Are Stanley tools generally any good?

[StageLeft]

I had an extending ratchet, which I've been using for a year (it goes nearly as long as a breaker bar), and this evening with my awesome strength I managed to ah heck it such that it will no longer hold against torque applied to it. It was about $12 from walmart. So, I need a new one. I have a small ratchet, but I often need torque, and my sockets are 3/8 while my breaker bar is 1/2, and I've yet to come across something that downsizes from a 1/2 -> 3/8 (though I have one that goes from a 3/8 -> 1/4).

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I had an extending ratchet, which I've been using for a year (it goes nearly as long as a breaker bar), and this evening with my awesome strength I managed to ah heck it such that it will no longer hold against torque applied to it. It was about $12 from walmart. So, I need a new one. I have a small ratchet, but I often need torque, and my sockets are 3/8 while my breaker bar is 1/2, and I've yet to come across something that downsizes from a 1/2 -> 3/8 (though I have one that goes from a 3/8 -> 1/4).

What exactly are you asking us Skoorb?

 

[Ikonomi]

I like Stanley hand tools a lot. They make good planers, and their Surform planer thingy is great.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I had an extending ratchet, which I've been using for a year (it goes nearly as long as a breaker bar), and this evening with my awesome strength I managed to ah heck it such that it will no longer hold against torque applied to it. It was about $12 from walmart. So, I need a new one. I have a small ratchet, but I often need torque, and my sockets are 3/8 while my breaker bar is 1/2, and I've yet to come across something that downsizes from a 1/2 -> 3/8 (though I have one that goes from a 3/8 -> 1/4).

What exactly are you asking us Skoorb?

Should I not buy a stanley one ever again?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Should I not buy a stanley one ever again?

Depending on your budget, I'd look at tool suppliers that give you a lifetime guarantee such as Craftsman from Sears & Husky from Home Depot

 

[amdskip]

They do have a lifetime warranty but I'd buy craftsman > stanley.

 

[PTCvette]

Eh... Stanley is OK. I have a few tools from them, and while some of them have crapped out, the majority are still going. Now that I actually have a job and can buy more toys, I buy Crafstman 99% of the time. Reason being not only have they lasted really well for me, but if they ever die, you can just walk right back into Sears and swap it out for a brand new one Too bad their power tools don't have the same lifetime warranty... I've had their 19.2 cordless drill for about 2 years now and it's been great so far!

-Jeff

 

[tnitsuj]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I had an extending ratchet, which I've been using for a year (it goes nearly as long as a breaker bar), and this evening with my awesome strength I managed to ah heck it such that it will no longer hold against torque applied to it. It was about $12 from walmart. So, I need a new one. I have a small ratchet, but I often need torque, and my sockets are 3/8 while my breaker bar is 1/2, and I've yet to come across something that downsizes from a 1/2 -> 3/8 (though I have one that goes from a 3/8 -> 1/4).

What exactly are you asking us Skoorb?

Should I not buy a stanley one ever again?

Stanley is okay. I would just go buy a Craftsman, that way if you break it you can go back to Sears and get another one.

 

[jcwagers]

Craftsman makes adapters that go from 1/2 to 3/8. I would think that Stanley and most of the other major tool manufacturers would make those too. If bad gets to worse, you could always buy one of the Craftsman tool sets for around 100 bux(usually like 125-150 pcs). They usually have 3 ratchets along with tons of sockets for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. I would recommend that because buying just some 1/2 sockets and a decent 1/2 ratchet from Sears would set you back enough to make it more worthwhile to just buy a set. I agree with the others that Stanley is ok.....but their lifetime warranty may be one of those "limited" lifetime warranties. Even if it's a full lifetime warranty, you'd have to send it to them and wait for the turnaround. That's why the other guys are mentioning Craftsman. Usually, as long as the hand tool is made in the USA, they have a lifetime warranty or at least a good warranty. BTW Skoorb....are you having a huge yard sale or something? You were trying to sell your old Celery system and then there was some other item......and NOW you're trying to sell your Xbox? Mrs. Skoorb makin' you do some spring cleaning?

jc

 

[Thegonagle]

Stanley is OK, Husky is possibly a little better, and most of my hand tools are Craftsman. I like them. I've probably only broken two 3/8" ratchets, but that would be from major abuse using a cheater bar. (I've gotten smarter since and I now have breaker bars and a full 1/2" drive set.)

It's always been a no questions asked, no receipt required super-quick exchange at Sears, so I continue to buy Craftsman for the simplicity of the warranty process.

Just get a 3/8" breaker bar or a 1/2" socket in the appropriate size. Those down-sizie thingies are bad news. I've twisted two or three of them to pieces, and once, I wrecked a socket using one. (The ruined socket wasn't a Craftsman, but it wasn't from Taiwan either. It was part of my Grandpa's set--I don't remember what it was.)

