tools every guy needs

[mattpegher]

One word, --- Hilti

Your not a real man unless your tools use gunpowder. lol

That said I havent been happy with the socket/ratchet sets from craftsman that I've had lately. I have a real sturdy set that I got at costco a few years back but sorry I don't remember the brand.

Also have cordless Hilti hammer drill, most powerfull cordless I have found yet.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: Zebo
Overkill.

Try this
http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...tial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

sigh... this @ $50 or the craftsman @ $170?
i agree the craftsman is a bit overkill for the little jobs that i do.

do they have this on display at costco b&m? i want to get a feel for these.

just get a smaller craftsman set.

watch slickdeals and wait for one to pop up on sale.

 

[nutxo]

ooh, drain king!!!! Absolutely amazing!!1 Ive only had to use it like 3 times but each time I prolly would have needed a plumber otherwise.


Freakin lifesaver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also good for jokes...

 

[Ksyder]

I used to build commercial playgrounds which include hundreds of nuts and bolts and different types of hardware. I used stanley ratchets and the pittsburgh brand sockets from harbor freight for a year straight with no problems. No busted gears or broken sockets at all. In fact I still have them in my personal tool kit to this day. Mind you we mainly used impact tools but I did have to build alot of stuff by hand. Cheap tools are much much better than they used to be in the 80's and 90's.

Also I should add that I have seen multiple Harbor Freight hammers have the fiberglass handles split when doing large deconstruction jobs. Like everyone else said YMMV when using harbor freight tools.

another tip is that you can mount a vise to a strong beam like a 4 x 4 or bigger post if you don't have a sturdy workbench. Its nice if you have a basement

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Ksyder
another tip is that you can mount a vise to a strong beam like a 4 x 4 or bigger post if you don't have a sturdy workbench. Its nice if you have a basement

Yeah, you can sit on the beam too.

Unless you meant to a 4x4 that's used structurally?

 

[Fritzo]

Let's see, ATOT has beer snobs, music snobs, electronics snobs, food snobs, and now we discover tool snobs.

I've had a set of Craftsman sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and a hammer for close to 20 years now. Spent about $50 for the set. Works great.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: her209
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

is this really necessary?
would it be redundant to have standard sockets + flex, when i could just get flex and use them in all situations?

you try using a flex "in all situations".

you're gonna get your ass in the car and drive to sears to pick up a standard set.

btw, to the op, i recommend waiting till sears has a nice sale going on, then buying a good assortment of tools. reason i recommend craftsman is they're relatively cheap, and have lifetime warranty. even if you snap the tool due to misuse, it's still covered. bring it in, they replace it NQA.

things you'll want:

dikes (small and large)
pliers (needle nose and larger)
forceps
crescent wrenches
C-clamps
quick-clamps
screwdriver set (0-3 phillips and standard)
torx set
assorted other screwdriver sets
mini-screwdrivers set (jewelers?)
socket set
metric socket set
a multimeter
a soldering iron (well, you may not want one, i'd be lost w/o this)
wire strippers(Ideal stripmasters... best wire strippers ever.)
cordless drill (18v line!)
corded drill (get a heavy duty one.. use this for jobs like stirring paint.)
drill bit set (buy an assortment here)
down the line, you're gonna end up needing some hole saws as well

in addition to the socket sets, you're gonna want:

a breaker bar for every standard
a speeder wrench for every standard
a torque wrench for every standard (preferably the one that detents, instead of the bending bar one)
a deep socket for whatever your car's spark plugs are in. or maybe just a deep socket set.

and the obvious... ball peen hammer, claw hammer, rubber mallet, 8 lb sledge.. drywall saw, coping saw, hacksaw (few blades for each), a few chisels...

well, that'll get you started.

 

[Ksyder]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Ksyder
another tip is that you can mount a vise to a strong beam like a 4 x 4 or bigger post if you don't have a sturdy workbench. Its nice if you have a basement

Yeah, you can sit on the beam too.

Unless you meant to a 4x4 that's used structurally?

yeah, like a structural post in the basement. Just take lag bolts and bolt the vise to it and then you can adjust the vise however you want. it works great for me

http://i223.photobucket.com/al...ioclothes/DSCF2959.jpg


its actually better than a workbench because its waaay more solid than all but very heavy duty benches.

 

[tboo]

fleshlight or fifi

 

[Ksyder]

Originally posted by: tboo
fleshlight or fifi

this would probably be a better thread for the garage :roll:

 

[Ksyder]

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: her209
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

is this really necessary?
would it be redundant to have standard sockets + flex, when i could just get flex and use them in all situations?

you try using a flex "in all situations".

you're gonna get your ass in the car and drive to sears to pick up a standard set.

btw, to the op, i recommend waiting till sears has a nice sale going on, then buying a good assortment of tools. reason i recommend craftsman is they're relatively cheap, and have lifetime warranty. even if you snap the tool due to misuse, it's still covered. bring it in, they replace it NQA.

things you'll want:

dikes (small and large)
pliers (needle nose and larger)
forceps
crescent wrenches
C-clamps
quick-clamps
screwdriver set (0-3 phillips and standard)
torx set
assorted other screwdriver sets
mini-screwdrivers set (jewelers?)
socket set
metric socket set
a multimeter
a soldering iron (well, you may not want one, i'd be lost w/o this)
wire strippers(Ideal stripmasters... best wire strippers ever.)
cordless drill (18v line!)
corded drill (get a heavy duty one.. use this for jobs like stirring paint.)
drill bit set (buy an assortment here)
down the line, you're gonna end up needing some hole saws as well

in addition to the socket sets, you're gonna want:

a breaker bar for every standard
a speeder wrench for every standard
a torque wrench for every standard (preferably the one that detents, instead of the bending bar one)
a deep socket for whatever your car's spark plugs are in. or maybe just a deep socket set.

and the obvious... ball peen hammer, claw hammer, rubber mallet, 8 lb sledge.. drywall saw, coping saw, hacksaw (few blades for each), a few chisels...

well, that'll get you started.

This set would allow you to fix your house, car, and everything in it if so inclined...

 

[moparacer]

I have a Bosch 10.8v Driver.....

I have one and I love it. I am always using it instead of screwdrivers or 1/4 inch ratchets.....

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

The trouble I have run into is that it takes such a wide range of tools to work on things and I have already collected many pieces over the past few years. You need regular AND deep well sockets. Then you need wrenches but you need both short and long handle...

 

[mozirry]

sometimes I just buy the odd end pieces whenever I need them

Case and point, a spark plug socket. 2 inch elbow socket extension, 10 inch elbow socket extension.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: her209
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

is this really necessary?
would it be redundant to have standard sockets + flex, when i could just get flex and use them in all situations?

You never want to use a flex socket unless you have to.

Flex sockets will break if you apply too much force. Any extension, adapter, or flex socket will cushion your force so will lose your impact torque when you are trying to break a nut or bolt loose. Even the gears in a ratchet will do the same thing. That is why they make breaker bars.

 

[geno]

What kind of car(s) do you plan on working on? I have been maintaining my own cars since I have started driving, have driven both domestic and import, and have never, ever needed a standard socket set. I'd recommend saving money by not buying standard sockets unless you know you'll need them. Get a nice ~100 piece metric set, a set of pliers and some screw drivers and start from there. You'll be able to tackle just about anything a budding mechanic could need to. From there, it's specific stuff, sparkplug sockets, O2 sensor sockets, torx bits (especially if you're working on anything German), etc.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Ksyder

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Ksyder
another tip is that you can mount a vise to a strong beam like a 4 x 4 or bigger post if you don't have a sturdy workbench. Its nice if you have a basement

Yeah, you can sit on the beam too.

Unless you meant to a 4x4 that's used structurally?

yeah, like a structural post in the basement. Just take lag bolts and bolt the vise to it and then you can adjust the vise however you want. it works great for me

http://i223.photobucket.com/al...ioclothes/DSCF2959.jpg


its actually better than a workbench because its waaay more solid than all but very heavy duty benches.

