to see what goodies I can pick up :D Now you can order online at lowes everything you can get at the store for black friday, so you can avoid the crazy, and swing by a few days later and pick it all up.
 
I actually ended up bypassing all the plastic sets, and bought the 309pc set for $199. Very happy with it over all, except the crappy ratchets.

tools.jpg
 
BADB0Y said:
I actually ended up bypassing all the plastic sets, and bought the 309pc set for $199. Very happy with it over all, except the crappy ratchets.
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Open the ratchets and grease them they will work much better then.
 
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