Tool brands..what's good? What's not?

["Turbo-T"]

I wanted to see what some of you have experienced with different tool brands in terms of quality and durability as well as longevity.

Thinking about replacing all of my "non Craftsman tools" with Craftsmans unless you think I should go for something like Snap On or Mac.

Some of the tools in my box are made by Great Neck and Stanley. Not sure how good they are but for the time they got the job done.

I already have some Craftsman tools that I like, I don't know why...but they seem like they're fairly rugged at least IMO.

Anyone else like Craftsman? or have a particular brand tool they prefer?

 

[Royal-T-Ltd]

Craftsman hand tools are fine and guaranteed forever... SnapOn, MAC, Cornwell are nice tools too... but cost $$$$ and probably arent as convenient in purchasing/ and/or replacing unless you work at a garage and have a tool guy who regularly stops by.... YOU WILL BE FINE WITH CRAFTSMAN... if it breaks take it back..... i just purchased a 302 piece ratchet/socket set that was half off after thanksgiving... i guess i will be giving my other ratchets, etc to my wife...

on a side note i am not a big fan of their older cordless drills... they suck ASS... my dads 12v Dewalt ran circles around my 18v craftsman, however i have no experience with their newer lithium ion battery units.... my dads Hitachi stuff looked and worked pretty good too

 

[rmar]

If you are talking home use Craftsman are fine. If you are trying to make a living with of just want to keep up with the Jones's Snap off is fine.....my .02......:biggrin:

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

Thorson s/k matco mac snap on blue point much better than craftsman.

Ive had s/k screw driver kits for 10 years and no wear and tear on them, same goes with the matco small bit kit. Actually ive had most of my tools for 16 years and never any major issues with them, not many from sears.

Craftsman is great if you break it and can take it back to the sears building.

 

[fastlif]

I use mostly craftsmen, on wrenches I use the professional series that are fully polished and they are much better than the standard wrenches that everyone has. Same on the screwdrivers, the "pro" series are better than the standard red/blue ones. I only use Snap-on/Mac etc on ratchets and torque wrenches etc. The "pro" craftsmen ratchets look good but the heads are just as weak as standard IMO. Sockets I use standard Craftsmen and never had any issues.

 

[mat231v6]

snapon

 

[getchasum]

I have mostly craftsmen due to the value, my only gripe w/ them is they tend to pit and rust easier than a truly quality hand tool.

 

[Turbo Indian]

I have some old Stanley toos & I will tell you that I love the 3/8" drive sockets & ratchet. s/k also makes real nice tools @ a very reasonable price.

 

[Royal-T-Ltd]

I agree, forgot to mention, most of the stuff i got is the Professional versions.... and the wrenches are the polished versions, my ratchets are the thin line, tear drop shaped unit and are much better IMO than their standard ratchets..

 

[turbo nasty]

Snap On ratchets are hands down superior to Craftsman. The ratchets mechanism is waay stronger and lasts.

 

[Dr.drivability]

Snap On, huge diff in screwdrivers and wrenches. They just seem to grab the fasteners! Flank drive plus wrenches are the best IMO!!!

 

[aminga]

While the craftsman are good and are warrantied think about this. It's 2AM you're trying to get ready for the race the next day and you bust a ratchet. My policy is buy the best I can afford with a few excptions. If it's something for a project and it's a one shot deal I'll go to Harbor freight

 

[toofastforyou]

Mac...

Mac tools...

Claude. :smile:

 

[Randy Greenoe]

Dollar for dollar Craftsman.Most of the professional mechanics buy Snap On,Mac,Matco,etc because they make small weekly payments. I have had many of Craftsman tools for 30 plus years and do ALOT of wrenching with them and could never understand why someone would pay $100 for a ratchet when I could fill a small toolbox for $100 with Craftsman. The tool doesn't make the mechanic.

 

[DailyDrifter]

Are you looking for hand tools or airtools? For Airguns I have a 3/8" MG-31 from snap on and a 1/2'' IR Titanium series, both guns have alot of power and the IR is whisper quiet. For open ends, Craftsman will deflect and increase your chances of rounding off the bolt head, Snap on's are less prone to this. For the weekend warrior there is no problem with Craftsman. If you have the money and the tool will be used frequently I would step up to Snap-on, mac, or cornhole tools. It is nice when you can buy $5000 worth of tools and only pay xxx amount per week.

 

[DIAZ 87]

I would say that 70% of my hand tools are mostly craftsmen tools,but i prefer to purchase snap on and mac tools instead.

 

[DIAZ 87]

Are you looking for hand tools or airtools? For Airguns I have a 3/8" MG-31 from snap on and a 1/2'' IR Titanium series, both guns have alot of power and the IR is whisper quiet. For open ends, Craftsman will deflect and increase your chances of rounding off the bolt head, Snap on's are less prone to this. For the weekend warrior there is no problem with Craftsman. If you have the money and the tool will be used frequently I would step up to Snap-on, mac, or cornhole tools. It is nice when you can buy $5000 worth of tools and only pay xxx amount per week.

thats the reason i started only buying more professional grade tools like snap on and mac tools.

 

["Turbo-T"]

Are you looking for hand tools or airtools?

Hand tools....like wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, etc. Also these are for my personal use in the garage.

 

[DailyDrifter]

Hand tools....like wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, etc. Also these are for my personal use in the garage.

I've snapped my share of chrome Craftsman sockets just by using a ratchet. I would buy the snap-on sockets, ratchets, and wrenches. I would find a Snap-on truck and get a catalog and price sheet. They have a wide variety of tools. I have a nice set of stubby ratching wrenches and they are great for tight spots.

 

[Rodney87GN]

For the average home mechanic Craftsman works fine. I have mostly Craftsman and a few Snap on hand tools for home use and wrenching on the car. But at work we use Snap On exclusively (I'm an aircraft mech). Eventually I'd like to transition all my home tools to Snap On.