fury9
Well-known member
Masterforce hand tools at menards are OK in my book
Switching to Made in the U.S.A.
- Thread starter Gojeremy
- Start date
expfcwintergreen
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2011
- Messages
- 157
Wright
SK
Craftsman Industrial
In that order.
All are affordable choices, especially if you make choices based on what you need to work on what you have instead of a scatter gun approach.
SK
Craftsman Industrial
In that order.
All are affordable choices, especially if you make choices based on what you need to work on what you have instead of a scatter gun approach.
I switched about a year and a half ago. Been using mostly craftsman for the past 25 years. Some of that was so-so when made and long in the tooth now- chrome flaking, some rust etc.
I chose used Snap On (with a bit of truck specials sprinkled in):
- Used Snap on sells for 30-60% of retail when actually used. At these prices it is still more expensive than SK or Wright but not by much. I had no trouble justifying the difference.
- Buying Snap On second hand doesn't directly create jobs in the US, but I have found the high second hand prices sometimes push me over the edge to buying new. I'm sure I am not alone.
I recommend purchasing new those tools that wear and are not user serviceable- chiefly, ratchet wrenches, pliers. Almost everything else can be repaired with service parts (replacement bits in bit sockets, ratchet handle guts, etc.) making the purchase of used tools, without warranty, low risk.
To get the best deals in used Snap On:
- buy sets missing the most important pieces, or with noticeably worn pieces. A socket set with missing or worn 10mm, 13mm, and 17mm sockets will often sell so low that you can often buy the missing items new from the truck and still be way ahead. This way you also have new and warranty-able tools in the most needed sizes.
- Consider the G series black oxide finish tools. These are made for aerospace or other industrial users (but mostly limited to SAE sizes). They are every bit as good as the chrome models.
- collectors and goofballs like me are offended by owner markings. So bid on these auctions.
- completed ebay listings show prices all over the place. Be patient and you can get almost any price for any tool.
I chose used Snap On (with a bit of truck specials sprinkled in):
- Used Snap on sells for 30-60% of retail when actually used. At these prices it is still more expensive than SK or Wright but not by much. I had no trouble justifying the difference.
- Buying Snap On second hand doesn't directly create jobs in the US, but I have found the high second hand prices sometimes push me over the edge to buying new. I'm sure I am not alone.
I recommend purchasing new those tools that wear and are not user serviceable- chiefly, ratchet wrenches, pliers. Almost everything else can be repaired with service parts (replacement bits in bit sockets, ratchet handle guts, etc.) making the purchase of used tools, without warranty, low risk.
To get the best deals in used Snap On:
- buy sets missing the most important pieces, or with noticeably worn pieces. A socket set with missing or worn 10mm, 13mm, and 17mm sockets will often sell so low that you can often buy the missing items new from the truck and still be way ahead. This way you also have new and warranty-able tools in the most needed sizes.
- Consider the G series black oxide finish tools. These are made for aerospace or other industrial users (but mostly limited to SAE sizes). They are every bit as good as the chrome models.
- collectors and goofballs like me are offended by owner markings. So bid on these auctions.
- completed ebay listings show prices all over the place. Be patient and you can get almost any price for any tool.
coleman10
Well-known member
My opinion: For the DIYer/Dad, there is no need to pay a lot for expensive, top tier tools. There really isn't any tool you need to take care of home stuff that you can't get at either Home Depot, Lowe's, or Sears. I'm a DIYer/Dad. My socket set is actually Workforce, one step down from Husky, and it has served me well, including taking care of the cars. My main interchangeable driver set is a cheap Olympia set my dad gave me over 20 years ago. It still works great. Now, I've upgraded some of my stuff here and there, but again, nothing I can't get at HD/L/S.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but I recently used a couple of my FiL's SO screwdrivers and I didn't care for them much. I'll stick with Craftsman.
I know I'm in the minority on this, but I recently used a couple of my FiL's SO screwdrivers and I didn't care for them much. I'll stick with Craftsman.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
Husky and kobalt stuff is perfectly fine for the average homeowner. And they have outstanding warranties!
That being said - SK, Armstrong, Klein, Channellock are all good USA tools.
Best bet is used tools from garage sales, flea markets, and eBay.
That being said - SK, Armstrong, Klein, Channellock are all good USA tools.
Best bet is used tools from garage sales, flea markets, and eBay.
Let's break this down a bit here
My suggestion, don't buy anything new, used, whatever just yet. Just keep your eyes open. Neighbor that has more tools than you has a garage sale. You spot something on clearance locally. Estate sale, some local business moving/fire sale/etc.
Like I said threads pop up in the hot deals section constantly. Don't you worry we will spend all your money for you.
this says to me no need to replace anything unless it's a clear upgrade. For example, I would keep an eye on this forum and buy higher end ratchets (even if not USA made) as they pop up in the hot deals section.
This is probably true but...
the tools you have will probably not break unless they are abused or you do a LOT of DIY stuff. Even so, for better or worse, lifetime warranty.
My suggestion, don't buy anything new, used, whatever just yet. Just keep your eyes open. Neighbor that has more tools than you has a garage sale. You spot something on clearance locally. Estate sale, some local business moving/fire sale/etc.
Like I said threads pop up in the hot deals section constantly. Don't you worry we will spend all your money for you.
BioNerd
Well-known member
When something brakes then replace it.
If you just wanna spend some money ib tooling I would suggest storage.
If you just wanna spend some money ib tooling I would suggest storage.
kctyphoon
Banned
i may have a differnt point of view then you, but the price on a single husky socket is far cheaper than its craftsman or koblat counterpart. i know this becuase i just replaced all the missing sockets in my 20+ year old craftman set, and instead of just buying a complete new set, i just bought what was missing (even though it cost almost the same price because i have a huge socket set) anyway - i bought as much as i could from husky first, and whatever they didnt have i got from sears.. husky sockets probably average $2-$4 for singles. so really, if it cost you $8 to keep up a 10yr old socket set, i still see that as a great invesmtment considering they can get lost just as easy, and those same two sockets would cost you about $50 to replace had they been snap ons. not sure i can agree with you on calling that "exceptionally poor luck"
nobody here will call the cheaper brands equal in quality, but when it comes to cost vs life of the tool is hard to justify telling anyone to spend more when a $100 socket set gets you 10-20 yrs of use as a homeower. in fact, im willing to bet more tools fall victim to being lost, forgotten, or left out in the rain vs what fails during use.
I know you were just asking about sockets, pliers, screwdrivers and such, but if you're a new homeowner eventually you'll need some other stuff like hammers.
Estwing and Vaughn both are made in USA and are at Home Depot. Most Empire levels and squares are also made in USA.
Eventually your kids are going to want a swingset or playhouse, and you'll need those to build them...
Estwing and Vaughn both are made in USA and are at Home Depot. Most Empire levels and squares are also made in USA.
Eventually your kids are going to want a swingset or playhouse, and you'll need those to build them...
kgorman
Well-known member
My philosophy is to buy quality tools. Generally this means staying away from China stuff, but it doesn't mean only USA stuff.
I do pride myself on trying to find USA stuff first, I will pay more for it. That said I also buy a lot of German tools. I love Wiha stuff.
I agree with others, as you make new purchases adjust your buying philosophy and don't outright replace what you have.
I do pride myself on trying to find USA stuff first, I will pay more for it. That said I also buy a lot of German tools. I love Wiha stuff.
I agree with others, as you make new purchases adjust your buying philosophy and don't outright replace what you have.
Why pay a premium for used SO over new Wright/SK? That doesn't make any sense IMHO.
This statement needs a ton of qualifying remarks to be true. I agree with no need to buy expensive tools if you aren't working on cars for example.
In my experience, doing most of my own repair work over the past 30 odd years, its that one fastener you can't reach with a conventional socket or combination wrench, or that one stuck bolt that you broke your craftsman socket on or worse, rounded the head with. In those moments, cheap tools magically transform to the most expensive tools that exist. They can cost you broken parts, tows, time, lost days of work, rental car fees etc.
If you are a home shop mechanic, you have SO many challenges to overcome - lack of experience, terrible working conditions, the pressure of repairing your daily driver, why add cheap tools?
On the flip side, I feel I save so much money doing my own work that the savings justifies just about any hand tool I want.
If you are repairing garden tools, fine, buy Craftsman and run fast from GJ. If you want to fix cars, be careful about whose advice you take here. Just a headlight bulb change on some cars requires special tools.
n8n
Well-known member
I agree with your point, but the last socket that I broke was the one I needed to remove/install the lug bolts on my car, in the middle of a seasonal wheel/tire swap, and it was the only deep socket in that size that I owned at the time. Combo wrench would have been a no go as lug heads are sunk deep into holes in alloy wheels. If I hadn't had the factory lug wrench (not included with car, but I bought it anyway) or another vehicle to drive, I'd have been making a long walk or bike ride to the parts store or Harbor Freight to replace it (with a Taiwan - or worse yet China-made socket, which would be just as questionable) to get mobile again. Inexpensive tools can sometimes turn into expensive tools real fast.
