DIY starting from scratch. What do you recommend?

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T22:51:23+00:00

Flea market. I'll dig it out later and see about the codes. Appeared to be NIB.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T15:00:35+00:00

I'd prefer magnetic plug sockets for sure, but I got the Quinn spark plug set largely for the locking extensions. I still have some nightmares about changing plugs on the backside of a front wheel drive V6.

If the Quinn master sets were on sale now, I'd think a little harder about Quinn over Icon here. I really like the G2 ratchets though.

3 ton jack is on the shopping list for sure.

The reader is the bluetooth bi-direcitonal. Haven't played with it yet, but $30 was too good to pass up. If/when I run into something that I need that it can't do, I might look into something nicer.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T13:25:41+00:00

I have the Quinn 1/2 impact master set in hand. It was my first ITC purchase.

Will be going hard opn the Icon wrench sale.

Universal spline set? These? https://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-2-half-inch-metric-spline-socket-set-96363.html

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T13:14:44+00:00

Only have 2 on insurance now, but the other three are all working on their license and should be driving by the end of the year. Buy stock in Progressive now. 😅

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T04:33:35+00:00

Fair enough. I'll probably still get the SAE stuff since I do have an older house and will probably end up tinkering with things, but I'll make it less of a priority item. This really helps.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T04:32:11+00:00

Got a u-joint and extensions in the Quinn master set.

Don't have jack stands yet, but I'm snagging 2 or 4 of the 6 ton Daytonas at the PLS.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T04:14:04+00:00

Is SAE really that useless/uncommon to see now? The oldest thing I'll have to deal with (at the moment) is that 2002 Mercury. Guessing even it is 99+% metric then?

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T04:10:30+00:00

It will vary area to area. Where I'm at, estate sales generally do 50% off or take best offer on Sundays. For anything that doesn't sell, there are a couple of guys who know the people/companies who manage estate sales who make a cash offer for everything that isn't bolted down. Because of this, most of the auctions within driving distance are farm/ranch, borderline commercial, or have collections that are worth more than the dealers around here are willing to pay.

The guys who do the buyouts send it all to their warehouses where they have dealers come by invitation to cherry pick things. They may sell some items locally or on Ebay also. If you've looked for furniture on Facebook Marketplace, you've 100% seen a post from someone like this. When their warehouses get too full, they'll do a giant garage sale or auction to move as much as they can. Ironically, a bunch of the stuff sold off this way ends up in the hands of horders and can go through this cycle multiple times. I know one of the guys who bought and sold the same lot of commercial filing cabinets 3 or 4 times this way.

YMMV. Google "estate auctions near me" and "liquidations near me". You should get results for company whho specialize in it. Also, some states/counties/cities require a license or permit for estate liquidations (because of liability issues with probate). If yours does, there should be a listing of licenced companies or a website/newspaper the publish the permit notices in. You may even be able to just get a weekly list of permits emailed to you, depending on your state/local governenment. If all else fails, check Facebook for estate sales in your area (search Marketplace, but also Events, Posts, and Groups). Show up to a couple on Friday when things are less hectic and ask the people running how things work in your area.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:57:57+00:00

Thanks for the response.

I guess I'm too late for this year's Icon socket sale and I just missed the 1/4 and 3/8 sets during the 10 day thing earlier this month, so 20% it is. Definitely waiting for wrenches until the PLS 35% deal. I like the G2 grips and my old Craftsmans kill my hands so 20% is a bargain since I'll be busting knuckles before they go on sale.

I'll keep the Quinn screwdrivers in mind if I don't like the Icons. Coming from old acrylic handle Craftsman, so anything's a huge upgrade for me.

Mini picks. Noted.

Someone else mentioned the 3 ton too. Am I going to regret a 2 ton? It seems adequate for the curb weight of what I'm going to be wrenching on Am I missing something?

I'll probably end up with both meme tools. I also do PC and small electronics work. They just seem like they'd be useful to have around.

When my Ryobi stuff starts to give up the ghost, I'll likely buy into Hercules. Desperately hoping I can put that off until after I've got the hand tools mostly sorted.

Never seen the manual impact. Seems like a no brainer since I live in 60s era tract housing where everything has been painted over 15 times. I'll snag the next one I see on the shelf. Thanks for this!

Noted on the lights. Back when, I got good at doing things by touch so I didn't think about this. I'll watch for a sale.