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Stanley is OK, Husky is possibly a little better, and most of my hand tools are Craftsman. I like them. I've probably only broken two 3/8" ratchets, but that would be from major abuse using a cheater bar. (I've gotten smarter since and I now have breaker bars and a full 1/2" drive set.)

It's always been a no questions asked, no receipt required super-quick exchange at Sears, so I continue to buy Craftsman for the simplicity of the warranty process.

I agree with the Craftsman warranty bit but Husky tools are right up there. I *think* I recall hearing somewhere that they are made by MAC tools. Home Depot is just as prolific as Sears these days so I wouldn't hesitate to buy a set of Husky tools either.

 

[brxndxn]

The thing about tools is that it's best to mix and match them.. Snap-on arguably has some of the best tools, but their portable drills are fairly crappy IMO (used one once). However, their wrenches are awesome. Husky and Stanley make great screwdrivers. Another thing about tools is that sometimes a crappy brand makes a better product while a premium brand makes an inferior product. I used a Dewalt 9.6V drill and a Ryobi 9.6V drill side by side and the Ryobi was able to supply more torque (finished a metal screw that the Dewalt could only get halfway in). BTW, Black and Decker is pretty much crap across the board (it's for soccer moms). Black and Decker makes Dewalt, though, and Dewalt is usually much better.

It might look neato to have all the same tools in your garage, but it won't look like you use them much.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
The thing about tools is that it's best to mix and match them.. Snap-on arguably has some of the best tools, but their portable drills are fairly crappy IMO (used one once). However, their wrenches are awesome. Husky and Stanley make great screwdrivers. Another thing about tools is that sometimes a crappy brand makes a better product while a premium brand makes an inferior product. I used a Dewalt 9.6V drill and a Ryobi 9.6V drill side by side and the Ryobi was able to supply more torque (finished a metal screw that the Dewalt could only get halfway in). BTW, Black and Decker is pretty much crap across the board (it's for soccer moms). Black and Decker makes Dewalt, though, and Dewalt is usually much better.

It might look neato to have all the same tools in your garage, but it won't look like you use them much.

I can't disagree with you there. I have a Makita cordless drill, DeWalt, Craftsman, and el-cheapo "Tool Shop" drill bits; Stanley, Craftsman, Skil, and other screwdrivers; Craftsman, Napa-Evercraft, Husky, and Ace sockets and wrenches; Estwing and other hammers; a Nicholson hacksaw; Craftsman, Channel-Loc, Vice-Grip, and Stanley pliers; Bondhaus, Craftsman, and other hex wrenches; Radio Shack and Weller soldering irons; and who knows what else!

 

[notfred]

Go buy Snap-on tools.

 

[v3rrv3]

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

He just got his baby he probably doesn't want to sell it :x Snap-On is good stuff but from what I remember it's expensive as hell! I've been using my dads tools for quite a while and all he's bought for like 30 years is Craftsman. I have no complaints with them yet. Even with a stubborn bolt on my tow hitch, I was not able to bend a breaker bar that I noticed but rather roll 3500 pounds of car

- Kevin

Edit: For price comparison I went to the Snap On Site. A 7 piece open ended wrench set = $192.15 On sale atm Craftsman has a 246 mechanics tool set for $199.99 :x Snap on is nice, but not that nice in my opinion.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Originally posted by: jcwagers
Craftsman makes adapters that go from 1/2 to 3/8. I would think that Stanley and most of the other major tool manufacturers would make those too. If bad gets to worse, you could always buy one of the Craftsman tool sets for around 100 bux(usually like 125-150 pcs). They usually have 3 ratchets along with tons of sockets for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. I would recommend that because buying just some 1/2 sockets and a decent 1/2 ratchet from Sears would set you back enough to make it more worthwhile to just buy a set. I agree with the others that Stanley is ok.....but their lifetime warranty may be one of those "limited" lifetime warranties. Even if it's a full lifetime warranty, you'd have to send it to them and wait for the turnaround. That's why the other guys are mentioning Craftsman. Usually, as long as the hand tool is made in the USA, they have a lifetime warranty or at least a good warranty. BTW Skoorb....are you having a huge yard sale or something? You were trying to sell your old Celery system and then there was some other item......and NOW you're trying to sell your Xbox? Mrs. Skoorb makin' you do some spring cleaning?

jc

Skoorbie is trying to sell the Xbox? That's news to me!

