What brand of tools do YOU buy?

[RANDY P]

Doing research on tolerances got me thinking- what is a good wrench, and why? What brands of hand tools are you loyal to? Do you buy Craftsman, or do you insist on Snap-On or whatever?

90% of what I own is Craftsman pro, premium and industrial- and all the USA made sockets. I stay the hell away from the short, raised panel wrenches and prefer full polished long pattern. I also buy truck tools but only if a good deal- used or otherwise.

What say you?

[widebody911]

For tools I care about, I buy name-brand. If I think I will just need a tool once or twice, or I need to modify a tool for a specific job, I get Harbor Freight.

[BRPORSCHE]

I am a big fan of Kobalt for my work tools.

[mattdavis11]

Crapsman works great on the Japanese cars, snap-on for the German cars.

[RANDY P]

Craftsman is what I bought since it was USA made. Nowadays only certain premium wrenches and "Industrial" branded tools are USA. The rest is Chinese.

Whats sad is the Industrial level is just the old raised-panel wrenches but made in USA, and the former professional level- with Truck pricing.

I won't buy Chinese tools.

[Jrboulder]

I used to be fine with anything. Then I picked up a pair of 13mm and 17mm snap on wrenches at a consignment store. The way they grab the fastener is unreal compared to the other wrenches I've used. Tools like wrenches are pretty much a one-time investment so I think I'm going to go with name brand stuff from now on. All my wratchets and breaker bars are JH Williams.

[GH85Carrera]

It depends on what tool I need.

If it is the standard stuff I have it already. That leaves the specialty tools. Often it is snap on or a professional tool to find some things. If I only need it for one job I can't see spending big bucks on a one time tool.

I am lucky in that there is a local tool store that sells three levels of tools. They have the cheap Chinese, mid range Indian tools, and the good that stuff locked up. I bought one set of cheap long length open end wrenches that range from 17 to 36 mm. I don't need a 32 mm open end often but it is handy on occasions. They are made in India and not professional level but more than adequate for the few times I need them.

When I needed a head temp sensor install tool I bougt a cheap Chinese socket and went after it with a Dremel.

When I needed an 11 MM crowfoot line wrench only Snap on had it.

[Scott R]

If for no other reason than the Snap-On line is much more ergonomically friendly for me.

[BReif61]

Mine are all Craftsman or Kobalt. Never had any issues either way.

[jcommin]

I tend to buy the premium brands. Tools are an investment to me. I also look at used Snap-on.

[sammyg2]

Depends.
I have a few snap-on pieces, a great deal of proto, some HF stuff, most of my sockets and ratchets are craftsman.
I really like the proto stuff, even the cheaper challenger versions.
A lifetime of collecting a few pieces at a time. No junk or it would have been tossed long ago.

I never have and never will never pay retail for that over-hyped snap on stuff.
The snap-on pieces I have were picked up at garage sales etc. at a "reasonable" price.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I won't buy Chinese tools.

I avoid it like the plague as well. I will gladly pay more for a US made tool. I honestly don't understand the 'I'm just using it once, so I'll go to harbor freight' mentality. If your going to use it that little, why not rent it or borrow it?

[Bill Douglas]

No particular brand but when I loose/break/wear something out I always by a better quality replacement.

[sammyg2]

My favorite ball socket hex key set (allen wrenches) and my favorite screw driver set were both made in China.
I'll reach for them before I'll reach for their more expensive American counter-parts.

SOME stuff made in China is very good, MOST is still junk.
I've yet to try any cutting tool made in China that was any good (saw blade, drill bit, etc).


When I was a kid, made in Japan was an insult meant to ridicule cheaply made garbage.
It evolved into meaning top quality.
Not that many years ago, made in Korea or made in Taiwan meant crap. Not so much anymore.

Try to buy a desent shop lathe for example. Say something with a 10' bed and 36" swing.
American? Not unless it's 40 years old and refurbished, and even then it'll cost way too much (2x). Japanese? Can't afford it. 4x the cost.

Korean and Taiwan? Now yer talking, price is right, quality is meh, OK.
Ain't gonna last 75 years like the American stuff used to, But no one could afford that quality anymore anyhow.
China's shop machines are getting better, almost as good as Korean but still much less expensive.

Pretty soon, made in China will be an attribute, not an insult. They're metallurgical know-how is improving each day. I figure they'll be one of the best tool manufacturing countries in less than 10 years.
After all, they only need to make their tools really smooth and really shiny (and slippery) and really expensive to be considered the best

[RANDY P]

I guess this is the new hardcore Taiwan built snappy competitor

Good reviews and pricing

[url=http://WWW.sunextools.com. might be a viable tool in the future. I won't replace my craftsman with Chinese stuff

[MMiller]

All the above poll choices...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Most sockets and wrenches are Craftsman, I'm a big fan of their laser etched sockets with big numbers and the full polish Professional combination wrenches. The rest is all over the place, usually dictated by who has the tool in stock at that point in time. I don't believe I own any Snap On, I am but a poor boy.....

With that said, I can't recall the last time I broke a wrench or other tool except for my abuse. I've gone through a few ratchets, ruined a lot of screwdrivers when using them as chisels or pry bars, and ruined some non-impact sockets when using them with an impact. I have a fine toothed 3/8 HF ratchet that's probably going on 10 years of hard use, I bought it on a whim and can't seem to kill it. I'm not a tool snob, if it works that is good enough for me.

[gtc]

Craftsman sockets, Gear Wrench wrenches, and this HF ratchet.

[RWebb]

you left off buying used, which is what I do mostly

I have a mix of Crapsman, Snap-Off and a few German Stahle, etc.

(for SAE I have a mix of old rusty crap)

a good wrench is strong, small (to fit into tight areas) and easy to clean up

[Nostril Cheese]

Constant use items like wrenches, sockets, ratchets are Snap On/Matco/Mac Tools

Everything else is Craftsman or if I need something quick, HF.