Thread: Quality Mechanics Hand Tools

S K as I remember them were OK tools but not as refined as the more expensive tools and the ratchets were rugged but rather clunky! For my money, Craftsman all the way!

I own and use Craftsman, Kobalt, and Husky branded wrenches and sockets. Honestly, they are all about the same. I prefer full polished wrenches...and the Kobalt or Husky ratchets have a better "feel" for me.

My cousin, an ex diesel mechanic once had a set of Snap-On wrenches and broke one. He was close to a Sears or Home Depot. Running in there to purchase a replacement...He ended up breaking that one too several days later. Comparing each broken wrench, he said without the stamped name just visually it would be impossible to tell one from the other. It looked like same alloy and grain structure...
I know he hasn't bought Snap-On stuff for a long time.

For what it's worth.

Ray

I have two views and two sets of tools. I am a mechanic / millwright by trade. I perfer snap-on tools I use them hard every day and make my living with them. They have a better more durable chrome and tighter tolerences. They are the best they cost like the best. They are truely better than the rest.
I also have craftsman at home and in the truck. They are fine tools with a good replacement policy. The broaching on the wrenches is not as tight but they work.
If you are down on craftsman and don't want to pay for snap-on you might look at armstrong. I have sockets and rachets as well as a set of end wrenches and they seem to be of good quality at good price. Also keep in mind that if you don't have a tool man like snap-on or mac it is harder to get service. When I was starting out I kept an account with snap-on if you didn't owe he didn't always stop
Don

like junkinduck said snap-on is the best!! for someone who used it 8 hours a day but for someone who want tool to repair this and that craftsman its the way to go cause there cheap whit good guarantied..
my opinion
(personally i use mastercraft frome canadien tire who is basicaly the same )

Mate

I've been a tradesman (craft i think you guys call it) for nearly 20yrs and I join those promoting Snap-on.
The good thing about brands like Snap-on is that you can buy them second hand etc and still know that you're getting tools that have a lot of life left in them.

Over here (over there too, no doubt) Snap-on have travelling reps that you can buy direct from or speak to about warantee matters. I had a 17mm spanner that i had bent by using a length of pipe for more leverage. This is specifically prohibited by the terms of the warantee and the rep knew that i had done this... the spanner well and truely carried the tell tale signs. Still... it was replaced under warantee without complaint and i dont hardly use pipe for leverage any more.

The short version is... if you look around and find Snap-on on ebay or a pawn shop somewhere you'll know for sure that you're getting a top of the line prcision made tool with the industries best aftermarket support and it would shock me if your grandson isnt using them on his projects.

I hasten to add that as long as you buy spanners etc that are chrome vanadium you're pretty sure you're getting a good thing regardless of brand... its the service and backup from the manufacturer that tends to vary disproportionately to price.

Greg Frazer

Originally Posted by Greg Frazer

Mate

I've been a tradesman (craft i think you guys call it) for nearly 20yrs and I join those promoting Snap-on.


Greg Frazer

Thanks Greg --- I don't think you'll find too many Snap-on haters over here --it's usually damn those are nice but pricey.

Just to let you know I think "tradesman" is more common here -- as people "take up a trade". I might be wrong but crafts are usually relegated to hobbies and non-professional undertakings --but there is some cross-over.

Justin

Thanks Mario, Ray and Don for your input ---- much appreciated.

Justin

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Just to let you know I think "tradesman" is more common here -- as people "take up a trade". I might be wrong but crafts are usually relegated to hobbies and non-professional undertakings --but there is some cross-over.

I'm never sure mate... I spent 5yrs in SE Asia working for a yank outfit (Black and Veatch) and it seemed to depend on where in the states a bloke came from. Some called it "trade" some called it "craft". "craft" seemed to be used when talking about a collective rather than an individual. There were 5 aussies and 15 americans including a bloke from New Orleans who had a nasty habit of eating whole frogs... but i digress.

We couldnt completely get a handle on your slang and they couldnt completely get a handle on ours. Everyone could understand the words that were being said, but the order they were put in and context seemed to be all over the place... good times!

And you're right... Snap-on have always been pricey... and it is true that a certain amount of the price includes the name "Snap-on" but when has that ever been any different.

Still... worth the exercise if you happen to dig up the gear you want at a price you like the look of... not all of my Snap-on gear was new when I came accross it. Tradesman or not... price is still a consideration.

Greg

Originally Posted by Greg Frazer

I'm never sure mate... I spent 5yrs in SE Asia working for a yank outfit (Black and Veatch) and it seemed to depend on where in the states a bloke came from. Some called it "trade" some called it "craft". "craft" seemed to be used when talking about a collective rather than an individual. There were 5 aussies and 15 americans including a bloke from New Orleans who had a nasty habit of eating whole frogs... but i digress.

We couldnt completely get a handle on your slang and they couldnt completely get a handle on ours. Everyone could understand the words that were being said, but the order they were put in and context seemed to be all over the place... good times!

And you're right... Snap-on have always been pricey... and it is true that a certain amount of the price includes the name "Snap-on" but when has that ever been any different.

Still... worth the exercise if you happen to dig up the gear you want at a price you like the look of... not all of my Snap-on gear was new when I came accross it. Tradesman or not... price is still a consideration.

Greg

I gotcha Greg -----it might very well be a regional thing in the U.S. as far as the tradesman vs. craftsman thing is concerned. The U.S is a big place and terms and slang aren't always understood even within the country ---but it's all good --- we are all more alike than different and those differences just make things a little bit more fun ---Cheers, mate.

Justin

I ve been pleased with almost all the hand tools I've ever owned with the exception of some "Taiwan" brand stuff.

I even got a set of "china" shorty wrenches at big lots for about $8 that work fine.

The only major diff I see between the big brands is warranty.

Craftsman----NEVER had ANY trouble exchanging ANY hand tool, EVER.
this includes things like a 2 foot long screwdriver that I OBVIOUSLY cut in half with an acetylene torch, a claw hammer with the claws half gone and the face spalled to 2 inches because I had to cut a 10 inch slab and my TS400 only cut about 6 deep so I was inserting the claws into the cut and beating the hammer with a 20 pound sledge like it was a wedge to split the remaining 4 inches


Snap On---- I bought some second hand once and tried to exchange something, no signs of abuse, and was told that since I hadn't purchased it from THAT dealer that he wouldn't exchange
My friend who works at the shop this happened at said he tried to exchange the same tool(think it was a 3/8 ball swivel or universal) a few weeks later and dealer refused him as well thinking that it was my tool

Husky---- Home Depot would not swap a ratchet that came in a big kit, had to send it back to wherever to get it back. they said I abused it and refused to replace it. I had not abused tool.

I'm thinkin you can guess who gets my vote!!!