Sigh depressed (ok more disappointed)

[F3RR3T]

After a few years of saving (since i turned 18) i finally ventured to sears to outfit a end all tool box for myself. Only to find a good amount of chinese tools and tools that didnt have the same feel as my fathers tools.

No big deal went across the street to the garage and talked to him for a few minutes looked at his cars and let me look at some of his snap-on stuff. Finally asked him for his snap-on guys number i was over-joyed when he said he would be here in about 20 minutes and i was welcome to buy my box on his account.

Snap-on did have a better feel than the craftsman but they didn't feel the same as the guys snap-ons that were a few years old. Not to mention total amount spend was about 8k more.

Ended my day with no new tools till i can decide between the two. Overall im disappointed.

 

[Ser50]

you gotta pay to play.

i complain about snap-on out sourcing, about their lack of customer service, their lack of attention to some of the finer details

but, as a pro day in and day out theyre the only thing ive had stand up to the abuse, and the warranty has always been as good.

there's lots of midrange tools, and used stuff to start with.

it really depends on your level of use.
at home i use Cman, Mstrcft and other random garbage.
at work, i do not.
i also havent seen a non-SO/MAC box stand up to the amount of weight we put in our boxes (HD)
but if youre not going crazy (3/4 drive and stuff over 1") then any decent box should do.

if this is your starter kit, i would do just that, get starter tools, replace as broken.
if youre going pro, buy a nice box but DONT put yourself in debt, buy it in pieces.
if youre keeping this as a hobby, buy a nice american made, used box even.
i bought a KRL stack for 50% on ebay. brand new basically...

im rambling

 

[F3RR3T]

you gotta pay to play.

i complain about snap-on out sourcing, about their lack of customer service, their lack of attention to some of the finer details

but, as a pro day in and day out theyre the only thing ive had stand up to the abuse, and the warranty has always been as good.

there's lots of midrange tools, and used stuff to start with.

it really depends on your level of use.
at home i use Cman, Mstrcft and other random garbage.
at work, i do not.
i also havent seen a non-SO/MAC box stand up to the amount of weight we put in our boxes (HD)

if this is your starter kit, i would do just that, get starter tools, replace as broken.
if youre going pro, buy a nice box but DONT put yourself in debt, buy it in pieces.
if youre keeping this as a hobby, buy a nice american made, used box even.
i bought a KRL stack for 50% on ebay. brand new basically...

im rambling

ive been using craftsman since i was 14. had a top/bottom box that was full. That was stolen in 07. Got a BS 300 piece set and have been using that while saving. got about 6k currently if i go snap-on ill have to wait another 6 months to get my dividends from my stocks.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

ive been using craftsman since i was 14. had a top/bottom box that was full. That was stolen in 07. Got a BS 300 piece set and have been using that while saving. got about 6k currently if i go snap-on ill have to wait another 6 months to get my dividends from my stocks.

There are always snap on boxes that are used, let someone else take the initial hit of buying new

 

[beelsr]

if you can wait a week, i'll be putting up a bunch of craftsman stuff for sale. all of it made in the USA and brand new...

pro wrenches - combos, flare & deep offset; new gen ratchets; sockets; pro screwdrivers; bunch of adj wrenches and pro pliers

i have one more week on the road and then i'll be home and taking pictures and listing stuff....

 

[v7guy]

I've been wrenching for a bit more than 10 yrs.
If it's a hobby I can't really recommend the price of premium tools... I "get it" for the guys that do it for a living... time is money and quality is worth it when your lively hood depends on it.
But I've had a lot of luck with mid range stuff... think the "expensive" stuff at the box stores.
I make money on the stuff I do, but it's still just a "hobby" and if something breaks I usually have an extra... and if not it can wait till morning.
A nice toolbox is, well, nice. But there are a lot of glowing recommendations for the harbor freight piece, and while not American it's a good value.
If you want American (and I encourage it) you can get a nice box for relatively cheap if you wait and look around.

 

[mrholeshot]

Don't be afraid of some of the Import Stuff. The 41" Harbor Freight US General Box for Starters. Then there is Gearwrench tools. Both great values for the money. As far as sockets go Craftsman is still an excellant value. The Craftsman Pro Screwdrivers are also an excellant value. People ***** about the quality of Asian made tools at Sears. You can bet if the Craftsman Pro wrenches (I havent seen them yet) were made in Tiawan and cost 1/2 as much people here wouldnt complain. Don't overlook Stanley and Husky either. Shop carefully and your dollar will go far

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I got my Craftsman screwdriver set in 1980.

I bought my son the same set for Christmas 2009.

The only way they can be told apart is mine are old and stained. Other than that, they appear to be identical.

I agree with the comment about professional tools being for professionals. I wrench (at most) 12 hours a week and my less expensive tools have held up well. I'd much rather have 8 times as many tools then tools that were 8 times as expensive.

It don't matter much how nice that 3/8" snap on ratchet is when what you need is a pair of snap ring pliers.