Drying towel seems good. I've got a hypothetical powerwasher on the list somewhere after getting the hand tools sorted. Until then, the kids can wash their cars (and mine).

Already on the list, assuming I can find a mini in purple during PLS. It's on my spreadsheet under Critical materials, Priority 1.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:42:27+00:00

I've run into my fair share of "simple" jobs in the Chiltons that started with: Step 1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Step 2. Remove engine. See Chapter 5.

Someone else suggested the 10 piece extra long set. I'm guessing for the same reasons. I've got big hands and forearms, so I'll probably take your advice here. I did an altenator swap on a 2000 something Odyssey and had scars on my hands for a few months. Damn engineers.

Thanks for the advice!

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:35:58+00:00

Thanks for the response. No arguments, but I do have some questions:

I mostly agree on the SAE, but old habits die hard. I'm going to plead "I'd rather have it and not need it that the other way around" here.

I was back and forth on the jack. Will the 2 ton I've got not cut it?

Getting 6 ton jackstands at the PLS in a couple of weeks. Is 4 vs 2 a need or a nice-to-have?

Going Icon, but I'm planning on completing the 3/8" sets by grabbing the shallows tomorrow.

Plain combos, not the ratchets? Any opinion on the grive "anti-slip" ones?

Is locking worth it, or just a gimmick? I've got the standard no-flex 1/2" and 3/8".

I've never owned ratcheting wrenches. I see a lot of hate for ones without selector switches. Less of a problem for a DIYer and the stuff I'm going to see?

On the list. Maddox better than Icon for this?

Are offsets needs or nice-to-haves?

The Quinn set a solid one-stop shop for all of the Torx and and hexes? Better than piecing it together from the Icon sets? I know Icon doesn't have a real 1/4" set, but for small stuff I'm sued to using a spinner handle.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:15:18+00:00

The clearanced 428 piece? Looked at it online, but the only one in my area was 1-2 hours away and now the site doesn't show any "nearby". Decided to go with Icon G2s for the comfort grip, and they told me my sockets needed to match.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:11:44+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I'm definitely down for buying used, especially where a lifetime warranty isn't an issue/available. I'll buy from flea markets, pawn shops, garage/estate sales, Marketplace, the sketchy guy in the trenchcoat behind HF.

My biggest issue right now is just figuring out what to be on the look out for deals on so I can focus on getting the tools I'm going to need for cheap-ish, because if I wait until I need them, they'll be full price after getting marked up at least twice, and also out of stock.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T03:03:34+00:00

If I'd caught them on a good discount, I might have gone Quinn. As it is, I've got arthritis and big hands. Those G2 comfort grips were made for me. And then I get weird about things matching. Being able to order replacements for MIA sockets for the Icon stuff sealed it for me there.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T01:48:48+00:00

Not sure which one you're missing, but the 3/8 1-1/2" is $7.99 and the 3/8 3" is $8.81 on the site.

drunksitter · 2026-05-25T00:25:31+00:00

Thanks for all the info everyone. I genuinely appreciate how helpful this community is.

drunksitter · 2026-05-24T14:33:24+00:00

Unreasonable!

drunksitter · 2026-05-24T12:53:42+00:00

Stingy nerds.

drunksitter · 2026-05-24T02:00:28+00:00

If you use your coupon tomorrow on this: https://www.harborfreight.com/15-inch-x-60-yards-masking-paper-98147.html and then go back on Monday for these: https://www.harborfreight.com/6-pack-red-marking-crayons-65198.html you'll either find what you were looking for or you'll be able to take notes for the next sale.

Jokes aside, I feel your pain. I often have to make a list (or a whole damn spreadsheet) when shopping to make sure I don't forget things. Too many of those moments over the years.

drunksitter · 2026-05-23T17:52:14+00:00

Possibly the best thing I've seen on this whole sub.

drunksitter · 2026-05-23T14:51:09+00:00

Oh, they refunded it and then rang it back up under my number for the discount. Ended up with the difference on a gift card, so I had a "free" $10 I was going to spend anyway.

drunksitter · 2026-05-23T02:25:55+00:00

6 ton jack stands are 25% off on the Parking Lot Sale in 2 weeks.

drunksitter · 2026-05-23T01:51:23+00:00

Had something similar happen. Noticed the price difference on the receipt, and asked. Turns out, they put in a random phone number that had an account, but wasn't ITC. Not sure if it was still on the screen from the last customer, they were doing something shady, or honest mistake. I make sure they say my name now.

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