Mechanic Tools

[snonut12]

What brands of mechanic tools do you have and like? I am looking into building a set and just want to see what everyone preference is.

I would say that Snap-On ratchets is a must. I have used several brand name ratchets and from what I can tell, Snap-On is far the best, hand down. But my main concern is the wrenches becacuse it seems that alot of times I bust my knuckes from wrenches slipping off the bolts/nuts. I have been using S&K wrenches most of time and while they are good, they still do sometime round off some bolts/nuts and slip off in high torque. Same thing with sockets, but sometime it seems that they don't always slip as easily as wrenches would.

[BWhite]

I have used everything . I like snap-on , when I was in the trade But it is real pricey. Craftsmen does a real good job . Have you check out craftsmen "pro " rachet . it's a nice piece, has that "snap on'" feel.

[cardoctor]

i use snap-on
more out of convience that anything else
the guys in the shop every week
dont like their wrenches very then when pulling the side digs into your fingers
also dont use 12point sockets or wrenches
6point lessen the chances of stripping the bolt
john

[Plow Dak]

As far as hand tools. Snap-on and Craftsman. I wear out the others, or break them. I also have a few Par-X wrenches. It's a snap-on without the chrome. Got those a LOOOONG time ago.
If it's for personal use on your own stuff the price of Craftsman tools and quality is great. I'm buying a new Craftsman setup just for my own use in my home garage. Some stuff i've had for 30 years.

[Chuck Smith]

I have to agree with John. Whenever possible, use a 6 point socket or wrench. Much less of a chance that you will go flying when the 12 point you are using slips. The exception of course is those new 12 pt. bolts.....

The only Snap On tool I own is a 3/8" ratchet. All the rest are Craftsman. Easy to replace, lifetime warranty.

Snap On makes some really nice tools, but for me, not using them everyday, Craftsman serves its purpose.

The only exception is the ratchets... Craftsmans all hurt my hands.

Mac, and Proto are very similar to Snap On (only $25 a week for whatever you want!), and Home Depot sells Husky, which I *think* has a lifetime warranty too.

~Chuck

[snowjoker]

I like Craftsman they have been good to me. And also very affordable, and easy to exchange if you break any.

[wyldman]

Mostly Snap-On and Mac.Some Craftsman.

Mastercraft and a few others now make some nice Snap-On knock offs that work just as well.They have the flank drive now that the patent has run out.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I use a little of all, but most of my hand tools are Carftsman or Husky- they both have a lifetime warranty- but the last time I went in with a ratchet problem they gave me a rebuild kit vs a new ratchet. Husky, just bring in the old tool and they give you a new one. No quetions asked. The prices are also comparable to Craftsman.

Bill

[CNY Joe]

I use mostly craftsman, but I have a couple of Husky pieces as well.

[BWhite]

How about "one use tools " great price but they dont last :D

[Adams Plowing]

i mainly use craftsman or any other tool thats got a lifetime garentee...

[paulsoccodato]

at home in the shop, i have my tool chest full of snap-on stuff ( from when i was a mechanic) , but in the trucks i have boxes full of craftsman tools. snap on is too expensive to be loosing in the dirt or snow.

[Mick]

I have mostly Husky. Many years ago I had some New Britian boxed/open end wrenches I liked a lot. I'd probably buy New Britian if I were going to get a full set.

[Honest Mike]

I use alot of different namebrands. The tools that get used the most in the toolbox, such as screwdrivers and ratchets, I have Snap-On. I have some S&K, some Mac, and alot of Craftsman. When it comes to a combination wrench, I dont care whos name is on it, as long as its a 6 point. Same goes for sockets, when possible, 6 point only, and I dont care whos name is on it. I love having nice tools, and it would be cool to have ALL Snap-On, but I find that you misplace or lose a tool more often than you break it, so it "kind of" doesnt pay to have the best most expensive tools. Just my oppinion. Mike

[Pelican]

Most of my stuff is Craftsman, the price is right and they stand behind them.