Phil

 

[Jeepguy]

you have 6K saved????? look at williams. 6K will go a long way on williams and more than half of the catalog is direct snap on cross over. the only problem is lead time on most of the stuff, but if you've been waiting since '07 whats another few months

 

[arkangel06]

I have some ideas...

You could buy....

Armstrong
WRIGHT!!
proto
Williams
older snap on mac matco SK cornwell ect...


Why limit yourself???

 

[lipadj46]

seriously if you have 6k saved don't waste it on craftsman or blow it on snap on. If you like old snap on Williams has great screwdrivers (snap on hard handles), wrenches, ratchets (snap on 30 tooth ratchets) and sockets make sure you are buying the USA stuff though. Wright wrenches, sockets and ratchets are great as are proto and armstrong. For pliers go knipex and screwdrivers look at PB swiss. Search ebay and amazon for deals also check out harry epstein's for great closeout deals and they have wright stuff and great stuff in general. Epstein's may also still have the williams tool boxes made in the canadian snap on factory. You can also buy select snap on stuff on the classifieds here. "New" dual 80s come along all the time for 40% off retail price.

 

[Catamount]

I would just like to chime in and say 'good for you'.

You don't hear about many 18 year olds who are able to save $6k in order to go to work.

You clearly have made some good decisions to get you to this point, I'm sure you'll continue to make good decisions on how to spend your hard earned money. Good luck.

(If I were you I'd search CL for a mechanic getting out of the business. I've seen fully-loaded SO boxes for less than the amount you've got saved)

 

[leftyz]

I would just like to chime in and say 'good for you'.

You don't hear about many 18 year olds who are able to save $6k in order to go to work.

You clearly have made some good decisions to get you to this point, I'm sure you'll continue to make good decisions on how to spend your hard earned money. Good luck.

(If I were you I'd search CL for a mechanic getting out of the business. I've seen fully-loaded SO boxes for less than the amount you've got saved)

I was going to suggest CL as well, I see full snap-on boxes going for "cheap" all the time..

 

[larry_g]

Have you thought about signing up for school so that you can get student discount on your tools? Also I would advise you to put your location in your sign-up. You may find a GJ tool nut just around the corner who has tons of tools to get rid of.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[atari]

Proto stuff is really nice and goes pretty cheep on e-bay.

 

[Beerman]

I agree with those that suggest looking at used tools. You might try a few pawn shops in your area. Most pawn shops in my area have been put out of business by the car title loan people, but if you live in a major area, particularly one with a military base, you might have more pawn shops to choose from. The tools you buy might not come pretty and shiny, but you might find enough to get you started for just a few bucks and then you can take time to shop around for the more expensive stuff. I've found tools DIRT cheap at the local pawn shops and flea markets-it just takes some time and effort.



Beerman

 

[Hiball]

i complain about snap-on out sourcing, about their lack of customer service.

Snap-On's customer service is 1st Rate, almost too good in some cases.

 

[A_Pmech]

Ferret,

The world is AWASH in quality hand tools. You just have to find them.

Don't let it bother you and don't be in a big hurry to blow your hard-earned cash on new tools when used will do just as well.

 

[F3RR3T]

Thanks for all the input. I was trying to stay with craftsman and snap-on purely because if i need a replacement im only out my trip to town. I dont make a living with my tools. Im an electronic assembly tech with Lockheed Martin and run a few websites on the side.

I will look into some of the other brands of tools, I most likely will buy new just purely because ive very rarely bought myself anything brand new. I do see that snap on only has 5-10 pieces that are raising a fuss in people obout the COO.

I most likely will not go with WRIGHT as there rep on this board and another on a 4x4 site. Has left a sour taste in my mouth.

cheers to all Will most likely make my decision on Monday and ill return with a update.

 

[Ser50]

Snap-On's customer service is 1st Rate, almost too good in some cases.

i should clarify that i was referring to my experience with franchisees as snap on, not the company.

 

[Ser50]

this is a must have.
i often have to bring it home from work for automotive projects at home.
worth the cost.

anyone got a used one for sale?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Buy used, Craigslist, Ebay, the local Fleas, the pawns, etc. You can find whole sets and make up sets rather easily. Then as time and money permits, trade some of the stuff to snappy for the good stuff (by that time it will be manufactured in Inner Mongolia or Tibet).

Everyone worries about warranties. The only stuff I think I've ever warranted at Snap On were screwdrivers with defective handles that cracked and turned to soupy oil. Beyond that a Craftsman 9/16 combo wrench that shattered (WWII production) and thats about it. Why does everyone worry about warranties????? Its an insane reason to make a decision about who or where to buy from. If you are destroying tools, you need to rethink what you are using, get something larger to do the job (ie. select the 7/8 socket in 1/2 drive rather than 3/8 drive) and rethink your mechanical aptitude.

Charles

 

[lipadj46]

I most likely will not go with WRIGHT as there rep on this board and another on a 4x4 site. Has left a sour taste in my mouth.

What now, please give some details as I don't recall anything bad about wright said around here? I've only heard good things and the wright ratchets and combo wrenches I own are down right nice.

