• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Tools

todpod

todpod

Golden Member
So I started sorting out my hand tools to actually see what i have. I used to have more but over the years some have been misplaced. It would be nice to get back to have most of what I need.

Wrenches I have pretty much what I need, but my metric wrenches are either Kmart or elcheapo walmart.

I have a snap-om 1/4 inch ratchet and a MAC tools 3/8 and 1/2 inch ratchet so i should be good there.

Sockets I have most of what I need shallow well sockets, just missing a few here and there so I can just add some. i am lacking deep well sockets of all three sizes.

So the question is should I buy craftsman stuff to fill in and replace stuff, or what about Harbor Freight stuff, Lowes and Home Depot. Its been a while since I bought tools, I like the Snap-on stuff i have but probably can't justify the cost.

What about carry tool boxes, maybe one for each size of wrench and whats the best way to organize them, I have every thing thrown into one box now and it weighs a ton.
 
Except Craftsman moved their production offshore. Lowe's and HD hand tools have the same warranty and the quality is quite good.

Craftsman will have the most selection though....
 
buy snappy's blue-point wrenches... They should be more comparably priced to crafty wrenches, but IMHO are better quality.
 
I like Harbor Freight/Northern Tool's impact sockets for some of the bigger stuff. I got a set of Northern Tool deep 1/2" impact sockets in like 16-22mm or something, perfect for lug nuts and other big'uns.

I definitely wouldn't do el cheapo sockets in 1/4 & 3/8. Too much of a hassle and risk with stuck/rounded/rusted/old bolts.

I LOVE the GearWrench style ratcheting-wrenches. GearWrench is of course great quality, but pricey. My suggestion for that is to buy a couple sets from Advance Auto and use their online coupons to purchase online for a decent price and pick-up in-store.

There are other brands with the same style ratcheting-wrench now, including Craftsman.

Can't say that I've needed much in the way of deep well sockets. Rather, if something is that tall I will either use a 1/2" which is deeper from the start or use a ratcheting wrench.
 
I like Gearwrench personally. Quality seems good and priced OK, at a glance it looks mostly a step higher than CMan pricing.

I have a set of their Torx sockets, and ratcheting wrench sets, no problems.
 
All of the 'big three' mid-grade tools average about the same quality. (craftsman/sears, kobalt/lowes, husky/home depot).

The key to this is NONE of these companies actually make the tools. It's contracted out to stanley/etcetc. This means that quality varies over time - sometimes craftsman ratches are amazing, other times you can pull of the reverse switch with your fingernail. I've found husky to be fairly consistent as far as ratchets and sockets, although kobalt occasionally has some really great stuff for dirt cheap.

Craftsman has their warranty down pat. You bring in a socket and anyone can swap it out, it's very easy. Lowe's/HD is usually ok but sometimes you have weird problems.. Like I bought a REALLY nice husky low-profile 1/4" ratchet that broke after a few years. I paid ~$40 for the thing, and when it broke they didn't have any comparable replacement. They tried to stick me with an $11 ratchet, I ended up getting a couple of extra stuff with it. Because of this I steer away from anything ratcheting from Lowe's or HD.


Some of the craftsman stuff is really stupid.. They have these new sockets advertised as able to fit 15 fasteners - they're basically spline drive, which will definitely destroy regular 6 pt bolts/nuts. They've gotten so 'gimmicky' that I tend to get more husky and kobalt stuff.
 
Last edited:
Zivic said:
buy snappy's blue-point wrenches... They should be more comparably priced to crafty wrenches, but IMHO are better quality.
Click to expand...

Good luck getting replacements if a tool breaks in the middle of a job.

Snap-On and MAC are very hard for the shadetree to get a replacement quickly.

I have been using Craftsman for a long time, I have also used Snap-On and MAC at shops. They both are high enough quality to get the job done.
 
Snap-on and mac are out, I like there tools, but I never see a truck around and they or can be a bit pricey, I have a snapon screw driver that needs repaired for about the last 10 years. Probably be craftsman, I can get them at the local Kmart. Might have to check out the gearwrench stuff since I can get it Locally.
 
Well, you can get Snap-On stuff warrantied through mail, but obviously it will take some time.

You can also find good deals buying them used.

But if you're a DIYer, I would go mostly with CMan because of the ease of warranty replacement.
 
