Ok..time for my FIRST set of tools...not just new.. 

Here are the three choices. Which would YOU buy...or would you buy something entirely different?? 

More, More, More...

Well..these are a good start for me.... 

I actually have the 95 piece set.  It's not quite "enough".  For the money and currently the 137 piece is on sale, I'd opt for it if I were buying today.

DLW

Actually, I was just comparing the 137 set against the 117 set again (the list of items included is down below the pics and prices), and the 117-piece set has hex keys, extensions, and quick-release ratchets that the other two sets don't have.....

Of the 42 extra prices from 95->137, 30 are sockets and 4 are extra wrenches. I would consider those invaluable for bike work. My guess is that you wouldn't be able to find all that extra stuff for 40 bucks, so go for the 137 piece set.

The 89.99 one is good, I like the options of three rachet sizes. Also I would get a torque wrench, it doesnt have to be a clicker type, the one with the bar scale works just fine, craftsman's is only something like $24.99. If you have a Craftsmans card you can possibly get even a greater savings. The card is free you just fill out a little app and send it in. Craftsman has treated me well, if I were some serious mechanic maybe I would invest in better, but the only thing I really work on is my GS and my lawn mower and such. Tools are fun anyway. take it easy

Thanks for the tip on the Craftsman card! I'm going to go look for it! And I'm definitely adding a torque wrench to the list. Arrrgh...so many choices, though!! 

Do any of you often use this?

137 piece looks like the best deal of the 3.  It would be better if the sockets went up a little higher (like to 19mm), but it looks like a pretty good set overall.  You don't really need 3 different socket wrenches though, as you can use an adapter from 3/8 down to 1/4 and up to 1/2.  It's definitely a decent starting set.

I would look for a more inclusive set of sockets (deep and regular) with a ratchet, and then get another set of sockets in the opposing system (either metric or SAE) without a ratchet if possible.  A less involved set of tools will sometimes have better accessories, like longer extensions,  swivels, and adapters.  You could get the wrenches seperate and also pick up a torque wrench as well, and then buy the allen wrenches/allen head sockets and a screwdriver-handle type driver seperate.

This way would most likely cost more, so if you are looking for a more economical alternative, go with the 137 piece set and buy the stuff you end up missing seperate (i.e swivel attachment, long extension, torque wrench)

I was warned that buying tools would become as addictive as riding..... I'm finding this to be true, because this all started with my need for the proper Allen wrench to install my new spools for the Pitbull rear stand a friend is selling to me today.... I don't even have a decent Allen wrench..... this shamed me into started the quest for my starter tools...   

Thank you ALL so far for the great advice and tips. I'm reading every word!!! 

Quote from: pandy on October 17, 2007, 10:50:03 AM
Thanks for the tip on the Craftsman card! I'm going to go look for it! And I'm definitely adding a torque wrench to the list. Arrrgh...so many choices, though!! 

Do any of you often use this?

Impact drivers are awesome.  My dad recently got one and has found it invaluable for seized screws, etc.  I'd assume the craftsman one is good quality, but the bits kind of make me wonder.  As long as the bits are high quality, I'd say it would be alright.

On the topic of torque wrenches, the 3/8 drive one is probaby better suited for working on the GS.  It should be in inch/lbs, while the 1/2 will be in ft/lbs.  Most of the torque specs on bikes will probably be in in/lbs, while cars that I've seen tend to be ft/lbs.  I'd like to pick up a 3/8 torque wrench along the way, as I've already got a 1/2 one.

Pandy,  I wouldn't go by the 'list' under pictures because if you look at the actual pictures both 117 and 137 sets have hex keys, extensions and ratchets.  Besides, right now the 137 set is $10 cheaper than the 117 set.

DLW

For working on bikes, an impact driver and a torque wrench reading in in/lbs are invaluable. You'll also want to find a set that has 6 point sockets, or add a set of those asap. I regularly check the local Sears Hardware store; the manager's specials to clear out leftover sales items can find you extra tools for pennies on the dollar.

