My son (26) has a new part-time opportunity to perform small-engine repair for a professional shop, but he must furnish his own tools. He currently does not own any tools, so he is starting from the ground up. He also may be doing light repair work/maintenance on pickup trucks as well, with the same tools.

Unfortunately, he only has $500 - $600 max to spend on acquiring basic hand tools. So, high-end professional hand tools like Snap-On are way beyond his budget.

He's looking at Craftsmen and Kobalt. I have a boatload of craftsmen tools, but most were purchased in the 70's and 80's. Now that craftsman is no longer owned by Sears, I don't know if they are any good or not.

Apparently Kobalt (Lowes) has a lifetime guarantee.

I suppose used is an option, but I do not know where to look for a complete set of used tools from a quality manufacturer - I looked on Ebay, but mostly what is offered are specific tools here and there (from the major brands). So, hence my questions:

1) What would you all advise for him to acquire an initial set of tools for $500 - $600?

2) Are there any good websites for quality used tools?

Thanks for any help/advice from the professional mechanics out there!

Let him use yours as he gradually aquires what he thinks he needs. How long is this job going to last? Some expensive specialty tools may go unused later. Does he know his way around the engines? If he has no tools, has he had any experience?

He should see what the other people are using. A set of USA-made Craftsman picks is $15. Sockets, screwdrivers, a couple big-ass pairs of pliers, micrometers, all this can be had for a couple of hundred bucks.

A tool box, lockable, to leave on the job.

A plumbers apprentice needs only three things. 4-in-1 screwdriver, Model 430 Channellocks, and a flashlight. Easily starts at $20+ per hour.

Two words: ETCH and SILHOUETTE

It'll save your son much heartache.

Similar to the aerospace industry - unique etch on each tool, silhouette each tool within box (EVERY tool, not just the "expensive" ones), and perform a "All Tools Accounted For" before and after each job and, before and after each work day. Prevents tools from walking away.

I believe Lowes is discontinuing Kobalt.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Two words: ETCH and SILHOUETTE

It'll save your son much heartache.

Similar to the aerospace industry - unique etch on each tool, silhouette each tool within box (EVERY tool, not just the "expensive" ones), and perform a "All Tools Accounted For" before and after each job and, before and after each work day. Prevents tools from walking away.

And prevents them from being left under a hood in a nook somewhere...

Good idea.

Try e-bay and craigslist...offerup as well.

Many people get rid of quality tools for pennies on the dollar...but you have to know what you're looking at and be ready to jump.

Try a pawn shop, you may be able to pick up some decent used tools, a box etc for less.

I know I'll get flamed but Harbor Freight has some decent tools, not all, you have to stay away from the elcheapo chin-lee stuff, but they do have a line of "pro series" tools,

Considering the budget it might be a good place to start...

Lowes has dropped Kobalt for Craftsman. There is nothing wrong with craftsman and the larger 250 item set is a deal, but it lacking several key tools...…..screw drivers, good pliers, things of that nature. Does he need a rolling tool box? What is his experience level? I've always found it best to buy new and a complete set. Craftsman are easy to have/use for a lifetime as it's easy to exchange them if they break.

Take a look at Tekton; most are made in Taiwan and are certainly good enough for daily work.
Combo Wrenches - really great
sockets & extensions - pretty good
ratchets - okay
screwdrivers - dog shit

https://www.tekton.com/

Snap On or Matco if he's using tools to make money. Cheap shit will end up costing a lot more in the long run when you factor in all the time he'll spend extracting stripped or rounded off fasteners. He can get a truck account for either and make payments.

I bought a nice mechanics set of Kobalt last year. The Craftsman set was a lot more expensive. I could not see why, both have lifetime guarantees.

I have been very pleased with them.

Tekton socket sets and wrench sets
Tekton new hard handle screwdrivers
ChannelLock and Wilde pliers
Lang snap ring pliers

I'll probably need a flame suit, but I think that Snap On and Matco, etc., are extremely overpriced, and not much better if any better than some other lower cost options. I don't mean Chinese crap, but you can get wrenches from companies like Wright Tool for much less money.

From what I've seen, the tool trucks get to charge ridiculous prices because they show up at work, and will finance almost anybody, so the guys pay $50/week forever. Forever. And the warranty is great, as long as you have a truck servicing you.

Snap On is like the Rent-a Center, where you can pay $50/month for a TV that you can buy for $300.

Visit https://www.garagejournal.com/ and read up on tool manufacturers. And they have lots of discussions on deals to be had.

My recommendation would be to find an older Craftsman set at a garage sale, if you can. Then look for screwdrivers and other stuff online. I love my Felo screwdrivers, and they're just not that expensive. Buy some German pliers, and you've got a good start.

You can probably find a Wright Tool wrench set, and still be withing $600.

By a cheap toolbox if he doesn't have the money, and then start looking at Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, where you can find a nice Snap On box for $1000 if you have a little patience. $1500 with no trouble. Talking about $3-5000 boxes.

Harbor Freight.
Get a small roll cart with drawers and a basic set of tools.
Sets to 7/8, 22mm will be just fine.
This is what is furnished to new hires with no tools at my shop.
They buy the cart and tools and make payments to the shop.

I'm a home user of hand tools and honestly I have been buying most Harbor Freight. I have zero qualms about recommending their models of hand tools like sockets/ratchets and combination wrenches. They've been stellar for my use.

If you look on ebay you can likely find a set of Gearwrench or Craftsman ratcheting combination wrenches for about $35. Well worth the money there as well though if I didn't already have my set of Gearwrench I'd also consider the Harbor Freight version considering my experience with their ratchets and sockets.

As mentioned above, the rolling tool cart also works very well. There are two sizes, get the larger, slightly more expensive one. It is significantly better quality/sturdier than the smaller cheaper one.

How deep into Virginia are you? I could probably put together a decent tool set in exchange for a 6 pack.

If you want to stay local, try yard sales. Older craftsman is good to go.

Buy quality used tools from craigslist, ebay or others as the opportunity arises. He won't get a good new starter set for the price you mentioned and crappy tools are like crappy guns.
People overspend and get in a bind so he needs to develop good negotiating skills.

I would look at tools that offer free replacement it broken. Especial socket. If he has a Lowes I would look at Craftsman. Check first that Lowes is offering a free replacement as Sears did. I had them replace a few I broke over the years. Hoping Lowes will honor this going forward.

A couple of things to consider.
Does his potential employer have a list of recommended tools he should have to start with?

Starting out, combination wrenches should be 12 point and sockets should be 6 point.
You will need some spark plug sockets as well for engine repair.

I would probably look for a 3/8" drive ratchet set with shallow and deep sockets in metric and standard sizes.
1/4" to 1"
6 mm to 24 mm.

The Tekton tools member aileron mentioned look like a decent value.

For $400-$500, you can get decent wrenches, screwdrivers, ratchet & socket set as well as pliers. Often a set is a better value than the individual tools.

This does not include a tool chest. Starting out, I would just use a portable tool box.