Find a friend that is enrolled in a mechanic class. When I was at aviation school, we got a big (50&#37😉 discount from Snap-On. They had certain sets packaged together, but you could rework them however you liked. This was years ago, but I imagine they still do it. It's still not cheap, but I do think their stuff is better.
I think you see the biggest difference in the ratchets, then the sockets, then the wrenches.
 
Last edited:
twinrider1 said:
Find a friend that is enrolled in a mechanic class. When I was at aviation school, we got a big (50%) discount from Snap-On. They had certain sets packaged together, but you could rework them however you liked. This was years ago, but I imagine they still do it. It's still not cheap, but I do think their stuff is better.
I think you see the biggest difference in the ratchets, then the sockets, then the wrenches.
Click to expand...

This is true. Im going to school for Auto Tech and we get a 55% discount on everything. However it's still pretty pricey, and if you want the best you gotta pay for it.

Mac and Matco are pretty much on the same level of quality too, I know Matco also offers discounts to students, dunno bout Mac.
 
alkemyst said:
Good luck getting replacements if a tool breaks in the middle of a job.

Snap-On and MAC are very hard for the shadetree to get a replacement quickly.

I have been using Craftsman for a long time, I have also used Snap-On and MAC at shops. They both are high enough quality to get the job done.
Click to expand...

fair enough... guess I am a bit spoiled by having access to two snap and mac trucks.

FWIW, just got me a nice snap-on jacket last week with their wrachet promo
 
twinrider1 said:
Find a friend that is enrolled in a mechanic class. When I was at aviation school, we got a big (50%) discount from Snap-On. They had certain sets packaged together, but you could rework them however you liked. This was years ago, but I imagine they still do it. It's still not cheap, but I do think their stuff is better.
I think you see the biggest difference in the ratchets, then the sockets, then the wrenches.
Click to expand...

Is that deal just for students, or do they given a big discount to working mechanics also?
 
I have a set of original, straight shank Gearwrenches - I can say, that that's the one set of wrenches I can't wrench without. No flexible heads, no reverse mechanism (Seriously, is it that hard to just flip the wrench over?) just awesome quality and ease of use. I do have a 9/16 Gearwrench that's frozen - Not sure how well their warranty works though.

That. and just get Craftsman. They are fine for the hardest working shade tree mechanic, I have yet to snap any sockets. I have broken 1-2 ratchets, which they swapped instantly, no questions asked (Maybe I shouldn't have used a 4' cheater bar?? 🙂)

I broke a really nice 5 degree husky ratchet - same as above, nothing comparable to replace it with.
 
SuperSix said:
I have a set of original, straight shank Gearwrenches - I can say, that that's the one set of wrenches I can't wrench without. No flexible heads, no reverse mechanism (Seriously, is it that hard to just flip the wrench over?) just awesome quality and ease of use. I do have a 9/16 Gearwrench that's frozen - Not sure how well their warranty works though.

That. and just get Craftsman. They are fine for the hardest working shade tree mechanic, I have yet to snap any sockets. I have broken 1-2 ratchets, which they swapped instantly, no questions asked (Maybe I shouldn't have used a 4' cheater bar?? 🙂)

I broke a really nice 5 degree husky ratchet - same as above, nothing comparable to replace it with.
Click to expand...


Out of all the gimmicky tools those ratcheting wrenches are my favorite by far. They're great for places with not a lot of room where you can't get more than 1/4 turn or so

These are the ones I have, I like them more than the flipover pawless variety

SHC-942404_GN.jpg
 
alkemyst said:
Good luck getting replacements if a tool breaks in the middle of a job.

Snap-On and MAC are very hard for the shadetree to get a replacement quickly.

I have been using Craftsman for a long time, I have also used Snap-On and MAC at shops. They both are high enough quality to get the job done.
Click to expand...


Alky you turned wrenches for a living?
 
I have a craftsman 1/4 ratchet I dropped last night and the forward/reverse switch popped off. Now I could just remove the clip and put it back on, but its been giving me problems lately and I need to take it into ACE and get it exchanged.

I probably have 5 3/8 inch ratchets, 3-4 1/2 inch, a 3/4 inch, a few flex handles, and one off brand 1/4 inch in addition to my now broken craftsman 1/4 inch.

We should have a "show us your tool box(es)" thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top