Poll: What's your tool brand preference?

[1972C10]

Yeah Snap On Tools Are High Ive Got A Wrench Set im workin on 3/8-1" like 450 bucks Craftsmans are nice except for the cheap rachets the craftsman proffesinal that have the Rev Fwd dial instead of a lever are better I lke the MAC Rachets that have the fat plastic handle Like A screwdriver Just As Long As Its Qaulity and warrantied Its All Good

[skid]

As an industrial mechanic who works mostly on pipeline compressors and the gas turbines that drive them, I use only Snap On. It helps that the company buys all my tools .

As an aside, we were dis-assembling a turbine when we had to take off a ring of heat corroded stainless steel 12 point bolts. They were so tight that we had to use a pipe over the wrenches to break the bolts loose. My co-worker who swears by (at?) Mac Tools broke two wrenches at the head, and bent another trying to loosen one particular bolt. I put on my Snap-On and it easily loosened the bolt, even though it was half the thickness of the Mac (which I think are clumsy like craftsman). However, when I do break something, Snap-On rarely covers it under warranty (due to abuse).

Also, since we are an industrial company, we get a 20% reduction in price from Snap-On, so that's what I have at home as well.

[69_hafton]

Skid, I think we'd all have Snap-On if we could justify the expense. Must be nice...

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Ya'll can vote now - it's working again.
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Unfortunately, I can't add or change anything.

[68cajun]

What company do you work for. I work for Shell Pipeline, in the gulf of mexico as a mechanic.

[Huck]

Craftsman tools have become junk in the past 10 years. Older stuff is ok. Snap on is great when you can buy them used and cheep. S&K is also good. Have a set of 3/8s Thorsen that has been with me for 40+years, finally worn out!!
The market is currently flooded with stuff from China---which is ok if they are good which they rarely are.
If you open up a brand new Craftsman ratchet head, you will see a very poorly crafted gearing, no lubrication and a crappy design. It's amazing they don't quality check there product. Kind of makes you suspect everything else they put their name on doesn't it?

[dubie]

Almost all of our tools are Mastercraft, sold only by Canadian Tire. They are the equivelant of Craftsman and come with a lifetime guarantee. They make buying tools, affordable

[whitesswj]

i've found a company that offers a lifetime warranty. I hate to say not made in US but when the denero comes, i'll pay for US. The company is called Pitsburg tools sold at a place called Harbor Freight. I got a FULL set of Polished Chrome Combo wrenches for 15.00. More tools there check them out. http://www.harborfreight.com

[N2TRUX]

Most of my tools are Craftsman. I have started buying Husky lately since they have improved their quality. They have the feel of a mechanics grade tool, but 1/3 the cost...

[Palf70Step]

I have a little of everything except the pro stuff like snapon and MAC. Even my oriental stuff has been good to me, but them I'm not real hard on them, least I haven't been up to this point. I like the Craftsman beause of store convience. I think I had only one tool ever break and it broke in Japan. Last year I took the 30 year old 1/2 rachet to them and they gave me new one no hassles. They had to upgrade it to a flew head since the one wasn't made no more. It has like a 3 1/2 foot handle.

[67Fleetsidedream]

I am a craftsman mechanic. The high end brands are exactly like the others (except imports). The chrome plating is what you are paying for when you buy snap-on or Mac.

[Blue Beard]

Craftsman since 1965..............

[tomsC10R]

Just have to vent a little. I have always been very happy with my Craftsman and now today my 3/8" ratchet goes to $hit.

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally posted by tomsC10R
Just have to vent a little. I have always been very happy with my Craftsman and now today my 3/8" ratchet goes to $hit.

Their ratchets are junk anymore. Gotta have a back-up or three.

[1972C10]

Originally posted by 67Fleetsidedream
I am a craftsman mechanic. The high end brands are exactly like the others (except imports). The chrome plating is what you are paying for when you buy snap-on or Mac.

That aint no lie go price a snap on wrench set 3/8-1 its like 450 then price a blue point same wrenchs just not polished 250 thats alot of money just for bling bling.

