Hand tool question??

[ericm979]

When I was 16 I bought the tools I could afford. My dad wasn't much for mechanical stuff so I was on my own for tools. Some of those cheap tools eventually died but I still use some of them 40+ years later.

HF's basic hand tools like screwdrivers and ratchets are not bad at all these days. They're a lot better than they were 10 years ago. I'd tell him to start there.

 

[buck12]

It is really not that important the brand or cost of the tools. What is important is that a young man gains some mechanical knowledge.

 

[Doofy]

I still have 95% of my original tools that were mostly Craftsman that were purchased in the late 60s, early 70s. Added several SK socket sets along the way that are still complete. A good tool will last several lifetimes.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Maybe he worked on European cars like this one I learned to drive in, a '55 Renault.

View attachment 677988

About half of those Renaults I recall seeing in those days had 1 or 2 guys pushing.

 

[bigtiller]

About half of those Renaults I recall seeing in those days had 1 or 2 guys pushing.

Ours was pushed into the garage also. It was a basket case when dad bought it in the early '60s. My uncle drove back from Washington DC to overhaul the engine. I was told he had a nearly complete set of Snap-on metric tools.

 

[Doofy]

I've had metric tools since the late 60s. Metric screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, pliars and many others. :laughing:

 

[jaxs]

I've had metric tools since the late 60s. Metric screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, pliars and many others. :laughing:

I got mine about that time then fought with them for several years before finding out mine were right hand and I'm southpaw. All is well now that I got that straightened out.

 

[ponytug]

Life IS strange. My son has a Masters degree in computers and electrical engineering. He tries to repair his truck and his Harley Davidson. It just is not his cup of tea and I will usually end up helping. This is so the vehicle(s) will run again. My DIL has no mechanical skills at all. I have two great grand daughters. I swear to God - one will end up as a Master Mechanic. She has the knowledge and forethought to understand how a mechanical device comes apart and how it will have to go back together. I always save a project so when they all visit - she can help. She is a real born wrench twister.

You are so very lucky!

All the best, Peter

 

[rangerfredbob]

After looking through the Husky, Kobalt and Craftsman $99 kits pondering about stocking my new toolbox I have come to the conclusion that the Husky kit is the best deal for that use. The Husky comes with the most sockets, Craftsman comes with the most 1/4" drive screwdriver bits to bring up the tool count, Kobalt comes with the most wrenches. Kobalt has the finest tooth count on the ratchets at 90 tooth where the Craftsman and Husky are 72. The Kobalt has the nicest box I think with extra storage in the third drawer although the Craftsman is the only one to have a latch for the drawers, the Kobalt does have a removable top shelf though so you can take out the three drawers and the top rack. Quality on all 3 is likely identical...

That said, I might get the Kobalt kit tomorrow and use it for my travel kit and put the Husky kit I got last year in my new box...

Not saying the kit you got your son is bad, it is definitely a good starter kit, wrenches are lacking and he will likely need to add to it, but just starting out I would not complain about getting those... the quantity of tools per $ on any of those kits is better than you can do anywhere else. Heck, it's a minimum of $15 for a good ratchet so there's $45 then you have $20 per set of sockets and you get 4-6 in any of those kits so it's more than worth it just there...

If I was making my money working on stuff I'd probably still start here and fill in with tool truck quality where needed, I've been in the business long enough to know what can take some abuse. Eventually if used on an impact you'll break these sockets but that'll happen... Myself I seem to mainly break the sockets that just say a size on them and any non impact rated reducer from 1/2" drive to 3/8" drive or 3/8" drive to 1/4" drive... I'm getting a better assortment of sockets where I don't need adapters as often though...

 

[oosik]

I cracked/broke a couple of my sockets when I first got my impact driver. One was SnapOn, the other was ProTo. OK - so they aren't made for use with an impact tool. I now have a set of impact sockets. 1/2" drive - Mac impact sockets.

My Kubota M6040 and my Rhino 950 rear blade have required that I have a few really large 3/4" drive sockets also. In the 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 inch range.

I have and have used - Mac, ProTo & SnapOn for over 45 years now. I have found none to be superior to the other. All three have a lifetime replacement policy.

I've even found a cure for my greatest problem. Drop a socket, nut, bolt - whatever, in the deep grass of my lawns. I now have a White's metal detector. It's paid for itself many times over.