if you need tools this might be good for you.

[MikeRuth]

I saw this ad this morning so for some of you on a budget and needing some basic tools this is not a bad deal at all. 

http://www.harborfreight.com/130-Pc...1115c&utm_source=1031&cid=mEmail_s1031_c1115c

Mike R

 

[SoulRaven]

That's a pretty decent looking set for the money, and that nice case is an added bonus.

 

[anewbiewannabe]

That's a pretty comprehensive hand tool set there! I wish I just had that case to put my tools in, since I can't take the big red drawers with me. Since I don't usually need everything at once I think for me I'll keep tools separated into smaller containment of some kind. My socket set fits nicely in a box I appropriated for it.

I've gotta wonder about how strong those screwdrivers are with the price that low? I don't know anything about that brand's quality. I'd rather have a couple different styles of drivers that I can just put the bit needed into. It's amazing what an unhandyman can do to a 20yo screwdriver in great condition when trying to force a rusted-in screw to turn. Would really stink if the heads got stripped with less abusive use than that. At least with the interchangeable bits the only part that has to be replaced is the bit, not the handle.

Great set though for those who don't have a collection.

 

[SternWake]

HF tools are OK, as long as you are not turning wrenches to make a living, and your knuckle is not going to be mangled if a Socket splits open.

I for one do not like these plastic blow molded cases. Too much wasted space. I usually cut out the middles and stuff the cases full to the brim

Much HF stuff is junk however. Some tools should have more spent in their acquisition.

Needle nose Vice grips/ locking pliers, are a great tool to have, along with their bigger brother.

Figuring out which tools to bring in the vehicle is the hardest part, as one always envisions a scenario where such and such a tool is absolutely essential to repair completion, and soon the toolbox weighs 200 LBS

 

[anewbiewannabe]

I for one do not like these plastic blow molded cases.  Too much wasted space.  I usually cut out the middles and stuff the cases full to the brim

Yeah, they do seem to have wasted space. I lucked out and somehow inherited just the right size plastic case with no internal divides that manages to hold all the different adapters, extensions, and rachets along with the metric and SAE sockets, except for the deep socket set and the tractor set. Somewhere along the way though my breaker bar walked off and I need to find something to replace it, but not sure what's strong enough. The old one was a really old piece of plumbing pipe or electrical conduit, really heavy and heavy duty. Definitely need to find something since I need the extra leverage to make up for inherently lower upper body strength.

 

[highdesertranger]

agh harbor freight. those tools aren't worth the metal they are made out of. a claw hammer in that set, why? not many nails used in the automotive repair industry. that reminds me of a friend of mine, he did the rear bakes on his vw bug. didn't have a cotter pin when he put it back together so he used a nail(he's a carpenter). well a short time latter he was on the freeway and that tire with the brake drum came off went across 4 southbound lanes jumped the center divider went across 4 northbound lanes and hit a corvette that was pulled over with a flat tire. thank god it didn't hit a vehicle in motion and no one got hurt. nowadays it's just a funny story. two reasons I brought this up, only use what's appropriate for replacement parts unless it's an emergency and fix it right at the soonest time. the second thing he is a harbor freight type of guy. highdesertranger

 

[Iggy]

Harbor Freight makes disposable tools, it's true. But sometimes that's all that is needed or affordable. Kinda like IKEA furniture. You know it only has a very limited lifespan, like a few years in a college dorm. Or the toys at Dollartree. We (including myself at times) are a disposable society. I look in my van, I have a mix of good and poor quality items. My van, mattress, chest of drawers, cabinet, electronics, good quality. My totes, lights, curtains, camp chair, snack food, tools, poor quality. I up the quality as I perceive the need for it. Or as I have the spare money.

 

[highdesertranger]

tools are not disposable and never should be considered disposable. what if you are in the middle of a job and break your disposable tool that you need to finish your job and are miles from nowhere. highdesertranger

 

[MikeRuth]

WOW highdesertranger, My post was to simply let the folks here know that might be short on funds and need some basic tools of a deal. Iggy made a good point and I'll leave it at that as I really want to let it fly here but that really won't do either of us any good to argue.
I have 5 full roll away tool boxes of Mac, snap on and craftsmen tools, been wrenchin since I could hold a wrench. I know whats what but there are times folks need to save a buck and this just might have helped.

TC, Mike R

 

[LeeRevell]

For someone only doing light servicing, or installing some basic interior work, the HF tools are generally perfectly fine. No real sense buying tools for three times the price which will hardly get used. I have some HF tools over a decade old. I have some 'good' Craftsman and other tools that have broken. It's all relative.
If I made my living as a wrencher, yes, I would have the best I could afford. That doesn't apply to most folks. This HF tool kit is okay for them, and that flat case makes stowing easier.

