Hi All
I really wonder if I am the only one that is tires of shitty tools in my tool box? Just yesterdayy I broke my torx when I tried to remove the screw and this make me think about finally buying quality tools for my garage.

I accumulated nice amount of tools over the years that allow me to do many projects without driving to store to buy something new but it took me 20 years of collecting random tools all from different companies and while some are good some are pure junk. I think I reached my limit 😄

Decided to go with Milwaukee brand for my tools upgrade but I have to admit this is costly as even set of 10 screwdrivers is $40 🤯 but I think I am going to do it in stages and forget about the money in exchange for enjoying my projects a bit more.

So far I upgraded drill, spot blower and yesterday I got new set of Milwaukee allen wrenches, seems like screwdrivers are next in line. I am tempted to consider some items from DeWalt but kinda like the idea of having top of the line tools from one brand and while expensive I feel Milwaukee offers good value.

Maybe I have mid life crisis 😁

Wonder about others opinions on this matter.

P.S Shame to throw away some of these tools lying on top of my bench but I think they reach their limit even tho some are from Craftsman. If anyone is in Hoffman Estates area in IL I would be happy to give it away for free.

 

No offense, but I bought my first set of Snap-on screwdrivers in 1988. $80.00 for 5 screwdrivers. However, I still have them all, and they are still in good shape. The #2 phillips has had a new shank twice.
That is quality.
Yes, I used them, OTR truck mechanic and heavy equipment mechanic for 35 years.
Again, I am just stating that quality costs.
Pop

 

Allen and Torx the import stuff coming in now is every bit as good or better than Snap-on, Mac or Matco, I do or have owned all them at some point. Twisted or broken the snap-on's many times, if you aren't at a place the truck comes by regular it's bitch getting replacements. When started doing contract work I picked up some stuff to use leaving the $$$ home. Harbour freight allens have yet break or deform on me and this is using impacts regular. I've been using those low profile one piece torx & allens more than my pricey goods and I haven't chunked one out yet.

 

I miss the good ole Craftsman. May not have been the best, but what memories of walking into the local Sears with a broken combo wrench I found, and walking out with a new replacement no receipt, no questions.

 

My old man used to say, "you buy cheap, you get cheap"

He was also a Pacific diesel boat submarine sailor in WW2 (USS Peto), and til the day he died would avoid buying anything made in Japan.

Money invested in good tools is just that....an investment. It'll pay off in the long run.

 

By us, Ace Hardware and Lowes carry the Craftsman tools. Still do not need a receipt, no questions asked, they just give you a new one. BUT they do not have the same inventory Sears had on hand, so sometimes they have to order it. But I am still taking full advantage of the Lifetime Warranty. Unfortunately they do not cover torque wrenches!??!?!?

 

Yep... me too. When I worked maintenance in a Mfg plant in the mid 80's they had a deal with Sears for payroll deduction. Bought a full set of craftsman tools and still have them all.

 

I’m mostly craftsman. Love ‘em. But I run into trouble with warranty these days. They like to say this version is discontinued so we can’t replace it.

 

Buy once, cry once.

I believe in buying quality, whatever it is. Tools, cars, rifles, pistols, motorcycles, liquor, etc.

I have a friend who buys the cheapest crap tools he can find, claiming he got a bargain. That is until the tool damages whatever the project is or him. I stopped helping him years ago because he was always looking to blame someone other than himself for his crappy tools and shoddy work. We are still friends though.

 

I am still using 1/2 drive benchtop ratchet from Kmart. Most of my tools are craftsman. I haven't broken anything since the 90s some cheap set. I did have a 90s 1/4 wrench slipping. But alsmot anything these days is built by modern machines.. With modern manufacturing, unless you are wrenching dailing, I don't think you will have issues, I have many ratchets, just in case.


As for screw drivers I lprefer Klein, but I have many, and I think you can usually tell. I have many, but don't worry to much about brands. Got hollow ground set for guns, but you run into a lot more sizes there.

I like buying tools, and you can't go wrong with expensive stuff. But I also think snap on screw drivers are over kill

I like my buddies 1/4 flex head ratchet. $350 from snap on. Went and bought gearwrench. for $25. If it breaks I'll grab a regular one to finish and then buy 10 more gear wrenches. You slow down on ordering from snap on, you''l see how often that van comes around.