Cheap out on tools?

[theoldsone]

What is a general opinion on tools, do you guys believe there is a difference in today's tools out on the market such as Craftsman, Mac, Matco, Snap-on, Stanley, Blue point, etc. Whether you wrench at home or at work do you think its worth buying top dollar tools from high rep. Companies. I personally don't like ANY tools that give me problems even if it has a lifetime warranty. I can say i have definitely broken Craftsman ratchets and sockets BY HAND! I can get them replaced but whats the point if i can go big and not worry about a flimsy ratchet. This is why I'm switching over to Snap-on tools. I am curious as to what tools are you guys using.

 

[truracer20]

I like Mac better than Snap On for pricing as well as local service. I used to swear by Craftsman hand tools. Even back in the mid 90's when I was working in a diesel truck shop doing power train work. I never had issues with them. But at some point after that all of their tools went down in quality. I won't waste my time with Stanley, love their old stuff but they make some of the worst crap on the market today.

 

[online170]

I will cheap out on tools as much as possible. I have bought the lowest of the lows. I have used them in both a personal and a professional capacity. In a professional sense, forget it. Being stopped for a tool is just stupid and loses money. In a personal sense, it depends how intense you are getting with your wrenching. Id say once you move past basic car care, and into engine building, chassis repair, body, etc the good tools pay off, and help you hang onto your knuckles better.

I have a mixed set of cheap and decent tools. Craftsman, Mastercraft, Snap On, and then some no-name stuff. The crappier tools are self filtering by me getting angry and chucking them, or them breaking.

I gotta say, today's crappy tools, are about 10 times crappier than the crappy tools of the 90's. For example, i like my wrenches to remain one size while im reefing on them, and not expand and kill my knuckles....

 

[DRIVEN]

I'm not much of a tool snob, really. As I get older I tend to spend money on better quality if I can afford it. I grew up in a Craftsman house and still use some every day that I purchased when I started 20 years ago. I like SnapOn but I find them ridiculously over priced. Generally, I only buy things that are on special. Our Cornwell guy is outstanding. He gets most of my tool money. I've also been known to buy stuff on CL if it's a deal. My welder, plasma cutter, torch set, drill press, band saw, bench grinder, belt sander, and several 4" and 5" grinders, and even my waste oil furnace were all purchased used.
Bought this tub of old tools last winter for $100. Some of the Cornwell wrench sets date back to the '20s and '30s. There was a full set of 3/4" sockets too. Some stuff I gave away. Some I just tossed.

 

[dr..mach]

I will spend the money on good tools and have never regretted it. I have a lot of Blackhawk tools in my tool box. Lifetime warranty and since I get them through my local CarQuest store I don't feel like I am getting gouged by the often higher priced tools off of the trucks. A good friend has nothing but Snap-On. Neither of us ever have trouble but I know I have spent less than he has.

 

[pow3rwagon]

I have a mixed array of tools. I have a good amount of hand me down craftsmen and have my full set of snap-on sockets that I but when I was at UTI. I also have a lot of the husky brand. I won't touch Stanley that stuff is garbage. I also do what driven has done and buy a lot of tools from craigslist if it's on the cheap

 

[bishop gp]

Sorry guys i gotta say pitsburgh pro is what i got but they use the same stamping as alot of tools im seeing lately

 

[jiho]

Everything's made in China now. Give up and buy Harbor Freight. 😀

 

[jiho]

I can say i have definitely broken Craftsman ratchets and sockets BY HAND! I can get them replaced but whats the point if i can go big and not worry about a flimsy ratchet.

Out of macabre curiosity .... in what situation were you using a ratchet where you could possibly break it?

 

[454cutlass]

Being a backyard mechanic... Just about everything I own is craftsman. If I dont own it and probably only use it once harbor freight is where its at.