WHAT'S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?

[CWPottenger]

My toolbox is all USA Made Craftsman tools. I have some odds and ends Snap-on, Mac,S&K stuff. I continually pick up US MAde Craftsman from yard sales, auctions, pawn shops, Ebay, etc. So sad they sold out to China Crap nowadays. As for where to find Us Made tools, I have seen a large number of tools @ Menard's are US MAde and some Dewalt tools are US Made. Like almost everything today you have to look at every label to know.

Most people who have earned a living with hand tools will tell you the inexpensive stuff costs you time, money, and get you injured when it fails.

Totally true! I will save for the quality US made tool before I buy a cheap piece. Long ago I learned that spending the larger $ first is much better in the long run then spending it multiple times.

 

[DRIVEN]

I still use a lot of older Craftsman sockets but have mostly rotated my Craftsman stuff out to home duty as my work tools get upgraded. Works box is about 50% Snap On while the other 50% is split up between Mac, Matco, Cornwell, S*K, Proto, Craftsman, Plomb, Williams, and a couple oddball HF pieces. I've had some great luck over the years watching CL for deals. I bought this tub full of old USA tools for $100 that had A fill set of large wrenches, a set a 1/2" sockets, 3/4" sockets, offset wrenches, etc.

Also picked up a bunch of small engine stuff for $20.

There are deals out there if you look for them. I come from a long line of tightwads so it's hard from me to pay full retail off the truck. As I get older I've gotten a better appreciation for quality tools though so I tend to focus less on purely cheap in favor of less expensive quality stuff. Consequently, I've bought several things 2 or even 3 times as I upgrade. On the other hand, now I have some really good stuff at work, respectable stuff at home, and plenty of tools that I won't feel bad if I lose them at the wrecking yard.

Don't necessarily count out the offshore stuff completely. The quality has increase exponentially over recent years. For example, I think the Taiwanese(?) made Gearwrench stuff is pretty decent quality for the money.

 

[Bar50]

Craftsman boxes here.

Mix of mostly older Craftsman tools like wrenches and non-impact sockets. Ingersol-Rand air tools mostly. Some Matco, Cornwell, and Snap-on impact and wiggle impact sockets. Lots of used Kent-Moore transmission tools. Working on getting professional wrench sets as they show up at the pawn shop I buy most of my tools from.

Sears really seems to have changed directions in recent years, which really seems to hurt me, and they are closing my closest store. Further reinforces me buying professional tools used at the pawn shop. I am not a tool snob, but, wiggle impact sockets and the mid length sockets are a gift from God. The reaction-less air ratchet and the composite impact were money well spent. The long 1/2 to 3/8 extensions for bell housing bolts are money well spent as well.

I have Kobalt and Husky shorty wrench sets, because, really, how much torque can you put on them? I have been pleased with my Harbor Freight wobble end extension set in all the sizes.


I also hit the pawn shop to by tools to modify. Or, I learned that if I needed say a distributor wrench (I know, lost art and technology) I end up paying the same if I pick one or all of them in a pile...I have a soft spot for brake spring tools and spoons...have a small collection of those too. I am fortunate enough to have built a great relationship with an old school mom & pop style pawn shop (also seems to be a thing of the past).

 

[MrSony]

I just have a 239 piece socket and ratchet set. A couple harbor freight screwdrivers, and a few engine specific tools. That's all I really need.

 

[tc1959]

Just bought this, Sold my Matco roll cab . Trying to downsize, got boxes of tools collected over thirty years. Going to get rid of everything I don't need to keep the El Camino running. Got a lot of sorting to do what a mess...lol

 

[Bonnewagon]

I have more tools than brains. I have tools going back to the Model A and I hoard them like a psycho. I keep them in 3 separate roll-around 3 section Craftsman boxes as well as a dozen big flip top tool boxes. Power tools I keep in several big milk crates. I stocked up on Craftsman USA tool sets before I retired and I am glad I did. Then every time I need something special I will track it down, buy it, and save it for next time. Ebay is great for that and I have a bunch of Kent-Moore GM special tools. I go out of my way to grab USA tools and I am infuriated that our tool manufacturing base has been robbed from us by backstabbing corporate scumbags.

 

[DRIVEN]

Just thought I'd add, many of the "lifetime" warranties have loopholes and exclusions. When I first got into the biz 20+ years ago I had primarily purchased Craftsman because they were the best I could afford at the time. I went to Sears to warranty a couple sockets and happened to have my uniform on. They refused to replace them because there is a clause in their policy stating that "professional" use wasn't covered. Went bac a few days later in plain clothes and got new sockets without question.
Also, Snap On reps can refuse to warranty tools if you weren't the original purchaser. It's unlikely that any good rep would deny you (bad for future business) but they do have that option. I wouldn't be surprised if the other tool truck guys have similar official corporate policies.

Don't forget that large tool corporations have subsidiaries and also rebrand for box stores. Look into who is owned by who. I ran across a post over on Garage Journal about these screwdrivers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=gbody-20 and decided to pick up a set for my dad for Christmas. I compared them to my Snap On set and found them all but identical. Williams is Snap On's industrial subsidiary.

Obviously one of my Phillips doesn't match because I lost the SO years ago. Also, the small flat screwdriver doesn't have a hex for extra wrench leverage but I think it and the long one are technically electricians screwdrivers.
The warning is the same and part numbers are even similar. In my opinion they came out of the same factory.

Here is one next to a newish black 1/4 driver to compare texture of same color.


I wish there were more USA manufactured tools available from brick and mortar companies. Maybe in the coming years we'll see a trend toward made in USA products.

 

[TURNA]

Working/playing yesterday I snapped my USA 1/2" impact universal.

So now what???????

Do I go to Sears and trade it for a China one????

Or do I wait and hope Stanley starts making them in the USA again.

If I do wait (most likely)

What do I replace it with????? Home Dopey? Lowes? Duralast? Large rock and stick?

I can get one off a truck but I am just sick of them with there nonsense always a problem replacing a lifetime product.

 

[oxide80]

Personal tool box at home is a Craftsman 44" double stack box with "heavy duty" slides , Craftsman, Snap-On, and Mac tools. No brand loyalty for me. Second box I use professionally is Harbor Freight.... most tools are Harbor Freight... life time and very inexpensive.

 

[Texas82GP]

Working/playing yesterday I snapped my USA 1/2" impact universal.

So now what???????

Do I go to Sears and trade it for a China one????

Or do I wait and hope Stanley starts making them in the USA again.

If I do wait (most likely)

What do I replace it with????? Home Dopey? Lowes? Duralast? Large rock and stick?

I can get one off a truck but I am just sick of them with there nonsense always a problem replacing a lifetime product.

If you don't want to wait, look on ebay for a USA replacement. I just bought my dad a 7/8", 6-point, deep, 1/2" drive impact socket off of ebay and it is USA and was no more expensive than buying China locally. It did take a little careful searching though.