Hmm... I could see myself rotary hammering my garage floor to install some wedge stud anchors. Wouldn't be able to spin the screw freely, though.

EDIT: For all you newcomers who keep saying to ignore the other posts because you don't need high-end tools - there aren't any (I think) that tell you to get high-end tools, so chill out.

 

[Ksyder]

Hmm... I could see myself rotary hammering my garage floor to install some wedge stud anchors. Wouldn't be able to spin the screw freely, though.

are you talking about the screw to rotate the vise by loosening the nut and spinning the whole vise?
if so just put some washers on top of the anchor bolt but below the base of the vise (stack as many as you need to ) and that would give you the clearance for it to spin

I assuming you are talking about bolting a vise to the floor using redhead anchors or something similar?

edit again, i finally realized you meant the screw to loosen and tighten the vise. Even though you could only do a half turn at a time I think it would still serve its purpose fine

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Fayd
corded drill (get a heavy duty one.. use this for jobs like stirring paint.)

key thing having 1/2" chuck not a 3/8"...

Originally posted by: Fayd
in addition to the socket sets, you're gonna want:

a breaker bar for every standard
a speeder wrench for every standard
a torque wrench for every standard (preferably the one that detents, instead of the bending bar one)
a deep socket for whatever your car's spark plugs are in. or maybe just a deep socket set.

Probably could get by with a 1/2" bar and use a reducer for anything small...you really don't have to have 3/8" and 1/4" bars...probably cheapest to get them in a set, but breaker bars aren't cheap.

Speeder wrench the same....

Torque wrenches only matter in torque range. You will find those that go to 250+ are 1/2" and those around 150 and lighter are 3/8"....in/lbs are 3/8" or 1/4"...the in/lb is the rarest need though (over 150 ft/lbs the second)...usually if your torque wrench goes down to 4-5 newtons, you can convert to most automotive in/lbs.

A sparkplug socket is what you want...there are really only two common ones...they have a rubber insert to keep the plug from falling out which is critical.
[/quote]

The one poster above that mentioned he never used SAE on even domestic cars has probably dealt with more or less modern cars. Most are all metric now, however; some will through a SAE size in the mix. My car is japanese but the cams take a 1" wrench (a 26" will work but it's a looser fit, not loose enough to strip though).

A craftsman set on sale and with coupon should be able to be had for about 50 cents a tool. I wouldn't discount getting slightly inferior tools as fillers until you can afford better ones.

Hammers can run from $2 to over a hundred. A $10 hammer can suit many homeowner's for life. I have a light duty hammer and a 20oz framing hammer. A heavy hammer can really mess up a project in the hands of a novice If you start dealing in heaver hammers invest in eye protection definitely...I have seen what a snapped nail can do to an eye.

Once I got my basics I made 'wish lists' for the next few tools/sets I wanted. I'd wait until they were discounted the most or they turned up on a clearance end cap. Lowes and Home Depot are awesome for this. I picked up a set of two sets of hole saws that retailed for about $80 for about 1/4 that because the outer packaging was gone and it was a return.

I picked up a few tools on amazon really cheap.

 

[alkemyst]

Vices and mounting are a whole can of worms...you really have to think of the purpose you will use the vice for and the size. I have a 5" vice that may weigh 40-50lbs...I have it mounted on a bench that is a 2x4 top. With a vice you want to make sure your back jaw is lined up with the bench so you can work vertically. You want make sure you can grip long stock too (many think putting the vice in the corner is a good idea)...I have it on the end of my bench by my door.

I can work with most things facing in...if I have really long stock I can turn the vice sideways and have the length be outside the door. I haven't tested it yet, but I could probably use a 10lb sledge to bend heavy steel the way I have it mounted.

For woodworking vices are very different....most probably could get by without one...I just recently picked up a vice after 25 years of not having one..

