which tool company do you prefer?

[chevy_ss_383]

i prefer snap on mainly. i ended up buying their starter kit at school, so now thats mainly what i buy. plus i really like their soft grip stuff, try to buy it over the plastic or metal handles whenever possible. from the few tools ive bought from matco, i really do like them. plus you get the same quality as snap on for a little cheaper. i just ordered some matco impact swivel sockets, see how those do. for air tools, ill go ingersoll for the guns, matco for everything else.

[Priest]

If I was doing it every day I would probably go with cornwell. I have a lot of Snap On and Matco stuff but anymore it's mostly craftsman and husky. Unless you can get hold of your tool guy on a regular basis the other can be a pain the ass. I've found that the quality of the husky stuff is pretty dang good and there is a Home Depot a mile from my house so it's really easy.

[Jokeman]

Some Snap-On, Mac, Craftsman and SK.

[firestorm]

I'm 100% shadetree here, and I have whatever I get my hands on... either due to cost or convenience, but I have mostly Craftsman tools.

I've used enough *good* tools to know that the standard Craftsman tools are NOT "good" though. I do believe they're just fine for the do-it-yourself-er, or someone that can afford to run to the nearest Sears when a tool busts, but I'd never consider them if my career depended on them.

My problem is the both Sears nearby are 15-20 minutes away. I typically end up going somewhere like Home Depot, picking up something better than what I broke, and then the busted Craftman tools sits forever. I've never had any other non-power tool break, besides Craftsman.

[Bullwinkle]

90% of my tools are either Craftsman or Husky. They're inexpensive (compared to the hyped-up brands), and more available. Sears and Home Depot are within 2 miles of my house.

The only tools i've had a problem with were the cheap stuff from Harbor Freight.

[Joe]

handtools or powertools?

Handtools - Craftsman
Powertools - Dewalt & Porter Cable :D

[SimpleGreen]

I prefer Craftsman. Its more affordable for a high school kid like myself, and the Sears store isnt too far away. Ive used some Snap On tools (friends dad has a ton). I like them, but I simply cant afford them, and since I dont have a job that depends on my tools, I cant justify spending that enormous amount of cash it takes to buy anything from them. Personally I always kinda thought, that despite how good a tool Snap On sells, alot of that money spent is just paying for the name...like Harley Davidson...(overated).

[Gbodyolds]

Personally I always kinda thought, that despite how good a tool Snap On sells, alot of that money spent is just paying for the name...like Harley Davidson...(overated).

:word:

[Pewter Pro-Tec]

I prefer Craftsman. Its more affordable for a high school kid like myself, and the Sears store isnt too far away. Ive used some Snap On tools (friends dad has a ton). I like them, but I simply cant afford them, and since I dont have a job that depends on my tools, I cant justify spending that enormous amount of cash it takes to buy anything from them. Personally I always kinda thought, that despite how good a tool Snap On sells, alot of that money spent is just paying for the name...like Harley Davidson...(overated).


If you used it for your livelihood Snap-On is well worth it. For instance, I changed a serpentine belt on my mom's Caravan with a 1/4" snap-on ratchet and socket on the tensioner. Why? Some fool buddy of mine lost my serpentine belt tool kit. The point is these tools can take abuse. Like if you have to take off a rusted brake line, 9 times out of 10 if you don't have the right size flare nut wrench, the snap-on open end will do fine.

Also if you know any buddies that are chefs, and by chefs I mean high end chefs like those who create menus and stuff and not just grill burgers, ask them how much they spend on their tools, like their knives and such. Some knives from Germany can cost upward of $200. They don't get their knives in the housewares section at Wally World.

Just saying that if you use them everyday and your paycheck depends on it, a quality tool either from Mac, Matco, Corny or Snappy is well worth it. Also the payment plan allowed me to buy all my crap when I was starting out and pay without interest. The Snap-On man always took care of me and never gave me a problem with warranty repairs. Also I worked about 5 minutes from where he lived so I could just stop by when I needed anything.

[SimpleGreen]

If you used it for your livelihood Snap-On is well worth it. For instance, I changed a serpentine belt on my mom's Caravan with a 1/4" snap-on ratchet and socket on the tensioner. Why? Some fool buddy of mine lost my serpentine belt tool kit. The point is these tools can take abuse. Like if you have to take off a rusted brake line, 9 times out of 10 if you don't have the right size flare nut wrench, the snap-on open end will do fine.

Also if you know any buddies that are chefs, and by chefs I mean high end chefs like those who create menus and stuff and not just grill burgers, ask them how much they spend on their tools, like their knives and such. Some knives from Germany can cost upward of $200. They don't get their knives in the housewares section at Wally World.

Just saying that if you use them everyday and your paycheck depends on it, a quality tool either from Mac, Matco, Corny or Snappy is well worth it. Also the payment plan allowed me to buy all my crap when I was starting out and pay without interest. The Snap-On man always took care of me and never gave me a problem with warranty repairs. Also I worked about 5 minutes from where he lived so I could just stop by when I needed anything.

See, if your livelihood balances on your tools, by all means, buy the absolute best because you'll need them, but, for Mr Joe Average (myself), I dont see it as being worth it, lol.

[chevy_ss_383]

If you used it for your livelihood Snap-On is well worth it. For instance, I changed a serpentine belt on my mom's Caravan with a 1/4" snap-on ratchet and socket on the tensioner. Why? Some fool buddy of mine lost my serpentine belt tool kit. The point is these tools can take abuse. Like if you have to take off a rusted brake line, 9 times out of 10 if you don't have the right size flare nut wrench, the snap-on open end will do fine.

Also if you know any buddies that are chefs, and by chefs I mean high end chefs like those who create menus and stuff and not just grill burgers, ask them how much they spend on their tools, like their knives and such. Some knives from Germany can cost upward of $200. They don't get their knives in the housewares section at Wally World.

