Tool set

[Smasal]

So I've been in the NBS forum now for a couple weeks and the guys in there know their stuff and they know it well. But I have a specific question I wanna run by you guys. What tool set, roadside, quick fix, wrench/ratchet set, do you guys have in your trucks all the time? I have bent or fouled up sockets before because I bought a cheap brand or was gifted a cheap set, are craftsman really better? Or is there another brand that true mechanics prefer? Hopefully this makes sense. I'm asking what +/- 20 piece set would you guys take everywhere? Something that you could change a spark plug with and also a battery terminal.

 

[SunlitComet]

i don't keep tools in the truck at all but i use only snap-on tools on aircraft.

---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------

i have insurance with roadside assist if i get stuck. last used on a nissan maxima when its timing belt broke in '09.

 

[Phone Man]

I have several sets of various brands including my original set of Craftsman which I have been using since i was 15.

 

[Denali0229]

Craftsman have a lifetime warranty. That is probably the biggest advantage to buying them. Except the cheaper Evolv edition. I think they have a 2-3 year warranty. I don't carry tools in the truck though. That's what roadside assistance is for. Plus I wouldn't know how to diagnose the issue unless it was a flat tire.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[slipping]

i don't keep tools in the truck at all but i use only snap-on tools on aircraft.

Same here with the snap-on when I'm wrenching on planes. At home I have craftsman. Have small bag I toss road stuff in.

 

[Smasal]

Craftsman seems to be the theme. Think I'll go look at some tomorrow. I am a DIY so I'll diagnose on the road if need be. But it's not like I'd have a particular part on the road with me. I'm just mainly looking for a catch all mechanics kit <$100.

If I need real tools I can always bug dad ;-)

 

[Smasal]

Just noticed my dad has a lot of kobalt. Any body ever had any issues with them?

 

[_Dylan_]

At school I live 3.5 hours from home so I have a bunch of tools in the truck. I have a basic wrench and socket craftsman ~200 piece set plus about ~100 more pieces. Plus a big box of car washing stuff, electrical wiring tools, tow straps, obd2 scanner, breaker bars, angle grinder, drills, lights, jumper cables, 1 qt motor oil, pb blaster, jug of coolant...

I have a lot of shit in my truck. I do have a 5/16 wrench in the storage box under the hood just for the battery.

 

[purple 'hoe]

All of my tools stay at work. Nothing in the truck. If I take a road trip, I usually throw some sockets, screw drivers, ratches and wrenches in a tool bag just in case. But around town, I can always have some come pick me up if I need to do a road side fix.

 

[Trippers99hoe]

http://www.nextag.com/Cooper-Tools-...rices-html?nxtg=48e70a280502-F1599739166B2B03

We sell these at work,I have 1 in my hoe and 1 in my semi at work.
we get $89 and they are very good quality w/lifetime warranty.

Crescent Brand, pretty good emergency/basic repair tool set in a very thin briefcase style storage box.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

you wanna run by this with us? are you implying our trucks breakdown more? PLEASE OBS never breaks . just kidding . but like most here i agree with craftsman but when i can afford it Snap On they too have a lifetime warrenty and IMO better built , you will see more proffesional mech using snap on than craftsman . think of it this way craftsman is the weekend warrior tool used every now and again snap on used everyday. but they are pricey

 

[992dr]

This is what I keep in my vehicle, it was a gift from an ex's parents about 18 years ago.
I swapped out my ratchet for a snappy and have been very pleased with this set. http://www.amazon.com/Metrinch-Combo-Spanner-Socket-Wrench/dp/B000WR3JUO

I use mostly craftsman but you need the quality of snappy or matco when it comes to certain tools, mainly ratchets. I have both craftsman and snappy ratchets and sockets otherwise everything else is craftsman.

I also have roadside assistance. I have not had wonderful experiences with them.

 

[purple 'hoe]

All of my ratchets at work are Snap-On. My sockets are a mix, I have Craftsman Sockets, Matco, Snap-On, Mac, Harbor Freight, Fleet Farm brand and some other cheap ones. Sockets are Sockets IMO. Actually, I like my cheap impact sockets from fleet farm over my almost 400 dollar set of Matco ones

Most of my stuff is Snap-On, Matco or Mac. But not everything in my box at work. Some things at Sears are EXACTLY the same than things on the tool trucks. And are usually half the price.

I have a set of HF swivel sockets that I use every day almost all day. Never broke one. A kid at work keeps breaking his Snap-On set. Sometimes, the Snap-On stuff is not the best lol

 

[HDRock1]

I agree with purple 'hoe
I have a lot of different brand tools,craft,snap,mac,gear wrench,hf, a set of wrenches from ace hardware that work as well as snap, but not as shinny.
A set of buffalo impact sockets 30 years old.
A thorsen tool set 40 years old, my parents bought me, from the mobil station they frequented, when I was 16. Thorsen is an old, established name in the tool manufacturing business since 1926. Their tools are well-known for their industrial grade performance.
It isn't hard to find good basic tools at a decent price, but some types of tools you need to spend the big bucks on

 

[ezdaar]

craftsman tools are now made in china, dont buy them.

 

[Fishintahoe]

Been using Craftsman since i was like 5 years old. My dad had a used car lot and i would fix small things like burnt out light bulbs and stuff.

 

[purple 'hoe]

I agree with purple 'hoe
I have a lot of different brand tools,craft,snap,mac,gear wrench,hf, a set of wrenches from ace hardware that work as well as snap, but not as shinny.
A set of buffalo impact sockets 30 years old.
A thorsen tool set 40 years old, my parents bought me, from the mobil station they frequented, when I was 16. Thorsen is an old, established name in the tool manufacturing business since 1926. Their tools are well-known for their industrial grade performance.
It isn't hard to find good basic tools at a decent price, but some types of tools you need to spend the big bucks on

Thorsen is some good stuff. Always have thought their stuff is top notch

 

[foreverfalcon40]

GET THIS

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00927032000P

buy a C-Clamp and you are able to brakes and most maintenance on the truck

Honestly...people can bash Craftsman all they want...I WORK ON THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ***** PERIOD and they have never let me down. I only had to warranty out one socket b/c I split it when I put it on the impact gun.

As far as their EVOLV Series which is cheaper in price but seems to be the same quality. I bought vice grips in the evolv series SAME quality as the original Craftsman ones I bought. I also bout hex keys too. Don't think I need heavy duty one's when taking apart interiors. But read the reviews they are great!

The only tools in my box that are Snap On are my ratchets, a few specialty tools, screw drivers and impact hammer and gear wrenches.

Personally I like the SNAP ON Ratchets b.c I feel their gear ratio is closer which is good in tight spots. I also like their 3/8 ratchet which has a little longer handle with a cushion at the end. I used the Ratchet to take my tranny out the truck!

I wish harbor freight was around when I started...could be talking a different game.

A co-worker of mine has top notch ratchets but everything else harbor freight. He has not had a problem yet.

 

[Smasal]

Great info. I have a harbor freight, a stones throw away. Thanks guys. Sounds like nice ratchets, any sockets, and the rest is basically whatever the toughness of my job might be will decide the toughness of the specialty tool.

 

[purple 'hoe]

Great info. I have a harbor freight, a stones throw away. Thanks guys. Sounds like nice ratchets, any sockets, and the rest is basically whatever the toughness of my job might be will decide the toughness of the specialty tool.

Right on. Another thing, if I did not make a living working on cars daily, I'd would have never bought a expensive tool box, with expensive tools. Before I got into the automotive industry, I had a craftsman tool box (my home box now) and a basic set of tools. Nothing fancy.

If I were to happen to leave the automotive industry, I'll keep my current tools because it's an investment for me. And I'll keep my box because I still owe money on it. And because I do think their box's (Snap-On) are top notch. But no way will I keep buying snap-on, matco, mac tools if/when I leave.