this is crazy, hand tools!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,654
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From: Bossier City, LA
Here's my list of what we break the least of offshore
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: L O U I S I A N A
Originally Posted by mrxlh
Here's my list of what we break the least of offshore
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
I agree.....................Snap-on, Proto,..............the Richmond torque wrench and the IngersalRand stuff. And Rigid is the ONLY way to go on pipe wrenches. All quality pieces.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: MI
Originally Posted by mrxlh
Here's my list of what we break the least of offshore
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
Wrenches.... Proto or Williams hands down, have yet to break one, even with a cheater pipe.
Sockets.....Proto or Snapon, Snapon are the best fitting sockets on the market
Ratchets....This is a tough one, probably williams breaks the least
Screwdrivers.......you pick em, we dont use many
Torque wrenches.......Sturtevant Richmond best torque wrench made. Can be calibrated over and over again without missing the +or- tolerance. Proto runs a close second.
Pipe wrenches.......There is only one, Ridgid aluminum.
Impacts.......IR for 1/2" drive 2131 or 2135ti, CP or IR for 3/4" and 1" drive
Ryan
yes, only Rigid Aluminum pipe wrenches.
although to the majority of my tools are Craftsman, I own a complete set of Proto open/box wrenches also, as Craftsman tend to spread open under high torque. You can't beat Craftsman for the return policy. If its a broken hand tool(torque wrenches excluded) and made by Craftsman they will replace it.
Last edited by crash687; Dec 2, 2004 at 08:48 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Southwest VA
hey i have those, and when they rounded off my brake line fitting I bought a craftsman set off ebay for about 7 dollars cheaper than sears (with shipping)..that was a bad 10 dollars for that set of flares (the "GREAT" neck ones) ended up having ot use vice grips to put the thing back on.
Pretty much all my stuff is craftsman, i buy off ebay for the value for getting sets, (lots of folks parting out a big set) I'm weekend DIY'er (and week sometime s:-p) and craftsman does plenty enough for me, plus i like the sales..Got 26 piece SAE box wrench set for 50 bucks , then got the Metric set for 60 a few days later(even though the sale technically ended, still had the sticker there, so I got it at sale price too)
Pretty much all my stuff is craftsman, i buy off ebay for the value for getting sets, (lots of folks parting out a big set) I'm weekend DIY'er (and week sometime s:-p) and craftsman does plenty enough for me, plus i like the sales..Got 26 piece SAE box wrench set for 50 bucks , then got the Metric set for 60 a few days later(even though the sale technically ended, still had the sticker there, so I got it at sale price too)
Originally Posted by rebocardo
I was using this wrench today to tighten a nut, NOT loosen it, and I was just using hand pressure and not even a cheater bar. I bought this flare nut wrench since I did not have a 16/18 mm. flarenut wrench in my set for those wierd cars, like my wife's GM.
Good thing I was pulling it so my knuckles would not hit if I slipped. Having the wrench break was not at the top of my list for possible things that could go wrong.
Because this cheap wrench broke, among other things, we had to take a taxi to pick up the kids ($15) and it made my wife late for work ($$). I had to use a crescent wrench to finish. Real pain. It would have been cheaper if I had just bought a good Snap-On or something like it instead of the Autozone "Great Neck" tool.
Good thing I was pulling it so my knuckles would not hit if I slipped. Having the wrench break was not at the top of my list for possible things that could go wrong.
Because this cheap wrench broke, among other things, we had to take a taxi to pick up the kids ($15) and it made my wife late for work ($$). I had to use a crescent wrench to finish. Real pain. It would have been cheaper if I had just bought a good Snap-On or something like it instead of the Autozone "Great Neck" tool.
