Topic: First tool purchase: Sears, harbor freight or Home Depot?

[Prozach]

Another newbie question. I need to make an initial tool purchase, I basically have nothing so I was thinking of getting one of those premade toolsets. Would I be better off getting craftsman tools, the Husky ones from Home Depot or something from Harbor freight? I realize that there are more expensive tools that would be a superior purchase, but I really have to keep the cost in mind. Obviously I am not a professional. In terms of distance Home Depot is the closest, Sears is next and Harbor freight is a pretty good drive.

[seanbarney41]

Most Craftsman hand tools will be the last you ever have to buy...and if they do break, just go get another one for free.

[Old Scrambler]

I have a very wide array of tools...........all are from discount stores or swap-meets......EXCEPT a basic set of Craftsman metric-spanners (open/box-end) both fixed and ratchet-type, and metric-sockets; a set of JIS screwdrivers; and a few good quality measuring and metering tools. Although my torque wrench is the needle-type from Craftsman, it was just measured and found to be accurate.

Over the years I have purchased or been given (brother-in-law) enough odd-ball ratchets, sockets, adjustables (Harley tool) and hammers to afford me the pleasure of having a socket of each metric size attached to a separate ratchet with property extensions for all three drive-sizes. It took me about 30-years to get there, but I no longer have an excuse to go shopping.

I know the professionals like to have the best brand with weekly delivery service............but I have 3 different 23mm sockets.......so I don't have to wait if one breaks............and BTW........I have never broken a socket. I tend to use the Craftsman items the most because they feel good in my hands.

So if you have the funds............start with basic 'good stuff' and fill in as needed. ..............and BTW.........I've been known to loan my JIS screwdrivers to a professional that can't get them from a truck.  I plan to give him a set for Christmas      

[SOHC]

Im not sure if you have one near by since u didnt mention them, but I have a large socket set i love from Northern Tool, this was before they switched to "Klutch" brand, but all their tools have a lifetime warranty as well. (i have a small klutch socket set i keep in my truck)

We Have a Harbor Freight near by, but i have been reluctant to by their wrenches or sockets yet, but i was told by a friend, if u break one wrench or whatever, they will not replace it unless u bring in the entire set, and they will swap a new set with you. Which can become a hassle if u lose one pc in the set. This is second hand knowledge so verify that with them to be sure.

Craftsman is about 50% of my tools, and i love them, but u get less tools for the money from craftsman vs others u mentioned. But they are damn good, and i have only had to swap maybe three tools my entire time of owning them for 20+ years.

[bjbuchanan]

A lot of tool suppliers offer free replacement now to spur tools sales for them so  it's not such a great deal anymore. With that said, I like the fit and feel of craftsman. One overlooked advantage to better tools is tightness of the tool to the fastener and the torque and swing angle for ratchets. Better ratchets ratchet easier in a smaller space

[BobbyR]

Probably the socket set should be a Craftsman. They have some nice pre made sets. These are the tools you will use the most. I buy some  now and then or special job tools from Harbor Freight. You do not want to cheap out on Channel Lock pliers.

[MoMo]

Husky from Depot is guaranteed for life, as are Harbor Freight hand tools and Craftsmen.  I have accumulate6d a fairly large array of Snap On over the years, but only buying individual tools that I use with regularity.  I would buy from the Snap On delivery man when I wrenched but have been fortunate to find many Snap On tools at auctions for ten to twenty cents on the dollar.  Example, I just bought 5 common screwdrivers for less than $20,  a complete set of 1/2 drive 12 pt for the same price and a handful of pliers for less.   Husky is a good start but HF cannot be beat for the price.  Start with a set of metric wrenches and 3/8 drive 6pt sockets.  Don't buy one of those large sets as there will be all sorts of tools you never use.  Gradually replace the tools you find yourself using with quality items(Snap On or MAC).  Larry








edit:   yes, they are all full of tools from HF to  Snap ON, minimal Craftsmen as I do not like the feel of the large handle

[calj737]

Bought Snap-ons 35 years ago, and still do. Never had one break, never a complaint. Only downside these days is its harder and harder to find a Route Sales guy to buy them from.

Bought a buddy a decent set of Craftsman in their "mechanics" set. Good value, 180pc for about $150. But, he's had 3 pieces break and several other tools of theirs. It seems their current quality is not what it used to be (at least from recent personal experience).

[MiGhost]

In order of personal preference.

Husky\Cobalt - Home Depot\ Lowes
Craftsmen\Benchtop - Sears\Kmart

Harbor freight is known for the cheap import quality tools. This may be fine for some items, but a poor quality set of tools will get frustrating\damaging very quickly.