[krue]

I have a little bit of everything. I need to start hitting the pawn shops and picking up more hand tools.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally posted by 1972C10



That aint no lie go price a snap on wrench set 3/8-1 its like 450 then price a blue point same wrenchs just not polished 250 thats alot of money just for bling bling.

SNAP-ON & BLUE POINT ARE ABOUT THE SAME JUST LIKE AN OLDS 98 & A CHEVETTE ARE THE SAME. LOL LOL AFTER ALL THEY'RE BOTH MADE BY G.M. WHY PAY ALL THAT EXTRA MONEY JUST FOR THE (WHAT DO YOU CALL IT??) BLING BLING

[tphsmith]

i use nothing but OKUMA, LOL have access to them all . oops your talking hand tools aint ya. Craftsman here

[72superBB]

I use craftsman, but I have been buying the new Stanley Professional tools that Wal-Mart sells. They are chrome shiny and are very nice. They have a lifetime gaurantee as well.

[Tx Firefighter]

I think we have two different perspectives here among the replies. Some guys are using them to fix their cars and other guys are using them to make a living.

I used mine to put food on the table. It's not about lifetime warranty. Pretty much anybody will lifetime warranty their products.

It's about getting the job done. Day in day out using them constantly, you pretty much need to use the best. The big three brands all perform better. The shiny chrome isn't about bling, it's about easy to clean. The screwdriver handles give better grip for more torque. The pliers don't wear out over time. The ratchets have longer handles for more leverage. On and on......

It's all about perspective as to what you demand out of them.

[junkyardjohn]

WELL SAID ONCE AGAIN TX FIREFIGHTER-- I HAVE A TON OF SNAP-ON & MAC TOOLS, BUT IF I DIDN'T PICK UP MOST ALL OF THEM IN PAWN SHOPS & ON EBAY FOR A SMALL FRACTION OF THEIR ORIGINAL COST, THERE IS NO WAY I'D BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. I'M CONSTANTLY UPGRADING MY CURRANT TOOLS & SELLING THE ONES I'M REPLACING. I JUST LISTED A SNAP-ON AIR HAMMER ON EBAY BECAUSE I FOUND A NEWER, NICER ONE IN A PAWN SHOP. I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR YEARS , AN I'M NOT KIDDING, I'VE GOT PROBABLY 25,000 WORTH OF TOOLS FOR NO MORE THAN $3500. TRY IT JOHN

[Blue Beard]

The only problem with craftsman was a small rachet that I destroyed with a toss across the garage floor.

Was replaced without problems and still in service..........

[waynes world]

Channellock, of course , because i work there and get a discount,lol i noticed nobody mentioned channellock pliers, we produce between 120 and 150.000 pairs per week, i thought everyone owned a pair? as far as wrenches , sockets and ratchets go , most of it came from houshold auctions and garage sales, except for a couple craftsman socket sets ,im just a do it yourselfer, on a factory workers budget so i get by with mostly used stuff...

[1972C10]

Originally posted by junkyardjohn


SNAP-ON & BLUE POINT ARE ABOUT THE SAME JUST LIKE AN OLDS 98 & A CHEVETTE ARE THE SAME. LOL LOL AFTER ALL THEY'RE BOTH MADE BY G.M. WHY PAY ALL THAT EXTRA MONEY JUST FOR THE (WHAT DO YOU CALL IT??) BLING BLING

Well i was refering to the wrenchs i could take a pic of my blue point 1/2 and my snap on and there identical except the snap on is polished more and different numbers

[72 CustomCamper]

Anybode else ever try a tool brand called Metwrench? It's a german brand that QVC use to sell. That's all I'll use. Had one bolt that broke 2 Craftsman sockets, a Craftsman and Snap-on 1/2 to 3/8 reducer and a Craftsman breaker bar before breaking the bolt loose with the Metwrench socket...

Chuck

[68CST327]

Originally posted by 72 CustomCamper
Anybode else ever try a tool brand called Metwrench? It's a german brand that QVC use to sell. That's all I'll use. Had one bolt that broke 2 Craftsman sockets, a Craftsman and Snap-on 1/2 to 3/8 reducer and a Craftsman breaker bar before breaking the bolt loose with the Metwrench socket...

Maybe you loosened the bolt up with all the other tools...