I use the local stores, Lowes Harbor Freight, and used to be sears. Unless I need a specialty tool, I will buy a tool if it looks good. I have RARELY ever broken a tool that I don't think any tool would have stood up to the stupid way I used it. I still have Pittsburgh impact sockets for 20 years and haven't broken one.
Recommendation for tool set?
- Thread starter thunderball
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Another good set, if you're just looking for the basic sockets and ratchets, is Sam's Club sells a 200-something piece tool set for under $100. I got one for Christmas or a birthday a few years ago and it's a nice set. I keep it in my truck.
Hey, you guys who choke everytime you think of buying so much cheaper CHINESE, -- don't we deserve some financial breaks with our jobs having been sent over to China and our incomes being forced down because of unfettered immigration from the third world? Now's your chance to step up and buy American as has been pointed out in this thread. An 8 piece screw driver set that you can get for $70 which is only half the price the manufacturer sells it for under the Snap-on label, Now if that isn't the unbridled American greed I described in another thread, (door handles) I don't know what is. LOL!
Hey man, if you wanna buy Chinese, buy Chinese. The OP specifically referenced American tools. I'm just a used up, has-been mechanic. In my experience, most busted knuckles and rounded off fasteners could be avoided by using quality tools. You can buy some decent wrenches at Harbor Freight but they aren't SnapOn Flank Drive.
FWIW, I own tools made by at least a dozen manufacturers. I used to think it didn't really matter. I'm not a SnapOn snob by any stretch but there is a difference. Just my .02
FWIW, I own tools made by at least a dozen manufacturers. I used to think it didn't really matter. I'm not a SnapOn snob by any stretch but there is a difference. Just my .02
My experience/situation is a little different from most guys that are in the trade, simply because I'm a collision guy.
I have a fair amount of Craftsman bought 20-25 years ago, a bunch of Matco stuff, a little Snap-on, and maybe a half-dozen Cornwell.
My boss when I entered the business was a die hard Snap-on guy. He said I'd be sorry buying Craftsman because if I needed to get it warrantied, I'd have to take it to a Sears store (which at the time were everywhere, and one was on my way home). I guess he liked waiting a week for the truck to come by.
But, the real reason I bought Craftsman was a long polished combination "professional series" wrench set from Sears was $80, and included 7-19mm. The snap-on set was $339.00 and included 10-19mm.
I'm a body guy. IF I was a mechanic, I might have bought the snappys, but honestly, I have never had a complaint about the Cman set. BUT, I don't use them as much as a mechanic would. I use them a lot, but most of our stuff is where a socket and ratchet will get 'er done.
Of course there are some other names in the box...Lisle, K-D, gearwrench, mostly for specialty stuff.
I guess my point is: consider the use that they will see, and buy accordingly.
My junkyard box has a mix of stuff that was bought cheap at pawn, or donated/found stuff
Last thought, if you're going to buy off the truck, the driver/dealer makes or breaks the experience. We had a GREAT Matco guy and the Snap-on guy was a dick at my first job. Currently, we have a good Snap-on guy, a pretty new Cornwell guy that seems like a good guy, and are getting a new Matco guy after the first of the year, haven't seen his predecessor in like 5 years, despite calls to his cell, emails, and requests through the website.
I have a fair amount of Craftsman bought 20-25 years ago, a bunch of Matco stuff, a little Snap-on, and maybe a half-dozen Cornwell.
My boss when I entered the business was a die hard Snap-on guy. He said I'd be sorry buying Craftsman because if I needed to get it warrantied, I'd have to take it to a Sears store (which at the time were everywhere, and one was on my way home). I guess he liked waiting a week for the truck to come by.
But, the real reason I bought Craftsman was a long polished combination "professional series" wrench set from Sears was $80, and included 7-19mm. The snap-on set was $339.00 and included 10-19mm.
I'm a body guy. IF I was a mechanic, I might have bought the snappys, but honestly, I have never had a complaint about the Cman set. BUT, I don't use them as much as a mechanic would. I use them a lot, but most of our stuff is where a socket and ratchet will get 'er done.
Of course there are some other names in the box...Lisle, K-D, gearwrench, mostly for specialty stuff.
I guess my point is: consider the use that they will see, and buy accordingly.
My junkyard box has a mix of stuff that was bought cheap at pawn, or donated/found stuff
Last thought, if you're going to buy off the truck, the driver/dealer makes or breaks the experience. We had a GREAT Matco guy and the Snap-on guy was a dick at my first job. Currently, we have a good Snap-on guy, a pretty new Cornwell guy that seems like a good guy, and are getting a new Matco guy after the first of the year, haven't seen his predecessor in like 5 years, despite calls to his cell, emails, and requests through the website.
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I have SAE and Metric sets of those wrenches and they are some of the best tools Sears ever offered.
I have snap-on, craftsman, kobalt, harbor freight, gear wrench. My first tool set was a craftsman that my dad bought me and that began the uncontrolled spiral into tool debt lol. Love my snapon but only for certain things. Will always have craftsman in my box.
Up here we have Mastercraft from Canadian Tire. They had a professional line for years and every week something different was on sale. Eventually I acquired one of everything. Very good stuff and lifetime warranty. I will probably buy some big brand ratchets because they are the weak link but I use all of it, even at work. Just start buying bits and pieces, you will eventually fill out your tool set with what you like. FWIW I use DeWalt power tools and they are very good.
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