Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Best Tool Set for the $$

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 05:56 PM
  #1  
HotIceHD's Avatar
HotIceHD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 8
From: USA/CA
Default Best Tool Set for the $$

The 200+ pieces tool set I bought more than ten years ago, got slimmer and slimmer, due to not returned borrowing, and GFs losing stuff around.
So instead of trying to figure out the missing tools, I decided to get a new one (as the existing one wasn't the best cat in the sack either, quality wise).
Any suggestion based on personal experience?
Looking into spending around $500.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 05:58 PM
  #2  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

For the $ you cant beat craftsman and with the leftover coin take a trip to harbor freight.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #3  
Hazardous Smoker's Avatar
Hazardous Smoker
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek, SC
Default

I just picked up the Craftsman 255-Pc. Mechanics Tool Set w/ Case & Universal Wrenches for about $260. Only thing missing is a Torque Wrench and a complete set of Torx bits.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 07:27 PM
  #4  
baka1969's Avatar
baka1969
Extreme HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Default

+2 on Craftsman.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:02 PM
  #5  
JonFMJ's Avatar
JonFMJ
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Default

What they said. I too have a craftsman set and only needed torx bits and a few larger wrenches (mine is one of the smaller boxes 155 to be exact) but it gets the job done on my nightster, Sierra, mustang and 69 grandprix
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:03 PM
  #6  
JonFMJ's Avatar
JonFMJ
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Kansas
Default

But a good way to go about it IMO is to spend dough on the quality stuff for the things you'll use most often and then buy the cheaper stuff for the things you'll use once in a blue moon
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:26 PM
  #7  
dfndr's Avatar
dfndr
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Default

Ive bought a lot of tools, from HF to Snapon, Wright, etc. I think you can't go wrong with basic Craftsman. Not the Chinese ones but the traditional ones. Try asking the same question on www.garagejournal.com for some real strongly held and well founded opinions/suggestions. Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2012 | 10:33 PM
  #8  
HotIceHD's Avatar
HotIceHD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 8
From: USA/CA
Default

I ended up buying this one:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ku=00941309000
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 08:44 AM
  #9  
HotIceHD's Avatar
HotIceHD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 8
From: USA/CA
Default

Originally Posted by HotIceHD
Interesting. Now I see they re-priced it at $399 while I paid $199 yesterday at the store.
Quite a jump.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2012 | 03:16 PM
  #10  
mrmikey32's Avatar
mrmikey32
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

my sockets are stanley, since they are cheap and work as well as my snap on.

My wrenches are hazet and bahco, and the rest of my tools range from gedore, knipex, klein, and some craftsman.

Guess I am a tool nut
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE