New tool buyer

[hickory n Steel]

You never said is he looking for SAE or metric or both?

Oh yeah since I'm not working on cars I mostly went with SAE, buying used might take a lot longer if you're looking for metric stuff like most people probably are.

[Conductor562]

Honestly (as much as I love Proto), if I were starting out on a budget, I’d buy Tekton socket sets and add high quality American ratchets. Tekton sockets are actually very nice and their warranty is second to none in my experience. I bought a 3/8” service set to keep in my truck and was actually impressed with them for the money.

Unless something has changed in the last couple years, they actually warranty their taps & dies and about a year ago they warranted a pipe threading die. Most of their pliers are USA made Wilde. I gifted my brother a set of their Taiwan made combos, and he likes them a lot.

I can’t say a bad word about them as a company. They’ve constantly improved their lineup over the years and they’re lightyears ahead of what they were in the MIT days.

[torqueman2002]

If I may interject, .... It could be worse.

I know from personal experience, I am compelled to acquire tools - vintage, used, new. You probably know, after all you all found this website.

In addition, I have so many projects, my wife says they're too many she hasn't parked in our attached 2-car garage for years. In my defense, I say I don't have too many tools and projects, I just need a bigger garage or better yet - pole barn. 

I thought of this video, that may apply to some of you, as well as myself.

[slip knot]

I’ve been impressed with the gearwrench sockets I’ve bought.

[highland512]

I cant say enough for shopping in pawn shops. Most of my tool box was filled from pawn shops. Brands like Wright, Proto and even SK can be had for a good  deal sometimes because many people dont know those brands like they do CMAN or the trucks brands. Just last year I bought a NOS raised panel SK wrench set 3/8-1-1/4 for $40, a unused metric set of 1/2" drive Wright sockets for $15, and a 3/8" drive set of SK impact sockets for $7 (always haggle them down on price). The only down fall is time, it takes time to find deals and time to go to pawn shops but I enjoy going to them because you never know what you could find.

[fatfillup]

^^^^^^^^Time is the issue with pawn shops, auctions, CL, facebook, letgo etc.  Deals can be had in any metro or suburban area if you put in the time to look.  You can't be in a hurry.  I have bought tools most everywhere I travel and bought them at good enough prices to resell.  I have an advantage over others,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't have a life

[bonneyman]

That's the ticket!

You gotta have the money or the time. Since I'm poor I gotta have alot of time! 

[Heiny57]

You never said is he looking for SAE or metric or both?

More metric I would assume, he has a Lexus RCF.

[Heiny57]

I think he is leaning toward Tekton.

[bmwrd0]

I would look to the discount places like Cripes, I have seen some great deals on Armstrong and Allen there.

[Uncle Buck]

I cant say enough for shopping in pawn shops. Most of my tool box was filled from pawn shops. Brands like Wright, Proto and even SK can be had for a good  deal sometimes because many people dont know those brands like they do CMAN or the trucks brands. Just last year I bought a NOS raised panel SK wrench set 3/8-1-1/4 for $40, a unused metric set of 1/2" drive Wright sockets for $15, and a 3/8" drive set of SK impact sockets for $7 (always haggle them down on price). The only down fall is time, it takes time to find deals and time to go to pawn shops but I enjoy going to them because you never know what you could find.

Yup, same here. Most of 40 years doing that and I totally agree. Hock shops and garage sales have proved very productive for me. Flea markets and swap meets too. At least half if not more of my tools were acquired that way. I really had no choice since I had a champagne appetite and a beer budget my entire life when it came to tools. Of course really knowing brands and what is good and what is crap is vitally important if you are going to buy used like this.

[highland512]

Yup, same here. Most of 40 years doing that and I totally agree. Hock shops and garage sales have proved very productive for me. Flea markets and swap meets too. At least half if not more of my tools were acquired that way. I really had no choice since I had a champagne appetite and a beer budget my entire life when it came to tools. Of course really knowing brands and what is good and what is crap is vitally important if you are going to buy used like this.

I cant seem to ever find anything at a garage sale. I guess its because Im never the first person there on the first day.

Anymore my tool buying is a beer appetite on a mad dog 20/20 budget.