 

[Tinman74]

I have good tools, worked in my fathers service garage when I was young then got a job where I didn't have dirt under my nails all the time but continued working on autos and collecting more tools as a hobby and financial necessity. The point I would like to make is the fact that I have found a lot of good quality and specialty tools at flee mkts and garage sales at good prices. Maybe all of your sockets in the set won't be the same brand name but that stubborn bolt or nut won't know the difference.
Re: tool cases and boxes in the van. I once purchased a car from a gentleman who carried his tools in a large, leather, women's purse. No rattle ,laid flat, stored easily and had compartments for misc. stuff like tape, fuses cotter pins or any number of items. Granted, you couldn't keep enough tools to rebuild an engine but enough for emergency repairs.
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

tinman excellent point about garage sales, flea markets. craigs list too. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

I wasn't going to chime in, but I think I should. I can't stand cheap tools like HF. I'm not a particularly strong man. In fact I get mistaken for a girl a lot if I let my hair grow long. (Lol. True story.) I can break those sockets all day long. One time I was twisting on a nut underneath a truck when the socket broke and I smashed myself in the face. Boy, did I get mad. The screwdrivers on that set probably could be twisted by a 90-year-old lady. I've also round out screws and bolts then had to use pliers or drills to extract the fastener then had to make a trip to replace the damaged fastener. Most that could've been avoided if I had tools of decent quality.

When I have a break down, I need tools- tools that work. If I have an extremely cheap set of tools, and they fail, which is exactly what they would do except under the most tame circumstances, then that is a bad deal. I don't say, "Oh, I broke/bent this tool with half my truck torn apart. That's OK. Looks like I'll just call a tow truck or inconvenience a friend to tow the truck to the nearest shop. I don't mind walking 7 miles at night under a new moon in the rain without a flashlight or a coat. It's an adventure!" Situations like this make a bad situation worse. For the most part I would rather do without tools than have cheap tools. There are exceptions of course. Cheap isn't always synonymous with poor quality.

Then I would need to buy more of the same cheap tools. If I had spent more on better quality tools, I would've saved money in the long run.

When I need tools, I sometimes need them whether that's for me or for a friend. They aren't an item of convenience. Years ago my sister gave me a tool set of the same quality as HB and it was possibly the worst gift I ever received. The set was given away because a 100 pound 12-year-old (me) tore them up first time out of the box. She meant well, but her gift was a waste of money with a cute bow on it.

However, there's a reason HB offers those tools- people want them. If you want them, that's cool. My opinion is that I have nothing but disdain for those tools. Just my opinion that I wanted to share is all.

 

[cdiggy]

I wasn't going to chime in, but I think I should. I can't stand cheap tools like HF. I'm not a particularly strong man. In fact I get mistaken for a girl a lot if I let my hair grow long. (Lol. True story.) I can break those sockets all day long. One time I was twisting on a nut underneath a truck when the socket broke and I smashed myself in the face. Boy, did I get mad. The screwdrivers on that set probably could be twisted by a 90-year-old lady. I've also round out screws and bolts then had to use pliers or drills to extract the fastener then had to make a trip to replace the damaged fastener. Most that could've been avoided if I had tools of decent quality.

When I have a break down, I need tools- tools that work. If I have an extremely cheap set of tools, and they fail, which is exactly what they would do except under the most tame circumstances, then that is a bad deal. I don't say, "Oh, I broke/bent this tool with half my truck torn apart. That's OK. Looks like I'll just call a tow truck or inconvenience a friend to tow the truck to the nearest shop. I don't mind walking 7 miles at night under a new moon in the rain without a flashlight or a coat. It's an adventure!" Situations like this make a bad situation worse. For the most part I would rather do without tools than have cheap tools. There are exceptions of course. Cheap isn't always synonymous with poor quality.

Then I would need to buy more of the same cheap tools. If I had spent more on better quality tools, I would've saved money in the long run.

When I need tools, I sometimes need them whether that's for me or for a friend. They aren't an item of convenience. Years ago my sister gave me a tool set of the same quality as HB and it was possibly the worst gift I ever received. The set was given away because a 100 pound 12-year-old (me) tore them up first time out of the box. She meant well, but her gift was a waste of money with a cute bow on it.

However, there's a reason HB offers those tools- people want them. If you want them, that's cool. My opinion is that I have nothing but disdain for those tools. Just my opinion that I wanted to share is all.

+1 cheap tools are a recipe for disaster. You don't need top of the line tools but you do need tools that will fail under normal usage. As a rule, I can break ANY tool through abuse or using it as it is unintended, but I do need tools that are reliable.

All that being said I do like tools that serve multiple purposes: screw driver as a pry bar , etc. but cheap tools have no place in my box/bag.

 

[highdesertranger]

canine excellent post and points kinda what I was trying to say. I think the only thing you left out was the locust. highdesertranger

 

[Canine]

canine excellent post and points kinda what I was trying to say.  I think the only thing you left out was the locust.  highdesertranger

I've had that happen except it was two flat tires that forced me to end up walking out and no rain, but did have an animal follow me for a couple hundred feet or so. Never could see what it was. It truly was an adventure for a minute!

With the cheap tools I suppose those they would be good enough to scratch an epitaph in the side of the vehicle as one departs this world:

"Here lies a man that should've had better tools."