Husky vs Kobalt vs Craftsman

Absolutely true, and I still will look at or buy USA made Craftsman tools. It's just that their choice to move a lot of the manufacturing overseas (and I think lessen the quality) cost them my absolute, blind loyalty.

 

I've had multiple bad experiences with Husky.

 

Back to OP's actual needs. We've got some passionate tool gurus here and while Mac, Snap-On, etc. are all top of the line. Craftsman, Kobalt or Husky will be just fine for OP's stated needs. For $500 you can put together a very nice set.

 

Iced used several hand tool brands from Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Klein, and now Dewalt. Most of them are ok, some are crap.

Klein has the best lineman pliers I've ever used. Clean, precision cuts each and every time. My Craftsman ones started to slip and bend wires. Then my Kobalt ones did the same. I should have bought the Kleins first.

I have some Craftsman ratcheting box wrenches, and they are "ok", but really wish they had had more gears (not sure what it's called). They have never slipped though.

The Kobalt socket set I have is so so to be honest, and I'm looking to replace the whole set because they don't fit the designated fasteners tightly enough.

The Dewalt needle nose pliers I bought this weekend seem good so far but it's too early to tell.

I guess what it boils down to is all the brands have a few things they are great at, and others that suck. As I've gotten older I'm buying better tools to replace my cheaper ones.

What is the saying, but once cry once?

 

Nope:

http://www.wihatools.com/

I really like their stuff and have been replacing all of my SO and Mac with it as I can. At least I get support...

 

Too rich for my blood. ~$100+ socket wrench? I'd be crying for a long time or purposely taking shit apart just so I could say I use it all the time.

 

I like sk tools, especially for socket sets, made in America and still a lot cheaper than any tool truck brand. gearwrench is another one that the tools don't cost an arm and a leg. I'd try to buy 6 point sockets over 12 point too.

 

American made craftsman tools are now sold as craftsman industrial and can be bought through industrial supply company's such as MSC. Blackhawk is another American made company owned by Stanley-Proto. I can still get them locally at a privately owned parts store. Fleabay is a good source for tool kits also. Lisle is also a quality company for specialty automotive tools.

 

With all the tools I have and all the money I've spent on the various brands, I've always liked the Huskey tools I bought. They have held up great over the years and honestly the Huskey socket set I have is a go-to over many other high dollar sets I have.

I try to avoid the Harbor Freight brands, they just don't hold up at all. Used to like Craftman, but don't care for them so much anymore.

I'd say flip a coin between Kobalt and Huskey, both make decent tools.

 

I own all 3 brands, but more Kobalt and Craftsman than Husky. Any of the 3 will be reliable and have a great warranty. I think that Craftsman is the least refined in the ratchet category unless you go Craftsman pro, other than that they are all about on par.

Keep an eye on sets from all 3 and buy what gets you the most tools for your money. Keep an eye out for sets with a lot of "filler" which is a bunch of small junk (screw driver tips) to get the tool count of the set up. You will be happy with any of them.

 

As mentioned above, Ebay is a good source for finding old school Craftsman, or just Tools in general.

 

In the last 2 months I've become extremely spoiled at work. The company has bought 11 of these tool boxes and they are filled top to bottom, left to right and guess what they are filled with SNAP ON ! (I HAVE EVERY TOOL IN THE FREAKIN WORLD AT MY DISPOSAL! ) just figured I'd rub this in a little bit

But yes op you can get a really nice set for $500 for at home

 

Mechanicstoolswarehouse.com
You can buy sk hand tools for a great price. If your budget is 500 you could get a pretty good haul of sk. I have a set of 1/4" drive sockets from them I have used in professional environment for about 10 years and still buy things from them every once in a while.

 

Holy Christ!, that's a tool lovers Heaven!

 

Yes it is , but the sad thing is I miss working out of my tool box.