Need some new tools
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I haven't read the previous posts, but harbor freight tools has lots of stuff that costs less than most. However, craftsman ordered online might be feasible too. I'm pretty remote too, and have to travel 40 miles to the nearest sears...and believe it or not the nearest walmart too
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I have snap-on rotating head ratchets that cost a bit more, but have been the best tools I ever bought. move the handle 90 degrees and spin it like a nut-driver. Well worth it.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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i am thinking of getting their soft grip flex head ratchet. There is a few on ebay for about 1/2 price. I am going to do some more looking and definately look into those rotating head ratchets. Found most of the craftsman socket sets (sae standard depth, metric standard depth, and metric deep well) on ebay from about 9.99 to 15.99. Just need to find SAE deep well and maybe some wrenches. Do you guys think that 3/8 drive is probably the first set i should buy then later maybe i would get 1/2 or should i just get 1/2?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by Jerrybo66
I think Mason 55 has a good suggestion. Older tools like Craftsman were made in the USA with far superior steel and workmanship as the foreign tools mostly sold today. I stopped buying Craftsman when they went to manufacturers in China and Tiawan. I needed a drill a couple months ago and got an industrial duty DeWalt at a flea market for $37.00. Starting out you may prefer all shiney new but foreign stuff gets old quick. I would guess the large sets on E-Bay are foreign made... I haven't bought name brand hand tools for a few years so I don't know if they went foreign or not...... Happy shopping..
Josh79, havi,
SK tools, has that same style ratchet, for less. And you might be able to find it for less on Ebay, if you look for SK besides Snap~on.
Tool warranties, I have a lot of tools whose warranties are no longer valid, as the companies are out of business; Indestro, Durochrome, PowerKraft, Wizard, Kraueter. Then I have some that the companies have changed hands or merged, Challenger, Easco, JH Williams, Kobalt tools, Benchtop, Craftsman, SK Wayne, Facom, Proto, Blackhawk, etc.
I am happy with Sears tools, for the normal stuff (specialty I go elsewhere) but I know the warranty could go the way of JCPenny's tools (remember those?)
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
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From: wichita kansas
We have some SanpOn 1/2 drive ratchets with the soft handles and while the ratchets are good the end of the soft handle breaks off on the end. The steel doesn't go all the way through to the end and if you are gripping on the very end of the handle after a while the end breaks off. We never tried to get a replacement since they figured it was just happen again anyway. The soft handles though have worked out better than I thought they would.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 588
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From: AZ.
Originally Posted by Josh79
Do you guys think that 3/8 drive is probably the first set i should buy then later maybe i would get 1/2 or should i just get 1/2?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 375
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Originally Posted by CheapRanger
Then I have some that the companies have changed hands or merged, Challenger, Easco, JH Williams, Kobalt tools, Benchtop, Craftsman, SK Wayne, Facom, Proto, Blackhawk, etc.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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Well i just bought a 47 pc sk 3/8 6 pt socket set off ebay for $95. I think it was a pretty good deal. Now I need to get me some metric wrenches. Thinking of getting those in sk too, plus i may get 3/8 snap on flex head soft grip ratchet or sk flex head palm control ratchet or maybe other flex head type ratchet, and maybe a universal joint havent done a lot of looking/thinking yet.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 336
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From: Dumas, Texas
I been using my Craftsman tools for 19 years now they had to give me two new 18mm 12 point sockets 1/2 in drive 'cause I was to lazy to get out from under the truck (twice) and get a six point out of my box. I put some meat on the breaker bar and busted the socket. Sears just threw the old one in a bin and gave me a new one no questions asked. I find it strange that both times it has been an 18mm. The wall is pretty thin. But that was what I needed at the time, I have found some pretty good buys at Pawn shops too. But I'll stick to my Craftsman, unless they go to Kmart quality. Josh79, years ago SK was a real good wrench I haven't had any, other than a few wrenches that made it through the years without getting "borrowed" by other mechanics or my sons teenage years, in a long time. As mentioned earlier if you take care of your tools they will take care of you. Kind of like a good Ford. 
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by Mr.Ford 351W
Who did Challenger and Easco merged with? I have a few Challenger and Easco tools that are old.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
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I have used craftsman tools for 30 years while working in dealerships and in my own shop. They have held up as good as the other brands i have ( snapon etc) the best thing about them is walk in to sears and they replace them.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 59
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From: Albuquerque, NM
For your purposes craftsman should be fine. I recently worked for sears hardware, so if you have any specific questions a to what is or isn't crap, run them by me. The thinlines are the way to go with their ratchets. You will be able to afford alot more tools when you don't have to pay $30.00 for a pair of pliers. Not to put down Snap-On, if you use them a work and have acess to the truck, they're excellent. I would avoid Harbor Freight for all but the most random and cheap things. It's worth buying quality.
I'm only 20 and have more tools than I know what to do with. But it's money well spent. Last tip, you can never, repeat, never have too many hammers.
I'm only 20 and have more tools than I know what to do with. But it's money well spent. Last tip, you can never, repeat, never have too many hammers.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: AZ.
Originally Posted by 99ranger4x4
i use snap on and s-k tools
make sure you have a reputable dealer and your fine
make sure you have a reputable dealer and your fine