this is crazy, hand tools!
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 27
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this is crazy, hand tools!
ok, i have spent about 2 days reading past threads about tools and have come to the conclusion that all tools suck besides snap on. i dont have money for snap on, i mean, 600 bux for a a 44 pieces of metal? then i have to find a truck on the road and wave them down b/c i dont work in a shop? thats if something breaks. seems as if craftsman has piece of metal and is crap..when there has been soemthing good said about craftsman, it's about tools that are 30 years old. so what do you have left, homedepot(husky) brand that doesnt stock anything? armstrong which is craftsman, how could they be better or SK tool? no one sells any of the brands anyways arounf here so i would have to buy online. then if somethign break, what do i do, mail it back and wait 3 weeks? what is a GOOD , SOLID brand that all agree but doesnt cost an arm, leg and private part??
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 731
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From: in the springs
my honest humble opinion go get a box full of craaftsman tools stand right beside the guy with the box full of snop on tools and you will have the same tools spend half as much money and if you do break a tool go back and exchange it because just like the guy with the snap on tools you have a lifetime guaruntee.
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I haven't followed all the threads about hand tools so I am not clear on what has been said. I have a lot of Snap on tools left over from my younger wrench turning days. I really like those tools but I don't see a truck now a days for any replacements. Most of my other tools are Craftsman beacuse of price, quality, and replacement ease.
The way I look at it is I do care about the quality of my tools. However, I have to have a tool that will fit, has just the right offset or bend or head clearance to do the job over and over. Many times I have to heat, bend and weld my own custom tool for just a cetain job. I sure wouldn't think of doing any of that to my expensive and purty Snap Ons. I have done it with my Craftsman and SK tools I owned. The brand doesn't matter to me as much as function, fit, and performance. Also, many of the non Snap On tools I have I bought with the roll around tool boxes I purchased from pawn shops.
The way I look at it is I do care about the quality of my tools. However, I have to have a tool that will fit, has just the right offset or bend or head clearance to do the job over and over. Many times I have to heat, bend and weld my own custom tool for just a cetain job. I sure wouldn't think of doing any of that to my expensive and purty Snap Ons. I have done it with my Craftsman and SK tools I owned. The brand doesn't matter to me as much as function, fit, and performance. Also, many of the non Snap On tools I have I bought with the roll around tool boxes I purchased from pawn shops.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> i dont have money for snap on
If you are buying tools, especially if you do not have a lot of money AND you are keeping them in your truck, then order them from northerntools.com. I have many tools and socket sets from them, sure, they are not as good as my Snap-On, but, the price/value is right for me. They have an impact set for $50 with a carrying case of 3/8 and 1/2 drive standard and metric sockets and they have held up well to my use/abuse. I really do not use the 3/8 stuff much unless I need a thinner wall socket to fit some place. I have been using the 1/2 drive sockets for about three years now. I have even used them to press out ball joints and UJs.
If you are buying tools, especially if you do not have a lot of money AND you are keeping them in your truck, then order them from northerntools.com. I have many tools and socket sets from them, sure, they are not as good as my Snap-On, but, the price/value is right for me. They have an impact set for $50 with a carrying case of 3/8 and 1/2 drive standard and metric sockets and they have held up well to my use/abuse. I really do not use the 3/8 stuff much unless I need a thinner wall socket to fit some place. I have been using the 1/2 drive sockets for about three years now. I have even used them to press out ball joints and UJs.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 147
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Who makes the Kobalt tools available at Lowe's again? I read it somewhere, but don't remember. They are finally building some Lowe's up here in the NE area. Looking for a set of breaker bars and the Craftsman 1/2 inch one didn't really excite me...
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 58
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this is crazy, hand tools!
I work on forklifts for aliving and do everything else at home and in my humble opinion if price is at all an object go to sears. Snap-on makes great stuff but the price is unbelievable, there dealers tend to be finnicky about warranty and they are very hard to find. I am on the road constantly and have flagged down Snap-on guys in my area and can't get them to stop by my place for love or money. Craftsman stuff maybe slightly less quality but are also much cheaper and when it comes time to warranty a tool, you will almost never catch grief for such things as hammer marks in the end of a screwdriver( ok I'm the only one that does it). Alot of times you can even make out by exchanging a $20.00 ratchet for $30.00 one if they don't have the exact replacement and you are agitated. I have also had good uck with Harbor freight. Yes alot of there stuff is junk, but the Pittsburgh hand tools are lifetime warranty and really cheap. Almost never get a second look when warranting a broken tool.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 147
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Hmm, what about used tools on Ebay? I did a search on breaker bar and got 3 whole pages... Anyone have any tips for tool shopping on Ebay? I figure check the sellers feedback and know the price of the new tool, know the price of shipping.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I was just shopping for some more tools. I took into account the price of snap on vs craftsman. With the way Home Depot is going with self check out and lack of personell I didnt even consider Husky.
