Author Topic: Selecting a new set of hand tools (Read 2994 times)

379 Peterbilt · « **on:** April 26, 2007, 04:18:50 AM »

I am considering purchasing a new set of hand tools. Something like a 400-500 piece set. I will only consider made in USA tooling, no Asian made garbage. I am familiar with craftsman and have been happy with them over the years, but who can weigh in on Snap-on and Mac? Does Snap-on sell 500 piece sets? If so, are they worth the money? I know ya get what ya pay for in tools, but these are over the top when compared with Craftsman prices and their lifetime guarantee, no?

I am not impressed with the Snap-on or Mac tools websites. Sears site is far more informative and navagable.

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2007, 11:53:11 AM »

One thing you need to know about craftsman. If you use your tools to make a living it voids the lifetime warranty if they find out. My brother is in remodeling and found out the hard way. He took a hand tool back that was broken and they asked him what he did. He told them and they would not warranty it. KN

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:39:30 PM »

Upon further research, I have found what you say is probably true regarding commercial use of Craftman tools. I was not aware of that. Thanks for the tip.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:49:30 PM »

One thing i hate about crapsman sockets, they keep getting thicker and thicker!! I have "mostly" crapsman tools, but if i was rich, i'd have "mostly" something else... I say mostly, because no one brand has all "best", you have to pick tool by tool...

Keep in mind, some of Sears sockets and ? are made in Tiawan, and who knows where else?

Sears isn't what it use to be, now that K-mart ownes them!!!

DM

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:59:15 PM »

It's really the other way around. Sears bought out Kmart. Kmart was almost bankrupt.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2007, 03:11:15 PM »

You better recheck your facts, and let us know what you find out....

DM

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2007, 04:21:23 PM »

Ok I will retract my statement for the simple fact I am not sure. I do know that they closed several stores prior.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2007, 03:53:25 AM »

It's sad but true.....

DM

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Company Profile
Sears, Roebuck and Co. hasn't outgrown the mall scene, but it's spending more time in other places. Beyond its 860 US mall-based stores, Sears has more than 1,100 other locations nationwide. The company operates more than 800 independently-owned Sears dealer stores in small towns and about 110 Sears hardware stores and some 85 Orchard Supply Hardware shops. Sears' stores sell apparel, tools, and appliances, and provide home services (remodeling, appliance repairs) under the Sears Parts & Repair Services and A&E Factory brands. Its Web site also sells appliances and tools. Sears was acquired by Kmart Holding Corp. in March 2005. The deal formed a new parent company, Sears Holdings, which owns both chains.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/11/11338.html

weasel · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:16:11 AM »

I have been buying a lot of Ace hardware tools recently, price is right, if it breaks they replace it when you bring it in. Their tools used to feel cheap, seems like they've cleaned up a lot lately. I had a torx screw I couldn't get loose, broke a Snap-on and a Proto bit, my helper dug out his Ace, it worked but bent the splines, Ace replaced it. Even their tape measures are warrenteed, if they won't retract they'll replace it.

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:15:24 PM »

I'm an Automotive technition by trade. Personally, I really don't like Craftman tools, the sockets won't handle heavy torque & the ratchets are weak too. Mac tools are a donot buy. They treat their toolmen like crap. You may go for years without seeing one. Mac has really gone down hill since Stanley bought them out. I do own a fair amount of Snap-On, they are great, but pricey. I also have a fair amount of SK tools, they are made in the USA. Very durable, have had my 3/8 drive ratchet for 18 years & never been replaced. The cost of SK is about 1/2 to 1/3 of Snap-On & the quality is great. They feel better in your hands than the cheap Craftsman wrenches. Have SK screwdrivers that are also 18 years old, only broke one (used it as a prybar

) they exchanged it. They too have a lifetime warranty. So if you ask my opinion SK or Snap-On, but Sk is the best bang for the buck!

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:43:26 PM »

Anyone that has that many years turning wrenches you have to take heed to. I am on the other end I build your houses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

gdolby · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2007, 11:46:17 PM »

Goodwrench, what craftsman ratchet style did you have? the lever or the twist dial?. I work as a farmhand as one of my jobs and have noticed the lever type hold up much better than the twist type. BY hold up I mean using 2 foot cheaters on a 3/8 drive and 3 ft or longer on a 1/2 inch drive. I am not arguing. your time in turning wrenches speaks for itself, just wandering. You all have a good day.....Bill

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2007, 02:40:23 PM »

