Tool brands?

[Geronimo]

Does it matter to you?

Do you have a preferred brand for the simple tools like wrenches and sockets?

Also what tricky little tools to you just love, like swivel head ratchet adaptors or stuff like that.

[jons911]

I see you're taking the practical approach to rebuilding your engine and planning things out in advance. Definitely something I wish I had done.

I've been very happy with my Husky sockets and wrenches. Everything still looks almost brand new even though I absolutely abuse them. The only piece I managed to damage was my socket adapter for reducing 3/8" down to 1/4". But that was because I also placed that on an adapter for my 1/2" drive socket. I'm sure you can imagine how a 1/4" drive might break under the torque you can apply through a 1/2" drive socket wrench. I also have a Stanley set that has done equally well.

[proporsche]

well? I have mine since 1985 most of them are Snap-on, but also Ferrari tools USAG are quite perfect fit ..and my tool box is special edition from Sears back in 1985....


sometimes you can find in clients trunk interesting things;-)

[billybek]

The only one of my tools that has ever branded me was my turbo torch...

As I get a little older, I look for tools that will do the job, not last for life.
I do have a mix of old school craftsman, Proto, Snap On, Westward and some Mastercraft stuff too.
It is a simple pleasure to use some of the high end tools but in reality decent tools with a good warranty will do the job.

[Bert87]

I like Tekton and Gearwrench.

[Bill Douglas]

No specific brand. But if I break of lose a tool I always replace it with the best I can buy. Quality is something it's hard to go backwards with.

[Geronimo]

Yea, I really want to get comfortable with my car and be able to tear it down and put it back together with easy.

I have a large Husky "pro" chest, it is surprisingly good IMO, not a mac or snap on, but i'd rather spend the money on parts not pro tools.

How do you like the gearwrench? Saw a guy selling a set of wrenches on FB.

[rwest]

I like Snap-on, but also have some of the old Craftsman from when it was pretty decent.

Good tools are a joy to use.

Warranty means nothing when the cheap tool rounds over the fasteners or breaks and your hand flies into an exhaust stud.

[Geronimo]

I was looking at wright tools, USA made, snap on quality or better priced reasonably for non-china tools.

[RWebb]

yes, some brands have a better rep than others.

In their engine building course, Jerry Woods used to give out dozens if not hundreds of tricks - after his death, his widow & family began selling a compilation of notes from the class for a nominal price - look in the back of Pano or etc.

one I recall is that the little Snap-Off sockets often broke when torquing the rocker shafts - Stahwille was stronger for that particular thing.

[Ayles]

I really like the older craftsman fine tooth ratchets, they have a really nice gear action. Seem to be available on ebay.

[jkuntze]

tekton now
usa made craftsman in past
harbor frieght for some like tool chests, some rachets their medium quality grinders some occasional use items

[wareaglescott]

Sonic
It helps that their USA distribution center is in my hometown and my buddy is the CEO. Great tools!

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by wareaglescott

Sonic
It helps that their USA distribution center is in my hometown and my buddy is the CEO. Great tools!

That's great to have that kind or resource in your back yard! Perhaps you can talk your buddy into shipping to Canada with a choice of a different carrier than UPS. I haven't purchased anything because I will not use them to ship here from outside the country.

[chrismorse]

Never never thought I'd say this about anything from HarborFright, but their "general" tool boxes are better than my old Craftsman rool around tool boxes. better drawer glides, thicker,(Chinese)steel, some nice features.

Otherwise,
Usually, if HF says 1/2 horse, you can expect about 1/4 power, many tool don't last long if pushed or used frequently - I broke almost every single piece in a bearing puller kit trying to remove a pilot bearing from my work truck.

Surprise
😎
chris

[dannobee]

There are enough old mechanics retiring nowadays that snap-on and mac sets can be found on craigslist for a fraction of their replacement cost. I'd search there first.

The vast majority of my work stuff was snap-on, but I also did it professionally and accumulated those over many years. For my home tools it was mostly craftsman (us made) and snap-on.

[schoward]

My craftsman roll around chests are 30 years old and still doing the job just fine like 99% of my craftsman tools, Stanley, ChannelLock and assorted others. I like Mac ; Kind of 'meh' on Husky. Not blown away by anything at HF. I think its pick and choose best quality you can get within reason these days.

Not one snap-on tool in my chest and I am fine with that. Never held me back.

[spyerx]

I have lots of Armstrong (now out of business, owned by stanley i think??) which are great hand tools
SK hand tools
USA craftsman
Channel Lock
Klein
And a bunch of harbor freight random stuff. Their recent quinn, doyle, and icon lines are actually pretty decent quality.

[Rodney Nelson]

Snap-on and Craftsman only. Others when I need something quick. It is nice when it is time to work on my car and I know I'm pulling out the best tools for the job.

When I grab my Snap-on ratcheting Screwdriver that has grooves in it for my thumb to get most torque and leverage, and the bits have grooves on them so they don't slip and strip out the screw, and the shaft is magnetic so it holds the screw and I can use it to pick up the screw if I drop it. The inside the handle compartment that holds all of the bits, the adjustable angled handle and replaceable shafts with different lengths.... This is just the screwdriver!

I was sold on Snap-on when at one of my jobs the machinist had the Snap-on truck come once a week. I walked into the truck and the guy told me just take it, pay me what you can next week.... that is how they get you. I still have those original go-to tools I bought back then. The best sockets and ratchet in my tool box.

Not all of my tools are Snap-on as they are just too expensive. My other quality tools are craftsman. Which I highly recommend as well.

My understanding is that their are few tool manufacturers out there and they are typically making tools for all of the brands, based on their specifications.

Personally, I will always buy the better brand if I'm going to use the tool again in the future.

[Trackrash]

Have you seen this?