I will be building up a nice hand tool set and system. I want to invest in tools that are American made, high quality and are the most "bang" for the buck. Any suggestions?
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I will be building up a nice hand tool set and system. I want to invest in tools that are American made, high quality and are the most "bang" for the buck. Any suggestions?
To do what kind of work?
Start saving your money now. Then narrow down what tools and medium you're investing in. Just because it says MADE IN AMERICA, doesn't always equate to High Quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpstart
Nicest screwdriver I own was made by Zee Germans...
I would suggest Matco over Snapon for mechanics tools. Might be just hearsay, but, Ive heard Snapon is sending some of their products to china to be built. Armstrong and Blackhawk are good too for US made.
It really depends on the purpose. The main reason to buy American made is usually the warantees that craftsman started.
Snapon mac and matco are great if your a mechanic but if you're a hobby mechanic its a pain to get replacements or buy new. Sears is dieing despite my craftsman collection I would say look at husky which is usually sub contracted to stanley mac or snapon.
Then again gunsmithing is going to require different tools than auto mechanics and carpenters but some will overlap.
Snapon> Matco from my experience of beating them up all day especially ratchets.Quote:
Originally Posted by drift_g35
look into grey pneumatic sockets if you are looking for impact sockets they are very well made and relatively inexpensive
How old are your Snapon tools? I would agree Snapon from 10 years ago is going to be better than Matco, but if the OP is buying new then things might have changed. But again, I dont know what tool Snapon has sent overseas.Quote:
Originally Posted by DFBrews
EDIT: Should have read the post first [dig] Here is a better post: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=172660
Mechanical/ AutomotiveQuote:
Originally Posted by Wulf202
If you are willing to buy used ive seen some steals out there. My buddy bought a whole set from a golf course, Snapon box and tools that were only a few years old. The box alone was probably 2-3k and he walked away with everything for 2k. Only had SAE sockets and wrenches but it was still an awesome deal. I would check craigslist, you never know when someone just snaps and says "I'm never working on another damn vehicle again!"
I make my living with my tools. I have Mac, Snap-on, Matco, Cornwell, and Craftsman stuff in my boxes.
In my experience, the tool guy is at least as important as the brand name. My Snap-on guy is great, very responsive, suggests the appropriate tools for my line of work, no sales pressure. I haven't seen a Mac or Cornwell guy in a couple of years, and my Matco guy comes by maybe twice a year. Guess who's tools I buy more of? The Craftsman stuff in my box is mostly legacy stuff that I haven't managed to break, although I do use their screwdrivers and wrenches to make specialty tools from time to time by welding, heating, bending, and grinding.
Start saving. I have probably $25K in wrenches / tools. Not incl specialty items. A good tool doesn't always last forever, BUT it also doesn't crack or round off after 1/2 doz uses. Last socket i broke was a 12pt craftsman socket. Had the thing since 72 finally crapped out in 2004.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpstart
The question is, would this be for hobby or items needed for work? That will also factor in to your investment.
Snap-On never let me down when I was turning wrenches professionally (long ago). Now I buy Craftsman. Sears Holding owns the brand and they are now sold in Ace Hardware Stores.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpstart
If i was going to make a living with tools Snap-On, Matco, Mac. But they are a waste of money for a hobbyist or weekend warrior.
I have tools from about everyone, some dating back to the 1930's, both Euro and 'Merican.
Swap meets and pawn shops sometimes have great selections and pretty good prices, don't be afraid to make offers.
As a rule of thumb, if you need to borrow a tool three times, buy your own and buy a good one. If it something that might get used maybe once or twice a year, buy the cheaper one. If it breaks, then but a good one. When buying air or power tools, buy as good as you can afford to buy and then get a back up (cheap is OK) for when you need to have your good tools serviced or repaired.