Just saying that if you use them everyday and your paycheck depends on it, a quality tool either from Mac, Matco, Corny or Snappy is well worth it. Also the payment plan allowed me to buy all my crap when I was starting out and pay without interest. The Snap-On man always took care of me and never gave me a problem with warranty repairs. Also I worked about 5 minutes from where he lived so I could just stop by when I needed anything.
:word: my gf used to work at a salon. she told me she had to buy a $150 pair of scissors, a $250 curling iron or blow dryer (dont remember, i wasnt paying attention :boring: ) but i almost chit a brick when she told me that. but shes in the same situation i am, just a different field.

[wrenchguy]

I prefer Facom/SK hand tools because the quality is generally better than Snappy, plus the price is 25-50% less. The ergonomics also work better for me. I've only broken two tools in five years, both times doing something stupid. The downside is that you have to go to the Facom guy and they were recently bought out by Stanley. Fortunately SK bought themselves back from Facom before Stanley stepped in; so go out and support a good employee owned company.

For everything else I have stuff from the big three but I usually either buy the best or buy from the best guy. Here in CT my Snappy guy is awesome while the Matco and Mac guys are worthless (when they decide to show up). Back in NJ Matco was great, Snappy would come in drunk.

Most of my air tools are IR, Fluke is the only DMM you can trust, and the only toolbox I would buy is a Lista - Made in MA. (we rag on Snappy about that one).

If I were Joe shadetree I would get SK or Craftsman sockets and wrenches but save my money and buy some real ratchets (fine tooth )and a really good breaker bar. Skip the cheap screwdrivers. Hit Ebay or your local pawn shop. Mechanics go broke all of the time.

[Dubyagee]

I use bluepoint/snap-on, Craftsman and S&K tools.

[Jokeman]

Most of my air tools are IR, Fluke is the only DMM you can trust, and the only toolbox I would buy is a Lista - Made in MA. (we rag on Snappy about that one).

Lista boxes are made in Ma? I didnt realize that.

Also, www.thetoolwarehouse.net has good prices on SK stuff. Best Ive found on the net with super fast shipping.

[wrenchguy]

[QUOTE=Jokeman]Lista boxes are made in Ma? I didnt realize that.

Here's a quote directly from their website.

"All products sold in North and South America are manufactured at the Lista International headquarters in Holliston, MA, USA, pictured above. This modern 225,000 sq. ft. facility employs over 250 people."

[joakwin]

i use cheap tools at home, wal marts tools, lowe's brand, home depot brand, habor freight

the few sears hand tools i have got, have been ok but some have broke when i was useing them

i love habor frieght tools, i have this grinder from them and have been useing it for well over 2 years

i just got a electric impact and impact sockets and a electric shear from them a few weeks ago

i got a sears saw zaw on sale for like 50 bucks, my dad got a dewalt saw zaw for like 120 or so and he's gone thur 2 of them so far in the sametime i have had my sears unit

chop saw, my dad had a dewalt that he spent about 400 something bucks on, lasted 6 months, habor frieght unit, 100 bucks and it lasted 6 months also, in the end it still broke but it was cheaper to buy, lol

at work i havn't had good luck with matco tools, they seem to brake alot on me,
snap-on, i love their tools at work, they last forever
sears, they are good when they are new and after that they don't really cut it, kind of makes the job harder when the tool becomes a pos

i work in vehicle maints for the AF, they check out a tool box to us and if we lose a tool we have to replace it, but if a tool brakes then they replace it

my 1st box was a matco, i was happy to see it go
my 2nd box was a older snap-on that the nco of the shop had been useing and i got when he left to another base
3rd box, i gave my 2nd box to a new person in the shop to get the 20k snap-on box but i had to work with another person out of it but that other person is who i worked with anyways so it was all good
right now i don't have a box because im moving from shop to shop so im working out of someones box but its a snap-on and that person is training me so its all good

at home i have had good luck with the cheaper brand tools

peace

[1Bad454]

All Craftsman... If I was rich I'd get Snap On:read:

[1Bad454]

Lista boxes are made in Ma? I didnt realize that.

Also, www.toolwarehouse.net has good prices on SK stuff. Best Ive found on the net with super fast shipping.

Hey whats up with that Bogus link..........:teddy:

[wilbilt]

Snap-On does the job for putting food on the table. Craftsman is OK for home use, but Sears is 40 miles away for exchanges and I don't like their attitude.

[Jokeman]

Hey whats up with that Bogus link..........:teddy:

The correct link is

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/

Sorry about that. Ive bought a lot of tools from them recently. They come FAST. Place an order sunday night, if its over 100 bucks its free shipping, and they get to my door tuesday morning.:happy:

[wilbilt]

Also check out Harry Epstein:

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.htm

Browse the "closeouts" section, there are some deals there.

[Drisco Z71]

i like snap on cause i got one of their 14pc standard wrench sets for free, brand new in box from my local case ih dealer. if you want to get some cheap snap-ons go to a case ih dealer. the only difference is that they say caseih(or new holland), same warranty just a different stamp. but the 14pc i got was suposed to be only like 65 bux or something!

[1Bad454]

The correct link is

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/

Sorry about that. Ive bought a lot of tools from them recently. They come FAST. Place an order sunday night, if its over 100 bucks its free shipping, and they get to my door tuesday morning.:happy:

No problem and thank you. You guys got me all excited talking about tools now.:hack:

[Loki]

only snap-on for me but i do have some porter cable power tools...are we just talking about hand tools here?

[wilbilt]

only snap-on for me but i do have some porter cable power tools...are we just talking about hand tools here?


I would guess that hand tools are the focus, based on the poll choices. Even if limited to hand tools, there should be more choices.

S-K, Bonney, PROTO, Williams, Husky, Kobalt, Allied, etc., etc., etc.

Judging by the poll results, I would assume there are lots of shadetrees in here with Sears credit cards....;)

[Pete-FWA]

The downside is that you have to go to the Facom guy and they were recently bought out by Stanley. Fortunately SK bought themselves back from Facom before Stanley stepped in; so go out and support a good employee owned company.

