[Stanwood_Dave]

What you said is very true, tool brand(s) @ estate sales to look for Snap-on, Cornwall, Matco.

Why are these tool brand(s) better, just look at say any socket, you’ll see that the hole/size is centered, than look at say a Sear’s socket, and you will see it is off centered.

P.S. when using a open end / box wrench, to loosen a nut, ALWAY’S start with the Box end to loosen first, then switch to the open end.

If you start with the open end, and there is a lot of resistance, the open end will spread apart and slip off, if your lucky, you won’t curt your knuckles. Also when loosening a nut/bolt combination, ALWAYS loosen the nut if accessible, NOT THE HEAD OF THE BOLT, as shown on THE SHOW American Restorer. That is an example of how NOT TO DO IT.

[rightly_dividing]

In addition to your excellent advice on nut and bolt loosening, I would add that beginners purchase 6 pt sockets and use them when breaking tight nuts or tightening, due to their better grip on the head or nut because of greater contact area.

Quality tools can sometimes be found used at estate sales or pawn shops, but you have to be patient as it is not common. My greatest pawn shop find was a set of Snap-On combo wrenches from 7/16" - 1 1/4" for $20 for all! Individually priced at Snap-On.com, they were worth over $700! It was hard to pay and walk out the door with a straight face, though when I go down the block in my truck I let out a celebratory yell then!