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Tools: What do you use and why?

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JoshP

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Yesterday at Sears, I decided to splurge and buy myself something nice: a 245 piece Craftsman socket/wrench tool set. They're really nice /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

As I was sorting them into the box, it got me to thinking. There's numerous different tool makers and vendors out there; what goes into a person choosing one brand over another?

For me, it goes like this. I've always liked the Craftsman brand, and my family has always tended to lean toward that brand when shopping for tools and the like. I've heard numerous times that they're not 'what they used to be', but I've found that very little is these days. For my $$$ and needs, they're good. I've got a mix of Stanleys (love their tear drop ratchet handles) and some no-brand cheapos in my box as well, but I tend to favor Craftsman. Good quality, good price.

Plus, I had to pick my jaw up from the floor when I opened the Snap-on catalog and saw the price column /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

In short, I'd like to start a little discussion. What brand of tools do you have (or is your favorite), and why?
 
Hi Josh,
When I need/want a tool, manufacturer usually doesn’t enter the equation. Availability, quality, then price are my major concerns. I have a fair amount of Dewalt tools, but also Bosch. I did get a great deal on my Craftsman socket set, 250 piece for about $125 a few years ago.
 
As a Aircraft Mechanic I started out with all Craftsmen tools and still use these still. But you have too look at how the tool is made. Some wrenchs and sockets can be to thick to use is someplaces. SnapOn and Mac are normal useable in most places, Sears would not work all the time were clearnce was a problem. I have a mixture of tools because of this. With the tool truck vendors coming by where work you can have a truck account a pay weeking. They also have tools that Sears and other stores do not have that may work for other place than what they were originally made for.

Don
 
donbmw said:
SnapOn and Mac are normal useable in most places, Sears would not work all the time were clearnce was a problem.
Click to expand...
And that is exactly the complaint about the decline in Craftsman tools. They used to be just as thin as SnapOn & Mac; but now they are much thicker because the steel isn't as strong.
 
Always been Craftsman for me because of their warranty - replaced at no cost without questions....heck, right now I've got a few screwdrivers to return because the tips are broken because I used them as pry bars or to hammer something or some reason other than loosening/tightening screws...but, Craftsman doesn't care how I broke them, just that they're broken.
 
Most of mine are SK's. Just as good as Snap-on, and a third of the price. I think I have one Craftsman wrench, one of their screwdrivers, and I found them both.
Jeff
 
tool vendors have all come a long way...as a kid in high school...Craftsman was the only one I knew of that guaranteed replacement and I never had to take them up on it....I still stand behind them...under them...over them...by them....around them...

BTW: can't tell you the number of times I've used the socket wrench as a hammer or frustration equalizer...never broke!!! matter fact my 3/4 drive set is my Dad's gotta be over 40 years old...
 
BIBBER said:
tool vendors have all come a long way...as a kid in high school...Craftsman was the only one I knew of that guaranteed replacement and I never had to take them up on it....I still stand behind them...under them...over them...by them....around them...

Snap On and Mac have always been with the same guarante. It just can be hard to find one sometimes.

Don
Click to expand...
 
I use whatever is the best tool i can afford. My tool box has a mix of mainly Snap On and Craftsman with other tools from dozens of manufacturers. Whia, Knipex, Channel and others all make better tools of certain types than Snap on or Craftsman.
 
If I need a tool and it has repetitive usage it will be a Snap-On.---Keoke
 
My tool box at work (aircraft mechanic) is all Snap-On with a mix of homemade tools required for the trade not sold by any vendor. My air tools, rivet guns, drill motors are Sioux.

My tool box at home is a mixture of Snap-On and SK.

You asked why. I've been pulling on stubborn nuts and bolts with less than a quality socket and have had it shatter. Pieces flying and frankly it hurts the hands and whatever other body part it impacts. A good tool will not shatter, more like a give or slip when it's going bad. Also, when a tool shatters, in the aircraft industry, we have to account for EVERY tiny piece of the socket or wrench. We can spend hours looking for a piece of tool the size of this o.

The fit of tool to nut or bolt is much more exacting on a quality tool. Chances of rounding off bolts and nuts is decreased. Fit of the tool in the hand is important to me also. Snap-On has a smooth finish with no raised areas on the shank like a Craftsman does. When pulling, the raised area cuts into the hand and decrease pulling action.

I think Craftsman/Cobalt is good buy for the home hobbyist who does not need tools to make a living. I think the screwdrivers have alot to be desired. I wouldn't own a Craftsman screwdriver. I've seen them rounded off to many times.

Gordo
 
It's always interesting to see the differences in perceptions of the same tools under the same condions.

For years I was a jet mechanic, using Snap-On tools. They snapped with regularity, and wore out rather quickly. I dislike the smooth finish of Snap-On wrenches because they are slippery when my hands are greasy. I dislike the thin shanks because it digs into my fingers when I pull hard.

I've got Craftsman wrenches, sockets and such going back to the 30's. None of them are thin. Quite the opposite in fact, the really old ones are very thick and stout. I don't think Craftsman ever made skinny wrenches like Snap-On.

Warranty wise, I find Craftsman to be about the easiest. Their warranty is unconditional, and it's quite easy to walk into a Sears store with a typical wrench and replace it. It's certainly more difficult with the specialty wrenches and sockets of course. Snap-On does not have an unconditional warranty, and they do not cover a tool wearing out or damaged through misuse. If you're not on their routes, good luck at finding a truck when you need it to replace the wrench you just broke and need today.

