I'm going to get a set of tools to work on my Cherokee, will sockets or wrenches be the best for engine work?

Ratcheting wrenches or regular wrenches? 6 point or 12?

What tools do you do your engine work with? What brands to get, what to stay away from?

 

i would have to say ideally u would need sockets and wrenches. i like ratcheting wrenches personally but if u really have to crank on a bolt to loosen it u really dont wanna use a ratchet wrench. stay away from crap made in china. personally 90% of my stuff is snap-on. some craftsman. if u dont wrench 4 a living and as long as its got a lifetime guarentee it dosent really matter what brand

 

I'd go ractchets I use them more and I use craftsman. Tho know they have those racheting wrenches I want some so bad but they cost a lot.

 

If you wrench for a living, you can not spend too much money on tools - get Snap-On, MAC, or MATCO.

If you don't, you don't need to spend so much money (either way, have at least two of the stuff you find yourself using frequently - nothing worse than stopping in the middle of a job because that damned socket broke, and you need it...)

Brands that I've used and like?
- Craftsman
- Proto
- S&K
- OTC (some specialty tools)
- Lisle
- K&D
- and even Husky (Home Depot house brand) isn't bad.

I tend to stay away from most "parts house branded" tools - they're often referred to as "Snap-Off Tools," and usually for good reason.

As a general rule, avoiding "Made in China" is a safe bet - while most Chinese steel is old Buicks, the Chinese still haven't gotten the hang of proper heat-treatment, and that's every bit as important as raw metallurgy in the first place!

 

if there is a sears nearby the average backyard mechanics best bet is craftsman.

a good start would be one of those larger combo sets.

you wouldnt want simply a set of wrenches or simply a ratchet and some sockets.

 

X2. For a home mechanic, that's the best bang for your buck when starting out. Just look at what you're getting though. You don't need 60 allen wrenches, or some of the other odd things like they give you in some sets just to build up the number of pieces in the set.

 

About 80 to 140 pieces is all you really need. Make sure to get metric!! Not very many std bolts on these things. Everything I have seen from the factory calls for metric sockets and wrenches.

I too would go for Craftsman. The sears by me never asks any questions, just gives me a new (whatever) to replace my broken one.

 

Most Brands have a Mechanic set and if you have the money get Snap-on or Matco, but I would not buy any thing less than craftsman sets. I have had luck with the Harbor freight's Impact sockets and breaker bars (but just those two). Also you will need a torque wrench for almost every bolt on a car and do not cheap out on that.

 

I wrench for a living so I have a combo of Snap-on and Craftsman. I hate the cheap crap cause it rust and rounds off and the ratchets break and hell need I go on. Even if you don't wrnech for a living get Craftsman.

I have been slowly building my snap-on set from e-bay. The snap-on truck and pawn shops.

 

I forgot the question when I saw the TRS80 and the pic! Thats too funny...long live the 5 1/4" Floppy!

 

Isn't most craftsman made in china these days?

IMO the only thing going for the newest generation of craftsman tools is the warranty. Their ratchets have PLASTIC parts on them for gods
sake. I buy husky and I've never had a problem, then again if wrenching was my job it would be Snap-On all the way!

 

Craftsman makes decent sockets for the hobbiest....there ratches are junk IMO But im a full time TECH. I only buy snap-on ratchets. matco makes great sockets. what ever you buy make sure it is in a plastic case!! things tend to stay put. try to stay away from course teeth ratchets if you can. dont forget a swivel socket if your set doesnt come with one.
as for sockets or wrenches you need both....no either or!! I use sockets way more than wrenches but when you need them you have to have them!!
if you have any i have had luck with harbor freight impack sockets and also MIT stuff.

 

x 2

 

Oh a little pointer on the craftsman trade in warranty. I broke my craftsman 3/8s almost as soon as I took it out of its package (No I wasn't abusing it). When I took it back I was told I had the option of getting an older style ratchet that was factory refurbished so I went for it. I'm not sure how old it is but that this is friggen bullet proof! No crappy plastic parts. I've had it for several years now and could not be happier.

Next time you break a craftsman ratchet see if this option is available, you'll get a real quality tool.

 

I feel a good full set of metric and sae sockets are a must 1/2-3/4-1/4,but in the same breath theres stuff you need a box wrench for also get a set of offset box wrenchs for the hard to reach stuff I own mostly matco,snap-on,s-k wayne and proto tools and my boxs cost more then a new hyundi,so also look in pawn shops for tools you will find that desperet times call for people to sell things they dont want to. Oh yeah and get a 1/2in 2foot breaker bar it wil save your life.