What brands do the professional mechanics use?

[jmm]

It would be a shame that SO would market their screwdrivers made in USA like Craftsman, but really be made outside the country. More companies are trying to get around it these days.

Don't think that's exactly the case. I associated Snap-On with quality first and foremost. Re-labeling a German product doesn't run afoul of their integrity, in my eyes. COO is a matter of preference, I suppose.

I love the feel of Klein screwdrivers, but they really aren't strong enough to handle abuse. And that great grip doesn't last long if they get around chemicals. I have a small set I keep at home...for light duty they're pretty good tools.

The Klein nut drivers are too clunky for me, though. You'll find Wihas in my box, and they're awesome! I have a few Weras that are pretty good too.

 

[jfcasey]

Man yall are picky about screw drivers. My self and the fellas I work with usually use a drill, if we cant then its just a snappy hard handle or a rip off of one. If its a stuck hard to remove screw it usually just gets wailed with an impact driver then a drill.

 

[Holyroller125]

Man yall are picky about screw drivers. My self and the fellas I work with usually use a drill, if we cant then its just a snappy hard handle or a rip off of one. If its a stuck hard to remove screw it usually just gets wailed with an impact driver then a drill.

I would not say we are picky:

1. We care about quality tools. When you do this all the time, and you have to pay for your own, you will look for good quality. Staying loyal to quality products says somethiing about you in how you approach your job.

2. Some of us want to know how well the tools are made in relation to trade.

3. Some of us want to be loyal to the USA. Keep buying a German peace of ****, or a Chinese peace of ****, and your enabling the shifting of manufacturing to overseas. Do not buy their foreign peace of ****. Make them go back to the quality. Make them come back to the USA. Hmmm.... I forgot, Americans do not care about hard work, quality work... Just get the pay check and who cares how good it is.....

4. Some of us are not afraid to work by hand. The more often people pick up an electric driver/tool for the task, they are less skilled in that area. For example, using a powered screwgun to install screws in drywall instead of using a hammer to install the drywall fastener nails. Your professional drywaller uses a hammer to put in fasteners. Your every once in awhile person only uses a screwgun; because their is an art to hammer in a nail in drywall.

Call it what you will; I'm going Powerlineman. and I love my job. I feel sorry for anyone that takes a job because they could not find a better one, wanted easy money, etc etc. I'll stop now..

HAve a nice day,
Greg

 

[Conductor562]

I would not say we are picky:

1. We care about quality tools. When you do this all the time, and you have to pay for your own, you will look for good quality. Staying loyal to quality products says somethiing about you in how you approach your job.

2. Some of us want to know how well the tools are made in relation to trade.

3. Some of us want to be loyal to the USA. Keep buying a German peace of ****, or a Chinese peace of ****, and your enabling the shifting of manufacturing to overseas. Do not buy their foreign peace of ****. Make them go back to the quality. Make them come back to the USA. Hmmm.... I forgot, Americans do not care about hard work, quality work... Just get the pay check and who cares how good it is.....

4. Some of us are not afraid to work by hand. The more often people pick up an electric driver/tool for the task, they are less skilled in that area. For example, using a powered screwgun to install screws in drywall instead of using a hammer to install the drywall fastener nails. Your professional drywaller uses a hammer to put in fasteners. Your every once in awhile person only uses a screwgun; because their is an art to hammer in a nail in drywall.

Call it what you will; I'm going Powerlineman. and I love my job. I feel sorry for anyone that takes a job because they could not find a better one, wanted easy money, etc etc. I'll stop now..

HAve a nice day,
Greg

Very well said Greg! Manufacturers get away with outsourcing their products because over time the majority of consumers have come to accept it and only we the consumers have the ability to change it. If you aren't part of the solution you're just part of the problem

 

[redwrench60]

What brands? hell, all of em' I have this weird thing where I like to eat about twice a day so whatever it takes to get it done. That said I mostly use tools that come to me on a tool truck.

 

[vga]

I like my old school orange handle Mac screw drivers set..

 

[RCStocker]

Klein isn't really a well known brand for mechanics. It isn't really marketed towards that industry. I don't own any of their stuff myself.

