I need to buy some hand tools. I am missing alot of sockets and wrenches that got lost or broken over the years and I have really cheep stuff.
Im thinking that buying all metric would be the way to go at this point. Would that be a good move? I have wanted to buy a deep socket set for a while that would be the first purchase. I would basicly only be working on the c5. Is everything in cars metric nowadays?

 

Pretty much, my toolbox is 85% Metric

Nice car Ninja

 

Much is now metric, but still enough SAE uses to justify having both.

Buy a large set from SEAR'S (or your favorite source) that has a variety of both metric and SAE in the set...

 

sears

 

Yeah, the Sears Craftsman is probably the best bet for the money although others are better but more expensive such as snapons and so on. Sears will warrant almost all tools and note that I said "almost". They do not warrant torque wrenches and they don't tell you that.

 

Craftsman, Snap On, MAC tools are really nice but are a little more expensive. Craftsman is the least expensive of all three and they honor their warranty without issue.

In the past, I considered Husky, Stanley and the other like tools low quality but, they have come a LONG WAY and some have a warranty.

I have some SK Wayne tools that I have had for a VERY long time that hold up as well as the expensive mainstay tools. Look on Craig's List and E-bay for used tool sets. You might score BIG TIME. People need cash and are selling cool stuff at very good discount prices. If you stick with the BIG THREE manufactures (Craftsman, Snap On, MAC ) used, it tough to go wrong. Harbor Freight also has a good reliable selection of tools.

Ive purchased BROKEN (Craftsman, Snap On, MAC ) tools in flea markets and yard sales and returned them for brand new tools!

If I were you I would try to swing a craftsman metric combination set. You need standard size sockets a LOT more than deep well sockets. Don't forget to purchase the necessary socket extensions, swivel and adapters that are needed to get in those difficult to get to spots.

Here are some other common hand tools that are a MUST HAVE for C5-C6:

-Torx Bit screwdrivers. Get a set that look like screwdrivers. They go from small like T-10 to large like T-40. Most used are T-15 - T-30 There are places that will NOT fit the replaceable bit type drivers.

-Allen wrenches/ Hex Key Sets. Yes there are differences between metric and SAE. There are places that need specifically metric to fit/work properly

- Purpose built specific Spark Plug Socket. Makes Spark Plug changes trouble free.

- Torque Wrench. You don't need a $300 Tq Wrench. Find a good 0-150 Ft/Lb Tq wrench. Approx $90-$100

- Multimeter AC/DC/AMPS/OHMS. Find one that your comfortable using. Some of them are so complicated, that you have to have the damn owners manual glued to it to use it correctly. Check Sears and see what they have. A BASIC one that will read (AC/DC/AMPS/OHMS) thats easy to use is fine.

- Service Manual. Get a GM service manual for your Year C5. You can get the GM ESI DVD if you try here on the forum.

Yea,,I know. All that stuff is a BIG DOLLAR investment but,,,start buying when you can and soon, you will be well stocked tool wise.

 

After a 15 year career with one of the top two tool wagons. For the average corvette owner, I'd recommend....Mac or Snap on used...or if new you thing...SK or some of the
new Craftsman professional line. The guy with the broken tool idea....thats the one!
Just My 2 cents

 

Sears Craftsman!

 

Harbor Freight has some great values on tools. A torque wrench for $20.
Yes they are made in China , but so are Craftsman.

 

Thanks all. Im going to stick with getting an assorted set of craftsman metric deep sockets the ones with big writing on the side for us older folk.. As for as the torx and allen I have a good asortment of the smaller sizes both bits keys and screwdriver type. I saw a torque wrench on craigslist for $15 going to look into that. There arent any Harbor Frieght in my area.

 

Even though the Harbor Frieght tools are cheap, I've been finding that they are mostly worthless when it comes to holding up. Cheap price, cheap metals....cheap quality. Not worth even their cheap price. Sears has a good selection of Torx tips in different drive sizes.

 

I would say 70% of my tools are Craftsman and the rest came from Harbor Freight. I love that place! I have never had a problem with any of their tools. I have some that are 4 or 5 years old and still work like the day I bought them. The only thing I wont buy from them are my ratchet sets, but sockets and what not Ill get at Harbor Freight.

 

lots of Mac and Snap-on are not made by them...as a mater of fact...Stanley owns Mac and Blackhawk and many Mac Branded tools are made in Mexico and Snap-on has a line
at Lowes called Kobalt

 

As for the Torx screw drivers, the two most common sizes are T15 and T20 instead of 30.

If you use tools for a living, you will certainly know the difference between the Chinese, generic garbage and Craftsman. Even if Craftsman is made in China now as well. There is certainly enough difference to justify staying away from most of those generic brands. Keep in mind that a lifetime warranty isn't worth diddly squat if you can't exchange it at the store. Look out for those that expect you to send them back to the manufacturer. You'll end up with 15.00 in shipping to get a warranty on a 5 dollar tool. Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, Matco etc. are justified for a few tools, but Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Stanley will suffice for most jobs for the weekend warriors. Don't ever chinch out on Torx bits either. I had a set of Lisle back in the 80's and twisted their little heads off. Craftsman at the very least for those.

 

They, HF, do have mail order and on line services with special discounts that are only for those two types of purchase.

 

Another vote for craftsman, it's just a good value.

 

Another vote for Craftsman, Go in and sign up for the craftsman club card(its free) and there are all kinds of discounts everymonth. I remember I bought a 400 piece tool set for like $250 new. This was like 8 years ago tho. I have a sears 1 mile away so its close to me if I need a tool quick. I have broken a few hand tools and I just walk in and tell the cleark and I get a new tool with no questions asked.
I also love SnapOn but they are really expensive.

 

The most expensive tool you can buy is a cheap tool!!!

 

I use my tools a lot. Don't go cheap on tools. Every tool I've ever bought from HARBOR FREIGHT has failed me, including their torque wrenches. Small tools like TORX bits and allen wrenches will twist, round off or snap off.

Every fastener on HARBOR FREIGHT equipment is (off shore) soft. I've had the heads of their supplied bolts/nuts fail with the recommended torque. If you insist on buying stuff from them, at least replace the fasteners to protect yourself and your car.

SEAR'S, HOME DEPOT, LOWE'S, your favorite auto supply source is open almost everyday of the week. Their branded tools are better quality and fine for the average shade tree home mechanic. Warranty and convenient access for replacement are important to me.

 

I agree with hotshweels57, same here with HF torx tips, first time use of one, it broke off under light duty. When I buy anything from HF, I don't expect longevity.