What kind of tools???

[drawson]

I have better than 80K in tools that sit at home now that I teach instead of wrench. Snap-on are worth the money if you use them for aliving. I have also had good luck with Matco tools. Mac are in the same class as Craftsman just below top level. I have on drawer full of Craftsman wrenches that have been heated with a torch and bent to just the right angle for a job or two.

I have a carpet kit in my shell and in the rear two compartments I have the tools to do almost anything short of overhaul. I even carry a small vise that I can use for u-joints if I need to replace them. I probibly haul 400 pounds too much in mine every day but I think after being a wrench for too long you get like that.

 

[Joe G.]

drawson,

Ya don't have to be a wrench to be that way. My son laughs at me about the amount of stuff I haul around. Claims if I need to I can build another truck right beside the road. Do you mean that everybody doesn't carry a vise? #ad
#ad
I didn't think one of these would move without a vise on board.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I buy Snapon and Matco, but I use them daily and I like how they feel.

My carry box. . the 500+lb box of tools that resides in the back of my truck. . has mostly Craftsman with some SK and KD tools. These tools are great for the money, if you only need to used them once a week or so.

Stay away from anything that is foreign made. They can hurt you.

Doc

 

[The patriot]

I have Craftsman and Snap on/bluepoint at home. I dont buy to many new tools anymore. Theyre all lifetime warrantied, so I get whatever I can at garage/estate sales. Sounds cheap of me, but there are a lot of retirement villages around where I live, and I cant pass up a good deal.
At work, they have Armstrong, and Proto. Even though I believe theyre both lifetime warrantied,they dont bother with that. They just buy a new tool, or set.
I'd go with Craftsman.
Eric

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Michelin 265 75 16 lr-E. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Cat in the garage. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 63,000 Mi as of 1/27/01.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

[JConley]

I have a bunch of craftsman tools. I just bought a 90 piece metric set to carry in the truck with me. I also have some snap-on, Mac, and Matco. The best Snap On tool I have is a ratcheting screwdriver by Snap On. This thing is 10 years old, and has never let me down.

------------------
98 QC 2500 2WD 12 Valve Automatic, 3. 54 Mag-Hytec transmission pan. DTT Valve Body. Wrap around black Grill Guard (BIG solid steel one. AFC controller adjusted, Mopar mud flaps, Camper package, 2001 Tow mirrors, Cat ran away, No Muff
My Mustang
My Ram
The Wrecking Crew web site for Junkyard Wars
Go Aggies!!!

 

[John]

Originally posted by Pete Peterson:
The Kobalt tools sold at Lowe's are made for them buy Snap-on. They are the same grade as first line Snap-on tools they just say Kobalt for Lowe's

Pete, Snap-On Tools does NOT make tools for anyone else. That said, the BluePoint line of Snap-On Tools are produced by various vendors to Snap-On specifications. ONLY tools designed and built BY Snap-On have the Snap-On name on them.

I agree with EMDDIESEL's assessment of quality tools. I have exclusively Snap-On tools (OK, at least 95% of them are), and have been purchasing them for over 25 years now. I'm only a shadetree mechanic however, my quest for the best tools I could find lead me from the Craftsman tools I purchased in high school to the Snap-On man. Absolutely NO regrets! #ad
Like most have stated, the Craftsman wrenches are painful if used for extended periods of time. Ditto for their screwdrivers!

The difference in Snap-On Tools is the quality of materials used in the construction of their tools. For instance, the higher quality steel used in their wrenches allows them to be made thinner, with less material around the box end or open end which in turn allows the tool to fit into tighter places.

I've always liked one particular Snap-On saying: We would rather explain our higher prices than apologize for low quality.

When only the best is good enough, Snap-On is the choice!



[This message has been edited by John (edited 06-01-2001). ]

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Heh Heh Heh

I Wont go there. The world may run out of pixles

Truck Bio:

Y2K+1 3500 4X4 Quad Cab 4:10:1 LSD



Powerpacked (4 inch exhaust,High ram intake,wastgate mod to 38 psi,otto +guages,K&N) , Jakit's Front End Leveling Kit with 255/85R16 BFG http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/ M/T's Custom Rhino Liner (see Tool Man's truck feature)DeeZee Goodies, WAAG Side tubes with kick~outs Mopar Performance accessories-Sill plates-hitch cover-cargo aux lamp'n'Power, Hadley air systems 150 psi comp and air storage. Diesel Transmission Technology's ~93%TC~&~VB , TC Saver, Mag-Hytec'sDouble Deep Trans pan, DD1's + Van Aken + Full Autometer Guages. Play hard and live #ad

 

[John]

I forgot to add one thing to my previous post... I was shown a trick new tool by a tech. at The PowerShop about six months ago... it is called GearWrench. They are high quality combination wrenches with a FINE tooth (5 degree) ratchet mechanism in the 12 point box end. The remainder of the wrench is finished much like the Snap-On wrenches... smooth surface/high quality chrome plating. Although they are not made for high torque situations, they WILL bail your backside out of some pretty difficult predicaments. I purchased my first set from the Snap-On man although I later found out the local NAPA store also carries them. Recently, I found that Sears sell the sets (in their MAIN tool catalog) for cheaper than either Snap-On or NAPA sells them for... QUITE a bit cheaper! I'm going to purchase the remaining sets I need from Sears before the price changes (7-31-01 I believe). The only down side I have found so far is where they are made... Taiwan.



Oh, did I mention the lifetime warranty?