I like Snap On best, Matco, Mac and Cornwell about the same, Craftsman are my back up cheapies and some are over 40 years old. Almost all of my hammers are Craftsman, air tools are Snap On, hand tools vary and are across the board brands. Tool boxes are Snap On and Kennedy, small mechanics boxes are Craftsman. Some custom hand made tools too. Measuring instruments are Starrett, Desa, Mitutoyo.
Craigs list and yard sales. <br>Snap-on makes the best ratchets, I use a lot of craftsman sockets, snap-on extensions, Mac, Snap-on and craftsman wrenches.<br>Used ones have the same warranty as new, keep that in mind.<br>When I took my tools off my service truck, it went from 11,800 lbs down to 8,800 lbs. <br>Ingersol Rand makes good air tools, almost as cheap as no name ones.
I'm on board with Triumph on this. 95% of my stuff (including home stuff) is Snap On. I've used enough cheap tools over the years to just skip 'em and buy the better stuff. Blue Point is Snap On's "other" grade, and I wouldn't stray too far from that. The other companies wrenches all suck compared to the Snappy stuff, and most other socket manufacturers don't even come close, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by wctriumph
When I wrenched with my own tools, most were Snap-On. A good majority were also Matco. I had very little Mac stuff due to a bad experience with one of their products followed up by crappy service from one of their reps.
I've never been impressed with Snap-on's chrome sockets. I've broken more of them than anything else. Their wrenches are a little thin for my taste. Really dig into the hands when you really need to pull on them. Their ratchets are awesome and will handle stuff that would destroy other ratchets.
I now work with company supplied tools. Mostly Proto. Total garbage. The wrenches and sockets aren't too bad but the ratchets really suck. Blowing the gears out in your 3/4 drive ratchet when you really have a load on it sucks ass.
For air tools, Ingersol Rand is going to be the best bang for your buck.
Pneumatic stuff, Nitro Cat and C&P are pretty good...IMO.
Ray, you don't like their "chrome impact" sockets?....;)
Busted. Maybe some of those broken sockets did see a little time on an impact. [Awesom]Quote:
Originally Posted by Otterbatcat
But some of them did break with me pulling on a ratchet. [Weight]
My box is full with Mac and Snap-on tools. I brought all of my Matco, cornwell, and Craftsman stuff home, mostly due to lack of support on matco and cornwell in my area.
lmao. You're alright.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
I have a bunch of the top 3 - Snap On, Mac and Matco.
I use them all on a daily basis. Snap On chrome sockets don't last with me, seem to split after a while and round off inside, and that's without using them as an impact.
I always seem to get crappy ratchets from them too. My favorite one I had I got back in the 80's from a guy at work and he had it since the 70's. It finally wore out and the Snap On guy said he had to give me a new one cause it was discontinued. Had it for a week and it broke. Replaced it a few times, got sick of it now it sits in my drawer.
Matco sucks, never had a good experience with them. Had some stuff need repairs and now their worse off than before...
Mac I have no issues with, dealer is a great guy to deal with and doesn't try to sell you the truck..
As far as air tools, I.R. is the best. They make for everybody else and brand that companies logo on it. Another good one was Chicago Pneumatic- Not Central Pneumatic ( Central is Harbor Freight Chinese)
Don't know if CP is around anymore.
Now if I need any other tools I go to the pawn shops, stay away from the big 3 there- the pawn shops are asking ABOVE retail on those. I look through the buckets of sockets and wrenches and find some pretty decent stuff.
Harbor freight.
what? Somebody had to say it! [Coffee]
For once a year use, why not. When it's putting food on the table. Or keeping what you own going, pay once cry once. You'll see some HF items in my collection. If I've used them 2x the last few years I've used them a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by sniper7
If you want a place to rid yourself of extra cash, here's a great outfit in Kansas City (mail order).
Specializes in discontinued USA tools with all kinds of crazy items also ... like a hardware store you could wander around in for hours. There are a few imports, but all clearly marked.
No connection to the place other than I have helped their bottom line a few times. [Coffee].
http://store.harryepstein.com
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