In time you will be able to tell the quality of the tools just by holding it in your hand.

[ekpent]

As mentioned good quality tools are a good investment and some older tools are better than the new stuff.Get the basic quality goodies to get you going but also start hitting estate sales, auctions, moving sales and the like and pick stuff up when you see it for a fraction of the price of new.

[Garage_guy_chris]

Im guessing your in the states because of harbor freight. If you happen to be in Canada don't forget Canadian Tire tools especially there Maximum line. Also Princess Auto which from what i gather is very similar to harbor freight.

Over the years i have bought probably $15,000 worth of tools, been burned a few times and regretted a few of those purchases, but my philosophy with tools goes something like this:

How often will this tool be used?
-if its a 10mm socket the answer is alot, you may consider buying top tier stuff
-if its a 2" socket the answer is probably not too often consider buying economy stuff

If this tool breaks is it gonna cost a substantial amount of money, time, or effort to correct?
-like a bolt extractor or a tap... if you break it off in a cylinder head it could junk the head, or cost $$$ to have it fixed by a machine shop
-Most tools this isnt a problem and would suggest an economy version may be appropriate
-

[MoMo]

Im guessing your in the states because of harbor freight. If you happen to be in Canada don't forget Canadian Tire tools especially there Maximum line. Also Princess Auto which from what i gather is very similar to harbor freight.

Over the years i have bought probably $15,000 worth of tools, been burned a few times and regretted a few of those purchases, but my philosophy with tools goes something like this:

How often will this tool be used?
-if its a 10mm socket the answer is alot, you may consider buying top tier stuff
-if its a 2" socket the answer is probably not too often consider buying economy stuff

If this tool breaks is it gonna cost a substantial amount of money, time, or effort to correct?
-like a bolt extractor or a tap... if you break it off in a cylinder head it could junk the head, or cost $$$ to have it fixed by a machine shop
-Most tools this isnt a problem and would suggest an economy version may be appropriate
-

A good philosophy... I buy Snap On for frequent use and HF for occasional usage, example-I bought a set of HF 3/4 drive sockets with ratchet, breaker bar and extensions for $40.  I could not have purchased one Snap On socket for that amount.  The quality of  the HF is adequate for the infrequent amount of time I use it....Larry

[Prozach]

This is great information, thank you. I live in Los Angeles and I'll start paying attention at estate sales and yard sales etc...I suppose that brings about yet another noob question. What would you guys consider the bare essentials for working on a 1974 CB 750 if I try the craigslist, pawn shop, yard sale route in search of higher end tools? Thanks again, this forum is excellent.

[calj737]

Box wrenches in: 6,8,10,12,12,14mm (I prefer hex on one end, open on the other),
Deep dish sockets in: 12-18mm
You'll need a few extra larger sockets for a variety of jobs, buy those as you need them.
And of course, if the screws are original, a good quality set of JIS bits and a Vessel Impact hammer to remove them. If you replace with socket head cap screws, buy a decent set of T-handle drivers and Allen bits. You'll use these an awful lot.

[scottly]

Basic tools you need are a 3/8" ratchet with 10mm through 19mm sockets, and box end wrenches in the same sizes. Avoid buying large sets of tools, as you won't use most of them. Harbor Freight is good enough. While you're there, grab one of their cheap multimeters. You will also need an impact driver, but I've read of issues with cheap ones. Snap-on is way too over-priced, IMHO, especially if bought off the truck. The quality of Craftsman seemed to go way down in the late '70s, and I prefer cheap Chinese ratchets to theirs.    

[MoMo]

an 8, 10, 12 , 14, 17 and 19 open/box end combo wrench.  Same with sockets, 3/8 drive 6pt deep would be best.  Good ratchet along with 3, 6 and 12 inch extensions.  Vessel #2 and 3 impact screwdriver(Gordon sells them I believe).   Needle nose, wire cutters, 12" adjustable, 2lb. dead blow hammer.


I have Snap On for most of those items and would recommend you try to find those most common tools in that brand. Odd thing  though I have 4 Snap On 10mm sockets but the one I use most is a HF 10mm 6pt deep.  Their quality has come a long way in the last couple years and as mentioned earlier lifetime guarantee....Larry

[Stev-o]

+1 Craftsman.  Harbor Freight is cheap Chinese crap. 

