Topic: Tool quality

[Shenanigans]

I have only ever had cheap tools, mostly from H.F. Only because that all I could really afford. Well I can only round off and break so many wrenches and bolts before I dont want to go buy another one. Cheap as they be, but I am not yet ready to buy a $300 Snap On or Mac rachet. So whats a good next step up that wont break my wallet? (or my tools!) Any suggestions?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Craftsman, lifetime guarantee on most of their tools.

[mlinder]

I find the Craftsman tools are a nice middle ground.

[andy750]

I find the Craftsman tools are a nice middle ground.

+1. Get the 6 pt. wrenches rather than the 12 pt.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947237000P?vName=Tools&psid=SHOPZILLA01&sName=All+Wrench+Sets&cName=Wrenches%2CRatchets&sid=IDx20070921x00003c

[CycleRanger]

Go with Craftsman, Thorsen, Snap-On, etc. any major brand.  
However, if you want to save a few bucks check out pawn shops or the local flea market.
With the economy the way it is there's a lot of really great tools at the pawn shops.

(I got a whole set of used Craftsman sockets for $1 each at the flea market.  The lightly used Craftsman ratchet was $5.)

[azuredesign]

I've had the same Craftsman 1/2" and 3/8" drive ratchets since 1969.

[kirkn]

Husky is another good one.  They sell 'em at Home Depot and they, too, have a lifetime guarantee.

And, definitely go with 6-point sockets vs. 12-point, whichever brand you go with.

[motocyconomad]

Craftsman is good... and the best place IS the pawn shops just watchout for that China
my machinist tools/gauges are bookoo and I cant skimp its my living  but I always scan pawn shops and craigslist for good tools

[Duke McDukiedook]

Know what you are buying and what it costs new before you buy from that pawn shop, I got a set of new halogen work lights cheaper from Sears than I would have used at my local pawn shop.

[Nikkisixx]

I also vote Craftsman.  Used is better not just for price, but also because the older tools (10 years agos or so) are of better quality IMHO.  New craftsman stuff is still way better than HF.

[Inigo Montoya]

Awesome thing about craftsman's warranty is that no matter where you get the hand tool from, person-wise, it is covered. You could be the 5th hand on the screwdriver, it does not matter. At least it has held true for me anyways.
Remember, the warranty is on hand tools. As are all the brands I think.

[bubruins]

I vote Craftsman tools. I am good friends with people that have taken back the most abused tools to Sears. One guy bent a wrench 90 degrees with a torch so that he could get to a bolt. He bent it back and took it to the store. They have him a new wrench. The other guy uses his 1/2 ratchet as his primary hammer. I think that he's on his 3rd ratchet (he works on fullsize trucks routinely).

That kind of warranty is why I buy Craftsman tools.

[syth82]

Not that they need another vote, but I wrench for a living and i've broken more snapoff tools than craftsman. Most of my tools I got starting out were from snap on, now I only bother paying the extra $$ on snap on if I'm getting an allen or torx type socket. YMMV

[Shenanigans]

Well then I guess the consensus is Craftsman!

All the mechanics I work with claim anything but snap on is pretty much garbage. I am not making my living messing with old bikes so I think I can go with "lesser quality" 

I figure I could come up on a whole tool box with tools seeing how tight money is with a lot of people. I have been watching craigslist for a while but have not come across any deal I would jump on yet. Thanks for the input! I will look out for some older Craftsman stuff if I can.

[754]

Check the papers for auction, sometime they auction off large quatities of  good tools.. like a mechanics estate..

 Also I have got me and a friend, some very nice old Snap/On
 boxes, out of the paper. Many 30 or 40 yr old Snap-on boxes cleaned up are way better built than any new box you could afford..

[gane]

Just a tip, Every year, at Christmas, Sears has  "sales" on Craftsman tools, usually in various sets. compared to any other "lifetime guanteed" tools, the savings  are Great.. G

[nokrome]

"All the mechanics I work with claim anything but snap on is pretty much garbage."

   
   what a joke!!  i dont know were some people get that attitude from, must be some sort of elitist thing. ive been using craftsman stuff for years and have had nothing but positive things to say about them
   the bottom line is that having the most expensive tools you can buy wont make you a better mechanic

[nokrome]

"All the mechanics I work with claim anything but snap on is pretty much garbage."

   
   what a joke!!  i dont know were some people get that attitude from, must be some sort of elitist thing. ive been using craftsman stuff for years and have had nothing but positive things to say about them
   the bottom line is that having the most expensive tools you can buy wont make you a better mechanic

[nokrome]

sorry about the double post, dont know how that happened

[mick750F]

  Yup, Craftsman. Any tool that Sears sells that has "Craftsman" on it supposed to be guaranteed for life. From my experience this is true, although I once had to get pretty indignant and loud in order to get my money back on a hammer that I was not happy with. I had to point out that over their door in rather large and clearly readable letters was a sign that said..."Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back." That was back in the late 70's and I think that they don't have that language on their stores anymore.

    I'm on my third 3/8 Craftsman ratchet in 38 years after paying for one...how can you beat that? Snap-On? Sure if it's your business and you use them constantly but for most of us the cost is just plain ridiculous. And, for what it's worth, years ago I was told that Sears Craftsman and Master Mechanic hand tools came out of the same factory. After comparing some wrenches side by side I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

Mike

[mystic_1]

Take care, Sears now also sells cheaper lines of tools that do NOT have the lifetime warranty.  Their "Evolv" line is one such example.  Buy only the Craftsman brand tools that explicitly state they have the lifetime warranty.

mystic_1

[754]

A lot of earlier Craftsmen tools like 70,s or 80,s up here un Canada, needing replacement, does not get replaced with anything resembling the original..

 I dont really like some of their attitude, used their soft hammers, then the tip goes, they give you another hammer, then it goes.. I got tired of it, just build a better hammer, or stock the tips, and try to get them to last a while.

 Middle of the road sums up Craftsmen... they dont have a serious assortment, but enough for weekend warriors..

[Shenanigans]

You guys must be on Craftsmans' payroll!


You know it does seem to me that if I hey do honor their lifetime "guarantee" I could just collect the wrenches and sockets one by one until I get all the stuff I need. If anything happens, new tool... Sounds good to me.

Now what about the H.F. welders...   

[Nikkisixx]

Now what about the H.F. welders...   

Oh please no!  Save your hard earned cash and get a Lincoln or a Miller.   

[demon78]

Also try garage sales for old but lightly used tools. The other thing you don't really need sets, get the best individual tool you can afford and flesh the set in later.
Bill the demon.