Channellock is a known brand, perhaps the best at what they make. I own some of their stuff, as well as Rigid pipe wrenches, etc.

For Snap-On screwdrivers, I prefer the hard handle stuff. The soft handles are too small for my hands.

Klein and Greenlee have been around longer than Snap-on and Chanelock tools
They make great tools for the the electrician. They are well known in industry maintainance. They make great nut drivers, all's, screwdrivers, side cutters and other tools. Even Sears carried Klein and now they carry Greenlee. Who knows. They get bought and sold all the time and who knows who owns them now.

If mechanic's don't know about them then they are the only ones. Greenlee makes some of the worlds best taps and dies.

 

[RCStocker]

I find Klein flat blades a little soft for prying so maybe not to good for auto mechanics. And snap on screwdrivers that are soft grip seem to fail when you get brake clean and solvents on the handles so if your hands are good i would stick to a hard handle.

You don't pry with screwdrivers and there is no reason to get solvents on the tools. If there is you never use plastic handled tools. HELLO

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I would not say we are picky:

1. We care about quality tools. When you do this all the time, and you have to pay for your own, you will look for good quality. Staying loyal to quality products says somethiing about you in how you approach your job.

2. Some of us want to know how well the tools are made in relation to trade.

3. Some of us want to be loyal to the USA. Keep buying a German peace of ****, or a Chinese peace of ****, and your enabling the shifting of manufacturing to overseas. Do not buy their foreign peace of ****. Make them go back to the quality. Make them come back to the USA. Hmmm.... I forgot, Americans do not care about hard work, quality work... Just get the pay check and who cares how good it is.....

4. Some of us are not afraid to work by hand. The more often people pick up an electric driver/tool for the task, they are less skilled in that area. For example, using a powered screwgun to install screws in drywall instead of using a hammer to install the drywall fastener nails. Your professional drywaller uses a hammer to put in fasteners. Your every once in awhile person only uses a screwgun; because their is an art to hammer in a nail in drywall.

Call it what you will; I'm going Powerlineman. and I love my job. I feel sorry for anyone that takes a job because they could not find a better one, wanted easy money, etc etc. I'll stop now..

HAve a nice day,
Greg

Very well said.

 

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

ok...so you love Kleins, but you don't want to get he handles dirty. Not a problem, what you want to buy is VACO its a Klein screwdriver with a hard comfortable handle that's made in the USA...well mine are anyway. Now just so you know, I'm like most of you and admit to owning way to many screwdrivers. I have a drawer of flat, a drawer of phillips, a drawer of old wooden handles that are USA (even some Western Auto brand) and a whole box full of crappy ones just laying around waiting to be used for God knows what....

 

[hifi_hokie]

I like the Klein pliers I have, but for screwdrivers - Wiha or nuffin'

Man yall are picky about screw drivers.

This is the essence of GJ...and why it's great

 

[Davefr]

You don't pry with screwdrivers and there is no reason to get solvents on the tools. If there is you never use plastic handled tools. HELLO

OK guys, fess up!!

Who here has never abused a screwdriver on occassion or got some solvent or other **** on the handle??

If abusing a screwdriver get's a difficult task done efficiently then "their" lives have not been in vain. (prybars are not always the answer)

That why I have a set of "beater" screwdrivers.

 

[smogtech]

I don't stick to any particular brand. I buy the tool based on its characteristics rather than brand. My toolbox is like a bag of M&Ms

Sockets: Harborfreight, Sunex, Craftsman, Matco, Snap on
Ratchets: Snapon, Gearwrench, Matco, EzRed
Wrenches: Harborfreight, Genius tool, Ez red, Gearwrench, Snap On
Pliers: Channellock, Knipex, Snap on, ViseGrip, Sunex, Mac, OTC
Power Tools: Aircat, Snap On, Makita, Milwaukee, Ingersoll Rand
Diagnostics: Snap On, OTC, ESI, Matco, Power Probe,

 

[richfinn]

I would not say we are picky:

1. We care about quality tools. When you do this all the time, and you have to pay for your own, you will look for good quality. Staying loyal to quality products says somethiing about you in how you approach your job.

