Tools of Choice

[Rocket]

Growing up in an automotive family you'd think I would have picked up enough to start a shop but alas I rebelled and went in other directions. Hey, give me a pre-eighties engine and I'm good. Weren't we all? But all this having someone take care of it is getting old and expensive. With the additional landscape equipment and employees things seem to be needing repair more often. So it seems my newest hobby is to buy tools. I'm looking for good quality tools. Who makes 'em? OK, I know who makes them. What I'm asking is what brand are you purchasing and why? I've been picking up Snap-On for a few years now. Compared a couple others but was not impressed. What is your take?

[T-Zab]

If your using the tools then by all means Snap On is good stuff. If your employee's are using the tools then Crapsmen should suffice. My observations in the field and shop are the tools will be lost, destroyed (Some Snap on drivers will not replace destroyed tools) and simply not cared for by employees..
I have 18 year old Mac wrenchs that are mint, but there sockets have lost some chrome. Most of the sockets that I own are snap-on and there in great shape 18 years later as well. I have some crapsmen stuff and most has been replaced with there warranty.
Snap-On tools are awfully spendy so if your gearing up you best have real deep pockets.
T

[snowplowjay]

For the price I really like the HUSKY tools myself...

I have Husky, Snap On, and Craftsman for the most part in my tool box...


Jay

[Pelican]

I've used Craftsmen for years, reasonably priced with a lifetime warranty. I go to Snap on for unique tools, but they are too rich for my blood otherwise. Both Home Depot and Lowe's have quality tool lines with lifetime warranties too.

[capnkel]

I,ve used just about every brand of wrench and socket ever made,for most users craftsman or husky will do.Ocasionally you need to get something a little better than average for a really stuborn nut,then you might have to go to snap on or mac.Ive broken and bent more tools than i care to remember,including 36" pipe wrenches,as long as its got a lifetime warranty,and are easily replaced,i rarely waste my money on the pay for the name tools when a much cheaper ,and in most case just as functional will do the same job.

[Pickering Snow]

I have been wrenching for 26yrs i have everything Snap-on Mac and Matco i havent bought anything off the big three's truck in years the Mac tool box i can remember spending 5500 for back in 87. Craftsman gets my vote there tools hold up ok and you can get them replaced quick same day if your in a jamb and have a sears nearby. The problem i have with the big three is salesman turn over and only seeing them once a week then poss not having a replacement tool on the truck.

Has far has speciality tools OTC, Miller, Lisle are all aval threw
Napa so no reason to pay the over inflated price for the big three , the last thing i bought from Snappy was my mt 240 welder even the company couldnt get the dam thing to weld right it was Jerre that fixed it and has worked decent since, however for 3300 dollars if i had to do it again it would be a Miller, Lincoln, or a Hobart.

[Plow Dak]

Basicly, if you look at the replies, you buy the tool that works for you. If you are not impressed with a brand name, try another. My list of tools include Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, Pyrex, Husky, Waterloo. i have more custom wrenches than i care to think about.
But, with all things being equal, If i were starting out i would go with
Craftsman, and work my way from there... MMMMMMMMMMMMMM come to think about it, I did that 36 years ago.. LOL
Last year i bought a big Craftsman set for my home garage. Couldn't beat the price and the Warr....

[sno-mover]

two brands that were not mentioned yet that I like are SK and gearwrench. SK make nice scocket sets and hand tools in general, screwdrivers ect...

[Rocket]

There are more tool trucks out there than I was aware. I'm liking the Snap-On for heavier tools (impact and bigger). I'm using Craftsman to replace missing or worn tools but just the small stuff. Their heavier stuff did not look as if it would stand up to the work and the clerk was telling me the warranty is now only for hand powered tools. Napa has some stuff in the catalog but I can't tell if it is any good.

Thanks guys

[Jerre Heyer]

Hmm, what a mix I have. Chinese sockets and wrenches to Snap-on and MAC.

I've got a lot of low useage odd tools from harbor freight ( aka china shippers specilists ) and some from a couple of specialty forge shops that do high quantiy at a low price. I also have quite a few custom made sockets and wrenches that I made while working for GE years back.

Basic tool box is Craftsman and Snap on. Snappy guy's here weekly purchases or not. Never any problems with tool repairs and we have em. He meets us for tools and is often avail like I am at odd times.

I prefer the Snapon IM 6100 seriesAir guns for the 1/2 and 3/4 guns ( 300+ mounts to a gun ) but go to Ingersol Rand for the 1" guns.

Welders it a toss between miller and snapon. Snap on has a higher work duty cycle loading but the miller digital features are very very nice.

PLASMA-----HYPERTHERM all the way. Well worth the $$ for the performance.

The rest of the tool box is a mix. I buy alot of repo'ed or traded snapon, matco and mac tools from the dealers. Saves on the initial investment that way.

Jerre

[GMC Driver]

LOL Jerre - I got a kick out of seing the PLASMA in caps - had a feeling that wasn't gonna be missed!