Tools
 

Hello,

As I do more work on my car, I'm looking for a low-cost but quality tool kit. The ones I have now are cheap, busted, or MIA;

can anyone recomend a good set of tools (open-end, box, ratchets) for doing work on your SVX? My budget is $100-150 btw

A friend of mine bought a set that was from Costco. It has its own case and the tools are very good. The ratchet works fine and is good quality. I think the large kit is around $130 and the smaller one is $100. Within your budget and the tools are good quality. Maybe not as good as some of the other brands that you pay big bucks for, but a very good set. :)

Go to Sears (lifetime warranty)!

And if you get their ratchets you will use it frequently :( Their warranty is great and all, but it has come to the point that I carry an extra 3/8" ratchet's in my bag. That way when one breaks, I have a spare until I can get to Sears and replace it.:rolleyes: And I am obviously not the only one who rolls through them, since every Sears that you go into has a rack of replacement ratchets right next to the register...

Everything else from there that I have is fine, but overpriced. But I WILL NOT buy another ratchet from them.

Harbor Freight frequently has good specials on various sets. Their tools are not top quality, and not suggested for working mechanics. But for weekend stuff, you can easily get a metric socket set, ratcheting wrenches and decent screwdrivers for well under $100. Some of there stuff even comes with a lifetime warranty, just be sure to save your receipts.

Most of my tools are Sears as well. They are just more expensive than what his budget was. :)

Next to MAC, MATCO & Snap-On, Sears is the best deal. Shop Sears online for some very good sales pricing. Sears seems to change their suppliers cyclically, so if their ratchets have a problem now they'll be different in a couple years. At least it's easy to procure an exchange.

There are cheaper tools out there that are decent quality but warranty replacements are usually difficult/non-existent. Home Depot sells some decent sockets and wrenches but I'd probably toss them in the trash rather than bother trying to warranty one.

Another consideration is that most inexpensive tools are made of inferior steel and require much more thickness to compensate. That equals limited access and fatigue. You may think "How heavy can a wrench be, Beav?", but swinging a fat wrench in a small space will make you a believer. Another issue is that cheap tools damage fasteners. A not-quite-perfectly-sized socket or wrench (or an open-end wrench that spreads under load) will lead to stripped fastener heads. Which is even more fun in a restricted space.


p.s. - besides being a professional tool user/buyer, I was an independent MAC Tool Distributor for four years.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/Beav/41528.jpghttp://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/Beav/41529.jpg

what about SK tools? http://www.skhandtool.com I have had good luck with them.

SK makes good tools, same quality as Sears, usually a bit more $ and fewer places to purchase/warranty them.

No doubt a good brand. I could add several more, but Beav has given a very good outline of what you should look for.

I have sometimes purchased spanners/wrenches at bargain prices and they have stood the test of time. When checking the merchandise, grab a file and check for hardness, in line with what Beav has recommended. If the spanner is cheap and hard but to thick, a grinder can do wonders for your budget. ;)

P.S. If too hard a spanner is liable to break.

I'm with the guys when it comes to Craftsman. They always have a set on sale and good quality. I got a 263pc set for X-mas and has everything I need for the Subie plus some. Right now its on sale for $199... I know a bit out of your budget but the lifetime warrenty is worth it. Tool Set...

Alright, cool. The vibe I'm getting says theres a Sears in my future. Thank you for all the input, cuz my made in Taiwan wally-mart special just isnt cutting it anymore.

I was in the same boat, I had my little 155 pc set from Pepboys. Then I did some work on vacation at my mom's house and used my grandfathers Craftsman set. Came home and got me a good set of craftsman.

When I was back at Bragg I bought a bunch of tools form Home Depot for my units on base shop/ motor pool.
They have the same warranty as Sears on the hand tools AND on their air tools. No one could touch the air tool deal.
I bought a set of air tools (1/2 impact, 3/4 air ratchets etc) for all my mechanics. In the year I was their we replaced several of them, no questions asked. That included one the kid was hitting with a hammer to "help" it when it died. At (then) $49.00 a piece it was one of the best bargains the taxpayers ever got. The next best deal was Sears, they wanted $450.00 for the 1/2 impact adn only 3 month "limited" warrenty.
I bought a complete set myself and the on post auto craft center was doing the same thing when I left for Afghanistan in June.

Join the sears craftsman club. You can do it online or at the store. I get montlhy mags with really good deals in them.

Greg