2. Some of us want to know how well the tools are made in relation to trade.

3. Some of us want to be loyal to the USA. Keep buying a German peace of ****, or a Chinese peace of ****, and your enabling the shifting of manufacturing to overseas. Do not buy their foreign peace of ****. Make them go back to the quality. Make them come back to the USA. Hmmm.... I forgot, Americans do not care about hard work, quality work... Just get the pay check and who cares how good it is.....

4. Some of us are not afraid to work by hand. The more often people pick up an electric driver/tool for the task, they are less skilled in that area. For example, using a powered screwgun to install screws in drywall instead of using a hammer to install the drywall fastener nails. Your professional drywaller uses a hammer to put in fasteners. Your every once in awhile person only uses a screwgun; because their is an art to hammer in a nail in drywall.

Call it what you will; I'm going Powerlineman. and I love my job. I feel sorry for anyone that takes a job because they could not find a better one, wanted easy money, etc etc. I'll stop now..

HAve a nice day,
Greg

"German Peace of ****"

Dumb patriotism reaches a new high

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

"German Peace of ****"

Dumb patriotism reaches a new high

Obviously it has. Germany has created their fair share of turds over the years, just like everyone else. I've got a set of Gedore combo wrenches in the garage that I picked up after a friend who thinks the sun rises and sets in Europe told me how great they were compared to my "crappy" Macs. If "great" is defined as "poorly chromed stuff with the tensile strength of lead", then they hit the mark.

Germany produces a lot of good stuff, but they also produce some total garbage that some people THINK is good just because it is German.

 

[Bill R.]

I've been a mechanic for 40 years, in the beginning i bought all snapon screwdrivers, they were fine for the times and used a set of craftsman for abusing such as prybars or accidentally or intentionally arcing some thing.

Over the years the snapon hard handles have all crumbled away and they won't warranty the handles , so snapon was out. Now i have used craftsman pro's for the last ten or so years for all around use. I use vessel screwdrivers for all phillips screws they are the best i've ever used period. I have some vessel flatblades and use them and the witte sets for fine work. Vessel tips for the drill drivers are also used.

The craftsman pro's do 60% with Vessel doing everything else.

 

[jmm]

I would not say we are picky:

1. We care about quality tools. When you do this all the time, and you have to pay for your own, you will look for good quality. Staying loyal to quality products says somethiing about you in how you approach your job.

2. Some of us want to know how well the tools are made in relation to trade.

3. Some of us want to be loyal to the USA. Keep buying a German peace of ****, or a Chinese peace of ****, and your enabling the shifting of manufacturing to overseas. Do not buy their foreign peace of ****. Make them go back to the quality. Make them come back to the USA. Hmmm.... I forgot, Americans do not care about hard work, quality work... Just get the pay check and who cares how good it is.....

4. Some of us are not afraid to work by hand. The more often people pick up an electric driver/tool for the task, they are less skilled in that area. For example, using a powered screwgun to install screws in drywall instead of using a hammer to install the drywall fastener nails. Your professional drywaller uses a hammer to put in fasteners. Your every once in awhile person only uses a screwgun; because their is an art to hammer in a nail in drywall.

Call it what you will; I'm going Powerlineman. and I love my job. I feel sorry for anyone that takes a job because they could not find a better one, wanted easy money, etc etc. I'll stop now..

HAve a nice day,
Greg

As much as I agree with you on most counts, I have a few issues with this. You speak of loyalty to quality products, and in the same breath equate German tools with Chinese? Doesn't that strike you as a bit foolish? Since when do companies, seeking to cut costs, leave the US for Germany? I'll stop there, and suggest you pick up a set of Knipex pliers. They carry them at Lowe's now.

 

[Conductor562]

As much as I agree with you on most counts, I have a few issues with this. You speak of loyalty to quality products, and in the same breath equate German tools with Chinese? Doesn't that strike you as a bit foolish? Since when do companies, seeking to cut costs, leave the US for Germany? I'll stop there, and suggest you pick up a set of Knipex pliers. They carry them at Lowe's now.

For the most part Germany is synonymous with quality and attention to detail. I don't think he meant that in a literal sense.

