Tool brand preferences

[D-Vice]

Alrighty, I work in a shop, I moved into my position as a mechanic not too long ago. I had been asked to work as a mechanic many times over the decades and I always declined because I hated working on cars. I'm not exactly sure if I enjoy working on cars, or just the fact that I really enjoy using my tools, but I actually enjoy my job now. I've been wrenching for many years, so when I moved in I brought in quite a selection of tools.

Recently as in just earlier this year I had been upgrading my tools. I had used for nearly 20 years craftsman since I was 16 years old. Upon a lot of research online I started finding different brands, order 1 tool, see if I like it, then order more.

I quickly learned a few things which made me pretty anti snap on. Now don't get me wrong, I like snap on tools (I own 4 snap on tools). But there are 2 things I hate. First and most obvious is the price. Secondly and more importantly to me, most of my coworkers are honest, but i wouldn't trust all of them. I dislike having to engrave my snap on tools since everyone in the shop has snap on and some even have craftsman.

If I see a guy using a facom ratchet, stahlwille wrench, or a koken socket...you can bet your **** it is mine. I am the only one in the shop right now with what some of the mechanics there refer to as "lower quality tools"

A quick list of the brands I am using and absolutely love
Stahlwille wrenches and box ends
Proto impact
Koken sockets and ratchets
Facom ratchets
Astro nano impact and tire inflator etc (actually like a lot of their pneumatics)
KTC (just ordered my first tool of theirs excited to see how I like it)
Precision Instruments torque wrenches
Vessel screw drivers
Knipex pliers
Bahco adjustable wrenches
Gear wrench ratchets as well
An 80's model klein multi-meter. (will NEVER part with this thing)
HF wobble extensions (Always loosing my extensions, I don't mind they are cheap!)

So after this lengthy story, here comes my question for the week. Considering where I am coming from, keeping my purchase prices lower than snap on, I wish to continue upgrading my old tools with other not so popular names to the average mechanic. Tools of various brands that you think make your life easier. Tool brands that you like that I haven't listed.

Some tools I plan on upgrading next 3 months:
Ball peens (I have one armstrong, love it, but pricey)
pneumatic air hammer
Flare nut wrenches (thinking stahlwille)
snap ring pliers
Cold chisels
Piston ring compressor
could use a new engine honer, might go CM again
air cut off tools (possibly astro)
Bits (thinking about apex, thoughts?)
air ratchet (prefer impacting)
and always adding more ratchets, I have a serious ratchet buying problem

Suggestions? Or just chime in with some of the tools you love that you wouldn't want to part with. Might be something I want to own some day as well. If you list snap on that is fine, I will just pull out the engraver. Sorry for the lengthy story.

 

[kd3pc]

channel lock
klein
battery impact tools, air is on it's way out for me
hand tools, are still BlackHawk, Wright, CM, SK, Bonney, and so on for me

and anything SnapOn...not really, just being annoying. I do have some snap on stuff and it is as good or better than the others.

 

[D-Vice]

channel lock
klein
battery impact tools, air is on it's way out for me
hand tools, are still BlackHawk, Wright, CM, SK, Bonney, and so on for me

and anything SnapOn...not really, just being annoying. I do have some snap on stuff and it is as good or better than the others.

Ah yes battery impacts. Failed the mention I fell in love with my dewalt and milwaukee electric impacts and electric ratchet

 

[ducksface]

I upgrade as I break them or as something is gigantically scaled better, Iike cordless drills vs Corded 3/8ths drill, otherwise it would not be an upgrade, it's a fluffing of my toolbox.

 

[D-Vice]

I upgrade as I break them or as something is gigantically scaled better, Iike cordless drills vs Corded 3/8ths drill, otherwise it would not be an upgrade, it's a fluffing of my toolbox.

My upgrading is so I can bring back my old tools to my home setup. Keep my new tools at work, and have my old well used tools at home for when I feel like mucking around on a Sunday. I'm worried though that someday I will replace my home tool set with tools the like of that I have at work. It will take some self restraint to prevent that.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

same here i have a serious milwaukee 12v addiction. great stuff for mobile /light work.
also id suggest you get yourself a metric and standard set of the gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches they are by far my favorites. the reversible wrenches not so much they are alot bulkier and awkward,but the flex heads will save your *** in tight spaces.

 

[D-Vice]

Oh yeah almost forgot! Anyone have any experience with the Proto ratcheting flare nut wrenches??? I've been really interested in a set if they are worth it.

 

[Mojave888]

Koken, Facom, Stahlwille, Vessel, Bahco, are "lower quality tools" ? You're doing well, don't listen to the Snap On snobs!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Koken, Facom, Stahlwille, Vessel, Bahco, are "lower quality tools" ? You're doing well, don't listen to the Snap On snobs!

That was my first thought too. I think you are doing very well with those brands. A serious mechanic can outfit himself with some seriously good tools without stepping foot on a tool truck.

I have a cheaper tool kit going at work right now filled with Tekton and Gearwrench. There is better out there but I could do a lot worse. My nicer tools have names like Wera, Wiha, Knipex, Ingersoll Rand, older Craftsman Pro, and even Snap-On.

I look at t this way. You can buy Snap On off the truck and maybe get good warranty and customer service. You can buy Wera, Wiha, Vessel, Knipex, and Stahlwille online and maybe get good warranty and customer service at a fraction of the cost.

You can even buy used Snap On at a fraction of the cost and maybe get good warranty and customer service.

 

[ducksface]

I've not mentioned this in a while:
Fairly often someone will say something g about snap-on tools. Most recently someone asked about locking pliers. I might have responded that I have a new set in the gray color, in the tool wrap.

I got it by hocking it for a GJ members girlfriend. She had a year and even after these last three can buy them back for exactly how much I gave her. (GJ member wisely didn't get involved involved in loaning money to someone he was sleeping with).
I hooked something for another member and he bought it back in a week.

What little experience I've had with bay type mechanic people:
I can't believe that carrying 300 bucks on you at all times can't land you as many tools at 10percent of value as you can carry.

I've been hocking **** since I was nineteen.
You'd be surprised who ddoesn't come back for it, or like the tools from the girlfriend just doesn't want it back.

So...
I'm going to suggest since you've got a plan and you're not just fluffing;
Let the guys in your shop know you have weekend cash/bail money for tight collateral.

 

[WhataTool]

Of my tools a fair amount are Astro and they've treated me well for going on 20 years now. Of their cut off tools go with the 208, the others are either lower power or require too mach air IMO. Their air hammer is obvious if going .498, otherwise go CP714. I've been impressed with their 94220 snap ring pliers as well, I usually don't go to them for pliers but they've held up well for the year I've been using them.

 

[D-Vice]

Thanks for the info on the Astro cut off. I'll keep that in mind. Been eyeballing the pneumatic saw as well

 

[visionguru]

.....If I see a guy using a facom ratchet, stahlwille wrench, or a koken socket...you can bet your **** it is mine. I am the only one in the shop right now with what some of the mechanics there refer to as "lower quality tools"...

I wouldn't let coworkers affect tool choices. Quality/price trumps all.

....
Bits (thinking about apex, thoughts?)
....

I watched several youtube videos recommending VIM bits.

 

[The Fall]

I hear you. Only two people at the shop I work at (one-man band that I put in two-to-three-days-per-week with) but I try to get different tools if there's no real difference in quality (to me at least) for differentiation. I got Snap-on at the student discount, but only working part time, it's very rare I pony up the bucks on the truck unless it's a sale item, Matco ratchet and a couple other things aside.

Ball peens (I have one armstrong, love it, but pricey): Craftsman USA. Still available in all different weights and very affordable. Deadblow is USA made as well. (Prybars too if you need'em.) I've got a Mac 48oz I paid $80 for. Craftsman one is half that (still don't regret the Mac purchase).

Flare nut wrenches (thinking stahlwille): SK's work great for me. SAE Protos can be had for $1 at the pawn shops around me (metric are much harder to find)

Cold chisels: Craftsman (Western Forge) USA. VERY affordable. Best to act soon as I believe WF and Sears have already parted ways.

Piston ring compressor: I've got a CMan one. Works fine.

 

[WhataTool]

Thanks for the info on the Astro cut off. I'll keep that in mind. Been eyeballing the pneumatic saw as well

Their saw is not bad. Not a monster by any means like some of the expensive (although sometimes less durable) ones, but not one of the cheapies I've thrown away in the past. Just make sure you have decent blades.

 

[trackwelder]

CP 714 for the air hammer, Snap On for the flare wrenches. I wouldn't use anything else. I really like the orange handled ball peens from Snap On as well. They replaced one recently that was well over ten years old and the handle deteriorated and fell apart.

 

[Bacon Man]

Im one of those guys that has no preference.
A majority of my tools have come from Sears, Harbor Freight, Menards, Home Depot, Hartville Hardware, Tractor Supply, and Rural King.

Select few from Grainger and Fastenal.

The one guy I used to work with said it best.
"Electrician? you're no electrician, all that $400 dollar multimeter makes you is a high priced meter maid" In a very thick Russian accent.

Guy ran circles around people and all he used was a free harbor freight meter.

It's the person not the tool.

 

[Codejack]

It's the person not the tool.

Unless the person is the tool

 

[Olafur]

A quick list of the brands I am using and absolutely love
Stahlwille wrenches and box ends
Proto impact
Koken sockets and ratchets
Facom ratchets
Astro nano impact and tire inflator etc (actually like a lot of their pneumatics)
KTC (just ordered my first tool of theirs excited to see how I like it)
Precision Instruments torque wrenches
Vessel screw drivers
Knipex pliers
Bahco adjustable wrenches

Only in USA would Stahlwille be considered sub-par.
BTW their wrench design goes way back, I think when they came first, and many years after that they were the best wrenches you could get. Still fantastic, I work with them every day - my personal favorite is the double ring "Corona" series.

Facom ratchets are similar story. However since we obviously share common taste in tools I have to recommend the longer flex handle dual 80 Snap On ratchets.