:jacked:

When did this happen? I had no idea! Last month I needed a smaller scale 3/8" torque wrench. Thinking they were still French owned, I passed on SK and ordered one from Wright.

Back on topic, I use a mix of Craftsman, Wright, and Snap-On.

I recently tried to get in touch with our local Mac guy. That was about a joke, both at HQ to get a phone number and a catalog, and when I actually got in touch with the guy. We discussed EXACTLY what I wanted, he went into details and pricing, and he promised to come by the next day...nothing. After talking to some techs in the area, they told me what a flake he is and how the company has fallen off.

[wrenchguy]

When did this happen? I had no idea! Last month I needed a smaller scale 3/8" torque wrench. Thinking they were still French owned, I passed on SK and ordered one from Wright.

May 2005.

Although the French suck (and smell), they can make tools and brought a lot of great things to SK. Torque wrenches (until recently) were not on that list though. I had a SK torque wrench that lasted a whopping two months. It blew up internally. (It looks just like the Sears one) I switched to an older snap-on that was given to me, but the spring inside the ratchet head broke. Snap-on offered me $125 off a new entry level model because there were "no parts available". I said F-U, fixed it with a Facom spring and put it away for back up. I've been using bulletproof Stahlwille torque wrenches for 4 years now even though they are very expensive initially.

SK was supposed to distribute Facom and Facom was supposed to continue engineering input on SK's tools. I'm not sure how much longer this will last with Stanley in the picture. Hopefully they'll let Facom do their own thing and keep Mac away.

[wilbilt]

May 2005.

Although the French suck (and smell),


My first car was a Renault R-10. You don't have to tell me about the French.

It had 3-lug wheels. WTF were they thinking? :whacko:

It did have leather seats and 4-wheel discs (back in 1967), but the 3-lug thing negates those achievements. I hated it even before I rolled it. :D

[Sweet Tea Man]

power tools: DeWalt, and makita
welding and cutting: hobart/miller
hand tools: matco or craftsman.

[threecar]

Snap-On for the most part, although for impact swivel sockets it's Matco all the way.

I buy more from Matco currently because I like the Dealer better than the local Snappy dealer.

[1Bad454]

My first car was a Renault R-10. You don't have to tell me about the French.

It had 3-lug wheels. WTF were they thinking? :whacko:

It did have leather seats and 4-wheel discs (back in 1967), but the 3-lug thing negates those achievements. I hated it even before I rolled it. :D

How about the Le Car remember that beauty.:crazy:

[bignick31985]

I have alot of Craftsman tools. Mostly my sockets, wrenches, extensions, etc. I have a small Duralast kit I keep in my truck for smaller things and emergencies.

I have used some Snap-On tools, and they seemed great, but I havent used anything other than Craftsman long enough to make a full decision.

I'd like to try Mac tools as well, and Matco seems to have a good rep around here as well, but I dont know where they sell them at.

[wilbilt]

I'd like to try Mac tools as well, and Matco seems to have a good rep around here as well, but I dont know where they sell them at.

Generally, they all sell through their dealers, who visit repair shops on regular routes in their trucks. The MATCO dealer is probably listed in the Yelllow Pages.

I've been out of the business for several years, but I have noticed the tool dealers are all driving bigger, fancier trucks these days. They must be doing well, I guess.

I know Snap-On sells direct from their website as well, the others might, too.

EDIT: Yes, Mac, MATCO, and SK all have online purchasing. I'll bet that pisses the dealers off. So much for "exclusive" sales territory...

[jkesselr]

So here is the real skinny... I have mostly Craftsman stuff with some pieces from Snap-On, Mac, Wright, Proto, SK, Greenlee, etc. My old man has pretty much Snap-on only. The craftsman stuff is good for shadetree guys and even guys that do the stuff to make a bit of ching on the side. Their Professional line is pretty nice looking too. Snap-On is (in my opinion) the BEST handtool made. Their prices are insane, but for that matter, Sears is on the price-raising bandwagon too.

Here is the thing, the best tool is the one that gets the job done, it doesn't matter what it says on the side. I like my Craftsman stuff, but when I am wrenching on header bolts, I use my boxed end proto wrench that has a paper-thin wall, but holds like you can't believe. When I need a fine-tooth 1/4" drive ratchet, out comes my SK piece... You just have to put together the best set for what YOU work on, not what the people at sears THINK you are going to work on. Their kits are designed to work for the mass public, not individually for you.

One final thought... You can't beat the warranty on craftsman. I have taken tools in that didn't even show wear hardly (I am big into nice clean tools - not rusted, greasy, messy crap that has been in the bottom of a toolbox too long)and they have traded them out, no questions asked. If you have a strong rapport with your Snappy guy, they have the same warranty - basically. But that is where the problem begins. My dad has about 20K worth of snap-on stuff (what is that, like a wrench and a screwdriver?) that he bought when he had a sign company 15 years ago. He had a couple pieces that needed to be exchanged and the guy that was coming in to the shop he was at kept stiff-arming him. Finally he came out and told the guy that I need to buy some other stuff, but I am not doing it until you take care of me and all of a sudden the snappy man wanted to play. That just isn't right. If I am going to pay 3 times what a competitor charges, I want 3 times the tool (which I believe you get) AND 3 times the service (which I DON'T believe you get).:bull: It isn't right that you have to pay an arm and a leg and then you have to kiss the guy's ass to get him to exchange a tool that is supposedly guarenteed forever.:middle: Kinda the big pokey if you ask me...:hump:

Just my $.02.

[keeler]

Handtools, Snap on or Mac, some craftsman and some duralast, but not many.
Powertools, Dewalt or the harbor freight specials
Air tools, Snap on or Mac
Welders, Lincoln or Miller....

