which tool set should i get?

[tom d]

^ i can buy 5 street hookers for the price of one pro, but i guess it's all about the level of expectation.

[joshh]

but the question is, have you ever tried using Snap-Ons for hours at end?

there is nothing like the feel of a quality tool in the hand and harbor and craftsman just don't measure up.

I've never not been able to do something on my cars because of the lack of quality in my tools. Plus if I lose one of them or it gets stolen I can laugh all the way back to Harbor freight.

[bmwstudent]

you get what you pay for when you buy tools. if you plan on using them all the time get something decent.

[tom d]

I was pretty pissed when I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, I had a very good looking ratchet of theirs break and it was replaced buy a pretty beat up one that was mechanically functioning. :( Oh well.

just bring a small set of needle nose pliers with you. when the sales man hands you the rebuilt ratchet, take it apart and put the new ratchet wheel in your tool. 3 minute job at most.

[kts]

I take the ratchet to sears and the guy is really cool about it takes my wrench and grabs a different one out of a box behind the counter. This 'new' on has No packaging No nothing. It has grinding marks all over and but mechanically it seems like it might work better. So beware, no brand new replacements.

Things like sockets and screwdrivers are replaced by new stuff but ratchets have been replaced by rebuilt ratchets for a few years now. They will fix up the one you took them and give it back out to someone else who returns their broken ratchet someone.

I was pretty pissed when I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago, I had a very good looking ratchet of theirs break and it was replaced buy a pretty beat up one that was mechanically functioning. :( Oh well.

[Dave003]

Cant speak for what brand since I only use craftsman sockets but definately wait till black friday I bought a cordless 1/2" drive impact gun a couple weeks ago that is now $100 less and soon even cheaper

[tom d]

Harbor Freight is your best bet. Craftsman will replace the ratchets. Paying anymore is bowing down to the tool elitists that swear by over priced tools like Snap-On.

but the question is, have you ever tried using Snap-Ons for hours at end?

there is nothing like the feel of a quality tool in the hand and harbor and craftsman just don't measure up.

[JGood]

Craftsman pissed me off recently with their ever changing exchange policy. My ratchet was acting up so I broke it down and greased it. I've had this ratchet for four years maybe. Cosmetically it looked really nice, just mechanically it would not stay engaged in either ratchet rotation. Anyways, I put it back together all clean and greased and its still happening. I take the ratchet to sears and the guy is really cool about it takes my wrench and grabs a different one out of a box behind the counter. This 'new' on has No packaging No nothing. It has grinding marks all over and but mechanically it seems like it might work better. So beware now brand new replacements. You get a tool that has all the scuffs ground down and maybe its been rebuilt. BTW no more paper catalogs are given our in sears for craftsman tools. BOOOOOOOO!

I was told the salesmen are supposed to offer you a rebuilt ratchet, but if you insist on wanting a new replacement, they will give you one.

I returned a 1/4" ratchet in mint condition, due to the ball that holds the socket sticking. He gave me a rebuilt ratchet that looked in similar condition, worked perfectly, and even told me he'd give me a new one if I insisted. I just took the used one, it's really not that big of a deal. If it had some big gashes or grinding marks I'd just ask for one that is similar in cosmetic condition to my old one instead.

[blueapplesoda]

301 pc mechanics kit from harbor freight. Has almost everything you need and they go on sale every few months. I've bought four sets of them and have a set at home, 2 at the shop, and 1 in the race trailer. Along with a good calibrated torque wrench, and a set of box wrenches and you can almost take apart any car.

[Restoman]

Craftsman pissed me off recently with their ever changing exchange policy. My ratchet was acting up so I broke it down and greased it. I've had this ratchet for four years maybe. Cosmetically it looked really nice, just mechanically it would not stay engaged in either ratchet rotation. Anyways, I put it back together all clean and greased and its still happening. I take the ratchet to sears and the guy is really cool about it takes my wrench and grabs a different one out of a box behind the counter. This 'new' on has No packaging No nothing. It has grinding marks all over and but mechanically it seems like it might work better. So beware, no brand new replacements. You get a tool that has all the scuffs ground down and maybe its been rebuilt. BTW no more paper catalogs are given our in sears for craftsman tools. BOOOOOOOO!

[jaywood]

Harbor Freight is your best bet. I haven't had a single problem with either their ratchets or their sockets.
At least Craftsman will replace the ratchets and sockets free after you paid about what they're worth. Paying anymore is bowing down to the tool elitists that swear by over priced tools like Snap-On.

[devon.818]

paging blunttech, e30toolset?

[VinniE30]

I wish there was just tool set you could buy that has what's needed to do most things on an e30 and not all the other crap that i'm not gonna use.

[joshh]

Harbor Freight is your best bet. I haven't had a single problem with either their ratchets or their sockets.
At least Craftsman will replace the ratchets and sockets free after you paid about what they're worth. Paying anymore is bowing down to the tool elitists that swear by over priced tools like Snap-On.

[dannyyisntt]

I use several sets of chanellocks at work almost everyday and have never had an issue