I had to go with crafstman as they have lifetime warranty. I had to really ask myself why I need the warranty. I have never broken a craftsman socket. Have broken one or two craftsman open end wrenches. Craftsman ratchets just plain suck.
My buddy was telling me a while back when he was the sears toolman. If you have the rachets with the bronze lever that changes ratchet direction to try to keep them. The sears counter people are to take your broken ratchet and swap the inards. The replacement inards they have are plastic. Take the kit from them and change only the parts you need.
I had to go with crafstman as they have lifetime warranty. I had to really ask myself why I need the warranty. I have never broken a craftsman socket. Have broken one or two craftsman open end wrenches. Craftsman ratchets just plain suck.
My buddy was telling me a while back when he was the sears toolman. If you have the rachets with the bronze lever that changes ratchet direction to try to keep them. The sears counter people are to take your broken ratchet and swap the inards. The replacement inards they have are plastic. Take the kit from them and change only the parts you need.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
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From: fremont ohio
I would say don't worry about getting Snap-On, sure great tools, but the price is out of a lot of guy's range. You'll be just as happy with other brands. I love Craftsman personally, and if they break, like mentioned before, just go back and get a new one. Kobalt is good too, if a Lowe's is available in the area.
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by bimmerbill
Hmm, what about used tools on Ebay? I did a search on breaker bar and got 3 whole pages... Anyone have any tips for tool shopping on Ebay? I figure check the sellers feedback and know the price of the new tool, know the price of shipping.
I tried to find a kit at sears that had only metric and what I needed to work on my F150. I couldnt seem to find the big sockets in a kit that was cheap. Ebay worked out pretty good for the price.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
You can get stanley tools for less than craftsman, and they are just as high quality. Craftsman tools imho are a joke. IT's a sales gimmick. Just like MAC, MATCO, Snap On, and the like. I have about $100 worth of stanley hand tools and have yet to break one, and they fit better than any of the craftsman tools we own.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 33
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I bet your more confused now than when you posted this question!
Let me try to anwser.You say you have know stores close to you so you want to buy online.So that knocks out sears for craftman tools (thats what I would have told you to get for your price range and what you want to use them for) If buying online go with harbor freight and buy the pittsburg brand as stated in a above post. For 3 reasons first the price: 2nd they have been around for 20 plus years (lifetime warranty is no <!****>good if business closes up as many do) 3rd they warrantee this brand of tool they sell. We broke a 1 1/2 inch combo wrench and I admitt we abused it! 10 days later we had a new wrench no questions asked.I have used and own many of the brands mentioned.High end tools are great for people who use there tools daily as I do and have dealers come to you that don't wince <!*****>everytime you need to replace one.
Hope this helps
Let me try to anwser.You say you have know stores close to you so you want to buy online.So that knocks out sears for craftman tools (thats what I would have told you to get for your price range and what you want to use them for) If buying online go with harbor freight and buy the pittsburg brand as stated in a above post. For 3 reasons first the price: 2nd they have been around for 20 plus years (lifetime warranty is no <!****>good if business closes up as many do) 3rd they warrantee this brand of tool they sell. We broke a 1 1/2 inch combo wrench and I admitt we abused it! 10 days later we had a new wrench no questions asked.I have used and own many of the brands mentioned.High end tools are great for people who use there tools daily as I do and have dealers come to you that don't wince <!*****>everytime you need to replace one.Hope this helps
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Originally Posted by bimmerbill
Who makes the Kobalt tools available at Lowe's again? I read it somewhere, but don't remember. They are finally building some Lowe's up here in the NE area. Looking for a set of breaker bars and the Craftsman 1/2 inch one didn't really excite me...
Last edited by grease monkey; Nov 14, 2004 at 10:27 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
I bought a 318 pc craftsmans tool set for 200 this last fathers day and they are great tools for the money. I have the "NEW" craftsmans tools Ive used them for a little under a year and broke a ratchet and a extension so far but im really tough on tools. When I broke the ratchet I was using a huge cheater bar. If you want the more bang for the buck go for the craftsman. I love their tools because there are a few sears in town so I can take them back and they never ask any questions. One time I went there 2 times in one day with the same tool and they took it back with no problem.
If you buy a set get extra ratchet for emergencys and you will be in great shape.
If you buy a set get extra ratchet for emergencys and you will be in great shape.