Then there's the matter of the different tools. My junky Buffalo brand allen wrenches are far stronger than my last set of Snap-On's. But boy do those Snap-On screwdrivers work well! I've yet to find a particularly good Torx driver. My strange French wrenches are unbeatable. How I loved those one cent ratchet rebuild kits Sears used to sell. I still miss my old very long Husky breaker bar.
 
My toolbox has a bit of everything: Proto for most combo wrenches, Snap-On too. Sockets are mostly Snap-On 6-point. 1/4 drive swivel sets are Mac (pinned with hardened Allen head pins, not roll-pins). Ratchets are Snap-On, (3)1/4, (4)3/8 & (1)1/2... with one Craftsman 3/8 "fine tooth" one. CP for a windy, Snap-On sockets for that. Craftsman stuff sprinkled thruout as well. Screw-sticks are mostly Snap-On & Mac. One BIG SK Phillips and a Stanley Posi-drive #2 ("Made in England" /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif ). Some Hazet, some Zelenda for 'specialty' stuff. Proto puller set, Snap-On for primary toruqe wrenches (inch- and foot-pound), a "Livermont" Proto one for the convenience of its short length.

Micrometers, pin gauges, radius gauges, etc. are all P/W or Starrett, no "combo" mic's fer me... All standards are Starrett. NO battery operated 'digital' mic's either (I consider those as 'honest' as an electronic "One-armed Bandit"). One "dainty" 0"~1/2" Lufkin mic in with the shim sets: "It's sooo kewt!"

Persuaders are a real mix, Snap-On for dead-blow and "soft" impact, "All-Sorts" for the lump-hammers from a 6oz. "knobblin' hammer" ball-pean to a two pound maul. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

Proto & Snap-On for pry-bars and other 'last resort' torture impliments (I figger they better be the good stuff-- I'm the one who'll be hurt if they fail in application). Assorted punches and drifts in steel and brass, all varying pedigree. Taps 'n dies are Snap-On sets and mostly Wood & Spencer for individual ones.
 
In Canada, Craftsman is not an option as the stores are only in bigger centers, thus hard to get warranty. Snap-on has three trucks in my home town (15,000 people) and the quality is second to none. Mac is also good, but dealers are harder to find. After 40 years as a licensed technician, I still insist on Snap-on. They may not be the cheapest, or even the best, in all cases, but the warranty is excellent (never had a problem) and , if cared for, they last forever.
Just my opinion of course
Dave
 
Tools I bought in the US are mostly Craftsman, tools I have bought here are frequently Beta (Italian brand, very high quality, price to match) or if I am not feeling wealthy enough to treat myself to that, "Signet" which are not as nicely finished but well made. I only buy high quality power tools (Makita / bosch or AEG) I hate buying the same tool twice. (once to buy / once to replace something that didn't quite work) My tools are not my livelihood, but there is nothing more frustrating than working with a poorly designed / made tool.
 
I have an interesting tale to tell in relation to this. Yesterday, I took my S10 down to the shop to have the pre-cat oxygen sensor replaced (didn't have the tool for it). The mech and I are pretty good buddies; as I saw him go for his toolbox, I came to a realization that I had never even held a Snap-on tool, much less used one. Considering that I've been a tool tinkerer for years, that comes as a bit of a surprise.

When I related that little fact to him, he looked at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears. Think of the expression of someone who just saw flying pigs. He then asked me how far I was from an oil change; about 500 miles.

He then went over to the toolbox and grabbed a 15mm Snap-on wrench and told me to get the oil drain tub. After I pulled that over, he put the wrench in my hand and told me to give it a go.

I must say that they are a very nice wrench; that flank drive gripped the drain plug hex like a vise, not even the least little bit of slip. I can see why they have a good following. I couldn't afford to stock my own box with them, but I told him if he ever wanted someone to take them off his hands, give me a call. If nothing else, I got me a free oil change.
 
Most of my tools in my box are snap-on since I got involved as a racing mechanic in the 80's. I like the "feel" and reliability of them. Most better quality tools offer replacement but a replacement doesn't help if you are on the road.Snap-on tools very seldom break and the wear factor is low. IMHO they are worth the extra cost although lately they are reaching exhorbitant levels.The only time I had aproblem with Snap-on was with a 250lb-ft torque wrench it would lose accuracy with repeated use and the dealer gave me a hard time about recalibrating it and I replaced it with a Mac and never needed to service it in 15 years.
 
I use Craftsman- I slowly acquired a pretty full set before coming to the UK where they're not sold- no Sears and no mail order from the US. My first set was given to me by my Uncle who was a professional mechanic that used Snap-On alomst exclusively. I've thought from time to time about geting Snap-On but at ÂŁ400 for a basic 1/2 in drive set its just not worth it for a hobby-ist user.

Apart from my welding stuff, I get the odd tool now and then here when I need one, but I usually get friends and family visiting the US to import what I need.
 
Mac, Snap-on, and SK mostly. 90% of these were inherited. I have a few Craftsman but prefer the others. The Sears guarantee is great but I don't break enough tools for it to be a factor.

I look for the top brands at flea markets and often find a few sockets etc in a box with cheap junk. My experience is that used is as good as new in this arena.

We'll be headed up to an excellent local tool place this weekend - see https://www.jonesport-wood.com/jwLibToolPhotos.html
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:] look for the top brands at flea markets and often find a few sockets etc in a box with cheap junk.[/QUOTE]
Yep - & in pawn shops & garage sales & yard sales &....find lots of real nice Craftsman tools that way...& Sears doesn't care where you bought them, they replace them just like any others!
 
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