When I need a specialty tool, I have my brother in law get it from either Snap-On or MAC. I also buy Vice-Grip and Channel/Lock brands, no knock offs.

[sno-mover]

snap-on and mac for the most part, sk ratchets are pretty good also.

[Pickering Snow]

Great topic i have been turning them for 22yrs i have alot of snap-on mac matco even some cornwell stuff but has i get older and tend to loose more tools i have learned that good ole craftsman are probley what i have the most of i like the fact i can get them replaced the same day the above mentioned tools i have to wait for them to show up once a week also theres alot of turn over in the mobile tool sales buss around here so i have had to go without the big three some times for months without support so that has lead me to buy and use more craftsman. For specialty tools i order OTC and kentmoore direct from my parts vender.

[Got Grass]

Mostly Craftsman, but assorted, Napa, Snap-on, stanley & various others we have aquired over the years.
New I buy either craftsman or the cheepest brand I can find.
As I seem to loose a heck of a lot more tools then I break.

For some odd reason all my 1/2 sockets magicly turn into 9/16's
Have like 5 9/16's & only one 1/2 I just bought. Don't ya hate that??

[BWhite]

pittsburg and buffalo are cheapie tools

[Pickering Snow]

Bill did you know buff tool company is the only tool company to offer a free box of bandaids with there tools:D

[BWhite]

and sometimes they break after one use . But for the price I paid , I dont care . If I was still in the business it would be a different story :D

[Chuck Smith]

Buffalo? I remember going to a tool sale at a Holiday Inn 20 years ago, and they were all Buffalo tools. I still have the magnetic tool, and the pick up claw I bought.

I think I spent $20, but I got a lot for that. I think the pick up claw and magnet are all that is left. Maybe a 3/8" ratchet extension or two.....

~Chuck

[AL Inc]

Mostly Craftsman here, some I've had since my father bought me a set when I was in 7th grade. I have some Husky from Home Depot that have been good, too. I actually have heard good things about Pittsburgh, the guys at the welding shop where we park started using them and they said they are decent tools, cheap too.

[Roger Dodger]

Craftsman, Proto, Williams here, although I have been keeping my eyes on the new line from Stanley. Not bad stuff & lifetime warr. too.


Read this (http://www.bricklin.org/TechCentral/TCArticleWhotools.htm) website if you think some tool brands are that far apart from others!

[D&T Repair]

I mainly use Craftsman, as they're the easiest to replace.
You'll fine some Snap-On and S-K in my toolboxes, but only because I haven't replaced them with Craftsman yet.

Snap-On is way to pricey, and I can never catch them in my area to replace broken toosl (same goes with S-K).

In my truck you'll find those auto store brand tools (Napa/PM/Kobalt/etc), that won't hurt the wallet when they get lost/rusted/thrown :)

CRAFTSMAN all the way!!

[D&T Repair]

Oh, and I forgot to mention...I buy tons of Craftsman tools from eBay for almost nothing, and then exchange them for new tools at Sears, no questions asked!
Can't beat that!

Last week I bought a set of 12 1/2" drive 6-pt Craftsman sockets from eBay for $4.60 plus $3.95 shipping. Total of $8.55

Can't beat that price! (well, maybe...)

[aleksei]

Yeah, I recently discovered that eBay has lots of Craftsman stuff.... not quite sure how someone can sell a set of three "new" ratchets (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2") for $20.... I've sent my check, now it's up to them to deliver. Might have to wear my insulated gloves :fuming
I've always had good luck with Craftsman, but I was working at a place over the past school year that had chests full of Snap-On stuff -- man those were nice! :D If only I had the cash....

[DanG]

Now i buy master mechanic hand tools.
The local true value handles them and they stand behind them no questions asked if you break them they give you new ones.

When i worked as a mechanic (15yrs)i got either snap-on tools or matco. Sometimes we would have the mac truck come into the dealers too.

