Quality tools are worth the money.

[Mechanical Noise]

I'm not so sure most of the future's young people would be grateful for hand tools, quality or not. Consider the tons of once cherished furs and silver plate flatware that's now unwanted.

For the last couple hundred years, life has been getting easier and better. Someday, a box of tools might be seen as yet another collection of the implements of drudgery, like butter churns and wash boards.

Tools are good for what they can do now -- the future, who knows?

 

[WrightToolFan]

All of my sockets are Wright Tool. I see no difference in quality and function of Wright sockets compared to Snapon sockets. I get nothing more for my money buying Snapon sockets over Wright. However, there are some sockets that Snapon has that Wright doesn't. If Wright makes the socket I need, I'm going to buy it over Snapon everytime. There's just nothing special about Snapon sockets to where I'm paying Snapon prices for them.

Now when it comes to ratchets and wrenches, I'll pay Snapon prices. I love Snapon ratchets. I haven't tried any ratchet from any brand yet that I like more than Snapon's. Wright's WrightGrip and WrightGrip 2.0 wrenches are nice, but Snapon's flank drive plus wrenches have a little more offset on the box end and are a little longer. Wright's wrenches are comparable, but Snapon's are just a little bit better and worth the price.

You can certainly buy the best and save some money at the same time. Your toolbox doesn't need to have all the same brand.

 

[Fialaja]

I like many others here use tools more for homeowner level use, car maintenance and household repairs. I still like the feel of the upper end albeit not too expensive tools. Craftsman professional wrenches, Ridgid plumbing tools for pipe cutters, Milwaukee Sawzall,
Klein electrical tools, Channellock pliers, the list goes on. Most of my stuff is USA or German/European, some is China (power tools) but NONE are from Harbor Fright or Gearwench. Just on principal. I’d rather by a used quality tool than a brand new one from HF.
GW won’t see dime one from me because of the American workers Apex put out of work by closing the plant that produced Allen,Armstrong and Some store brand tools.
I have no doubt those two brands work just as well as some of my quality USA stuff, but we need to wake up to what China is doing to us and take steps to stop it.
As far as value goes, I find a lot of great tools in the clearance sections, at odd lots type stores, and eBay.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Snap on isnt always the best money can buy FWIW. I know people love to compare to the top and bottom names in the market, but the discussion is quality tools.

Snap on sells floating accounts you pay on, and credit. You can use either of those to buy their tools. IMO some things from them are almost requirements to do this for a living. 1/4 wobble extensions are an example. I'm sick of breaking koken, SK, and gearwrench.

Edit: while most things SO sells fall in the quality tools category, it doesnt mean other brands cant make quality tools.

 

[richfinn]

Snap on isnt always the best money can buy FWIW. I know people love to compare to the top and bottom names in the market, but the discussion is quality tools.

Snap on sells floating accounts you pay on, and credit. You can use either of those to buy their tools. IMO some things from them are almost requirements to do this for a living. 1/4 wobble extensions are an example. I'm sick of breaking koken, SK, and gearwrench.

Edit: while most things SO sells fall in the quality tools category, it doesnt mean other brands cant make quality tools.

I like Snap-On tools in general, but I think other non automotive brands are sometimes better for more generic tools like pliers/screwdrivers/power tools

Diagnostic equipment is definately an area I dont think they lead the market in anymore (remember the MT2400/2500 days??)

I think they make really good socketry and spanners and a bunch of other stuff, but other brands are available

There is so much "**** swinging" going on in workshops all over the world because they have successfully sold the brand, its a bit ridiculous when you see some of the gimmicky **** they peddle nowadays (barbeques fridges and socks spring to mind)

I hate to see young techs get swept up in it when they should be searching out the real gems on the truck instead of neon clocks and f*cking mood lighting for toolboxes

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I think they still stand tall in graphing, that's the main reason I bought a solus legend to supplement my autel 906. Up until very recently, they were the only platform which included a lab scope. Autel had the add on scope with mediocre reviews, launch has nothing, Bosch has nothing, and the ATS tool has a scope but is otherwise a generic obd2 drivability tool. Not to detract from it, because I'd like an escan from ATS. However as far as I know it doesnt do the manufacturer specific side.

The snap on scope is far from a 4425 pico, but when you get used to it zooming out, not in, on data and understand its limitations it's a good unit. I still have my generation 1 Modis mainly for a quick lab scope and the big multimeter screen. Personally I much prefer a separate scanner and scope, but having 1 tool do it all is a plus.

I fully agree with power tools, the cost is too high IMO compared to similar options. Air tools I feel the same. Lots of good options for drivers and screw tools, some of their pliers are worth the price but most aren't all that special. Doesn't make them bad tools, I just feel they aren't a good value.

 

[Lassen Forge]

There is so much "**** swinging" going on in workshops all over the world because they have successfully sold the brand, its a bit ridiculous when you see some of the gimmicky **** they peddle nowadays (barbeques fridges and socks spring to mind)

I hate to see young techs get swept up in it when they should be searching out the real gems on the truck instead of neon clocks and f*cking mood lighting for toolboxes

Absof***inglutely... Why the hell do I want a Snap-on fridge that ain't as big as my current shop fridge, which was my "office" fridge, which started out as a $49 dorm fridge way way back when I was in the air force. Yeah, it's ancient, but it still keeps the beer and soda cold and the vodka frozen. If I needed it "Snap-on red", I'd get a spray paint can, but why? It WORKS.

I like the LED lighting strips in the toolbox hutch, because it makes it a better WORK SPACE, but... $70 for the Snap on kit, or $20 for the same (as in identical same 3 stick system) thing from Ikea or Harm Despot. You tell me...

I guess it's the difference whether you're in the business to earn a living, or if you're in the businesss to try to impress other guys... Me? I'll spend my $$ on tools that will make me money, and leave the bling to the kiddies...

 

[richfinn]

Absof***inglutely... Why the hell do I want a Snap-on fridge that ain't as big as my current shop fridge, which was my "office" fridge, which started out as a $49 dorm fridge way way back when I was in the air force. Yeah, it's ancient, but it still keeps the beer and soda cold and the vodka frozen. If I needed it "Snap-on red", I'd get a spray paint can, but why? It WORKS.

I like the LED lighting strips in the toolbox hutch, because it makes it a better WORK SPACE, but... $70 for the Snap on kit, or $20 for the same (as in identical same 3 stick system) thing from Ikea or Harm Despot. You tell me...

I guess it's the difference whether you're in the business to earn a living, or if you're in the businesss to try to impress other guys... Me? I'll spend my $$ on tools that will make me money, and leave the bling to the kiddies...

Illuminating your hutch and work area is one thing and a good idea

Disco lights underneath the actual toolbox is a whole different level, its an abomination

 

[richfinn]

I think they still stand tall in graphing, that's the main reason I bought a solus legend to supplement my autel 906. Up until very recently, they were the only platform which included a lab scope. Autel had the add on scope with mediocre reviews, launch has nothing, Bosch has nothing, and the ATS tool has a scope but is otherwise a generic obd2 drivability tool. Not to detract from it, because I'd like an escan from ATS. However as far as I know it doesnt do the manufacturer specific side.

The snap on scope is far from a 4425 pico, but when you get used to it zooming out, not in, on data and understand its limitations it's a good unit. I still have my generation 1 Modis mainly for a quick lab scope and the big multimeter screen. Personally I much prefer a separate scanner and scope, but having 1 tool do it all is a plus.

I fully agree with power tools, the cost is too high IMO compared to similar options. Air tools I feel the same. Lots of good options for drivers and screw tools, some of their pliers are worth the price but most aren't all that special. Doesn't make them bad tools, I just feel they aren't a good value.

I still have my pre-CAN MT2500 for classics like the VW Corrado/Ford Scorpio and a LS2000, they are great tools

Snap-On has sort of been left behind in the UK with the proliferation of Autel/Launch/Autocom/Topdon/Gscan and our versions of Bosch KTS (which are very different from what I can see). The cost of Snap-On is just too high for the coverage on the cars we see

Then you have Opcom/VCDS/Forscan replicating factory scanners very affordably

Or the OSCA system for programming

A lot of guys still use solus/modis but the costs of updates is just too high over here and they get left to become obsolete very quickly

Point taken on graphing, I see scannerdanner use it a fair bit and it does look impressive

Are you guys switching to DOIP yet??

 

[Mr_B]

^
hahaha
unfortunately snapon been pretty lazy with inovation and tool ergonomics, socketry has sat pretty stagnant for decades and has huge room for easy improvement .
air and battery tools almost a joke, their battery ratchet is best design on market IMO but the rest is below par including warranty, diagnostics not what it was either .
Get out of the USA and it even less of a good deal .
It not all bad as some of their tools best design in the world it just a fact others got better and been innovating hard and making most of modern lower cost manufacture .

