I've been collecting all types of hand tools over the years and was curious to know what type of hand tools and other brand named tools you are using. For me, I started buying Snap-on wrenches and a few Mac tools, impact guns, air tools etc. Now I am happy with Craftsman tools. I still like the more professional tools though and won't give them up. I just don't want to pay the big price tag. What are you using?

Snap-on all the way

when it comes to my tools ..it has to be Snap-on..

I think Snap-On is the best tool out there. But they're SOOO expensive. I would love to have all snap-on, but I cant really afford it. I know you get what you pay for, but a lot of times you're just paying extra for the S-O name.

Mac was bought out by Stanley a couple years ago, and I think theyre using the Mac name on Stanley tools. Dont have much experience with either, so I cant say if thats good or bad.

I have a lot of Craftsman. Pretty decent for the most part, except that they cant seem to make a good ratchet to save their life. But they have an easy swap out for broken or worn out tools.

dave

Stahl Wille. Expensive but..

best tool I have are my Gear Wrench, Flex Head -ratcheting-combo wrenches. Totally awesome tools.

Crescent, leatherman and vise grips.

I have a box full of all kinds of different stuff.
Box is 4 section SnapOn--top cab, middle section, lower roll cab and a side box

Rachets are SnapOn

Sockets are mostly craftsman with a few Matco and SnapOn thrown in

Impact is Ingersoll Rand--without a doubt the BEST impact I have ever had and I have gone thru CP, Craftsman, and SnapOn

Air Rachet is SnapOn

Wrenches are mostly Craftsman with a few SnapOn

Just stuff I have accumulated over the years

snap on and MAC tools.
all others really is crap including craftsman.
old craftsman is good though.

I have proto and craftsman tools, I had them for over 20 years. So far they been holding its own, but I dont use it everyday eather.

I use Craftsman tools because they are reasonably priced, high quality and guaranteed for life. I don't think twice about using a Craftsman screwdriver for a pry bar since I know that if I break it I'll get a brand new one for free. Why pay triple the money for Snap-On when you can get a lifetime gauranteed tool for a third the cost?

Snap-on all the way

when it comes to my tools ..it has to be Snap-on..


The last three Snap-On specialty tools I've bought are labeled "Blue Point" which is quite irritating to me. I mean you are definitely paying Snap-On pricing, but not getting the proper label.

Jody

In the early 70"s, my tools were stolen. My brother and I had spent a few years building up a nice set. The "Mac" man gave us a very good deal on replacements so, many of mine are Mac and they are good tools. Ever since then, brother and I pick up what we need, what ever is in sale. I have Mac, a few Snap-on, and mostly Craftsman. I would think if you make your living with tools, buy the best. They last longer. For me, Harbor Freight is just fine and cheap. I have gotten years of use from their air tools with no problems. As for Craftsman, I like the fact that they are ten minutes away from me in case I need something or it breaks.

Shingle Hatchet and a come-along....

Mostly Craftsman and a BFH. Like everyone's said, they are easy to get replaced if you bust one of them. But after collecting stuff for some 30 years, I have a little of everything.

The last three Snap-On specialty tools I've bought are labeled "Blue Point" which is quite irritating to me.

Jody

The way my Snap-On dealer once explained it to me is - "if it says 'Blue-Point' fell free to beat anything with it - that's what they're made for...:) (him smiling at me)'
If it's a Hammer (or could be used as one :) [me smiling...] ) and it's on a Snap-On truck, then there's a good chance it could be a 'Blue-Point' tool.
Used to be their kinda-off-brand stuff, lower price with little or no warranty, but seems like more and more of their stuff has the 'Blue-Point' name on it and the same warranty over the last few years.
"I mean you are definitely paying Snap-On pricing, but not getting the proper label." - boy, you got that right :thumbsup:

Snap-On are about the best tools you can get when you get serious about mechanical work.

People seem impressed to see a Tool-Box with pneumatic tires and trailer hitch on it also... :D
And if I sold it I could buy a finished Camaro and not need the tools... hmmmmm :clonk:

John

ps: Jody, how you doing with the water up there? Things staying dry?

Crescent, leatherman and vise grips.
You forgot tie wire

When it comes to tools, I have a little of everything. Craftsman, Snap-on, Husky(Home Depot), Klein, Channel Lock, Stanley, Ingersol Rand, etc. When I need a tool I buy whatever looks good from whoever I can get it.

"Made in China"


Ok, I actually think I have something made from about every manufacturer mentioned above with few exceptions.