[GCncsuHD]

craftsman all the way, i have some mac, and snap on

but the way i see it they all have lifetime warranties, but craftsman cost way less, and if ya break it just go down the road to sears, snap on and mac you gotta wait on the truck

me and one of my friends took in and echanged a craftsman breaker bar that was over 50 years old, it went through his great grandpa, grandpa, dad, and him, it finaly broke, took it in, no questions asked got a new one, now thats service

[lorado]

yeah, lets hear it for harbor freight!!!!!j/k craftsman, husky, and some milwaukee thrown in for good mesure

[Greekshooter]

A lot of Sears Craftsman (sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches,ratchets,allen wrenches,extensions,deep sockets,torque wrenches,all kinds of pliers, bolt removal and screw removal tools,chisels, hand saws). I have a few others like Klein open/box wrenches, some S&K pieces, some Husky torx sockets,some Crescent Wrenches, some Stanley, some Snap On sockets. Slowly getting rid of my cheap stuff (some Indian large wrenches, some "Sears" box wrenches and some Chinese flare wrenches), Ridgid pipe wrenches.

As far as power tools I went through a Craftsman circular hand saw and replaced it with a Porter Cable. I still have a Sears drill. I gave a Black & Decker hammer drill to my son that I bought when I put up a deck, I replaced that one with a DeWalt hammer drill. I have a Ridgid Band Saw, Porter Cable compressor and nailers, Craftsman Rotary tool, Ryobi cordless drill, Black & Decker cordless screwdriver, Milwaukee Saw Zall, Craftsman Router, SKIL Table Saw, Skil belt snader, Makita palm sander, Craftsman orbital sander, Craftsman pad sander, Craftsman Sander,H&K Wet Tile Saw, Black & Decker work table, DeWalt and Ryobi and Sears Drill Bits...
I've put everyone to sleep by now...sorry.

[bonecrusher]

only craftsman for me.

snap-on, mac etc all too expensive.

i can use craftsman all day and not break a tool and still spend a **** load less then mac or snap-on.

my dad for instance is a mechanic and has had the same craftsman tool box for 30+years. no rust or problems.

and very rarely does he have to exchange anything.

[kcn6829]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Toyz.

Sears made a mistake and gave me a card at 17, I had debt and a nice load of Craftsman with roll around. At 19 I apprenticed for Lockheed and went full time, that was 36 years ago.

Those old sea daddy's of mine showed me a thing or two about tool quality, fit and tolerance. For 30 years I was a good friend of the SnapOn guy, until the US Navy (we are Prime Contractor) decided that SK was the way.

I had mirrored at home every tool at work and then some.
My dual Hi-Boy roller Snappy was turned as excess and I was supplied with a complete Facom/SK set, one for one for the SnapOn and a Dual Lista Roller Hi-Boy. Talk about a upgrade in quality and ergonomics.

The SK rep bought my Home SnapOn Set and mirrored it under the vocational program as I have apprentices now. I have spent a wad of cash with Lista on my own

Thats my story, I can easily understand using craftsman as I was there. I also learned that you get what you pay for and would rather buy it once as I can't afford to buy it again.

All power tools are Millwaukie, corded and cordless
Air is IR exclusive, home and shop.
Electrical: Klein, FACOM & Fluke

ps. I bought my home 30 years ago on Amelia Island and now couldn't afford to buy my house again, however the SK, SnapOn, Matco and Cornwell reps all live here in 350K+ homes with RV storage on the side. I guess they do well ;-)

Ryk

[eschoendorff]

FACOM pliers are easily the BEST ever. HIGHLY recommended.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/Facompliers.jpg

[bignick31985]

Speaking of expensive, I needed a combination 13/16 wrench (I think that was the size) and it was $15 at Sears. I opted for the Craftsman again, not the $3 Korean knock-off.

And I picked up a couple ACE/True Value combination wrenches. They look identical to my Craftsman stuff, and costed the same.

I think I'm going to ask my g/f to pick me up a set of SAE/Metric socket sets from Lowes for Christmas. I need a few sizes and got no loot to get'em!!!

[eschoendorff]

Speaking of expensive, I needed a combination 13/16 wrench (I think that was the size) and it was $15 at Sears. I opted for the Craftsman again, not the $3 Korean knock-off.

And I picked up a couple ACE/True Value combination wrenches. They look identical to my Craftsman stuff, and costed the same.

I think I'm going to ask my g/f to pick me up a set of SAE/Metric socket sets from Lowes for Christmas. I need a few sizes and got no loot to get'em!!!
The Kobalt stuff at Lowes is decent stuff... it's actually Allen/Danaher. I little nicer finish than Craftsman, and made in the USA (the sockets and wrenches. A lot of the other Kobalt stuff is being outsourced to China now).

[SierraSLT]

Craftsman. I'm thinking about getting Snap On soon

[Jokeman]

FACOM pliers are easily the BEST ever. HIGHLY recommended.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/Facompliers.jpg


Where did you purchase those? I need to pickup some new pliers.

[DRCZ71]

Snap on makes some of the finest tools i have seen there polished wrench are so fine i would not won't to get them dirty. I have three of there ratchet's 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 but all others are craftsman wrenches, sockets,channellocks, needle nose etc. I have a set Craftsman professinal screwdrivers their a he?? of alot better then the old style drivers. The pro stuff is nice. Sears has great customer service here. For power tools you can't beat my 18volt Dewalt kit.
I do have so stuff from habor freight stuff i don't use that much puller set, piler set,all kinds of misc stuff it impossible for me to go in their with out coming out with something. I have a set of impact sockets from their and they have been great. I wouldn't use thier air tools though i had a die grinder from their "garbage". All my air tools are Ingalsol Rand.


I do have a ? from all you Snap-on owners my 1/2 inch ratchet is not working right I slid about a 4 foot braker bar (a peice of pipe) over the end of it tring to brake loose some U-bolts own a trailer "I know that was stupid" but after all its a snap-On. How can i trade it in for a new one run the truck down. What do i need to do.

