Apartment dweller socket/tool set.

[Sequoiasoon]

Similar to the power tools question.

My son is leaving for Virginia in about 1 month. He'll be renting an apartment for at least 1 year, no clue after that for home but does want to buy at some point.

I might give him my Craftsman set from the garage. I have same set in back of my car with more junk in it. SAE and Metric, 1/4" and 3/8". I like the case I have as there is extra well in it to hold a couple extra 10mm sockets that always get lost. It also fits some snips, adjustable wrenches, some open ends.

All the newer blow mold case ones I see are more spaced out for sockets but they snap in which is nice at times when you kick it or other.

Something like this Craftsman set is about what I'm looking for. Looking to stay under $150. He might want to carry it in his car at times so looking more like mine below not a stacking multi-level thing. He helps me work on our cars now so has the ability to be able to tackle small repairs if needed.

This is what I have that I can give him otherwise from when Sears was still in business.

 

[rijndael]

Tekton has some nice sets to consider: https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-12-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15302

 

[Kira]

Ha...I included a larger Allen key set (see the pictured set's lid) to the young electrician.
I also gave him a neon tester...so he could check for current.

 

[D60]

Home Depot's "Spring Black Friday" appears to start 4/3. I tried to find leaked ads but no luck. You might try if you have great internet search-fu.

Usually for every regular (ie not Spring) BF they'll do a nice kit with drawers for ~$99. I don't know if the Spring sale typically includes one of these.

If it's truly for home use and not banging around in a truck, I think the plastic drawer form factor is far superior to a clamshell case.

All I can find at this second exceeds your budget by ~$40, however with SETS I've always believed it's better to pay more on the front end because a-la-carte later will nickel and dime you to death (plus it won't easily fit in your blow mold case).

Here's an example, and there are others if you search "Husky tool set". You might see what 4/3 brings
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...t-with-Chest-244-Piece-H244MTSCHEST/314267050

 

[JeffKeryk]

For reasonably priced tools, Harbor Freight and Tekton offer a ton of value.
As many pros, like my friend @Trav, have posted, the HF return policy is a big plus.

I cannot believe I just recommended HF... Ha! How things change!

 

[Sequoiasoon]

That allen key set came with way back.

He has some Allen, Torx, Security bit sets from when he was at college plus all his gun cleaning/fixing stuff.

I have some tool bags that I can put the hammer, tape measure and other odds in.

It might be in his car, might be in the apartment. He currently has a 15 year old, 190k Kia Forte so anything goes.

 

[goblin]

I have yet to see anything in an appartment that can't be done by a cheap Workpro set. Then go nuts on black Friday, as HD and LWS release really interesting stuff at that time.

 

[shortyb]

Whats holding you back from giving him the Craftsman set? I think that would work very well and you wouldn't need to lay out any cash for another set. If not, Harbor Freight (great warranty) or a decent Kobalt set from Lowes would do the trick. I got a VERY comprehensive Kobalt metric set last holiday season for $20. That one went in the car and gave a few others out as stocking stuffers.

 

[facility1]

really depends on what is be worked on may dictate on what kind of tools/set is needed, have seen some pretty decent stuff at various retail stores, maybe best to buy some separate basic tools and a small toolbox to start with, no reason buying tools that is not needed at this time only to clutter the apt. up.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Whats holding you back from giving him the Craftsman set? I think that would work very well and you wouldn't need to lay out any cash for another set. If not, Harbor Freight (great warranty) or a decent Kobalt set from Lowes would do the trick. I got a VERY comprehensive Kobalt metric set last holiday season for $20. That one went in the car and gave a few others out as stocking stuffers.

Nothing really and as you said less $$. I'll clean that case up inside and make sure the extra tools that fit are there. I figured maybe I would get him his own new stuff but might be better off with the $$ for couple power tools in a bag like the M12 sets. This would cover all he needs.

It will also help me get rid of some stuff which is always good to clean up.

 

[FoxProTwisty]

Check the Advance Auto Parts stores in your area to see if they have any Diehard sets left. You should be able to get a whole set like that for maybe $30-40.

 

[D60]

Nothing really and as you said less $$. I'll clean that case up inside and make sure the extra tools that fit are there. I figured maybe I would get him his own new stuff but might be better off with the $$ for couple power tools in a bag like the M12 sets. This would cover all he needs.

It will also help me get rid of some stuff which is always good to clean up.

