Building a deck - what wrench set should I get?

Hey everyone, I'm planning to build a small backyard deck this summer - nothing huge, maybe 12x12. I've got most of my tools sorted but realized my wrench collection is pretty sad (just a couple old adjustable ones). What should I get? I don't want to break the bank but also don't want to buy junk that'll fail mid-project. Any recommendations for a good starter set?

Dave, for deck building you'll be dealing with lag bolts, carriage bolts, and maybe some structural connectors. Skip the adjustable wrenches for anything structural - they can round off bolt heads. Get a decent combination wrench set (metric AND SAE since hardware mixes both) and a socket set with ratchet. I'd recommend GearWrench or Tekton for good quality at reasonable prices. Also grab a torque wrench if you're doing anything load-bearing - proper torque matters more than people think.

I built my deck last year and learned the hard way! I started with cheap store-brand wrenches and stripped two lag bolts before giving up and buying better tools. DrillMaster is right about the combo wrenches - I ended up getting a Craftsman set that's served me well. One thing I'd add: get a good breaker bar too. Some of those bolts can be stubborn, especially in pressure-treated wood. Oh, and don't forget some penetrating oil for rusty hardware if you're reusing anything!

lol i feel you Dave! I tried using my dads old adjustable wrench on my shed project last year and it kept slipping off the bolts. super annoying. ended up borrowing my neighbors socket set and it was way better. i just bought the husky mechanics set from home depot last month - was on sale for like $80 and has like 100 pieces. works good so far for my weekend stuff. just make sure whatever you get has a good warranty!

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful. Sounds like I should avoid the adjustable wrenches for the important stuff and invest in a proper set. I'll check out GearWrench and Tekton like DrillMaster suggested, and maybe look for something with a lifetime warranty like Hank mentioned. Rick - good call on the breaker bar and penetrating oil, wouldn't have thought of that. Appreciate the advice!