What brand tools should i buy?

wythors · Jul 12, 2007

jrichker said:
After a recent experience with Craftsman, I have renewed my desire for more Snap-On or MAC tools. I had a set of almost new Craftsman 12 point metric sockets and rounded the head off a 12 MMM bolt. I didn't have a 6 point socket, so I sawed the bolt head off. A set of Snap-On or MAC metric sockets are now on my tool wish list. There seems to be a significant difference in the fit between Craftsman and the pro grade Snap-On and MAC sockets and wrenches.

Over the last year, I've begun upgrading my Craftsman sockets to Mac. So far, I've replaced both my 1/4 drive and 3/8 drive metric stuff. The difference in quality is immediately apparent. They are, however, very expensive compared to Craftsman. I bought deep and shallow sets of both and spent nearly $650.

Busted07 · Jul 12, 2007

HaynStang said:
FBD, are your Harbor Freight impact sockets the Pittsburg brand? We used those in an autobody class I took and I cracked one right down the side trying to remove a siezed bumper bolt. However, the instructor said they'd been using them for a couple years and had only seen one or two other sockets break like that, so I guess for the price they're alright.

Yep, they came in that black metal box. Ive had rusted bolts where i had to pound the socket on using a 3 pound sledge, and i havent broke one yet. For the price, id definately buy them again.

Maryland Stang · Jul 12, 2007

jrichker said:
Craftsman 12 point metric sockets and rounded the head off a 12 MMM bolt.

Well there's your problem right there... Craftsman only make MM sockets and you were trying to use one on a MMM bolt!

dagmando · Jul 12, 2007

For the driveway mechanic, Craftsman tools are more than you will even need. I still have my original "500+ piece Mechanics set" that I received for my 17th birthday and is now 20 years old. I have only replaced a few screwdrivers for wearing out and a couple of ratchets after repeatedly hitting the concrete floor for 20 years. I have had 25+ cars since and worked on everyone including 5-6 complete motor rebuilds. I do have MAC and Snap-On for some of their specialty tools to make jobs easier and for the foreign cars I have owned over the years. Hell, I even have my original Met-Wrench set I pull out when I need to break loose an old bolt because it grabs the bolt sides not the edges. One of the best invention in tools. I have loosen bolts that have completely stripped with nomal wrenches.

mousetrapcar · Jul 12, 2007

thanks a lot, i think i'll just go with craftsman then. it works out great since there is a sears a couple of miles away from me. i can't wait to go shopping

kygt · Jul 13, 2007

Hello Mouse Trap,
I was a senior master also with Ford , I would suggest Craftsman for you if you're never going to work in a shop , Sure even there they will make them up or replace them if they break but they don't hold up under extreme use . In the shop or if you will go to work in one in the future then go with a tool such as MAC , Snap On or Matco, but for use at home the Craftsman pro will be more than fine .But don't buy the Craftsman Japan or China which ever it is , It's not worth crap.
John

Aryan15 · Jul 13, 2007

Nobody has mentioned Armstrong. They make some nice tools but are pricey like the other high end tools.

90_Red_LX · Jul 13, 2007

Craftsman is a real good tool for the enthusiast. The only thing I like about the snap on wrenches dad has is there skinnier, making it a hell of a lot easier to get those tight bolts (ie back header bolts.) For ratchets, I really do prefer snap on though. Torque wrenches, nothing but snap on. We use a cornwell for tightening lug nuts and it's a high quality piece, been through hell, which is why I won't use it for a motor build. You can't go wrong with craftman for easy to get, price, and the return service though.

795.0pacecar · Jul 13, 2007

I have been using a little bit of everything for a few years now and I would put money on S-K being as good as mac and snap-on. I have never broken an S-K socket or ratchet and their extensions are far superior to mac or snap on. for example Snap-on's 36" 1/2" drive to 3/8" drive extension has a regular 3/8" shaft, where as the S-K version has a regular 1/2" shaft all the way to where it tapers to a 3/8", this means you dont lose as much torque. A guy i work with has a snap-on one and has asked to use my S-K on a few occasions because his was bowing in the middle.

I mostly use a combo of snap on, mac, S-K, Ingersoll Rand and since I'm close to a northern tools, I have quite a few of their sockets. I have yet to break one and they are guaranteed for life. I have some harbor freight impact sockets and they have held up better than the snap on ones I've used, but the snap ons are guaranteed so they are probably the better choice for the professional mechanic. I also use all of my tools in a professional setting and I have been pretty impressed with the northern tools stuff and craftsman is always good for the at home mechanic.

