CK5
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Your Tool Choice
- Thread starter blazerpro79
- Start date
walla2k5
1/2 ton status
Mostly Husky hand tools,some Craftsman and S&K.I'm a weekend wrencher, held up for me...
Geargrinder
1/2 ton status
Must depend on the guy behind the countermikey_d05 said:
I have taken in my "click" style and my ould nedle style and they replaced them W/O question 
I like Crafstman the best, but I have to admit that I'll buy anything with a life time warenty. I have some tools that I like alot that I got a Schucks
and thy honer the warenty the same as Sears 
77blazin
1 of a kine K5
Tools from the Pawn Shop, get all kind goodies there but Craftman and Snap-on prefered, both have warranties in case broke.
They have work with me so far?!
They have work with me so far?!
Here's my simple strategy on tools (copyright 2005, subject to change if I win the lottery)
Sockets, and Combo Wrenches - Craftsman
Screwdrivers - Anything but Craftsman
Rachet Handles - Snap On
Impact Sockets - Harbor Freight cheapies
Air Tools - Mid/Low End IR or BluePoint or whatever
Craftsman is hard to beat at the price. I can definitely appreciate the "feel" of a SnapOn wrench but can't yet justify the price delta over the Craftsman stuff. The rachet handles are another story....Craftsman makes the sh!ttiest handles ever...the reversing mechanism is chintzy and the action is sloppy and imprecise. Therefore, I spend the extra money on nice ratchets from Snap-On and throw the Craftsman ones away. The work fine with the Craftsman sockets and offer a much nicer experience at a budget price.
I don't know when Craftsman went to their new "molded" handles over a non-textured shaft design, but the current drivers just pull right apart. Total crap really... I have a nice German set from the Griots catalog which seemed like overkill until I tried that "new" Craftsman design...
Impact sockets are such a low-tech item that I can't see spending the money on the "good stuff"....I mean c'mon, how precise does a 1-1/4" socket need to be when you're blasting it off and on with a 1/2" impact gun??? The cheap Chinese stuff from Harbor Freight has worked great and has a screamingly good pricetag.
Air tools would be an item I'd spend more on....but since I've never had a proper air delivery system, there's always WAY too much moisture running through my tools. I know I'm slowly destroying them (even with liberal applications of tool oil) from the inside out, so until I have good, DRY air...I won't spend the big bucks on high end stuff.
EOL
Sockets, and Combo Wrenches - Craftsman
Screwdrivers - Anything but Craftsman
Rachet Handles - Snap On
Impact Sockets - Harbor Freight cheapies
Air Tools - Mid/Low End IR or BluePoint or whatever
Craftsman is hard to beat at the price. I can definitely appreciate the "feel" of a SnapOn wrench but can't yet justify the price delta over the Craftsman stuff. The rachet handles are another story....Craftsman makes the sh!ttiest handles ever...the reversing mechanism is chintzy and the action is sloppy and imprecise. Therefore, I spend the extra money on nice ratchets from Snap-On and throw the Craftsman ones away. The work fine with the Craftsman sockets and offer a much nicer experience at a budget price.
I don't know when Craftsman went to their new "molded" handles over a non-textured shaft design, but the current drivers just pull right apart. Total crap really... I have a nice German set from the Griots catalog which seemed like overkill until I tried that "new" Craftsman design...
Impact sockets are such a low-tech item that I can't see spending the money on the "good stuff"....I mean c'mon, how precise does a 1-1/4" socket need to be when you're blasting it off and on with a 1/2" impact gun??? The cheap Chinese stuff from Harbor Freight has worked great and has a screamingly good pricetag.
Air tools would be an item I'd spend more on....but since I've never had a proper air delivery system, there's always WAY too much moisture running through my tools. I know I'm slowly destroying them (even with liberal applications of tool oil) from the inside out, so until I have good, DRY air...I won't spend the big bucks on high end stuff.
EOL
I use mostly craftsman I don't even wait until I break the ratchets when we go to the mall I just grab a couple and say these are broke. I used to work at sears we replaced all sorts of weird stuff. Tools were in a fire, tools rusted, I umm broke this screwdriver! Its all good and sears is handy. Harder than hell for me to run down the snap on guy.
randy88k5
1/2 ton status
Another vote for craftsman...
Husky tools seem to be of similar make, but I hate their return policy. At the Home Depots by me, you have to take the tool back to the return isle and they ask for a reciept. Of course you dont have one, the tool is a few years old, and you broke it, and you need to get back to work. So the manager comes and OKs the transaction. They give you a store credit, credit on a card, or cash. Then you take that to the tool corral and get the tool you need, and repurchase it.
At sears I just walk in and get what I want, and exchange it at the register.
You cant beat that convienece. No tool trucks to track down either.
A few of the snap-on and MAC dealers I have talked to said they inspect their tools before doing an exchange for signs of abuse (bent screwdrivers or tips [use as a prybar], or gouged handles of ratchets [cheater bar used]) They said that promotes an unsafe work environment, and they wont warrant their tools if used improperly. Most Craftsman tools are unconditional.
Husky tools seem to be of similar make, but I hate their return policy. At the Home Depots by me, you have to take the tool back to the return isle and they ask for a reciept. Of course you dont have one, the tool is a few years old, and you broke it, and you need to get back to work. So the manager comes and OKs the transaction. They give you a store credit, credit on a card, or cash. Then you take that to the tool corral and get the tool you need, and repurchase it.
At sears I just walk in and get what I want, and exchange it at the register.
You cant beat that convienece. No tool trucks to track down either.
A few of the snap-on and MAC dealers I have talked to said they inspect their tools before doing an exchange for signs of abuse (bent screwdrivers or tips [use as a prybar], or gouged handles of ratchets [cheater bar used]) They said that promotes an unsafe work environment, and they wont warrant their tools if used improperly. Most Craftsman tools are unconditional.
captaininsano
1/2 ton status
crazyhole812
1/2 ton status
i like SK but crapsman do have warranty so you can abuse the hell out of them and still get a new one for free
jeeptuff
1/2 ton status
I use Matco exclusivly. They are comfy in my hands.
GEORGIA GABE
1/2 ton status
Lets see if any of you can guess what tools I prefer........
Most of my tools are snap-off. There is a difference, but each to his own. For rachets, wrenches, and screwdrivers they cant be beat. Once you have put all you got into a box end wrench thats not snap on and then used a snapon wrench on the same nut you will see the difference. I have bent craftsman wrenches, you will most likely never bend a snap on box end wrench. this is due to the way the tool is produced. Now for specialty tools such as the moronic northstar waterpump socket....OTC or Some mountain tool brand works just fine. My two cents..... btw the most expensive tool I own is right here.....
Most of my tools are snap-off. There is a difference, but each to his own. For rachets, wrenches, and screwdrivers they cant be beat. Once you have put all you got into a box end wrench thats not snap on and then used a snapon wrench on the same nut you will see the difference. I have bent craftsman wrenches, you will most likely never bend a snap on box end wrench. this is due to the way the tool is produced. Now for specialty tools such as the moronic northstar waterpump socket....OTC or Some mountain tool brand works just fine. My two cents..... btw the most expensive tool I own is right here.....
well, since i wrench daily, i'll chime in...
about 60% Snap On, 20% Craftsmen and 20% other assorted not often used stuff..
there are certain tools that can't touch Snap On. ratchets, screwdrivers, sockets, wrenchs, punch and chisels...
my metric wrenchs are Craftsmen and 1 1/8 up to 2". tho a Craftsmen wrench is fine for most jobs, there are circumstances in my job where the slightly sleeker head, handle, etc of a Snap On is a big plus..
flank drive and the other Snap On tech is an improvement over standard Craftmen, Husky stuff, there is a difference.. for the weekend warrior its no biggie, but when you do it for a living, it matters..
i have a few Mac, but no Matco.. Mac is just as pricey pretty much as Snappy, so i figure might as well get the Snappy.. if he has something interesting, i'll consider it. mostly our Mac guy sells lots of other brand stuff.. usually i look to him for creepers, oddball stuff..
i'm particular about various pliers too.. my bud bought this 20 set from mac for $200. they suck... my Snap On dykes, needlenose, crimpers, etc blow them away.. Klein makes some nice crimpers, etc...
vise grip brand is all i'll own for their namesake... i have about 30 from regular plier types to every large body/welding ones you can imagine a few times over.. i made the mistake of picking up some cheapies at the swapmeet one year. what garbage, they start flexing off to the side and stuff.. gave em away to an apprentice..
air tools are a pretty wide assortment and i have just about everything you could possibly think of except 3/4 and 1" impact.. flange tools, shears, nibblers, air saw, air ratchets, 3/8 and 1/2 impacts.. every body grinder you can think of, angle and straight die grinder, air hammers, longboards (hutchins rule).. those breakdown about 50% Snappy, with the rest being a mix of mac, IR, some CP and FP....
oh, and toolbags are a HUGE part of my repertoire..
Ebay rules for Snap On.. you can generally get most stuff for about 1/2 what ya pay on a truck... most of my stuff is long payed for, but i do keep a small running account on the truck for occasional stuff i fancy... next toy will more than likely be a boroscope... then a bender...
my rig for those who haven't seen it...
about 60% Snap On, 20% Craftsmen and 20% other assorted not often used stuff..
there are certain tools that can't touch Snap On. ratchets, screwdrivers, sockets, wrenchs, punch and chisels...
my metric wrenchs are Craftsmen and 1 1/8 up to 2". tho a Craftsmen wrench is fine for most jobs, there are circumstances in my job where the slightly sleeker head, handle, etc of a Snap On is a big plus..
flank drive and the other Snap On tech is an improvement over standard Craftmen, Husky stuff, there is a difference.. for the weekend warrior its no biggie, but when you do it for a living, it matters..
i have a few Mac, but no Matco.. Mac is just as pricey pretty much as Snappy, so i figure might as well get the Snappy.. if he has something interesting, i'll consider it. mostly our Mac guy sells lots of other brand stuff.. usually i look to him for creepers, oddball stuff..
i'm particular about various pliers too.. my bud bought this 20 set from mac for $200. they suck... my Snap On dykes, needlenose, crimpers, etc blow them away.. Klein makes some nice crimpers, etc...
vise grip brand is all i'll own for their namesake... i have about 30 from regular plier types to every large body/welding ones you can imagine a few times over.. i made the mistake of picking up some cheapies at the swapmeet one year. what garbage, they start flexing off to the side and stuff.. gave em away to an apprentice..
air tools are a pretty wide assortment and i have just about everything you could possibly think of except 3/4 and 1" impact.. flange tools, shears, nibblers, air saw, air ratchets, 3/8 and 1/2 impacts.. every body grinder you can think of, angle and straight die grinder, air hammers, longboards (hutchins rule).. those breakdown about 50% Snappy, with the rest being a mix of mac, IR, some CP and FP....
oh, and toolbags are a HUGE part of my repertoire..
Ebay rules for Snap On.. you can generally get most stuff for about 1/2 what ya pay on a truck... most of my stuff is long payed for, but i do keep a small running account on the truck for occasional stuff i fancy... next toy will more than likely be a boroscope... then a bender...
my rig for those who haven't seen it...
3 on the tree
1/2 ton status
Wrenches are mostly Craftsman. My torque wrench is an old Proto. Favorite ratchet is a 20 year old 1/2' Blackhawk. My 3/8 ratchet of choice is an old swivel head Indestro. Craftsman ratchets have gone downhill in the last 25 years, they used to have a very fine ratcheting mech that was a joy to use, but now they are coarse, and as said the reversing mech is way sloppy. When I do use the ones I have, I am always nudging it off the catch, and it freewheels. Very frusttrating. I do have a few cheapie wrenches made in India, they are great for bending with a hammer to get in awkward spots. I do have a set of Pittsburgh Forge sockets and ratchet that I carry in my work truck. They have worked fine so far, and they are smoother than the Craftsman ratchets. I do have one 1/2 drive Craftsman ratchet that is about 25 years old. It feels and works like a GOOD ratchet is supposed to. I"m really gonna cry when it breaks and Sears gives me one of thier new ones to replace it. I also have a Harbor Freight engine hoist and a tranny jack. They work fine, but the tranny jack adjustments are a little coarser than I like.