Thanks for the help

[wrenchguy]

How can i trade it in for a new one run the truck down. What do i need to do.
Go here, follow the directions http://snapon.com/customer_service/dealer_finder_pg1.asp

Or go to an automotive, heavy truck, or equipment repair facility and ask when the dealer comes by.

[DRCZ71]

Thanks for the info

[slvrado2008]

Craftsman. Hardor Freight rocks! Really good tools for next to nothin. woo

[mustangracer]

Go here, follow the directions http://snapon.com/customer_service/dealer_finder_pg1.asp

Or go to an automotive, heavy truck, or equipment repair facility and ask when the dealer comes by.
You might be able to get the name and number of your local dealer from the snap on website.

[BadBowtieBoy]

Handtools-Craftsman
Powertools-Dewalt
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/streetrodlvr/Truck%20Stuff/drivertruck.jpg

[Sierra H/O]

MOst of my tools are Craftsman, mainly because of price and availability. My cousin just started as a Cornwell tools vender, though, so I may give them a shot.

[Nate70ss]

I mainly use Craftsman with few Matco and Snap on thrown in. I get me Snap-on and Matco from flea markets and pawn shops.

[Markmx6]

I grew up using Craftsman, and now just like the feel of them, plus in phoenix it is hard to be far from a sears. I have never been given any trouble exchanging anything. I had most of my tools stolen a couple years ago and bought some Husky stuff from Home Depot, I have no complaints with the quality, although when I tried to return a couple 1/2" ratchets they shined me on and said I had to go through Husky directly, I called them and the guy on the phone had a fit and imediatly sent me out 2 new ratchets without any verification that I had bought them in the first place. The only thing he asked me was to throw the ratchets away so that I couldn't exchange them later (fair enough) and then he called the home depot and chewed them out for not exchanging them in the first place.

[mjwhoopie]

I have tools and equipment from many suppliers. I have all that are mentioned in this poll. I do know a few tool snobs that'll only buy from 1 tool company. A great shop has what is needed to do the job without going broke trying to impress anyone. The same should be applied to our home shops. The right tool for the job and a very safe clean shop to work in. Plus at home you'll be teaching your kids great work habits. I know I want my kids to be safe around my garage with or with out me there.

[Toms94z71]

I have mostly craftsman, and some walmart brand mess, some s&k and misc junk I've collected over time. Out of my craftsman tools I've broken 1 3/8" ratchet. I've broken a 15mm 3/8inch drive socket and a 1/2" drive 15mm socket in the S&K brand tools. I've broken a snapon t60 torx bit that was one of my friends. All the shops around here pretty much use cornwell. I use Ampro alot because that is what my work carries and it's life time warranty. It takes me almost 1 hr to get to the closest sears that carries hand tools. There is a small one about 15 min from my house but they mostly just sell appliances and yard equipment.

[buttwin911]

All Craftsman... If I was rich I'd get Snap On:read:


ditto that. i use craftsman for most of my hand tools. my dad's builds custom motors for a living, so he has all snap-on. great tools, grew up using them, but on my college budget i stick to craftsman. good quality, decent price, and they have the same free replacement as snap-on.

[tatoodkelt]

All my stuff is Craftsman. Mainly because that's what my dad always had so when I started buying tools that's what I got.

[GIMECHANIC_454]

I am more of a fan of Snap-On, but Ill use any tool to get the job done. Hell Harbor freight has some diecent tools that you can make your own special tools with a hacksaw, oxy-acetalyne torch or grinder and not feel bad that you modified it.

[str8axle55]

I have some of everything, but the one constant is Snap On, 90% of my stuff is from them. I have never worked at a shop w/out a Snap On dealer, this is a problem in my area, with Cornwell, Matco , and Mac, they tend to dry up and blow away. When their stuff breaks, you are left high and dry.

[wolfdog]

MAC. The MAC guy lives 6 houses down from me so I get a pretty good price(I think) I also have Snap-On, Cornwell & misc Craftsman/whatever brand.

AS far as airtools go, I love Sioux.(anyone here remember that brand?) and Ingersol-Rand.

[pfk]

I just had to post on this subject, it's been a real pita for me lately.

When I started my career approx 18 years ago, I was fortunate enough to inherit my grandfathers toolbox full of snap on tools. While I was in trade school, somebody broke in and stole all of the tools in the school. I was young and broke, so I did not have any insurance, and to top it off, I had no idea what they were worth. Boy was that a wake up call. I borrowed $2000 from family to rebuy, and ended up purchasing mostly mastercraft stuff (cdn tire, similar to craftsman) and some unitool. Took me another 3 years to finally get back to roughly the same coverage, difficult to do while jumping from job to job due to lay offs. With jobs worth working hard to find I took a risk and rented myself a shop. Things were going well until I popped my wrist and ended up being off for a couple of months.I ended up in sort of a state of depression (living with the in laws will do that to a guy :D ) when I decided to look across canada for a job. I found one here in SK so I notified my landlord I would be leaving the shop. when I went to clean it out, I found someone had already done it for me with the exception of my lower box, but they were kind enough to remove all of the heavy tools for me. I scrambled through all of my old loose tools and made up a very simple set of hand tools for my move across the country, I actually borrowed money for gas to get here.

I've now been here for 10 years, and I once again have a decent collection of tools and I add to it weekly (sometimes daily)After 8 years of working for my last employer I opened up a proper store front shop that is doing rather well. My tools are now covered by my shop insurance......

Back to tool brands. I own and have owned almost every type of tool out there. The biggest consideration you should make when buying tools are as follows:

1) how much will you use it , is it a specialty tool like a differential depth guage, you will use it probably once on your own dif and it will likely sit in your box for the rest of its years. If yes, dont be afraid to try a knock off tool. If it's a 19mm impact socket and you work at a tire shop, spend the money on a decent socket that has a good warranty on it.

