Tool Time

I purchased some halogen shop lights at HF and they work. It's better than any LED's I've seen. I have to say though, $10 for a 1/2 inch torque wrench is hard to beat. If you're just an average weekend warrior, I say HF will meet your needs.

 

we blew up 2 blowers, and 4 weedeaters in the span of 3 months...

 

If I'm torquing something I'd rather get the warm and fuzzies with a name brand just to be within a closer range than I feel HF would be at based on my overall experience with their tools. No proof either way though.

 

What kind of construction are you working in that uses weedeaters and leaf blowers ? Haha

 

Oh absolutely, name brand will be closer in spec. When I'm working under the hood, I use my snap-on torque wrench. If I'm checking my lugs, the HF wrench does the job. I just don't see the justification in spending $80+ for someone who checks their lugs twice a year.

 

this was back when I was a builder assistant and the assholes handed me a weedeater and a blower and made me cut all the grass in an empty subdivision with just a weedeater... and all the lots were all grass.... then I had to blow out the streets, and then go to house frames, and blow the dust out. that got old quick.

 

Yes. The Crapsman warranty is not valid for professional use, so don't go to Sears wearing your uniform. Maybe that brand used to be good, but now it's Harbor Freight quality at Snap-On prices.

 

Whenever Craftsman switched over to Chinese manufacturing a few years ago, the quality definitely suffered. I wouldn't say it's HF quality, but it's not like it used to be. Craftsman at Snap-On prices?

 

Youd be surprised with the HF torque wrenches then. They actually have tested VERY well compared to other, more expensive brands. At 90 Ft-lb's the HF wrench was within +/- 3 ft-lbs in the test i saw. Which is good enough for most DIYer's and if you need more precise theres a lot more factors one would be considering anyways. Most tests i saw had the HF wrenches at +/- 2% or so whereas a snap-on might be +/- 1%

One test i saw they did do a test on leaving the clickers engaged (ie set at 90ft-lb) for like 3 months and they tested it every 30 days. Doing that the HF ones went out of spec pretty dang quick. I never saw the other brands results that i remember for that test.

Ahhh yeah im not a fan of their lawn equipment. I have the 18V weed whacker and blower i got for a great deal (think it was like 40 bucks new for both plus a battery). The blower works like shit. Wont blow anything wet. Even dry grass is iffy with it lol. All i use it for it blowing off the truck/car/lawn mower after washing them. The weed whacker is.....ok. It does what i need it to which is very little lol.

I do like all the actual power tools ive used and own so far though. Only one i had break on my was my 3/8 chick old blue ryobi that i was definitely misusing and burned the motor out.

 

Beat me to it.

Fuck.

 

That switch over i know has pissed a lot of people off. I know a few guys who love their USA made craftmens stuff. But when it needs replacing they are stuck getting Chinese stuff in return now. I just bought a bunch of the USA made craftsmen pro screwdrivers (currently at sears outlets for 2.50 each by the way) but i knw if i ever break one I probably wont bother with a replacement. But i also have a bunch of screwdrivers now too.


Harbor Freight (and brands like Tekton) have some great tools, but also some crap tools. Just have to research prior to buying.

 

here you go @DCSBFTMFW

 

My snap on cutters were on back order.... None of the stores around me carried the Knipex cutters I ordered. Toolbar had the right price, just didn't stick to their estimated ship date. Sad to say, I should have just ordered thru Home Depot.

 

I like craftsman for long term use (wrenches, drills, etc). Stuff I'll use once or rarely, harbor freight.

 

I used to be Craftsman loyal when I lived at home with my parents and didn't pay rent. Now, with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, and two car payments, I buy the cheapest price at the highest quality I can find. I read reviews for days, if not weeks, prior to purchasing anything new, and have lately been giving more of my money to Kobalt and HF than I have in the past.

 

love the gear wrench offset reversing wrenches

 

I have the limited edition Jesse James West Coast Choppers Mac tools set. Super nice set. And I have a set of Craftsman that I have had for about 20 years. Like both except I have noticed the Craftsman open ended wrenches are kinda short for my liking.

 

Pictures please

 

They make great hand tools for a fraction of the price of the big brands. Use to buy their stuff for the shop I managed.

 

Sorry I dont have any pictures of mine. But these are what they look like. Set came with standard and metric 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive socket sets. Full set of standard and metric long open ended wrenches which are awesome. They are like 3 inches longer than my Craftsman wrenches. The pictures here show ratchet wrenches but those were not available when I got mine.