populartunabreath posted Today 11:05 AM
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populartunabreath posted Today 11:05 AM
Harbor Freight Deal of the Day promotion, 9/22-10/1, Day 1, 9/22, 25% off Icon automotive shop tools and scan tools
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Harbor Freight has an intermediate brand called Quinn which is substantially better than Pittsburgh, but much less than Icon. The Quinn Master Toolset, which often goes on sale, is an outstanding value: https://www.harborfreig
If you get a toolset like that, then buy one or two 1/4" and 3/8" Icon ratchets to round things out. I also like the Icon torque wrenches, although they have two 3/8" models with a significant gap in torque range, which can be a problem. I tried the Quinn Digital Torque Wrench and returned it; it's not very good.
The way I see it, no matter how much you spend on automotive tools, it's cheaper than paying a mechanic. And good tools make the work more pleasant to do.
For basic maintenance and repairs on personal vehicles I think Pittsburg fits the bill perfectly. Spending ~4X more on icon over Pittsburg doesn't get you anywhere near 4x better quality of performance… diminishing returns are huge on anything more expensive than Pittsburg pro/Quinn/husky/gearwrench/etc. Pittsburg has some pretty decent tools for the money. The main thing is I'd avoid Pittsburg's bottom end.. they have a pretty wide range of quality under that name and the bottom end of that is noticeably lower quality.
...I'm a weekend oil and break change warrior. Icon tools are a great price even compared to getting stuff at Lowe's or home depo.
I do almost all maintenance and repair items on my car that's old enough to vote. I learned to do all that from the U of Y. So far I've only used their Pittsburgh-tier tools. Are the Icons really worth the price difference? I'd appreciate any insights.
According to Project Farm, Icon does have a very good ratchet, and the wrenches are supposed to be top tier design.
However, Project Farm rated a $150-180 (BF sale price) Husky mechanics set as the best set of sockets/ratchets.
I personally use mismatched sets.
- Dewalt 192-pc sockets and ratchets (case); Husky 3/8 and 1/4 sockets (toolbox); GearWrench 10mm sockets (lost others)
- Pittsburgh deep impact sockets
- Amazon variety brands of 3/8 and 1/2 impact sockets
- Northern Tool impact sockets
- Kobalt screwdriver bit sets
- Pittsburgh hex and star bit sets
- Pittsburgh and Kobalt wrenches (box end and ratcheting)
- Pliers and channel locks from various manufacturers
- Milwaukee 12v ratchet, drill, and impacts
- Ridgid 18v impact (gift) with 8Ah battery (needs this for max torque)
- Pittsburgh click torque wrenches (backup; 3/8 failed and led to broken bolt in engine block; replaced via HF warranty; lesson: for small bolts or low torque requirements use 1/4 click torque wrench)
- Quinn digital 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches adapters (go to's)
- Pittsburgh extendable 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets (1/2 is my favorite)
- Craftsman and Pittsburgh 1/2" breaker bar
- Pittsburgh 3/8" breaker bar (broke and was replaced at HF via lifetime warranty)
- Pittsburgh crows feet wrenches
- Pittsburgh engine stand
- Pittsburgh engine crane
- Pittsburgh 3-ton low-profile floor jack (get the Daytona instead - $109 sale priced)
- Craftsman jack stands (old style w/o lock pin)
- ? brand jack stands (new style w/ lock pin)
- QuickJack
- Rounded nut removers
- Pittsburgh and Amazon specialty sets (large 1/2" sockets for axle nuts; U-joint kits; ball joint kits; bearing sets; etc)
- Pittsburgh 20-ton press
I've done brakes, fuel lines, valve gaskets, exhausts, interior stuff, and engine swap with my gear. No issues aside from a few listed above. Even Snap On tools break, so it's just a matter of tolerance and frequency of use.If I had a need and free cash, I would probably buy a lot of GearWrench wrenches and better digital torque wrenches. I would also consider Icon or the Craftsman OVERDRIVE as they are less prone to rounding. However, I am never one to waste not want not, so I probably never do that as it is a waste since I already have wrenches and rounded extractors.
I am looking at redesigning my garage with Milwaukee pack outs (plus drawers) and 2 rolling bases. I have a large rolling chest with wood top, but I like the idea of rolling my specific Milwaukee pack out set (sockets, wrenches, etc) to the work area vs. walking back and forth to the chest. Likewise, it's a pain to go to the junk yard as I am taking tools out of the chest and tossing into carry bags, then putting them back.
Best tools (IMO) based on frequency of use:
For $2000, one can accumulate good, versatile garage tool sets.
For another $1500, one can organize said tools.
I would say that after I add Milwaukee Packouts, I will have spent about $5000 on my garage in tools, organization, and the QuickJacks. I've saved that much already and more doing my own repairs (my cars and friends' cars). I luckily have a 2-car garage. And note that I recently started my own automotive repairs in 2015 with the help of U of YT also. I didn't grow up around cars, but I was always into tools for home repairs (drills, saws, etc.).
A nice bonus hint: If you ever come across a cross-thread issue, go to ACE or HD/Lowes and get the same sized nut or bolt for the problem. Cut 3-4 vertical grooves (spaced evenly) into the threads (dremel for bolt; jig saw blades for nut). Use that to "clean" your cross-threaded item (engine block, axle threads, etc). The portable workbench and HF vise work great for this project as it'd hold the said nut/bolt. You could buy a rethreading kit as well, but it won't have all the sizes you will need, so the hint above works great.
https://www.harborfreig
My 1/2" drive Pittsburgh telescoping ratchet is one of my favorites. I use it as a breaker bar. If it breaks then I'll use the lifetime warranty, but so far it hasn't.
I also have the 1/4" x 3/8" telescoping ratchet, but I found it's not as usable. The 3/8" part extends out on the other side of the 1/4" side, so it's no good in tight spaces in the engine bay.
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