I love my 1/4 in. drive ratchet, it's the one tool I own that is never in the tool box.

 

Another vote here for deep sockets.

Don't expect to fill all your needs with one tool set purchase, by a long shot. It's a continuous process, lasting a lifetime for some.

I have multiple rachets, much easier & more convenient to leave one size socket on one ratchet and another size on another when doing something. Just watch for sales on this and that - you can build a decent collection for decent coin if you don't try to buy everything at once.

I would also highly recommend a decent set of ratcheting wrenches - flexible ones are even better.

 

Maybe try Craigslist.. Good tools don't really go bad.

things your toolbox needs (In my opinion)
-Metric sockets. 1/4" and 3/8 drive. shallow and deep. You'll need 1/2 drive eventually for car/truck work, but can prob hold off on thses for a while or until you actually need them.
-Inch sockets. 1/4 and 3/8 drive. shallow and deep.
-Socket wrenches (Ratchets) GET GOOD ONES, splurge on your ratchets. fine tooth ratchets. Go to a few places and compare them, you'll know the good ones when you feel them.
- open end wrenches. A set of 10 or so, both metric and inch.
- Torque wrenches if youre doing any serious car or bike work, get a 3/8 and 1/4.
-Good set of screwdrivers.
- Few pairs of good pliers. Slip joint, needle nose, dykes. few sizes of each.
-Good set of allen keys, inch and Metric. get the big sets.

That's the core, you build up the other stuff piece by piece.. hammers, mallets, pry bars, channellocks, adjustable wrenches, electrical tools, punches/chisels, some tiny tools, some giant tools... that drawer with the specialized small stuff..

and you could really go nuts. air tools, rechargeable el;ectric tools, machine tools..

Start with the above hand tools and a good electric drill.


have fun
~Steve

 

This is my favorite ratchet of all time. I have had it for almost 20 years.

Snap-on


FHNF100, Ratchet, Round Head, Swivel Head, Soft Grip, 12 3/4"

I believe you get what you pay for. My ratchets, Metric sockets and Metric wrenches are Snap-on. The rest are Craftsman. Stay away from the Chinese made “No Name brand” tools. You will just end up stripping nuts and bolts because of poor tolerances and weak metal.

 

Holy crap. 1/3 of my weeks pay for a single rachet? Too rich for my blood.

 

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a complete tool set. If you are really into things mechanical, you will be buying tools for the rest of your life and still will not have enough.

I'd suggest buying first the things that you think you will need the most. Then supplement as necessary.

Take a look at the Kobalt line of tools at Lowe's.

Ron

 

Like I said you get what you pay for. Actually it is about half what I paid for it almost 20 years ago and about a half a weeks pay back then.

 

It looks pretty nifty. Not sure if it's in the budget though