In my area we have a couple of used tool stores . there great for one off tools . I needed a 19mm box wrench , I got a barely used snap-on for less than the craftsman price . They're not great for complete kits , but are excellent for finishing the tools the kits don't include and great for barely used power tools .

 

make sure to get 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17 mm ratcheting wrenches. They are a godsend.

 

I had the Wednesday guy before, but he was came by on Thursdays. I never liked the fact that I had to wait to get a new tool, and if he didn't have it, I'd have to wait.
The great thing about Craftsmen is when you need the tool, abide they are still open, you can just go and get it swapped on the spot.

Jerry

 

ALL ratcheting wrenches are a godsend haha. They do come in handy.

 

for a beginer, purchase the largest Craftsman set you can afford with a case. Then purchase a standard tool box.

As you find you need job specific tools, you will fill your tool box, when it gets full, purchase a tool chest.

I have thousands upon thousands of dollars in tools... and every weekend I find myself purchasing something else. it all started with a simple craftsman set 15 years ago.

 

Sounds like a teacher of mine. $17k worth of tools, and still paying them off. That's a technician for ya.

 

I have a set of regular and a set of stubby, they come in VERY handy.

 

That is what I'm doing also. Do yourself a favor though, figure out all the tools (even socket sizes) before starting to work on your car if you can. And don't be lazy and go to AutoZone to purchase that one socket you don't have... go to sears and continue completing your craftsman collection!

 

If you want the best of the best go with Mac, Snap-On, or Matco. The majority of my tools are Snap-On but I'm out in my garage turning wrenches quite a bit so its a worth while investment.

That said, If you want some quality tool for a decent price Craftsman is the way to go hands down.

 

Coming from a person that is a mechanic and have been for 20+ years, I buy craftsman they are a great quality tool and can be replaced easily. I do have some snapon because of some specialty tool that craftsman did not have at the time of need or someone gave me as a gift. All-in-all I have two complete tool boxes with craftsman and have only broken a few and never a hassle to replace them.

 

One note about craftsman tools. I break ALOT of them... I am very hard on my ratchets. always buy a second ratchet for each size. When you break one, you always have a back-up.

Then when you go to sears and replace it, they always try to give you a rebuilt unit from the rebuild box... check it out, and if it feels even the least bit loose tell them it's too loose. Go through the entire box, and if none of them feel good, have them pull a new one from the shelf.

 

I only use snap-on

 

Craftsman all the way! Thats what my garage is filled with. Cabinets, tools, flooring, you name it.

 

I dont care much for craftsman tools although I have quite a few and a roll away. I think there are alot better hand tools that feel better in your hands for even less than craftsman. Stanley or kobalt for example. Overall I always end up using other tools because of wrench / ratchet design and the fact that my Craftsman set doesnt have overlapping sockets eg 1/4 10mm 3/8 10mm etc. I have an old stanley set that is awesome to work with. Has overlapping sockets, more deep sockets, and the ratchets work better in tight spaces even though they are longer and offer more leverage as well. Also they have a smooth finish and just feel good in your hans where the craftsman tools all feel very rough and cheaply made.

 

Here's what I have had for a few years... They are called Great Neck tools and they have a lifetime guarantee. Got em at autozone.
http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP2440...ductDetail.htm

Didn't want to spend too much but wanted decent quality. I have had no problems with tools breaking and the 151 piece mechanic's tool set has pretty much every thing that I need.