Tool Time

I gotcha. I figured HF wasn't as generous as Sears, but I didn't know the severity. I buy HF/cheaper tools to keep in the truck for emergency purposes. I also keep a set of Pittsburgh sockets and ratchets for those who don't know what they are doing in the shop.

 

Which brand(s) seem to be popular on the job site? I'm sure it varies among individuals, but what's the most common brand that you'll see in the industry?

 

I'm not brand loyal because different companies make certain tools better than others

 

I have mostly Snap on and Mac, Craftsman tools were good quality years ago but some of the new stuff's quality is just lacking. it also depends on if you use them daily or your a DYI'er.

 

This.

Although I will admit for some things, the HF version is plenty good. I have mostly Craftsman with some Snap-on/Bluepoint stuff too. Regarding the Snap-on Catalog, yeah. That's got a lot of cool stuff in it but let me ask you this. Are the Snap-on fuel hose clamps any better than the HF version? They're essentially the same but one set costs 3x the other.

 

I have mainly Craftsman tools bought ~12 yrs ago, they have held up pretty well. For power tools, I prefer Hitachi, but have some DeWalt too.

 

Paying for that name brand

 

Totally. But then again, using some tools vs others is much nicer when you do it all day.

BTW, nice dog.

 

Proto

 

Oh yeah I definitely enjoy the "feel" of a quality tool. When continuously using a product, it's best to purchase one that'll be comfortable and most importantly last.

Thank you! He is a rescue. The previous owner chained him to a dog house for his first two years on this earth.

 

Why not a good R.O.I. is how life should be...

Same mentality led me to start purchasing Toyotas in '81 and I have never looked back ....

I have only owned Peterbilt and Kenworth Trucks, also because of their value

The tools I purchased starting back in '76 are still with me !!!

When my 8 year old grand daughter walks over to "help" Pepere work on his car and tells me that MY 3/8" drive Snap-On rachet is now hers because "it fits in her palm perfect"............That "investment" just became Priceless

 

If he's anything like mine, a bundle of energy-work that off every day and he's golden.

 

That's really cool. I've only owned two trucks. The first was a F-150 which was a mess and now the Tacoma. It's always interesting digging through an old tool box and finding quality tools. When my grandfather passed away a few years ago, no one really cared about his tool collection from DuPont. I got the urge one day to go through all of his belongings in the garage and couldn't believe what all I found. I'm now in possession of seven snap on ratchets from 1951-1968. I have impact drivers, axle pullers, four socket sets, and many other useful items. I am glad that I went through them because they were probably going to be thrown away otherwise.

 

..some of mine that come to mind:

screwdrivers: gracie (made in usa), awesome set

mechanics wrenches/sockets: craftsman (made-in-usa)

specialty wrenches/pliers: channel-lock (made in usa) love-em
12" double-bevel compound miter saw: dewalt (made in china) - hate it!

large torque wrench: husky (made in usa)

drill and impact driver: Milwaukee (made in china) - recent purchase, still assessing, but hate that it's "professionally made in china"!

planes: woodriver (made in china), veritas (made in Canada), ...both brands are quite good..

chisels: Ashley isles (made in england), Stanley (made-in-china?)

hand saws: veritas (made in Canada), pax (made in England), Stanley (made in usa), guyocucho (made in japan)...

track/circular saw: festool (made in Germany) - recent purchase, need to assess, ...glad it's not made-in-china



..so, as you can see, ..i'm really not "brand-loyal"

 

Hahahaha everyone has different views on tools! I'm really not brand loyal until it comes to wrenches/ratchets. Snap On is just my lingo. I'm fixing to purchase a new drill and I'm having a hard time deciding on one. I do not want to spend over $100 (Not including taxes). What do you suggest?

 

...well, I had a 14V hitachi (NiCad), ...a good drill, but batteries went out and decided to move on to something Li-Ion. so, recently purchased the 1/2" Milwaukee 18V (I think the dill and impact driver set was under $180 at home depot), ...so far i'm liking it, ...but, again, I haven't had much experience w/ it yet... I also have a corded dewalt drill, which I used to like (has a nice bubble level on the back that is very useful), ..but recently it's been crapping out on me (only 2 yrs old), but then I was using it to bore 3/4" holes in a thick hardwood benchtop and such...

 

I have mainly craftsmen hand tools I did autobody for 5 years the only things that ever broke were 1/4 inch ratchets and a 13 mm ratchet wrench. The wrench didn't like me standing with all my weight to get door hinge bolts off.

 

Anybody else out there who'd like to share?

 

I am looking at purchasing a buffer for my next detail. My current buffer is screeching like crazy, so anyone have a recommendation? I've looked at the Dewalt brand, but not sure I want to shell $200 for one.

 

Most like the Griots Garage, but IDGAF.