craftsman vs. husky vs. Kobalt

[timebombkustoms]

Hello everyone first post here and love the site!so this spring I am thinking of redoing the garage and with that will come new tools and a box or two.I have had craftsman for years but thats just it all I have is a med. size set that will be used for a road side kit for my hot rod when its done.So I have been looking at boxes and am really liking the Kobalt and husky boxes.As for tools I have been looking at Husky and craftsman but I hear the quality is not as good on the new craftsman tools as it use to be is this true?So does anyone have any info for me on the quality of Husky and the newer craftsman stuff?

 

[Danglerb]

I'd pick Craftsman over Husky or Kobalt, but some things may be better in other brands, and some individual tools may not be nice.

The Craftsman 145 pc mechanics set will form the core of my tool set, but I don't plan to keep the ratchets (I like Proto and others) and around 10 to 15% are going back for replacement either due to cosmetic or functional flaws related to the chrome finish. Not perfect, but good working tools that are still about the easiest to have replaced free.

 

[timebombkustoms]

I have seen a lot of people talking about the pronto ratchets on here where do you get them at?I was really leaning to the craftsman tools but was a little unsure because I have been hearing there not wanting to honer there replacement plain on some things anymore.As far as boxes go any thoughts on the kobalt and husky boxes.The kobalts like I said are looking good because I really like the top box they have.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Husky boxes have disappeared from my area Home Depot stores. They were made by Beach Toolbox Compant in Canada. The same company made the MAC economizer boxes. I know that if you overloaded them, they could develop cracks in the back. The Kobalt boxes are made by waterloo Industries. They also make boxes for Craftsman. Kobalt only has a few boxes to choose from. I don't think any manufacturer makes stuff as good today as it used to. If you stay away from the ultra cheap three piece combos from sears, and look at some of their 40 inch wide stuff or their Professional line you'll be ok.

 

[timebombkustoms]

thanks for the info guys,I am really liking this site there is tons of info on here.Here is the box I was looking at at lowes only I like the black finish better,and if its made by the same place that does craftsman than I should be good to go.....

 

[eschoendorff]

Kobalt ratchets sockets and wrenches are basically the same as their Craftsman/Craftsman Pro counterparts (same source). Not the case with screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

Husky tools are all Taiwanese. Better off buying the same **** cheaper at Harbor Freight. As for boxes, unless you are a professional and will be moving your box around alot, just buy whatever you like the best and whatever fits your budget. Save your money for tools to fill that new box.

 

[l_bilyk]

What is that claw hammer doing in a mechanic's toolbox?

 

[Uncle Buck]

What is that claw hammer doing in a mechanic's toolbox?

Clearly you are not in advertising! Years ago Sears actually was so ignorant as to include a carpenters claw hammer and a nail type prybar in their largest mechanics tool set! (it looked reallly STUPID)

 

[davestlouis]

Those stainless boxes remind me of a gas grille, I want to throw a steak under the lid.

 

[timebombkustoms]

again thanks for the info guys,now anyone have a good link to order Proto ratchets?

 

[wilbilt]

again thanks for the info guys,now anyone have a good link to order Proto ratchets?

There are tons of new Proto ratchets on eBay:

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...maxRecordsPerPage=50&SortProperty=MetaEndSort

 

[alohavw]

There are tons of new Proto ratchets on eBay:

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...maxRecordsPerPage=50&SortProperty=MetaEndSort

Is there any retail store that sell them other than ebay?

 

[davestlouis]

All of the Proto ratchets on ebay either had knurled steel handle, or plastic soft grip, do they make any with smooth chrome handle? I don't like the knurled steel, and truly detest soft grip handles on ratchets.

 

[Danglerb]

All of the Proto ratchets on ebay either had knurled steel handle, or plastic soft grip, do they make any with smooth chrome handle? I don't like the knurled steel, and truly detest soft grip handles on ratchets.

All Proto ratchets I have seen are knurled or soft grip over knurled.

Plenty of places other than ebay have them, but at full retail price, as in $55 instead of $12 for the same ratchet. A lot of people like the 80 tooth Snapon, some like the SK ratchets. Harbor Freight has some very nice composite plastic ratchets I am waiting to see on sale.

 

[davestlouis]

I have mainly Snap On, a couple of Matco that I think I may prefer over the SO, and a set of 80th Anniversary Craftsman Thin Pro that feel pretty decent too. Feel is SO important and you just can't tell what is going to feel right until climb under the car and dig in.

 

[Stanger]

I was going to buy a Proto but the sale came up for the 80th Anniv. Thin Profiles so i bought them instead. Very nice for the money. I don't need anything more.
Grant

 

[davestlouis]

The Thin Profiles are getting so cheap that I may buy another set just to have them. I could give a hoot about the 80th Anniversary logo one way or the other.

 

[rsanter]

it is not a claw hammer, it is a combination precision knockrometer and prybar.

craftsman was very correct for including the claw hammer and nail type prybar in their largest MASTER toolset. if you are a true master mechanic then I am sure you are familiar with some of the cars from the 20s and 30s that still has some wood structure to them. they include these items for those people that work on the really old cars

bob

 

[eschoendorff]

it is not a claw hammer, it is a combination precision knockrometer and prybar.

craftsman was very correct for including the claw hammer and nail type prybar in their largest MASTER toolset. if you are a true master mechanic then I am sure you are familiar with some of the cars from the 20s and 30s that still has some wood structure to them. they include these items for those people that work on the really old cars

bob

I thought that they used screws in those older cars and not nails??????

 

[Rabbit]

I thought that they used screws in those older cars and not nails??????

I'm guessing you have never pulled the interior out of a late '20's to early '30's Ford.

 

[Thumper]

In reference to the claw hammer i the toolbox...where I work we build boat trailers. I work with an assclown that when a hammer is needed to adjust a bracket or bump a pin through....He always grabs this big *** Estwing and frails away without trying to line things up first and swears..."now thats a hammer". I told him we ain't framing outhouses and he needs to quit using that but he is hardheaded and a bit dumb. Sometimes he is fun to watch.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'm guessing you have never pulled the interior out of a late '20's to early '30's Ford.

Nope... can't say that I have.

 

[Uncle Buck]

it is not a claw hammer, it is a combination precision knockrometer and prybar.

craftsman was very correct for including the claw hammer and nail type prybar in their largest MASTER toolset. if you are a true master mechanic then I am sure you are familiar with some of the cars from the 20s and 30s that still has some wood structure to them. they include these items for those people that work on the really old cars

bob

To each his own, but I still say a claw hammer and prybar look ignorant included as part of a mechanics tool set. Mind you I would not say the same if a guy has either in his toolbox. (I am plenty familiar with old Fords, but something tells me that todays tool venders are not marketing their offerings with the idea that most buyers/mechanics spend much of their time working on 1920's-30's cars!)

 

[goodfellow]

Back in the late 60's, the standard bodyman's toolkit that I purchased included a good hickory handle claw hammer, heavy duty Vaughan prybar, a small wood brace and a block plane. As was stated before, they were included for traditional reasons. Before uni-body cars, highend bodymen were also required to understand "coach building" techniques which required the mastery of wood working skills.