When I worked as a mechanic, there was no comparison whatsover to snap on or matco, never cared for the older mac stuff, ratchets were cheap and the wrenches were too square imo, but lots of guys liked them as well. But if youre just a home mechanic, craftsman is plenty good, with some exceptions. The real specialty type tools your'e better off with one of the pro brands.
In my home box its matco and snap on, a couple mac items, and craftsman. For electrical tools at work, klein and some others, and hands down Fluke testing equipment.
Basically anything american made is good for the home projects, the only thing that china crap is good for is disposable purposes, and you have to watch craftsman now, they slip in some china made crap here and there.

ps: Jody, how you doing with the water up there? Things staying dry?

Yeah John, we've been fine so far. The rivers/creeks have been flood stage, some minor flooding on the roads, but nothing major.

Thanks.

Jody

The tools I bought myself are Craftsman, and they work fine and hold up very well.

A few years ago, my sister in laws brother ate his shotgun (I barely knew him...) He was a pro mechanic, and my brother got to watch his toolbox for a few weeks before the other brothers got to it. He asked me if I needed anything, I told him "any wrenches bigger than 3/4, any air tools, any precision measuring stuff" He brought me a boxful some weeks later, including a bunch of the most gorgeous snapon combination wrenches... from 3/4 to and inch and 3/8 or so. Beautiful things, smooth, nicely curved, fit in your hand like it was born there, fits on a nut like it was forged in one peice. Wish I could afford to actually buy stuff like that.

For the last 30 years, Snap-on.

Mac and Matco I've been using for quite a while too.

Which ever tool truck pulls up outside at the time I need something, I buy.

I also really like the Craftsman stubby combination wrenches

Have earned a very good living as a bodyman for the past 31 years. 90% of my tools are CRAFTSMAN TOOLS kept in a CRAFTSMAN toolbox.:thumbsup:

best tool I have are my Gear Wrench, Flex Head -ratcheting-combo wrenches. Totally awesome tools.

I second that :thumbsup:

Craftsman guy here, would like to own Snap-on but they are a bit on the spendy side. Harbor freight for an occasional use tool.

Bob

I am a mechanic for the past 22 years and Snap On is the best, but I can still strip the gears in there ratchets, lol. But for the money you can't beat Craftsman.

Craftsman guy here, would like to own Snap-on but they are a bit on the spendy side. Harbor freight for an occasional use tool.

Bob


Bob, I thought Harbor freight tools were okay too, until the otherday when I went to tap/clean some threads on a main cap and the turn key for the tap broke in half. I think I paid around $20.00 for the Tap and Die set and used it about ten times before it broke. I guess I got my use out of it considering......Made in China!

Sockets etc Blackhawk...loverly balance
Grinders, drills, sanders Ryoby..these I consider disposable
Lathe ..Myford
Snips , stanley
Open enders Power tools
Compressor/ mig welder/ floor jack, cant rem and its raining outside.
Drill press Ryoby
Screw drivers what ever is on special and reasonable quality...dispoable.
Chainsaw Stahl
Reel mower Lawnmaster with briggs and stratton ...about 50 yrs old
Skill saw AEG
Triton Work bench
Axles stands hot rod...just replaced the old ones...brand long worn off
As whitworth are like hens teeth to source, my collection of spanners/sockets is an accumilation of yrs of collecting
Vice grips...these get screwed with welding, so disposable.
Saws Sandvrk
Chislies Very old Stanley 90 100 yrs old
Dollies/hammers very old have no idea now..beutifull steel thu
Engine stand/host custom home made

Crescent, leatherman and vise grips.

Its usually all I can find with a son 20 years old, so I have to agree with the above.:thumbsup:

LMAO...
Its usually all I can find with a son 20 years old, so I have to agree with the above.:thumbsup:
u are lucky, I have 2 Sons 16 /18 ...their m8s plus My daughters boyfriends lol
Sort of solved the prob thu..locked tool boxes..told them with m8s there to clean the work shop..Sons complained, "no time" the m8s go right into thu nps.

Mainly Craftsman. Not a tool snob - whatever is decent quality and hopefully made in the US.

A cheap tool in the hand of a good mechanic is worth alot more than a high dollar tool in the hand of an average mechanic. I myself am not considered a good to great mechanic therefore most of my handtools are Craftsman with Channellock pliers and cutters thrown in for good measure. My power tools are all Makita and Ingersol Rand because they have treated me better than anything else I've tried. Tracking down the Snap On guy is a pita because I don't work in shop so going to Sears to replace a tool is alot easier. I do alot of electrical work and Fluke is the only brand meter I will use though.