Tool Set- Facom tools?

Facom = Awesome.

My dad still uses those he bought 30 years ago. Bits, wrenches, ratchets, you name it.

Supposedly Snap-on uses the same quality steel as Facom ... not positive about it, though.

Facom may be overpriced (I dunno), but I hate to snap bits or seeing wrenches opening when you apply some pressure. Especially since it happens after opening hours (warranty only when the stores are open!) and your wrenching is done for the weekend.

My testimonial = after 30 years of use and abuse, they are still the wrenches or bits I pick in the toolboxes.

Craftsman pro isn't too shabby either. Check out Snap-On too, quite used among pros. Take some Mastercraft if you want to have a good laugh.

 

I bought Facom tools about ten years ago and am not impressed, except for some very good "vice grips" and sliding clamp things which I suspect others make. Craftsman seems better now than a few years ago. Snap on great but pricy, they have some special tools that are really good.Craftsman actually has some Facom tools in their collection now. If I was going to do it again now, I would buy Craftsman with some special tools from Facom and SO.The Facom Ratchet drivers are particularly annoying as the knurled ajuster rotates as you use the tool.

 

Craftsman!
I've earned my living over the last 16 years using Craftsman tools almost exclusively. Snap-on is good too but WAYY overpriced!

Dave

 

If your just doing home stuff on the weekends..for fun..then use the Craftsman tools..they are well priced and a replacment is just a Sears store away if you break it. Their warrenty is excellent..replaced with no questions asked..unlike Snap-on.

But if you make your living with you tools..then spending a bit extra for a quality product only makes sense..and Craftsman does deliver the goods with some of there tools. Me I'm a tool snob, so Snap-on is all I really buy..Stupid yes..but it makes for a nice show in the tool box!!

 

No idea on Facom. Snap-On - fantastic stuff if you are wrenching day after day after day and don't want to worry about stuf breaking. Craftsman - that's what my toolboxes are filled with. Works great, but at the cost of returning the occassional breaking ratchet for a new one.

 

Too funny. I've got a buddy just like you. He's always giving me the duplicates of his "junk tools" which are perfectly good craftsman tools. The Snap On's just sit polished in the big box, while he uses the tools out of his "junk tool" box 90% of the time.

I don't get it, but then, he doesn't get my obsession with Ferrari's either.

 

Yeah, don't get me wrong, Snap-on does have good tools. BUT, I hardly believe they warrant the obscene markup. A poor kid just started at our dealership fresh out of Hot Rod Tech and the Snap-on rep shafted him for $6K for a medium size box and just the most basic of tool sets. I prefer to stop by Sears after work to swap out anything rather than wait and HOPE there is a replacement on the truck a week later. Plus, have you ever tried to get warranty replacement from Snap-on if you don't work in a shop? It's a mother!

Dave

 

What is this thing that you call "tools?" I looked at my checkbook, but couldn't find who manufactured them.

Dr "Tool Less" Who

 

Personialy I thinkg Craftsman will do you fine, but I would recond getting snap-on screwdrivers. They are much better quality than craftsman. I've never sriped a screw with a snap-on. Also if you've got the $$ check out the 0 degree ratches snap on sells. It's a live saver in tight places.

 

Yea Snap-on warrenty can be a bit of a problem. But I have found it also depends on the dealer. Some of them can be real jerks when it comes to warrenty..I threw a Snap-on dealer out of my shop becuase he wouldn't fix my broken rachet. He told me "you don't buy enough" I said F--k you..I paid $130 bucks for a rachet with a life time warrenty..YOU are responsiable for reapiring or replacing it, thats why a bought it..and with that he was out on his ear..soon after he lost his dealership becuase of similar complaints. My new dealer is great..he warrenies items no questions asked, and he normaly has a replacment on the truck. HEck I think I have spent about 2500 with my new guy..becuase I like him and he keeps to the standard that Snap-on should be.

As far as ripping off the poor kid..I know all to well about that. When I started in the trade..it happend to me aswell..ah well live and learn..but I'll bet if I didn't buy that first set of Snap-on tools..I would probbably be a Craftsman guy...Stupid me..I just think of the exrta dough I would have...AAARRGGG..Now I'm crying!!

 

My "Tool Snob" buddy has a similar rachet by Cromwell. SOOOOooooooo smooth, it is almost unreal.

 

I'm a Craftsman fan and have tons of their tools, but another good option is the Husky handtools sold at Home Depot. From what I've heard, they're actually made by the same manufacturer that used to make Craftsman tools in the past, and they also have a lifetime warranty.

All I really buy these days is replacement 10mm and 9/16" sockets. I can NEVER find one when I need it

 

I don't know about husky, but Waterloo Industries makes Craftsman toolboxes for Sears. I only paid attention to them because my mother grew up in Waterloo, IA. Whether or not they are any cheaper when bought from the Mfgr, I don't know, but they are exactly the same boxes. http://www.waterlooindustries.com/

 

From their site:
------
Question:
Can I buy products directly from Waterloo Industries?

Answer:
No, Waterloo Industries does not sell directly to the public, but rather thru distributors. Some of the major distributors of Waterloo brand products are Ace, Lowe's, Menards, W.W. Grainger, Fastenal and True Value
------

It's funny how many tools and such are shared among brands, and just stamped with a different name

 

No accident that they left their biggest distributor off that list, since they market those boxes under another brand name.

 

I have a waterloo 40" box.Top and bottom.
I got it at a blow out sale at a nappa store.
i like it for the price i paid.if i had to buy another one i would look around before buying another waterloo.

 

Maybe UroTrash can help you with this.

I believe he can fix almost any "tool" related issue you may have.

 

Isn't Snap On the subject of a class action suit right now from a large group of distributors?

Something about too many routes, not enough customers, over selling their distribution rights and causing many of the dealers to have a territory too small to make a living from?

Hmm... Think I'll google this.

Oh, Craftsman. Two boxes full of them. Except, for reasons I can't explain, for my screwdrivers, which seem to be a mish mash of no name jobs.

 

Could be that you use them as pry bars, alignment tools and an ice pick every now and then?

Screwdrivers are disposable items if you use them for more than just screws...

 

That's possible.....

Wait, you mean they actually do something other than pry things loose, scrape stuff off and prop things up????

And, does anyone need about seven sets or torx (sp?) drivers??? I must have a whole drawer full of those stupid things. (PM if interested......)

Must be that I don't fix anything manufactured after about 1980.

DM

 

What tools are you saying Waterloo makes for Sears? My wife worked for Danaher tool group and they had the exclusive manufacturing rights to nearly all Craftsman hand tools. My wife was the Product Manger for the line up until a few months ago when she left the company.

 

Tool boxes.

Nice stuff.

Also available from Waterloo through folks like Graingers.