[indymanjoe]

Check the local Craigs list also. The problem with giving anyone great new tools(or anything) is they wont appreciate the quality of a good vs bad item. get him something entry level then if he has the desire to go forward he can make that choice and judge accordingly what works for him. My daughters found the receipt for a shop job vs a tool expense was a lot cheaper and a better job done at home. M knows the difference,to some its easier to pay somebody and be done.

[The Champ]

Craftsman tools are not even close to what they were 20 years ago. Sure they have a lifetime warranty, but how many times do you want to bust your knuckles when that ratchet fails to lock?

Go to Lowes - walk right past the Craftsman tools and buy the Kobalt tools.

They are very reasonably, this 200 piece set is $99.00 right now:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227-...Set/1000642747

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by The Champ

Craftsman tools are not even close to what they were 20 years ago. Sure they have a lifetime warranty, but how many times do you want to bust your knuckles when that ratchet fails to lock?

Go to Lowes - walk right past the Craftsman tools and buy the Kobalt tools.

They are very reasonably, this 200 piece set is $99.00 right now:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227-...Set/1000642747

Shopping on Saturday will check them out.

[Cardo]

Harbor Freight just came out with a new line of automotive hand tools called Icon. They are meant to compete with Snap On, and i would say they do, but a lot cheaper price. They are lifetime warranty, and very very nice for the money. I have some Snap On stuff and a set of the Icon sockets, and Icon is the way to go. Affordable Snap On stuff.

[Sirrotica]

MA, Link to 207 piece Stanley black chrome set cyber sale $89.99, regular price is $118.00.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/STANLEY-S...-Set/318116124

Stanley is good quality, good solid ratchets, I own quite a few Stanley tools and have bought all of them at Walmart...……..

[64speed]

I have a huge assortment of tools including some snap on and Mac. I tend to use the craftsman 250 piece set I bought simply because if you break one you just walk into Lowe’s like you used to sears. Flagging down a Mac or snap on truck is a pain in the ass cause you have to call and get the truck to come to your house. I have done most of the restoration work one this car with craftsman and husky with only a few specialty tools from other vendors. Nothing wrong with craftsman at his level

[wbnapier]

For a socket combo set, I consider that the core of an automotive tool collection.

For me, I didn't want to go high end or low end, so thought Snap On's Blue-Point was a good compromise.

I bought the 155pc Combination Drive General Service Set (Blue-Point®) - Part number BLPGSSC155.

I'm happy with that as a starter.

[carbking]

In the FWIW category, I did actually manage to crack a Craftsman socket. It was a 3/8 drive 11mm, with a 1/2->3/8 adapter, a 1/2 breaker bar, and a cheater on top of that (I didn't have an 11mm in 1/2 inch drive at the time) But I came home with two sockets

Only other Craftsman failure in 60 years were their ratcheting screwdrivers, which weren't much.

Jon.

[hobbygto65]

Right now Dewalt has like 179 piece set at Costco for $79.99.

[justincampbell]

I'll give my 2 cents worth.

If you can find some older used Craftsman tools on Facebook or Craigslist, that'd be great. However, if we are talking brand new tools, then Craftsman is no longer even worth the drive to the store. Some of the Craftsman line is even made in Asia now(can't recall if it's China, Taiwan, or ?). I have bought a few Stanley sets just because I have stumbled on a really good sale from time to time. As far as I am concerned, the Stanley sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers are better than the new Craftsman stuff. My Stanley 1/4" ratchet did break, but I may have been misusing it.

[dataway]

If the guy is a keeper then spring for a medium quality set of tools ... like most of sets mentioned here. I remember even when I was learning as a child I could tell when it was the tools fault and not mine.

Nothing turns a beginner job into an advanced job quicker than getting messed up by cheap tools.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by dataway

If the guy is a keeper then spring for a medium quality set of tools ... like most of sets mentioned here. I remember even when I was learning as a child I could tell when it was the tools fault and not mine.

Nothing turns a beginner job into an advanced job quicker than getting messed up by cheap tools.

We’ve all been there myself included working on something and a tool breaks, or the part we’re wrenching on breaks, and at times we get hurt as a result, but it is a learning experience even with the best tools anything can and does happen. I’m not looking to get the cheapest tools out there, but rather a tool set that will not break the bank but will suit his needs around the house or something as simple as changing the oil in his car. As he becomes more experienced even knowing what certain tools are for and how to use them I see a better set in his future.

I mean as of now I could ask him for a ratchet and he’d give me a wrench lol.

[Firedup6975]

Oh and yes you Men I DO! Wrench on my own cars or household projects.

[Sirrotica]

If you buy him tools for Christmas, then for the next couple birthdays/Christmas's you have an automatic gift, just supplement his tools as the years pass. Hardly any man won't be thrilled at new tools, lots better than an ugly sweater, no exchanges, for size/color etc...…..win, win...….

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

If you buy him tools for Christmas, then for the next couple birthdays/Christmas's you have an automatic gift, just supplement his tools as the years pass. Hardly any man won't be thrilled at new tools, lots better than an ugly sweater, no exchanges, for size/color etc...…..win, win...….

True that! that was also a thought when I decided on tools for him. He doesn’t even have a cordless drill. whattttttt. Yeah so the gift you can keep adding too. tools.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by 64speed

I tend to use the craftsman 250 piece set I bought simply because if you break one you just walk into Lowe’s like you used to sears. Flagging down a Mac or snap on truck is a pain in the ass cause you have to call and get the truck to come to your house. I have done most of the restoration work one this car with craftsman and husky with only a few specialty tools from other vendors. Nothing wrong with craftsman at his level

If you had bought the Lowes Kobalt tools, you'd have higher quality tools (for about the same price) that you wouldn't have to replace so often.

It cost money to drive to the store to replace cheap tools that break and it sounds like you've made multiple trips.

[dataway]

The Kobalt stuff certainly looks the part, nice finish on them. I haven't had the opportunity to buy any yet.

[burd]

Get a leatherman done.

https://www.leatherman.com/multi-too...SAAEgIiNvD_BwE

[68lemans462]

I bought a 200+ piece set from Lowe's (Kobalt) last week. On sale half off. Great set, I wanted to buy 2 but dont need 2.......... Kobalt is good quality stuff.

[Firedup6975]

Thank you all for your help I have a lot of checking out to do this weekend.