Tool Choices, Bonney G-Sale + Intro

Hi All - I came to the forum researching garage floor coverings for my garage. Since clicking on the general tool discussion I have been glued! Some awesome information in here...

I'm a young guy that loves quality tools even though I just wrench for fun with my free time. In general, I'm more willing to pay for quality (within reason) knowing that I'll have it for a life of enjoyment. I'm an engineer by trade working in the Aerospace industry.

I inherited my father's (mechanic) and step father's (engineer) tools made up mostly of vintage Craftsman raised panel, mostly 12 point Since I was in my teens (late 20s now) I have been adding to and aquiring new tools to the collection, in some cases replacing older stuff with new stuff. There is some Snap-On and SK mixed in...

I'm researching the following tool purchases:

1) Quality Tool Box - I have a Craftsmen Roller bearing now that is a 26" wide model with 16.5" deep drawers including the base, intermediate chest and top chest. It has worked pretty well over the last few years but I have outgrown it - at least with the way I have my tools organized now. I'm researching quality boxes - Looking at buying used but good condition Matco or Snap-On in the 56" wide range and 25-28" deep range. I have to just decide on the model I want and then be patient. I missed this deal on ebay and I'm kicking myself - this looked to be a killer deal with stainless top and spring casters. The only thing that held me back is I'm not sure I would have liked the yellow in 5 or 10 years.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Matc...019QQitemZ290245435292QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

My budget is $1500-2500 tops.

2) New Set of professional screwdrivers. Top contenders are Snap-On and Matco right now but I'm learning more here. I almost went with Craftsman Pro but wanted something a little nicer since I use them so often. I have one Snap-On hard white handled 'racing edition" 4" P2. I reach for that first, everytime!

I have never held the Matco handle and I'm worried about the 'fuzz'. I have researched in the forum and there seem to be a lot of information but Matco screwdrivers are not mentioned that much.

3) Line Wrenches - I learned here that the craftsman professional line wrenches are made by S.K so I'm going to pick those up in both metric and SAE.


I just picked up a Snap-On general service kit in 6 point Metric with the 80 tooth rachet. All my metric is 12 point Craftsman so I thought the snap-on 6 point would be a nice additoin.


I had a garage sale recently - see attached pics of my tool tables. (sorry the pics are so small - this forum has pretty tough rules on file size.)

Lot's of craftsman, thornsen, proto, bonney, etc.

I might have sold a gem. I didn't know much about Bonney at the time and I debated on keeping these. The old chrome finish was worn and they had some surface rust. This was a full set of SAE flat / offset 12 point box end. I think I sold them for $1 / wrench. I'm guessing I made a mistake? See the attached pics. These were my step-father's. You can see them in the upper left hand corner.

Anyway, I'll be posting some specifics in other threads. Thanks for your time helping me setup a solid box of tools that I can own for life and pass on to my son.

I LOVE tools! Even though my wife thinks I'm crazy.

Kevin

KLars1 said:

The only thing that held me back is I'm not sure I would have liked the yellow in 5 or 10 years.

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I kind of like the yellow, but like you, don't know how "timeless" it is. Sort of thinking red or black is the best bet. But I did see a blue that looked really nice, too.

Vinko said:

I kind of like the yellow, but like you, don't know how "timeless" it is. Sort of thinking red or black is the best bet. But I did see a blue that looked really nice, too.

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Agreed - Right now I'm looking for blue, black or red. I like the yellow right now too, just may not in 10 years. Black is the safest bet, but blue and red (especially in the case of snap-on) see to be timeless.

KLars1 said:

I'm researching quality boxes - Looking at buying used but good condition Matco or Snap-On in the 56" wide range and 25-28" deep range. I have to just decide on the model I want and then be patient. I missed this deal on ebay and I'm kicking myself - this looked to be a killer deal with stainless top and spring casters. The only thing that held me back is I'm not sure I would have liked the yellow in 5 or 10 years.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Matc...019QQitemZ290245435292QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

My budget is $1500-2500 tops.

Click to expand...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...001QQitemZ110271389859QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Whoever won that Matco box should be one very grateful SOB. That box should've sold for 4K.

Here's a KR1000 that fits your budget and description:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...001QQitemZ110271389859QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I usually pay around $2-3 for old Bonney wrenches. Since you had a set you probably would have made more if you had ebayed them but then you would have had to deal with ebay and sometimes that's a pain. Bonney wrenches are very good wrenches.

