Sonic Tools S9 285 Piece Tool Box | Mechanics Starter Set

You can view the toolbox in several ways. Most people start their toolbox journey at school, picking up tools here and there as they go. With the Sonic Tools S9 285-Piece Tool Set, you can jumpstart your professional tool journey—or upgrade your existing tool set. The tools and toolbox are professional grade. This system lives up to the Sonic Tools slogan: Professional Tools for Professional Technicians. We can't think of a better system for making sure nothing gets lost – at least not without your knowledge!

Some background on US Sonic Tools

Our first close look at Sonic Tools was at the Rolex 24 competition in Daytona, Florida. Sonic Equipment is a Dutch company with over 50 years of history and facilities in the Netherlands and Germany. Sonic Tools, Alabama is a subsidiary of Sonic Equipment. They serve a variety of automotive businesses, service centers, racing shops, aftermarket businesses, and personal garages.

Their forte is in the area of tool boxes with custom laser-cut foam inserts for better tool organization. The design ensures that all tools have a place – any lost tools will be very visible. This can help you find a missing 10mm socket or 3/8" extension – because you actually knew it was missing in the first place!

Opening up a pre-installed Sonic Tools S9 285-piece toolbox, what immediately jumps out is the amazing organization of the tools. Also, in our opinion, Sonic Tools picked the right tool for this kit.

With the Sonic Tools Foam Tool Insert, you no longer have to hunt for tools, just grab what you need. Sockets won't roll…you don't have to hunt for the right size socket wrench. It's there – and perfectly labeled in laser-cut foam.

We've always been impressed with the locking drawers in the Sonic Tool S9 285-Piece Toolbox. Like all their toolboxes, you can only open one drawer at a time. As you can imagine, the tools weigh a lot. Opening two or more drawers in a tool box can easily tip the box over, causing serious injury. By allowing only one drawer to be open at a time, Sonic Tools adds a truly professional-grade security feature that we appreciate. This doubles as I work with people who may not have experience with this particular danger.

The pre-filled S9+ tool kit comes on a tray with plenty of wrapping around to protect the edges. 5" casters (two swivel/locking) are also pre-installed. In less than 10 minutes, we shrink-wrapped all four foam tool trays, installed the towel bars, and attached two can holders to the sides of the tool box.

Tool and toolbox build quality

We've been using the tools in this particular toolbox for weeks, but also the tools in the Sonic Tools S10 toolbox and the basic Sonic Tools S9 toolbox for years. While you can order the S10 case in grey, red, blue, or black, the S9 case is only available in medium gray. We love the smooth finish, which and the 304 stainless steel countertop are easy to clean up. All of our Sonic toolboxes to date have avoided significant oxidation. Two 5-inch swivel casters lock and unlock easily with your toes, and the entire box moves easily as needed across the store's concrete floor.

Drawers slide open easily—even when full of heavy tools. Drawers close with a click, and ball-bearing slides ensure smooth, confident opening and closing. The included key locks and unlocks all drawers for security.

Side shelves/boxes easily hold aerosol paint, cleaner or lube cans and bottles. You'll also find a place for an extra-large roll of paper towels. The top of the box includes hard rubber side trays, perfect for holding small parts while you work.

Compared to "other brands"

Professional mechanics love their tools – and they have very strong opinions about what makes them great. Of course, the "tool cart" business model has been around for a while. However, depending on where you work, you may have to wait for a warranty replacement. Many businesses may not have regular stops for tool carts. Others might stop once a week, but if the tool truck comes on a Thursday and you break the ratchet on a Wednesday…also, there's never a guarantee that your replacement tool will be on the truck that week or that month. As you can imagine, there are some inherent flaws in existing systems, and many tool users are increasingly turning to the Internet for warranty support.