Actually yeah, if there are upgrades you want to do give him your hand-me-downs. eg I just got Hazet wrenches and am giving my old Tektons to a guy who's broke but needs tools.

If there's anything you've been eyeing for yourself but it might partially duplicate what you already have, this is the excuse you needed! YOU get better tools and he gets perfectly functional tools

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Actually yeah, if there are upgrades you want to do give him your hand-me-downs. eg I just got Hazet wrenches and am giving my old Tektons to a guy who's broke but needs tools.

If there's anything you've been eyeing for yourself but it might partially duplicate what you already have, this is the excuse you needed! YOU get better tools and he gets perfectly functional tools

My dad used to write his name with paint pen on many things. He was teaching automotive and passing OTC testers around and many other things. Some of them wound up with me of course. He would 1/2 joke and say that was his, I'd reply no it has my last name on it so must be mine.

 

[CarbonToast]

Best thing is probably going to be a single set in a blow molded case. If your going to build up a set or toolbag. This kit from ICON is really useful. It has a 1/4" square drive insert so paired with metric and english sockets can accomplish alot.

That ICON Kit, set of metric sockets, adjustable wrench or pliers wrench, channel locks, needle nose. You could fix alot.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brand...-head-ratchet-and-bit-set-35-piece-58074.html

 

[RyanY]

As a former apartment dweller, I can say that a range of tools is helpful for basic stuff, but rarely ideal for any real work. A complete basic set is really all he will need. I would get something like this one (currently on sale at Amazon) or a similar set at HF for about $60. IMO the craftsman is better quality than Pittsburgh and the case is better, providing a foundation for future upgrades.

 

[cptbarkey]

Tekton is basically lifetime quality and worth the extra $$$. I have the 1/4 set and use it often.

https://www.tekton.com/1-4-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt05202
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15301

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Tekton is basically lifetime quality and worth the extra $$$. I have the 1/4 set and use it often.

https://www.tekton.com/1-4-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt05202
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15301

Something like those might take up the space where that Craftsman set currently is when it gets vacated

 

[JeffKeryk]

Tekton is basically lifetime quality and worth the extra $$$. I have the 1/4 set and use it often.

https://www.tekton.com/1-4-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt05202
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15301

That Tekton 1/4 set is awesome-sauce. I don't like the ratchet too much but that can be addressed.

 

[dlundblad]

I bought my dad the 3/8” and 1/4” metric sets. No skips and it has shallow and deep well. No extra stuff. Compact too.

 

[Hohn]

The tools you need in the house are quite different from the tools you need in the garage or on the road. I'll comment separately on brands, but here's what I'd consider for an apartment dweller where space and cost are at a premium:

IN THE HOUSE:

• PLIERS
  • Knipex Cobra Pliers (compact size). Probably the the single most important household tool to own.
  • Flat nose pliers like the excellent Snap-on knock-offs from HF.
  • Needle nose pliers like the ICONs
• Screwdrivers
  • A Tekton Bit Ratchet in 1/4" hex.
  • A good general use insert bit set.
  • Long reach 1/4" power bits with ground down shanks. This is essential if you want bits to replace actual screwdrivers. Many times around the house, a screw will be at the bottom of a hole that is too small to allow a 1/4" bit to get into it. The P1 bit in your set will fit the screw, but not the hole that contains the screw. You'll need longer bits that are reduced diameter to mimic the function of an actual screwdriver. Note how these PB swiss have the small shank almost all the way up to the drive hex:
    
    . This feature is actually VERY important. So you'll need both "power bits" like these that are reduced diameter, as well as the "insert bits" the work in a standard bit holder.
• WRENCHES-- a good adjustable wrench or pliers wrench is all you really need around the house. Get a smaller Pliers wrench and one larger Adjustable Wrench like the eponymous Crescent Wrench
• HAMMER-- a small 12-16 claw hammer for picture mounting and similar general use is sufficient

IN THE CAR

• Skip the lug wrench and get a good long breaker bar. Pair with the appropriate socket size for the vehicle's lugs (21mm in my case).
• Don't waste money and space lugging around a socket set and such. You'll almost never have something that is so serious it needs immediate repair, yet not serious enough that you can do it by the roadside. Not with sockets anyway. Instead, carry:
  • Gorilla Tape
  • A tire plug repair kit. They work.
  • First Aid kit.
  • Emergency Space Blanket and jug of water.
  • Tow rope/strap
  • Jumper Cables or jump pack