Let's talk tools...

[MikeW]

So Im looking for some wrenches. Preferably open-ended with the ratcheting end. Reversible would be nice but not necessary. I need smaller sizes more than bigger sizes, so like an 8pc or 12pc would suffice. Not looking for top of the line but I dont want the cheapest ones out there either.

Sears has an 8pc metric and an 8pc standard for about $80 each. Is this good priced or no? I work at a dealership and we have a Snap-On guy and a Matco guy that comes around but they tend to be a little overpriced.

Thoughts and opinions would be awesome.

[red07frontier]

Sears is a good place but I would recommend buying the craftsman ones over the gearwrench simply because they have a lifetime warranty instead of 1 year like the gearwrenches do.

Also see what feels better in your hands too.

[I-Deal214]

I think they sell a set of metric ratcheting wrenches at Harbor freight tools for about 20$ and lifetime warranty on all hand tools. cant beet that plus you take it to the store and they exchange it you dont have to wait to have it shipped etc etc.

[Ralphie]

Most of the mechanics that ive talked to, always have good things to say about the tool trucks at dealerships(Matco/Snap-On)

They come around often and are usually good about swapping out trouble items.

Idk i guess its up to you.

Craftsmen or go home.

[I-Deal214]

Most of the mechanics that ive talked to, always have good things to say about the tool trucks at dealerships(Matco/Snap-On)

They come around often and are usually good about swapping out trouble items.

Idk i guess its up to you.

Craftsmen or go home.

Craftsman all the way when it comes to air compressors, lawnmowers and milwuakee when it comes to power hand tools .but hand tools im not picky about at all if i dont have a tool ill make something work like 2 days ago i didnt have a oil filter wrench so i stabbed it with a screw driver and turned it too loosten it up. Improvise

[toycar]

Im a MAC guy myself. That, and Craftsman. Though, Craftsman of today is not what Craftsman was 10 years ago.

They sell cheap, but semi decent quality Craftsman stuff at K-Mart now. Hell, K-Mart owns sears, lol.


Anyways, for regular use, go with the Craftsman stuff. I prefer MAC, but I wrench alot and break "normal" tools all the time. SO, I buy MAC for stuff thats going to be stressed and used in the shop-and Craftsman for my "Oh shit my car broke down thank god I have this in the trunk" set.

[I-Deal214]

Im a MAC guy myself. That, and Craftsman. Though, Craftsman of today is not what Craftsman was 10 years ago.

They sell cheap, but semi decent quality Craftsman stuff at K-Mart now. Hell, K-Mart owns sears, lol.


Anyways, for regular use, go with the Craftsman stuff. I prefer MAC, but I wrench alot and break "normal" tools all the time. SO, I buy MAC for stuff thats going to be stressed and used in the shop-and Craftsman for my "Oh shit my car broke down thank god I have this in the trunk" set.

Very true about the new stuff its more about quantity than quality now a days same with cars. My lawnmower is a old craftsman from like 98-99 and my AIR comressor is a craftsman too from 1996 still running strong. I cant say anything about MAC ive never used their tools before honestly I grew up using a old bucket full of tools my dad collected everything else we had to improvise.

[phatdoughnut]

all american tool companies suck now. Get one with a good warranty and be done with it.

[Ralphie]

all American Tool Companies Suck Now. Get One With A Good Warranty And Be Done With It.

Qft!

[lucifer1]

I use the gearwrench ones and like them. I looked at the craftsman ratcheting wrenches but they seemed of lower quality than the gearwrench

[cp[mike]]

I use the gearwrench ones and like them. I looked at the craftsman ratcheting wrenches but they seemed of lower quality than the gearwrench

i agree. polished handles with a nicer, more comfortable feel, too. reversible. slightly thinner than others, but tough too. most important fact: they include every important Honda size from 8mm -> 17mm in a single pack. the Craftsman ones were missing one of the important sizes, if i recall. Make sure you get the ones with the 15° angled head, i find the "flat" ones to be a lot more difficult to use on a CB7.

GearWrench makes **great** innovative tools - i have 3 of their unique offerings, and absolutely love them all. started with their Thru-Socket Set, but I feel like these have been the best additions to my toolbox:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...25984326-P_x_x

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

and theyve come out with some crazy ones since then, but I have no experience with them in particular, but im definitely a fan of their line.

[wed3k]

gearwrench has lifetime warranty and i have both the regular set and twisted design which works really well. you can put quite a bit of leverage on them.

the ONLY thing is thatt my 12mm racheting end broke and i only can warranty it through the company and not through sears.

[MikeW]

The GearWrench set at Advanced is a like $10 cheaper than it is at Sears, so I may pick up both sets there.

Im not hard on my tools, I just want something with some "umpf". A warranty is always good but I doubt I'll ever be hard enough on them to need it.

[Ralphie]

The GearWrench set at Advanced is a like $10 cheaper than it is at Sears, so I may pick up both sets there.

Im not hard on my tools, I just want something with some "umpf". A warranty is always good but I doubt I'll ever be hard enough on them to need it.

You say that now but trust me, breaking tools is not a hard thing to do.

It happens quite often id say.

[MikeW]

Ive had tool sets for probably the last 10 years and while I havent had the same set the entire time, Im yet to break anything. The GearWrench have a lifetime warranty(or I'll look to see if they do). I'll more than likely end up making a trip down to the nearest Advanced and picking up a set of both.