If you ever want a set of offset box again then try the Craftsman full polish. They are inexpensive, around $40, and are a very nice wrench.

A couple of things. As for screwdrivers, you might also search here for JH Williams. There have been a couple places that carry them, the 8 piece currently seems getable, while the two 6 pieces are on back order due to them trying to move facilities.

Also looking through your pictures, in the first one you have an impact screwdriver, mid way in the pic. Hopefully you either have one, or still have that one. They are handy and you can buy replacement bits for them.

There are a lot of quality tools out there, that can be found reasonably. Bonney, Indestro, PowerKraft, Kraueter, these were all once lifetime warranty type tools, that the companies are no longer in business. What we are afraid Sears is becoming (although their tools get turned in under the satisfaction guarantee instead of the warranty). The only real bad thing about these nowdays, is if you work on current stuff, you need metric.

wantedabiggergarage said:

A couple of things. As for screwdrivers, you might also search here for JH Williams. There have been a couple places that carry them, the 8 piece currently seems getable, while the two 6 pieces are on back order due to them trying to move facilities.

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Agreed, get the Williams version of the old original [lastic handle SO you will not regret it.

As for the wife, get used to it, she will never understand I almost guarantee it!

philw said:

I usually pay around $2-3 for old Bonney wrenches. Since you had a set you probably would have made more if you had ebayed them but then you would have had to deal with ebay and sometimes that's a pain. Bonney wrenches are very good wrenches.

If you ever want a set of offset box again then try the Craftsman full polish. They are inexpensive, around $40, and are a very nice wrench.

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Thanks philw for the advice - I have been eyeing the Craftsman full polish pro set. Thinking about picking up both SAE and Metric.

I thought the Bonney's were kind of unique with the 0 offset on one end and deep offset on the other.

wantedabiggergarage said:

A couple of things. As for screwdrivers, you might also search here for JH Williams. There have been a couple places that carry them, the 8 piece currently seems getable, while the two 6 pieces are on back order due to them trying to move facilities.

Also looking through your pictures, in the first one you have an impact screwdriver, mid way in the pic. Hopefully you either have one, or still have that one. They are handy and you can buy replacement bits for them.

...

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Yes, I have another impact screwdriver...both were Craftsman. I had just bought mine a few months back and that one was an old Craftsman that my step-father had. I kept all of the bits though!

Thanks for the advice - I'll check out those JH Williams. There definetely seems to be a lot of options around for screwdrivers.

My budget is around $150 and I would like to pick up about 10 pieces including a P2 long and a long slotted.

Mentioning how we need metric these days...I noticed some tool manufacturers are calling SAE or standard...'fractional'

KLars... truth be told, I like my Snap On screwdrivers best. However, teh Witte-sourced Matcos are really nice too. If you want to truy out a set of the Witte screwdrivers on the cheap, go pick up a five piece set of the NAPA pro screwdrivers. Basically the same thing as the Matcos...

I really like my Craftsman pro line wrenches. I also have some Snap On in the mix, but the Cman Pro have done just fine by me so far....

Your garage sale is killing me! I'm sure that any one of us here would have loved to rummage through your stuff...

And Merkava... dude, you are killing me over here! That Snap On box you posted is not too awful far from my house! Gotta pay for my new MacBook first though....

KLars1, I am really upset that you sold those old Bonney wrenches for $1 each and I didn't get to buy them Seriously though, we all sell things that we regret selling later. Now that you know a little more about the old brands you'll be able to make more educated decisions. If you have any more old sets like that, post them here in the clasifieds section.

Welcome!!!

64merc said:

KLars1, Seriously though, we all sell things that we regret selling later.

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Not me, at least with regard to tools, once I get em that is generally it. I keep them the way Jack Benny used to depict his keeping of money!

Does anyone besides me remember the Jack Benny way with the old man equipped with the primitive musket and the long beard guarding the vault and all?

eschoendorff said:

And Merkava... dude, you are killing me over here! That Snap On box you posted is not too awful far from my house! Gotta pay for my new MacBook first though....

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That MacBook would fit easily in the top side drawer.

eschoendorff said:

KLars... truth be told, I like my Snap On screwdrivers best. However, teh Witte-sourced Matcos are really nice too. If you want to truy out a set of the Witte screwdrivers on the cheap, go pick up a five piece set of the NAPA pro screwdrivers. Basically the same thing as the Matcos...

