I have two questions I guess, first is which is better 6 point or 12 point sockets and why? Second questions is what is the best toolset for the serious but non-professional mechanic? I have bought a fair number of Craftsman tools, but recognize they aren't the greatest in the world, I was looking at a Facom set from Griot's garage http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog...._2010&SKU=FK20 , but when looking at the actual components some of them (especially the sockets) don't look all that great. So is there a set out there sold by someone that is really good or should I just build a set? I was also thinking of buying Snapon since a neighbor of mine is a snapon dealer, but I'm not sure what I'd have to pay for a full set. Thanks.

Chris Marsh

 

http://www.ultimategarage.com

Warren

 

6 point sockets provide leverage in the middle of each side of a bolt (that's why the inner edges of a 6-point are slightly convex, bowed towards the inside, so they grab in the middle of the side and not at the corners)...12 Pts grab at the corners and are more prone to round off the bolt, but they're easier to get on a bolt, since they fit in 2x as many positions. Get 6-point.

 

Facoms are nice, but you pay a premium from Griots. Also, while Craftsman may not be the best, taking a broken piece to Sears for replacement is pretty nice. Now if you can get the Snap-On guy to come by your house on regular occasion....

 

Yeah, for the money Craftsman is actually pretty decent. Their "Professional" series of tools is pretty good. I'd like to see their ratchets with a little more resolution in the clicks though. Granted they're not Snapon or Mac, but you won't be paying government prices (ie. $100 for a screwdriver) with Craftsman.

 

If you go into Sears with $2300 for tools.. you will be considered a "TOOL GOD".


Will
-who only has ~$500 in tools from the "Exchange TOOL Shed" called Sears
-who will see "TOOL" Saturday night

 

Tool concert will be nice.

 

Snap On
Sounds like a plus for you too since the guy lives next door

Nice Will, I wish i could have gotten tickets for the show up here back in September, Enjoy the show. A few people I spoke to said it was one of the best so far.

 

Metrinch?

 

I have a little bit of everything in my tool box, Facom, Sanp-On, and Craftsman. My favorite, bar none, are the Facom pieces. Their ratchets are simply outstanding. Seven degrees between clicks compared to twelve or eleven on my Snap-On stuff. If you have ever tried to fit your ratchet into a very tiny space, you'll know that a few degrees makes all the difference in the world. I find the Facoms more comfortable to grip also.

I'm not sure what it you saw about the sockets you didn't like. They work extremely well. I've have yet to have them slip and/or round a fastener.

I wouldn't buy the $2300 kit though. Most of that stuff you don't need. And I would second the recomendation to go through the ultimate garage. They carry the complete line, at somewhat better prices. Also S&K is the American division of Facom. They tend have alomost the same tools, if not the same, at slightly cheaper prices. I would go with Snap-On for the specialty tools that are in the Helm's. I feel most of their stuff is over-priced for what you get.

You shouldn't need 12 point sockets very often, so start with the 6 point stuff. Most ARP fasteners use twevlve point nuts, and your flywheel and clutch bolts have twelve point heads, other wise that's about it.

Mike

 

Ok, so if I build a set from Ultimate Garage, what pieces should I buy? Also what is a good portable type box (ie first in the trunk, but holds all my tools too) to put them all in? Thanks for the info guys.

 

tool show is down here in a couple of days..( I think the 9th)

I use craftsman, it's not the best **** in the world, but for the price and for the fact that I can go get something replaced if neebe, is definitely worth it...

for some more specialized tools or more important tools, I'd go w/ something else...ie for my torque wrench, I bought a Snap On, much better than Craftsman **** for that....

 

hrm, my Metrinch gif is bunk but how bout this?



yoshi - who uses a smorgosboard of t00l brands

 

-ryan

 

copy cat!!!

-ryan

 

If you check out their website they have an excellent recommendation page:
http://www.ultimategarage.com/toolset.html

I'd suggest the following items for a fairly compreshensive wrench set-

1/4" ratchet
1/4" sockets (6 point 6mm-14mm), both standard and long
1/4" universal joint
1/4" extensions (probably a 2" and 6")
3/8" ratchet
3/8" sockets (6 point 8mm-27mm), both standard and long
3/8" sockets (12 point 10mm,12mm,13mm,14mm)
3/8" universal joint
3/8" 1/4" adapter
3/8" 1/2" adapter
3/8" extensions ( 2", 3", 5", 10")
1/2" ratchet
1/2" sockets (14mm-32mm) standard
1/2" 3/8" adapter
OGV combination wrenches (8mm-24mm)

Of course you should also look into a couple of really good torque wrenches too. I have both the 3/8" (10-50NM), and the 1/2" (40-200NM). That range covers just about every fastener on the R.

Mike