Hand Tools

[GlueGuy]

I've looked at lots of different tools over the years. For the homeowner or hobby person, the cheaper tools work fine. However, even Craftsmen tools with a life time warranty "could" be a problem for a professional that has to make a living with them. How much does it cost a mechanic when he breaks a socket or a wrench or whatever? It's down-time from the job, and that "expensive" $25 Snap-on swivel adapter suddenly looks real cheap when you realize it's going to take you an hour and a half to run down to Sears to get it replaced (for "free").

I have many Craftsmen tools, and for the most part they are fine. However, for some things I have Snap-on, and a few SK tools. They are clearly superior. In particular, there are a few places on the airplane where nothing but a Snap-on works. Mainly because of some of the ridiculous clearances that the tool must fit in, and the garden-variety Craftsmen tools just don't fit into the space allotted.

Pick your tools wisely. Sometimes cheapos work just dandy. Other times nothing but the best will do.

The GlueGuy

 

[mlmartin]

I have to say that I essentially agree. For many years I used cheap tools. If I broke something, I'd ask myself if it was abuse or the tool. If it was abuse (nearly 100% of the time it was/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif) I'd replace it with another cheap tool. If the tool _should_ have done the job, I'd buy a better tool. If I lost a tool, I'd get a cheap replacement. As a result, I have quite a mix of tools in my garage toolbox.

When I twisted my cheap 1/2 inch breaker bar trying to get a front wheel off my tractor I realized that it was time for some reasonable quality tools for the barn. That's why I ended up with a set of Craftsman tools in the barn.

Matthew

 

[gws]

Around here, Craftsman and MAC of the big lifetime tools. With the home improvment centers comming in, Husky is now available. Keep in mind its the lifetime of the company, not the tool to be concerned about now a days.

Gary.

 

[JATO_RaT]

GlueGuy, you are so right. My dad was a test pilot for Aerojet. He launched airplanes with JATO's. Forward firing, reverse fire etc. for short field, take off/ landing, loaded bombers in hot weather. He's gone now, but I have some of whats left of his 1940's and 1950's collection of SnapOn tools that he used to help attach the JATO's to the planes. I have an assortment of tools, mostly Craftsmen, but nothing I have comes close to the SnapOn, well actually the few old Proto sockets and ratchets are close. I still can't bring myself around to getting SnapOn, but am happy with the few I have. They are so well made. A mechanic friend of mine who is so cheap about buying things to repair his house etc., only buys the best tools for his work. Both Mac and SnapOn are in his drawers, definitely "TOP SHELF", Rat...

 

[patrickg]

Hey GlueGuy, Here is a hearty , "A M E N"!!! to your post. Craftsman makes some pretty good tools B U T not usually the best. Compare a Craftsman brand (not Sears brand) crescent (adjustable spanner) wrench to a Crescent brand 8 inch crescent wrench. Craftsman is bigger, heavier, doesn't open as wide, distorts more under load, and has softer steel in the jaws that "bugger up" much more easily. many of their other tools are of similar ilk but are "good enough" a lot of the time. If you really stress certain tools, buy higher quality and save having to take them back over and over like my "Lifetime waranty" alternator that got exchanged 4 times in about 2 years. Not worth the hassle.

Patrick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

It's a shame that the quality of hand tools has deteriorated (Craftsman included, especially their ratchets and screwdrivers) to what it is today. I have an old 3/8" Sparta ratchet that was given to me as a kid that is superior in every way to nearly all (with the possible exception of SnapOn) that are available today. And Sparta was a "cheapie" brand during the time it was given to me.

I own a bunch of Craftsman tools, but the 'lifetime' warranty is not an indicator of a quality tool. All it means is that if you break this junky tool, they'll give you another junky one just like it which will undoubtedly break, too. I don't want free replacement; what I want is tools that don't break. It isn't convenient for me to drop what I'm doing and drive 19 miles one way to the nearest Sears store.

It's really too bad. Craftsman tools used to be quite good. But it seems like most of Sears merchandise is of lower quality now than it used to be.

 

[CVHoss]

Ernie,
While some folks here are probably going to laugh me off the board, don't count out the PM brand tools available at your local Wal-Mart. I have several of their tools, along with a bunch of Craftsman stuff, and have only had one PM socket ever break and that was while using a regular duty socket on an air impact. They also have a lifetime warranty and several of the SuperCenters are open 24hrs a day (our local one is). While I don't earn a living with my tools, I do work them extensively. My son and I have built several motors, done a lot of modification/work on 4X4 vehicles, built "hot rods" etc. Most of the "good" tools will be quite serviceable, though I do seem to have more trouble with Craftsman ratchets than any of the others. Could just be that I use them more, but I sure have busted a lot of knuckles when they slipped.

Hoss

 

[ERNIEB]

Well, I won't. I'm currently putting together a small tool box for each of my trucks. Sometimes I need to replace a mud flap, tighten up something, that kind of thing. The question is what do I need in the box, and how good of stuff do I need. I sometimes lend out tools to other drivers who are in need. Often I can't wait around, and just ask them to give it back to me later. That can be days, weeks, or even months. I wish I could say that I've gotten them all back, but truth is I haven't. I don't really want to stop helping out others, I've gotten some help from them too, but I can't afford to be giving away expensive tools either. A good servicable, reasonably priced tool seems to fit the bill, if there is such a thing.

Ernie

 

[RichNJ]

I have a small tollbox in each vehicle. I buy cheaper stuff for these toolboxes. They are only for emergencies on the road just to get you going again. You hope you never need them but it's inevitable that a belt breaks or a hose cracks or whatever. When you need a 13mm socket to replace a belt and you're stuck in a rest stop - ANY socket is better than no socket.

 

[fishman]

Hoss,

I have found the PM sockets to be just fine for most things, but the screwdrivers are another thing entirely. I bought two sets and they are all bent and buggered up. Haven't taken them back to get replaced, because even free they aren't worth the trip.

Walmart used to sell Stanley products (maybe they still do) and I have several screwdrivers, wrenches, and a socket set that receive regular use and are still like new. Probably on par with Craftsman, in my estimation.

When my wife and I were first married, I usually bought the groceries at the local Super Walmart. Since money was tight, I'd get a wrench or two a month, and she'd never notice it in with the grocery bill /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. So my Stanley tools are about 10 years old.