Thread: Best brand of tools for the price?

Tweet

ive just always had good luck with matco, so thats what i say. ive only dealt with 2 snap-on guys and they were so arrogant it tainted it for me. my dads been using the same matco guy for 25+ years!

Great thread, lots of info for all types of wrench turners and I'll check this thread out before I go for my next set, but to quote bob wier:

"You know the one thing we need is a left-hand monkey wrench!"

Where can I get one?

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Surfer

"You know the one thing we need is a left-hand monkey wrench!"

Where can I get one?

I don't know, but I just found a complete set of metric adjustable Cresent wrenches. I hear these are VERY rare, so I paid extra for them.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I don't know, but I just found a complete set of metric adjustable Cresent wrenches. I hear these are VERY rare, so I paid extra for them.

Don

I'd like some good quality metric vise grips, too!!!! Hard to find, I guess!!!

if you fellas would have asked i would have been glad to help out with this
unusual tool as a matter of fact we have a left handed monkey out in the shop just for these occaisions , works for peanuts but of course when i start up one of the cars he craps on the floor.. great thread yall , i was worried about gun fire though for a few pages!

Originally Posted by flh4speed

. great thread yall , i was worried about gun fire though for a few pages!

Nah - might have seen a BFH or a 13/16 combo wrench go flying though.

Don't forget the order of importance of life of a MAN:

The MAN himself
His DOG/KIDS (depends on his current point in life)
His TOOLS
His CAR
His MOTORCYCLE/BOAT/SNOWMACHINE/ETC.
His BUDDIES
His GIRLFRIEND(might be interchangeable with below)
His WIFE

In some cases, has choice of beverages might be included

In Post 43 of this thread I said that I got the 'best' Crapsman ratchet in exchange for a lesser one.....it broke yesterday. The little ball that holds the socket on the 3/8 drive is stuck at the bottom of its hole. That was the very first use - and it, of course, was too tight an item - the 1/2" nylon drain plug in the hot water heater of my camping trailer. My 'o' my what junk is being sold now!! And supposedly, American made. I have to go near Sears today, so back it goes. I love my 50 year old S-K ratchet. It had its innards replaced once about 30 years ago, but still works great. Even my 40 year old MAC still works great, but has gotten sloppy.

I have 3 stanley ratchets and 3 task force ratchets.. They have gotten a lot of use and nither of them have broke yet... they look identical except badging, I'm almost positive that the Task Force is just Stanley.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Two things: Craftsman tools of today are NOT the same quality they were in past years. I have some old craftsman sockets, rachets, wrenches, etc, and they are all steel and still look and work great. The replacement sockets and such that I have bought in recent years look and feel differently, and the chrome plating chips easier (look at the ends of your sockets where they go on the nuts.....they chip right there) They are also not as smooth to the touch.

Not only the finish of Craftsman tools is not as good as it once was but some have a lot less "meat" to them.
Here's an example of old(top) VS. (bottom)new.....

I work with tools daily as a Machine Repair Tradesman at Ford Motor Co. I see Snap on crack as well as any socket being pounded with a 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch impact . I use craftsman and do i crack them oh yes . But im near a store and dont wait a week for a truck . I have seen a china socket stretch after long periods of use and never crack because of thier softer metel reciepe . Now i like the old craftsman with my oily hands they dont slip as bad as the pro series and i have a few of them . As a pro i work tools from 1/2 inch up to 6 inch sockets.

So welcome to the trade and hope you like it like most of us do .

IC2 that S-K laying in my home tool box is the one i look for mostly also. Its a tight radius and has worked so well for the last 25 years . I have the small S-K 3/4 drive set at work going up to 1 1/2 picked up used from a retirier for $25 . Your right about the craftsman rachets they are not like they were years ago . This is one area you have to move up a tool notch for some durability.

My broken new ratchet went back to Sears today - they tried to give me a scratched up 'reconditioned' replacement, which I refused. I insisted on one from the shelf as mine crapped out the very first time I tried to use it - now, as a spare, let's see how long this one lasts. Oh well, there is never much of a hassle with Crapsman tools, so as my second line, are working fine - usually

I've only had one little argument from a Sears employee one time, and I quickly extinquished it with " may I speak with the Store Manager please?" Magically, a new tool arrived in a few minutes.

Another thing I learned from working for retail chain stores is that stores HATE calls to the Corporate Office. When I worked for Boat U/S if a customer ever called headquarters we would get a call immediately with instructions to call the customer, refund the item, apologize, and give them a $ 25 gift certificate. So we made it a point to do whatever was needed to make the customer happy.

So, a few times when some store wasn't cooperating with me, I would nicely say "Oh sure, I realize you can only do so much at this level........can I get the phone number and name of your District Manager please?" Usually they get the hint and make the problem go away.

Don

I've had good luck with Craftsman tools, except for their ratchets, I've broken several. Had very good service out of the few NAPA brand tools I have.

At work I have bought Snap On and MAC and some Cornwell . But for home I have a lot of S/K tools . And I see that Sears Craftsman tools have come a long way also .