what sizes do you want? 3/8 drive i am assuming. metric and a american sets? or just $200 for a metric only? you can find great deals on snap-on, mac, matco online. i prefer snap-on or cornwell when it comes to sockets. i am a big snap-on fan, but for the average DIYer, you can get a better deal on mac or matco.
do you want some good ratchets too? those will be prob another $200 for a pair of decent ratchets.
Kobalt (with a K) from Lowe's is not the quality of Snap-On. The finish isn't as good. The fit-up isn't as precise. I bought a bunch of these for throwing in the FJC, so that I'd stop raping the collections in my garage which are predominantly Craftsman. I've had no problems with the Kobalt products and they've had a fair amount of use, although not nearly as much as my garage tools. I used Snap-On when I worked in the diving industry. It truly is a better tool.
I'm always an advocate of starting with a plan and then working backward to see what tools you would need to have in order to complete the plan. In the case of off-road gear, I recommend to think about those specific mechanical repairs that you may be required to do in the field, and then define your response by knowing the procedure, and having the tools to do it. If you would be unable to do the field repair, then formulate a plan based on not doing the repair.
With general use tools, it's a bit hard to say NOT to carry something based on not having a specific procedure that utilizes it, because the most tool time that you'll see on the trail is helping out with other people's breakage. That's always how it is.
Craftsman sets are on sale now. The 263pc set is a good starting point. Start with something like this and add as you go along. I like to keep a separate roadtrip set of less expensive tools. If I lose or give some away, it's no big deal. Ron
Quote:
RomaBoy previously said:
X2, Wait for a sale...
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I have a Craftsman mechanic's socket set. I can't remember how many pieces but suits my needs and has the laser etched large socket size labels. Comes in its own case and has all the standard and metric sockets I think I'll ever need though with a Japanese vehicle I think I'll only use the 10, 12 and 14mm sockets LOL. I think the price was very reasonable as well.
I'd love to have Snap-On but out of my price range for what I do on my cars which is far from having a repair shop.
Not sure if it is fact or rumor, but I remember read/hearing that the tools sold at Lowe's under the "Cobalt" name are made side by side with Snap-on tools. They are just branded differently. I have quite a few Snap-on items and remember thinking the ratchets looks very similar in handle and head design before I hear this "rumor". The price in descent and lift time warranty, I keep some of these tools in my home toolbox. At work I have all my big money stuff, the Cobalt stuff holds up fine on the trail and around the house.
I have a Lowe's Kobalt rachet and socket set for my garage and they are great quality and a good price. The reason I carry my Great Neck set instead of the Kobalt set in the FJ is due to the plastic case. The Kobalt sockets (purchase a few years ago so the design may have changed) do not snap into the carrying case and I can't tell you how many times I've upset the case spilling all of the sockets onto the ground - what a PIA! The Great Neck case keeps all of the tools snapped into place, but I'd have to give the edge in quality to Kobalt.
Both sets have the lifetime warranty - as do all fairly good quality made tools these days. That was one of the huge selling points for Craftsman tools a couple of decades ago, but now, IMO, their quality has dropped from what they used to be and their lifetime warranty is nothing exceptional.
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Not sure if it is fact or rumor, but I remember read/hearing that the tools sold at Lowe's under the "Cobalt" name are made side by side with Snap-on tools. They are just branded differently.
This was half true about 5 years ago. Williams, a subsidary of Snap-on, used to make these until they lost the contract a few years ago. They were never the same as Snap-on branded tools. Now the OEM is Danaher.
Like others, I would recommend one of the Craftsman sets that cost around $200. The Sears warrantee has fewer restrictions than those of other retailers and they have so much product out there that their tool associates will actually know how to take your return. (Read the fine print on the warrantees.)
After you have a good set like that, there are few things you should add:
1) The longest breaker bar you can find for each drive size. There will always be a time when you need more leverage than your ratchet can provide.
2) A good set of extensions and swivels.
3) An expensive premium truck brand 3/8" flex head long-handle ratchet. A good one will run you almost $100 but you will become your tool of choice.
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