Stickweld 250 is back. Few minor issues

[deereman75]

My dad just got a replacement craftsman wrench, pro series, said made in china.

The only craftsman I buy is used american V series. Some of it is almost snapon (I like my craftsman breaker better than the snapon...) Dirt cheap too... Full 1/2 socket set for $20. 1/2 breaker bar (the one I prefer to snapon) $8... ect..
For me atleast, buying used is the way to go. How else can you get top of the line (vintage crescent) pliers and side cutters for $1-$2 a piece....
The old craftsman screw drivers with the square shafts are some of my favourites.. I actually prefer them to snapon.
Grey tools is (imo) one of the better ones to buy new (or used). Made in canada, I would put their average quality between proto and snapon. My grey 1/2 ratchet is much better machined, and I would say a better tool than my snapon 1/2 ratchet. Got them both for $20 a piece....

I really cant understand why people buy new import tools, when for less money you can get used american and canadian tools of far better quality and a life time warrenty...
If you had the choice between a $30 new chinese ratchet and a $20 used snapon ratchet, which would you choose?

 

[Scooby074]

Nothing at all wrong with Gray. Its just much more common for us Canadians (relative, Gray isn't super common here in most stores other than industrial suppliers) so its not really worth mentioning to an American audience. I have a fair bit of Gray, but my local dealer has closed, meaning a drive or mailing it in.

Fit and finish on Gray tools (particularly wrenches and sockets) is some of the nicest out there. Gray's another company in the middle of re-enventing themselves. There has been a change of ownership, and the new owners are committed to getting Gray into more stores, and keeping Gray production in Canada. They introduced a lower cost line from Taiwan to compete with the other Taiwaneese and Chinese sourced stuff. Makes me feel good to buy their product.

 

[muddstopper]

I can agree with Deerman with buying quality used tools, when you can find them. I am not beyond prowling thru a box of used tools at the flea market, looking for good tools. Now days, at least in my neck of the woods, good and used aint usually in the same box. I dont make special trips to yard sales and flea markets just looking for a specific wrench or tool. If I find myself in the need of a certain wrench, I usually need it right now and dont have time to go an a treasure hunt. When I find myself needing a specific tool, I am usually at the mercy of what the stores have for sale and more and more its made in China. Sad, but true. this leaves me with 2 choices, buy something now that will get the job done, or wait while I look for that particular item on line, order it and wait for it to arrive in the mail. My time is worth more than being able to say I only own American made xbrand of tools. This is not to say i wouldnt buy a used, American manufactured tool when I run across one, but I wont put off buying a tool I need now, simply because it is made in china.