Tools

[Rick G.]

Maybe some of the techs here can give me some advice. I'm tired of running to Sears all the time for replacement craftsman tools. I want to upgrade my ratchets, sockets, wrenches etc. to something better. Snap on, Matco, or Mac?

[helomech]

The biggest problem with snap on, mack and so on is when you break a tool it is sometimes hard to get the truck to come back to you to replace it. I have been working on helicopters since 1991 and most of my tools are craftsman. Except for a few specialty wrenches and swivel sockets. I use my tools everyday at work and barely ever break a craftsman wrench, socket or ratchet. Now the screwdrivers do kind of s*ck. I would have to say that snap on makes the best screwdrivers.

[konigfritz]

Yes they do. My neigbor is a snap on dealer. They are pricey, but, their screwdrivers are great! What are you doing to break ratchets? Maybe y ou should step up to 1/2 inch drive or use an impact gun.

[TitanBlue]

I use Craftsman everyday, only broken a socket a couple times because I should have used a heavy wall impact socket instead of the regular thin walled chrome socket with an impact wrench. Right tool vs wrong tool.

Snap-On/MAC/MATCO sell many of the exact same tools that Sears sells (I mean exact same true mfg) yet for 3X the price. Simply unaffordable for most. I.E. Look at the snap ring pliers at Sears Craftsman and Snap-On, see any similarities? They exist inpart, due to extending credit to mechanics (On top of the high price) who simply buy into the idea that they are better.

When I visit my Mechanics shop, they have plenty of broken sockets (abused by being used with impact tools and not designed for it) and are waiting for the truck to replace it. Any thin walled socket is going to break or wear out eventually; just look at how thin the wall is at the corners of any brand. Nothing majical about the steel they all use. Sears is by far, the easiest/fastest/most convenient source for most of us. And still an excellent value. They push the design envelope as well as the other mfg. They are not perfect, Ive heard Sears now gives rebuilt ratchets to replace failed units, instead of new ones! I've seen salessman rebuilding the Ratchets. Sears used to sell a rebuild kit for 1 cent, very good policy. Never used the kits I bought, never needed. I'd refuse it if I ever needed one. Many times, when the right tool wasn't in stock, I was given a better one. I switched completely to the fully polished Ratchets and Wrenches and almost no cost.

Williams and S-K are a couple great brands too, mostly sold in the industrial market though.

I'll now step off my Genuine Craftsman Soapbox! Yeah, I still Love Craftsman.

[helomech]

The only problem with craftsman sockets and wrenches is that the walls are to thick to fit into some real tight places. On turbine engines there are some places that you have to use a snap on, because the walls are thinner. But other than a few places craftsman is just as good.

[WhiteTitanSe]

I have a-lot off snap-on, I only have one snap on tool that consistantly breaks about every other week but other than that all is well!
I started with craftsman and if something would break I would rfeplace it with Snap-on, Mac, Matco or even Cornwell, till eventually Ive weeded out all my crapsman.

[stlblues]

I've broken so may Craftsman sockets it isn't funny, haven't had a single problem with Snap-on. Hell, I've had better luck with Kobalt from Lowe"s than Sears.

[Rick G.]

I wear out a couple ratchets every year, don't like getting used ones in return. The sockets don't seem to have very tight tolerances and I often round off a nut with them. And the screwdrivers suck, even the expensive professional ones. Mostly I'm unhappy with their torque wrenches, which you can only get repaired or calibrated for about the same price of a new one. The combination wrenches have been OK. Craftsman tools are made by Danaher which also makes cobalt and Matco. Lots of differing opinions here, Thanks for the advice.

[TitanBlue]

Originally Posted by Rick G.

Craftsman tools are made by Danaher which also makes cobalt and Matco. Lots of differing opinions here, Thanks for the advice.

One of many OEMs used by many companies. Craftsman used to be related to Husky (based on a local news article about the mfg located in MD) IIRC. B&D used to make the Electric Tools, etc.. Differing opinions is what I always see on this question. Many have said the ratchets seem to skip too easily. I love the wrenches though. Wish you the best in the tool world...

[blavis]

My experience is that all tools break. My Father in law is a snap on dealer (which helps a lot) If you call the tool truck dealer that sold you the tools, the should come and repair them. well, that is what they are supposed to do?

[70DATSUN]

I use Snap-on mostly. Have a lot of Craftsman, S-K, Proto and Mac also. I really like the newer Craftsman slim line ratchets, they fit my hand the best of any brand and I haven't shelled one yet in the 4 years they been out. The old ones you could shell pretty fast. Craftsman professional polished wrenches are good also. I like the feel of Mac wrenches but they are a little thicker then Snap-on. I've been a Motorcycle mechanic for 30 years or so and the Snap-on wrenches and sockets are thin and fit in tighter places. As far as breakage, I've replaced plenty of tools over the years regardless of brand. I could go on and on about tools...plyers, screwdrivers, etc but I'm way too slow at typing. Bottom line, if you just want good tools too do your own work you won't go wrong with Craftsman and you can get them warrenty with a quick trip too Sears.

[Rick G.]

Thanks Datsun, that's good to know about the snap ons being thinner. I race motocross and desert, also restore and race vintage bikes so most of my time is spent workking on motorcycles. When I'm not at my regular stupid job I'm working on bikes. Probably wenching a few hours every day. I can't afford to replace every craftsman tool but a few key tools like ratchets and screwdrivers. Always stripping out phillips heads with those craftsman screwdrivers.

[Rick G.]

I meant wrenching not wenching (theres a difference)

[70DATSUN]

Originally Posted by Rick G.

Thanks Datsun, that's good to know about the snap ons being thinner. I race motocross and desert, also restore and race vintage bikes so most of my time is spent workking on motorcycles. When I'm not at my regular stupid job I'm working on bikes. Probably wenching a few hours every day. I can't afford to replace every craftsman tool but a few key tools like ratchets and screwdrivers. Always stripping out phillips heads with those craftsman screwdrivers.

Rick, it most likely not your screwdrivers. On motorcycles and ATVs you have steel going into aluminum and be the climate we ride in they well corrode big time. Get yourself an impact driver too brake the screws loose. A tap on the head of the screw well work too, it's the shock that brakes it loose. Most impact drivers are big around but Snap-on makes a narrow one thats great for bikes. True, good screw drives do make a differences and Snap-on has some of the best, Witte (made in Germany) are every bit as good and cost about the same if you can find them in your area. Also you can add a drop of Grit too the tip of your screw driver for a better bite. Glad you like too work on em. It's how I started as a kid. I have my own business now, still enjoy going too work every day and still like too turn wrenches. Good luck with your racing and have fun.
Harry