[willcherokeexj]

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00935154000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipme nt&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools
Along with a few others.
Such as breaker bars/wrenches
By the way I have very little skill in mechanics. So I'll be starting doing small stuff.

[talentjeep]

Originally Posted by willcherokeexj

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00935154000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipme nt&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Mechanic+Tools
Along with a few others.
Such as breaker bars/wrenches
By the way I have very little skill in mechanics. So I'll be starting doing small stuff.

This is a fairly decent set. My original set was only 54pc. But any set will do for starting! You might get more tools for your buck if you go to Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight tools are not as convenient or reliable but I've never broken a socket so I don't know. At least you can replace tools for cheap. You will probably need all of this soon. But if you're not doing any lifting/trans work/etc I would go for the sockets, screwdrivers, 18" bar, good ratchet and extensions.

SAE Socket Set + Deep Well socket set (the longer sockets)
Metric Socket Set + Deep Well
3" extension and 10" extension (or close to these measurements)
Ratcheting 18" breaker bar (this will help A LOT)
PB Blaster (Wal-Mart sells it in automotive)
Decent 20 or 30pc screwdriver set
Torx bit set (an absolute must)
Hydraulic floor jack that can go up at least 12" if not more (one of the kinds with the long handle)
Jackstands (the big kind, not the dinky little Shmucks O'Reilly ones)
Hydraulic floor jack (a smaller one or a large one, for holding trans & stuff)
Jackstands (either large or small, for supporting axles)
Wheel Chocks
Set of boxhead wrenches (I bought a metric/sae set for $20 at the Wally Mart)
But you can just get a basic set and make sure you don't live too far from Harbor Freight and that you have a second car. If not I'd prepare in advance.

The Craftsman set isn't a bad deal though, they do have a liftetime warranty I assume and it covers most of your socket basics. Most HF socket sets are $7-15 a piece so you can get reg + deep sockets for under $40 including Metric and SAE. Then buy a nice looking ratchet. Definitely buy those extensions...you can't even take the airbox off easily without a 10"+ extension

On a side note - hand tools are not to be taken lightly. You WILL hurt yourself repeatedly, torque your joints out of place and end up swearing a lot. I recommend having a drink or too before starting.

[SkinnyMe97]

Originally Posted by talentjeep

This is a fairly decent set. My original set was only 54pc. But any set will do for starting! You might get more tools for your buck if you go to Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight tools are not as convenient or reliable but I've never broken a socket so I don't know. At least you can replace tools for cheap. You will probably need all of this soon. But if you're not doing any lifting/trans work/etc I would go for the sockets, screwdrivers, 18" bar, good ratchet and extensions.

SAE Socket Set + Deep Well socket set (the longer sockets)
Metric Socket Set + Deep Well
3" extension and 10" extension (or close to these measurements)
Ratcheting 18" breaker bar (this will help A LOT)
PB Blaster (Wal-Mart sells it in automotive)
Decent 20 or 30pc screwdriver set
Torx bit set (an absolute must)
Hydraulic floor jack that can go up at least 12" if not more (one of the kinds with the long handle)
Jackstands (the big kind, not the dinky little Shmucks O'Reilly ones)
Hydraulic floor jack (a smaller one or a large one, for holding trans & stuff)
Jackstands (either large or small, for supporting axles)
Wheel Chocks
Set of boxhead wrenches (I bought a metric/sae set for $20 at the Wally Mart)
But you can just get a basic set and make sure you don't live too far from Harbor Freight and that you have a second car. If not I'd prepare in advance.

The Craftsman set isn't a bad deal though, they do have a liftetime warranty I assume and it covers most of your socket basics. Most HF socket sets are $7-15 a piece so you can get reg + deep sockets for under $40 including Metric and SAE. Then buy a nice looking ratchet. Definitely buy those extensions...you can't even take the airbox off easily without a 10"+ extension

On a side note - hand tools are not to be taken lightly. You WILL hurt yourself repeatedly, torque your joints out of place and end up swearing a lot. I recommend having a drink or too before starting.

