What makes a "good" tool?

[mulepackin]

I see alot of reference to this in all of our discussion, but couldn't find a thread on this specifically. What do you feel defines quality in a tool? We all have our own ideas (usually pretty universal). I wonder what all of you think makes a "good" tool good. For me it is alot of things, balance, fit and finish, material quality, value, availability, warantee, etc.

[dink]

Well what you just described is pretty much a good tool for everyone,,,and sometimes location of where its made helps too

[l_bilyk]

If it outlives you, it's a good tool

[bmwpower]

Now to dig deeper, what defines material quality? -

If you take a look at the "best" wrenches, what are they made out of?
Are they forged?
What is done to maintain strength or rigidity?
What is the process used to give them the tough finish?

Does anyone know what type/kind of steel goes into making, say, a Snap-on wrench?

[-lecroix-]

If YOU like it, then it's "good" ... opinions vary, so don't worry about what someone else considers "good" and what they consider "bad" ... if you like it, then why does it matter what others think.

It ain't the price of the equipment ... it's the experience of the user.

[wilbilt]

Does anyone know what type/kind of steel goes into making, say, a Snap-on wrench?

I don't know, but if you can find a copy of Machinery's Handbook, there is a lot of info relating to various alloys and tool steels.

[z28toz06]

I think most wrenches are vanadium chrome steel. I think what makes a good tool is how well it performs the function or many functions it was designed to perform, (and what it was found to do well accidentally!).

As far as intrinsic value goes, resale of the tool itself gives one an indication of how they are valued by the mechanic or person using/collecting it,as well as its rarity if it happens to be a collectible. If you look on places like ebay, I see tools actually go for almost what they were new. Sometimes I see people pay more than what a tool costs new, and then pay shipping on top of that.

Snap on tools almost always outsell any other brand on there, be it their quality or resale value.

[wilbilt]

I think what makes a good tool is how well it performs the function or many functions it was designed to perform, (and what it was found to do well accidentally!).


And that reminds me of the Craftsman Tools television commercial of several (many?) years ago...

A sand buggy stuck off the side of the trail, with another vehicle close by to give a quick tow...but there is nowhere to hook the strap.

Out of the toolbox comes a Craftsman wrench, it is placed behind the bars of the (VW) front end and slipped through the loop in the strap. Instant tow attachment point, the buggy is freed, and presumably goes on to win the Baja 1000 or whatever.

Everybody cheers.

I wonder if today, with the "New Sears", that bent wrench would be disqualified for warranty because it had been "abused".

[ImportTuner]

And that reminds me of the Craftsman Tools television commercial of several (many?) years ago...

A sand buggy stuck off the side of the trail, with another vehicle close by to give a quick tow...but there is nowhere to hook the strap.

Out of the toolbox comes a Craftsman wrench, it is placed behind the bars of the (VW) front end and slipped through the loop in the strap. Instant tow attachment point, the buggy is freed, and presumably goes on to win the Baja 1000 or whatever.

Everybody cheers.

I wonder if today, with the "New Sears", that bent wrench would be disqualified for warranty because it had been "abused".
***Probably***
:bounce: :bounce:

[wilbilt]

As far as what makes a "good" tool...

Tools were originally wielded by man as an extension of his hands, and this is still true. The tool should provide feedback to the user about what is going on at the business end. This is true regardless of whether it is a screwdriver, a wrench, or a hammer.

When the tool is a good one, it transmits that information to your hand. You can feel the tension in the wrench before the bolt breaks loose, and you can feel the multiple points of contact the driver has with the screw.

With poor tools, it is as you are disconnected from the work. Poor hammers with junk handles don't tell you if you are hitting squarely, crappy screwdrivers lose all their feeling in the twist, and soft wrenches are essentially useless.

A dislike for raised-panel wrenches was posted in another thread; I feel the same way. Not only do they feel rough and unfinished in my hand, they feel dull and lifeless.

[mulepackin]

Wilbilt

Well put. This is kinda what I was hoping to see here. That sort of intangible, hard to define stuff we all appreciate without really knowing it. I came across your raised panel wrench disdain previously. I've never felt that way, in fact the smooth polished style of wrenches have always felt slippery, sharp and too light in my hands, so of course alot of this is personal preference. There might be something in the fact that my first tools that were "my own" were a Craftsman starter set my father got me for Christmas when I was about 16. Best present I ever got. Got a Huot tool chest the next year to store my growing collection in. Just moved out of it this year, but would never part with it.

[wilbilt]

Wilbilt

Well put. This is kinda what I was hoping to see here. That sort of intangible, hard to define stuff we all appreciate without really knowing it. I came across your raised panel wrench disdain previously. I've never felt that way, in fact the smooth polished style of wrenches have always felt slippery, sharp and too light in my hands, so of course alot of this is personal preference. There might be something in the fact that my first tools that were "my own" were a Craftsman starter set my father got me for Christmas when I was about 16. Best present I ever got. Got a Huot tool chest the next year to store my growing collection in. Just moved out of it this year, but would never part with it.

