OK, for those who wrench on their cars, what is your tool brand of choice? If you use different brands for different tools, break 'em down. I'm wanting some better tools than the Crapsman that I have, and I'm curious what others use. And I'm not looking for someone to convince me that Crapsman isn't crap...because it is...accept it and move on.
I have the old Snap-On and bluepoint stuff from the 60's~70's bullet proof! the new stuff not so much. Mac is good as well. another fav of mine is SK. and for the air guns, IR a bit more money but worth it. the one thing is there is almost never enough tools, I have at least 5 different sets of open/box wrenches and ratcheting wrenches. 1/4~3/4" sockets, swivel etc.. extensions. so far I have 3 tool cases full -the rolling ones-. maybe I do have enough tools....NAH where's that catalog again. I do have some craftsman tools, from the 30's & 40's, now that is a SOLID BUILT tool!
Thanks guys. I agree that old Craftsman was a well built tool, but we're talking old. Anything in the last 25 years is crap. I was wondering about the Snap On Blue Point. Seems like it's their attempt at the cheaper Chinese tools, which kinda scared me away. 10 years ago when I was wrenching on my Alfa's, I was friends with an A&P mechanic in Texas who always had a bag of Snap On tools in his truck. After using those wrenches on nut/bolt heads rounded completely by Crapsman and seeing how easily they would remove the most hopelessly rounded nut/bolt head, I was sold. Ditto on the screw drivers.
I have a related question...I was watching a Karting race on Speed the other day that was sponsored by Snap-On. They were advertising franchises where you could have your very own Snap-On truck and drive around and sell tools to all the garages. Does anybody think this would be a viable business? My gut check would say that they are too expensive and don't wear out fast enough to make this a very ready sale - but I guess I could be wrong. (for me, most of the inventory would probably migrate from the Van into the Garage...) BTW, I concur that the Sears line is not what it used to be, and my Father and Grandfather swore by them.
I think most of the drivers finance the tools for guys they stop in at the shop on payday, do layaways and such .men tend not to shop around and snap-on and Mac do all their sales (at least they used to) through the truck/store dealer so if you want them, that is where you need to buy them .and pay list price.
I have old craftsman and new snap on. The other favorite tools are 2 pieces of rubber hose. The short piece is for removing / inserting spark plugs. The long piece is for beating myself over the head for not having a car with a warranty
Another friend of mine who worked at various dealerships said the Snap On truck came by every week. The guy would lure all the mechanics into the truck with Tootsie Rolls. His wife hated the Snap On truck. She said they'd be paying a bill to Snap On for the rest of their lives. Maybe not her, since they are divorced now. "By this tool for only $5/month....for 10 years." I think they do a thriving business.
Depends on the dealers route, you get a route with a few large dealers w/ 20-30 techs that always have some entry guys that need everything and you can do o.k. as a tool dealer. You get a route with just indys that have a bunch of old guys that are tooled up and you do not so good. Snap-on gives you your route and frowns on you straying from your territory. Snap-on is popular, AST makes some good stuff, Stahlwille is good if you can stomach the price.
I am happy with my Crapman, but different folks different jokes. I cannot readily find any Snapon or Mac truck, and the other tool stores don't have as many choices as Sears. I have a few Snap on tools, a few mac tools, and air tools are IR, with a loud Sears Compressor. So convenience wins out for many of us, me included.
Here's the other thing I like about my Craftsman wrenches/tools... on Sunday afternoon if I do break one I can get a new one, no questions asked, just by driving over to Sears - in five minutes or less. Break a Mac or Strap-On and you've gotta call someone and then wait... and I don't know what there warranty is like after you do the waiting...
What did I say!!! Ha, Ha. Just kidding. I too have a garage full of Craftsman, which was fine for the occasional minor jobs on the daily drivers. But for the Ferrari, I want something that isn't going to let me down...like Craftsman has. And as far as being able to go to Sears and get it anytime, I was there yesterday because I needed a 14mm hex key socket. They didn't have it. I was amazed that I actually have seen more tools in autoparts stores locally than I did at Sears.
My hand tools are all craftsman....and I do break a lot of them, ratchets mostly and it's a 30-40 minute trip for me. Breaking tools s*cks. I just try to have at least 2-3 or everything and collect the broken ones until Im head toward sears anyway. I just figured I was breaking them because Im just plain rough with tools. I did notice the sellection doesn't seem to be what it once was either...but that could just be that my needs are much more obscure these day since I already have multiples of the common stuff.
