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generate the reputation DeWalt has for micturate quality peter , it ’s not surprising that its socket mark topped our list of the best mechanics instrument set . I put the DeWalt 142 - piece grease monkey instrument mark up against six others in a serial of side - by - side auto mend and maintenance tests to evaluate each .
During my judgment , I evaluated the selection of tools and socket and routine size of it uncommitted in the kit to define how well they matched up with the needs of a home mechanic . I also deal how well the tools let in in the set performed by testing how easy it was to tighten and relax bolts and other fasteners . in the end , I considered the kit ’s overall figure character , front specifically at the eccentric of steel and timber of cutting used in the construction of the sockets , combining wrenches , and other instrument include in the set . With its top - mountain pass construction and well - curated collection of tool and sockets , the DeWalt mechanics instrument outfit prove to be the best of the caboodle .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The DeWalt DWMT73802 142-Piece Mechanics Tool Set: At a Glance
Rating:9.2/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
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What is the DeWalt mechanics tool set?
DeWalt ’s 142 - musical composition tool kit is contrive to accommodate the need of home base mechanic . It comes with a broad reach of SAE ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) and metric socket size and 1/4 - inch and 3/8 - inch ratchet . There are also mystifying socket version of the most commonly used socket size ( ideal for reach bolt that are deep inside a automobile locomotive engine or soundbox ) , a spark ballyhoo socket , and a modest appeal of extenders and joints for work bolts in the mean confines of a car locomotive engine .
In gain to the socket and rachet that make up the gist of this mechanics tool set , there are other prick automobile mechanic should find useful , including a bit number one wood with an assortment of bits and socket adapters that make it potential to use the socket with an impact equipment driver . round out this kit is a accumulation of 10 compounding wrench and a Seth of metric and SAE hex wrenches . All the man check into a influence plastic carrying lawsuit that together count about 20 pounds .
What’s included in the DeWalt 142-piece tool kit?
While many tool manufacturers promote the numeral of opus in a outfit , measure surely is n’t everything . I ’ve try out more than a couple of 200 - plus - firearm sets that omit of the essence mechanic tools in party favour of tools a automobile mechanic would never postulate , such as precision screwdrivers and cypher tie beam .
TheDeWalt 142 - art object setmay not be as large as some , but it includes the tools home shop mechanic are most likely to use ( with a few notable omissions ) . Socket sizes range from 5/16 in up to 7/8 column inch for SAE and 5 millimeter to 19 millimeters for system of measurement , covering the most coarse size of it a home base auto-mechanic needs . The outfit also fall with both 1/4 - inch and 3/8 - in ratchets , the most usually used rachet sizes .
The exercise set does n’t have as many extenders and adapters as I ’ve seen in other bent , but it include the necessity . There are universal joints and extenders in both 1/4 - inch and 3/8 - inch size , and the Seth also fare with a 1/4 - in to 3/8 - in arranger and a 3/8 - in to 1/4 - inch adapter .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Also included in the set is a bite number one wood with a nice cooking stove of piece to go with it . There are Phillips , flathead , and Torx options as well as a collection of fruitcake driver that range from diminutive 5/32 millimeter and 4 millimeter sizes up to 1/2 - in and 8 millimeter sizes .
DeWalt also admit a few pleasant surprises in this outfit . It was the only one I tested that includes a set of adapters that give up the user to get in touch any of the kit ’s sockets to an impact driver . There ’s also a Phillips - head impact number one wood second and an impact driver bit holder . While these arranger can be purchased severally , I love the fact that they accommodate inside this kit so they ’re ready when needed .
While I like the selection of tools in this kit , there were a few tools I miss . I wished the DeWalt kit included an adjustable wrench , slip - joint and acerate leaf - nose plier , and a pair of cutters . That said , I do like the fact that DeWalt keeps the total weight of this kit at around 20 pounds ; it ’s lighter and easier to carry and store than many of the kit I test .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
How does the DeWalt mechanics tool set perform?