 

[F3RR3T]

What now, please give some details as I don't recall anything bad about wright said around here? I've only heard good things and the wright ratchets and combo wrenches I own are down right nice.

nothing against the product, But when im in a thread discussing tool brands and the rep comes in in all caps "BUY WRIGHT WE CANT BE BEAT ALL MADE IN USA ETC ETC" not to mention the numerous emails i sent inquiring and never received a response. I dont doubt the product just disagree with there sales tactics.

 

[F3RR3T]

I do believe i will be going with snap-on

 

[kythri]

nothing against the product, But when im in a thread discussing tool brands and the rep comes in in all caps "BUY WRIGHT WE CANT BE BEAT ALL MADE IN USA ETC ETC" not to mention the numerous emails i sent inquiring and never received a response. I dont doubt the product just disagree with there sales tactics.

That particular individual is NOT a representative of Wright. He's an independent dealer.

 

[F3RR3T]

That particular individual is NOT a representative of Wright. He's an independent dealer.

interesting thanks for clearing that up. was told on the other forum he was a rep.

 

[Ser50]

rethink your mechanical aptitude.

warranty can go beyond breakage, it can be chrome flaking, spreading and so on, handle damage, ive seen SO warrant a dead blow because the face was so damaged from proper use, not that they have to, but that the dealer wants to keep his big customers happy.

 

[Hiball]

nothing against the product, But when im in a thread discussing tool brands and the rep comes in in all caps "BUY WRIGHT WE CANT BE BEAT ALL MADE IN USA ETC ETC" not to mention the numerous emails i sent inquiring and never received a response. I dont doubt the product just disagree with there sales tactics.

You said in a earlier thread that "this person" was a member here? Who is it? I know its not Richard from TRTOOLSUPPLY.

 

[F3RR3T]

You said in a earlier thread that "this person" was a member here? Who is it? I know its not Richard from TRTOOLSUPPLY.

I will track down the thread and pm a name. May take a few days as i dont remember what thread.

 

[WOPR]

...I'd much rather have 8 times as many tools then tools that were 8 times as expensive...

Don't let it bother you and don't be in a big hurry to blow your hard-earned cash on new tools when used will do just as well.

qft, these men have the right idea, take their advice. Especially since this is not 'for a living'. Heck, even if you wish to scratch the itch of buying new, i've found more than a few new tools/sets on ebay that I snatched well below their retail cost.

I will echo the statements of others by complimenting you on the responsibly you've shown by saving so much. Don't loose focus now in the "end game" - strech those dollars as far as you can.

 

[F3RR3T]

qft, these men have the right idea, take their advice. Especially since this is not 'for a living'. Heck, even if you wish to scratch the itch of buying new, i've found more than a few new tools/sets on ebay that I snatched well below their retail cost.

I will echo the statements of others by complimenting you on the responsibly you've shown by saving so much. Don't loose focus now in the "end game" - strech those dollars as far as you can.

Ive always been very good with money. and have high double figures in savings. And enough in the stock market to make me sick. Im not afraid to pay to play but what ever i get i want to be a one-time purchase not something that has to be replaced.

 

[billymade]

The first time you use a tool.... it is "used"; you can save a ton of dough and build up the ultimate tool set! This set with time and patience; can be very reasonable! You can buy the best of the best used and spend less then most the "new" junk out there..... good luck!

 

[crewchief888]

i suppose if i hadnt started turning wrenches as a "pro" 25 years ago, i never would have thought of tools and storage beyond CM and kennedy.

i work on construction eq, and i'm hard & abusive with my tools
as for warranty....

over those 25 years, ive probably warrantied 10-15 sockets and wrenches, most of them broken & mangled from abuse, a couple 3/4 dr impacts that were just plain worn out.

most pro's depend on their tools and hold them to a higher standard than a DIY'er.

for the most part the tools i have in my garage are mainly CM & SK, i have some truck brands that i bought used, for more specialized uses.
my home boxes are mainly SO's that i dont need at work for storage.
would i buy a new SO box for home?
i have in the past, but not again.
would i buy used SO or any truck brand tools or boxes for use at home?
probably if the price was right,
and the old lady wouldnt cut my balls off

 

[impulse922]

This all has me kind of confused. You have 6k to spend on tools and you think you have to spend it all at once?

Since you already have that "BS kit" why not just start by filling gaps or replacing stuff that you use more often than the others?

You sound like you are good at saving/forking money in the savings, but just going out and spending 6 G notes on tools seems extremely counter intuitive, especially all at once. (unless you have been saving just for that?)

 

[F3RR3T]

This all has me kind of confused. You have 6k to spend on tools and you think you have to spend it all at once?

Since you already have that "BS kit" why not just start by filling gaps or replacing stuff that you use more often than the others?

You sound like you are good at saving/forking money in the savings, but just going out and spending 6 G notes on tools seems extremely counter intuitive, especially all at once. (unless you have been saving just for that?)

have been saving purely for tools we will be going the snap on route. in about 6 months. Got with a snap on guy a few towns over and have arranged a huge order.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Craigslist is the way to go. I just bought a Kra bottom and middle 250.00