For the past nine years I've only used Metwrench. Some friends "don't like em" but it doesn't keep them from coming over to use them whenever they work on their trucks. The only tool that has broken is the ratchet, which I abused. It's very nice not to have to wonder if the next bolt I turn is Metric or Standard, and one small toolbox is all I need. I carry one set in the tow-truck and one in the boat.

 

The true test for tools is try them where I work now. I am currently working in the aggregate industry "Rock Crushing". The brand I see out there mostly is Craftsman. There are several reasons for this, first is cost second is return policy and third is convenience of getting them. They do the job for most day to day repairs and if you drop one in a rock crusher when it is running you don't go broke. The ratchets have taken a big dive in quality over the years and it comes down to you have to have several ratchets on your truck to make it through the week without running back to Sears for replacements. The other problem with craftsman tools is they don't go big enough. Try to buy a 2 1/2" combo wrench there, the sales people think you are nuts (I'm not nuts I just have some big nuts) If Craftsman is going to have a true Pro line of tools then they should have all the tools for the pro. For the most part tho craftsman makes a good tool and I can't complain about them.
Just for fun my next trip to Sears I'm going to ask the sales person for a 10X torque multiplier and a 1" socket set that goes up to 3 or 4" sockets.

 

I have used and owned Craftsman, Snap On, Proto, Armstrong even some of that Wall-Mart Stuff. The real cheap China stuff flakes off and the flakes of chrome cut your hands. Used all of them at a industrial manufacturing plant for special assembly before shipment machines. Craftsman works as well as any, easy to replace almost anywhere.
But the Sears Brand Home Services, forget about it. That term "Satisfaction Guaranteed" doesn't apply. Price to high, poor quality work, they flip you off (me to 13500 USD) if you have paid then there is a problem. Now I don't buy anything Sears.

 

Sounds like the old Craftsman stuff doesn't break but the new stuff still does. My knuckles and time are worth too much to mess with Craftsman tools. Craftsman uses the free replacement policy as a "loss leader" to get you back in the store. I don't buy anything Sears anymore. The rest of my tools just don't break and can be relied upon. I have lost a few tools over the years that I can't replace, -I regret that. I think the one I miss the most is an old Wardmaster 1/2" drive ratchet.

 

Why Use anything Less than Snap-On??

The Only craftsman Crap i use is 3/4" Equip, Its built good and Strong but other than that its all Snap-On... I really love there Ratchets, Theres nothing better han a Snappy Ratchet, The clean Crisp Click and the Great Look of a Nice F.O.D. Ratchet... My truck cost thousands why use tools that cost Pennies.

Ive Broken too many Crapsman Tools to trust them. You get what you pay for!!

 

Well I also have a mix of Snap On and Craftsman and I like the fit and feel of the snap on. Since Lowe's came out with their line of tools made by Snap On I have been buying them. They are close in apearance to the Snap On and so far I haven't had any trouble with any I have bought.

They also have a lifetime warranty and with Lowe's stores nearly everywhere I should always be able to find a place to return a damaged tool.

 

We can argue about Craftsman, because some swear by them (like me) and some wouldn't spit on 'em, but one thing we can't deny is that Great Neck tools are some of the worst ever. Great Neck. AutoZone sells them, and I used to work there, and it was amazing to me how many people would bring them back, not even mangled, just looked like somebody used them for the intended purpose, and the failed badly. I know better than lean on one of those things, and if I bust my knuckles using one, it's my own fault, becuase I know what to expect from them. I was removing a starter from a Honda one time, and was using a 3/8" ratchet, I thought I was moving the bolt. Took the socket off to look at it, I turned the ratchet head around almost 2 full turns! After using the beaters at work all day, I was always happy to come home to a garage full of Crafstman!

'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing

 

I'm an ASE Certified Mechanic myself, and I own a mixture of tools. I'll be 24 years old in Sept, making me younger than most mechanics, so I can't make claims of how long I've owned the Craftsman tools I own. I will say that for the 5 or 6 years I've owned my Craftsman tools I haven't had too many problems with them. My biggest concern with them is the open end wrenches. They tend to spread easier than higher quality tools, but you really have to be applying a good bit of pressure to them to have that problem. As far as people rounding off bolt heads with Craftsman sockets, I think they are using the improper tool. Most people grab a 12 point socket when they should be using a 6 point socket. 12 pointers are easier to use because they can be put on the bolt or nut at more angles than a 6 point, but tend to round a fastner much easier. Another big mistake is using chrome sockets with air tools, thats a big NO-NO. Impact sockets (all black sockets) are much harder steel, and should be used when you are using an air tool. They even work great with hand tools if alot of torque is applied. As for my Mac, Snap-On, and Matco I love them too. I have alot of Mac tools, but I stopped buying them. I've been buying Matco tools now because of better pricing than Mac or Snap-on, and the quality is just as good. I also have an awesome Matco Dealer that I buy from, he's a great guy that will search high and low for any odd tools I request. And in the rare event I find a Mac or Snap-On tool cheaper, he'll beat the price to keep my business. In time I do plan on slowly phasing out the rest of my Craftsman Tools and replacing them with Matco, Mac, or Snap-On. Then I'll retire ALL my Craftsman to the house for weekend projects, leaving my high dollar tools at the shop.