Last edited by Violjohn78; Dec 3, 2004 at 09:52 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
i think that i agree the most with sberry
at mcc (the community college im taking auto tech at) we too have a large range of tools. personally i love the snap ons that we have. especially the wrenches, then sockets and impact wrenches. they are absolutly the nicest and strongest that i have seen yet. when it comes time for me to buy my own,it will be snap-on wrenches,sockets and 3/8's and 1/2 impacts. but there not going to ride around in my truck or car. i would use something else that wont get missed too terribly much, ditto for tools that need to be "modified" and that dont get used often.
my biggest pet peeves with tools are ratchets that wear out/ wont work after a little use. and screwdrivers that slip and slide, although i have found that a little valve grinding compound helps when they start to slip
on another note: me and my dad have used craftsman at home, and no major complaints so far!
at mcc (the community college im taking auto tech at) we too have a large range of tools. personally i love the snap ons that we have. especially the wrenches, then sockets and impact wrenches. they are absolutly the nicest and strongest that i have seen yet. when it comes time for me to buy my own,it will be snap-on wrenches,sockets and 3/8's and 1/2 impacts. but there not going to ride around in my truck or car. i would use something else that wont get missed too terribly much, ditto for tools that need to be "modified" and that dont get used often.
my biggest pet peeves with tools are ratchets that wear out/ wont work after a little use. and screwdrivers that slip and slide, although i have found that a little valve grinding compound helps when they start to slip
on another note: me and my dad have used craftsman at home, and no major complaints so far!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 1
From: Moundridge, Kansas
Buying Snap-On, MAC, MATCO, or any other tools delivered by truck is dumb if you dont work as a mechanic or any other profession that has the trucks stop by. I use tools everyday and have quite a collection of hand tools all of them are Craftsman they are the best tool for your money. Sure Snap-On might be built better as they should considering the price, but as far a convience and easy to deal with warranties Craftsman is the tool for you. Just as an example I work alot of cronstruction and have a Craftsman 30 ft tape measure from time to time I will get sand in it (sure you can clean it out) but I just take it in to my local Sears and they give me a new one without question. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and this one is mine. Craftsman is just practical.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Fleming Ga
Snap-on makes great tools there's no doubt. Probably brought $10000 worth over the years but they do wear out. Thats when the problems start. Ever paid $60 for a rachet that quit working and have the snap-on rep question why he should fix or exchange, or a socket that wears out or breaks and rep refuses to exchange because he thinks it might have been used on an impack. I finally got enough of the questions and run arounds and started using Craftman. Yes they are not made as good. Couldn't be for a third of the price, but when they break or wear out, just throw on the counter at Sears and get a new one. No questions asked
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: southern Md
I also have a range of tools from my early wrenching days Snap-on and Mac as I got Poorer I went to craftsman as a backyard mechanic. Snap-on and Mac have good quality tools but price prohibitive. I have had great luck with Craftsman when used properly.
I as a Steamfitter/Plumber use only Rigid wrenches but the steel ones..they don't bend or break with cheaters like the aluminum,plus they will keep you in good physical shape! Ok Ill admit I have a few aluminum ones
Glenn
I as a Steamfitter/Plumber use only Rigid wrenches but the steel ones..they don't bend or break with cheaters like the aluminum,plus they will keep you in good physical shape! Ok Ill admit I have a few aluminum ones
Glenn
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Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Warren, Ontario
ronclark you must have had a bad dealer for sanp-on because their company policy is to replace any tool that wears out. that is why I purchase snap-on screwdrivers and pliers as my snap-on rep replaces worn screw driver blades for free as well as sloppy sets of pliers. I have always liked snap-on over craftsman or Mastercraft (you canadian guys know who makes these) because while they all have a lifetime warrenty against breakage only snap-on would warrenty my tools for wear. I have one screwdriver that has had a least 5 replacement blades, I have had my needle nose pliers replaced twice after they got the death wobble and have had my 9/16 and 3/4 impact sockets both replaced due to wearing out
You get what you pay for.
Andy
You get what you pay for.