It was nice when i worked at the sears auto center, they used to supply us with ALL of our tools.
And it was with snap on tools mostly, and they bought what ever we said needed.
Then they smartened up and had the mechanics start buying their owntools.
They ended up selling us mechanics our tool boxes for a fraction of what they were worth. (I think i paid $500.00 for mine)

Dan

[CNY Joe]

Out of all these tool manufactures who offers the best - warranty on there products, quality, cost effective, availability?

[D&T Repair]

I'd have to say it would be Craftsman. Although I'm biased of course :)

Sears have locations just about everywhere, fairly low in price, and they never ask questions when returning tools for exchange.
Lifetime guarantee!

[BWhite]

I would think it has to be Craftsmen

[aleksei]

Craftsman. Tough enough for me and nearly everyone I know. Also helps that I live six miles from Sears :D
Power tools made by Crapsman on the other hand.... :headwall

[snonut12]

Great response everyone! I appreciate it. :grinz

It seems that alot of you use Craftsman, which is not surprising. I think I probably will look into getting their 6 points sockets and wrenches, and other stuff like that. Never seen a 12 points bolt or nut so I won't bother looking into 12 points sockets. Well, on a second thought, maybe I still would get some of 12 points sockets such as when I need to use a breaker bar to crank a bolt or nut loose in tight spot.

But I still will need some 12 points wrenches because it seems that alot of time I have to work in cramped spot. That's when I would have trouble with the 12 points wrenches slipping and round off. I have read through Snap-On catalog and they said that they have special designed "Flank Drive", and also "Flank Drive Plus" for their wrenches and sockets, which they said will apply force on the sides instead of corners, which would give you more grip and more turning power. Have anyone experienced with that?

In the past few months I occusionally have been coming into tractor shop to work on some tractors and sometime need to borrow wrenches from the mechanics, and alot of them have Blue Point wrenches. They are one of the best wrenches I ever used. I love the way it feels, and it grips on the bolt/nut pretty well than other brands I have used. I tried searching for them through the internet, but in end, it appear that they are manufactured by Snap-On. Is that true? Do they still make it or not, because I could not find it. :huh

[Prosno]

Snap-On mostly and some craftsman. The quality of certain things in Snap-On is what I like. For instance, their prybars are unbreakable, and their wrenches and sockets very rarly break. As far as the tool box is conerned I have a Craftsman lower and a Husky upper. The upper box is real nice. I'll try to post a pic today. I just couldnt justify spending 5,000.00 on a box to keep my tools in. The husky box is impressive.

[Chuck Smith]

Yes Stephen, Blue Point is was sold by Snap On. If I am not mistaken, they brought back some of the lines.

Someone mentioned the turn over in the tool biz as fas as Mac, Snap On, Matco, etc. That is the biggest problem IMO. They are never around, and sometimes it goes a year before a new dealer appears, and they get a pile of broken tools that need to be replaced, before they make any sales.

Then again, the amount is costs to become a dealer is astronomical....

Craftsman, while not the best "feeling" tools, can be replaced anywhere in the US without a problem, and for any reason, broken or not. That is hard to beat for anyone that is not a mechanic. Everyone has a Sears near them.

~Chuck

[Pelican]

Chuck, my wife's uncle owned a Snap-On route for a short time. Part of the problem with turnover is that corporate dictates to the salesmen how to run their route.

One example her uncle gave me was when a company official rode with him on the route. Her uncle has been in sales all his life, and knows the business. The company official insisted he extend further credit to a client who was already 6 months behind in payments. The route drivers are responsible for collection and must pay for the tools sold whether or not the clients do.

He saw very quickly that there would be problems in staying solvent, and sold the route immediately.

[D&T Repair]

LOL

Hey, could you personally give me credit Mr. Truck driver?
I know I'm 6 months behind in my payments, but you trust me...right??

[Honest Mike]

One of my brothers buddies used to have a Mac truck and a route around here. He got out of that business just as quickly as he started! He told my brother all he does is go from shop to shop, like a begger, thats what he felt like he said, askin for his money and everyone has a story to why they cant pay what they owe yet. He got very sick of it very fast. Its a shame. Then he said you go to collect money from certain guys, and they dont work there anymore, their gone, and no one wants to tell you where they work now. :mad: Well we all know anyway that anytime there is money involved, there will be problems collecting it, plain and simple. Mike :headwall

[wyldman]

Originally posted by wxmn6
I have read through Snap-On catalog and they said that they have special designed "Flank Drive", and also "Flank Drive Plus" for their wrenches and sockets, which they said will apply force on the sides instead of corners, which would give you more grip and more turning power. Have anyone experienced with that?



