I haven't owned a car in almost 5 years, and the toolset I had back then was pretty cobbled together. I've not got an '05 MCS and I plan to work on it myself. Thus, I'm in need of a good set of tools. I know Craftsman is typically a preferred brand by lots of people, but what (if any) other good brands are out there that won't break the bank? I'm hoping to get a solid set for around $100-150. Suggestions?

 

I've found the Kobalt stuff at Lowes to be very comparable to the Craftsman stuff in quality at a decent price.

But sears still puts together some good sets
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G21

 

I would also consider a snap on blue point set, for the money its probably a good bet.

 

Don't get one of the big sets, they are full of small things you probably will never need.

Just to to Sears, Lowes, Home Depot (or wherever you want) and start buying the tools you need. If you wait for sales you can assemble a good set of tools for a reasonable price. If you don't want to wait or don't care about having good tools because you will use the only once in a while, go to Harbor Freight. For less than $100 you should be about to get enough tools to get started.

I started getting one thing at a time, normally below $20 per item, when on sale over a number of years. Today I have way more tools than I use, mostly because I have become lazy.

Take your time and borrow tools until you can assemble a set of tools you need, not just what Sears wants to sell you.

 

Go to a pawn shop, get a pile of tools and make them an offer. they usually have hundreds of wrenches and sockets in a bin. they can also be a good place to pick up things like torque wrenches and other high dollar items.

Just don't be afraid to make them an offer on the tool. The price tags are often much higher than what they will actually sell them for.

 

in a large part I agree

I started buying tools when I was in college, pretty much what was on sale at Sears every month and by the time I married I had all the basics.

I do disagree with buying the basics at Harbor Freight. I've bought many things at Harbor Freight but occassional use stuff that I consider to be disposable for the most part is OK. Their hand tools just are not very good. Even in something like a hammer it can make a difference...So maybe the thread should be changed to:

What would you buy with a budget of $150?

I'll start

#1 a decent socket set and your cost can vary widely. A 3/8 set of metric and standard is recommended. You only need metric for the MINI but let's be real, you need tools for the other stuff too. This is an example where quality matters. I have had cheapo ratchets and they either jam or break. A GOOD socket set is your friend. That GOOD handle is going to be used for many other bits b4 all is said and done. Smaller bits will work best if the set includes 1/4 inch stuff.

There will be an arguement about 6 or 12 point but 2 me, more important is QUALITY. (I only have 12 point)

Some socket sets include deep sockets . . . I have some and use them infequently ... save that for later. Your set might include a spark plug socket .... which may or may not work for you. You can buy a correct one individually . . .

A basic set of screwdrivers, flat and phillips or a driver handle with a bunch of bits . . . but I like regular old screw drivers. A set that includes 4 of each is usually great. Again there IS a difference 'tween a quality tool and a cheapo - esp' in the strength of the steel used.

There ARE going to be times when you can't get a socket in there . . . . A set of open/box wrenches in metric and standard are going to be needed eventually. Save the floating heads and ratcheting ones for later days.

#2 you will want to extend your socket set with a 1/2 inch handle and a 36mm socket if you plan to change your oil filter. Be careful where you get the socket as many are too deep/long. The Craftsman is my choice. {this socket is only found in 1/2 drive ime and you don't have enuf room to use an adapter ... the space is a tight fit} You might get by with a 1/2 drive breaker bar if your socket is 12 point....

#3 if you plan to do your own brakes you need a small set of allen sockets, one that includes an 8mm. If you plan to change rotors you need a small set of TORX sockets as the rotor retaining bolt is a T-50. Harbor Freight IS an OK source for these. I found a set of 4 allen sockets, and a different one of 3 Torx that's met my needs for years.

#4 speaking of Torx .... many of the fittings on a MINI use Torx so a set of small torx wrenches, or a handle with a set of torx bits ala a screw driver are a good idea. A small power head is useful but there are times only a hand tool will do.

#5 to do something as mundain as an oil change on a GEN1 you are going to need either a jack (and jack stands) or a set of ramps. A jack is actually the less cost option. If you watch sales you can get a small rolling hyd' jack and a set of stands for under $40. Many will consider what you find to be small toys .... for a MINI they are just right. Ramps will not help you if you decide to do your own brake job. P.S. if doing an oil change don't forget the pan to catch the oil and the absorbant to clean up what you miss!

So - that's a start . . .

 

If you do decide to look @ craftsman 2 main things, of course make sure there craftsman and not sears (sears is their cheaper un-warranteed brand) also just check the web every week or so, the have web sales that they usually will honor in store if they have the product on the shelf and they also have set's that are available on the web only. (I picked up some great swivel socket set's this way) and they will still replace broken pieces in store.