2)is quality necessary? if you're doing a lot of engine work, then you might want to buy a higher quality torque wrench, but if you will be retorquing your wheels twice a year for tire changes, I see nothing wrong with buying a cheaper model (difference between $50 and $400) I do however recommend not wasting money on cheap screwdrivers unless you have seen them in action

3)warranty. tools break, all tools, in my case mostly snap on thin wall sockets. excellent for getting to where you need them but I bet I have broken them at more than a 5:1 ratio over any other socket. Make sure the tools will be covered. several companies for instance will not warranty their $20 1/2-3/8 adapters, pisses me right off. Secondly make sure you can get service from your tool supplier. I have not seen my snap on guy for more than 6 months. I have a drawer full of broken tools and I can not get them replaced (I am now done with snap on all together, absolutely fed up with their lack of service)

4)pricing. Lets face it,tools are expensive, be careful where you spend your money. the last apprentice I worked with bought approx $3000 worth of tools from snapon. It all fit in a smaller sized top box with lots of room to spare, pretty much a basic hand set. He could have had a larger box completely full of tools from craftsman with the same warranty coverage (imo actually a better warranty since they wont nag you about using chrome socket on impact etc) price doesnt always mean quality, sometimes the pricing reflects the service level you are to expect from the company. ie snap on and mac should both be servicing you regularly for warranty and sales calls etc. My mac rep is decent (every 6 weeks if i remember right due to my remote location) but mr snapon sucks. unfortunately imo most of the mac tool pricing is overinflated. Even the hoist I bought through my mac rep is made by a third party and is shipped with a sticker set for the company you bought it from. (check list was shipped along with hoist with 6 company names as possibilities, when I asked for quotes prior to purchasing, the prices ranged 2800 apart, all for the same hoist.

a quick few examples

sae and metric set of deep impact sockets from princess auto, cost $40 . They have lasted me 10 years and I only managed to break one, when I returned it they offered me a whole set.

1 deep impact socket 1 1/8 if I remember right, $45, snap on

welding cart from mac tools, approx 110 on sale (I think) turned out to be the same unit as princess auto($55) with stickers of course

Ultrapro polished wrench set $80, mac and snapon 275+

walmart (YES walmart) cheap ass impact $39 actually removed a bolt that my boss's $600 snap on impact could not. Torque ratings are not everything when it comes to removing stuck bolts. I would kill these impacts roughly every 3 months, walmart replaced it each time no questions asked.

I'm sorry for my rant, but I have seen too many people starting off in the trade wasting their first 5 years salary on tools that are not really worth spending the money on. I have a lot of broken cheap tools that I would not rebuy (allen keys sockets, torx sockets etc) but they were cheap enough that when I used it twice, they became worth what I spent on them. A lot of people will equip their home garage for personal use, but really, how many time do you think they will use that impact wrench? even most DIY guys would use it at most a couple of times per month. I think that you'd be better off buying a crappy wallmart impact and using the difference in price to put towards that new set of rims.

Again, I'm sorry for the insanely long rant :)

[89cowboyup350]

Snap-on, Craftsman & CP air tools.

[wolfdog]

pfk, have very valid, "from experience" points. It got me to thinking, I still have the very first wrench set I ever bought when I was 15years old, they are an off brand 10 pc met/SAE set that cost $25 & have been very abused over the years.

[CKTA]

Good read I stole from the GTO site......

http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

By no means offical, but research and you'll find he's about 95% accurate.

Home Depot's Husky brand is made by Stanley Mechanics Tools, a division of the Stanley Works. Husky are also good tools and have a good lifetime warranty (they'll even replace your broken Craftsman with an equivalent Husky).

Until 1994 or so, Stanley also made Sears Craftsman tools. Sears Craftsman is now made by Danaher Tools. They beat out Stanley on the contract over price. Danaher also manufactures MatCo Tools, the third largest player in the Mobile Automotive industry (behind MAC and Snap-On). Odds are, if you own any Craftsman tools that are older than about five years ago, they were made by Stanley in plants in Dallas, Texas, Witchita Falls, Texas, and Sabina, Ohio.

Stanley also owns MAC Tools and manufactures MAC tools in the same plants. Now here's the kicker: MAC Tools, Proto Tools (a very expensive industrial brand), Husky Tools, and, (prior to five or so years ago) Craftsman Tools are all made from the same forgings in the same plants. Proto is unique because it goes through addtional testing and certification because it is used by NASA, the military, and industrial customers (including General Motors).

There are three MAJOR players in the USA mechanics tool business: Stanley, Danaher, and Snap-On. Stanley and Danaher (almost identical in sales revenue at about $28 billion each) are the biggest followed by Snap-On. Each of these three manufacture and sell tools under a variety of brands (there are many other brands that Stanley makes that I haven't even named). The quality between these three manufacturers is roughly the same. I know its a bit of a let-down to hear that, but its a simple fact.

There are a hand full of other minor players (Vermont American, etc) and an endless list of Taiwanese import tool companies (some of which Stanley own as well as Danaher to serve the lower end consumer import brands at WalMart, etc). How do I know all of this? I work for Stanley Mechanics Tools, specifically with the Proto Industrial brand. I personally do not think that MAC, MatCo, or Snap-On branded tools are worth the extra markup since they use the same forgings and manufacturing processes that make Husky and Kobalt and pre-1994 Craftsman. Where you need to pay attention are things like ratchets and torque wrenches. There are different specifications of ratchets and you do pay for the difference. Some mechanics require a finer, more precise ratcheting mechanism than guys like me who just bang around in the garage on the weekends.

[Big Greenie]

Craftsman for me. Great quality, life time guarantee and purchasing means simply going to the local Sears.

[pfk]

Thanks CKTA, you have just confirmed what I have been saying for years, without any credible proof. I have shown people the similarities between craftsman, mastercraft, and fuller sockets in the past (pretty much looks like an extra decorative line on one of the sockets) Either way I've been just as happy if not happier with my "2nd line" tools than I have been with my snapon etc. Paying that much more for something makes you expect more for it, which is rarely delivered.