Andy
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Fleming Ga
Originally Posted by ampegor
ronclark you must have had a bad dealer for sanp-on because their company policy is to replace any tool that wears out. that is why I purchase snap-on screwdrivers and pliers as my snap-on rep replaces worn screw driver blades for free as well as sloppy sets of pliers. I have always liked snap-on over craftsman or Mastercraft (you canadian guys know who makes these) because while they all have a lifetime warrenty against breakage only snap-on would warrenty my tools for wear. I have one screwdriver that has had a least 5 replacement blades, I have had my needle nose pliers replaced twice after they got the death wobble and have had my 9/16 and 3/4 impact sockets both replaced due to wearing out
You get what you pay for.
Andy
You get what you pay for.
Andy
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
I'm a college student, you should already know there's no way in HELL I can afford the "top notch" tools like snap-on... So I have my old old craftsman ratchets that were handed down to me, a couple new craftsman ratches which I admit aren't holding up too well, I'm about to take one of them back because you have to hold the selector else it won't catch... Then I have two of the small sets of deep sockets, which cover my general use... To match those I have some short sockets which were handed down with the old ratchets... I have an assortment of wrenches which cover most of my needs and a few screwdrivers...
If I find myself needing something else, I run to get it, but in the past few years the only thing I've had to go get was a 3/8" swivel...
But then again, I pretty much only use them for the truck, and I'm sure if you have a newer truck you have all kinds of funky stuff that my 90 doesn't...
But, considering I've probably only had to put $50-80 into my tools in the past 5 years, and I've never had to take the truck into the shop because I did all the work on my own... I'd say those "cheap-***" craftman tools have saved me a nice sum of money...
If I find myself needing something else, I run to get it, but in the past few years the only thing I've had to go get was a 3/8" swivel...
But then again, I pretty much only use them for the truck, and I'm sure if you have a newer truck you have all kinds of funky stuff that my 90 doesn't...
But, considering I've probably only had to put $50-80 into my tools in the past 5 years, and I've never had to take the truck into the shop because I did all the work on my own... I'd say those "cheap-***" craftman tools have saved me a nice sum of money...
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30
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Mileage may vary, and I would not be surprised if the internals were similar or the same, but my Craftsman Pro ratchets and wrenches have been wonderful.
The Craftsman pro long pattern wrenches are easily as good as my pre-flank drive Snap-On combo wrenches.
The new Craftsman Pro screwdrivers look promising, but Snap-On and Klein are the only ones I use.
The Craftsman pro long pattern wrenches are easily as good as my pre-flank drive Snap-On combo wrenches.
The new Craftsman Pro screwdrivers look promising, but Snap-On and Klein are the only ones I use.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
Likes: 3
From: GANS
Originally Posted by kindstranger
Mileage may vary, and I would not be surprised if the internals were similar or the same, but my Craftsman Pro ratchets and wrenches have been wonderful.
The Craftsman pro long pattern wrenches are easily as good as my pre-flank drive Snap-On combo wrenches.
The new Craftsman Pro screwdrivers look promising, but Snap-On and Klein are the only ones I use.
The Craftsman pro long pattern wrenches are easily as good as my pre-flank drive Snap-On combo wrenches.
The new Craftsman Pro screwdrivers look promising, but Snap-On and Klein are the only ones I use.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,610
Likes: 2
From: Northwest, Arkansas
The way I look at it you need to buy the tools that are best for you and what you are doing. If you are a professional then high quality snap-on are probably best but if you are a do it yourself mechanic then craftsman, sk, proto, Klein and Stanley will probably work just as well and be a lot cheaper. I have heard a lot mentioned about lifetime warranty, well thats just a gimmick in my book. Almost all tools anymore say lifetime warranty but what good is it to be able to replace a broken tool for free when you just busted up your hand or worse by using that cheap tool. Nice new tool looks good in a box while you can't work anymore. Quality tools are an investment in your job future as well as your safety so if a person is using their tools for their job and depend on that job then don't skimp on quality.