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I still have my pre-CAN MT2500 for classics like the VW Corrado/Ford Scorpio and a LS2000, they are great tools

Snap-On has sort of been left behind in the UK with the proliferation of Autel/Launch/Autocom/Topdon/Gscan and our versions of Bosch KTS (which are very different from what I can see). The cost of Snap-On is just too high for the coverage on the cars we see

Then you have Opcom/VCDS/Forscan replicating factory scanners very affordably

Or the OSCA system for programming

A lot of guys still use solus/modis but the costs of updates is just too high over here and they get left to become obsolete very quickly

Point taken on graphing, I see scannerdanner use it a fair bit and it does look impressive

Are you guys switching to DOIP yet??

DOIP, as in ethernet? Pretty sure that's on the newest of the new cars. My solus has the special adapter, and Autel released one recently. I'm actually going backwards, I want the OBDI link cable to use my new solus with my OBDI adapters.

Do shops supply anything in Europe? Lots of guys pay snap-on because they do payments and trade ins. My employer now supplies a 15 year out-of-date OTC with a broken OBDII plug you need to hold into the connector the entire time. So unless you have your own scanners and scopes, you basically don't do anything diagnostic related. Even stuff like electric parking brakes or battery registration, nothing supplied. I'm not at a dealer, so I only need to update every 24months or so, anything else is under warranty and impossible to source parts for anyway. The ideal is to pay maybe 1 update, then trade it in again when something else goes on special, which ends up costing you the price of an Autel out of pocket. Just a shell game. Snap on is relatively weak on European, IMO, so I can see why it might not be as big of a player in your market.

^
hahaha
unfortunately snapon been pretty lazy with inovation and tool ergonomics, socketry has sat pretty stagnant for decades and has huge room for easy improvement .
air and battery tools almost a joke, their battery ratchet is best design on market IMO but the rest is below par including warranty, diagnostics not what it was either .
Get out of the USA and it even less of a good deal .
It not all bad as some of their tools best design in the world it just a fact others got better and been innovating hard and making most of modern lower cost manufacture .

I will say the new flank drive extra are the real deal. Matco 6 point spline failed, but FDX took it off. I ordered the 1/4 set as soon as that happened. $225 for a set of 1/4 shallow sockets, with with as much rotted stuff as I see it'll be worth it.

Not sure how the currency conversion goes, but snap-on is already at the tippy-top of what people are willing to pay around here.

 

[Ralf11]

I will say the new flank drive extra are the real deal. Matco 6 point spline failed, but FDX took it off. I ordered the 1/4 set as soon as that happened. $225 for a set of 1/4 shallow sockets, with with as much rotted stuff as I see it'll be worth it.

...

How are the FDX vs. the 'old' flank drive?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How are the FDX vs. the 'old' flank drive?

In my example, it was a crusty 10mm nut holding on the EVAP canister of an early 2010s Chrysler 200.

Flank drive just spins, matco 6 point spline tries, and slips. Didn't really apply any force, just beginning to tension the nut made it slip off. FDX grabs it, but I still needed the inductive heater to really break it loose afterwards as I was concerned about snapping the stud off the body of the car. Aside from turbo sockets, I was getting low on options to even interface with the nut and apply force to it, let alone remove it.

IMO: FDX works. I was skeptical, I bought the 3/8 semi-deep for crusty exhaust bolts to try them out. I'm now buying the 1/4 shallow.

I could have started hammering 9mm or 3/8 on, but once it's on I can't keep the fastener warm with the inductive heater while cycling it back and forth. Snapping the stud off the body would have been a huge PITA, as it and a plastic slot are all that hold the canister up.

 

[sberry]

There is nothing wrong with Snap tools. You could buy a tool as good for half the money and one almost as good for less than 10% the cost. If the argument is about the tool, about the return on investment then the cheap wins by a long shot which is different than how people feel about it which is where the profit is.

 

[Qualitytools]

A bit late to this thread but I wholeheartedly agree that Quality tools are worth it in addition to having the right tool for the job. Combined they lessen the frustration during the job at hand and no ruined parts because one used the wrong or the less expensive tool

 

[CGarage]

Manufacturing, metallurgy, and uniform tolerances have come a long way compared to yesteryear.