Ask yourself  the question...will I actually use most of the gear in the kit?. I have bought big flash socket sets in the past and only ever used 1/4 of the contents. Your never gonna find imperial or SAE sizes on a jap bike or a modern car so why waste money on them. I buy tools individually and think it better to buy several versions of 1 popular size i.e 10mm in shallow, deep, 6 and 12 point in 1/4 1/2 and 3/8 drive rather than pay for a kit full of obsure and unpopular sizes that you will never come across unless you are a hydraulic or aircraft engineer.

Quote from: sledge on October 17, 2007, 12:53:57 PM
Ask yourself  the question...will I actually use most of the gear in the kit?. I have bought big flash socket sets in the past and only ever used 1/4 of the contents. Your never gonna find imperial or SAE sizes on a jap bike or a modern car so why waste money on them.

Yeah, a common theme from all sources is that the set should be as much metric as possible. I probably won't even use a quarter of the kit presently (at the moment, chain cleaning and oil changes are my only--and dubious--talents). Using the whole set...well...that's probably going to depend on how much munchies I can take over to scratch's house so he'll let me watch everything he does! 

I figured that Sears would have the list right....thanks for pointing that out, DLW.... yeesh! 

I'm going to be haunting the local Sears tool shop. I just submitted my Craftsman Club info, so I'll hopefully get some discounts that way, too. I've added the impact driver to my list....and I'm working on figuring out the torque wrench (I'll have to pick scratch's brain s'more  ). I'll take a look at the 6-point sockets, too! 

Thanks again, everyone! My credit cards are going to hurt.... I just ordered a new Crackhead helmet and leather pants...and now the tool collection is going to start... Who needs to eat anyway! 

I have the 137 and rarely use all of it.  Of course, I bought it for $45 during a brief stint working in the Auto Shop at a sears so I got a good discount

The 137 is obviously the best deal, but my bet would be the 95 will do everything you are capable of and then some.

Funny thing talking about tools, but I realized the other day I was tightening the valve cover, actually I was just making sure the valve cover bolts were snug down and I didnt want to take the tank off, but I only had the folding hex wrench you know the kind that fold into the handle. There was no way I was going to get that darn thing in there, after digging around the garage I finally found the individual metric hexes. When I bought that little handy folding hex set I totally wasted my money because the individual ones are easier to get into small places. One thing I like about having the 1/4 in socket wrench is that I am less likely to over torque the smaller bolts like the case cover bolts. Having the SAE has always proven useful for me because I find that alot of stuff around my house still uses standard size bolts, like my garbage disposal unit and my lawn mower. Really I would have liked it if we went to all metric, it sure would have cut down on the money I have spent so far. Everyone has a lot of good input here, great post.

why did people vote for the 117 when the 137 has everything the 117 has(i assume) plus more and for less money

I buy tool "sets" in a more broken down format than you get there. As Sledge said soon everything will be metric, and nearly every car or bike produced now is in metric so imperial will be useless in no time.

I think you first need a good set of spanners.

I have a set of normal ring and openended (together) spanners ranging from about 6mm to 24mm and then in larger incriments up to 30 or so.
I also have a similar set but with rachet ring ends - these rule for laboriously long undoing of things you can't get to with a socket.

2 Adjustable wrenches, and one pair of stiltons.

Socket set from about 6mm all the way up to 30 odd. Also have swivel head and extentions and adapaters as well so i only have 3 wrenches for em. Also have a screw driver head box and adapter to fit that to sockets.

Mmmmm basic combi screwdriver, usually just screwdriver handle with 3 swap out duel ended driver bits.

Other than that i have torque wrench impact driver.

These are the basic tools i could make do with in my garage/workshop when working on cars and bikes.

However i have lots of toys like air tools! mmmm air tools!

Buy the stuff separately.