Best tools to own?
12-07-2005, 11:46 AM
#21
Registered User
Ive got a mix of craftsman and Snap-on stuff. Most of my trail stuff is craftsman all my snap-on stuff stays home for more didicated wrenching jobs.
I tend to buy my snap-on from the pawnshop. cheeper but with the high quality of the tool im never worried about it.
I even have some HF stuff (pitsburg impact sockets that have been GREAT) so it all depends....
I tend to buy my snap-on from the pawnshop. cheeper but with the high quality of the tool im never worried about it.
I even have some HF stuff (pitsburg impact sockets that have been GREAT) so it all depends....
12-07-2005, 02:28 PM
#24
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Currently reside in Ohio
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jacksonpt
I'm gonna piggy-back on this thread a bit. I have mostly craftsman stuff because of the warranty and convenience of Sears. For those of you who have used the pro grade stuff, how do you feel about Craftsman... is Snap on or whatever really THAT much better?
Also, Lowes carries Kobalt tools - I've though about picking up a ratchet/socket set from them as they are made/owned by Snap on. Anyone tried Kobalt stuff?
Also, Lowes carries Kobalt tools - I've though about picking up a ratchet/socket set from them as they are made/owned by Snap on. Anyone tried Kobalt stuff?
The remodeling/construction crew I work for
12-07-2005, 03:10 PM
#25
Contributing Member
I have heard that the Lowes brand ( Kobalt) is made by Snap-on. They look almost the same and are pretty nice! Personally, I use Craftsman, but I am no a professional. If I did it for a living, I would begin building a complet set of Snap-On.
12-08-2005, 06:30 AM
#26
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've delt with 3 strapon trucks/drivers in my wrenching lifetime and they were all a PITA. If I use a regular socket in my impact wrench and it splits it in 2 parts; I can take it to the snap on truck and he won't replace it because I abused it. The pimple faced 16 year old at Sears couldn't care less how I broke it. That was just an example, I've had nothing but problems getting broken tools replaced by snapon.
Snapon does make some tools that you can't find anywhere else and their tools are quality.
Snapon does make some tools that you can't find anywhere else and their tools are quality.
12-09-2005, 07:35 PM
#27
Registered User
I have worked in two shops.
Most of the guys who wrench every day have Snap-On, Mac and Matco.
I LOVE Snap-On tools. In the hand, all day, the are the best thing I have ever messed with. They are spendy though. Both Snap-On guys I dealt with were great.
Comparing Craftsman to Snap-On is like saying Keystone Light and Guiness are the same beer. Both get the job done, but if you are drinking as a pro, there is only one choice.
All of my trail/personal tools are Craftsman. Why? Cheap, available and abusable. I can borrow the nice stuff at the shop when it is a long gig, but use the lesser stuff when I have to.
Most of the guys who wrench every day have Snap-On, Mac and Matco.
I LOVE Snap-On tools. In the hand, all day, the are the best thing I have ever messed with. They are spendy though. Both Snap-On guys I dealt with were great.
Comparing Craftsman to Snap-On is like saying Keystone Light and Guiness are the same beer. Both get the job done, but if you are drinking as a pro, there is only one choice.
All of my trail/personal tools are Craftsman. Why? Cheap, available and abusable. I can borrow the nice stuff at the shop when it is a long gig, but use the lesser stuff when I have to.
12-09-2005, 07:43 PM
#28
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Massatuchits / Cape Cod
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Snapon Snapoff. No warranty on snapon tools unless your district salesman wants to eat the tool. He will only get partial reimbursment from snapon on defective items. No credit for worn out or missused tools. Tip of a phillips screw driver shattered, better have all the tiny pieces. Break to many tools and your snapon truck driver will cease stopping by your shop. The snapon corporation could careless if you can't get your local salesman to take returns, they certainly won't.
12-13-2005, 11:36 PM
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: B.F.E
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
Comparing Craftsman to Snap-On is like saying Keystone Light and Guiness are the same beer. Both get the job done, but if you are drinking as a pro, there is only one choice.
craftsman-simply because of availability and ease of replacement. snap-on for the more distinct (=$$) or unique tool that nobody else has. and i guess im olskool cuz i have so many cornwell odd ball bits (which have never broke either), but the only truck i know of is in santa barbara.
12-31-2005, 11:20 AM
#30
Contributing Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Elwood, Il
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by phorunninduke
Yeah, but you can find a sears everywhere, and i would hate running after that darn truck all the time.