 

[ChefRex]

I like many others here use tools more for homeowner level use, car maintenance and household repairs. I still like the feel of the upper end albeit not too expensive tools. Craftsman professional wrenches, Ridgid plumbing tools for pipe cutters, Milwaukee Sawzall,
Klein electrical tools, Channellock pliers, the list goes on. Most of my stuff is USA or German/European, some is China (power tools) but NONE are from Harbor Fright or Gearwench. Just on principal. I’d rather by a used quality tool than a brand new one from HF.
GW won’t see dime one from me because of the American workers Apex put out of work by closing the plant that produced Allen,Armstrong and Some store brand tools.
I have no doubt those two brands work just as well as some of my quality USA stuff, but we need to wake up to what China is doing to us and take steps to stop it.
As far as value goes, I find a lot of great tools in the clearance sections, at odd lots type stores, and eBay.

Amen my brother!

 

[Odd-job]

A bit late to this thread but I wholeheartedly agree that Quality tools are worth it in addition to having the right tool for the job. Combined they lessen the frustration during the job at hand and no ruined parts because one used the wrong or the less expensive tool

This. Plus the username checks out lol.

 

[jonshonda]

I'm not advocating for specifically snap on with this comment, but I was able to compare a snap on ratchet to an early 2000 era CM, and the difference in the ratcheting action was easily night and day. I think small fasteners and 1/4 drive ratchet would be the easiest application to appreciate the smoother ratcheting action and precision.

 

[Jmo371]

I'm not advocating for specifically snap on with this comment, but I was able to compare a snap on ratchet to an early 2000 era CM, and the difference in the ratcheting action was easily night and day. I think small fasteners and 1/4 drive ratchet would be the easiest application to appreciate the smoother ratcheting action and precision.

middle of the road, or pro-lite tools have come leaps and bounds in 20 years. The real pro tools, meh.


I have 120xp ratchets from GW and 90 tooth tekton ratchets that rival the snap-on stuff i have used.

I have broken lots of snap-on tools in my previous employment, all warrantied obviously. But why as a homeowner would i buy a used snap-on tool that they don't even replace?

When i can buy a tool, almost as good for 10% of the cost, that has a no questions asked warranty.

 

[CGarage]

......and buy it for 10 cents on the dollar (to continue your argument above).

I have nothing against Snap On and own their tools.
The prices are outrageous in my opinion.
90% of my tool purchases are with European brands as a result.

I would also say that most tool innovation these days is coming out of Taiwan. They are very creative. The European brands adopt this innovation in their product lines.
I do not see a lot of innovation coming out of Snap-On as of late.
Their “meat and potatoes” products like ratchets and sockets are great.
But they lack innovative, problem solving tools.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

......and buy it for 10 cents on the dollar (to continue your argument above).

I have nothing against Snap On and own their tools.
The prices are outrageous in my opinion.
90% of my tool purchases are with European brands as a result.

I would also say that most tool innovation these days is coming out of Taiwan. They are very creative. The European brands adopt this innovation in their product lines.
I do not see a lot of innovation coming out of Snap-On as of late.
Their “meat and potatoes” products like ratchets and sockets are great.
But they lack innovative, problem solving tools.

Disagree.

I recently bought their new master fuel pressure kit. $600 for their kit, list, and it has the best coverage I could find for ANY price. They make wireless adapters for it too, so you don't have to tape the gauge to the windshield for test drives. They were first to market for the 12" long 1/4 drive ratchets. They have something similar to the engineer/vampliers pattern, but in pistol grip, so you can actually reach things with it. Flank drive xtra is their newest socket offering; seems innovative to me. They have some of the smallest ratcheting wrench heads around on their newest models; their BJP1 gets great reviews and set the new standard of interlocking pieces other brands are now chasing. I just got their new 1/4 drive 24mm socket for oil pressure senders. Stupid thin walls to avoid removing housings to change the sensor; 1/4 drive because that's the torque range.

I will admit many of their specialty tools are rebranded. That said, sometimes buying the rebrand for more money from SO is smarter, as they'll basically lifetime warranty anything. Example: Low profile pitman arm puller. I paid $40 MORE than SP tools sells it for, the OEM, who didn't list lifetime warranty. BUT snap on will warranty it forever, and I will break it with 100% certainty. The last pitman arm I removed broke 2 pullers before I beat it of with my .498 hammer. They even warranty drill bits. Buy the bits on special and they're about $25 per set more than your favorite USA made brands from other venders. But when you inevitably break or chip a stubby, left hand, cobalt bit, or snap an extractor, they eat that. It's very quick to be on the winning side of that equation.



I'm far from a devoted fan on snap on. Most of my stuff isn't from them. But how do they not innovate?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I don't have to be instructed in quality tools, my first socket set was a 3/8" metric "Oxwall" , my first wrench set was a Thorsen metric combination.

I looked up the price of a Snap-On 3/8 sliding T-handle, it was 3x that of a Proto. The Proto might have been the better made of the two.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Right, snap on is really expensive

Does it that change the outright quality of either tool?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I don't have to be instructed in quality tools, my first socket set was a 3/8" metric "Oxwall" , my first wrench set was a Thorsen metric combination.

I looked up the price of a Snap-On 3/8 sliding T-handle, it was 3x that of a Proto. The Proto might have been the better made of the two.

Thorsen was amazing I sure wish they still made them I have a bunch of their stuff I have gotten from the pawn shops and stuff it works great. The Oxwall stuff is eh at best I break just about everyone of those I touch.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Noworries]

A lot has been said, debated and argued on here about "quality" vs import "junk" and I would agree if you are using tools to make your living good quality tools are a must but many guys on here sit at a desk for a living and will never need a $10,000 snapon rollaway and $50,000 in tools to fill it. You can **** a screw up just as quickly with a snapon screwdriver as a pittsburgh if you arent using it properly.. most of the kobalt, husky and pittsburgh stuff will outlast its owner and lets face it if you are putting a 3 foot cheater bar on your ratchet then leaning all your 200+ pounds on it.. would you rather break a 120 buck "quality" tool or a 20 buck import piece of ****? Having said that.. I have no problem supporting American workers and business but all you union guys whining about supporting the USA... how many of you willpay me, as an American, the 250 to 350 I will charge you to rekey your house or business instead of the 150 that the "immigrant" owned lockshop will charge you?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

But that's not the same, because they think you're too expensive.

Everybody loves their local businesses, until its time to pay them. "But amazon is cheaper".

 

[CGarage]

It is not just about the cost......it’s the convenience.
One touch ordering via Amazon has killed small business.

 

[WittHay]

Everything is quality is you dont use it and unless somebody is Native American we are all immigrants.

Isnt paying somebody $150 instead of $250 the proper USA American way. You should always try to eliminate as much high paying jobs as possible and have things made and sold as cheap as possible. Its a privilege and every proud Americans right to have your kids and grand children work for Amazon or the night shift at Fedex

You are lucky to have Amazon, Rock Auto and Ebay to buy cheap stuff without ever seeing it first. Up here we have to actually go into to Canadian Tire and Princess Auto to buy US made Estwing or Channellock at good prices. No Harbor Freight up here. The worst is going into huge 25,000 sq. ft tool stores and looking at a big selection of Proto, Klein and Knipex tools at good prices.

 

[richfinn]

I come down in the good quality but at a good price camp of tool shoppers

I never pay full RRP price's

I do a little research before I buy

I like web shopping because I hate going to stores and coming away with second best/because they only stock certain brands

I know this much, good tools (and the right tools for the job) make working on vehicles much more pleasant even enjoyable, trying to fix awkward stuff with crappy tools is a very quick way to lose interest in fixing cars altogether!

 

[Mr_B]

^
this is very true but it also very easy loose interest if you build up a lot of debt with likes of matco and snapon .
These days good professional hand tools can be quite affordable and massive range of design differences so everyone can be happy using them .
Quality and cost are not directly equal so research experience and knowing what you truly need for your style of work scenarios is key .

 

[CGarage]

I come down in the good quality but at a good price camp of tool shoppers

I never pay full RRP price's

I do a little research before I buy

I like web shopping because I hate going to stores and coming away with second best/because they only stock certain brands

I know this much, good tools (and the right tools for the job) make working on vehicles much more pleasant even enjoyable, trying to fix awkward stuff with crappy tools is a very quick way to lose interest in fixing cars altogether!

I agree on all points!!!

 

[CGarage]

^
this is very true but it also very easy loose interest if you build up a lot of debt with likes of matco and snapon .
These days good professional hand tools can be quite affordable and massive range of design differences so everyone can be happy using them .
Quality and cost are not directly equal so research experience and knowing what you truly need for your style of work scenarios is key .

Agree with this as well.

 

[Jmo371]

^
this is very true but it also very easy loose interest if you build up a lot of debt with likes of matco and snapon .
These days good professional hand tools can be quite affordable and massive range of design differences so everyone can be happy using them .
Quality and cost are not directly equal so research experience and knowing what you truly need for your style of work scenarios is key .

Some Tools are worth buying from Snap-on IMO, a lot of tools getting by with the middle of the road stuff is absolutely fine and will not make one bit of difference, and as a homeowner or a DIY guy is actually easier to warranty.

Quality Electric tools(impacts etc.), say the Milwaukee M18/12 Fuel series makes a huge difference.

Diagnostic stuff makes a huge difference.

Precision instruments, such as picks, feeler gauges and torque wrenches are worth splurging on IMO.

Screwdrivers are worth finding something that works well for you, and doesn't round over, but isn't over hardened so it cracks off in some place you cannot afford to loose a tip in.


Judging someone's tool collection on who their chrome sockets are made by is foolish....spend money where it counts, not just to have a certain name on your combination wrenches.

even a Pro-mechanic is better off having a wider variety of tools, that he can properly use...ie: impacts for impact guns, 12 and 6 point sockets, proper diagnostic equipment, breaker bars instead of toasting ratchets….then splurging on one basic set of a fancy brand.


is really is the monkey, not the banana.

 

[Noworries]

The great thing about this forum is there is an incalculable amount of experience and knowledge. Thete are guys on here that swear by snapon and guys that swear by harbor freight and everything in between. And EVERYTHING should be taken with a grain of salt!! With all the knowledge on here youtube is probably the single best source of info for the tool buyer. Guys buy **** with the sole intent of destroying it. Research ..research ..research .. Personally I would rather spend my money on a "lesser" tool that will more than cover my needs and spend the bucks saved an my hooch and steak and a cigar here and there. My Harley couldnt give a flock who made the wrench Im using. Oh and in closing.. the greatest thing about this forum (at least for now) is we all can have our say and live to see the dawn!! ROCK ON YOU MFrs

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I had a tool box stolen out of the back of my truck,. This was much more of an annoyance than a loss. So I replaced some the tools with one of those Canadian Tire 400 tools for $69.99 type kits. Chinese no doubt. As luck would have it ,I've had to use it. Tough working with a bag over your head.I'm surprised at the quality of the sockets . Taiwanese stuff should be even better.

 

[Ralf11]

a "lesser" tool will not cover your needs when you try to access that bolt on the rear caliper

up until you need strength and a small profile for access, you're golden

 

[Samuel D]

I guess I know just enough about tools to value the subtle features and qualities that tend to be available only at high cost.

Maybe that’s why I can think of worse ways to blow cash than a nice set of Snap-on spanners.

Snap-on spanners are highly functional, durable, beautiful, and even likely to retain a fair bit of residual value over decades.

People spend more upgrading their iPhone every ten minutes or owning status-symbol cars (and I don’t just mean wankpanzers but every sort of enthusiast vehicle from hot hatches to motorcycles to 4x4s – they’re all status symbols first and foremost).

But it’s true that “quality tools” are more affordable than ever. I recently got a haul of Toptul stuff while in Romania, a country where Toptul is more available than in France. These tools give a good first impression despite being amazingly cheap compared to European / American / Japanese brands. A lot of them are well made in the way that only modern production processes would enable. High consistency and surface finish quality.

I can’t be sure the underlying steel is as good as the best, but I’d bet it’s pretty decent. There are some simplifications and dimensions that don’t quite reach Hazet or Snap-on attention to detail, but the designs are serviceable. A bit staid, basically copies of old European tools, but even that is an asset if it saves Toptul from the fripperies and gimmicks of more innovative brands. I agree with Mies that it’s better to be good than original. Toptul appears to be good … and inexpensive. Quality tools worth the money.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I bought a set of Canadian Tires best wrenches, Mastercraft Maximums, for one out of town job. Tools on these jobs can easily go missing. So the loss of one or two wrenches from a set of 60% off on sale wrenches wouldn't break my heart or wallet. Turned out the company supplied tools. I have been using them the last 5 years. They are actually pretty nice. A far cry from the run of the mill wrenches of 40 years ago. Fully polished, long with squareish shank, like a MAC.

 

[rharman]

It took me a LOT of years (way too many) to realize that paying $80 for a tablesaw blade made way more sense than paying $15 or $20.