What brand of tools are decent?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
Well, Ialso have lots of Craftsman tools in my collection. Some of the stuff is over 50 years old and still works just fine today.I think most of their basic tools such as wrenches, sockets, rachets, pliers, hammers..etc. have not really changed that much. I consider their basic tools still hard to beat when it comes to warranty and price. I don't have a problem with this stuff at all.....
Their other stuff.....more specialized tools and basic shop supplies have really suffered in quality for the past few years. This stuff seems to be made with alot plastic and is usually made in China. I usually avoid this stuff and will spend more for better constructed merchandise. I've tried several items in the past few years.....was just really not satisfied. It was built cheap and I don't like that.
Just shy of purchasing more expensive tools such as Snapon, Mac, Matco, Cornwell.....
I would recommend Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, SK, Lisle, Blackhawk, KD, Easco, Wright, Proto, Stanley, and there are others as well found in retail stores.
Their other stuff.....more specialized tools and basic shop supplies have really suffered in quality for the past few years. This stuff seems to be made with alot plastic and is usually made in China. I usually avoid this stuff and will spend more for better constructed merchandise. I've tried several items in the past few years.....was just really not satisfied. It was built cheap and I don't like that.
Just shy of purchasing more expensive tools such as Snapon, Mac, Matco, Cornwell.....
I would recommend Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, SK, Lisle, Blackhawk, KD, Easco, Wright, Proto, Stanley, and there are others as well found in retail stores.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From:
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
IMHO there are three catagories of hand tools and small power tools today.
1. The extremely cheap swap meet and Cheap-O-Mart stuff. Great for occasional home uses and better than nothing.
2. The middle range of good quality home workshop stuff. This is where I believe Craftsman was but is slipping too close to group 1 for my likes. I think Mac and DeWalt are solidly here and approaching the next higher group.
3. The professional line where your living depends on it. Snap-On, Rockwell.
I'm looking for a new solid group 2 where I believe Craftsman used to be. Any more ideas?
1. The extremely cheap swap meet and Cheap-O-Mart stuff. Great for occasional home uses and better than nothing.
2. The middle range of good quality home workshop stuff. This is where I believe Craftsman was but is slipping too close to group 1 for my likes. I think Mac and DeWalt are solidly here and approaching the next higher group.
3. The professional line where your living depends on it. Snap-On, Rockwell.
I'm looking for a new solid group 2 where I believe Craftsman used to be. Any more ideas?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport,La.
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
I'm a tool nut. All I ask for at birthdays, Chistmas, and stuff. I probably have about 5 to 6k in hand tools, all 95% Craftsman. Had a few problems with heavy use but I just take em back and get a new one.
They get used, I've built several antique cars and trucks in my shop and still do. Like said before, they're easily available and they'll replace em. Now I know they put the Craftsman name on all kind of junk, mowers made by AYP, MURRAY, and so on. But their hand tools have given me good service.
Mac, Snapon, both great brands too. Kinda like bikes. Personal preference.
They get used, I've built several antique cars and trucks in my shop and still do. Like said before, they're easily available and they'll replace em. Now I know they put the Craftsman name on all kind of junk, mowers made by AYP, MURRAY, and so on. But their hand tools have given me good service.
Mac, Snapon, both great brands too. Kinda like bikes. Personal preference.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
when I was racing all over,,,, with my fully equiped trailer,,,, many peeps borrowed everything from me,,, over the years I lost alot of stuff,,
you could try that,,,, takes a while but you'll eventually will end up with a nice set!!
you could try that,,,, takes a while but you'll eventually will end up with a nice set!!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From:
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
ORIGINAL: 97FXSTSB
I love my Snap-on Tools! As mentioned above though, definitely big $$. My boxes alone (empty, no tools) cost about $15,000after adding heavyliners, keyed-alike locks, Snap-on dividers and my Playskool step stool
. Inside is mostly Snap-on but also have some Proto, Blackhawkand Mac, plus air/power tools from Milwaukee, Bosch, Ingersol-Rand, National Detroit, Hutchins, Viking, and even a few Craftsmans. And as I always say, if you don't like cheap tools, stay out of Harbor Freight!
I love my Snap-on Tools! As mentioned above though, definitely big $$. My boxes alone (empty, no tools) cost about $15,000after adding heavyliners, keyed-alike locks, Snap-on dividers and my Playskool step stool
. Inside is mostly Snap-on but also have some Proto, Blackhawkand Mac, plus air/power tools from Milwaukee, Bosch, Ingersol-Rand, National Detroit, Hutchins, Viking, and even a few Craftsmans. And as I always say, if you don't like cheap tools, stay out of Harbor Freight!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 52
From: So-Cal
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
ORIGINAL: Arizona Flash
IMHO there are three catagories of hand tools and small power tools today.
1. The extremely cheap swap meet and Cheap-O-Mart stuff. Great for occasional home uses and better than nothing.
2. The middle range of good quality home workshop stuff. This is where I believe Craftsman was but is slipping too close to group 1 for my likes. I think Mac and DeWalt are solidly here and approaching the next higher group.
3. The professional line where your living depends on it. Snap-On, Rockwell.
I'm looking for a new solid group 2 where I believe Craftsman used to be. Any more ideas?
IMHO there are three catagories of hand tools and small power tools today.
1. The extremely cheap swap meet and Cheap-O-Mart stuff. Great for occasional home uses and better than nothing.
2. The middle range of good quality home workshop stuff. This is where I believe Craftsman was but is slipping too close to group 1 for my likes. I think Mac and DeWalt are solidly here and approaching the next higher group.
3. The professional line where your living depends on it. Snap-On, Rockwell.
I'm looking for a new solid group 2 where I believe Craftsman used to be. Any more ideas?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 52
From: So-Cal
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
ORIGINAL: Arizona Flash
NOW THAT'S A "GROUP 3". The Playskool step stool must be what you kneel on every morning when you pay homage to this tool temple.
ORIGINAL: 97FXSTSB
I love my Snap-on Tools! As mentioned above though, definitely big $$. My boxes alone (empty, no tools) cost about $15,000after adding heavyliners, keyed-alike locks, Snap-on dividers and my Playskool step stool. Inside is mostly Snap-on but also have some Proto, Blackhawkand Mac, plus air/power tools from Milwaukee, Bosch, Ingersol-Rand, National Detroit, Hutchins, Viking, and even a few Craftsmans. And as I always say, if you don't like cheap tools, stay out of Harbor Freight!
I love my Snap-on Tools! As mentioned above though, definitely big $$. My boxes alone (empty, no tools) cost about $15,000after adding heavyliners, keyed-alike locks, Snap-on dividers and my Playskool step stool
. Inside is mostly Snap-on but also have some Proto, Blackhawkand Mac, plus air/power tools from Milwaukee, Bosch, Ingersol-Rand, National Detroit, Hutchins, Viking, and even a few Craftsmans. And as I always say, if you don't like cheap tools, stay out of Harbor Freight!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield,Il.
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
I'd say if your a hobbiest Craftman Tools are fine if it's what yuo do for a living most of my tools are Snap On,Mac and Matco.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: What brand of tools are decent?
Matco is another brand up there with Snap On.These two brands are prefered by people inthe automotive trade.
If your just a hobbiest,Craftsman is a good one.
If your just a hobbiest,Craftsman is a good one.
