ROBBED! they got my good tools, suggestions for new tools

[rockwind1]

car got broken into jan 1st,,, police are not too interested in doing much. they got my old craftsman stuff from 70's and 80's. socket sets, metric and standard, combo wrench sets, also both. pliers, channellocks, vise grips, extensions, universals, adaptors, ratchets,, screw drivers, lots of cool weird tools i had picked up over the years. some nice knipex stuff. god, there was so much stuff in there. heartbroken, sad, and bummed. insurance company, as usual, has us by the hanging spheres. 2500 deductable plus raise rates if I make a claim to get any of "their" money back,, conveniently forgetting that I have been giving them money for the last 28 years.

i don't work as much as i used to on stuff but where is best place to buy some reasonably priced american made stuff,,,,or even chinesium stuff that is actually made in a quality factory over there.

open to suggestions on good not made in america stuff as well

 

[lynx40]

hi sorry to hear about your tool loss, typical insurance never give anything back. Those tools were priceless to yourself and to replace would cost a small fortune but you could look at bahco range heard they're owned by snap-on made in Spain also there's wera

 

[DeeKay]

**** I'm sorry, that ***** man! I ******* hate thieves.
I would hit up your local flea markets and pawn shops, lots of good stuff to be had for decent prices.

Was there anything with identifying marks that you would recognize or any really unique/specialized tools? Or was it all pretty generic stuff?

My service truck got broken in to last year and the crack heads made away with a lot of expensive test equipment. At first the police weren't very motivated at all even though I had good video of the two guys and their vehicle... which I guess still isn't much to go on.
I ended up checking Craigslist and facebook market place daily, after about a month my pressure calibrator popped up on market place with some dudes name written all over it. I called the police, gave them my serial number, the detective called the guy up and set up a buy. Get this, those dumb fucks showed up in a stolen car full of drugs. It took abut a year to get my stuff back while it was in evidence, It's crazy how long court can take.

 

[KSJeff]

Sorry to hear. If I had to buy a good "not a professional" set of stuff I'd probably go:

Sockets - Gearwrench or Husky
wrenches - Gearwrench or ICON.
Pliers - I've been using some of the HF Doyles and they're not bad. Hard to beat Knipex.
Screwdrivers - I like the williams black handles, but there are a lot of good options.

Good luck. Again, sorry to hear.

 

[RTM]

There is another guy right below this posting tools for sale in Vegas, maybe you can work out a deal

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473411

 

[KM223]

There is another guy right below this posting tools for sale in Vegas, maybe you can work out a deal

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473411

Thanks RTM for the shout out! I’ll work out something with him to help get him up and running with some great tools!

 

[rockwind1]

**** I'm sorry, that ***** man! I ******* hate thieves.
I would hit up your local flea markets and pawn shops, lots of good stuff to be had for decent prices.

Was there anything with identifying marks that you would recognize or any really unique/specialized tools? Or was it all pretty generic stuff?

My service truck got broken in to last year and the crack heads made away with a lot of expensive test equipment. At first the police weren't very motivated at all even though I had good video of the two guys and their vehicle... which I guess still isn't much to go on.
I ended up checking Craigslist and facebook market place daily, after about a month my pressure calibrator popped up on market place with some dudes name written all over it. I called the police, gave them my serial number, the detective called the guy up and set up a buy. Get this, those dumb fucks showed up in a stolen car full of drugs. It took abut a year to get my stuff back while it was in evidence, It's crazy how long court can take.

wow, i hope that happens with me but i am in vegas, the hood rats from LA come here and steal stuff and take it LA to sell. if it was all together like it got stolen in the bag,, it would be easily identifiable i think but if they seperate it,, could be hard. i had a vibrating engraver from sears when i was in my teens and i engraved all my tools but not sure how many were in the bag sadly. life goes on,, i just wish someone who actually worked on stuff had taken them

 

[rockwind1]

" I called the police, gave them my serial number, the detective called the guy up and set up a buy."

wow, you must live in a different place than me,,, "my" detective has not even called me and it has been 3 1/2 weeks since she was assigned the case.

 

[ToolFinder]

I have some old craftsman stuff, two 3/8 drive ratchets from the 70's. For new tools, I recommend Dowell tools. look on Amazon.

 

[DeeKay]

" I called the police, gave them my serial number, the detective called the guy up and set up a buy."

wow, you must live in a different place than me,,, "my" detective has not even called me and it has been 3 1/2 weeks since she was assigned the case.

Well after they arrested the guy it was radio silence for months, couldn't get a call back from the detective or anything, I even went to his office and he wouldn't even talk to me in person. I think once the arrest is done, they get busy with other more important stuff. ***** for people like us, but it is what it is.

 

[ive]

Hate thieves. Sorry for what your going through.

Unfortunately it’s not a violent crime, thereby its a low priority with already overwhelmed resources.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

For US made sockets the cost vs quality on US Williams ( alpha numeric PN's) and Proto are hard to beat. I recently grabbed some of each for a possible new road gig/home box.

 

[930dreamer]

Another GJ member KM223 posted about selling all his Snap On tools, might find some deals.

 

[Jtels85]

I’m sorry to hear about that. I hate thieves. My ex’s father managed a pawn shop and he said you wouldn’t believe the amount of tools that walks through his door that he knows are stolen. He’ll ask the person what they have, if they can’t describe it and just say... “I dunno, tools”, he will turn them away. Lots of tips and tricks to prevent himself from obtaining stolen property. He’s been burned before. Unfortunately, not all places are like that but it’s quite possible your stuff may turn up at one of them.

As for replacements, I don’t think it’ll be long before the Made In USA with global materials Craftsman mechanic’s tools will be at Lowe’s. Tekton and GearWrench are also good brands and I’m partial to Carlyle from NAPA Auto Parts. Duralast and Husky are Apex and mostly rebranded GearWrench. Any of those would be a fine choice.

 

[Ralf11]

Sorry to hear this.

But I'll say you were ROBBED! