Tools
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
I am a big fan of Craftsman like I stated above, but as others have said if there's one thing to not cut corners on it's your torx & hex bits....these are the most easily damaged and can cause some major headaches.
I have some off brand ones and some expensive ones, and there's a huge difference. Buy the best you can buy when it comes to torx & hex bits. Everything else you can get buy with less expensive or medium quality, but honestly I would recommend buying Snap-On torx & hex bits.
I have some off brand ones and some expensive ones, and there's a huge difference. Buy the best you can buy when it comes to torx & hex bits. Everything else you can get buy with less expensive or medium quality, but honestly I would recommend buying Snap-On torx & hex bits.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 26
From: Virginia
For starting out- Craftsman. No question the best for the money spent. Don't get their lower brand stuff, has to say "craftsman" for the no B.S. lifetime warranty. I really like to buy their small sets so you can carry the little plastic socket set to your bike and work on it from there. Snap-on, etc are top of the line and cost 10x the amount- perfect for professionals who can't afford the time to break a tool and go to sears. If you break a snap-on the truck comes to you with a new tool. It's important to know that snap-on and other tool trucks (Matco, etc) don't discount a single penny if you buy a set, so just the few tools that you use all the time. After you wrench for a while, pick a few select items you use all the time, and upgrade those to snap on. I started with a $18 snap-on phillips screwdriver, love it. For torq and allen sockets, I recommend SK. They are made in the USA, but price falls between craftsman and snap-on- found on ebay.
What I recommend to start out:
1/4" standard and 1/4" metric socket sets
3/8" standard and 3/8" metric socket sets
screwdriver set
combo wrench set in standard and metric
pliers set (slip joint, side cutters, channel locks)
torq socket set
standard and metric allen socket sets
1/4" and 3/8" drive universal joints if the sets didn't have them
3/8" drive torque wrench (click type) from craftsman
That should get you started for a few hundred dollars.
What I recommend to start out:
1/4" standard and 1/4" metric socket sets
3/8" standard and 3/8" metric socket sets
screwdriver set
combo wrench set in standard and metric
pliers set (slip joint, side cutters, channel locks)
torq socket set
standard and metric allen socket sets
1/4" and 3/8" drive universal joints if the sets didn't have them
3/8" drive torque wrench (click type) from craftsman
That should get you started for a few hundred dollars.
Last edited by zimm; Jan 11, 2013 at 08:15 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
Good idea... that way when you damage the head of a bolt or fastener because of some low quality cheap *** tool you will have learned an important lesson. I wouldnt buy anything lower quality than a craftsman... been there done that
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
I have always been a fan of Craftsman tools.
I have found that I have been paying too much for the same quality.
Home depot carries good tools and you will save a bunch doing it. yes, life time warranty just like craftsman.
The last several ratchets I have gotten from sears had problems and had to take them back. I still get their wrenches when I need one.
The kit I am speaking of from home depot is 220 piece with case. You can catch them on sale for $89.95, has a lot more tools than the sears kit that is run on sale for $99.95
Could be more tools than sears can't remember for sure. I have had more for 3 years now.
Then you could add more when ya need em.
Check with Amazon for tools. They have good prices at times.
just a thought
dd
I have found that I have been paying too much for the same quality.
Home depot carries good tools and you will save a bunch doing it. yes, life time warranty just like craftsman.
The last several ratchets I have gotten from sears had problems and had to take them back. I still get their wrenches when I need one.
The kit I am speaking of from home depot is 220 piece with case. You can catch them on sale for $89.95, has a lot more tools than the sears kit that is run on sale for $99.95
Could be more tools than sears can't remember for sure. I have had more for 3 years now.
Then you could add more when ya need em.
Check with Amazon for tools. They have good prices at times.
just a thought
dd
Last edited by dirtdobber; Jan 13, 2013 at 12:43 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
I have been getting tools for xmas since I was 16. My Pops was a wrench. I am 50 now so todays Craftsman isnt like it used to be. They are still good tools, that are warrantied for life. What you need depends on how extensive you want to get into repairing your bike. General maintenance equals smaller tool kit. I have Craftsman, Snap-On, Matco, Lisle Specialty Tools and S&K tools. All are great tools, so it comes down to preference and price. I like click type torque wrenches. You will need larger tools if you get into tire removal, comp sprockets etc.
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