which tool set should i get?

[b*saint]

I dont know. I bought some stuff recently from Channellock and wasnt impressed by them. Same with knipex. My knipex pliers have a lot of flex in them compared to my snapon ones.

[Axxe]

Not really sure how you can claim this. Almost all of my pliers are Channellock's bought over the last 2-3 years. All are great quality and are almost exactly identical to a bunch of 20+ year old Channellock's my father has. Same story with Visegrip. These two brands are some that I would always buy from.

+1. The first pliers I reach for are always my channel locks. They also make a badass wide jaw 8" adjustable wrench that is very slim and tough. I use it for fan removal (opens up to approx 1-1/2"). I also have a pair of visegrip that I picked up in the middle of the street behind my shop, they were completely black from rust, but still worked perfect! I just coated it in ATF and left it wrapped up in an oily rag for two weeks and now they look great and work amazing.

[TimKninja]

Use craftsman at work(on heavy equipment), really good stuff. Have never had a problem with craftsman.

Also have some harbor freight stuff. Honestly not to bad. Had my 4 dollar breaker bar for three years before it broke . Their ratchets are pretty shitty. Ive gotton good deals on stuff when their changing the packaging, they sell stuff stupid cheap. I got a 12 peice impact socket set for 6 bucks.

[tjmonsen5]

My IR impact hates chrome sockets, they get stuck on very tight. Buy impact sockets to use with an impact gun!

[Brandon12V]

^^^^ just sharing my experience mate. Like I said some of you may have better luck but this is what I was dealt. All the sockets I ever bought were made in Taiwan out of solid zinc and it showed. I've used shitty tools and nice tools. If Stanley started producing a forged steel line I would probably give them another shot, but it would be pointless now. Majority of my tool line would probably be a downgrade to go with Stanley. If you can find the quality then save the money. My IR impact doesn't like regular sockets. Not trying to sway the OP to expensive shit, just letting him know what he may expect.

[Jand3rson]

Visegrip is owned by Irwin, who make KICK-ASS tools. Never had anything made by Irwin go bad on me.

[AndrewBird]

Even Channellock and Visegrip suck these days.

Not really sure how you can claim this. Almost all of my pliers are Channellock's bought over the last 2-3 years. All are great quality and are almost exactly identical to a bunch of 20+ year old Channellock's my father has. Same story with Visegrip. These two brands are some that I would always buy from.

[jaywood]

I have soooo many craftsmen tools. I love all of them.

[accident]

And they fail all the time. I got rid of all my Stanley shit as soon as I upgraded. Never looked back. Maybe they've gotten better, but the last time I bought a Stanley socket(2 years ago), it was made in Taiwan out of zinc. Shattered at the first opportune moment.

I've used my Stanley sockets on impact guns several times with zero issue. :/

[b*saint]

Weekend warrior who needs all the tools a pro has without breaking the bank. Harbor Freight (I think they call it the pro line.)

Everything in between that and Sanpon isn't worth the Money unless its a legendary in its product line, companies like Bondhus or Ridgid. But be careful, Even Channellock and Visegrip suck these days.

Needless to say I have a shit load of tools ranging from Harbor Freight to Snapon, from made in China to Made in Europe to Made in USA. My favorite tool is one that works right and feels tight. Like my Beta semi flush cut wire nippers are the cats ass.

Although I agree you'll never use standard, when the random item comes along you need a standard socket, its always nice to have it. My standard set is downstairs in the basement. I haven't touched it in years.

[tjmonsen5]

Do this, buy the biggest starter set from craftsman that you can afford. Then start buying tools as you need them.

My only gripe with the large craftsman sets, is that they have tons of useless stuff (for us anyways) we dont need all those SAE sockets and wrenches, allen keys and whatnot. But, they are good to have because when you need them, you will be glad you have them.

[Shanes325]

I was a diesel mechanic for 5 years and abused the hell out of my stanleys . I used 11/2 sockets (1/2 adapter on 3/8 ratchet) and never had any problems . I also use my sockets on my impact all the time. Guess I just got lucky or they did get better.ohhh on a side note black chrome stuff is crap .

[Brandon12V]

1/2" breaker bar. Loosening a rear subframe bushing nut. Ended up using my craftsman breaker bar to get the job done. It's just an example. The tools may work for some of you but I've had negative experiences.

[Brandon12V]

And they fail all the time. I got rid of all my Stanley shit as soon as I upgraded. Never looked back. Maybe they've gotten better, but the last time I bought a Stanley socket(2 years ago), it was made in Taiwan out of zinc. Shattered at the first opportune moment.

[kts]

just found some girl on craigslist who is mad at her BF...who happens to be a mechanic that owns snapon/mac tools....so ima go over there and go shopping!
she said prices starting 5$/tool.

WHAT! lucky i know. lol

mind sending the info on this my way? i'm local and wouldn't mind picking up some Snap On/Mac Tools for cheap. i'm checking CL but no luck yet. :(