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Ksyder

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: her209
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...935750000P?vName=Tools

is this really necessary?
would it be redundant to have standard sockets + flex, when i could just get flex and use them in all situations?

you try using a flex "in all situations".

you're gonna get your ass in the car and drive to sears to pick up a standard set.

btw, to the op, i recommend waiting till sears has a nice sale going on, then buying a good assortment of tools. reason i recommend craftsman is they're relatively cheap, and have lifetime warranty. even if you snap the tool due to misuse, it's still covered. bring it in, they replace it NQA.

things you'll want:

dikes (small and large)
pliers (needle nose and larger)
forceps
crescent wrenches
C-clamps
quick-clamps
screwdriver set (0-3 phillips and standard)
torx set
assorted other screwdriver sets
mini-screwdrivers set (jewelers?)
socket set
metric socket set
a multimeter
a soldering iron (well, you may not want one, i'd be lost w/o this)
wire strippers(Ideal stripmasters... best wire strippers ever.)
cordless drill (18v line!)
corded drill (get a heavy duty one.. use this for jobs like stirring paint.)
drill bit set (buy an assortment here)
down the line, you're gonna end up needing some hole saws as well

in addition to the socket sets, you're gonna want:

a breaker bar for every standard
a speeder wrench for every standard
a torque wrench for every standard (preferably the one that detents, instead of the bending bar one)
a deep socket for whatever your car's spark plugs are in. or maybe just a deep socket set.

and the obvious... ball peen hammer, claw hammer, rubber mallet, 8 lb sledge.. drywall saw, coping saw, hacksaw (few blades for each), a few chisels...

well, that'll get you started.

This set would allow you to fix your house, car, and everything in it if so inclined...

everything on the above list i have, most even multiples.

but it's just getting started. then he needs woodworking tools, then metalworking tools, fabrication tools....hmmm.....

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Fayd
corded drill (get a heavy duty one.. use this for jobs like stirring paint.)

key thing having 1/2" chuck not a 3/8"...

Originally posted by: Fayd
in addition to the socket sets, you're gonna want:

a breaker bar for every standard
a speeder wrench for every standard
a torque wrench for every standard (preferably the one that detents, instead of the bending bar one)
a deep socket for whatever your car's spark plugs are in. or maybe just a deep socket set.

Probably could get by with a 1/2" bar and use a reducer for anything small...you really don't have to have 3/8" and 1/4" bars...probably cheapest to get them in a set, but breaker bars aren't cheap.

Speeder wrench the same....

Torque wrenches only matter in torque range. You will find those that go to 250+ are 1/2" and those around 150 and lighter are 3/8"....in/lbs are 3/8" or 1/4"...the in/lb is the rarest need though (over 150 ft/lbs the second)...usually if your torque wrench goes down to 4-5 newtons, you can convert to most automotive in/lbs.

A sparkplug socket is what you want...there are really only two common ones...they have a rubber insert to keep the plug from falling out which is critical.

of course, you're right. the above list was assembled pretty quickly, and i wasnt checking my work.

a single torque wrench covering the torque range used on cars is pretty much all you'll need. but like i said, make sure it's a detent type, and not the bar gauge type.

 

[alkemyst]

clicker is the more popular expression than detent. Bar types are harder to work with but can be more accurate. Most don't need more than +/-3% though on basic automotive/truck/boats

 

[tm37]

I have actually started buying Kobalt tools over craftsman.

When on sale they are cheaper. I do prefer the craftsman tool boxes though.

Unless you plan on working on cars a socket set is not really needed. when working on stuff around the house I just use wrenches (get good wrenches)

Screwdrivers are also important. my wive got me a dewalt cordless screw driver (not a drill) and I use that thing all the time. I also have the adpter to put my sockets o it but rarely use them.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Hammers can run from $2 to over a hundred. A $10 hammer can suit many homeowner's for life. I have a light duty hammer and a 20oz framing hammer. A heavy hammer can really mess up a project in the hands of a novice If you start dealing in heaver hammers invest in eye protection definitely...I have seen what a snapped nail can do to an eye.

DO NOT BUY A CHEAP HAMMER.

I use estwing hammers and while they cost a bit more they are balanceed and work FANTASTIC.

I have had quite a few people that have help with projhect go buy after.

You can get the basic hammer for about $20 and it is well worth it.