Tool brands

[timfromohio]

I'm in the market for some good hand tools (wrenches, socket set, etc.). What I currently have is sort of a hodge-podge collection. What brands are now considered top quality for a homeowner? It used to the case with Craftsman that if a tool was broken you could walk into any Sears and get a replacement. I don't believe this is the case any longer other wise I'd go immediately for Craftsman.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I have inherited a lot of old Snap On tools that my dad probably started buying in the 50's. They may be overpriced now, but the quality is serious.

 

[johneh]

One of if not the best is Snap on tools unlimited life time warranty
But cost serious money .
All I ever used in the Automotive Trade for 26 years . Tool of choice for Father In law
45 years in the trade still have mine and his in 5 tool boxes as good as new

 

[xman23]

I had a simular issue, various sets of craftsman sockets. I needed to put a complete set of tools at my cabin. So I went to Sears 10 years ago, comparing the sets. Sets are the only way to buy them. I ended up with what must have been one of the biggest sets 1/4 , 3/8 1/2 inch standard, metric, standard and deep, 6 point 8 point and 12 point. Standard and metric combination wrenches. And any thing else you can think of. In a real nice plastic multi drawer case. Everything fits in a specifically marked location.

I use it all the time. It has the exact tool I need. The best thing in 10 years there is no missing sockets. Easy to tell, slide the drawer open and look. For home mechanics I think Sears quality is fine, no worse than it has ever been. I didn't shop and compare all the other options. I do like what I got.

 

[BrotherBart]

I am about to find out if that Craftsman warranty is any good like it used to be. Got a 1/2" drive ratchet from one of those big sets years ago that has crapped out. It has been used maybe six times.

 

[fbelec]

i used to sell Mac tools. like any other company they have good tools and bad. you'll find that money wise snap on, mac, cornwell, matco are close to the same give or take. if craftsman is not backing their tools any more the brand husky that the home depot sells is suppose to be lifetime warranty. that is home owner quality.

 

[BrotherBart]

Everybody's whipping boy, Harbor Freight, guarantees their frowned upon hand tools for life. And they haven't gone through bankruptcy court like a lot of the others. Sears and Matco come to mind. And I have never busted a HF hand tool. Tried.

 

[fbelec]

i think the hand tools i know the wrenches are made by a company that is years old called pittburgh

 

[timfromohio]

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

[Z33]

Everybody's whipping boy, Harbor Freight, guarantees their frowned upon hand tools for life. And they haven't gone through bankruptcy court like a lot of the others. Sears and Matco come to mind. And I have never busted a HF hand tool. Tried.

Couldn't agree more, look down your nose at them all you want but you cant beat them for the warranty and price.

 

[jatoxico]

The only problem I have with HF tools, which I do buy and use, are that the tolerances seem to be a bit off so they don't always seem to fit as snugly as I would like. I definitely use them for specialty stuff that's not used enough to justify big bucks. For the common wrenches and sockets I have Craftsman.

Had a couple old sets of pro wrenches and sockets I inherited. Really nice, slender, precise but still strong. My Craftsman tools, never mind the Pittsburgh stuff are like blunt instruments in comparison. Long gone unfortunately-

 

[ironpony]

well I have Mac, Snap On, OLD craftsman, OLD S&K and all are great. I also have recently purchased some Kobalt to keep in the car and shop where they might disappear. they seem to well made and have performed well with what I have used them for. they have splined box ends which fit standard and metric which comes in handy, I thought they would be hokey but are working well.

 

[xman23]

I am about to find out if that Craftsman warranty is any good like it used to be. Got a 1/2" drive ratchet from one of those big sets years ago that has crapped out. It has been used maybe six times.

I think there was a period of time that Sears ratchets had an issue with the ratchet mechanism. They felt like crap right from the get go. It might have been the 1/4 or 3/8 ratchets. I recall they gave you a rebuild kit. All the ones I have now are fine.

Is it true Sears won't replace broken craftsman brand tools?

 

[blades]

Depends on which level craftsman tools, got to read the fine print.

 

[jeff_t]

Everybody's whipping boy, Harbor Freight, guarantees their frowned upon hand tools for life. And they haven't gone through bankruptcy court like a lot of the others. Sears and Matco come to mind. And I have never busted a HF hand tool. Tried.

I have a set of 3/4" drive, six point metric sockets that have seen some serious abuse. Like 4' pipe on the end of the T-handle abuse, and they've held up just fine.

 

[tigger]

My understanding is all of the Huskey(home depots brand) are lifetime guarantee. I also think that it apply s to Kobalt(Lowes)

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I haven't bought many hand tools in a while, but when I needed an off size wrench or deep impact sockets I went to HF. I'm happy with them. I understand the ratchets aren't the best, but the sockets and wrenches seem fine. If I was a teenager buying regular sockets and wrenches and such I'd either be hitting estate sales or hd, lowes, HF, etc.

 

[jeffesonm]

I have a set of Craftsman wrenches and sockets I've been pretty mean to, no issues so far.

 

[fbelec]

i have a 1/4 inch drive ratchet from craftsman that is junk i'll see if it is warrantied. when i was a mac dealer i had 3 customers that broke craftsman slip joint wrenches they were faily new at the time. two didn't get hurt one got it in the eye. that was 20 years ago. becareful. but out of the snap on, mac, cornwell and craftsman screw drivers that i used and abused snap on broke faster and craftsman are the best they can be used as a screw driver and a cold chisel with no problems

 

[drz1050]

No one company makes the best of everything.

Depends on what tool you're talking about. For sockets/ ratchets, Snap-On. For combo wrenches, MAC. Drivers? Klein for 1-3, Wiha for 0 and under. A lot of this is personal taste.

Craftsman is more than fine for homeowner tasks.

 

[claydogg84]

My tool box at work is full of overpriced Snap On tools. I think your best option for home would be S&K. Good quality, solid warranty, and not nearly as expensive as Snap On.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Couldn't agree more, look down your nose at them all you want but you cant beat them for the warranty and price.

And the first time you round out an allen, slip off a nut, and break a bolt in a hard to reach area, you will be cursing the day you ever tried to save a penny.

If you are serious about working on things (a savings to start with), don't cheap out. Craftsman at a minimum.

 

[semipro]

My tool box at work is full of overpriced Snap On tools. I think your best option for home would be S&K. Good quality, solid warranty, and not nearly as expensive as Snap On.

Agreed. Also, Proto if you can find any.

 

[semipro]

And the first time you round out an allen, slip off a nut, and break a bolt in a hard to reach area, you will be cursing the day you ever tried to save a penny.

If you are serious about working on things (a savings to start with), don't cheap out. Craftsman at a minimum.

Yep, tool performance matters. Rounded off fasteners and broken tools can really lead to a lot of headaches and extend how long it takes to do a job.

It matters when and where they were made also. Some less expensive tools from twenty years ago are much better than the inexpensive crap you can buy today. BTW, with most metal products, such as hand tools, bits, blades, etc., made in Taiwan is typically much better than made in China (my experience). .