 

[Conductor562]

OK guys, fess up!!


If abusing a screwdriver get's a difficult task done efficiently then "their" lives have not been in vain. (prybars are not always the answer)

I don't know if that's in the Bible, but it should have been.

 

[dirtydogintex]

I don't stick to any particular brand. I buy the tool based on its characteristics rather than brand. My toolbox is like a bag of M&Ms

Sockets: Harborfreight, Sunex, Craftsman, Matco, Snap on
Ratchets: Snapon, Gearwrench, Matco, EzRed
Wrenches: Harborfreight, Genius tool, Ez red, Gearwrench, Snap On
Pliers: Channellock, Knipex, Snap on, ViseGrip, Sunex, Mac, OTC
Power Tools: Aircat, Snap On, Makita, Milwaukee, Ingersoll Rand
Diagnostics: Snap On, OTC, ESI, Matco, Power Probe,

Agreed.

Brand loyalty isn't all it's cracked up to be....

 

[Nader]

I dented the cutter on a pair of Klein needlenose pliers while trying to cut some hardened wire. I took the pliers in to Home Depot, and they told me to just go in back and pick up another pair. No receipt or anything. It was easy. So I like the warranty service about the Klein. Didn't like that the cutters dented in the first place.

For pliers and screwdrivers, I have HF, Craftsman, Klein, Channellock, Snap-On, NWS, Wiha, and Knipex. My favorites are the Wiha screwdrivers and Knipex pliers. They're German and they're great. But I also have a Proxxon ratchet/socket set (also German) that is less than stellar.

 

[dankicksass]

Not sure what the hangup on Klein is, if you like yellow they're a fine brand but they don't make their own screwdrivers or pliers anymore. A lot of Klein branded production has moved offshore, screw drivers especially. I don't know what they actually build themselves anymore though. Screwdrivers are contracted from Ideal, pliers and strippers from Channellock and Wilde, testers all offshore. All to Klein's specifications, but it's just a brand, and one losing equity fast IMO.

I use Snap-On and various other brands in my daily work. I can count on Snap-On pretty much all the time to build a tool right, keep building that tool forever, and repair or replace mine when it breaks within reason. They drive the market forward constantly with new and better offerings, often copied, never really equaled.

 

[dankicksass]

I dented the cutter on a pair of Klein needlenose pliers while trying to cut some hardened wire. I took the pliers in to Home Depot, and they told me to just go in back and pick up another pair. No receipt or anything. It was easy. So I like the warranty service about the Klein. Didn't like that the cutters dented in the first place.

That's the Home Depot level of customer service, not Klein's. Home Depot has the best CS in the retail tool market, IMO. They don't necessarily provide the best variety, but when it comes to actually taking care of customers they're miles ahead of Lowes, Sears and the auto parts stores.

 

[Jim C.]

That's the Home Depot level of customer service, not Klein's. Home Depot has the best CS in the retail tool market, IMO. They don't necessarily provide the best variety, but when it comes to actually taking care of customers they're miles ahead of Lowes, Sears and the auto parts stores.

Agreed! I very recently found a 25' Stanley FatMax tape measurer out on the road. The exterior was dirty and had a few scuffs, but it was good enough to use. The only problem was that the hook at the end of the tape had been broken off, so the tape had retracted into the housing. I knew they sold those tape measurers at Home Depot, so I stopped by to see if I could pick up a new replacement tape. One of the sales associates asked me what I needed and I told him I wanted to buy a replacement tape. I showed him the tape measurer and TOLD HIM THAT I FOUND IT. He laughed, took a brand new, complete, tape measurer off the rack and walked me up to the customer service desk. He told the lady working the desk to make an exchange. Again, I told the guy, and the customer service lady that I found the tape measurer. They both said no problem and I ended up walking out with a brand spanking new 25' Stanley FatMax tape measurer. It's hard to knock customer service like that.

Jim C.

 

[Jeeper]

Channellock offers linemans longer than 8". I wouldn't take $50 for my 9.5" High Leverage 369's if I couldn't get another pair.

