I had a brilliant idea that I need a new tool set because that Christmas money is burning a hole in my pocket. I have been using my dad's old random set with everything missing, and I always need the sizes he doesn't have. I was wondering what are some good companies, and what everyone looks for in a good fairly complete tool set that I can take to the trail with me.

I personally love Craftsman tools. They are very durable and have a lifetime guarantee. Other Companies that are good are snap-on and matco, but they are more expensive per set.

As far as bringing a complete set with you on the trail, bring things that you normally use while working on your jeep. Namely a set of wrenches, sockets, rachet, screwdrivers. Some sets are more complete than others because they contain more socket or wrench sizes or contain both SAE and metric sockets and wrenches.

I picked up a 300 or so piece 'pit crew' set from Craftsman last year and it has worked out well. Filled out my need for a good variety of sockets and some new ratchets.

A few things I've noticed about the craftsman tools lately:
1.) Warranty is no longer lifetime on a bunch of stuff. You'll also only get Reman ratches now in most cases. Torque wrenches carry very little warranty, and for the price buy a snapon/matco one if you need it.

2.) Sockets 'flex' more under heavy use. I don't notice it much, but when putting 200 ft/lbs of torque on some bolts on my WRX you can feel the socket expand a little where the Snapon ones I have don't.

3.) Ratchet action isn't as fine as snap on. My older 1/2" drive snapon wrench has a better feel than both of my newer crafsman ones. Useful when working in tight spaces.


The ratching wrenches (these have the 'switch' on them) work really well from craftsman though. I'm really glad they came along with the kit.

I've also found that their profession screw drivers hold up about as well as the snap on ones where the normal ones are kinda junk.

Jason

I picked up the same set, a Sears Hardware store went under here and picked it up for a song & a dance!, I already popped one of the ratchets, and it was a refurbed one i recieved in return....which sort of rots..

Sounds like they don't make them as good as they used to. Maybe you should get a used vintage set from ebay?

Thanks for the help I think I'm ready to go out and look a lot closer now that I have a gerneral idea. This is the first tool set of my own, none of that "hey Dad do you have a..." stuff! Thanks.

Over the past three years i have bought lots and lots of tools. Being in college I need something that is compact and more portable than anything. What I have is my case of sockets (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) then I have my wrenches (small-2" and SAE too) What I have is a bag that holds my random tools and wrench roll ups (piece of material that holds wrenches and rolls up ITS AWESOME). This little kit is also perfect for the trail. My tools at home are too big to bring with me but most of them are air tools. CRAFTSMAN or SNAP ON is the way to go!

Craftsman!
You can't go wrong. I'm the gorilla in the old Sampsonite commercials. You know, the guy that the engineers over design this stuff for. I even use their 1/2 drive sockets on my air tools (kids, don't try this at home).

Be selective and get what you need. (i.e. don't buy a set of SAE and Metric if you only have a few metric parts) Get the best SAE set you can get and pick and chose which metrics you want.
Don't forget the Torx!

I do agree with Jason on the newer Craftsman ratchets. I've broken them even without the use of a cheater bar. Not cool. Get good ratchets and save you pretty little hands.