While I wish the selection of tools included in this kit , it ’s the exercise set ’s surpassing shape tone that differentiate it frommost mechanic tool set .
The difference between DeWalt and lesser brands is apparent . There are precision cuts on the sockets and box ends of the combination wrench . The socket also have a heavier , sturdy flavour than others I ’ve quiz and feature a radius recession pattern that makes them less probable to slip .
During my testing , both the sockets and combining wrench match snugly over nuts and bolts with very little romp . I also liked the short cut arc provide by the 72 - teeth ratch , which made it easy to work bolts in tight spaces , and the push - button lockup mechanism that keep the sockets secured to the ratchet head .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
This timbre human body liken to splendid performance . The socket did n’t slip on the holdfast , nor did they crop up off the ratchet , even when I was apply a lot of military group .
Thismechanics tool setis technically not an impingement socket set ( since the sockets are n’t carbonized steel ) . However , since the kit includes adapter for this intent , I tested them with an impact driver anyway . They performed well . I did n’t experience any ratchet slipping , nor did they round off any bolt . They also did n’t crack under the intense pressure created by an impact number one wood , which is a credit to the husky building of the sockets .
Other small details also show DeWalt ’s timber construction , including knurled rings on each socket that provide grip when hand - tightening and large , stamp markings that make it easy to say the socket sizes . The number one wood has a tension angle bracket inside the bit bearer that locks in each second , control a scrap wo n’t pop out out and lessen into the dark niche of a machine engine .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
All the tools fit nicely into a high - character DeWalt molded case . I loved that the power driver adapters and fleck primed inside their own typeface , which gibe inside the larger one . And while I keen the lack of some tool in this kit , I do like that it ’s compact enough to fit under the back seat of my hand truck .
Is the DeWalt mechanics tool set worth the money?
One of the best things aboutDeWalt ’s mechanics tool setis that it ’s very competitively priced when compared with kit from other tool manufacturers . That ’s saying something , given the in high spirits caliber of this set compared to other mechanics tool set from make that simply do n’t have DeWalt ’s pedigree .
The DeWalt kit has a well - curated excerpt of socket size and tools , exceptional build quality , and a few extra users wo n’t find in other kit . Yes , it lack a few tools that would have been nice to have in this Seth — namely a couple of band of pliers and an adjustable twist — but those are small omissions commit what come with this hardening .
With all that in intellect , it ’s good to say the DeWalt 142 - objet d’art auto-mechanic set is well deserving its price .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Is the DeWalt mechanics tool set right for you?
The DeWalt 142 - slice is a great all - around tool set for plate auto-mechanic . Though not the magnanimous set I tested , it includes a smart accumulation of socket sizes and puppet to serve most the indigence ofmost home mechanics . The quality of the set is also exceptional , which is no surprisal give the reputation of the DeWalt stigma ; this is a tool outfit that should hold back up to whatever you throw at it .
While this is an fantabulous mechanic puppet fructify , it may not be the right choice for everyone . Those in need of a broader compendium of sockets that includes a 1/2 - inch - size ratch and large socket sizes may desire to consider a more comprehensive option , such as theCraftsman 450 - composition shop mechanic pecker set . Serious home mechanics who drop more time in their garage than in the residuum of their habitation or who find themselves working on other people ’s cars may want to spring for a professional - spirit level set , such as theGearwrench 232 - piece mechanics cock solidifying .
Where to Buy the DeWalt DWMT73802 142-Piece Mechanics Tool Set
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a self-employed person writer speciate in nursing home melioration , landscape gardening , engineering science , home certificate , and design . His article have been featured on such sites as Angi , Popular Mechanics , Futurism , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Switchful , and more . Carrick has behave rigorous product examination on everything from power tools to home security department systems to backyard grillroom . With each review , his goal is to help reader watch whether a intersection meets their needs and if it is or is n’t worth its price tag .
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