"Don't Laugh At This Truck Mister, Your Daughter Might Be In Here!!"
'78 F250 4x4/351w/NP435/NP205
lifted/"35 mudders
'78 F100 2wd/360/C-6/"9 inch
4bbl int+carb

 

Well I don't know where about half the tools I ever bought are and I don't know where about 1/4 of the tools I have came from, but I do know this, I have some "BlackHawk" (USA!) tools given to me when I bought my first car (age 16) in 1976 (a `72 Ford station-wagon HA!) and those Blackhawks are still serving (ratchets included), and I don't like to admit it, but I have used them improperly (ABUSED) them on more than one occassion. I TRY to keep `em clean but have only 'serviced' (thorough cleaning [partial -?- disassembly] and oiling) the ratchets once, maybe twice in 26 years. I have made some money with them (you might say 'part-time') and am really just a week-end warrior shadetree-er but again, in 26 years there have been lotsa clicks - and they just keep on clickin'. The sockets and wrenches have remained like new too but the ratchets, I think, is the most impressive part of the story. Happy twistin' (wrenchin' & ratchetin')!

 

Tools brands, like truck brands are a very subjective item.

I think the bottom line with Craftsman tools is they are a great value, and they have a warranty that actually means something, with locations that are open 7 days a week, and not likely to go out of business tomorrow!

Last fall i found a tool set on the `outlet site at Sears.ca that included a craftsman 3/8 set of deep sockets, ratchet, extension, screwdriver set (the kind with interchangable bits), level, two box end wrenches,set of allen keys, tape measure, tire gauge, and flashlight. All for $30 Canadian!!

Also I just got a phone call from them offering me a two year service contract on my craftsman 14.4v cordless drill (the two year warranty is almost up) for $20 at first i said no, but after thinking about it, i accepted it, they told me that the two batteries would be covered for replacement when they fail and my $20 wouldnt start to replace them.

The Canadian Sears outlet site always has some good bargains on craftsman tools...
Check this out.. 133 or 135 pc craftsman set for $59 CDN. (about $40US)






http://www.sears.ca/cgi-bin/so_dpt.cgi?lang=e&id=14&cid=1&pd=n&MinPrice=&MaxPr ice=&Offset=&Page=&eventID=0&deptID=117&day=0&hr=0 &fv=

Even if Craftsman aren't the very best quallity, I think they are the best value, and as long as you dont lose them, they will last a lifetime.

 

What tools should I start to buy? I have a few craftsman things but i'm only 16 and want to start getting the tools that i'm gonna need now. Any suggestions? Thanx guys.

 

These guys that are finding the limits of Craftsman tools are obviously professionals, or have some serious hobbies. They are great tools for anything that you'll need them for, from automotive to plumbing work, and anything else you might encounter. Mac, Snap-on, and Matco make stronger tools, but unless you have a 500 ft*lb. impact wrench in your garage, you'll enjoy the price and convenience, and I doubt you'll ever break one. I am an avid subscriber to the theory that "if a little bit is is good, then too much is just about right". I'm 21 and in college though, so I have even less money than you do, therefore I'll keep what I got. Just don't get too cheap and buy Great Neck tools, I have an entire collection of those that I've broken while working at AutoZone, changing batteries, headlights, and the occasion alternator and starter.

'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing

 

>What tools should I start to buy? I have a few craftsman
>things but i'm only 16 and want to start getting the tools
>that i'm gonna need now. Any suggestions? Thanx guys.

Wes, the craftsman mechanic's sets, from my experience, are a great place to start. Get the biggest (most piece) set that you can afford. That will give you some metrics and std. You might also consider picking up a nice little multi-meter when you can. I recently got a nice one from Sears on sale for around 20.00. What I've always tried to do over the yrs is when I'm doing any kind of job and find that I don't have a tool that I need, I'll put that item on my buy list. Next time I'll have that tool, and just keep building this way. At some point you'll want to have a 3/8 and a 1/2" drive torque wrench too. You should, IMO, categorize them right after the basics. Don't buy poor quality on these. Good luck to you Wes You're in good hands on this site. Stick with it.

 

Yeah, buy one of the big sets of tools, and if you can, wait until they're on sale. If the set didn't come with any 1/2" drive 6-point sockets, buy some: they're good for dealing with rusted and rounded fasteners. And get a set of flare nut wrenches for dealing with brake fittings.

The Craftsman "channelock" and "vise grip" clone pliers aren't very good: don't waste your money on them.

 

>What tools should I start to buy? I have a few craftsman
>things but i'm only 16 and want to start getting the tools
>that i'm gonna need now. Any suggestions? Thanx guys.

Start with a set of combination wrenches.. 3/8 to 1".

then a set of screwdrivers

pair of pliers or two or three (slip joint, side cutters, long nose)

big hammer

3/8 drive sockets 6 point in deep and regular depth ( I know some guys say 1/2 drive, but I have had a set of 3/8 since I was 16 and just got a set of 1/2 drive for my 40th birthday)

after that, the sky's the limit. Does anybody ever have a *complete* tool collection?