I don't know that I posted anything about raised panel previously; I was referring to a recent post by another member. I might have, as my memory is not what it used to be. :beer:

Lots of people don't like sharp, polished wrenches. I can agree to a point, but to me, they feel like they have a spine, or like they are in a state of permanent tension, if that makes any sense.

The first wrenches I used were my dad's, and those that were my grandfather's. All US-made. Proto, Lectrolite, Barcalo, New Britain, etc. Mostly raised panel, some in "industrial" finish. Sockets were S-K and Kraueter. I still have many of them.

The first time I used a Snap-On long combo (in High School) it was pretty nearly a life-changing event. It was light, tight, and it rang like a bell. I also like the older Blue-Point round double-box style. I have a few of those, and they are very similar to the Snap-On "aerospace" wrenches.

I have used Mac and Matco, and while they have good balance and general feel, the handles are too "squared off" for my liking. They just don't fit like the others and feel unnatural to me.

The raised panel designs just feel clunky, and almost like there is something stuck to them that needs to be wiped off. To me, they seem to dampen the feel of what's going on. It's hard to explain, but just one of that factors that, to me, define what is or is not, a "good" tool.

[eschoendorff]

As far as what makes a "good" tool...

Tools were originally wielded by man as an extension of his hands, and this is still true. The tool should provide feedback to the user about what is going on at the business end. This is true regardless of whether it is a screwdriver, a wrench, or a hammer.

When the tool is a good one, it transmits that information to your hand. You can feel the tension in the wrench before the bolt breaks loose, and you can feel the multiple points of contact the driver has with the screw.

With poor tools, it is as you are disconnected from the work. Poor hammers with junk handles don't tell you if you are hitting squarely, crappy screwdrivers lose all their feeling in the twist, and soft wrenches are essentially useless.

A dislike for raised-panel wrenches was posted in another thread; I feel the same way. Not only do they feel rough and unfinished in my hand, they feel dull and lifeless.
Well put. I don't think anyone could say it better. :beer:

[kartracer55]

Wilbilt, Ive got mixed feelings, but you said this very well. I do know what you mean by permanent tesion... there is no spring or deflection... when the wrench is moving it means the bolt head is moving too. When you pull on the ratchet, it only moves when the bolt head is moving. To me, that is a good tool. Also, I have some tools that are a good 40+ years old (my favorite ratchet)... It has been rebuilt once... THAT to me is a good tool. Tools that can be used for somebodys life then passed on to be used for many more years is a good tool.

[ImportTuner]

I've used and owned many ratchets (Snap On, Matco, Mac Tools, Indestro, Husky, Craftsman, etc.), but my favorite is still the round head fine tooth (72 tooth) Craftsman ratchet that has a button for locking whatever is attached. It is no longer sold in stores, but I think it is still available online .. maybe

[wilbilt]

Wilbilt, Ive got mixed feelings, but you said this very well. I do know what you mean by permanent tesion... there is no spring or deflection... when the wrench is moving it means the bolt head is moving too. When you pull on the ratchet, it only moves when the bolt head is moving. To me, that is a good tool. Also, I have some tools that are a good 40+ years old (my favorite ratchet)... It has been rebuilt once... THAT to me is a good tool. Tools that can be used for somebodys life then passed on to be used for many more years is a good tool.

I have plenty of good old tools. Passed down through three generations in some cases. "Durable" is another determining factor, as is "efficient". To look at it another way, my 20-year old Chevy pickup with nearly 300,000 miles is a "good" truck, but it's certainly no Ferrari.:pimpflash

[mulepackin]

Sorry Wilbilt, guess I just read through your post too fast (about the raised panel wrenches). I sure know what you mean about a good wrench or ratchet/socket transmitting info to you. You "just know" when the nut is about to break, you can ease off just enough to get er done, without busting your knuckles or getting dinged up. Cutting pliers, similar thing, you just know how much pressure you need to cut, no sudden jolt or snap at the completion of the cut.

I too grew up using tools that my dad collected over his years as a heavy equip. mechanic and then on the ranch. Various brands, blackhawk, proto, snap on, mac, blue point, williams, etc. even wards powercraft had some good stuff back then. They all stood out from the "junk" of the day and certainly of this day. He loaned his 3/4" dr. breaker bar to a neighbor a few years ago ( the brand escapes me, but it was a heavy quality breaker, round with a knurled handle) the neighbor lost it and replaced it with a Craftsman. Usable but no where near the quality. I found a Proto in a pawn shop last summer that was very similar to his original. Gave him the Proto, and took his Craftsman. He didn't quibble on that deal.