Flank Drive makes a huge difference in both sockets and wrenches.The edges of the hex are not flat,they are rounded,so they exert pressure on the center of the nut flats,and not on the corners,which would round them off.


I used to buy Snap-On just for this reason,as they would outperform any other socket on the market.When you use your tools to make a living,you need the best,as an inferior tool will cost you more $$$ in lost time,than the cost of the better tools up front.


But....like i mentioned earlier,the patent has run out on the Flank Drive,and now other manufacturers are implementing it in their products.While the quality control standards may not be as tight as Snap-On's,the benefit of this design is a huge plus for even the casual home user.


So if your buying wrenches or sockets,pick one up and take a close look at the shape of the hex.If the sides are perfectly flat,then it's not Flank Drive.If the sides are slightly curved inwards,it is Flank Drive.If you shop carefully,you should be able to find some brands which have it at very good prices.I know Mastercraft (which is a Canadian Tire brand in Canada) has them.I have seen some of the newer Craftsman stuff using Flank Drive as well.


Flank Drive plus,is used on the open end of the wrenches,and is just a few lines,which act like teeth to help grip the sides of the nut.While the do help some,I don't think the additional cost is justified for most home users.


Blue-point is sold by Snap-On,and has been for many years.I though it was just a different division of Snap-On.


Pelican - I have seen the same thing here with the big name tool dealers.Some are forced to extend credit (with no backup from the mfg) as they have no other way to move product.Eventually the debts catch up to them,and "poof" we suddenly have a new dealer.

[flatbed]

I'm pretty cheap....popular mechanics, stanley, Napa .....I really like Gearwrench boxend wrenches........good for tight spots....I,ve lost more tools than i,ve broke...to bad someone didnt have a lost tool garantee.....

[Pickering Snow]

With all of the mobile tool truck turnover i thought i would share my deal of the century the big box in the picture is a mac i bought it in 88 it cost 4500.00 then i made three payments and the mac man and his records were gone i even tryed to contact mac and tell them i owed money they said they had no record go figure the box cost me 120.00

[paulsoccodato]

now dont you wish that would happen with all of your bills?

i sure do!

[HerkFE]

Snap On for some stuff. I have a ratcheting screwdriver that has been used almost daily for like 10 years. Still the first thing I reach for. Gonna be upset when it finally goes.....
Lots of Craftsman. I like being able to change out a tool without waiting on the van. And some route guys are horrible!
Fluke for anything electronic. Multimeter, scopemeter that kind of stuff. BTW, anyone need a good multimeter? I think have an extra 77 or 79 series in the box.

Some stuff I go to a particular brand for the features. I like Knipex and Wiha for their electricians stuff also.

Now if I could only get one of those $120 tool cabinets!!!!

Pete :usa

[Rooster]

I prefer Craftsman, I have some Matco tools, back in the 80's I was a special rep for them. Still have a little stock somewhere.

Currently, Danaher Corp. makes/owns: Armstrong®, Matco®, Sears Craftsman®, AllenTM, KD-Tools®, Holo-Krome®, NAPA®, and SATA.

As for electronic testing equipment, Danaher makes/owns: Fluke, Fluke Networks, Pomona and Robin.

To name a few.

Rick

[sno-mover]

Hey fred nice box's:D , but with all them red fords what are you doing with a white chevy lumina:grinz :burnout

[Pickering Snow]

Sno

i was doing some body work on that chevy lumina for a cust you know if it wernt for chevys i wouldnt beale to afford the red fords . I have always worked at GM dealers most of my life and people always give me !@#$ about owning fords so i remind them if it wernt for general motors i would have to drive them too!!