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Marv D · 12-23-2011, 12:54 PM

Craftsman used to be made by Stanley tool works through the 90's, That, and now that Kmart bought Sears out there made by some offshore, low bid, 5¢ an hour left handed child labor and are just about as good as any other no-name tool. I bought my last Craftsman tool when they replaced my old (circa 1970's) 1/2" drive ratchet with some light weight piece of offshore CRAP. The new POS was a sign of where Craftsman has gone,, the thing was broke right out of the package and wouldn't ratched in reverse. NO quality control needed when you make them for 3¢ each ,, just hand over another chrome plated POS if the customer has problems.

OK, rant off....

Like cdowns said, the local pawn shops will have some GREAT collections of OLD, QUALITY tools and for a lot less than the new. but you have no warrantee. Unfortunately..... it used to be you simply took the tool to Sears or the SnapOn dealer and it would be warranteed / repaired with no question. Now you have to show a receipt here in our local stores.

Craftsman my still be the best of the evils out there as far as buying a 'kit' as they are the only ones offering a nice 'collection' of hand tools you use every day. There now made by the same Danaher Tool Group that owns the offshore offerings of Craftsman, Husky (and I believe SK and a number of others).

The Lowes Kobalt line is a retaill grade made by SnapOn, and don't confuse one to be on the same quality as the other. Some are made in the same Snap-On plant, but to very different specs, materials, hardening and tolerances. But there still a darn decent tool. Not all of the Kobalt line is US made, but apparently all the wrenches and sockets are.

OK, history lesson off
For the money, the best hand tools I know of is PROTO. Yes there still around and supply tools to NASA and a lot of the aerospace and industry like GM and CAT. PROTO is a division of Stanly tool works Always has been, and 100% US made. You can order Proto on line through Grainger or MSC. There not a 'cheap' tool, and not the overpriced Snap-On either. IMO you do get what you pay for.

12-23-2011, 12:54 PM	#9
Marv D Registered Truck Offender Join Date: May 2008 Location: hells training ground (aka Ariz) Posts: 3,118	Re: Starting Tool Collection Craftsman used to be made by Stanley tool works through the 90's, That, and now that Kmart bought Sears out there made by some offshore, low bid, 5¢ an hour left handed child labor and are just about as good as any other no-name tool. I bought my last Craftsman tool when they replaced my old (circa 1970's) 1/2" drive ratchet with some light weight piece of offshore CRAP. The new POS was a sign of where Craftsman has gone,, the thing was broke right out of the package and wouldn't ratched in reverse. NO quality control needed when you make them for 3¢ each ,, just hand over another chrome plated POS if the customer has problems. OK, rant off.... Like cdowns said, the local pawn shops will have some GREAT collections of OLD, QUALITY tools and for a lot less than the new. but you have no warrantee. Unfortunately..... it used to be you simply took the tool to Sears or the SnapOn dealer and it would be warranteed / repaired with no question. Now you have to show a receipt here in our local stores. Craftsman my still be the best of the evils out there as far as buying a 'kit' as they are the only ones offering a nice 'collection' of hand tools you use every day. There now made by the same Danaher Tool Group that owns the offshore offerings of Craftsman, Husky (and I believe SK and a number of others). The Lowes Kobalt line is a retaill grade made by SnapOn, and don't confuse one to be on the same quality as the other. Some are made in the same Snap-On plant, but to very different specs, materials, hardening and tolerances. But there still a darn decent tool. Not all of the Kobalt line is US made, but apparently all the wrenches and sockets are. OK, history lesson off For the money, the best hand tools I know of is PROTO. Yes there still around and supply tools to NASA and a lot of the aerospace and industry like GM and CAT. PROTO is a division of Stanly tool works Always has been, and 100% US made. You can order Proto on line through Grainger or MSC. There not a 'cheap' tool, and not the overpriced Snap-On either. IMO you do get what you pay for. __________________ Still playin with trucks, even at my age! When you're dead, it's only a problem for the people around you, because you don't know you're dead. .....It's kinda the same when your STUPID. I just did my taxes and reviewed my SS statement. Thanks to the current administration it looks like I will only have to work till noon on the day of my funeral.