i need a tool set

I'm a young aspiring car nut that is really into classics. Since today is cyber monday, i thought that the best time to get a tool set would be today so here i am asking the people who know more than me: can anyone help me to shop around the internets for a good tool set under 150$?I'm talking bare basic tools. Just something that every "shade tree" mechanic should have.

Ive seen some nice ones at sears.com but id like to see what you guys have to say before i pull the trigger. Currently live in usa

There are 20% off harbor frieght coupons everywhere. The GRM mag usually has them, so does every sunday paper. Use the 20% off on this guy (301 piece mechanic tool set HF).

They aren't the highest quality in the world, but use them to learn what you use and what you dont use. Then get good versions of what you do use often. No two mechanics are the same in their preferred tools.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=KDT80931&source=froogle&kw=KDT80931

Fill out the rest as you free up more money/as you need the tools.

This is a pretty decent set if you're concerned with getting more pieces for your money at the moment to get started.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-230-Piece-H230MTS/205191119

I have the 263 piece set that they have for 149.99. Its a good place to start. Comes in that 3 drawer box and has enough in it to get you into trouble. I keep it in my truck for just in cases.

+1 on starting out with HFT tools. The quality isn't the best but for a hobbyist they're good enough for most jobs. The prices will allow you to have a good variety of tools.

I just checked my bank account and sadly, there's only 102$ in there until friday(internal cringe) I still want the tool set and this is the best time to get one as far as i know. I guess i'll have to lower my limit to 100 ;/

HF will have deals all year long, nothing special about cyber Monday for them. I dunno about the others though.

hmmm. Maybe piece together a couple kits to get you through until you get more cash?

Socket set ($32): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/64-pc-14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-69261.html

Pliers ($10): http://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-pliers-set-69352.html

Screw Drivers ($3): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/6-piece-screwdriver-set-92193.html

Bit Driver ($6): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/32-piece-screwdriver-set-with-tweezers-97517.html

Wrenches ($19): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/22-piece-metric-sae-combination-wrench-set-47467.html

Icky ohmygod dont ever use these wrenches ($12): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/4-pc-adjustable-wrench-set-69427.html

grabby squeezers ($10): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/3-pc-curved-jaw-locking-pliers-set-69341.html

Total: $92

But seriously, those 20% off coupons are EVERYWHERE go grab one from a newspaper or from the store. It might free you up some cash to grab an oil filter wrench or a box to put all these in (or something).

That being said, the paper usually has "free, no purchase required" coupons in the Sunday edition. Cheap multi-meters, flashlights, tarps, AA batteries, etc can all be had for free.

Good times man, and happy shopping!

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, big help.

Hungary Bill wrote: hmmm. Maybe piece together a couple kits to get you through until you get more cash? Socket set ($32): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/64-pc-14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-69261.html Pliers ($10): http://www.harborfreight.com/5-pc-pliers-set-69352.html Screw Drivers ($3): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/6-piece-screwdriver-set-92193.html Bit Driver ($6): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/32-piece-screwdriver-set-with-tweezers-97517.html Wrenches ($19): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/22-piece-metric-sae-combination-wrench-set-47467.html Icky ohmygod dont ever use these wrenches ($12): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/4-pc-adjustable-wrench-set-69427.html grabby squeezers ($10): http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pliers/3-pc-curved-jaw-locking-pliers-set-69341.html Total: $92 But seriously, those 20% off coupons are EVERYWHERE go grab one from a newspaper or from the store. It might free you up some cash to grab an oil filter wrench or a box to put all these in (or something). That being said, the paper usually has "free, no purchase required" coupons in the Sunday edition. Cheap multi-meters, flashlights, tarps, AA batteries, etc can all be had for free. Good times man, and happy shopping!

Thanks for the tip on the sunday paper(I hardly get that to start with). Do you think i'd be better off if i waited till friday and bought tools right from the store? There's a HF around 4miles away from me (Or so says the store finder). By then ill have a bit more cash(Even though my pay is pitifully small)

Yeah. HF should have some of those coupons in the store this time of year. Worst case PM me and I'll send you their latest ad which has one in it you can print.

That Husky set is a pretty good deal, too, and should fit in your current budget.

JG Pasterjak wrote: Yeah. HF should have some of those coupons in the store this time of year. Worst case PM me and I'll send you their latest ad which has one in it you can print. That Husky set is a pretty good deal, too, and should fit in your current budget.

I missed that Husky set.

Husky's lifetime warranty on their hand tools would go a long way to sway my opinion away from my HF links. If it were me and my money, I would wait till friday, get the Husky hand tool set, and use the cash left over to buy:

• a flat head screwdriver set (bit drivers suck for prying / chiseling
• A large crescent wrench (something that would go past 3/4")
• maybe a small set of pliers or vice grips.

That way, if stuff broke I can get replacements without the added cost (very nice in the long run).

Plus it has that nifty carrying case!

There are 20% off harbor frieght coupons everywhere. The GRM mag usually has them, so does every sunday paper. Use the 20% off on this guy (301 piece mechanic tool set HF). They aren't the highest quality in the world, but use them to learn what you use and what you dont use. Then get good versions of what you do use often. No two mechanics are the same in their preferred tools.

That is EXACTLY the advice i came in here to give.

The top tier HF hand tools are not bad. About the same quality you get anywhere for mid-grade tools. And HF will Lifetime warranty them. Grab a 20% off coupon and go for it.

I have HF, Craftsman (old), a few SnapOn, etc., and some misc. junk. You can also do pretty well taking your money down to a pawn shop or two and going through the bins picking up Made in USA stuff and piecing together a set that way.

Oh, and only buy 6 point sockets. When you come across a 12 point bolt, buy a 12 point socket then.

Kobalt at Lowe's is lifetime replacement as well. Make friends with one of us. December 7-12 (or something like that) we get 20% off tools.

I don't understand 12 point sockets either.

This is the one to get, when it goes on sale for @$90 the two or three times a year it's on sale: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-154-pc-mechanics-tool-set/p-00937154000P

And when it isn't on sale, this one usually is, which is my second Sears choice: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-124-pc-6-pt-dual-marked-mechanics/p-00983097000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=61&blockType=G61

To either of them you should add a good screwdriver set, a couple of impact swivel and KT or Proto brand ratchet extensions (those two brands have knurling on the extensions so you can use them and your sockets as nut drivers), and an additional set of combination wrenches in both metric and SAE and you'll have what you need for 95% of your home mechanic jobs. The first kit has enough extra space in it for the wrenches and screwdrivers, not sure about the second.

my tool collection started out when my mom gave me one of those 120 or so piece Craftsman tool sets that come with a variety of wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and allen wrenches for Christmas... i added a set of screwdrivers to it shortly afterwards.. then i just built it up from there as i needed tools to do something or whenever something cool caught my eye.

I started with a Craftsman mechanic set similar to what oldopelguy posted and have added to it over the years, often getting tools as gifts. My office used to give out mall gift certificates for Christmas and I'd always use mine in the tool section at Sears. I also have a Harbor Freight and Northern Tool about the same distance from my house. Nothing like getting a project and realizing you need a different wrech, or deeper socket. Tools are always on sale at Harbor Freight, coupon or not.