Snap-on is the best. They have a good website now and sell at a discount from the truck, IIRC. Mac is not as it once was. Cornhole (oops, meant Cornwell <grin>) is bargain basement stuff, best avoided... S-K is the best value. Owned by Facom, again IIRC. I have stuff from Hazet (love my old rollaround Assistant) and Stahlwile, as well as some USAG and Beta (both the latter no better than Craftsman), but really believe that when the stuff is in your hands, it needs to be smooth, well made and well balanced... That said, for the home mechanic, there's a lot of value being able to go to the Sears store 'til 9 PM when you need a tool replaced... -Peter (too many times suckered by the $10/month for life...)
Nothing but Snap-On for me. I've had them work on stubborn bolts, screws, whatever that other even fine quality tools couldn't handle. Pricey, but arguably worth it if purchased new at list price. Fortunately, years ago I found a guy whose hobby was buying and selling used Snap-On tools in impeccable condition at 50%+ off of list price. Sometimes he even had new stuff that was bought but never used by guys who then liquidated it at low prices. The Snap-On web site and on-line store is very good, and sometimes offers promotional discounts. Also, if you are buying from the truck it never hurts to ask for a discount. Don;t ask, never get...and the worst he cn do is say no ! Mike
Sorry, but I have to disagree. While Craftsman may not be the "designer tool" of the day, they still represent the best value out there in my opinion. Properly used, they rarely break, and they don't tear up nuts or bolts any worse than any other tool--if used properly. When abused, they will break and not work as intended. My experience has been that using the proper tool for any job is really the key--regardless of brand name. Also, as previously mentioned, the marketing/sales departments at Snap-On have it figured out and know how to guarantee their futures with customers who just have to have the whole collection through "convenient" financing!
As but one example, Craftsman open ended wrenches are made of a lower grade of steel so that they flex, thus rounded heads on nuts and bolts. Snap On (and I assume others of higher quality) do not have this problem. I've experienced it first hand with attempting to remove a bolt using first Craftsman and then Snap On on a completely rounded bolt head. The Snap On took it right off with minimal effort after I had been fight with it using a Craftsman wrench for 20 minutes and rounding it in the process. I'm not looking for a bargain, which I agree Craftsman is (maybe). I want quality. I won't say cost is no option, but it's way down on the list.
i've got two busted snap-on ratchets, a 3/8" and 1/2" on both the ratcheting pawl sheared some teeth. both of them are only about 15yrs old. that's the only snap-on tools I've busted. craftsman, sheesh the things don't stay together long enough to make it even worth while. the sockets crack looking at them sideways. the box wrenches flare open, the screw drivers snap etc... i've got both snap-on and SK and the snap-on have great ratchets and screwdrivers, SK has good sockets and pliers and the new ratcheting wrenches are some of the best I've used, the degree of rotation is small very small so using them in tight spaces is a life saver. that's one thing I'm picky about. make sure what ever you buy has a small enough degree to work in tight spots, over an 1" of travel and no 'lock' is a real pain to work around. and swivel on sockets are another great tool. see, you just can't have enough tools
Hi Scott. The SK ratchet you are talking about is actually made by Facom, and I have broken all of them I have ever owned, but I still love them. The good news is: Snap-On has a brand new line of ratchets. Our guy is supposed to get them this week, and they are the same style as the Facom, but have more teeth on the pawl for more engagement. I am excited about them. I think this is it: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=79845&group_ID=20864&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog The new snap-on catalog also has some nice looking DOHC camgear lock kits that look pretty clever. As far as the original post? I am simply convinced that Snap-on is the best. I have tried many other tools, many times, and I always come back. Jay
A great man once said: "Dammit, Beavis, ya gotta have the right tool for the job...huh..huh...huh" - Butthead While I'm just a weekend warrior, getting into battle and not having the right ax could mean life or death. Any serious wrenching on my 328 will be done at the shop you were at recently, Scott, here in Hsv, AL. I haven't been to Mike's shop yet, but I'll be in there eventually for cam belts. I just can't part with Red yet.
Craftsman and craftsman professional on occasion here. I come from a "Sears" family. (Interesting fact - my Dad had me on his Sears card, which was opened before I was born - INSTANT credit rating boost!). My dad and grandfather have drawers of craftsman stuff. I'm not a pro tool user / mechanic, but they get a fair amount of use. I haven't seen any problems really. By the way, if you're rounding out a bolt with an open ended wrench, you shouldn't be using an open ended wrench. You can use a flare nut ("brake line") wrench! Saved me many times. Have a whole set of 'em in all sizes. I think the craftsman professional pliers and screwdrivers are particularly good. I use the pro stubby wrenches all the time. I like their new style "tear drop" shape ratchets as well. You can do a lot worse than craftsman, I'm sure.
I like Craftsman because there is a Sears about 2 miles from my house. Anything I need is just a couple minutes away.
