How many of you turn your own wrenches on your vehicles?
04-27-2018, 06:13 PM
#81
Instructor
Pretty much started with a 100 and something piece set from Craftsman. After that just added as needed; 95% of my tools were Craftsman. I like their quality and, if you did manage to break a took, you could get it replaced for free 
I know HF sells marginally good stuff, but I'm the kind to buy the right tool once and keep it forever. Snap-on is overkill obviously, I'm not trying to make a living out of this. But I have once in the past purchased a cheap set of tools at autozone due to last minute job. It was a socket made of cheap steel and it yielded immediately. Haven't done a rush job on my car or home since.
So basically is craftsman worth it at this stage?
04-27-2018, 06:41 PM
#83
Melting Slicks
A lot of you mentioned Craftsman, and I know what that brand used to mean. With the way Sears is going right now, is this still a solid buy?
I know HF sells marginally good stuff, but I'm the kind to buy the right tool once and keep it forever. Snap-on is overkill obviously, I'm not trying to make a living out of this. But I have once in the past purchased a cheap set of tools at autozone due to last minute job. It was a socket made of cheap steel and it yielded immediately. Haven't done a rush job on my car or home since.
So basically is craftsman worth it at this stage?
I know HF sells marginally good stuff, but I'm the kind to buy the right tool once and keep it forever. Snap-on is overkill obviously, I'm not trying to make a living out of this. But I have once in the past purchased a cheap set of tools at autozone due to last minute job. It was a socket made of cheap steel and it yielded immediately. Haven't done a rush job on my car or home since.
So basically is craftsman worth it at this stage?
Last edited by Welker1; 04-27-2018 at 07:05 PM.
04-27-2018, 07:13 PM
#85
Race Director
A lot of you mentioned Craftsman, and I know what that brand used to mean. With the way Sears is going right now, is this still a solid buy?
I know HF sells marginally good stuff, but I'm the kind to buy the right tool once and keep it forever. Snap-on is overkill obviously, I'm not trying to make a living out of this. But I have once in the past purchased a cheap set of tools at autozone due to last minute job. It was a socket made of cheap steel and it yielded immediately. Haven't done a rush job on my car or home since.
So basically is craftsman worth it at this stage?
I know HF sells marginally good stuff, but I'm the kind to buy the right tool once and keep it forever. Snap-on is overkill obviously, I'm not trying to make a living out of this. But I have once in the past purchased a cheap set of tools at autozone due to last minute job. It was a socket made of cheap steel and it yielded immediately. Haven't done a rush job on my car or home since.
So basically is craftsman worth it at this stage?
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Welker1 (04-27-2018)
04-27-2018, 08:38 PM
#86
Cruising
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I do any and all work possible on all my vehicle's/tractors/Utv that's how I justify my mods. I would have spent the same if I paid someone else to fix it. It helps that I was a mechanic for 5 years and a millwright now.
04-27-2018, 10:12 PM
#87
Try Harbor Freight for the cheap tools. Many are good, some might break but they're cheap. Buy Ceaftsman on sale around Fathers Day & Christmas. Very good tools.
Avoid Lowes brands, they're expensive Chinese poor quality.
Avoid Lowes brands, they're expensive Chinese poor quality.
04-27-2018, 10:46 PM
#88
Race Director
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I used to do my own head, cam and turbocharger changes from the early beginnings back in the day when I owned a couple of 69 Roadrunners to later when I was in the Buick Grand National / 89 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am days, and then a little later in the very late 1990s with the LS1 powered Camaro and Trans Ams.
Now, I just turned 70 in March and although my health seems to still be good, I have alot more aches and pains than before.
So, now I still do my own oil changes and most other basic maintenance ... but, the days of actually pulling the engine apart are pretty much over for me. I guess I could still do it, but it's not so easy anymore for me.
Getting old is a bitch !
oh well .....
.
Now, I just turned 70 in March and although my health seems to still be good, I have alot more aches and pains than before.
So, now I still do my own oil changes and most other basic maintenance ... but, the days of actually pulling the engine apart are pretty much over for me. I guess I could still do it, but it's not so easy anymore for me.
Getting old is a bitch !
oh well .....
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; 04-27-2018 at 10:58 PM.
04-27-2018, 11:51 PM
#89
Race Director
Member Since: Sep 2007
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C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I bought my primary Craftsman tools when I was in my 20's with every expectation of making a good 50+ years of use out of them. I continue to buy Craftsman tools because my daughters will eventually inherit them, and both also do much of their own work on their cars, and I want them to have some good quality tools that will remind them of me when I'm gone every time they use them. Call me sentimental. 
) I'm guessing they'll appreciate the good ones they've been using a lot more.
04-28-2018, 12:01 AM
#90
Burning Brakes
Am unsure how old I was, but bought a Craftsman 406 piece set of tools for $539.00, thot it was the biggest set they sold at the time and have been adding to it ever since. Last year got several sets of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches that I'd been wanting. Still need a comprehensive set of impact sockets.
Last edited by TomdaToolman; 04-28-2018 at 04:23 AM.
04-28-2018, 12:04 AM
#91
Burning Brakes
I used to do my own head, cam and turbocharger changes from the early beginnings back in the day when I owned a couple of 69 Roadrunners to later when I was in the Buick Grand National / 89 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am days, and then a little later in the very late 1990s with the LS1 powered Camaro and Trans Ams.
Now, I just turned 70 in March and although my health seems to still be good, I have alot more aches and pains than before.
So, now I still do my own oil changes and most other basic maintenance ... but, the days of actually pulling the engine apart are pretty much over for me. I guess I could still do it, but it's not so easy anymore for me.
Getting old is a bitch !
oh well .....
.
Now, I just turned 70 in March and although my health seems to still be good, I have alot more aches and pains than before.
So, now I still do my own oil changes and most other basic maintenance ... but, the days of actually pulling the engine apart are pretty much over for me. I guess I could still do it, but it's not so easy anymore for me.
Getting old is a bitch !
oh well .....
.
04-28-2018, 12:10 AM
#92
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
04-28-2018, 12:55 AM
#94
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
04-28-2018, 01:24 AM
#95
04-28-2018, 03:18 AM
#96
Melting Slicks
I do all the work on my '11 grand sport (nobody better not touch my car)
My heads and cam stock block A6 car runs consistent 10.5 in street trim my older son do the tuning, I bought him the soft ware he paid for the tuning classes and graduated to make a career out of it.
My heads and cam stock block A6 car runs consistent 10.5 in street trim my older son do the tuning, I bought him the soft ware he paid for the tuning classes and graduated to make a career out of it.
04-28-2018, 09:09 AM
#99
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04-28-2018, 12:15 PM
#100
Except for the most extreme invasive operations, I do all my own work. Though as cars get more electronic and complex, that's harder and harder to do as it's not easy finding all the tech tools needed to program and calibrate sensors and such.