need a starter tool kit

[bowlofturtle]

A friend of mines is looking for tools to allow him to do the most basics repairs. I was tasking to figure something out for him.

His level of skills is VERY VERY entry level. Most cases i will be over his shoulder watching the work. Of confidence and piece of mind for everyone.

Budget must be kept at a LOW cost, mainly because guy most likely will lose stuff. Doesn't have a tool box or space for it.

I was going to tell him to get shallow and deep 3/8 and a ratchet from HF pair that up some extentions. Which should run about $50 all together i think. And next would be a simple set of wrenches 8-19mm.

Are their kits out there that can do this for cheaper. Say under $100 for sure, most likely at $50. Quality isn't too big of a concern. Big jobs are done in my garage.

 

[redbone3]

Sears sells beginners tool kits. Price is less than individual buys and they come with a toolbox, generally.

 

[Kira]

As much as I hate to say it the Harbor Freight tool kits are exactly what the doctor ordered.

There'll be differences among tool kits. Auto mechanic's tool kits vs. those for a handyman.

 

[Leo99]

I'm very happy with my HF purchases.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Kira
As much as I hate to say it the Harbor Freight tool kits are exactly what the doctor ordered.

There'll be differences among tool kits. Auto mechanic's tool kits vs. those for a handyman.


HF is the way to go. About the same quality as the Craftsman Chinese tools.

 

[eljefino]

Father's day is coming up, watch the sales and after-sale clearances.

There are lots of junky kits to be avoided. They pad the tool count with allen wrenches and drill bits.

Also make sure they don't skip sizes eg 10mm, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21. 11, 14, 15, and 18 are important too!

http://www.harborfreight.com/37-pc-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-impact-socket-set-68011.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/12-in-drive-25-in-breaker-bar-67933.html

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-38-Piece-H38MTS/202919305

 

[OneEyeJack]

Be careful entering Harbor Freight with cash in hand. It's very dangerous. There's so must stuff there and something you never considered might jump off the shelf and into your hands.

 

[sciphi]

Some kits from Sears that might fit the bill:

150 piece with nice ratchets: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-155-piece...mp;blockType=G6

58 piece set that's missing larger than 15mm sockets: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-58-piece-...p;blockType=G17

HF has good entry-level tools and are good to augment with specialty tools. They still can't put together a cohesive basic kit like Sears does, IMO.

 

[Ethan1]

I wanna say that at Harbor Freight you can get a Pittsburgh Pro 3/8 ratchet set for about $20, the sae and metric deep sets for another $25, a nice-ish screwdriver set for $10, a rust-prone but working pliers set for less than $10, and a BFH for $15. That's about $80 for a decent starter set but you still need wrenches. I'm not impressed with their wrenches, really.

As mentioned above, many "starter sets" that you can buy at the store are loaded with allen keys or even screwdriver bits to up the tool count.

Another option is to check craigslist or even garage sales for old tool sets. These are usually brands with lifetime warranties.

 

[Panzerman]

Harbor Freight sells this one tool kit. Its in a grey plastic chest and has three or four pull out drawers on it. Has the basic tools in it. I was really impressed. I was at a Junk yard once with it and that little kit had everything I needed. I like it so much, I bought my son one when he moved out. He said he used it several times. It would be perfect for what your saying.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Originally Posted By: Ethan1
I wanna say that at Harbor Freight you can get a Pittsburgh Pro 3/8 ratchet set for about $20, the sae and metric deep sets for another $25, a nice-ish screwdriver set for $10, a rust-prone but working pliers set for less than $10, and a BFH for $15. That's about $80 for a decent starter set but you still need wrenches. I'm not impressed with their wrenches, really.

As mentioned above, many "starter sets" that you can buy at the store are loaded with allen keys or even screwdriver bits to up the tool count.

Another option is to check craigslist or even garage sales for old tool sets. These are usually brands with lifetime warranties.



No need for SAE. He isn't much a of a DIY person around the house. This would be mainly car basic car stuff.

The current kit he has now is really subpar. Its full of 1/4 drive sockets but with a 1/2 inch ratchet. The kit came with adapters but so USELESS. Made me angry when trying to pull a battery.


I know about the padding of the number count. This was why i just mentioned going straight for 3/8 socket sets. HF is perfect for this guy. I have their ratchets as well and like them.

 

[KD0AXS]

This set has darn near everything you need. I don't think I've ever seen a more complete tool set anywhere.

http://m.harborfreight.com/professional-...Fnot%20provided

I'm sure it's a bit over the budget you wanted at $199, but one of their 20% off coupons will knock 40 bucks off the price. When you figure all the stuff that's included in that kit that you won't have to buy separately, it's a great deal. Plus it's all contained in one case.

 

[spackard]

It's 25% off, today only. Coupon code 30451264

 

[Ethan1]

That sets confuses me. The website lists it as Pittsburgh, not Pittsburgh Pro. It doesn't have the really really bad Pittsburgh ratchets that come with the $3.99 sets, but it doesn't have the grey/red/green really nice Pitt Pro ones. It looks like the highly-polished Pro sockets, though. And the reviews on the site do sometimes complain about the typical sloppy combo wrenches. And for the price, you could get Craftsman which would at least be more consistent. What's your take on the tools in the set?

 

[Ethan1]

BTW I've become quite adept at breaking HFT torx bits, so I don't consider torx a selling point of the set

 

[Merkava_4]

What compounds the problem of a person with limited mechanical skills, is a person with limited mechanical skills having to use cheap tools. That person is liable to get a bad taste in their mouth right off the bat.

 

[oilmutt]

According to an add in today's paper sears has 50% off on 5 tool sets from $50 to $300,check it out!

 

[bowlofturtle]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
What compounds the problem of a person with limited mechanical skills, is a person with limited mechanical skills having to use cheap tools. That person is liable to get a bad taste in their mouth right off the bat.


You dont need much mechanical skills to change air filter, cabin air filter and battery. Or removing a headlight/tailight to change the bulb.

Those are the things he would like to be able to do. There is very little harm in someone screwing those up, well minus the battery changing.

I would agree a person with cheap tools and little knowledge is bad but he does have the knowledge to least call me to watch over him. I know people who shouldn't ever touch a car or pick up a tool and i know some that need a little guidance. This friend needs guidance.

 

[Nick1994]

The Harbor Freight ones should be fine.

I'd also let you know you may find Stanley at Walmart. Do NOT buy it. I cannot stand my set. The box they come in is junk and 2 of the ratchets broke within a couple months of light use.

Also consider used tools like on Craigslist.

 

[racer12306]

My parents set me up with a Craftsman 248ish piece starter mechanics set when I was 17-19ish (2002-2004) and that set has served me very well for basic undertakings.

I've of course added specialty pieces as I needed them and added screwdrivers here and there.