I really like my Craftsman pro line wrenches. I also have some Snap On in the mix, but the Cman Pro have done just fine by me so far....

Your garage sale is killing me! I'm sure that any one of us here would have loved to rummage through your stuff...

And Merkava... dude, you are killing me over here! That Snap On box you posted is not too awful far from my house! Gotta pay for my new MacBook first though....

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I have a big NAPA by my house I can go check those out. I also would like to hook-up with a Matco driver....

As far as the tool truck companies are concerned...I recently called each for a catalog because I often find it much easier to learn about a tool line in a catalog rather than on their websites. Most of the websites don't 'flow' very good, although, I think Matco's is the best of the big three.

Anyway, Matco gave me the catalog free and gave me the name and phone # of the driver in my area and said feel free to call him up. They said he should be more than willing to meet with me at one of his stops.

Snap-On was updating their catalog and didn't have any of the old ones. Furthermore, they wouldn't give me the name and number of their driver - they took my name and number and told me the driver would be in touch. (It is been almost a week and no suprise - no call)

Mac wanted $5 shipped for their catalog, which I paid, but no driver in my area.

SK wanted $5 + $6.95 shipping for their catalog. I said 'no thanks' -- I don't need to pay almost $12 to SK just so they have an opportunity to sell tools to me! I'll rely on their website.

So, the best interface with the individual consumer was by far Matco.



I have a full set of open / box raised panel Craftsman wrenches - SAE and Metric. Metric 9mm - 19mm and Standard 1/4" - 1 1/4". I'm thinking about selling them and buying a full set of the Craftsman Pros - both the long handled and the stubbies. So it is good to hear good feedback on the Cman Pros. I have the Cman ratcheting reversible open/box and have been happy with them so far. The only thing I worry open is Cman's warranty on the chrome finish long-term.

Merkava_4 said:

That MacBook would fit easily in the top side drawer.

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That is JUST what I'm looking for! You're killing me with that, I know that will be a classic and good looking tomorrow and 20 years from now. In general, I keep my tools in very good condition. It kills me when I see some tool boxes with wrenches and screwdrivers covered in grease and grime.

KLars1 said:

Thanks for the advice, I have a big NAPA by my house I can go check those out. I also would like to hook-up with a Matco driver....

As far as the tool truck companies are concerned...I recently called each for a catalog because I often find it much easier to learn about a tool line in a catalog rather than on their websites. Most of the websites don't 'flow' very good, although, I think Matco's is the best of the big three.

Anyway, Matco gave me the catalog free and gave me the name and phone # of the driver in my area and said feel free to call him up. They said he should be more than willing to meet with me at one of his stops.

Snap-On was updating their catalog and didn't have any of the old ones. Furthermore, they wouldn't give me the name and number of their driver - they took my name and number and told me the driver would be in touch. (It is been almost a week and no suprise - no call)

Mac wanted $5 shipped for their catalog, which I paid, but no driver in my area.

SK wanted $5 + $6.95 shipping for their catalog. I said 'no thanks' -- I don't need to pay almost $12 to SK just so they have an opportunity to sell tools to me! I'll rely on their website.

So, the best interface with the individual consumer was by far Matco.



I have a full set of open / box raised panel Craftsman wrenches - SAE and Metric. Metric 9mm - 19mm and Standard 1/4" - 1 1/4". I'm thinking about selling them and buying a full set of the Craftsman Pros - both the long handled and the stubbies. So it is good to hear good feedback on the Cman Pros. I have the Cman ratcheting reversible open/box and have been happy with them so far. The only thing I worry open is Cman's warranty on the chrome finish long-term.

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I bought the Cman Pro full polish and have no regrets. In fact, the finish is a better polish than some of my more recent Armstrong wrenches!

I would tell you to skip the Matco truck and just go to Sears... Matco is basically just overgrown Craftsman, GearWrench and IR tools anyway (sorry Krusty ). Most of the Matco line can be found from other sources (sans teh Matco logo) - MUCH cheaper than paying the prices on the truck!

Then again, your best service seems to be from the Matco company, so that definitely has to count for something.

Oh well, good luck and have fun. The best part is that since you don't have to use your tools to make your living, you can be patient and choosy and wait for the deals to come along.