The few that I have are the lever type (with push button release), they have been replaced several times. The newer ones are weaker than the older ones. The 1/2 drive will handle alittle more abuse, but I feel they are maybe one step above the Harber Frieght crap. They only thing Craftman has going for it is a lifetime warranty. But the kicker is they give you someone elses rebuilt piece of crap ratchet. When they are rebuilds, they die even faster. They don't warranty your broken knuckles

. I found the SK ratches are pretty tuff. An other brand that is pretty good is Cornwell. Not a pricey as Snap-On. Quality is good. I like my SK tools the best. I have a 3/8" drive rotohead ratchet that is my favorite, it has a long handle for leverage & works great for changing plugs, brake work & tight engine compartments on Audis & VWs, make life alot easyer. I have the coarse tooth model, you can tell by the knob on the top has one strait bar, fine tooth has 3 out from center. I really dislike the way Craftman tools feel in your hands, they are squared off, ruff edges & hurt under hard torque. It's your hands & knuckles, choose wisely.

winfan · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2007, 08:08:15 PM »

My father-in-law was bummed because the SK ratchet he bought when he started farming in the '60s broke. I said no problem. Took it to my favorite tool store & walked out with a brand new SK. No questions asked. Never hurts to get a few brownie points with the inlaws.

My personal set of tools is all Craftsman. Did finally break the 3/8" ratchet. Otherwise, everything has held up well. Plus, its all made in the USA.

Got talking tools with a guy at deer camp who was a mechanic for Northwest Airlines in Duluth, MN. He said Snap-On had a better fit & finish, but he actually used mostly Craftsman tools on-the-job. Said it was handy if anything got lost or broke to grab a replacement on the way home from work, rather than waiting for the Snap-On guy to come around.

What ever you decide, please hold out for something made in the USA.

Mike

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2007, 08:56:44 PM »

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can buy US products do so the job you will be saving will be yours. Because the money spent here in some form or another goes back into the economy. It won't be many years from now that GM and Ford will no longer be able to compete in the car industry. If things do not change soon we will not have American made cars. This would be truly a shame.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2007, 02:41:40 AM »

I've used craftsman tools for quite a few years. Broke one 1/2 inch ratchet using it as a hammer. It was replaced immediately. I inherited a set of 1/2 drive S&Ks I don't think that they are any better than the craftsman set.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2007, 03:54:01 AM »

I have a fairly complete open/box set of SK wrenches and a few other SK tools... Anyway i broke an 1/2" drive SK universal and took it back to my dealer... He refused to replace it, saying i used an impact on it.... I was kinda mad as it had cost more than a crapsman and i told him i should have bought a crapsman in the first place... Anyway, he insisted it wasn't under warr and that if he replaced it he would be stuck with it.. Then he started telling me about SK warr...

Did you know that you have to break the "handle" on an SK wrench to get it warr'd??? He gave me a copy of the warr, and it's FAR from an 100% replacement guarentee...

Anyway, i saw this same discussion come up one time on another site... A guy posted the actual warr. from Snapon!! It's not 100% either! They do replace everything, but if you read there warr., they don't "have" to... There's holes all over in there warr's "if" they choose to use them...

Sears tools aren't what they use to be, but so far they at least they do keep replaceing them if needed...

About a couple years ago i broke one of my Sears 1/2" breaker bars (that was "years" old but still new) using a cheater, tightening the wheel studs on my tractor... The stud on the breaker bar broke right off it... I got out my SK bar and it took the same abuse with the same cheater... A week or so later i broke my second Sears breaker before the first one was replaced by mail... You see, these days, Sears has you drop the broken tool off and your new one comes to you by mail! Now, maybe if i drove to the city to the big Sears in the mall, things would be different??? I hate to go there, so no go for me!

There's quite a few places selling life time guarantee tools these days! I read that the same foundry that makes Sears tools is also selling to some of those "other" names too...

DM

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2007, 03:40:17 PM »

All I really can say is to buy what you can afford. If the best you can do is Craftsman tools, then thats what to do. For the light tool user, Snap-On is too expensive. If you work as a mechcanic, Snap-On comes to you. If you drive truck, not cool, by Craftsman for your tools, can go to a Sears store anywhere. Not everyone uses their tools as much as me.

team101 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:50:57 AM »

Asian made is going to include several Craftsman wrenches these days. Also, I recently learned that China can make a good tool. I bought a Husky 1/2" breaker bar and ratchet extension from Home Depot because both were marked down to $5. The breaker bar has withstood every ounce of abuse I have thrown at it without skipping a beat. Including a 36" cheater with me standing on it. It flexes a little more than my US hand tools and I think that is the key to its durability. When I break it, it get replaced for free.