 

I believe the allen size for removing the calipers on a first gen is 7mm. At least it is on my '02 and '03 R50. You are correct on the T-50 socket for removing the rotor hold bolt.

I would also suggest a "Gorilla Grip" type torx combo tool. Very useful and easy to carry in the glove department for an on the road fix or tighten of something. It will not have enough leverage for removing the rotors.

And get a second 17mm socket as that is the size of the oil drain plug. A 6 point socket would be a good choice- it often is hard to remove.

Val

 

Personally i dont like craftsman i hear some of their wrenches have broken, i prefer matco or snap-on they are a little more expensive but they all come with a life time warranty. Then again if your just using the tools to wrench on your can every once in a while then you shouldn't really have an issue with craftsman breaking or anything

 

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Craigslist as a source for reasonably priced tools. You can often pick up some very good deals there as people are looking to unload their tools since they are in need of money or do not need the tools anymore. Or you can look for estate sales as often older people have a very decent tool collection.

 

If you are wrenching on your car and break something craftsman, just take it to any Sears (they're pretty much everywhere) and get it replaced on the spot, no questions asked.

I was a big fan of Kobalt tools for a while, but they recently re-designed the entire line of wrenches and sockets, and I'm not sure about the new one's. The old line was all Made in USA by Danaher, which is the same company that makes Matco tools. The new ones all have "Taiwan" printed on the side of them. Now, the new tools may be just fine as far as quality, but I haven't tried any of them to find out. The old Made in USA Kobalts were great though.

 

Honestly the replacement thing is the only reason I buy craftsman, don't have to wait for the tool man to come by, and you're right, no questions asked, bring in a socket that's been hammered on, an extension that looks like a pretzel....just get a new one.

 

I agree HF is mostly single use tools for me but just a thought for someone getting started. My sons got HF tools and were happy with them until they started to do some real work. Then they saw the wisdom of buying quality tools and how it can make a real difference. (Dad can I borrow your .... until I can get one?)

 

Harbor Freight is good for some things. For instance my brother has a HF engine stand which has seen everything from a Jeep 4.0 I6, to a Ford 302, to a Nissan turbo V6 and still works great.

 

If you do go with Harbor Freight, read the reviews. Often you can stay away from the products that are really crap by reading what others have had for experience. Some of their stuff does just fine, some not so much.

 

For tools I use and abuse a lot, wrenches, socket sets, screw drivers, power tools etc., I only buy high quality brands like Craftsman, Snap-On, Hitachi, Porter-Cable. They will take the abuse of heavy use. That being said I do shop at harbor Freight for things that I use very infrequently and for disposable things like latex gloves, cheap tarps, wire ties, pop rivets etc.

 

Very good advice.
Regarding the 12pt vs 6pt sockets. I prefer to have 6pt sockets as they tend to strip out less on those bolts and whatnot that the dealer over-tightened.
On the brake rotors, I'd recommend the quality tool here. I've run across some pretty seized rotor bolts the the MINIs. I would prefer good tool steel for those, not the more questionable HF variety.

 

Variety is the spice of life! Get both!

For general work I prefer 12 pt, because they give you more flexibility for getting the socket on the bolt. However as you mentioned, when you get to one that's pretty stubborn, a 6 pt is safer because it's less likely to round off the bolt. Another tool that can be a life save is a good set of gearwrenches. They can fit anywhere a normal hand wrench can, and saves a lot of time because they have a ratcheting action like a socket wrench.

 

FYI,

Along time ago ( 2003) I was taking Auto Tech classes using Snap on and Mac tools, Instructor told us that the Kobalt tooks are made by Snap on. Mac is part of Stanley. I like Snapon Better. Craftsman is made by many manufaturers to Sears Specs,

 

That was back when Kobalt was first getting going at Lowes, and those tools, from what I've heard, were premium quality. From there they went to Danaher and were still good quality. Better than Craftsman in my opinion. Now that they've been outsourced to Taiwan, who knows who's making them and what the quality is like.

Snap On would be awesome, but most average shade tree mechanics aren't willing to pay $100 for a ratchet with a flexible head that you can only get from the guy on the truck, when they can run to the local Sears or Lowes and get one for $30.

 

jaqattack02.

Thanks for bringing me up to speed. It Sears Craftsman for me. This is a case where a little bit of knowledge could be dangerous.

 

I was a Kobalt guy until this most recent production change. I may go back to getting Craftsman though, because I'm not sure I trust the new tools. from Kobalt

 

nothing like outsourcing American jobs and then wondering why Americans aren't buying the product. (American cars aren't even made here unless you call Mexico part of the US. )

 

Don't forget Canada. Plenty are built there too.

 

Don't forget a good box, bigger than you need - you will grow into it. There is no point in having all the tools in the world if they are not organized, and at your fingertips when you need them.