Kobalt, husky, stanley, craftsman ...

[cookiexd40]

What say you?

Got some Christmas money that's burning a hole in my pocket for some new tools for my box.

Nothing specific just a general tool set maybe even mix brands. I don't need plastic organizers or boxes as they'll be displayed nicely in my drawers. But mainly wrenches and sockets. More complete set the better.

So there it is, let's say $200 worth...which brand or brands?

sent from my rotary cell phone...

 

[jimmybread]

That 20 piece gearwrench set at sears is a good deal at 49.95. Better hurry though.

 

[jimmybread]

Actually lowes had some good deals on sockets too.

 

[warweapon762]

28 piece Husky wrench set Metric/SAE with stubby wrenches is only $13 right now.

 

[Cope]

Of those brands, I would go Kobalt 1st and Husky 2nd.

 

[Kaane]

Most Kobalt still Taiwan made, most Husky made in China now.

 

[cookiexd40]

Thanks! Most likely going to build a set of kobalt stuff instead of buying a set, the sets seem to be missing some things. I'm a career firefighter and a part time garage tinkerer so I can't justify snapon or Matco tools, wish I could though ha

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[3rdbuttondown]

Most Kobalt still Taiwan made, most Husky made in China now.

Most old stock Kobalt is Taiwan. It's being replaced with Chinese. Before I get flamed, people need to go investigate first hand.

 

[Forsythe04]

I ran into a user here for USA made Craftsman Socket sets. His screen name is Craftsman47 and i believe his classified ad is still up as he had multiple sets..Id go that route for sockets

 

[CNGsaves]

Most old stock Kobalt is Taiwan. It's being replaced with Chinese. Before I get flamed, people need to go investigate first hand.

If the big markdown on 300 piece set of Kobalt tools at Lowes (ie low price of $103), this may their clearout of NOS stuff made in Taiwan (ie the good stuff)!! Anyone bought the 300 piece set to clarify this??

Don't really "need" that many new tools, but this may be "landgrab" of NOS Taiwan Kobalt just like happened to Craftsman for the last Made in USA.

 

[Kaane]

Most old stock Kobalt is Taiwan. It's being replaced with Chinese. Before I get flamed, people need to go investigate first hand.

All the Kobalt sockets at my local Lowes are still Taiwan. Pliers and other stuff is china. All ratchets are still Taiwan. HD Husky just about every socket on the wall is china including the ratchets.

 

[Askme42]

Sounds like you're in now rush. Keep an eye for some quality used stuff.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have seen stuff like sets and wrenches starting to be China now. Who knows if they switched suppliers AGAIN. We will see if everything starts switching over

 

[Jason280]

Kobalt and Gearwrench, no question about it. Lowes has had their 0* round head ratchet on sale for $10, I picked one up last week to try out.

 

[espyking83]

Gearwrench. Kobalt if it has to be between the ones you mentioned. Husky is complete garbage all-around.

 

[Ian S.]

Anything with an over the counter lifetime warranty should be good. I only buy hand tools when they are on sale, as they are almost always on sale, I never have to wait too long to get what I want.

Don't be in too much of a hurry. Go to the different stores (if possible) and try the tool in your hand and see how they feel. Flea markets are a great place to get hand tools cheap. If they have a lifetime warranty, no worries id its old.

Stanley FatMax seems to have nice hand tools at a pretty good price. I have no idea what they warranty policy is, so if you have to send it away, forget it.

For sockets, look for something with laser etched markings as it is easier to see. Ratchets should have a small head. The ones with a big head are compensating for cheap metallurgy or cheap innards. The small heads are easier to get in tight placed as well.

Ian

 

[cookiexd40]

Anything with an over the counter lifetime warranty should be good. I only buy hand tools when they are on sale, as they are almost always on sale, I never have to wait too long to get what I want.

Don't be in too much of a hurry. Go to the different stores (if possible) and try the tool in your hand and see how they feel. Flea markets are a great place to get hand tools cheap. If they have a lifetime warranty, no worries id its old.

Stanley FatMax seems to have nice hand tools at a pretty good price. I have no idea what they warranty policy is, so if you have to send it away, forget it.

For sockets, look for something with laser etched markings as it is easier to see. Ratchets should have a small head. The ones with a big head are compensating for cheap metallurgy or cheap innards. The small heads are easier to get in tight placed as well.

Ian

Thanks ian! I went with a 123 piece stanley socket set for less than 50 bucks, lifetime warranty, might be overseas **** and be a pain at wally world if it fails but I don't live off these tools so I think they'll be perfect...besides I'm ima sucker for black ha

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[cookiexd40]

Going to spend a little time finding a good set of ratcheting wrenches though, as I use those more often than anything

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[erty67]

if you have a sears outlet nearby, check them out for NOS on raised panel wrenches. You might luck out. Another option is Kobalt. I think Lowes has the combos for $15/set. I will say the 28 pc Husky set is decent for $13. Ratchets and sockets, watch the closeouts on Lowes. I bet you can get some really inexpensive sets if you keep your eye on them. 3/8 and 1/2 sets are already being marked down.