I was looking at the 369s on their website after you made your comment. Looks like they have the 3610 out which is 10.5" length. Might be worth checking out.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Not sure what the hangup on Klein is, if you like yellow they're a fine brand but they don't make their own screwdrivers or pliers anymore. A lot of Klein branded production has moved offshore, screw drivers especially. I don't know what they actually build themselves anymore though. Screwdrivers are contracted from Ideal, pliers and strippers from Channellock and Wilde, testers all offshore. All to Klein's specifications, but it's just a brand, and one losing equity fast IMO.

I just bought a new set of Klein ironworker pliers last week - they are 100% identical to the 20 year old set they replaced, except for the broken handle.

Other than the cheap Multibit drivers, I have NEVER seen a Klein driver that did not PROUDLY show the USA logo on the packaging.

 

[Conductor562]

I was looking at the 369s on their website after you made your comment. Looks like they have the 3610 out which is 10.5" length. Might be worth checking out.

Yea, I saw those 3610's too. I had a pair of 10" GB's with the crimper beneath the joint but I never used it. I like the crusher jaw on the Channellocks. Strange as it may be, theses pliers have found the added use of pulling misfired brad and finish nails in tight places where I can just gab them and twist.

 

[Holyroller125]

ok...so you love Kleins, but you don't want to get he handles dirty. Not a problem, what you want to buy is VACO its a Klein screwdriver with a hard comfortable handle that's made in the USA...well mine are anyway. Now just so you know, I'm like most of you and admit to owning way to many screwdrivers. I have a drawer of flat, a drawer of phillips, a drawer of old wooden handles that are USA (even some Western Auto brand) and a whole box full of crappy ones just laying around waiting to be used for God knows what....

Alright, thank you so much for the recommendation. I took it to heart. I got my set of VACO screwdrivers in the mail today. The tools/front of package says VACO, but the back of the pachage says Klein. And, it also mentions the company is Klein.

I held those hard-handled screwdrivers in my hand when I got them, and I could not let them out of my hand. I just ordered some of the bigger sizes/longer one's in VACO. For Snap-On, for them to be $150 for (6) of them, they better be comfortable in the hand. I wish Snap-On still made the ones that were 4-sided instead of 3-sided. The older red hard handles screwdrivers from Snap-On were awesome and felt good in my hand. I liked them, but too bad Snap-On quit making them. It's like Craftsman becoming CRAPS-man.

All The Best,
Greg

 

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

Glad you like them! What will you have in a set? And where are you ordering from?

 

[greenbalot]

I haven't have much experience with Klein screwdrivers. But at work I bought a pair of Wiha precisions screwdrivers and it's pretty much the best purchase I made for this job. Prior to that I bought a set of Kobalt ones at Lowe's because I was in a pinch when I got hired.

I know I only have the precision screwdrivers, but I'm sure their normal sized ones would perform just as well.

 

[IFMJohn]

Glad you like them! What will you have in a set? And where are you ordering from?

I haven't have much experience with Klein screwdrivers. But at work I bought a pair of Wiha precisions screwdrivers and it's pretty much the best purchase I made for this job. Prior to that I bought a set of Kobalt ones at Lowe's because I was in a pinch when I got hired.

I know I only have the precision screwdrivers, but I'm sure their normal sized ones would perform just as well.

The last post was in 2012. Nice gravedig, sir!

 

[ClineWrench]

Yeah but man I enjoyed reading this gravedig. Way to go gravedigger. You just made my day.

Might have to go and buy me some Klein screwdrivers now.

 

[DSLTRK]

That's the Home Depot level of customer service, not Klein's. Home Depot has the best CS in the retail tool market, IMO. They don't necessarily provide the best variety, but when it comes to actually taking care of customers they're miles ahead of Lowes, Sears and the auto parts stores.

Klein has been excellent with customer service for me. I sent the pliers in through a local electrical supply house and received a brand new set of pliers in a timely manner.

 

[SantaAna12]

I've been a mechanic for 40 years, in the beginning i bought all snapon screwdrivers, they were fine for the times and used a set of craftsman for abusing such as prybars or accidentally or intentionally arcing some thing.

