WHAT'S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?

[mikester]

I have a mix of tool brands. The majority of my sockets are Craftsman 6pt but I have some Proto 12 pt in the drawer too. Ratchets are Craftsman and Proto. I bought the Protos off of ebay. I even have SK 1/2" drive set that my dad gave me when I was 17. Im 63 now.
I always had mismatched brands of open end wrenches but about 12 years ago I bought a ton of Husky polished combination wrenches in SAE and metric. Theyve held up very well considering the price. I also have a few Proto, Snap On and Armstrong combination wrenches in the drawers making up for sizes that I couldnt get from HD.
Just before HD switched over to the black boxes my wife surprised me with a new roll away set. She knew I was looking to replace the small Remline combo that I had. I actually like the quality of the Husky box. Its held up very well. A year after I got the set I decided I wanted a side box. The local HD said they couldnt get it. I called the 800# that came on the paperwork and it was the Stanley company. They gave me the skew number and I got the first side box through HD. The following year I went back to get another one for the other side. Turned out Stanley stopped making that box with the Husky brand. The rep gave me the phone # for the plant in Smith Falls Ontario that produced the box. I had a choice. I could get the box branded MAC for big $$$ or I could get it branded Beach Tool without ball bearing slides for a lot less. You can guess which one I bought. The early red Husky boxes, some MAC, Blackhawk, some Proto, and Beach Tool boxes were all made in the same factory. I got lucky. Then I got the Husky emblems from Stanley. Done ! This box will be in my garage for a long time.

This was online. Its pretty interesting to see who makes what.
http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/

 

[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.

Here's a good used MAC USA for $15.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAC-TOOLS-V...157889?hash=item1ec57a7d41:g:bTgAAOSwuLZY4xq5

 

[TURNA]

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.

Ebay replacement means more money out of my pocket for something that was Guaranteed for Life

From what I heard since Stanley bought Craftsman Sears will no longer honor the guarantee.

Two guys from another forum went to have tools replaced and were told no.
When asked for the manager they were out to lunch of coarse.
After an entire day of jerking around they finally caught the manager made a huge scene and got there USA replaced with top dollar Chinese junk

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.

I also have no brand loyalty since most moved to China and upped there prices!!

I have no issue with Harbor Freight there sockets/wrenches are good and there no hassle replacement is great.

The issue I have is not being given the choice to buy American anymore when I go to the store.

Maybe it's me and maybe it's stupid but I just want to be able to look at a quality made tool with USA on it.

 

[TURNA]

Here's a good used MAC USA for $15.00
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=132162157889

Thanks just bought it.

Drives me nuts though.

Gonna go punch a cat!

 

[Texas82GP]

Ebay replacement means more money out of my pocket for something that was Guaranteed for Life

From what I heard since Stanley bought Craftsman Sears will no longer honor the guarantee.

Two guys from another forum went to have tools replaced and were told no.
When asked for the manager they were out to lunch of coarse.
After an entire day of jerking around they finally caught the manager made a huge scene and got there USA replaced with top dollar Chinese junk





I also have no brand loyalty since most moved to China and upped there prices!!

I have no issue with Harbor Freight there sockets/wrenches are good and there no hassle replacement is great.

The issue I have is not being given the choice to buy American anymore when I go to the store.

Maybe it's me and maybe it's stupid but I just want to be able to look at a quality made tool with USA on it.

I agree with you. I don't like buying tools made in China. It gives me no pleasure. I look forward to seeing Made in USA on Craftsman tools again. Maybe that will pressure places like Lowe's and Home Depot to onshore their tools. Given the choice, I will buy USA. I just can't afford Snap On, MAC, or Cornwell.

 

[TURNA]

I always had mismatched brands of open end wrenches but about 12 years ago I bought a ton of Husky polished combination wrenches in SAE and metric. Theyve held up very well considering the price. I also have a few Proto, Snap On and Armstrong combination wrenches in the drawers making up for sizes that I couldnt get from HD.
View attachment 64454

This was online. Its pretty interesting to see who makes what.
http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/

This is one of the things that drives me nuts.

I am real anal when it comes to my sets and I want a set to be a set.

I would have no problem buying a Husky wrench set.

if it breaks OK 5 minute drive to Home Dopey and foshizlle boom a new one.

The problem I do have with a Husky wrench set is that there biggest set is a 10 piece and then you have to fill in the gaps.


Also Husky is now an APEX brand. Went to Home Dopey to have a wrench replaced that was no longer made.

Was given the 1-888-HD-HUSKY number to call.

APEX answered, part no longer available go back to Home Dopey and receive your gift card for the purchase price.


And like i say to my wife when she has yoga pants on

NICE BOX!!!!!

 

[TURNA]

I a. Given the choice, I will buy USA. I just can't afford Snap On, MAC, or Cornwell.

I don't think anyone can anymore!!!

 

[mikester]

This is one of the things that drives me nuts.

I am real anal when it comes to my sets and I want a set to be a set.

I would have no problem buying a Husky wrench set.

if it breaks OK 5 minute drive to Home Dopey and foshizlle boom a new one.

The problem I do have with a Husky wrench set is that there biggest set is a 10 piece and then you have to fill in the gaps.


Also Husky is now an APEX brand. Went to Home Dopey to have a wrench replaced that was no longer made.

Was given the 1-888-HD-HUSKY number to call.

APEX answered, part no longer available go back to Home Dopey and receive your gift card for the purchase price.


And like i say to my wife when she has yoga pants on

NICE BOX!!!!!

Im pretty sure the Husky combinations that I have were made by Stanley. I never heard of Apex but the style of the open end changed. It reminds me of a lobster claw. Not as nice as the older wrenches. When HD was trying to compete with Sears they had decent stuff. Then it seemed like they discontinued almost all of the mechanics type tools almost overnight.
BTW, Home Dopey is a new one. I usually call it Home Dumpo. LOL

 

[shawn1112]

I have a mix of every and any brand you can think of. Not a full time mechanic but have done everything from an oil change to a trans install to a pro Charger install with my tools. I usually buy new sh*t on Black Friday, and if it's something I will only use a handful of times then it's HF

 

[383_GrandPrix]

Home Death spot... The local part store just changed to a new tool supplier "JET". Supposedly they're made in USA and Canada, I can't vouch for the quality as I haven't bought any.