For jacks & stands, check your local NAPA or O'Reilly Auto stores before Pep Boys/AutoZone. Typically, NAPA or O'Reilly's will have some higher level shop tools such as that for only a slightly higher price than the cheap crap that Zone/Pep Boys sells.

As for hand tools, next time you're at a repair shop, look at what the technicians are using. If it's anything other than Matco, Snap On, Mac or Craftsman, I'd be fairly surprised.

 

I agree 100% on those. For handheld equipment I love the flukes and I have never been un-impressed by the tektronics scopes. ALL of my electrical tools are Kline. They cost more, but last forever and you really see a hell of a difference when you use them. The higher end tools really do pay off in the long run. For example, use a set of cheap 9" linemans and then pick up the Klines... a million times better! Especially if you use them all day cutting romex...

Ok, now I sound like a tool salesman

 

I got a set of Channellock sockets and wrenches for my birthday, and with limited use they seem pretty good. It was some 100-something piece set at Sam's Club I guess, pretty complete.

Next things I buy before working on whichever car I end up with will be a good torque wrench and some jack stands, and probably an air-tool set for my compressor.

 

I'm an electrician in Orange County and all my hand tools are Klein. All my tools for auto repair are Craftsman. My mother bought me a set of Craftman tools in 1979 for Christmas because I had just purchased a 1964 VW Squareback and I still have them.( damn I'm old). I also have a Craftman floorjack that I've had no trouble with and its about 3 years old. Craftman makes good quality tools that will last a long time.

 

OldYeller appreciates the good words for Craftsman tools. You can argue that Snap-on is better, but you can't go wrong with Craftsman. I have worked for Sears since 1974 and have many hand tools dating that far back. You can always take something back on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon for a no question exchange. OldYeller keeps a small set of Craftsman tools wrapped up in the tool tray in the back of his XB just in case. Just remember the old saying though--a bad carpenter always blames his tools.............

 

Eh you could always save a few bucks and go right to the manufacturers that make the craftsmen products

Pratt-Read makes all the screwdrivers
Martin Tool makes a good portion of the wrenches

 

craftsman sockets and wrenches. i like my kobalt and great neck stuff too. i have a stubby ampro adjustable wrench that i wouldn't trade for anything. klein screwdrivers. craftsman are poor quality screwdrivers. the tips strip or break really easy, even on the pro series ones. i use craftsman black and gold handle linesman pliers. craftsman multimeter. empire micrometer and calipers. estwing mallets and hammers. dasco pry-bars/drift pins/drive pins. craftsman presses and clamps. diamond diagonal cutters. wiss left and right hand tin snips. craftsman pliers and channel locks. vise grip locking pliers, 6", and 11" clamps. i have had most of these hand tools for over 10 years and they all are of good quality and are fairly inexpensive(for tools). i have a long list of power tools too, but i figure this is more what you were looking for.

 

Bad tools? No such thing.

Cheap, crappo tools? sure, hundreds of brands out there to steer clear of.

 

I'd call those bad tools...wouldn't u?

 

no, I wouldn't. An example:

a box end wrench... a good tool.

a box end wrench from billy bob's hardware and tackle... a cheap, crappo tool.

 

The majority of my hand tools for working on the car is Craftsman, w/ some Snap-On mixed in. I use a 3-ton Napa Auto parts jack, and Craftsman jackstands.