Over the years the snapon hard handles have all crumbled away and they won't warranty the handles , so snapon was out. Now i have used craftsman pro's for the last ten or so years for all around use. I use vessel screwdrivers for all phillips screws they are the best i've ever used period. I have some vessel flatblades and use them and the witte sets for fine work. Vessel tips for the drill drivers are also used.

The craftsman pro's do 60% with Vessel doing everything else.

I have been looking at those Vessels Bill.
Where do you warranty them?

 

[SantaAna12]

Channellock offers linemans longer than 8". I wouldn't take $50 for my 9.5" High Leverage 369's if I couldn't get another pair.

Havent seen those before. Will have to check them out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[RRmech]

I retired after almost 30 years as a train mechanic.....................................

Screwdrivers: Klein and Vaco

Pliers: Klein, Xcelite, and Diamond Calk

Wrenches: Mostly KAL USA (Los Angeles, CA) with a few old MAC and old Tru-Fit (USA)

Sockets: SAE....Indestro (USA) and Gray (Canada), Metric....Wright (USA) and NAPA (USA).

Ratchets: 1/4" drive.....Gray (Canada), 3/8".....Snap-On round head (F749), 1/2" drive....Bonney (USA) round head and Duro Chrome (USA) flex round head.

Breaker-bar: Wright (USA)

Steve

 

[dalehsc]

Screwdrivers: Snap on,Craftsman,Mastercraft(Canada)

Wrenches:Gearwrench,Gray(Canada)Ultra Pro(Canada)

Sockets:Snap on,Westward(Canada),Gray(Canada)

Pliers:snap on,Ultra Pro(Canada)Mastercraft(canada)

Ratchets:Snap on,Ultra Pro(Canada)Craftsman

Pry Bars:Gearwrench,OTC

Air Tools:IR,Ultra Pro (Impact Guns & Ratchets),Mastercraft(Die Grinders)

Battery ToolseWalt (14v drill,18v drill,20v drill & 1/4 Impact)
Snap on (Screwdriver)

I have a set of Gray wrenches 5/16 to 1 1/4 that my dad bought for me 38 years ago,still in perfect condition,still used every day.My son broke the 3/4 a couple of years ago ,and I was lucky to find the exact replacement at a yard sale a few months later! Ultra Pro is a "house brand" for Napa in Canada. Good quality tools. Canadian tire sells tools under the Mastercraft name,some good quality....some cheaper...but lifetime warranty! We have a parts chain under the name Uniselect,they have the Westward line of hand tools,with KD,Gearwrench, & OTC. The only tool truck we have is Snap on. Craftsman in Canada is an absolute joke.

 

[shoggoth80]

Since necromancy happened...
I use anything and everything to get the job done. Lol. I do have preferences of course. Some times preference, budget, and needs don't line up. Lol.

Ratchets... I've got Snappy and like them a lot. I've also got Proto and SK stuff. Also good. Cheaper stuff I've got Gearwrench and Craftsman. Both alright. GW pretty good for the money. Even got some cheapo HF. Still kicking.

Sockets...Mac, Craftsman, SK, Proto, GW, Cornwell, Armstrong impacts, SK impacts, HF and Kobalt impacts. Pick your poison there. I like the Mac, Proto, GW, and Cornwell stuff plenty.

Wrenches...KD, Armstrong, Cman, Matco at home. SK, Proto, Cman, Blackhawk, Snappy at work. I use Proto industrial finish wrenches all the time at work. Really take a beating. It all works, and pretty well.

Screwdrivers...Wera are my fav.

Pliers...Channel Lock, SK, Mac. Don't have a huge preference. Want to give Knipex a go. Other guys rebrand them. Can't be that bad. Lol.

I am sure I left something out.

 

[ktaps55]

Sunex... Same as Matco adv

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Brownsfan]

Old thread but someone earlier said Klein screwdrivers are offshore. Not true. They are still USA made and IMHO really good. Pliers are not Channellock strippers are not channellock. They make pretty much all their tools themselves except for wrenches and sockets and electronics like meters etc. Their pliers are among some of the best out there. The only screwdriver not USA made is some of the multi bit drivers. I use Klein screwdrivers daily in a pretty rough environment and they have held up great