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Best value hand tools?

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kgorman

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I have been a pretty loyal Craftsman hand tool owner but lately I have had a couple disappointments. I am searching for the best value hand tools with the highest quality. Don't want anything made in China. preferably made in the USA. I think SO is very nice but just too expensive.. Or are they really worth it?

- Screwdrivers? Wera looks nice.
- ratchets/sockets? Both hand and impact sockets.
- wrenches?

I already use Klien, channel lock and have orig Vice grips so I am good with those types of hand tools.

Thanks
 
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Scout Driver

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I have been using US made Allen tools for the last couple years. They have a better fit and finish than the Craftsman tools, while being priced competitively. The wrenches and sockets are especially nice. As far as screwdrivers, Williams makes the screwdrivers for Snap On. The phillips drivers fit screws exceptionally. They cost less than Snap On branded drivers too. The Allen ratchets are pretty nice. But don't be afraid to seek out used Snap On ratchets either.

Enjoy tool shopping. :beer:

Scott
 
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Aklass

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I say Armstrong, or Williams if you want made in USA.
If overseas, I'd say Gearwrench, HF, Genius
 
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pipsters

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The only Williams screwdrivers made in the US are the black hard handled ones, the blue ones aren't I don't believe. The ratcheting screwdriver is though.

The black hard handled ones are nice but kinda big and industrial like.
 
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boostedgt

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used proto,sk,armstrong. there are even deals on snap on sometimes when buying used
 
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pipsters

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Scout Driver said:
I have been using US made Allen tools for the last couple years. They have a better fit and finish than the Craftsman tools, while being priced competitively. The wrenches and sockets are especially nice. As far as screwdrivers, Williams makes the screwdrivers for Snap On. The phillips drivers fit screws exceptionally. They cost less than Snap On branded drivers too. The Allen ratchets are pretty nice. But don't be afraid to seek out used Snap On ratchets either.

Enjoy tool shopping. :beer:

Scott
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The Allen tools I have look like exact copies of the Craftsman stuff, I'm pretty sure they come out of the same factory.
 
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Gregg33

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JeremyManning said:
For ratchets try picking up a GRAY made in Canada I see a couple on fleabay from a us seller so shipping should be cheap
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Gray's hardline and tool boxes are among my favorites. Avoid their "filler" though, tools like hammers, screwdrivers, vises etc. Much of that is made overseas. That quality of stuff is sold at HF, Princess Auto and Cdn Tire and can be gotten much cheaper in those stores.
 
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kgorman

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Is there any worry about the smaller players like Armstrong or Allen going under long term?
 
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DavidB

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Wright is another US company to take a look at. Check thier webpage to see if there is a dealer in your area. Also, good deals on new items can be found on ebay.
 
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SMKS

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Scout Driver said:
I have been using US made Allen tools for the last couple years. They have a better fit and finish than the Craftsman tools, while being priced competitively.

Scott
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Be careful, many of the new Allen-branded tools are made in China, and not nearly as high quality.
 
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Skin

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Armstrong is the same as Craftsman. Go truck brand via ebay or Proto/Wright...you may get sticker shock if you expect anything close to Cman pricing though.
 
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Skyline

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Used Snap-on on eBay. When you consider warrantee, quality, and their very broad product line, it's hard to beat. Generally you will pay about 40% of new price...still more than new Craftsman though, but it's not such a big gap for what you get.

Want an even better deal? Invest $3-10K and buy an entire KRL toolbox filled with Snap-on, MAC and Matco tools. Expect to pay closer to 15-25% of list for this. Shop CL for these deals. Sell what you don't need on eBay, and you could end up with free tools.
 
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autobon7

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I recently picked up a few Toptul brand tools, very good fit and finish for a good price. Better than Cman all around, in my opinion.
 
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dirtrider

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Proto are very high quality and somewhat cheaper compared to Snapon but just look out because there owned by Stanley. Also Wright has very nice tools as well. "Industrial" brands like these are high quality and most of the time less expensive then truck tools.Also buying used truck tools is always an option but either way if you wan't to step up in quality your going to have to pay the price for it, the two go hand and hand.
 
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baubau

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Toptul makes great and affordable tools....their ratchets and sockets are top notch...i love their satin finish and green color.....

http://www.thetoolchest.ca/

i have ordered twice from them, both transactions perfect....

for money that i paid, i dont even care about warranty.....
 
