Who makes decent tools anymore ?

[TFucili]

We had an independent guy, who was a former Snappy dealer, and he had S-K on his truck. He then became a Mac guy, so that went away. I bought some odds and ends from him, mostly because he was a really good guy. I actually sold S-K stuff when we were in the hardware business. Also had some Stanley, right after they bought Proto. Stanley was one of the first companies to prostitute themselves in all their lines, when the big-box stores came along. I have zero respect for the Stanley name.

 

[mwilson]

One decision for this person's tool purchases will be how much and what will they be used for....occasional use such as assembling some wretched Chinese furniture just about anything is an asset...

But if he is going to fix his vehicles, tinker with appliances, basic electrical, etc. then a higher standard of tool is needed. Bad tools can create more work...
I do my own plumbing, electrical, carpentry, appliance repair, etc...so I have a valid need for decent tools....

I do all vehicle repairs, the only thing I can't do is alignments. Also for sensitive vehicles our tire balancer at work is simply not good enough and I have to send those tires out for Road Force balance....

So based on Labor Rates I have zero issues with buying Snap-On screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, etc. for my household electrical tool bag. No issue with buying a Snap-On brake bleeder and master cylinder filler kit.....and so on...if I need it more than once and it saves me time then I go buy a decent tool for the job....now if I need to bend a wrench for a custom job I'll assassinate an El Cheapo tool in a heartbeat.....

 

[Wayne M.]

Ha. We never heard back from the OP, huh?
What was popular in the 80-90’s were what we called “gypsies” one was selling from his trunk, one had a step van, but they all had various brands like S-K, OTC, and special trinkets like S&G test lights and Lincoln jacks, drain pans, porno tapes, edible panties, etc etc. you know stuff mechanics buy.

 

[TFucili]

We used to get actual gypsies from Traveler's Rest, SC. They all had white GM pickups, and their last names were always O'Malley. They'd have a truck full of stuff that "I just gotta get rid of or my boss is gonna fire me". Usually, a hydraulic press, cherry picker, engine stand, drill press, bench grinder, floor jack, etc. I haggled one way, way down to where I couldn't say no, sold off a bunch of the stuff, and got a ton of use out of the jack, the press, and the cherry picker for many years. No porn tapes, though

 

[Wayne M.]

Yes TF, we got those, mostly Shop equipment. The gypsies I’m talking about did a long stint. One was a counterman from a hi volume parts store.

 

[TFucili]

Yes TF, we got those, mostly Shop equipment. The gypsies I’m talking about did a long stint. One was a counterman from a hi volume parts store.

I know what you meant, Wayne, we had them too. Your post just got me remembering that there are gypsies, and "gypsies". LOL

 

[Wayne M.]

Can you tell that we’re on one of my fav topics?
One way to get some neat tools is at a swap meet or flea market.
I fished this ‘60’s SK 1/2 ratchet out of a $5 bucket at the Englishtown swap meet over 10 years ago. I gave it some TLC, and it’s performed for me big time.

One day, the guts blew up. I had a huge pipe on it.
It sat in the drawer and I ALMOST tossed it, until the SK truck happen by and introduced himself. Well I whip this out, and I gave it to him. I agreed to purchase a current kit if it would fit.
Sure enough he found a kit, and it’s a new style extra fine tooth deal.

 

[Wayne M.]

TF, I think I have a Stanley impact socket from the era you mentioned. I picked it up at wal mart for like $4 and it’s a excellent piece! It looks to me as if it’s a Proto piece. Here’s a pencil rubbing of it.

 

[jgillott]

For someone like me, the only way to buy tools like Snap on etc, is to do it online. Unless of course, I'm lucky to be at my buddy's shop when the tool truck shows up. I just don't have the chance to interact with a salesman on a regular basis.

I'm surprised that these companies haven't spent more time making their online shopping a little easier. SK has a decent web site for example. Snap On site just plain stinks as far as shopping for tools online. It isn't user friendly in my opinion.

 

[jhenderson]

Can you tell that we’re on one of my fav topics?
One way to get some neat tools is at a swap meet or flea market.
I fished this ‘60’s SK 1/2 ratchet out of a $5 bucket at the Englishtown swap meet over 10 years ago. I gave it some TLC, and it’s performed for me big time.
View attachment 111393
One day, the guts blew up. I had a huge pipe on it.
It sat in the drawer and I ALMOST tossed it, until the SK truck happen by and introduced himself. Well I whip this out, and I gave it to him. I agreed to purchase a current kit if it would fit.
Sure enough he found a kit, and it’s a new style extra fine tooth deal.

The problem is swap meets are few and far between since the advent of eBay and Craigslist.

 

[JR]

So I was fabbing a new wedge mount for the snow broom For our Shuttlewagon and got to thinking about this topic a little more. More precisely I started looking at what tools i really use and abuse that would pertain to this thread (budget). I've got a couple of sets of larger (1-1/4" and up) Wright combo wrenches that I just love. The ergonomics of them is great. I've also got a 4425 ratchet (15" long - 1/2" drive) that I have not been able to break. I've got 3/4" and 1" drive community tools for the big/stubborn stuff but anything in 1/2" trim I tend to skip the breaker bar and grab this guy. If I can't bust it loose i have a 14" long piece of schedule 40 1" pipe that slides over the end nicely. I've yet to break it. It isnt a fine tooth engagement like my Proto stuff but for the price it's hard to beat. If I remember correctly i had less than $100 into the ratchet and a spare rebuild kit, which I always buy with my ratchets. You could probably have this ratchet by itself for $60-70. That's a bargain given the abuse they take.

And being forged in the same factory since the 1920's in Barberton, OH doesn't hurt either

 

[Wayne M.]

Can’t go wrong with a wright. I have a rack of 3/8 short impacts, again at the swap meet for cheap. For larger tools, I’ve found that precision quality does not mean as much.

 

[JR]

And while we're on the topic of old tools that still look good, check out this antique tube cutter turned oil filter cutter.

The guy that runs the tool crib at work pitched a bunch of good - yet "outdated" - stuff in the scrap hopper. I brought this guy home, bead blasted it and painted it. I was even able to order a pack of cutting wheels.
Reed manufacturing is local to me which made this one a big score for me.

 

[Wayne M.]

Old tools like that never die.

 

[JR]

Old tools like that never die.

I love old tools. I have become a real sucker for em.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

25 years ago, When I lived in Texas, we would go to a swap meet called “first Monday” in Canton Texas. Bought a bunch of tools there for a very reasonable price.

Apparently, it is still there.
https://www.firstmondaycanton.com/

Now that I live in Virginia, I go to Carlisle Pennsylvania to the car shows/swap meets there. And in the fall, go to Hershey Pennsylvania, for the antique automobile club of America fall meet.

https://carlisleevents.com/

Picked up a bunch of good tools at all places. Two years ago, my youngest son and I went with a list of tools to purchase for my older son. The goal is to get everything as cheap as possible, and reasonable quality. That was a fun father and son bonding time.

 

[Wayne M.]

As promised, here’s John and his S-K truck. Of course I went aboard for info for Dan, and I wound up buying something.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Sorry.....You can tell your significant other that it was my fault!

 

[JR]

Of course I went aboard for info for Dan, and I wound up buying something/QUOTE]

Pictures of said evidence or it didn't happen!

 

[Wayne M.]

He carries other brands like gearwrench and lisle too. I went on looking for pliers to release the push lock fuel lines, the type with the blue buttons. He didn’t have anything specific, but I saw these and so far it’s a home run.