Knipex and Koken, can't go wrong with that stuff. Koken chrome sockets last for years in front of impact guns - not that it matters, just goes to show the material quality.

 

[Wamsutta]

Excellent thread title.

My tool brand preference is Snap-on if I have the money. That simple.

 

[Olafur]

I've not mentioned this in a while:
Fairly often someone will say something g about snap-on tools. Most recently someone asked about locking pliers. I might have responded that I have a new set in the gray color, in the tool wrap.

I got it by hocking it for a GJ members girlfriend. She had a year and even after these last three can buy them back for exactly how much I gave her. (GJ member wisely didn't get involved involved in loaning money to someone he was sleeping with).
I hooked something for another member and he bought it back in a week.

What little experience I've had with bay type mechanic people:
I can't believe that carrying 300 bucks on you at all times can't land you as many tools at 10percent of value as you can carry.

I've been hocking **** since I was nineteen.
You'd be surprised who ddoesn't come back for it, or like the tools from the girlfriend just doesn't want it back.

So...
I'm going to suggest since you've got a plan and you're not just fluffing;
Let the guys in your shop know you have weekend cash/bail money for tight collateral.

My toolbox with tools is used 30-60 hours per week. It costs 10 times more than my 12 year old car. The toolbox is still cheap compared to the car since I use my car less than 3 hours per week.

Everyone and their dog wonder why I don't drive nicer car - they know I could easily afford it. They also wonder why I spend so much on tools. As a matter of fact I don't I am using the same method the OP is using - I shop around regardless of brands I buy quality that lasts and is a pleasure to use. It's worth it since I spend way too much time working with them.

PS:
Always a pleasure to read your posts Duckface, contrarian is good and you are frequently quite funny too.

 

[WittHay]

Some non-tool truck tools that I use.

Ball pein hammers: Proto anti-vibe and Craftsman USA
Cold chisels, punches: Proto
Combination wrenches: Proto
Slip-joint pliers: Kubota rebranded Wilde USA
Prybars: John Deere rebranded Wilde USA and Proto
Retaining Ring Pliers: Proto

 

[D-Vice]

I never even knew john deere made pry bars, not something I see around here much. Now here I sit in the weee hours of the morning looking up john deere pry bars, kubota pliers things like that.

Armstrong made a set of snap ring pliers that I borrowed a few times liked. Had interchangeable tips. Looks like proto actually has a similar setup for a pretty reasonable price.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I never even knew john deere made pry bars, not something I see around here much. Now here I sit in the weee hours of the morning looking up john deere pry bars, kubota pliers things like that.

Armstrong made a set of snap ring pliers that I borrowed a few times liked. Had interchangeable tips. Looks like proto actually has a similar setup for a pretty reasonable price.

Cat has a pretty extensive tool line produced by Snap On and Williams, don't know who John Deere's line is sourced from


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[Bottlecapdigger]

Anything made in North America, proto, snap-on, Klein , gray, Williams, Wilton, Parker, starrett, mac, etc. and secondly the tools coming from Germany , England etc. And have to say the quality of the tools coming from China is getting better and better though. BCD.

 

[ocloc24]

For bits many here like Zephyr (what snap on uses)

For hammers trusty cook makes great ball peins and they have a GJ discount code.

Snap ring pliers Stride/Imperial or Lang, both have excellent reviews.

Air Ratchet- IR Hammerhead impacting ratchet is badass, little bigger than normal but not much

Flare nut wrenches snap on are some of the best, can be had affordably used.

Mayhew makes chisels for a few truck brands, there's multiple lines though and it's their top line, the rest are so-so

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[Empty Pockets]

I upgrade as I break them or as something is gigantically scaled better, Iike cordless drills vs Corded 3/8ths drill, otherwise it would not be an upgrade, it's a fluffing of my toolbox.

I agree with Bill, if the tools you currently have are doing the job for you, unless there is new technology to make the job easier, or something breaks, I would just continue using them. The nut or bolt doesn't care what brand of tool is holding it.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Here are my most used brands....
Mayhew, Trusty Cook, Wiha, Gedore, NWS, Knipex, Toptul, Harbor Freight,
Snap-On, Sunex, Grey Pneumatic, Milwaukee, Wilde, Witte, Tekton, Wright, Allen + Armstrong (RIP and a big F.Y to Apex) Fluke.

Brands I want more stuff from:
Koken, Facom, KTC Nepros, Stahlwille, Hazet, MAC (their ratchets look tempting.)

 

[AngryBeaver]

My boxes are full of mixed bags of brands.

For ball piens, if you're actually using a hammer get the snap ons. I've had macs, proto antivibes and a few others and nothing compares to the snap on when you feel it in your elbow.

I have a lot of Armstrong chisels. Have served me well for years.

My flare nut wrenches are the old kobalts that were made by jw Williams. Been holding up for 15-17 years now.

 

[cherrybomb]

Where do you buy Koken?

 

[D-Vice]

Where do you buy Koken?

rakuten.co.jp and amazon.co.jp