Rex in OTZ · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2010, 03:01:24 PM »

I live off the beaten path so I have to either fly the 240 miles into a city that has MAc & Snap-On or I can order on-line, I have a mix of tools, Dimaond, S&K, Snap-On, Thorson, Proto/Challanger, MAC, Armstrong, Cornwall, Gearwrench and Metwrench, and the sears wanna be gimick stuff, I still have a very old and stout 1/2" wrachet that is marked Montgomary Ward, I have MasterMechanic hand wrenches around as well I bought from a ACE hardware store, it gets to be a hassle when quibbling about replaceing them, If I got the $20-30 use outta the tool I'm happy, shrugg it off and solder on with a replacement.
I use Fluke for trouble shooting, Pacific Tool torque Wrench that beats MAC and is better suited than Snap-On and the last 3/8" drive S&K torque wrench I bought I wasent happy with and traded off soon
I did part 135 aircraft maintenance for 14 years.
if your useing tools to earn a living get the best you can afford and like anything man made it should have replacement parts available. Ive seen High end tools break, you just hope you made your money back out them before they fail or wear out.

Zulu · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2010, 01:24:25 PM »

Quote from: Rex in OTZ on August 06, 2010, 03:01:24 PM

I live off the beaten path so I have to either fly the 240 miles into a city that has MAc & Snap-On or I can order on-line, I have a mix of tools, Dimaond, S&K, Snap-On, Thorson, Proto/Challanger, MAC, Armstrong, Cornwall, Gearwrench and Metwrench, and the sears wanna be gimick stuff, I still have a very old and stout 1/2" wrachet that is marked Montgomary Ward, I have MasterMechanic hand wrenches around as well I bought from a ACE hardware store, it gets to be a hassle when quibbling about replaceing them, If I got the $20-30 use outta the tool I'm happy, shrugg it off and solder on with a replacement.
I use Fluke for trouble shooting, Pacific Tool torque Wrench that beats MAC and is better suited than Snap-On and the last 3/8" drive S&K torque wrench I bought I wasent happy with and traded off soon
I did part 135 aircraft maintenance for 14 years.
if your useing tools to earn a living get the best you can afford and like anything man made it should have replacement parts available. Ive seen High end tools break, you just hope you made your money back out them before they fail or wear out.

240 miles to a city? I'm interested in where you live?
Zulu

mechanic · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2010, 01:30:05 PM »

I have been a mechanic since 1969. I will not buy Snap On at all, as they won't warranty my tools. I own a fair amount of Craftsman, and have never had them reject a warranty, even when I come in with a uniform on.

I own a lot of SK. Both are good tools. No one line is perfect in everything.

rwng · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2010, 11:42:00 AM »

I'm not a mechanic by trade but I purchase and use alot of hand tools for work and as a DIY'er. My favorite brand is probably Proto, Blackhawk. The wrenches are thick and comfortable to hold and the finish is slip resistant. Their sockets are comfortable, bullet proof and easy to read. Someone mentioned Ace brand and if Master Mechanic is that brand, then their ratchets are nice because the deep knurling makes them easy to hang onto when your hands get greasy etc.

DDZ · « **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:01:05 PM »

I and a couple of other guys where I work, service 2500hp to 3500hp units. Along with other related equipment. The company I work for lets us choose, and buy what ever tools we need. Most of our tools are snap-on. From 1/4 inch drive sets, up to 1-1/2 inch drive sockets. Most of our torque wrenches are snap-on also. We have had very little problems with tools breaking if we do have one that breaks a guy comes to our door with his truck, and if he doesn't have it on the truck he gets us another one within a day or two, with no questions asked.
We had a 1/2 drive ratchet break at the handle because some clown put a cheater pipe on it. When the snap-on guy came in, I didn't lie to him about how it was broke. All he said was "I don't need to know that", and gave me a new one. Some tools just get wore out from use, yet they are repaired or replaced with no questions asked.
One tool that I do not like is their 1/2 inch drive impact gun. It does not compare with the Ingersoll guns. One thing snap-on sells, that others would be hard pressed to match in quality is their upper end tool cabinets. We once had proto boxes and they fell apart in five years. We now have $20,000 wrapped up in just Snap-On cabinets, and they are good as the day we first got them. The drawer rollers are unequal to others. We have a couple of drawers loaded with "1, and 3/4" drive sockets and the drawers roll in and out with ease.
If I had to purchase my own tools they would not be Snap-On because of the cost, but when someone is paying why not.