I'd also make sure you have some pliers , vice grips , and a good torque wrench . Oh and a BFH is a must .

[willcherokeexj]

I'd rather slowly build up my set.
Lifetime warranty = <3

[willcherokeexj]

I plan on buying a torx set, 3/8inch bar 1/2" bar and some normal wrenches, and some extensions

Can't wait to build up my tool set!

[BenBru23]

Invest in a torch one of the yellow tank torches they burn hotter and they come in handy in many situations

[oucheecrash]

It is a really good start. I'm 29 and I have been getting tool since I was about 9 years old starting with a set like that. I now have two multi drawer chests full of tools and almost every time I do something I end up buying something else to make my job a little easier.

[willcherokeexj]

=D
I know the new craftsman ratchets suck but hey, lifetime warranty I can just keep bringin em back

[pstack3315]

thats the same set I orginally started with. Grew from there! Also, check out the 260 piece...it was like $159 for black friday...think its like $179 now. Real nice set for not much more money

[justanotherjpr]

That's a GREAT starting set and will cover all the basics. My friend has the set and loves it. Definitely pick up a set of breaker bars, and a few other wobbles and extensions. You'll be happier with the warranty at Sears vs Harbor Freight. Not to mention, cheap sockets round of bolts easier than good ones. The Craftsman set also has easy to read sockets. It's got deep wells, shallows, 12 point, 6 point, ect - I would buy that set if I had the money.

[Kettles]

Originally Posted by BenBru23

Invest in a torch one of the yellow tank torches they burn hotter and they come in handy in many situations

Yellow is MAPP gas (basically Acetylene and Propane) and yes it burns hotter. Which is better for heating bolts and stuff, straight propane works, it just takes longer.

AS for tools. I am living off a mild set of craftsman metric wrenches (like 10). A REALLY random assortment of SAE wrenches. 12 cheap SAE standard sockets (1/2" drive), 11 cheap Metric deep well (lost my 10mm.. 3/8" drive), one 3/8" matco ratchet, 3" extension, 6" extension 1/2" male to 3/8" female adapter, and a random assortment of realllllly cheap small sockets and a CHEAP *** 1/4" ratchet (need a better one badly). Plus a few adjustable wrenches and visegrips... random screwdrivers too.

So you have to start somewhere. Most of those I mentioned were/are my dads... he never did any mechanical stuff. he just had some random tools.

And I would love that craftsman set. Its a good start. My only beef with craftsman is their ratchets have really fat heads... and relatively short handles. Makes them durable but less versatile. Or atleast my friends craftsman ones do. he spent $400 on a complete set from 4mm to 27mm (and comparable SAE sizes) craftsman sockets deep and standard, in all size drives, and a complete set of SAE and Metric wrenches (same sizes) and a number of other things, all in a craftsman chest... Lucky me he keeps it at my dads garage when he is not fixing his porsche... (which is in HIS dads garage.. that is too full for him to keep the tools there)

Of course that was "used".. Got it off a guy that bought em a few years back for home but never used them because he had a trailer full of tools he uses for his home improvement business, and he just used those instead. And was now cleaning out the garage.

[98junk]

That's a good starter set and a good value. It is missing a few metric comb. wrenches and torx drivers and a few necessary other tools. But if I were starting over I would buy The largest set I could afford, because of the value of whole sets vs. one at a time.

[98junk]

Originally Posted by willcherokeexj

I plan on buying a torx set, 3/8inch bar 1/2" bar and some normal wrenches, and some extensions

Can't wait to build up my tool set!

I suggest skipping the 3/8 bar and getting a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, If money is a factor.

[justanotherjpr]

Originally Posted by 98junk

I suggest skipping the 3/8 bar and getting a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, If money is a factor.

X2. No need for a 3/8" drive breaker bar. Get the half inch drive and the half inch to 3/8" adapter. Also get a 36" section of 2" OD cheap pipe to use as a cheaper.

[Mark4883]

It looks like a pretty solid set. Craftsmen makes quality tools and they have an awesome return policy. Make sure you drop some cash and get a nice set of torx bits though, the cheap ones just bend and strip the bolt.