Not Harbor Freight tools thread

I like tools. I use a lot of different brands. I use Harbor Freight tools too, but I prefer almost anything else. The popularity of the HF thread inspired me to start this one.

This thread is dedicated to
discussions of all tool brands that are not Harbor Freight.

If you want to discuss Harbor Freight tool go here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/harbor-freight-tools-thread.462076/

I have a good amount of knowledge about the design of power tools and look forward to the discussions in this thread. Remember all tool brands are welcome except Harbor Freight.

EDIT: Outdoor power equipment is also fair game. Especially cordless stuff.

 

As far as hand tools go (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc) Snap-on is the best. Lifetime warranty, no questions asked

My box is 80% Matco, snapon, cornwell, OTC, Craftsman

Snapon and Launch scan tool equipment

 

Craftsman used to be a good value tool. No more. If I buy a Craftsman tool it's used and made in USA. I've had good luck with Tekton tools. Good quality and good price point.... Edit - Forgot about Dewalt. 18v & 20v platforms.

 

Love my Milwaukee, Snap On, Knipex and Tekton stuff.

DeWalt hasn’t let me down either.

 

Snap-on sure are nice. One thing I don’t like about mine, though, is that they are thin. Definitely not the most comfortable when working on a front end and have sand impregnated grease coating your hand. Fells like your yanking on steak knives (ok exaggeration). My go to turned to older SK set I picked up along the road of life.

 

I think Craftsman is on the comeback. They are moving more tools back to the USA. And the power tools are much better than they used to be. Keep an eye out for the new stuff.

 

Yea. I think Snap-On has started to lose some of its luster too. They have moved a lot of production overseas and it’s just not as great as it was. Pretty pricey too.

 

The OG Craftsman ratchets were the worst. Uncomfortable AF and the damn ratchet paws also break. The release buttons always broke too. I have about 6 in my box now that are broken that I just didn’t get replaced cause they just break again. I liked the CM wrenches.

 

I’m pretty hard on my tools. They’ve all been used as hammers, pry bars and screw drivers. It’s probably just me but I have some MAC ratchets that I’ve abused way more and haven’t had issues.

 

I've used and own just about every brand on the market. I sold the stuff I don't like and kept the stuff that works the best and I find most comfortable and unable. I've got snap-on, Mac, Marco, craftsman, sk, knipex, tekton, vmf, etc. I'd have to list out each tool and why I chose that one over the others. Thats over 20 yrs wrenching in the automotive and marine industry professionally. I've broken every brand and power tool no matter pneumatic or electric.
Personally dewalt for electric tools but Milwaukee are good so are Makita.
Snap on and Ingersoll for pneumatics.
All hand tools I have no specific brand association.

 

Husky, Tekton, maybe some Gearwrench come to mind as good replacement candidates.....

 

Yup. That’s the way to do it. Professions don’t return/replace tools. That shit breaks, it goes in the trash and you don’t buy it again. No time for going to Sears every week with a bag of tools to replace.

 

Except for Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc... At least when I was buying, they were too expensive to toss. Heck, I couldn’t toss them at the time because I was still making my weekly payments.

 

not trying to argue but those skinny little combo wrenches aren't really meant for front end work.

They have 3/8 ratchets in varying lengths, bigger ergonomic grips, plenty of breakaway leverage. Paired with deep/shallow/ medium sockets.. Gotta bring the right knife to a fistfight

 

1985. I was making about $7.00/hr. Took a while to actually own the tools that I had to have when visiting the candy store (tool truck). Couldn’t afford multiple of the same size. I don’t know how guys do it today. A roll cabinet that’s $18,000? And it’s empty. I get that tools are guys livelihood but there seems like it’s a bit of an extravagant markup.

 

Wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are a combination of sets manufactured by Westward, Proto, Blackhawk, Channellock, and SK. There are some Craftsman and Kobalt thrown in the mix if I needed something immediately.

The specialty tools are manufactured by Klein, SK, Wiha, Matco, and some others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

Cordless is DeWalt.

I'm sure there are better, and there will be those who call what I use junk, but for what I do at work and home, I have been quite pleased with the listed brands and they have yet to let me down.

 

1985? I hear ya, we're kinda spoiled these days. You guys were using some oldschool shit back then

I didnt pay out the ass for a tool box though, i scored a used 3 bay in yellow for 2,500 back in 05 when i was getting started

 

LOL, I'll gladly take all the broken Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell, Mac, S-K, etc, ya wanna shit can...

 

I’m pretty sure back then they had to forge their own tools. I don’t think electricity was invented yet.

 

Yup. The only box I ever owned I bought in 1983. Top and bottom roll away. Still have it in the garage.

edit: it is dwarfed by what’s available today.