Sonic Tools starts and ends online. No trolley required. They cover all tool storage and personal hand tools covered by a lifetime warranty. It is supported by a 24-hour online tool exchange. The way it works is you log into the website with your user account, provide the part number and a photo of the damaged tool, and Sonic will process the claim within 24 hours and ship a new replacement part via UPS Ground. If they want to return the old part, they will include the return UPS shipping label. This means that if you live in California, you may have to wait 4-5 days to receive your tool. Not bad – less wait time if you live closer to Alabama.

The quality of these tools is top notch. Our team could not detect any indication that they would not last as long as similar ratchets, sockets, drives, etc. from Snap-on, Mac Tools and others.

Check out the included Sonic Tools S9 285-Piece Tool Set

We love the Sonic Tools S9 285-pcs Toolbox and its organization. However, the tools inside make or break the experience. After using most of the products, here are our thoughts, highlighting our thoughts on the various tools.

Ratchets and sockets

Of course, the ones we use the most are ratchets and sockets. Sonic Tools put a nice chunky handle on their ratchets. At first, we thought they looked a little bally, but as time went on, we grew to love being able to grab them easily with greasy hands and not let go. The handle also lasted a long time without tearing. The finish and mechanics are also well maintained. They range in tooth count from 45 to 72, and I like that the Sonic includes a flex head with a 1/4" kit.

We've done a good job of tightening these sockets and extensions while changing the wheels on a 2015 Ford F-150 and working on various projects in the workshop. The 1/4" unit came in handy when redoing some 12V wiring to upgrade the truck stereo. The socket includes a little bit of knurling for a better grip. Again, we noticed that the Sonic uses a hex head on its extension, giving you more leverage when you need it (or grabbing a wrench if you're trying to clear).

Lots of Allen and Torx bit sockets have come in handy more times than I can count, and we love small accessories like disc ratchets and universal joints.

wrench

Wrenches are tricky, and every mechanic has their own preferences. If you like a fully polished wrench, you'll turn your nose up at Sonic Tools' models. But if you want something that won't slip off greasy hands easily, their textured finish for open-end, combination, and offset wrenches will fit the bill. I myself fall into the category of satin wrenches, and my hands have slipped a lot on smooth ones. When you clean these wrenches, they may look less "shiny", but they will stick to your hand better. While some manufacturers will give you options, as far as we know, Sonic Tools doesn't have a solid option yet.

Screwdrivers and other hand tools

I'm used to the triangular handle design of Sonic Tools. They are comfortable to use and provide plenty of torque. Sonic strengthens the tips of the drives so they hold up well under tough use. The screwdriver also seems to clean up nicely. We really like the included 16-in-1 ratcheting screwdriver. It features multiple double-sided bits stored in the handle and a reversible shaft that allows you to change up to four bits in seconds.

The addition of a hammer, file, and chisel—not to mention a whole host of wrenches and pliers—makes this a very well-rounded toolset for any mechanic or shopkeeper.

tool by tool

The 285-piece S9 Toolbox includes four laser-cut foam tray inserts that hold the tools. That's exactly what you'll find in this set:

Tray 1 – Chisel, Hammer, Pliers, File Set, Pack of 23 – Medium

• 7” combination pliers
• 8” long nose pliers
• 8" curved nose pliers
• 7” Diagonal Pliers
• 10” water pump pliers
• 10” locking pliers
• 7.5/8.6” Grip Chisel (190/220MM)
• 6/7/8/8.2” Pinch Punches (150/180/200/210mm)
• 7.3" (185mm) Conical Hole Punch with Grip
• mechanical hammer
• stone hammer
• 5m measuring tape
• Utility knife (with extra blade)
• flat file
• Half round file
• round file
• Triangular file

