Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Building socket sets at the pawn shops?

Could have probably bought just about everything you need and more from one vendor at the market this morning Roy. There was an awful lot of used, quality American made tools on his tables.

C, it's not that sophisticated here.

I KNOW for a fact that the local pawn guys here buy stolen stuff all the time.

I’m sure there are still some bad ones around too. I wouldn’t buy anything from a POS like that either.

I am of the same mind cuzzin. Same with sheriff's auctions, etc. Bad karma attached to it. Been in a lotta arguments with buddies over the years about it, but I don't feel right swooping in like an Israelite to take advantage of someone else's bad fortune.

I had a friend in money troubles of his own making trying to liquidate to get some fast cash. Offered his 2.5" mod 66 for 200 bucks. I gave him 250 and said whenever he wanted it back it'd be the same, but I'd shoot it in the interim. Doesn't mean I'm a good guy, but I sleep guilt free most nights.

A while back someone asked about Tekton, and I responded that I had bought them and was pleased with purchase. Turns out I was wrong in the brand. I considered Tekton but went with Sunex impacts. So, if you are reading this ...

Made in Taiwan.

I bought full sets 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, SAE and metric, and couldn't be more pleased. I run them in front of new-gen brushless Milwaukee impacts, and they have been great.

Dropped a small one in the engine bay of my Duramax at one point, and it never hit the ground. May still be in there. Was able to get a replacement for a few bucks and re-complete my set. I liked that.

This is one of the sets I bought:


https://sunextools.com/products/12-dr-12-pt-39-pc-sae-master-impact-socket-set/

As you can see, just sockets, deeps, shallows, a uni adaptor (handy), good case, nowhere near Snap-On money.

I also bought the metric equivalent, that one with some extensions.

I did this one in 3/8:



My 1/2 and 3/8 ALL easily fit behind the back seat of the crew cab (keeps them out of view in the bed), along with a Milwaukee mid-torque.

A few years later, a set of injectors in the Duramax (the primary impetus to buy), some front suspension work, lots of tire rotations, etc., I would absolutely do it again.

Hard to imagine putting together a solid set of foundation tools onesy-twosy from pawn shops. I'd be much more after complete sets. Seems like a more practical approach.

If I were professional mechanic, I might consider Snap-On or Mac or the equivalent, but even there I have seen pros who have opined that from a practical perspective, you don't necessarily get a whole lot more for your money with those.

I can recommend Sunex.

Three thoughts that might help you since it helped me.

1. If you don't need them this week and doesn't sound like you do, check ESTATE AUCTIONS in your area.
Kids are just making space and trying to get a buck. There's usually less competition for the same items than many other sales making them cheaper. Besides THAT'S where lots of the flea markets get their better stuff and OLD TOOLS.
Old tools will Outlast us and everything short of Christ's second coming. The tools are usually better shape and cheaper.

2. Yard sales. Perfect time of year to shop as everyone is doing spring cleaning. I've gotten ancient tools that looked like museum quality that I felt guilty giving the asking price. Lastly but certainly Not least is the best.

3. Pray and ask God. I'm not going to assume anything since we are just neighbors getting to know each other.
If you are one to pray, Jesus told us about the Father and how much kinder He is than me or any of us are...Matthew 7. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-7-9/
He taught us to humble ourselves and ask Him.

I finally started to take Him seriously and started asking Him AND surprised to get answers.

I had a bunch of rachets, extra too, but was missing some sockets that had cracked and a set similar to what you are asking about with sizes that I didn't have surprisingly. Now I'm not saying this to sell you mine because I need these. I just want to encourage and for you to get what you're looking for.

I asked the Lord specifically as if He were in my shop with me one day for the socket set and mini driver that I needed once in a while for mowers, etc.
Guess what Fireball?
Next thing I know, I'm driving down the road and at the busy intersection near a sport arena. I see something that caught my attention. After pulling into the parking lot, I looked down and saw a bunch of sockets strewn all over the road and a box off in the lot. There were no trucks around or jobs or I would have asked if they lost their socket set and helped pick them up.
I picked them up and put them in the insets of the kit. I was surprised to see that they were all there except for maybe one that I already had a duplicate of!!!
If I remember correctly they are Stanley commercial set that you'd not find at Lowes. I don't know if they are US made, but so glad.... not so much for what they are, but for the One Who obviously gave them to me.
Hope that helps you find what you are looking for Fireball.


https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-1-17/

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-6-23/

Canvas wrench rolls are handy, BucketBoss.

Harry J Epstein Co. carries lots of choices and specializes in USA made. pricey but worth a look.
Harry J Epstein

I second that, each of our vehicles has a roll filled with relevant tools.

I purchase the BucketBoss rolls through ebay.

I have a sickness and its a tool collecting one. Nearly 80% of my tools are Snap-On and Mac Tools with some Matco mixed in. Ebay, pawn shops, flea markets and 20+ years of searching. i even have a damn nice Snap-on box i bought the day a pawn shop owner decided to retire. He told me he was tired of the business and he'd sell me the box for what he paid and i bought the box for about 20% of what you'd pay off the truck. Store closed less than a week later. i'm proud of my tool collection. One of my first jobs welding i had an old hand tell me "Nothing like pride and ownership in your own tools". Ever since that day I've been on a mission to buy only good older tools. i still to this day search for good tools on the cheap. Keeps me busy

I was filling in some gaps in my tool collection 2 or 3 years ago, and had always wanted this Craftsman 176 piece socket set, so I finally got it. Like the OP said, most “sets“ throw in a bunch of cheap tidbits to drive up the piece count, this one is all sockets. Something under $150 IIRC.



But if you really want to go whole hog in Craftsman, and I would have at the time if I knew this one existed..



One thing I’ll say about them though is, they come in a box without any sort of socket holder. Doing some research at the time on tool forums for devices to hold them, it can get real expensive! Oh, and it takes up a lot more room than I realized.

bhemry.....those Craftsman sets are China tools.

Danaher/Apex used to make many of the ‘made in the USA’ brands. Sold out in 2012.

Masterforce (Menards) used to be made in the USA. They transitioned to foreign made, but a few clearanced tool kits still are available.

35 piece kit for $26(after rebate)........without Allen wrenches and nut drivers. Less than $1 per piece, made in the USA.

Not a large set, but still worth the money.

Tool kit link

If you've got time to scrounge pawn shops trying to build a socket set, time is not your game. Save the gas and just fix everything with an adjustable wrench and a hammer.

I'm speechless......

I spose that’s why you won’t door any bicycle riders in your part of the state, he may be riding your bicycle.

Hahahahaha

I found a three way trailer hitch ball laying in the middle of a busy road about twenty years ago. Good times . I thought about fire Balls and his custom socket set back then . I knew one day he would come clean and tell us about his tool affliction.

I have made my living with tools of all types for a few decades now. My rule of thumb has been If I need it go get it as it will pay for itself .If a bargain shows THEN buy it but otherwise do not sweat having everything on hand immediately. Buy as you need - one time use rent it or maybe a cheap HF tool.

anybody that thinks god is answering prayers for socket sets......is more dangerous than blm and Antifa...….bob

You can thank prosperity theology and [bleep] like this guy for that.