Best Hand tool set for home and DIY needs
- Thread starter HumanBean
- Start date
It depends really on what you already have. In my experience, if you are starting off with no tools, I'd start with tool set with screw drivers, wrenches, sockets, etc. I bought a craftsman set for home use years ago (when still made in the US) and still going strong. But even Craftsman made in China, amongst other brands are typically lifetime these days. My in-laws that have auto shops even started using Craftsman here and there LOL. They claim even "pro tools" aren't made like they use to...but I digress.
I'd say the first "powertool" would be a drill. I still have my original Dewalt bought years ago.
I'd say the first "powertool" would be a drill. I still have my original Dewalt bought years ago.
Craftsman, while still good, aren't as good as they used to be. I used to go around garage sales buying crappy Craftsman tools and then return them for new at Sears. Now I would be more likely to keep an old Craftsman tool than exchange for the inferior new equivalent.
Thanks China.
Thanks China.
One of my socket wrenches didn't have the ratcheting "click" as it use to. It works perfectly fine, but not as it should . I brought it in Sears and they were willing to exchange for a new one. The clerk advised me to just wait for the internal parts (likely made in China too) if I didn't want to exchange my US made wrench for a China made. For reasons that the wrench was simply molded better...LOL...and I saw what he meant. I decided not to exchange, and never gone back for the replacement part. I may one of these days.
IMO, I don't think it's China's fault. Companies get by with products that can be made for less money (and arguably less quality?). At the end of the day, it's a business and they chose what's best for their company to go to produce in China or not.
We do owe to China for many of the aquarium gear many of us are using though...I couldn't imagine buying all "Italian made bio-balls" or "German engineered pumps" hahaha.
If you have nothing, wait for a basic toolbox to come on sale that includes screwdriver set, hammer, small level, ratchet set, drill bit set, pliers, all that basic stuff (including the box) that gets you started. Then go out and get a nice bit set with adapters and the handy plastic cases they come in.
If you need power tools, a good drill and impact driver set should help. I would look up what brand you want to stick with for a while because then when you buy more tools you can exchange batteries and collect more.
My best used tool to date is a $20 Mastercraft mitre saw used off classifieds. 4 years later, same blade, does the job and I use it a lot. Check classifieds, if you are going to diy you will need drill and a saw of sorts.
You'll soon find you always "need" something else for the job. I like the excuse of buying a new one for the job, but I've been able to get buy borrowing specialty tools just fine too.
If you need power tools, a good drill and impact driver set should help. I would look up what brand you want to stick with for a while because then when you buy more tools you can exchange batteries and collect more.
My best used tool to date is a $20 Mastercraft mitre saw used off classifieds. 4 years later, same blade, does the job and I use it a lot. Check classifieds, if you are going to diy you will need drill and a saw of sorts.
You'll soon find you always "need" something else for the job. I like the excuse of buying a new one for the job, but I've been able to get buy borrowing specialty tools just fine too.
+1
The American public, especially, love to slam Chinese made products, but realistically, it is more often than not, Americans, knowingly selling inferior Chinese made products, to Americans. So, who should you really be blaming? I'm certain the Chinese can make quality products if buyers are willing to pay substantially more.
I have a old school Craftsman set from the 80's and love it. I have noticed the quality has dropped significantly. It's not that all products out of China are low quality but there are districts that seem to sell lower quality items, for very reasonably prices. I definitely have noticed a drop in quality with many models of fishing reels.
