What SOCKET set and tools should I buy?

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...ahUKEwihl_aOpabbAhVG-6wKHZbvDggQwg8IQQ&adurl= this is a really good set of tools for anyone from your professional mechanic to the weekend worrior

 

http://www.gearwrench.com/master-se...chanics-tool-set-in-3-drawer-storage-box.html hear a another one with a few more pieces

 

If you have a choice for the made in Asia stuff, buy made in Taiwan vs China. Not always, but they tend to do a bit better and won't break the bank. But heck, anything with 8 - 19 mm and a pair of pliers will get you through most of the work, then just start building up from there.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...hanics-Tool-Set-200-Piece-DWMT75000/206510555

Crazy good deal here i just got one

 

I wrenched for a living before finishing college and I'll say, Snap-On is on a level of its own. I have the benefit of a toolbox purchased professionally I get to pick through for what is now a hobby but if I was going out to BFE, I'd still be forking out for Snap-On or at least Mac wrenches and sockets. I've broken more Craftsman/Kobalt tools (even "Professional" wrenches) than I can count (or rounded off bolts due to the open end spreading) and even cheaper top-brand stuff like Cornwell, Matco, and Blue Point don't hold up as well as Mac and Snap-On.

Hard fact of off-roading #1: lifetime warranties mean shit in the middle of the desert. With what we throw into our rigs cash-wise, spending $1-2k in proper basic tools (that you can use at home too!) that will last a literal lifetime and multiple vehicles is a trivial decision.

 

Here is the problem with your arguement. “To paraphrase”. Since when does paraphrasing mean take what someone else has said and change it to something they didn’t and then say well this is what they said?

I really dislike when people shoot their mouth off and then claim they are quoting when they are simply lying about what was said. Here is what I said. Paraphrase what ever lies you want but don’t claim they came from me.

 

I've had one of those generic "201 piece" tool kits (Mastercraft) for about 15 years. It's handy but has duplicates of most things, is missing some things and some of it is just junk.

For tools I use regularily use and specialty stuff I've been buying JET tools. Nice quality for the price point.

 

Being a mechanic myself I find that its usually not the great mechanics that own EVERYTHING snap-on mac or matco. Usually the great mechanics have a mix of all kinds of shit. I work in the industrial side of things but have lots of mechanic friends all over the place. All I can say is the guys with the massive SO box full of brand new SO tools are usually not the guys you want working on your shit.

There are some tools that SO is the only way to go, there are some that the other tool trucks excel at as well, but there are a lot of other nice tools out there and I wouldn't shame a guy for owning some cheaper tools when in most instances theyd be absolutely fine.

I work at a many million dollar power plant and at work its all snap-on but thats different than working in your garage at home on a Toyota. But really even a lot of (heavy equip/mine) service truck guys I know run a mix of all kinds. My home box has a mix tool truck and cheaper and thats fine. You gotta learn what you need. Investments all good and fine but you can work your way into it...

And its always nice to have some cheaper tools on hand for when you need to get custom...

 

There are currently 2 sets of the 301 pc toolsets on the Harbor Freight website item #'s 63457 vs 63464. Is there any difference?