[mrbreeze]

I have a wide variety of tools and I would roll with Craftsman for casual tinkering. They are affordable, decent quality and usually have a store close by to exchange broken tools which isn't all that often if you use them right. I have quite a bit of Snap-on, Mac, & Matco. These are great tools but are very pricey and can be more difficult to replace as mentioned. I don't recommend Harbor freight for things like air tools, vises, pullers, chisels. I would spend the extra money for Craftsman ratchets, sockets, wrenches but 3/4" socket sets and impacts of all sizes hold up OK for occasional use and are much more affordable than others. Harbor Freight has the Pittsburg line of tools and I have a few sets of impacts from them that are OK but I wouldn't buy a set of wobblys from them. There is an automotive tool for pushing in caliper pistons that incorporate the E brake in the caliper. IT turns the piston as it pushes it in. Don't know what they go for now but I bought the set at Harbor years ago for $20 and an OTC set went for $80. My cheap Harbor set will do everything the high dollar set will do and it has held up just fine. I have to laugh at some of the prices Snap- On charges and I could care less if people with deep pockets buy them. I have a Snap-On 1/2" drive torque wrench that set me back $350. I don't mind that so much but I have a set of Mac shorty wrenches 10mm to 19mm that was $170 and I could kick myself in the a$$ for spending that much. The tool trucks take payments so that makes it easier to make rash decisions in buying tools. A lot of times the old addage "You get what you pay for" applies to tools.

[SOHC]

I see alot of u guys saying dont buy a large set of tools, u wont use them all.......really? we all have a crap ton of tools, and do u think a CB750 will be the only thing he will ever work on? Give me a break.

Buying a larger set saves money, especially if they are lifetime gauranteed, seems dumb IMO to tell him he will never use a larger set.
If you just want tools to work on that bike, and never plan on working on ANYTHING ever again in your life, yeah just grab a set of wrenches, sockets etc.

[lone*X]

I have a 45 year collection of Craftsman, Snap-on, and numerous other brands.  Three full roll around tool boxes worth.  Husky and Cobalt are good quality as well and I have picked up individual items at the home centers for a good price.  Also use to hit up the pawn shops for used tools if cash was tight.  Actually had a pawn shop owner tell me that he had local pro mechanics who would buy any old worn out tool if it was from one of the brands that carried a guarantee.  They would then go to the dealer and have it swapped for a brand new one.  Of course I never did that myself.     

Oh, and don't  forget a good impact driver (not HF, they suck).  Really helps on stuck screws in the cases.

[dave500]

 They would then go to the dealer and have it swapped for a brand new one.  Of course I never did that myself.     

man i would!i have a load of quality hand tools,here in australia "sidchrome"used to be the one and only brand to buy,i still have the imperial set i bought as a teenager,if half those tools could talk?

[ekpent]

Grab a  heat gun also. Use mine a lot    and as Scottly mentioned an impact screwdriver is a must have.

[calj737]

I see alot of u guys saying dont buy a large set of tools, u wont use them all.......really? we all have a crap ton of tools, and do u think a CB750 will be the only thing he will ever work on? Give me a break.

Buying a larger set saves money, especially if they are lifetime gauranteed, seems dumb IMO to tell him he will never use a larger set.
If you just want tools to work on that bike, and never plan on working on ANYTHING ever again in your life, yeah just grab a set of wrenches, sockets etc.

He did ask what "are the bare essentials to get started"...

Of course a good value, metric and SAE set are a prudent buy. But to commence working on these bikes, the partial tools listed are really all that's necessary.

[70CB750]

Nobody mentioned Tractor Supply Company, their tools are of decent quality.

I go to HF for things like bearing separator or 4wd axle knuckle tool set.

[becken]

http://www.rrrtoolsolutions.com/

I bought a tool roll from RRR a few months ago and have been using it to do maintenance since. I've found the tools to be very high quality and very well thought out. An example, three different sized spark plug wrenches nest together with the hex drive to turn them. They are CNC machined, not stamped and easily have enough clearance to get on #2&3 spark plugs on my 550. To the roll I've added a Knipex Cobra 7.25" pliers, a small piece of fuel line to start spark plugs (the spark plug sockets can't nest with a rubber insert) and a short 10mm allen wrench to turn the spark plug sockets where there's not much clearance. I carry this tool roll along with the tool kit that came with the bike on whichever bike I'm riding either in a tank bag or a saddlebag. The guy that put this together is a bit of a fanatic about tools and was frustrated with the quality and price of carry-on-the-bike tool kits out there. No, this will not allow you to do everything on your bike, but it's a good start. I spent about 25 years as a car/truck/motorcycle/snowmobile mechanic and have a large collection of tools acquired along the way, but I'm very happy I invested in this set.

edit: This is the same gut that does the Gordon frame kit.