 

[kctyphoon]

id say go with the "most for your money" when it comes to a tool kit, but for $200 I would go with this craftsman..
263 pieces for $179.99

They also had a bunch of wrench sets on sale too..

 

[cookiexd40]

Yea the more I think about it the more I kind of wish I would have gotten either 2 sets or shop around for another that's just as good and cheap or better. That way I can store one in my toolboxes on my bench and the other I can leave in the plastic box and put in my tool box on my truck

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[kctyphoon]

Yea the more I think about it the more I kind of wish I would have gotten either 2 sets or shop around for another that's just as good and cheap or better. That way I can store one in my toolboxes on my bench and the other I can leave in the plastic box and put in my tool box on my truck

sent from my rotary cell phone...

I have more sets then I could possibly use... I have a huge craftsman set in the HF box in my basement, which is the biggest most complete set i own ( bought at least 20 years ago) I have a portable husky chrome set I use to work on the cars and grease up, I have a black Husky set (rebranded stanley) i just use for the house that is keep clean. A decent task force set for emergencies in the trucks tool box, another small husky in my Honda.. And Westward sets in both my utility trucks at work. This is Not including impact sockets.....

 

[ChrisPace]

What say you?

Got some Christmas money that's burning a hole in my pocket for some new tools for my box.

Nothing specific just a general tool set maybe even mix brands. I don't need plastic organizers or boxes as they'll be displayed nicely in my drawers. But mainly wrenches and sockets. More complete set the better.

So there it is, let's say $200 worth...which brand or brands?

sent from my rotary cell phone...

You can find craftsman USA stuff all over eBay still. I imagine it will stay that way for a good while. Prices are good too. My second choice would be gearwrench go to their website and order a tool catalog. They offer a nice tool catalog very similar to snap on I considered Gearwrench to be the closest to truck brand as any of them. They seem to be very innovative. Still think there's a few snap on pieces that everybody should own. Like the screwdrivers and the ratcheting screwdriver's to start with.


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[expfcwintergreen]

Thanks! Most likely going to build a set of kobalt stuff instead of buying a set, the sets seem to be missing some things. I'm a career firefighter and a part time garage tinkerer so I can't justify snapon or Matco tools, wish I could though ha

sent from my rotary cell phone...

==========
Amazon has some very good prices on Williams and Bahco, industrial brands of Snap-on. I believe that Williams current production has been shifted to Taiwan.

 

[Tinner]

Kobalt, husky, stanley, craftsman ...

All those brands have steadily lowered their quality. If you want to buy into that game...

 

[kctyphoon]

Kobalt, husky, stanley, craftsman ...

All those brands have steadily lowered their quality. If you want to buy into that game...

Umm.. The same could be said for tool truck brands too.. Companies need to remain competitive, and newer alloys can permit less weight while retaining strength.. Anyway - there's nothing wrong with any of the brands he has listed - and in 25 years the only socket I have ever cracked is one i hammered onto someone's wheels locks.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I like husky, it works perfectly fine and it is cheaper than kobalt with less ******** and gimmicks. Plus most of the sockets are 6 point but that is with smaller sets I think the larger sets tend to have a mix. Their main manufacturer is stanley so pretty much ok but nothing to go nuts over.

 

[Moose364]

Make all of your local pawn shop's. you can pick up some good named brand tool's cheap, including snap on, Mac, cornwell, I picked up a full set of 1/2 drive Proto Pro reg and deep plus the Ratchet, breakover bar, speed wrench, and it had a Herbrand ratchet in it to and another breakover Bar, plus a snap on tool from the late 20s all for 40.00 out the door, reason it was so cheap was because it was all painted red, all of it is soaking in dot 3 brake fluid to remove the paint,

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Make all of your local pawn shop's. you can pick up some good named brand tool's cheap, including snap on, Mac, cornwell, I picked up a full set of 1/2 drive Proto Pro reg and deep plus the Ratchet, breakover bar, speed wrench, and it had a Herbrand ratchet in it to and another breakover Bar, plus a snap on tool from the late 20s all for 40.00 out the door, reason it was so cheap was because it was all painted red, all of it is soaking in dot 3 brake fluid to remove the paint,

If he needs stuff in the near future than hitting pawn shops is not going to be a great way to get a complete set. Once in a blue moon I find something at a good price, I am suprised I got a sk ratchet and a proto clik stop for $5 total tonight.

 

[btbsandman]

I like husky, it works perfectly fine and it is cheaper than kobalt with less ******** and gimmicks. Plus most of the sockets are 6 point but that is with smaller sets I think the larger sets tend to have a mix. Their main manufacturer is stanley so pretty much ok but nothing to go nuts over.

Now it is a mix of Apex and some Stanley.
Husky is just the cheaper version of Craftsman now.

 

[unslow1]

If you wait for that Kobalt 227 pc cube to go back on sale that is a heck of a start. I bought 2 at $80 last month. Plus all their plier, vise- grip and adjustable wrench set are on sale for $10 right now. If I was going to start a mid-level tool set now I would probably go Kobalt. You could have a fairly complete set for about $200. With Craftsman you have to wonder if you will be able to warranty anything or add in the future.