[CKTA]

Yup! :cool:

[Synergy]

CKTA thanks for the info-

When I was a mechanic building fire engines. A co-worker had the tool truck arsenal. I had my Craftsmen. We wrenched on the same things. My tools twisted the same nuts and bolts as the expensive stuff. Neither one broke. I still have the same same Craftmen and have added more to it. Now all my wrenching is in my garage. So i guess I am a shadetree mechanic.

Curerntly my home garage is stocked with Craftsman and Craftsman Pro. I just bought a set of SK long Hex bits, first time using them one snapped. So much for SK quality. Craftman boxes are marginal in my opinion. I bought their ball bearing griplatch line and took it back. I picked up their Pro series box which is actually built by Waterloo and is the Waterloo Magnum series. Its bombproof and alot more affordable than a tool truck brand.

I have bought a lot of tools recently, lots of craftsman pro that you can only get out of their catalog. The money I save by using Craftsman compared to tool truck brands I can put that money on speed goodies for my bikes or truck.

Other tools also:
Welders/Plasma, etc: Miller Only
Air Tools: Craftsman Pro(made in Japan, not China) or IR
Battery Powered: Dewalt and Makita
Corded: Bosch, Porter Cable and Hitatchi

[powderkeg]

My main set of tools is a cheap set of Crecent brand tools in a convenient carry case. If I loose a tool out of it, no big deal... My special tools, are either Facom, SK, Proto, Miller, Black & Decker (the old stuff, before they became "walmart specials" etc... name brand stuff.

[Beedat1]

I've been a Volkswagen Tech for the past 5 years. Here are some recommendations just from my experience.

Snap-On - due to convenience of the payment plan and once a week visits. I do not recommend snap-on air tools, I've just never had any luck with them.

Crafstman - bought a 350 piece starter set about 3 years ago and I love it. They will also take about anything back that you break.

Ingersol Rand - great impacts and air tools

MAC - If you need specialty tools then I highly recommend them. I've found they have the largest selection of special tools.

[chevytodd]

power tools: DeWalt, and makita
welding and cutting: hobart/miller
hand tools: matco or craftsman.
:word: Well.... :looking: exept for the welder........'cause I don't have one. Yet........

[eschoendorff]

Other tools also:
Welders/Plasma, etc: Miller Only
Air Tools: Craftsman Pro(made in Japan, not China) or IR
Battery Powered: Dewalt and Makita
Corded: Bosch, Porter Cable and Hitatchi
That's a roger on the welder. Bought a Hobart 140 and absolutely love the thing!!!!!

[Odell]

Craftsman for hand tools. Miller for welder. I just bought a Miller 180 with the Argon gas for doing aluminum. I love it.

[dragnbye]

i work on a lot of high end cars. when i started out i was broke and didnt know about the payment plans on tool trucks and i bought a good size craftmans set and it works but there are some things it wont take off but a snap-on will i have now been buying all new sets. and takein my old stuff home. buy the way i am like 90% snap-on and 10% mac

[rainman318]

It all depends on the tools as to what brand. 90% of my hand tools are Snap-on all of my electric power tools are dewalt and makita all of my volt meters are fluke and my plasma cutter and welders are lincoln and miller. You can get cheap tools for things you will not use very much. Buy a good heavy box with ball bearing slides. Craftsman has some good stuff but there warranty is not like it used to be for instance if you break a rachet you will not get a new one but a refurbished one. If it Craftsman and is made in China not USA no warranty. Laser eched sockets are replaced with regular ones. They used to be really good but over the years they have gotten a little squirley on there warranty it depends on the person you are dealing with. You really need to look at what you are buying some tools are the same between brands you might just pay more if you don't shop around. For example I had a 90 dollar mac tools heat gun 100% identical to a 8 dollar harbor frieght one and both crap. If you make your money with your tools just buy quality ones

[Bagged 04]

For my garage the only tools that aren't craftsman is something i need that craftsman doesn't carry. But I don't make money with my tools. When it comes to power tools i don't use craftsman tho unless its something that was given to me.

[navihawk]

I would guess that hand tools are the focus, based on the poll choices. Even if limited to hand tools, there should be more choices.

S-K, Bonney, PROTO, Williams, Husky, Kobalt, Allied, etc., etc., etc.

Judging by the poll results, I would assume there are lots of shadetrees in here with Sears credit cards....;)
Don't forget Armstrong.Armstrong makes a nice wrench.

[BadChevyZ-71]

Craftsman Tool Box with Stanley, Craftsman, Mac, and Matco tools inside of it. I'm just starting out so i've got a lot more planned that I need to buy.

[chevyman992002]

I use all Dewalt power tools, husky hand tools with a Kobalt box. I start school at Wyotech this coming Monday and we get 50% off on Snap On, so I imagine I'll be in debt to the snap-on man when I graduate next year.

[goladith]

I personaly perfer craftsman, but I use snap-on and work, and I am growing pretty attached to them.

[bigwobbely]

great-neck from auto zone or craftsman or husky, just NO PERFORMANCE TOOLS from pepboys, 1 turn or the socket wrench and the wrench exploded and the damn socket cracked from top to bottom......

[2002on22s]

Mostly Proto & Klein for me......

[crewcab06]

Like already stated it depends on the tool to know what brand to buy. Different tool companys have specialties. For instance "ChannelLock" is not a tool, its a brand. In the electrical trade we use Kleins, they are not all called Kleins, they are called sidecutters, but Klein makes the best. Not all Visegrips are actually visegrips, they are locking pliers. So on and so forth.

[TITANIUM]

Craftman.

[Mkriebs]

Crafstman for sure. Snap-on for certain things, and MAC if I get a good deal (a very good deal).

[BADD2500]

Snap-On Craftsman Sockets OK, everything else I prefer Snap on.


But they do charge way too much. Every time I look at my tool box I see a couple of new cars if you know what I mean... ridiculous.

[daytonagp4]

All snappy here.