Daggar · Jul 13, 2007

shopping thread

--moved to talk--

Foxfan88 · Jul 13, 2007

i have a cheap tool set from somewhere, i got it as a gift, its pretty cheap, but has basic stuff, sockets and stuff, metric and std, ratchets, pliers, wrenchs and all that stuff you get in a basic tool kit, its cheap and i just keep it in the back of my car and use it at the track or wherever. i just use it for tinkering stuff, like timing and stuff. for the heavy stuff i use better stuff that my dad has.

if you use a tool correctly and not be stupid (i.e. using a 3 foot cheater bar on a 1/4" drive ratchet) you shouldnt have problems with hardly anything

795.0pacecar · Jul 13, 2007

Foxfan88 said:
if you use a tool correctly and not be stupid (i.e. using a 3 foot cheater bar on a 1/4" drive ratchet) you shouldnt have problems with hardly anything

I dont agree with this. I've broken many tools using them the correct way, in fact I broke my air ratchet yesterday at work.

Chuckman · Jul 13, 2007

i inherited all my dad's old mac tools (he used to have his own mac truck back in the 70's/80's). its almost everything they made then as far as i can tell except for metrics, which i bought my own craftsman sets for. over the years the macs have had their fair share of beatings and misuse, and held up amazingly well. haven't had the craftsmans all that long but they work just as well, a little looser fitting, but workable. that being said i still like working with the macs better, nice and smooth, the ratchets have a nice knurl to keep hands from slipping too much, and the wrenches are a tad longer for a given size. a buddy of mine even noticed that they were thicker than the craftsman sets he's got. that being said, it looks like most of future tool purchases will be craftsman, simply because of the availability. i can go grab a tool on the weekend if i need it and not have to mess with trying to find a mac or snap-on truck.

Foxfan88 · Jul 14, 2007

795.0pacecar said:
I dont agree with this. I've broken many tools using them the correct way, in fact I broke my air ratchet yesterday at work.

i mean more like simple hand tools. a good impact goes a long way. we have used cheap ones than just flat out cant put out any torque, and be sure to get a good impact socket, a chrome socket can mess your hand up

DMAN302 · Jul 14, 2007

I buy what's on sale..I like to have at least two of everything just to ensure I can tackle a job. I have yet to experience any significant 'failures' with any of my economy tools. HOWEVER when it comes to screwdrivers and torque wrenches I like to go the extra mile, I've had too many cheap screwdrives bend or round off for my liking.

jrichker · Jul 14, 2007

A cure for the "I can't find a tool truck problem"

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catalog.asp

https://www.mactools.com/portal/sit...010VgnVCM100000104d840aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

http://www.matcotools.com/

Either company will be gald to take your money over the Internet and ship your tools to your home.

Unfortunately I have no cure for the "too expensive, I have no money problem" :

Daggar · Jul 19, 2007

jrichker said:
Unfortunately I have no cure for the "too expensive, I have no money problem" :

Well then you're absolutely no use at all!

QUICK91LX · Jul 19, 2007

Craftsman tools are GREAT for the normal guy at home in his garage. But after two stints working in dealerships, if you are going to make a living with your tools, Craftsman falls short. The wrenches are too short to get good leverage and the ratchets slip and/or jam. I graduated to Matco because their prices are slightly more reasonable than Snap-On but the quality is good. When working in a place where the truck comes to you, the convenience of pay as you go and having the guy there every week in case something breaks or you need something new, etc is really nice. That being said, I would only go with Ingersoll Rand or similar for my pneumatic tools. I bought a Matco 3/8 drive impact gun and on two occasions got sockets stuck on it. It also doesnt feel as powerful as some other 3/8 guns i have used. My IR 1/2" gun I bought 5 years ago and its still kicking major ass and I use the crap out of it.

What brand tools should i buy?

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!

Busted07

I need my gorilla to be about an inch longer.

Maryland Stang

Active Member

dagmando

New Member

mousetrapcar

New Member

kygt

New Member

Aryan15

Member

90_Red_LX

Member

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Daggar

New Member

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.

795.0pacecar

lover of pudgy polygamists

Chuckman

GTFO you fat, heavy bastard

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

Daggar

New Member

QUICK91LX

Similar threads

What brand tools should i buy?

Get off my lawn!!!

I need my gorilla to be about an inch longer.

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Member

Member

lover of pudgy polygamists

New Member

My Grandpa has great wood.

lover of pudgy polygamists

GTFO you fat, heavy bastard

My Grandpa has great wood.

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.

StangNet's favorite TOOL

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency