Thread: Favorite Toolmaker

I never meant to imply that Craftsman was crappy. I can't get american tools over here.
Most of the tools for sale here are European, or made in China.
Of these, German and Swiss are generally the best.

Originally Posted by JMS

A sledge works wonders for some of your more common computer problems!

Reminds me of the saying we had back when I used to work as an auto mechanic. "If it don't go, don't force it. Get a biggere hammer!"

Originally Posted by bpave777

Since I don't have a full set of Snap-on I still rely on the Craftsman for various jobs. However, I can't tell you how nice it is when I do a job with just using my Snap-on's. The quality is obvious.

I agree with this completely. I've had Craftsman for years, but I've slowly been converting to Snap-on. I do all the work on my own motorcycles (and I have finicky European motorcycles) and using Snap-on makes doing so a pleasure. Craftsman is good, but I'd have only Snap-on if it wasn't so friggin' expensive.

I will admit that the quality of my snap on products are better than my craftsman tools, but they do the same job with pretty much the same quality. I think the person using tool is the reason for shoddy work. There are exceptions, like buying tools from the dollar store, where the materials dont meet any standards. But the metal/plastic in all my tools both craftsman or snap on, have gone through the tests necessary to make a tool that actually lasts.

As for drills by the way, go for Ryobi. There new setup with interchangable battery system is amazing, although the sawzall lacks pure cutting power.

I have mostly craftsman with a few crappy no name brands thrown in for when the job calls for a little abuse of the tool. I would recommend getting a ratchet that fits nicely in your hand. I like the snap on rackets (cant afford one yet), so I plan on getting one in the future and just using my craftsman sockets with it.

Almost all my hand and air tools are Snap-On or MAC. I do almost all of my own auto maintenance/repair. When the kids were home I was working on 5 vehicles, plus my MG, mowers, and ATVs.
But, I enjoy working with quality tools and I spent the better part of 5 years rummaging through pawn shops across 4 states to put these tools together. That is part of the fun and the reason I have a roll cab and top box stuffed full. Almost as bad as razors.
I have to say that for normal household and mechanical use either Craftsman or Kobalt tools will perform well.

Snap On tools are like fine jewelry. I have a few wrenches, sockets, and a ratchet. They are very expensive but they are professional tools. Pretty good deals on them sometimes on ebay. For carpenter tools I used to like Blue Grass or Plumb hammers. Disston handsaws, Miller Falls was another good name. I doubt any of them are still in business.

For power tools I prefer Milwaukee. High quality and helping someone in the USA feed their family. Probably a concept that is largely outmoded nowadays.

Favorite toolmaker?

Stephen Bader of course!

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Favorite toolmaker?

Stephen Bader of course!

Holy Smokes! I've never seen those grinders before. Makes the one I'm hoping to get from Sears look like this:

Snap On or Mac cratsmen are not what the used to be. 20 years ago craftmens played in their sandbox not anymore