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

 

[StageLeft]

I'm leaning towards craftsmen now because of the comments here

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

Snap-on seem to be pretty special, but their price tag reflects that. I remember when I wanted a basic power drill a year or two ago and people were recommending some snap-on drill for like $200. All I needed was a basic drill for the ocassional thing. I bought a $30 black and decker and it's been great. I've no doubt that snap-on are better than craftsman, but I don't use tools enough to break them anyway...er, wait a second Hopefully a craftsman will do my justice.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

How so? Is the metal smelted differently? Are the wrenches different sized?
Keep in mind this is my opi9nion, but people worry too much about the tool name. Hell, only time tool name meant diddly to me was walking to get it and over to my work. Once I started wrenchin, tool name didnt mean squat.
Long as the brand carries a lifetime warrenty I'm fine with it. And Craftsman has that at 1/3 the price of Snap On.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

How so? Is the metal smelted differently? Are the wrenches different sized?
Keep in mind this is my opi9nion, but people worry too much about the tool name. Hell, only time tool name meant diddly to me was walking to get it and over to my work. Once I started wrenchin, tool name didnt mean squat.
Long as the brand carries a lifetime warrenty I'm fine with it. And Craftsman has that at 1/3 the price of Snap On.

This is how my uncle explained it to me (self-employed, with employees):

Snap-on tools tend to be thinner than their Craftsman counterparts, there are situations where the Craftsman tool simply won't work due to it's thickness. The downside to snap-on, according to him, is that the thin tools hurt like a bitch to put serious force on.

His experience has been that people (his mechanics) typically start with Craftsman because of the price, & migrate to Snap-on. He recommends people start with Snap-on if at all possible rather than buying everything twice.

His shop, call him & ask (I do apologize in advance for the ugly page - I didn't write it, but I wouldn't intentionally subject people to it.)

Viper GTS

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

How so? Is the metal smelted differently? Are the wrenches different sized?
Keep in mind this is my opi9nion, but people worry too much about the tool name. Hell, only time tool name meant diddly to me was walking to get it and over to my work. Once I started wrenchin, tool name didnt mean squat.
Long as the brand carries a lifetime warrenty I'm fine with it. And Craftsman has that at 1/3 the price of Snap On.

This is how my uncle explained it to me (self-employed, with employees):

Snap-on tools tend to be thinner than their Craftsman counterparts, there are situations where the Craftsman tool simply won't work due to it's thickness. The downside to snap-on, according to him, is that the thin tools hurt like a bitch to put serious force on.

His experience has been that people typically start with Craftsman because of the price, & migrate to Snap-on. He recommends people start with Snap-on if at all possible rather than buying everything twice.

His shop, call him & ask (I do apologize in advance for the ugly page - I didn't write it, but I wouldn't intentionally subject people to it.)

Viper GTS

No need to buy it twice....just once. Any replacements are free. For the average user, Craftsman tools are MORE than sufficient. Buyign Snap-Ons for occasional home use would be like buying a commercial freezer for your apartment....sure you can buy it, but you don't need it.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Shockwave

Originally posted by: notfred
Go buy Snap-on tools.

That'd be a fine waste of money IMO.

Craftsman are good, but they're not in the same league as Snap-on.

Look at what shops use, it's not Craftsman.

Viper GTS

How so? Is the metal smelted differently? Are the wrenches different sized?
Keep in mind this is my opi9nion, but people worry too much about the tool name. Hell, only time tool name meant diddly to me was walking to get it and over to my work. Once I started wrenchin, tool name didnt mean squat.
Long as the brand carries a lifetime warrenty I'm fine with it. And Craftsman has that at 1/3 the price of Snap On.

This is how my uncle explained it to me (self-employed, with employees):

Snap-on tools tend to be thinner than their Craftsman counterparts, there are situations where the Craftsman tool simply won't work due to it's thickness. The downside to snap-on, according to him, is that the thin tools hurt like a bitch to put serious force on.

His experience has been that people typically start with Craftsman because of the price, & migrate to Snap-on. He recommends people start with Snap-on if at all possible rather than buying everything twice.

His shop, call him & ask (I do apologize in advance for the ugly page - I didn't write it, but I wouldn't intentionally subject people to it.)

Viper GTS

No need to buy it twice....just once. Any replacements are free. For the average user, Craftsman tools are MORE than sufficient. Buyign Snap-Ons for occasional home use would be like buying a commercial freezer for your apartment....sure you can buy it, but you don't need it.

Buying Craftsman & then buying Snap-on = buying twice, I think you missed the point of my post.

Of course Snap-on is overkill for home use, Craftsman is MORE than sufficient (as you said). Craftsman is not, however, in the same league as Snap-on.

Good info here, says basically the same thing I did except from someone who actually knows something

Viper GTS

 

[Shockwave]

Viper,
I wont argue with Snap On fans, theres people who live and die by Snap On. But for me, in my opinion, I like a good name with a lifetime warrenty. Thats what I personally look for. I've owned a few Snap On tools, and frankly I couldnt tell a major difference between a Snap On, a Craftsman and a Stanley. All the wrenches fit the bolts (or nuts) I put'm on....
But, to each their own