Help with tool selection....

I noticed theres no section for tools. I have been using craftsman for as long as I can remember. Now they are made in China. Trying to find any consistancy in their offerings is a challenge too now. Some are still made in the USA, but then most of there sets are made in china.

I want an american made tool. But I really can't justify Mac, Matco or snap-on given I only work on my own truck. Even SK is pretty expensive. Anyone out there using anything between Craftsman and the professional tools? If so, i'd like to hear about it....

 

I use a lot of Craftsman hand tools my stuff is all older stuff so it was made in the US it's tough to beat thier warranty. As a former GM tech I have a lot of Mac and SK stuff as well. And all thier stuff has been top notch and as for the bigger name tool brands Mac has about the best bang for the buck. And while the SK stuff can be pricey compared to Craftsman it's very nice stuff. I go by the old saying buy once cry once.

If you really want to get something that you will enjoy using get a good ratchet spend some money and get a Mac or Snapon ratchet. I use a lot of craftsman sockets but my ratchets are all Mac and it makes a difference.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...-drive-12-pear-head-comfort-grip-ratchet.aspx

 

Tools are definitely a get what you pay for thing these days. If you want a very nice quality tool you will have to go with a more expensive brand. I used to have a lot of Craftsman then I slowly started to change over to Matco for all of my work tools. Excellent build quality. Check out Cornwell. They are a little bit cheaper than most of the other big names.

 

I use craftsman for nearly everything, but do have snap on for things that craftsmen doesn't carry.

 

As long as Craftsman keeps replacing their broken tools, no questions asked, I will keep buying them. I have a large set that has my name engraved on each piece.

 

Check often on craigslist for good tools and buy only what you need. Good tools are expensive, but you cannot afford cheap ones. If you ruin a bolt, or bust a knuckle, you will know what I mean.

 

Over the years I have accumulated about $40k in tools and equipment that I have right now. I have plenty of Craftsman tools (Mostly the big wrenches over 1 inch and some big sockets) as well as Snap-On, Matco, S/K, and Mac. You can shop around to get the best deals, but it all boils down to what you have now, and what you plan on doing in the future. Craftsman tool sets will get you a lot more tool for the money, and they still warranty for life, so if it breaks, you bring it in and they exchange it. I have never had a single argument from them from broken ratchets to broken screwdrivers and cracked sockets. The same normally goes for the commercial brands. Their biggest problem is price. You will be looking at spending some serious cash to get a start up kit. Again, it depends on what you have now. If you have nothing, and you want your first tool set of your own, I would suggest looking into Craftsman's 300 piece tool sets or bigger, depending on what you want to spend. This Christmas I helped get my nephew a 309 piece set that was on sale for $299. The last thing I bought from Match that was around that price was a single set of ratcheting wrenches. So you can compare from there. Why did I buy the more expensive tools when I could have just got Craftsman? Because when you work at the dealerships and other shops the commercial trucks drive by once a week and you can buy on credit. The longer you are with them, the more they let you buy, so you can afford that $500 top of the line air-gun because you only have to pay him $25 per week. If it breaks? Then they replace it when they come by the next time, and you don't have to drive to sears.

 

I'm all about American made stuff too. But when it comes to a quaility power tool.....Makita takes the cake hands down.

 

Makita makes some good stuff, but I prefer Dewalt when it comes to battery powered tools.

 

I've had the besy luck with Milwaukee power tools. I have a 5 plus year old 1/2 drill on the original set of batteries that still refuses to die. And it's had a hard life.

 

A overlooked source of tools that are older and better, and are mostly American, is the pawn shop. Most have a collection of tools and wrenches of all types.Some may be broken,but if they are a name brand that has a guaranty, you would get a new tool. You may be able to make some deals. Good Luck

 

That a great idea...I'm gonna do that.

 

So...second-gen tools only? Really?

 

I have stuff, but I need to start adding.....Exa,ple is yesterday...I needed some xtra long box wrenches. Didn't have any. The craftsman ones were made in china. And the Mac\matco\snap-on setx were anywhere from 270-300+ dollars for 6 wrenches. It's either cheapo or the best....I want something in between...I should start my own company.

 

Yeah, this is a good idea. I got my Snap-on 150-lb torque wrench at a pawn shop for $90, had it recalibarated, good to go.

Also, used tool shops are a great resource in general, and especially for older Snap-on, Matco, Cornwell, Craftsman tools.