Where do you get your quality tools?

[vinicio]

I want to start getting some good quality tools to work on my bike and I'm wondering where you go for yours. I have a few basic things, but I want to get better quality ones (e.g. torque wrenches). I'll be looking for metric tools. I'm open to both online and local, though I'd prefer to support a local business. I'm in Boston (been here only about six months so still getting to know places). Any suggestions?

Also, while we're at it... where do you get your bike maintenance supplies, such as oil, filters, etc? I have a Suzuki.

[scottieducati]

Try the Tool Shed on Main St. in Watertown, or used-tools.com if you want to find some nice stuff at reasonable prices.

You can also get just about anything moto-specific you need through Pit Posse or any dealer / shop that carries Motion Pro.

[Jim]

honestly, i just buy Craftsman stuff. the expensive items like torque wrenches, i'll get on Black Friday. usually really good deals and you can order online & pickup at Sears.

one thing about the Suzuki filter is they're the same for almost every suzuki since the early 80's. so you'll have a large selection of options. i'm biased towards the K&N filters and Motul oil.
my street bike uses the 5100 Motul oil which is a semi-synthetic blend.

i'm in Quincy if you needed to go over some stuff.
i also have some special tools required to remove swingarms and motors.

[OreoGaborio]

I've bought higher quality tool stuff on line from www.northerntool.com (electronic torque wrench) and www.crawfordtool.com (safety wire pliers) before.

Basic hand tools: sockets, etc. I usually just go with Craftsman, Kobalt or Harbor Freight.

[Falko]

I typically just buy craftsman. I don't make a living at it, so I don't think I need tools at 3x the cost. Plus I've never broken a Craftsman tool, well, not using it for its intended purpose.

[Speed serpent]

I'm an aircraft mechanic and I lean toward Matco tools. They're a little cheaper than Snap-on and surprisingly are usually thinner for those tight spaces.

I also own lots of Craftsman tools but the last couple years switched to Kobalt. Lowe's stores hours are longer and the finish on the tools has surpassed craftsman as well. Harbor Freight recently switched to Lifetime guarantee on all their handtools and the quality has taken a huge step up, especially in their ratchets.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah, I agree w/ you on Kobalt/Lowes... Better socket selection, too. Had to find a single larger odd sized socket once... nothing anywhere - Home Depot, Sears, Autozone... walked into Lowes & found it within 60 seconds.

And I dig my Harbor Freight swivel head ratchets.

[nhbubba]

My basic hand tools are all Craftsman bought long ago. I agree with what's been posted re: the Lowes Kobalt stuff. Were I buying today, I'd consider them.
Some tools are about convenience. I have a set of ball-end t-handle hex wrenches that get used constantly on the bikes. Those came from Harbor Freight. I'd like to upgrade to nicer ones someday, but these aren't broken.
Recently bought a set of t-handle socket drivers from Motion Pro. They are awesome time savers, but not really anything a socket + extension couldn't do.
I bought a cup style filter wrench that fits Suzuki filters. I think I got it at Autozone one day when in a hurry. Still works.

Filters I buy online from the lowest bidder. OE for me.

[RandyO]

NAPA.... cause the nearest store is closer than any other store including convenience stores. They used to sell SK , but now NAPA branded tools made by Apex

[BSR6]

Like the others I'm not a professional but Craftsman has always worked well for me when it comes to sockets, box wrenches, etc. For ratchets I've steered clear of them though. The same goes for torque wrenches...For these kinds of tools I think it's worth spending the money for a good brand.

After hearing good things about Gearwrench, I bought a few of their ratchets and love them. Supposedly they hold up really well for a lower end brand and I love the feel of their 120 tooth head. If you are worried about durability with this many clicks it's actually a 60 tooth head with two pawls offset to give you twice as many clicks.

[OreoGaborio]

Ohhh yaaaahhh, i've got some GearWrench X-Beam Flex Head wrenches... Love em.

Kinda like these ones.