[DiREW0LF]

Anyone have a preference as to the brand of hand tools they buy?

I have an assortment of Snap-on, Cornwell and Craftsman Professional. I have been considering switching to all Hazet but the prices are crazy! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]

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[Johannvb]

I use Hazet and Gedore and if the tool doesn't have to be the best I buy Stanley. On this side of he pond Snap-on is seriously expensive and the other brands are not available.

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[flash]

prefer some snap on stuff - really like matco

but, i have a ton of craftsman - can't beat the availability here

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[xrad]

this is my favorite tule:

or tule/sedge..

oh sorry, you meant tool: matco/snap-on

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[skiemt]

Got a lot of Sears Craftsmen tools also. Like Flash said "availablity". Plus the lifetime guarantee.

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[wmuldowney]

I have mix, growing up had to have Craftsman, just like Dad, later on Snap-On like Bro-in Law the Porsche mechanic. Then I started buying Proto, Stanley's proline.
Now when I need mechanics tools, Matco comes by the shop (wood shop) every week.

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[DiREW0LF]

I agree that the availibility of Craftsman is nice but I have broken more Craftsman tools than any other. I then started trading in my normal Craftsman for Craftsman Professional which has been better but not as trouble free as Cornwell or Snap-on.

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[flash]

while i agree that snap-on is probably a better tool, i haven't broken a craftsman tool in a very long time (knock wood) - however, i have such a wide variety that i am always able to go up to the next stronger tool when it seems too much for the one i am using, and thereby not over stress it (for example bumping up to 1/2" drive instead of 3/8" drive, 6 point over 12 point, etc) - i also don't make the mistake of using regular sockets on my impact gun

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[banditsc]

I've snapped my fair share of Craftsman stuff, but I just bring it back and get a new one. I recently snapped a 1/2 breaker bar, I ended up having to use a Chinese breaker bar to finish the job. That was on a axle nut, and had a large cheater bar on it, probably should have gotten a 3/4 breaker for the job. Usually it's just screwdrivers that go back.

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[flash]

yeah - over stressing the capacity of a tool is always the cause - 1/2" drive torque wrenches only go to 150 lbs or so for a reason - after that you need to move up to 3/4"

i see guys all the time trying to hit 70-80 ft/lbs with a 3/8" drive, rather than go up to 1/2" - it's just asking for it to snap - forged steel is forged steel - design only gets you so far

use the right tool and just about anything decent will last - the key is to have the right tool - this one makes my better half nuts - i'm always going out and buying a new tool, rather than try to mickey mouse something

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[biotechee]

Craftsman

If anything breaks, I can get a replacement usually within the hour at any of the nearby Sears or Sears Hardware stores. Inexpensive and readily available, not to mention suitable quality - this trumps ordering, waiting, and spending a crap-load on the likes of Snap-on, Matco, etc.

I also have a couple of Ace tools floating around, simply because there is an Ace Hardware store about 3 miles from my house.

Now, all that said, I would really like to have a nice set of torque wrenches. The wrenches that I have are cheap-o Craftsman ones and at some point, once I save a bit or expendable cash, I'll jump in and get some high quality ones from the likes of Snap-on or Matco. I'm just not confident with the Craftsman ones I have.

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[DiREW0LF]

Normally I wear out 1/4" ratchets and 7,8,10mm sockets. Its usually the teeth in the ratchet that end up breaking and the sockets start to get sloppy and no, I'm not too tough on my tools. Pretty much all the common items that I wear out I have replaced with Cornwell and my Snap-on stuff has all been gifts all of which I have never had a problem with. Also, I would rather spend the extra money and not have to stop in the middle of a job to run to the store to exchange a tool.

Speaking of Cornwell, I am a really good friends with my local Cornwell dealer and can get great deals. If anyone needs anything please let me know and I will check into it.

Right now these are on sale, I am debating buying one.
Cornwell 700 Series Rolling Cart

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[flash]

i don't use a lot of 1/4" drive stuff, so i can't speak to that - by the time i get up to 10mm i am on 3/8" drive - 1/4" stuff is usually on a nutdriver for me, only using a ratchet when i can't easily get to it

but i totally understand the issue - i've never been terribly happy with the 1/4" drive craftsman ratchets either

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[banditsc]

I actually have a 1/4" Craftsman ratchet from my Grandfather thats probably from the 60's. It's one of my favorite ratchets, was looking for it the other day, I think my 928 ate it, I last used it working inside the car.

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[flash]

yeah - the one my dad has is cool too - must be 50 years old - the new ones are a bit different story though

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