 

[Big-D]

Sockets

Have to agree with all the previous postings, but Sears 12 point sockets are not worth the money. I changed to 6 point in both 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive and wouldn't go back to the 12 pt again. Although they are Sears brand, IMHO, you get a much better "feel" for how much pressure you are applying with the six point sockets.

Dave

 

[illflem]

John, Ace Hardware also sells the ratcheting box ends for a good price, good quality and lifetime warranty. I personally use Proto tools, they last and won't send you to the poor house like Snap-On. As for Craftsman, I've seen some Chinese tools that are better quantity for a quarter of the price, Westward is a good brand to look for. Craftsman tools hurt your hands and break when you need them.

 

[metal tech]

I totally agree with the Snap-On being probably the best hand tool someone could buy. But, I buy Craftsman so I don't have to hunt down a Snap-On, MAC, ect dealer. Another thing I didn't see mentioned is the Craftsman Club. It's FREE to join, and gets you a monthly flyer with specials not advertised in the store, and 10% off anything in the catalog during the monthly sale days.



AL

 

[Wayne M.]

John, have you bought anything yet? As a 15 Year Mechanic I have wound up with 2 sets, one at work and one home. At home is Snap-on boxes with mostly Snaps, mac, matco, SK, and Craftsman. At work it's mostly SK, Craftsman, Husky and a little Snap-on in a custom box. After working with tightwads for so many years I have discovered that Craftsman basic wrenches are really good. I have a 15/16 combo which is used and abused quite often in Truck work and never lets me down. I believe SK ratchets in any size are the best BAR NONE! Though I like Snap-on ratchets too (if they are maintained). I usually insist on Snap-on for any special tools, like for adjusting Air brake slack adjusters I have a Snap 6 point 7/16 long combo that I rely on to save my knuckles while under there. Without a doubt there is a difference in quality and plating and such, but I reccomend a Craftsman set- put the ratchets aside and get SK's- and get premium impact tools, wobble extensions, impact universals, hex/torx drivers and chisels as those items will be added later. Make sure you get a box with roller bearing drawers. Good Luck.

 

[DAWG-1]

Sears Craftsman has a unconditional lifetime warranty on all their hand tools. Easiest warrenty to deal with .

 

[John]

Hey Wayne, I've spent entirely TOO MUCH money on upgrade components for my Ram to purchase any additional tools right now. ENTIRELY! Oh, wait a minute... I purchased my second Mac tool (ever), I recently purchased one of their florescent work lights (one of my Snap-On lights was/still is TU and I needed a replacement immediately). The new light works great. Even though the Snap-On light was 15-20 years old (at least... I purchased it new), I will probably have Snap-On refurbish it (I have had them do this before with an older light I had).



BTW metal tech, I have been a Craftsman tool club member ever since they first started it. In fact, I've been meaning to order the three other GearWrench sets I need from the main Sears catalog before they hike up the price.



I have read and fully understand what has been said about Craftsman tools. . and agree to some extent HOWEVER, I still prefer Snap-On tools to ALL others... price be dam*ed! Snap-On is made for those that live by the addage, "When only the very best will do. "

 

[JR2]

Well I have not purchased anything yet. I have been just too darn busy.

I did look at some tools at Lowes (Husky) and they looked okay.

I will probably go with a big craftsman set then add some better ratchets and an extra metric set or two to carry with me.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Dawg Wrote: "Sears Craftsman has a unconditional lifetime warranty on all their hand tools. Easiest warrenty to deal with"



So does Snap On, i have never had a problem exchangeing Snap on tools with waranty issues.

 

[Briar Hopper]

In the truck, I carry 2 sets of Metrinch wrenches, in the black plastic "suitcases" , one set is 39 pc. , the other is 71pc. This gives me a wide enough range to get most repairs/upgrades taken care of when I'm away from home. I like how compact it all is, and how handy it is, since our trucks combine both metric and standard fasteners. I also carry a small set of 12-point Craftsman sockets, metric, as there are a few bolts (like the starter mounting bolts) that won't accept a Metrich-style socket or wrench.

At work (I'm a robotics/automated machinery repair tech. ) I keep a Craftsman rollaway filled with Craftsman, Snap-On, S-K, Klein, Ridgid, Channelock, and various machinist tools.

No garage at home, unfortunately, though I do have my uncle's race car garage when I need it. (His collection of tools is somewhat abyssmal, though)

 

[Wayne M.]

As far as warranties go, Craftsman has the best as far as conditions. When most of your tool buying is done and your revolving accounts (snap-on's paymemt plan) are paid, and especially if a new dealer comes into the area and you don't (or can't afford) to buy for a while you can expect NOT to see calendars, mugs, trinkets, and a obliging replacement of a broken tool. The Girl working the Craftsman counter don't know the last time you've spent $500. 00. The only time I had luck with a tool dealer I didn't know was when I was out of town and needed a socket replaced.

 

[John]

Oops! Sorry about the lame information

Originally posted by John





Pete, Snap-On Tools does NOT make tools for anyone else.

Apparently I was wrong. After a discussion with my Snap-On man about the absurdity of Snap-On producing tools for someone else he informed me I was wrong (while I was laughing and rolling my eyes).



As Pete Peterson first stated, Snap-On does indeed produce tools for Kobalt, sold at Lowes HOWEVER, I was also informed by my Snap-On man the quality level is not that of Snap-On tools sold through Snap-On dealers.



Oh well, live and learn... sorry.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

The look on your face was priceless, John!



I just bought a 3/8" palm gun last Thursday... Real sweet!



Snap-On is hands down, the BEST tool manufacturer.