I am looking to buy some tools to keep in my truck for work. I have been a heavy equipment operator for 20 years and usually carry a box in my truck with limited tools but after getting a new job with a new company I am finding what I always had isn't enough. I used to only need limited tools and now I am finding out I could use a lot more. It's a pain to take tools from my box at home and cart them around and I hate like heck to abuse good snap on and Mac tools at work meaning out in the rain mud ect. I just want to get a decent set of sockets/wrenches I can use that aren't junk and will do what I need. I have a pliers, channel locks, wire cutters, screwdrivers ect I always have with me but am looking for the other stuff. Was at home depot today and saw a 200 something piece set for 150. Are they decent tools ? Just easier to fix my own problems at work than call a mechanic out of the shop and wait for several hours before they can get there. Or would I be better off going to harbor freight and getting what I need ? Thanks !
- Thread starter 300jk
- Start date
Angle Iron
Member
I have not done it in a while but used to go to the pawn shops years ago. They have a lot of junk but they also have some good tools. If you don't mind miss matched sets picking thru their socket and wrench bins can turn up some good deals. You might not find a full set right away but they do turn up. Ask about full sets as well. I have a friend that would make a deal with the pawn on full tool boxes per his list for job tools where he worked. All tools were co furnished and it save a bunch of money while he did it. Another one is the flea markets. I have a few harbor freight sockets that a friend gave me for helping him, they have held up well. I wouldn't rely on their ratchets as I have twisted a few off. Just a thought.
Yeah didn't think of the pawn shops. That's a good idea ! I
will have to look around at them. We have 6 mechanics at work
but also have road jobs that are over 3 hours from each other.
When something breaks I would like to be able to try to fix the
problem instead of waiting. Impatient I guess !
will have to look around at them. We have 6 mechanics at work
but also have road jobs that are over 3 hours from each other.
When something breaks I would like to be able to try to fix the
problem instead of waiting. Impatient I guess !
Dune Country
Well-known Member
Yup, pawn shop, I was once in your shoes, just deep into the woods instead.
Pick up? keep that box in the bed or strapped down in the cab, had a good friend killed by a flying tool box in a rollover accident!!!
Pick up? keep that box in the bed or strapped down in the cab, had a good friend killed by a flying tool box in a rollover accident!!!
Yes here in south jersey there are a couple of good flea markets and I have picked up a boat load of tools. Proto,williams,S&K,craftman, and snap-on juat to name a few. Some are close to full price and others are a real bargin! Found a full size chain type ratchet hoist for $80.oo. Looked it up in the Granger book and it lists for $617.oo!
Stephen Newell
Well-known Member
I never had any luck with a pawn shop. They usually want as much for used tools and you could buy new. I do carry quite a few harbor freight tools in my truck. They work as well as any others. The biggest problem with having a set of tools for my truck is when ever I can find a tool I end up getting one out of the truck and end up having missing tools in the truck.
I have had good luck with Kobalt tools from Lowes. Also with Thanksgiving almost here they usually have a good set on sale. Couple of years ago I picked up a set with SAE & metric deep well & standard sockets 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" drive, wrenches and other miscellaneous stuff in a 3 drawer box for less than $100.
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I have a mix of every tool you can think of. Rarely break a tool, more likely to lose them. Even the cheap HF tools have a lifetime guarantee. I have 3 large tool boxes on my truck. Truck is a toolbox on wheels. I have a complete sets of tools in workshop and pole barn too.
I will only buy socket sets that come in trays. That way I can take a tray of them to what I'm working on and when done, see that none are missing. I have one set of craftsman and one set of Kobalt sockets. Both are good.
When you buy combination sets of tools 200-300 you are getting about 100 pieces of worthless items.
Many black Friday sales, just wait, shop around, look for the best price and lifetime warranty. I have two sets of 1/2 inch deep well impact sockets form HF. Never broke one yet.
When it comes to screwdrivers, I like the 6 in 1 the best. Right now, HF is giving them away as a free gift with coupon.
You can never have too many tools.
I will only buy socket sets that come in trays. That way I can take a tray of them to what I'm working on and when done, see that none are missing. I have one set of craftsman and one set of Kobalt sockets. Both are good.
When you buy combination sets of tools 200-300 you are getting about 100 pieces of worthless items.
Many black Friday sales, just wait, shop around, look for the best price and lifetime warranty. I have two sets of 1/2 inch deep well impact sockets form HF. Never broke one yet.
When it comes to screwdrivers, I like the 6 in 1 the best. Right now, HF is giving them away as a free gift with coupon.
You can never have too many tools.
Thanks for all the replies. I think I will just watch local flea markets and maybe the pawn shops. I am not worried about having matched sets. I will also look for the sales at local stores. Craiglist is another option. Reason I don't want to take my good tools from the garage is the same reason most people wouldn't buy a brand new pickup and use it as their farm beater even though it was reliable and had a warranty. These tools will be abused in all kinds of conditions and I can't see one of my 130 dollar ratchets taking that kind of abuse no matter of warranty. I like to keep my nice tools nice.
Would you buy a 60 or 70 thousand dollar
truck and beat the snot out of it just
because it was new ,had a warranty and was
reliable ? Truck is a tool also. Just
putting a little perspective on it ! I
don't like to use anything I spend good
money on like that when there are other
alternatives.
truck and beat the snot out of it just
because it was new ,had a warranty and was
reliable ? Truck is a tool also. Just
putting a little perspective on it ! I
don't like to use anything I spend good
money on like that when there are other
alternatives.
T in NE
Well-known Member
- Location
- Cambridge, Nebraska
One of the off-road magazines set up a jig to test ratchets, the Chinese craftsman let go just short of 800 ft-lb. That was a steady, easy application of pressure. Something inside let go, and it still kinda worked.
Get the cheap stuff when there's a good chance you'll plant it. But a set of quality combination wrenches is well worth the cost. Especially on hydraulic hoses and bolts you can't get a box end on.
You can often pick up individual Mac combination wrenches off evilpay from $5-25 a piece.
Get the cheap stuff when there's a good chance you'll plant it. But a set of quality combination wrenches is well worth the cost. Especially on hydraulic hoses and bolts you can't get a box end on.
You can often pick up individual Mac combination wrenches off evilpay from $5-25 a piece.
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