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re: Is Craftsman still the best brand of hand tools?
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:35 pm to Clames
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:35 pm to Clames
Meh. I do this kind of stuff occasionally
And I've never heard of any of those brands. Doesn't sound like getting a replacement would be as easy as flagging down the tool truck for most people.
And I've never heard of any of those brands. Doesn't sound like getting a replacement would be as easy as flagging down the tool truck for most people.
2
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:36 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
anxiously awaiting his response. 
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:42 pm to meauxjeaux2
He's probably right. The guy knows his shite (or is extremely good at google) and that stuff probably is built better than snap on. Best goes beyond build quality though, and I have access to a snap on truck, a proto dealer, etc. If I broke one of those Japanese jobs it'd probably involve a could days of back-and-forth and shipping tools both way.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:46 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
not even what i was referring to. Snap on also has an industrial line of tooling that is used in the aerospace,military and space programs.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:47 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I occasionally stuff like that as well as anything else that requires hand tools, like installing industrial hydraulic presses, lathes, boilers, etc. As such I'm always keeping an eye out for something else if it works. KTC makes great flex-head ratchets btw.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:48 pm to High C
I actually work for a distributor who has allowed me to see the foundry and manufacturing facility for many tool companies...
That being said.
Hand Tools: Proto (best intersection of quality and price) Made in the USA, Great quality, not as expensive as Snap-On.
Power Tools: Makita (owned in Japan, made in USA) Developed the brushless motor and has the best technology as well as durability in the market. Of the other two...Milwaukee makes a nice brushless drill/driver kit and good cordless tools. I would never buy dewalt anymore..they are a marketing company now, not a power tool company. The innards of their tools/batteries is frightening compared to the others.
My $.02
That being said.
Hand Tools: Proto (best intersection of quality and price) Made in the USA, Great quality, not as expensive as Snap-On.
Power Tools: Makita (owned in Japan, made in USA) Developed the brushless motor and has the best technology as well as durability in the market. Of the other two...Milwaukee makes a nice brushless drill/driver kit and good cordless tools. I would never buy dewalt anymore..they are a marketing company now, not a power tool company. The innards of their tools/batteries is frightening compared to the others.
My $.02
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:51 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Sears doesn't own Crafstman anymore...Stanley does if I remember correctly.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:51 pm to Clames
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:52 pm to LafTiger
quote:correct which Black & Decker owns.
Sears doesn't own Crafstman anymore...Stanley does if I remember correctly.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:53 pm to LafTiger
So what's the new name in value for a home mechanic? Proto is fantastic but very expensive for an occasional under the hood job. Craftsman was always the go-to for a regular handy man that needed some affordable quality.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:57 pm to Captain Rumbeard
This was a long time ago.
They ran a family tool distributorship in Metairie, until he died and his father retired.
They ran a family tool distributorship in Metairie, until he died and his father retired.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 2:59 pm to meauxjeaux2
Almost never see Snap-on with the military shops. Wright, Knipex, Stanley-Proto, Armstrong, Danaher...lots of brands. A basic armorers kit will probably have 10 different brands.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:00 pm to meauxjeaux2
No bias there... 
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:02 pm to Clames
I know that a lot of times a military tool set will be whatever the manufacturer recommends. When we sell government we often sell tools as well, which of course are the brands of our preferred vendors. That's probably at least part of the reason those guys end up with a mixed bag.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:08 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
It's a sad day today to hear Craftsman is no longer a trusted tool here in the USA.
The fact this thread is filled with debates about offshore manufacturing of tools is even worse.
Someone needs to start making tools here in the USA again using American steel. Price I'm sure would be the same as a small corner lot.
The fact this thread is filled with debates about offshore manufacturing of tools is even worse.
Someone needs to start making tools here in the USA again using American steel. Price I'm sure would be the same as a small corner lot.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:08 pm to meauxjeaux2
Craftsman Pro ratchets are legit. I don't like rubber on my ratchets. 50% of sockets made are good enough for almost everyone. 25% of sockets made are good for everyone. I've broken and rounded out a bunch. Only problems I've had with Craftsman ones were the chrome coming off of one that I used because I lost that impact socket. I've exploded two cheap brands, and opened up maybe four or five. Those include Kobalt, Husky, HF, Duralast, and Crescent. I ALWAYS break Duralast tools. Never once had one last.
Wright Tools for wrenches. I have a Gearwrench ratcheting set that have about 1/4 of the open ends opened up. Ratcheting parts all still work.
I use HF Pro impact sockets. All impact sockets are basically the same. Swivel sockets, I like Matco.
Klein for most pliers. Their Journeyman stuff is very nice. Knippex can get thrown in there, but is way overpriced IMHO. Channellock for channellocks. Like Downshift said, Rigid for pipe wrenches.
Klein for T-handle allen wrenches. I like Wiha screwdrivers and Greenlee electrician screwdrivers (small ones).
Most of my pneumatic mechanic's tools are IR. I have a 3/8" Craftsman Pro impact, a broken 1/2" IR QT impact, and my new Nitrocat impact. I like the Nitrocat the best.
Battery tools, Milwaukee is my favorite brand. We use Makita almost exclusively at work (high production carpentry shop) without problems. I just like the modularity of Milwaukee stuff. I have a bunch of their 12v tools, and an 18v Makita set.
Craftsman has good beginner sets. Pair them with the pro line ratchets, and he'll be happy.
*For those asking about Craftsman returns at Sears, I just swapped out two screwdrivers last week for free
Wright Tools for wrenches. I have a Gearwrench ratcheting set that have about 1/4 of the open ends opened up. Ratcheting parts all still work.
I use HF Pro impact sockets. All impact sockets are basically the same. Swivel sockets, I like Matco.
Klein for most pliers. Their Journeyman stuff is very nice. Knippex can get thrown in there, but is way overpriced IMHO. Channellock for channellocks. Like Downshift said, Rigid for pipe wrenches.
Klein for T-handle allen wrenches. I like Wiha screwdrivers and Greenlee electrician screwdrivers (small ones).
Most of my pneumatic mechanic's tools are IR. I have a 3/8" Craftsman Pro impact, a broken 1/2" IR QT impact, and my new Nitrocat impact. I like the Nitrocat the best.
Battery tools, Milwaukee is my favorite brand. We use Makita almost exclusively at work (high production carpentry shop) without problems. I just like the modularity of Milwaukee stuff. I have a bunch of their 12v tools, and an 18v Makita set.
Craftsman has good beginner sets. Pair them with the pro line ratchets, and he'll be happy.
*For those asking about Craftsman returns at Sears, I just swapped out two screwdrivers last week for free
This post was edited on 5/8/17 at 3:11 pm
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:11 pm to Hammertime
best tool i've bought in a long arse time. Don't ever reach for the pneumatic anymore.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:12 pm to meauxjeaux2
Used mine last Friday
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:15 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
So what's the new name in value for a home mechanic? Proto is fantastic but very expensive for an occasional under the hood job.
Nothing mid-level that's USA-made really. Armstrong, Wright, SK, Williams (Snap-on owned), Proto...you are going to pay a bit. You are buying good tools though. I look for online sales, pawnshops, estate sales, etc. I don't care if they are a little dinged up, they are going to get that way anyway and I'm perfectly happy to do a little restoration work on a good tool.
Posted on 5/8/17 at 3:16 pm to Hammertime
I can do anything I want around my house and about 60% in the shop with a Milwaukee 1/2" Impact, 3/4" Impact and that ratchet.
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