Side point
I hate the SMALL PRINT !

omg

 

I have my original Craftsman tools from 1970, and my Dad's from before I was born ( pre 1958 )

That stuff is great.... I rebuilt engines with that stuff no problem

When I went "pro" I started a collection of S&K ( long out of business, brand name now in the hands of some junk manufacturer) Snap ON, Mac, and some Cornwall.

I rarely have to warrantee a tool, I but good stuff ONCE, and never have to buy a replacement ( I am also carefull to put my tools away after every job, I can tell when something is missing by the looks of the drawer)

The only tool guy that comes in our shop these days is MAC , and although I don't buy a lot of tools ( at my age I am full up) I still buy specialty tools and stuff I see that I think will boost productivity or I think will be a time saver in the future . I have paid for stuff I have used once and it was worth 10 times what I paid for it because it was there when I needed it.

I did spend 11 bucks on a T27 bit to take to the Florida house. For 11 bucks I could have bought 3 sets at HF, but I am pretty sure a quality MAC tool is not going to break or strip the head leaving me to extract a broken bolt in my Florida garage without my "good" tools.

My Dad was the one who told me to buy quality tools, and I'd only have to buy them once.

Good advice I have passed onto others.

YMMV

 

If you were an A & P mech, you must be aware of rivet guns (air hammers) and a needle point chisels for knocking out those remnants of the screws and with screw knockers for taking out those stubborn bolts and screws some gorilla installed or just corroded in place. Small rivet sets can also work for just vibrating the pieces loose.

 

 

My tool box is a mis-match of tools. Mostly because no one manufacturer makes the best tools out there. For example, Snap-On makes awesome hand tools, which I own many of, but their air tools are lacking (1 yr warranty on them, BTW). Ingersoll Rand is what I use for air tools. I have many Craftsman tools that I bought when I was young and poor. They still work great and it is what I loan out when a friend needs a tool.

As far as Harbor Freight, yes, many of their tools lack quality. However, They do carry lots of tools that are more than appropriate for the occasional home owner who seldom uses his/her tools. They also carry a Professional series of tools that are in par with some of the best brands out there. They recently started to rebrand their professional lines. Their Professional torque wrenches now come with a certification of calibration. How cool is that for an HF tool that is 1/4 of the price of other brands?

With regards to Snap-On, their tools are also made under other brands. Here is a link to SO tools sold under other brands. Very informative:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...d.php?t=136120

 

I still have my Dad's SK mechanics set that he bought when he was quite young.
I think he got them in the late 40's, maybe 50's, not sure.
Every piece is still working just fine, and in good condition.
When I lost my Sears Torx set, I got a set from SK, they were about $80, but well worth the money IMO

 

Don't get me wrong, still am. I was referring to when I was making my living using tools. I got old and stupid since then and figured a Torx screw which by book is torqued to 40 inch pounds, any ole thing would work.

 

Tools, can never have enough.
Good tools are worth the money.