DeWalt Mechanics Tool Set (172-Piece)

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt 172‑piece mechanics set straight to work on a Saturday spent bouncing between a light brake job, a lawn mower tune‑up, and a couple of odds‑and‑ends on a daily driver. Out of the box, everything has that clean, full‑polish chrome that resists fingerprints and wipes down easily after greasy jobs. The blow‑molded case opens flat with metal latches that feel secure and not flimsy—important if you toss the set in a trunk or truck box.

Organization is straightforward: sockets, wrenches, and bits each have a designated molded slot. It’s easy to see what’s missing at a glance, which keeps projects moving. That said, the retention relies on each piece snapping into plastic. Set the case on its side or carry it less than level and some lighter pieces can work loose. I learned quickly to close it carefully and store it flat. Also worth noting: there’s no extra “catch‑all” space in the case for tape, a small pliers, or a universal joint. If you want to customize the kit for a specific job, you’ll carry a second pouch.

Ratchets and drive coverage

The heart of the set is a pair of 72‑tooth ratchets in 1/4‑inch and 3/8‑inch drives. The 72‑tooth mechanism gives you about a 5° arc swing, which proved handy reaching a radiator shroud fastener wedged near the fan. While not as ultra‑fine as premium 90‑tooth ratchets, the action here is positive with minimal back‑drag. Direction switches have a decisive click, and the quick‑release buttons do what they should—eject a stubborn socket when your hands are slick or a socket’s half buried in a cramped recess.

Socket retention on the anvils is on the firmer side; you won’t fling sockets across the bay at the first misstep. I found the balance and handle contour comfortable over a full afternoon, with enough surface area to bear down without creating hot spots.

Extensions are well chosen: a 3‑inch for the 1/4‑inch drive, and 3‑ and 6‑inch for the 3/8‑inch drive. That combination covered most of what I needed without resorting to stacked adapters, and the included 3/8‑female to 1/4‑male adapter is genuinely useful for driving 1/4‑inch sockets with the stouter 3/8‑inch ratchet.

Sockets: range and fit

Coverage is broad in both SAE and metric. On the 1/4‑inch side, the set spans from tiny 5/32 up to 9/16 in SAE and 4 to 14 mm in metric, with both standard and deep options. That handled hose clamps, interior trim work, and small engine fasteners without fuss. On the 3/8‑inch side, you get 1/4 up through 7/8 in SAE and 10 to 21 mm in metric, again in 6‑point profiles. The 6‑point design is always my preference for general mechanics work—it seats well and resists rounding on worn hardware.

One caveat: deep sockets are only included for the 1/4‑inch drive. The 3/8‑inch selection is “intermediate” depth rather than true deep wells. For spark plugs, DeWalt includes 5/8 and 13/16 dedicated spark plug sockets, which covered both automotive and mower tasks for me. But if you regularly run into 3/8‑drive nuts on long studs or need clearance over protruding bolts, you’ll want to add a 3/8 deep set to round out this kit.

In terms of fit, the sockets seated squarely with no wobble on the ratchets and snapped onto fasteners with a confident feel. The lead‑in chamfers helped start sockets on slightly grimy threads, and I didn’t notice any inconsistent tolerances that sometimes plague value kits.

Wrenches, drivers, and bits

The combination wrench selection is pragmatic rather than exhaustive: five SAE (11/32 to 9/16) and five metric (10 to 15 mm). Those sizes cover a surprising amount of light automotive and appliance work—battery terminals, hose clamps, small brackets—though you’ll miss sizes outside that window on more varied projects.

The vinyl, anti‑slip bit driver is better than the throw‑ins you get with many sets. It’s grippy, with a shank that doesn’t flex under moderate torque, and it takes the included nut driver bits and specialty bits without looseness. The nut driver coverage in both SAE and metric was especially handy for hose clamps and small fasteners where a ratchet would be overkill. The 28 hex keys and 22 specialty bits (Torx, Phillips, slotted, and the usual suspects) gave me what I needed for interior trim and the mower’s carb cover. If you’re dealing with oddball security fasteners, you may still need a separate bit kit, but for most household and vehicle tasks, this is a solid foundation.

In the field

On the brake job, the 3/8‑inch ratchet with the 6‑inch extension and a 14 mm socket tackled caliper slider bolts cleanly. The 5° swing made the final turns easy with the wheel arch crowding the lever. Under the hood, the 1/4‑inch ratchet and deep 8 mm socket zipped hose clamps without stripping, and the bit driver handled a stubborn Torx fastener on an intake snorkel without rounding.

For the mower tune‑up, the 5/8 spark plug socket with the 3/8 ratchet made quick work of plug changes. The quick‑release button is small but very useful here—you can drop the plug and socket out without fighting in a tight engine shroud. Across all of this, the chrome finish wiped clean and didn’t pick up scratches from casual contact with sheet metal.

Build quality and durability

DeWalt’s full‑polish chrome finish on this set does its job: corrosion resistance and easy clean‑up. After a rinse and wipe, the tools still looked near‑new. The ratchets show tight build quality, with no sloppy play in the head or detent. I’d put the mechanism in the “workhorse” category—plenty durable for a home garage and light professional supplement. If your work demands ultra‑fine ratchets or flex‑head options, you’ll need to step up to a specialty ratchet set.

The case deserves both praise and critique. The metal latches are a welcome upgrade over plastic, and the molded layout makes inventory fast. However, the snap‑in retention for some smaller pieces can be fickle. I had a couple of bits and a shallow socket creep out of their slots after carrying the case upright from the truck to the bench. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it’s a reminder to close the case gently and store it flat. There’s also no space to stash a small pair of pliers or a roll of tape, so think of this as a self‑contained set rather than a customizable toolkit.

What’s missing

For a kit this size, the coverage is strong, but a few additions would significantly elevate it:
- 3/8‑drive deep sockets in common sizes
- A universal joint (at least for 3/8‑inch)
- A couple more combination wrenches to bridge gaps (12 mm, 17 mm, 1/2‑inch equivalents are present, but 8/9 mm and 5/8‑inch would broaden utility)

None of these are deal‑breakers; they’re sensible add‑ons to consider based on your projects.

Who it’s for

This set hits the sweet spot for homeowners, DIY mechanics, and anyone who wants a comprehensive, grab‑and‑go kit that covers both SAE and metric without fuss. It’s a strong choice for vehicle maintenance, appliance repair, and general household tasks. Light professional use is fine, especially as a mobile kit, though mechanics who live under the hood daily will likely augment it with deep 3/8 sockets, flex joints, and a few specialty ratchets.

Warranty and peace of mind

The lifetime warranty is table stakes in this category, but still reassuring. I make a habit of inventorying a multi‑piece set on day one—a five‑minute count saves frustration later. Everything in my kit was present and accounted for, and the molded layout kept it that way between jobs.

The bottom line

What DeWalt gets right here is the day‑to‑day experience: solid ratchets with a usable 5° swing, 6‑point sockets that hold and protect fasteners, and a selection of bits and drivers that actually see use. The case is durable and easy to inventory, though the snap‑in retention can be fussy and there’s no room for customization. Add in thoughtful touches—spark plug sockets, practical extensions, and an adapter that lets you power 1/4‑inch sockets with the 3/8‑inch ratchet—and you’ve got a capable, well‑rounded kit.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone building a primary home/garage toolkit or looking for a dependable mobile kit. It strikes a smart balance of capability, build quality, and organization at its size. Plan to add 3/8‑drive deep sockets and a universal joint if your work demands them, and be mindful of case orientation. With those caveats, this is a reliable, easy‑to‑use set that covers most automotive and household jobs without drama.