[SpeedinIan]

I'm was a true craftsman man till repairs became such a hassle. Now I'm moving to Irvin tools. Good quality and not many ohter people have them. (lets me know then my neighbor has took my torque wench)

[Hybrid240ZXT]

I like Cornwell tools the best. Just as good as Snap on, but not as overpriced. For store bought stuff, im Craftsman all the way. I've had to battle with home depot too many times about returning broken tools to ever buy another one. And I will say, duralast tools are the **** when you GOT to have a tool and your way short on $$.

[Mkriebs]

Duralast has amazed me with their quality. I love my duralast tools. Just, don't use their 3/8" ratchets to torque to say... 100 lbs.

[00shortbox]

I have mainly Matco tools, some snap-on, but then again I'm in the trade so I need good tools.

[Kidney]

What ever I can get my hands on for a good price. I have Armstrong, Matco, Craftsman, Mac tools...etc.

[slimpickens93]

Craftsman, no doubt.

[emptypockets]

Craftsman at home because I have to pay for it, Snap-On at work where the boss writes the checks.

[82crewcab]

If I need a certain tool it all depends on which tool truck pulls up to the shop first.

[JLS123]

I agree, the service included as part of the cost of buying a tool (delivery, tech info, payment terms)make Snappy, Matco, Mac and Cornwell the best overall deal.

[03silverado4.8]

I like the snap ons but craftsman are just as good imo

[87classic]

Kobalt. gotta love the lifetime warranty.

[Colotow]

my vote has to be snapon. i've seen too many knuckle bones sticking thru my skin using other brands of tools. i like ingersoll for air tools, and i do like my mac wrenches, about even with flank drives. but, everything is in waterloo toolboxes, can't justify $26k for an empty box.

one thing i look at, snapon is the company that will buy and market your tool ideas and inventions, that costs $$

one tip, won't work for everyone- i asked around, found a dealer who'd work with me. i go on a major spree every 12-18 months. i pay for everything up front in cash, he gives me 20% off the list, then i accelerate the deduction for that year, and get another 28% back from the feds on tax day. now, i'm at about 45% off the catalog price out of pocket, makes a big difference.

snapon dealers carry the first $1000 out of their pocket, interest free to you, use that knowledge to help save some green (to buy more tools, right?)

[Bigblack06]

Im a Craftsman and Dewalt man.

[rs4mtnitro]

I use craftsman cause I can't afford the others.

[mmcco300]

i use snap-on because they give students a pretty good chunk off the price, for air tools i prefer IR

[GreaseDog]

i make a living by my tools.

that being said, my wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are almost all Craftsman. at work, i use Mac pliers, at home, its leftovers from work (started with Craftsman) and stuff i've accumulated over the years. when it comes to air tools, i've got a good mix of Mac, Matco, Blue Point, IR, CH, CP, and Craftsman, with Mac coming out on top in most cases. screwdrivers and pry bars are all Craftsman.

though i guess i do have a little advantage in working 3 blocks from a Sears store, and if i need a tool replaced, i can just leave the shop and go get the replacement.

[Rustmonkey]

Craftsman... been using them for years and have yet to break anything... just use the proper tool for the job (as in instead of a sledge hammer on your ratchet, grap out the breaker bar and a cheater bar/tube for the end of it). However, my hobby (not my job) is what the tools are used for - for the average joe, you can't beat 'em (although I DO use a bluepoint impact now and again - its a mean muth'a)

No problems :)

[HeavyT]

Well Since my father worked for Snap on he passed me quite a nice collection of there tools! However if I need something new or for a job I don't have a tool for I go craftsman(I'm a poor college student can't afford the new snap-on tools!)

[daustin]

I have Craftsman 'cause when i break them there's always a Sears somewhere around. Snapon makes good tools too, a little harder to get the replacements though. (everything will break sooner or later, or maybe i'll break everything sooner or later hahaha)
Don

[Chev-350]

Craftsman and masterceaft here.

[libbey91]

both of my parents work for a company called Lawson so basically that just tells you what i use, and to be honest its really good quality

[Bayou Mike]

ive got almost all the brands in my box at work but the big preferance is ingersol rand for air tools (my impacts actualy survived being submerged for 2.5 weeks after katrina) because when i do break an occasional anvil or need trigger parts i have a service center i can get parts on my lunch hour

[rustychevy]

For ratchets, Snap On makes the best. The polished craftsman professional wrenches are awesome, I have some in my wrench holders and you can't tell the difference between them and Snap On. My impact sockets are all craftsman and I have yet to break any. I've tried some harbor freight stuff, I think the quality is hit and miss. I've had some impact sockets break right away, but I've been using others for years. The same with harbor freight hammers. But I wouldn't trade my snap on roll cab for anything. They make a really nice box.

[1988ChevyBoy]

I really enjoy JET. Not sure if you can buy them everywhere... but they warranty everything from 1/2"-3/8", to chisels that were used as pry bars... it might just be because of my relations with the company i buy them from... but... if you spend lots of money anywhere they'll grow fond of you. Guys I work with use Ultra Pro... and i'm not so fond of the tools. Snap-On is definately on the tool scene... but... I would only opt to buy specialty tools from them (depending on tool, KD is also good, but it really depends on the individual tool). For instance... You can buy a Jet 3/8 drive ratchet w/ 72 teeth, comfort handle... (if the rubber grip comes off they replace it)... they're awesome and there's no need to buy snap-on's name for that tool. Jet flare wrenches aren't very tuff... they tend to strip brake lines before they loosen them... and so I tried snap-on... and they are amazing... they have no give... I prefer Snap-on flare wrenches (or Grey). KD has a really nice fuel line tool for fords... and I wouldn't use anything other than it... I just about bought the $400 snap on kit for them... sure glad I picked up the K-D for $30... it works well. I would recommend buying a good starter kit or even a lower end starter kit and replacing tools as they break with a different brand. It gets pricey but you'll end up with a tool set you really like... and it'll make it that much easier on your nerves.