Now if you've got backups, then you can get away with inexpensive tools, but good Lord do I have too many tools already, I can barely lift the top chest myself when it's loaded as it is.
The "set" out of which I broke two sockets was not a complete "mechanic's set" but simply a set of metric 6 point deep sockets, maybe 10 sockets in all? 2 out of 10 failed, when some of them were probably never used (since German cars tend to only use 10/13/17/19 anyway) is not confidence inspiring performance. At the time I bought them I thought "hey, they're USA made, and HD is way more convenient to me than Sears, and they have the same warranty, I'll try these instead." Seemed like good reasoning at the time, but...
Last edited:
Flivver250
Well-known member
Wright tools can be had a very good price on Amazon and I think they are as good as any truck brand.
xs650shawn
Well-known member
I have a Husky socket set, 3/8" and 1/4", and Husky combo wrenches, that up until a couple years ago, received quite heavy use. The only thing I ever broke was a 3/8" ratchet trying to turn a shackle bolt that wasn't meant to be turned (didn't know it was splined and press fit). Admittedly, I shouldn't have been standing on the ratchet. The set is almost 20 years old and has served me well. I was still disappointed that the replacement ratchet was made in China instead of the US, but still feel Husky tools work well for the DIY'er and homeowners. Like others here, as a father/homeowner there are more important things to spend money on than replacing functional tools. If they work, use them until they break, upgrade when they do. In the meantime, hit yard sales and swap meets to fill in what you don't have with quality tools on the cheap.
n8n
Well-known member
I'd amend that - I haven't tried the new ones but from reviews I've seen online the "WrightGrip" combination wrenches are probably the best you can buy other than possibly Snap-On Flank Drive Plus. Either one will snap a Grade 8 bolt with the open end, so at that point it comes down to ergonomics and price. The Snap-On ones are a lot thinner and lighter, but the Wrights are significantly less expensive.
Last edited:
coleman10
Well-known member
Agreed. I'll qualify. Light duty mechanic work like spark plugs/coil packs, alternator, water pump, end links, stuff like that, nothing overly complicated. (I may end up doing a rack and pinion myself. That's a new one for me.) Add on anything inside and around the house - flooring, plumbing, electrical, drywall, mouldings/casings, etc., etc., etc... I spend enough time with the house stuff so anything that may take too long on the car goes to the shop. I'm not a mechanic, just an average Joe.
Buy once cry once.
I'm too poor to afford cheap tool's.
How much does a cheap tool cost me when it turns a 10 minute job into a 2 day repair
All important questions and something to think about. The best thing you can do is buy what you need and then replace what you don't need.
I'm too poor to afford cheap tool's.
How much does a cheap tool cost me when it turns a 10 minute job into a 2 day repair
All important questions and something to think about. The best thing you can do is buy what you need and then replace what you don't need.
Strouty
Well-known member
I don't know how you could save a fortune, this place ***** me dry, it is like I am a willing participant in emptying my wallet every week.
If you were 17 years old with a need for tools and nothing already invested this place would save you a fortune. Think of it this way;
Buying your first sets of tools, avoiding junk.
Buying your first tool storage, no shortage of advice on that front.
Buying your first home, plenty of photos, build threads, electrical, flooring, etc. All the info a semi-informed person could use during the house hunting process to weed out the chaff.
and finally
Buying what you need vs what you want. There's a lot of deals posted, but yet all of us can still afford internet so clearly nobody is buying all of it.
Buying your first sets of tools, avoiding junk.
Buying your first tool storage, no shortage of advice on that front.
Buying your first home, plenty of photos, build threads, electrical, flooring, etc. All the info a semi-informed person could use during the house hunting process to weed out the chaff.
and finally
Buying what you need vs what you want. There's a lot of deals posted, but yet all of us can still afford internet so clearly nobody is buying all of it.
Good for you! I applaud your efforts. Pride of ownership is one of the best reasons to do this. I have some 30 year old Snap On I'm so glad I purchased. It's still working like new and even my 3 daughters realize the great quality when they use the tools. Which is amazingly quite often. I have some Harbor Freight stuff too but it does appear to have a limited lifespan but has usually worked for the moment that I needed it. The Chinese stuff will not have a resale value or be worth anything as an heirloom.