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amolaver

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baubau said:
Toptul makes great and affordable tools....their ratchets and sockets are top notch...i love their satin finish and green color.....

http://www.thetoolchest.ca/

i have ordered twice from them, both transactions perfect....

for money that i paid, i dont even care about warranty.....
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+1 on toptul and thetoolchest.ca. i've had 3 or 4 orders from them and while i don't like the satin finish on the wrenches, their extra long set is a steal for less than $100. its a shame they got rid of their chrome because the SAE set i got of theirs is some of the best i've EVER seen - heretical to some, but better than the trucks. not sure if it will hold up as well or be as easy to replace, but they are NICE wrenches.

their screwdrivers have been a great bargain as well. tips are holding up well after a few months of work and i think their handles are extremely comfortable.

their swivel head ratchets are also very nice and reasonably priced.

sunex/grey pneumatic/genius have all been solid impact socket-wise. wright/armstrong are US alternatives at about 2x the price (and half or less than SO/truck brands).

genius 0 offset wrenches are great. kd/gearwrench makes a ratcheting version as well.

kd/gearwrench has been great for almost everything - ratchets, wrenches, and sockets - and has an extremely diverse product line. yes, they are a mix of taiwan and chinese manufacture, but they seem to be holding quality at a fairly high level. again, wright/proto are US made at about 2x the price (but cheaper than trucks).

ahm
 
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kgorman

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vette-kid

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baubau said:
Toptul makes great and affordable tools....their ratchets and sockets are top notch...i love their satin finish and green color.....

http://www.thetoolchest.ca/

i have ordered twice from them, both transactions perfect....

for money that i paid, i dont even care about warranty.....
Click to expand...

The problem with both of the tool chest and ultimate garage is that neither of them have many sae sockets! I really need some satin sae sockets!
 
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HandyManny

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I'd say Proto for wenches, sockets, and extentions. They're not all that much more expensive than Cman. What might kill you is the shipping costs since Proto isn't usually found locally in many areas.

If you're willing to buy imported quality Taiwan tools - I've been very very pleased and impressed with Autozone's Duralast sockets, extentions, and even a couple of their 3/8 drive ratchets. In fact their sockets actually impress me more than most most USA made brand sockets (recent or past). The sockets just feel and look very solid, very durable, they fit the fastener as they should, and they come with the same high quality, durable, well finished chrome plating that we used to see on quality American tools in the past. They seem to hold up to real hard use as well. Best part is, they're fair priced, lifetime warranty, and readily available to anyone. Anymore when it comes to things like sockets and extentions I'll chose a Duralast way over a recent Craftsman any day. I find them to be every bit on par with if not better than my trusty Proto, MAC, and S-K stuff.
 
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diesel research

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Amazon, ebay, and craigslist should almost never be considered a reliable source for pricing information. Definitely should not come up when these brand comparisons are mentioned.

Why? Inconsistent pricing/quality/service that comes with used tools. If you know how to shop around you will find the deals. BUT if you know how to shop those type things, you won't be asking questions. Buying used tools can be quite an art and may not be learned "over night" or just by casual mention.

We have all saw the ebay prices go "over the top", the misrepresented craigslist ads, the scam baiters, the poor shippers, the vanishing amazon deals, ect ect. Takes a bit of skill to filter that bs out.

Wright, SK, Armstrong, Proto all offer american hand tools, sometimes at a lesser than truck type price, BUT are they the best bang for the buck? Only you can decide how much quality you "need" and anything more is just bragging rights. Just like horsepower.

What kind of customer service do you need? What kind of warranty do you need? Strength? Fitment? Craftsmen could likely be considered bottom of the barrel when it comes to american made hand tools, so quality is likely only to go up from there.
 
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HandyManny

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treasureseeker said:
How does Toptul compare to Duralast?
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I know nothing about Toptul, so I can't make the comparison. I would however recommend you simply stop in to an Autozone and take a look at some of the lose sockets and adapters on the racks. Personally I think the sockets are solid and built very well, better than most others out there.
 
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HandyManny

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diesel research said:
Craftsmen could likely be considered bottom of the barrel when it comes to american made hand tools, so quality is likely only to go up from there.
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Depends. I agree that when it comes to many of their USA made stuff, quality and value has reached an all time low recently. I still see a few USA made items they offer that are still fairly good to impressive. Overall though I'm done with Sears and the newer Craftsman. I can buy better quality for equal or less money elsewhere. It's just simply not the brand it once was.
 
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