TRAY 2 – COMBINATION SET 3/8”, 1/2″, 101-PCS – MEDIUM

• 3/8” 6 pt side sockets: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
• TX sockets: E4 E5, E6, E7, E8, E10, E11, E12, E14
• 3/8” hex bit sockets: 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
• TX bit sockets: T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45, T50, T55
• 3/8” TX TP Bit Sockets: T15H, T20H, T25H, T27H, T30H, T40H, T45H, T50H, T55H
• 72T disc ratchet
• 3/8” 45T ratchet wrench
• Extension rod 3/6/10” (75/150/250 mm)
• 3/8" universal joint
• 1/2” (f) x 3/8” (m) adapter for extension.
• 3/8” spark plug sockets: 16, 18, 21
• 1/2” 6 pt side sockets: 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32
• TX sockets: E10, E11, E12, E14, E16, E18, E20, E22, E24
• 1/2” 45T ratchet wrench
• Extension 5/10” (125/250 mm)
• 1/2" universal joint
• 3/8” (f) x 1/2” (m) adapter for extension.

Tray 3 – Wrench Set, 40 pcs – Medium

• Double open end wrench: 6X7, 8X9, 10X11, 12X13, 14X15, 16X17, 18X19, 20X22, 24X27, 30X32
• Combination wrenches: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30, 32
• 75° offset ring wrench: 6X7, 8X9, 10X11, 12X13, 14X15, 16X17, 18X19, 20X22

Tray 4 – Socket and Screwdriver Set 1/4″, 121-PCS – MEDIUM

• 6-point shallow wing sockets: 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
• 1/4″ 6 pt Deep Flank Sockets: 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
• TX Shallow Socket: E4 E5, E6, E7, E8, E10
• 1/4” TX deep socket: E4 E5, E6, E7, E8, E10
• TX bit sockets: T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40
• 1/4” TX TP Bit Sockets: T8H, T10H, T15H, T20H, T25H, T27H, T30H, T40H
• TX TR bit socket (5 LOBES): 10IPR, 15IPR, 20IPR, 25IPR, 27IPR, 30IPR, 40IPR
• 1/4” hex bit sockets: 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
• Magnet Socket Pickups
• 1/4” Extension Rod (50/100/150mm)
• universal joint
• 1/4” Disc Ratchet
• 45T ratchet
• 1/4” 72T ratchet wrench
• 1/4” 45T Flexible Head Ratchet
• 1/2” (f) x 3/8” (m) adapter for extension.
• 3/8” spark plug sockets: 16, 18, 21
• TX Wrenches, Extended Set of 9
• Hex Ball Extra Long Key Set 10 pcs
• Slotted screwdriver: 3MM, 3.5MM, 4MM, 5.5MM, 6.5MM, 8MM
• PH screwdrivers: PH0, PH1, PH2, PH3
• 8” pry bar
• 16 in 1 Ratchet Screwdriver

wrap up

When you use a really organized toolbox like the S9, which comes preloaded with 285 pieces, it transforms you. When I look into other mechanics' toolboxes and see tools thrown loose in various drawers, I wonder how they keep them organized. I wonder what lost productivity when looking for the right wrench and socket. I wonder if I would lose money buying a replacement for a tool that may have been found or just misplaced.

The Sonic Tool Tool Organization System obliterates everything you knew about mechanical toolboxes. After years of using this toolbox and other Sonic toolboxes, not a single tool has been misplaced – at least not for too long. This is not the case at all with our other tools (I'm still missing two aluminum OLFA knives in the store!)

Value is another consideration. At $3,825, the Sonic Tools S9 + Tools 285-Piece Toolbox is a steal. If you look for comparable products in Snap-on Tools, you can pay up to two or three times that—and that's not factoring in financing costs. In fact, we've seen rolling cases from competing brands cost more than a full Sonic Tools 285-piece S9 – and that's before adding any tools!

our recommendation

At $3,825 for the Sonic Tools s9 + Tools 285-piece toolbox, it's a steal. Add a lifetime replacement warranty and it gets even better. For anyone looking to get more organized — or just starting out as an auto mechanic, you won't beat this setup. Of course, if you're feeling ambitious, there's also Sonic Tools S12 or even S14 pre-installed (if you want something more at your disposal). All Sonic Tools kits are ready to be fully customized with your choice of kits and plugins. There are literally thousands of possible combinations.

Check out the entire lineup of Sonic Tools.

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