Hey Everyone,

Just a quick request for some advice.

I have decided to do much of the maintenance work on my '03 TL myself - so I'll need to stock up on some tools (torque wrenches, breaker bars, extensions, and the like).

What brand do you guys recommend? I've looked at everything from harbor freight (really bad reviews on the torque wrenches) to Grainger (f'n expensive).

What do you guys recommend that is a good balance between quality and price?


Thanks!

 

Sears Craftsman brand are a good compromise. Very good quality, reasonable price and excellent guarantee.

 

I like craftsman as well. I know some like snapon. I don't like to have a tool with "snap" in the name.

 

If you're in Canada, Canadian Tire Maximum tools have a lifetime warranty. Even their electric impact guns have a 5 year warranty on the batteries. Get stuff on sale using price watch tools.

 

HFT torque wrench is fine, just self calibrate it before use by trying on known tight bolt and seeing what it reads, from there you know 15 = 18 or whatever

Sears is good too. Very little DIY needs badazz tools, besides getting the crank pulley off and back on
Decent tools yes, but not the most expensive
Should be lots of sales for the 4th

 

 

I was thinking about it, Sears has package deals on tool sets, If I were to invest in anything it would be good sockets- the modern ones with `pass thru` ability will save your butt many times!

and the combo wrench set with built in ratchet for the closed end, what us old guys would have paid to have such tools!

The HFT impact driver/screwdriver tool, for loosening the rotor screws = invaluable!

the most critical torques we deal with are in the 14- 40 foot pound range, look for that
in a TW. Wheel lug torque is 80
TIP Store the TW at 10lbs, helps maintain accuracy= per the Snap On man!

 

I use craftsman torque wrenches. Not too pricy and work well. From Harbor Freight get the impact screwdriver as mentioned and also a ball joint separator for 19.99. Helped me a ton.

 

Also, check craigslist for tools. I see loaded boxes from time to time with very good deals. I cannot ever justify buying snap on tools at full price. Unless you are a mechanic and use them daily, even then, they are expensive.


I have Craftsman for most of my tools, like ratchets, sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers, but on occasion I will purchase the old Harbor Freight stuff with a coupon and see how long it takes before I break it. I have a 1/2" torque wrench that I have pretty good luck with actually. I just snagged it for tire rotations, of which I do a few. I picked up the 1/2" impact sockets for that purpose too and they are still doing well, haven't broken one yet. Been surprisingly good so far.

 

HF torque wrenches arent bad. I have sent mine off after years of use for calibration and they have never been more than 1-4 lb/ft off, which is about the range my 2 craftsmans are typically off after about 2 years of use. Key is to NEVER leave ANY torque wrench sit for any period of time adjusted to a specified value. ALWAYS bring it back down to resting or zero right away when done torquing the bolts. If not the spring in side will stretch and will not be very accurate.

 

Harbor freight has a lifetime warranty on all hand tools. You can't really beat that, especially for the price.

 

If you are serious about buying tools. I suggest you buy the largest set you can afford and then some.

The bigger the set the more you will save. Around the $100 range or more. I'm talking about for a very first time purchaser.

However, only buy when it's on sale. They go on sale all the time. This 4th of July week end is an excellent example. So go look and compare prices, get familiar with what is normal price vs sale price and what is a really good deal.

You can't go wrong with Craftsmen tools, good value.