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.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I use a lot of Harbor Freight stuff and there is nothing wrong with their Pittsburg wrenches, as good a quality wrench as you will find today and warranty is great. I have 2 sets of their 3/4" drive sockets (SAE and Metric 3/4"-2" in size)and have never broken any of them. I use them with impacts /cheater bars with no problem.

None of their electric /battery tools are as good as Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt but then they sometimes cost at least 50% less although the price of HF tools has gone up so much lately that they now are just about as expensive as Dewalt brand. I have some of their Earthquake battery powered impact guns and 4.5" grinder and they work fine (so far). I have had many of their Chicago Electric 4.5" grinders with paddle switch(highest quality ones) for years now and some are starting to go bad. I replaced them with Dewalt that are not much more in cost. I now have 4 Dewalt 4.5" grinders and 2 out of 5 of the HF that still work. I do have a 7" HF grinder that is very powerful and I have had it for years but it doesnt get much use so I cant say much about longevity.
As with any product or company, HF has some very good and some very poor products. Careful shopping and evaluation of the product is advised.

I am sure that Snap-on, Proto, etc tools bought today are not as good as the old ones so the warranty is what you are paying for. Regardless of where /what you buy if it is lifetime warranty, it is worth the price.

 

[Oaktree]

Tis the season, but for about the next month if you go to Home Depot or Lowes they likely have a brick of tools for $100, it is really a heck of a deal to get started or just to get a second set of compact tools... Last year I bought one of the Husky ones, there's 3 ratchets, 3 sets of sockets in both depths, a limited set of wrenches in metric and standard and some other basics, you just cannot replicate that for $100...

Don't overlook auto parts stores too. A few years ago I picked up a similar set (just sockets/ratchets, no wrenches) for relatively cheap money at O"Reilly to keep in my work truck. They've stood up just fine. Over the years I've probably lost more sockets and wrenches than I've broken.
You don't seem to see the super cheap (my high school shop teacher called them cream cheese) tools around much anymore.

As you noted, this is the time of year (as well as around father's day) to get a deal on a set.

 

[Dftodd]

I'm a fan of gear wrench ratcheting wrenches, and regular wrenches. They can be found in most hardware stores, fastenal carries them, as well as the big 3 tool trucks carry them. Really makes it convenient if you break one and need to swap it out since your not relegated to a specific location. Life time warranty as well, with out the hefty price tag of the tool trucks.

 

[buck12]

I have a mixture of tools that I think includes about every brand. One brand I have not seen mentioned is Capri. I bought a full set of their metric and standard hex bit sockets and internal and external torx bit sockets a couple of years ago and have been impressed. I think their warranty requires an emailed photo of the broken tool and they send a replacement.

 

[Dftodd]

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.

My son just followed my foot steps into a carreer as a mechanic for a rental company. He was focusing on Matco tools for his arsenal.

I had him stop by my shop when he had some free time and I ran him through my tool box. I have a heinz 57 mix of tools from Mac, Matco, and snap-on. I explained that each one has their strong points and weak points.

And that I've had the best luck with Mac tools for the most part. But each manufacturer has some exclusive gimic tools that make your life easier that are exclusive designs from one manufacturer or the other. So talk to your coworkers and find out what works best for them on a certain task to make your life easier. They most likely have come across a tool that turns that PITA job into one that is a little easier.

 

[Yjmoose]

So to add too my story, I decided on craftsman because of the warranty. Yes, snap on has a good warranty, but I don’t have regular access to a snap on truck. I don’t even know where to look for proto tools, and also have no access to a Mac truck. So for me/us, access to a warranty center is key. There are two “stocking” craftsman tool stores within a 10 min drive of my house. I pass a Harbor freight everyday on my way home from work. I went with the craftsman tools based on their warranty, maybe he wouldn’t break snap on tools but he is 16 and not earning a living with these tools (yet, who knows what the future holds for him).

 

[Doofy]

I have never broken a Craftsman tool but I have found a couple of stripped ratchets at the dump and turned them in for replacement. Tool warranties are not important to me for small hand tools.

 

[jaydee325]

I seem to recall that Craftsman tightened up their tool warranty such that it is not as simple as walking in the store with a broken tool and walking out with a new one no questions asked. Can anyone comment on that?

It may have concerned returning tools to other retailers (such as a big box store that sells Craftsman tools) but I don't recall.

 

[Oaktree]

I seem to recall that Craftsman tightened up their tool warranty such that it is not as simple as walking in the store with a broken tool and walking out with a new one no questions asked. Can anyone comment on that?

I'd be interested in knowing that too. Have heard so many conflicting statements.

 

[Popgadget]

Snap-on had a patent called flank drive. Six and 12 point sockets and wrenches had rounded points like this
Patent must have expired, better quality tools now use this design. Spline sockets (fits metric/sae) move the point of contact to the flat sides of the bolts & nuts. In the 70's a craftsman tool could round off a nut, hammer on the snap-on and break it loose.
I think craftsman, kobalt, stanley, some others have the improved design

I was going to mention this very thing, but didn’t realize that other manufacturers use the flank drive now. I was going to say from my experience on wrenches and sockets up to 3/4 or so that the snap on versions are worth the premium as they will turn fasteners that others like craftsman would slip on. For the larger sizes it’s not an issue. Over the last 60 years, I’ve collected sockets and wrenches from Sears, SnapOn, Williams, Proto, SK and many others including Harbor Freight.
For someone just starting out, you can’t go wrong with the Harbor Freight stuff. Most of it works acceptably, and it is so cheap as to be just about disposable.
He could definitely get a good start with the HF stuff and will quickly figure out which tools are substandard and need to be replaced with something better.