CK5
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Basic hand tools
- Thread starter MTChevy
- Start date
hunterguy86
1/2 ton status
I needed to restock my tool collection after all my stuff got stolen outta my truck. I ended up going with kobalt tools from lowes. I am not a mechanic by trade but use tools pretty frequently to work on fire apparatus both at my paid job and volunteer job. The Kobalt's have held up fine.
I finally got the Chief to buy us a box for the fire station that me and one other guy have keys to. I stocked it with kobalt hand tools. They just released a 300 piece master set that covers the basics pretty well. It does leave some holes that have to be filled however. Such as, 1/2 deep sockets and of all things a dang 9/16 wrench.
The warrenty is not bad either. I walk in say this is broke and grab a new one off the shelf, no questions asked.
There are some exceptions though. Their hex drivers that have the ball end are weak and snap easily, stay away from them.
For power tools I use dewalt. I have a kobalt impact at home and it does ok. I use the blue point gun we have at the station more though.
I finally got the Chief to buy us a box for the fire station that me and one other guy have keys to. I stocked it with kobalt hand tools. They just released a 300 piece master set that covers the basics pretty well. It does leave some holes that have to be filled however. Such as, 1/2 deep sockets and of all things a dang 9/16 wrench.
The warrenty is not bad either. I walk in say this is broke and grab a new one off the shelf, no questions asked.
There are some exceptions though. Their hex drivers that have the ball end are weak and snap easily, stay away from them.
For power tools I use dewalt. I have a kobalt impact at home and it does ok. I use the blue point gun we have at the station more though.
Most of Craftsman's production is now going over to China. I refuse to buy Chinese hand tools.
mpio13
1/2 ton status
you have to pick and choose. alot of times my snap on dealer has a deal going to buy one thing I need and get something else for super cheap or even "free" i jump on these alot to bring a piece home to add to that collection.
other things, that aren't very likely to break, i'll pick up at harbor freight tools for super cheap. i have a full set of axle sockets i got 3 years ago. $60 use them daily, no problems. same set from snap on is like $400 or something.
for pliers i ussually run knipex. they can be warrantied out through sears or snap on, they make great dykes/snips and channel locks.
other things, that aren't very likely to break, i'll pick up at harbor freight tools for super cheap. i have a full set of axle sockets i got 3 years ago. $60 use them daily, no problems. same set from snap on is like $400 or something.
for pliers i ussually run knipex. they can be warrantied out through sears or snap on, they make great dykes/snips and channel locks.
I LOVE my Knipex pliers. Want more types, styles, not that I need them. I have so many pliers and channel locks and a huge assortment of that type of stuff. Typical tool addiction
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Stomis
Professional Amateur
I guess Im the only guy that uses gearwrench brand? Ive been damn happy with their stuff, lifetime warranty, they make a good variety of stuff. Ive also got a few EZRED pieces I like.
Stomis my snappy guy had a huge 300 piece set for 300 bux on the truck today. Think i might go that route
hunterguy86
1/2 ton status
Love my gearwrench crowfoots. I'd like to get a set of their ratchet wrenches as well.
I have several sets of their ratcheting wrenches. Not bad tools.
Martin
Martin
I pick and choose. For things that must last I get snap on, for things I don't use often I'll get lowes brand.
The lowes stuff has the warranty sears used to have, bring it in and get another one no questions asked. Also no waiting a week for the snappy man to find me and assault my wallet.
The lowes stuff has the warranty sears used to have, bring it in and get another one no questions asked. Also no waiting a week for the snappy man to find me and assault my wallet.
1BEATK5
1/2 ton status
I have the grey pneumatic sockets for home use. I really Like that they come with both short and deep, standard and metric in the same blow molded case. All I have to do is grab the whole case and take it out in the driveway, or throw it in the Cherokee for trail tools. I have 1/4" and 3/8 drive complete sets. The 3/8" comes with a impact wobbly and a 3" extension.
All my ratchets are snap-on. It's worth it for me. I broke 3 cheap ones in one day. Now I won't buy anything else. But a mac/ matco/cornwell would be fine I'm sure.
I haven't tried the gray wrenches. I have snap on at home. But matco or mac would be just as good and cheaper. Or maybe get mac/matco/cornwell off of ebay.
I have the 3/8" dewalt 12 volt impact gun too. I paid $100 for it. Best investment ever. Saves so much time. The batterys charge in 6 minutes. It's very compact. Has good power, but won't break bolts off.
Just my .02
All my ratchets are snap-on. It's worth it for me. I broke 3 cheap ones in one day. Now I won't buy anything else. But a mac/ matco/cornwell would be fine I'm sure.
I haven't tried the gray wrenches. I have snap on at home. But matco or mac would be just as good and cheaper. Or maybe get mac/matco/cornwell off of ebay.
I have the 3/8" dewalt 12 volt impact gun too. I paid $100 for it. Best investment ever. Saves so much time. The batterys charge in 6 minutes. It's very compact. Has good power, but won't break bolts off.
Just my .02
3car
1/2 ton status
all of my impact sockets (except swivels) are sunnex, and have been awesome throughout the years. Basic hand tools, Craftsman is the way to go. As previously mentioned, go with their fine tooth ratchets. I also have a couple sets of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. They've been good, but I've replaced a few. I like Snap-On stuff, but its costly. SK is on line with Craftsman IMHO, and Matco is a great marketing company. I'll leave it at that.