Im going to be the oddball here who wrenches with SK. I do have quite a bit of craftsman stuff, but those are the tools that get put into trail boxes and in my truck, because if i loose it or it gets stolen its not a big loss. Ive been very happy with my SK stuff, it isn't cheap but it isnt quite as much as Snap On either. I must say that i do like the snap on ratchets, and am considering picking up a couple in the future, though the new SK ratchets look nice as well. I have yet to break any SK tools, but if i were to break them, all i have to do is run across town to Berlands and get it replaced, vs running 45min and dealing with crappy traffic to replace the craftsman.
Last edited by joez; 12-31-2005 at 11:24 AM.
12-31-2005, 11:39 AM
#31
Contributing Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: B'ham, WA
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I too like SK tools, don't have very many most are craftsmans but I prefer the feel of the SK wrenches and ratchets. Plus the truck is always parked near my school so its easy to find if I need something
03-12-2009, 06:19 PM
#32
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a mix set of craftsman,husky,snap-on,and a cheap set of screw drivers that my bro. gave me (i think that he got them from the dollar store cause I only have one left the break WAY fast but he is 6 so it oh k) I really like my husky and snap-on tools but i am wanting to get a set of the Kobalt tools cause i have heard really good things about them
03-12-2009, 06:33 PM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have mostly craftsman tools simply because it is what I can afford. i have some harbor freight tools if it is something i will only use a couple times and wont break too easily.
if I break a tool more than once I replace it with snap on or mac. i only have 1 mac tool and nothing snap on so far.
i am fairly abusive on tools too. like using the open end of a wrench with a breaker bar slipped over it.
if I break a tool more than once I replace it with snap on or mac. i only have 1 mac tool and nothing snap on so far.
i am fairly abusive on tools too. like using the open end of a wrench with a breaker bar slipped over it.
03-12-2009, 06:35 PM
#34
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
snap on tools don't break easily. any tool that won't break with hand use or abuse is good enough for me. Any chrome socket will break in an impact gun if you use it hard enough. If a tool breaks in your hands you may get injured and you probably won't get the job done with that tool. I like tools that don't break made in America. The tool dealers can be cool or jackasses. I've gone to other Snap on guys routes to avoid the jerk that comes to my shop.
As far as the warranty goes I have had good luck with my guy. He even goes out of his way to bring me a needed tool or a warranty replacement. Yeah I pay him $20-$50 a week and will for years to come but hey, gotta get the job done.
As far as the warranty goes I have had good luck with my guy. He even goes out of his way to bring me a needed tool or a warranty replacement. Yeah I pay him $20-$50 a week and will for years to come but hey, gotta get the job done.
03-12-2009, 07:58 PM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DFW, Texas!
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
+1 on that. 
I need to run my (second!) 3/8" ratchet in for replacement, as well as my 1/2" drive breaker bar (about 20" long, pivot pin wants to fall out).
I might do that tomorrow morning since I have some other errands to run.
On the other hand, yeah, they're fairly cheap and generally acceptable quality for home wrenching.
I need to run my (second!) 3/8" ratchet in for replacement, as well as my 1/2" drive breaker bar (about 20" long, pivot pin wants to fall out).
I might do that tomorrow morning since I have some other errands to run.
On the other hand, yeah, they're fairly cheap and generally acceptable quality for home wrenching.
03-12-2009, 08:20 PM
#36
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stanley.
they're cheap, and have a warranty.
Craftsman aren't what they used to be, sears isn't sears anymore, it's KMart, and it's easier to find a wal-mart to return a stanley to than it is to find a Sears.
snap-on's are for vain mechanics that feel they have something to prove to the other mechanics in the shop. all they are proving is poor money management.
they're cheap, and have a warranty.
Craftsman aren't what they used to be, sears isn't sears anymore, it's KMart, and it's easier to find a wal-mart to return a stanley to than it is to find a Sears.
snap-on's are for vain mechanics that feel they have something to prove to the other mechanics in the shop. all they are proving is poor money management.
03-12-2009, 08:31 PM
#37
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stanley.
they're cheap, and have a warranty.
Craftsman aren't what they used to be, sears isn't sears anymore, it's KMart, and it's easier to find a wal-mart to return a stanley to than it is to find a Sears.
snap-on's are for vain mechanics that feel they have something to prove to the other mechanics in the shop. all they are proving is poor money management.
they're cheap, and have a warranty.
Craftsman aren't what they used to be, sears isn't sears anymore, it's KMart, and it's easier to find a wal-mart to return a stanley to than it is to find a Sears.
snap-on's are for vain mechanics that feel they have something to prove to the other mechanics in the shop. all they are proving is poor money management.
03-12-2009, 08:33 PM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
when i worked at Bobcat Co. the entire plant used proto tools. I believe stanley makes them. they where very tough hand tools. not pretty or ergonomic or anything. just really tough.
03-12-2009, 09:35 PM
#40
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Reno NV/Oxnard CA (805)
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
