John Woodard
Member
Oh ! The Snap-on man changed his route 
. Lowe's is subject to change brands again :angry:. Sears will be here forever.
. Lowe's is subject to change brands again :angry:. Sears will be here forever.
Best Tools Recommended
- Thread starter Rodger Tellefson
- Start date
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John Woodard
Member
I don't think think Sears will drop Craftman regardless of what happens , Craftman for Bench Top , no way !:blink:
I use Metrinch tools. One size will fit metric and SAE fasteners. I have beat the holy crap out of mine, and have NEVER broken one. I have two sets. One with 1/4" drive and 3/8 drive and another with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" drive. I have used the 1/2" drive sockets with my fathers Blue Point impact and I have not broken one. Mind you, I don't use the 1/2" drive set for my impact, but I have used them. I have owned the sets since 1997.
The only thing I do not like about them is that sometimes they hold the bolt or nut too tight. The thing I like best about them is that a small set will cover 90% of what I need.
A few years back, Dad and I were going to order two impact sets. One deepwell set and a standard set. The people we spoke to were plain outright jerks. We ended up telling them to screw off, in not that nice of terms, and we got some Husky's instead.
I paid 99.00 for the small set at 149.99 for the large set. We got them at Sears Hardware. They told us they were going to stop carrying them. A week after we got them, they had more of them, but the prices were much higher.
The thing I hate most about them is they arent made in the USA. They are great tools, but I really wish they were made in the USA.
Tom
The only thing I do not like about them is that sometimes they hold the bolt or nut too tight. The thing I like best about them is that a small set will cover 90% of what I need.
A few years back, Dad and I were going to order two impact sets. One deepwell set and a standard set. The people we spoke to were plain outright jerks. We ended up telling them to screw off, in not that nice of terms, and we got some Husky's instead.
I paid 99.00 for the small set at 149.99 for the large set. We got them at Sears Hardware. They told us they were going to stop carrying them. A week after we got them, they had more of them, but the prices were much higher.
The thing I hate most about them is they arent made in the USA. They are great tools, but I really wish they were made in the USA.
Tom
Thank You very much guys & gals. Looks like Craftsman is that hands down winner for value & cost effectiveness. Can't forget the heavy duty duct tape & 10 lb. hammer either.
A friend that is a certified Chrysler mechanic will use nothing but a Snap-on tool. He said Craftsman are great tools for the weekend warrior, but as a professional, they suck. They are too heavy and hurt his hands. A Snap-On is comfortable, tough, and very ergonomic.
If you are going to use it on maintenance for your personal vehicles, hands down, Craftsman is the way to go.
Tom
If you are going to use it on maintenance for your personal vehicles, hands down, Craftsman is the way to go.
Tom
Brian Hill 2
Member
Snap On is bad / Craftsman is good, I had used Snap On and cant get them replaced, they always say tool abuse. I also have armstrong tools from grainger, nice stuff.
Kevin Palmer
Well-Known Member
Ranger, that is an issue with the salesman. I have had many items replaced and my shop is about as abusive as it gets.
Tom, I am with you. For continual use Craftsman are just too big and bulky.
For the average home use I would think they would be just fine. I just can't seem to go any other direction than Snap-On after using them for 20 years...
Tom, I am with you. For continual use Craftsman are just too big and bulky.
For the average home use I would think they would be just fine. I just can't seem to go any other direction than Snap-On after using them for 20 years...
Rick Fullington
Member
A while back i had a problem returning a allen wrench to Sears. Kind of funny actually I broke a smaller one 1/8in or so and brought it to my local Sears, they said they did not sell single allen wrenchs so they couldn't replace it. Next day went back in with my 10 year old set in their little plastic pouch and they replaced mine with two new sets which also came with hard plastic holders. The new set actually contained a total of 22 standard allen wrenches instead of the 20 I brought in. The salesman said that was close enough because they will not give you a smaller set no matter what the circumstance.It is a great policy but I wonder sometimes how they make money.
Last edited by a moderator:
Wes Davis
Well-Known Member
Hey Rick its all numbers. How much could an allen wrench cost to produce. I am going to go with less than a penny.
For a home machanic, Craftsman tools are hard to beat. And I have beat an a few over the years, and have never had a problem getting a free replacement, some with upgraded features over the original.
I once shattered a 24" long 1/2" breaker bar by using a 4 ft piece of pipe as a handle extension and standing on the pipe. The guy at Sears laughted and said I must be pretty strong to break that bar, Then threw it in a draw with other broken tools and told me to go pick out a new one for free. Gotta love it!:wub:
I would recommend buying a small mechanics set of about 300 pieces. That will include both metric and SAE sockets, combination wrenches, allen wrenches, screw drivers, pliers , etc. That will cost about $300. You will also need some specialty tools like torque wrenches, and vehicles specific tools. Some specialty tools are used very infrequently and you are better off renting them on the rare occasions that you may need them.
One of the most overlooked tools to by for a home shop is an air compressor and some basic air tools, like a 1/2" impact wrench, 3/8" ratchet, air hammer, tire inflator. These tools can really speed up your maintenance jobs.
You will also need a good floor jack and at least two jack stands 4 would be better.
As you can see, over a few years you can spend a lot of money on tools.
I was in Sears tool department and once heard a little ask his mother "What all this stuff was". His mother said it was "A toy store for daddy's" :lol:
...Rich
I once shattered a 24" long 1/2" breaker bar by using a 4 ft piece of pipe as a handle extension and standing on the pipe. The guy at Sears laughted and said I must be pretty strong to break that bar, Then threw it in a draw with other broken tools and told me to go pick out a new one for free. Gotta love it!:wub:
I would recommend buying a small mechanics set of about 300 pieces. That will include both metric and SAE sockets, combination wrenches, allen wrenches, screw drivers, pliers , etc. That will cost about $300. You will also need some specialty tools like torque wrenches, and vehicles specific tools. Some specialty tools are used very infrequently and you are better off renting them on the rare occasions that you may need them.
One of the most overlooked tools to by for a home shop is an air compressor and some basic air tools, like a 1/2" impact wrench, 3/8" ratchet, air hammer, tire inflator. These tools can really speed up your maintenance jobs.
You will also need a good floor jack and at least two jack stands 4 would be better.
As you can see, over a few years you can spend a lot of money on tools.
I was in Sears tool department and once heard a little ask his mother "What all this stuff was". His mother said it was "A toy store for daddy's" :lol:
...Rich
Wayne Foy
Active Member
Rodger,
I have owned Snap on, MAC, Craftsman and other brand sets over the young years I have, and I have ALL Craftsman in my garage now. Jeff C and JK can tell you, I have 1 triple stack box and 1 low cabinet of just Craftsman tools. Trust me when I say, if its a hand tool, and I dont have it, YOU DONT NEED IT.
I have owned Snap on, MAC, Craftsman and other brand sets over the young years I have, and I have ALL Craftsman in my garage now. Jeff C and JK can tell you, I have 1 triple stack box and 1 low cabinet of just Craftsman tools. Trust me when I say, if its a hand tool, and I dont have it, YOU DONT NEED IT.
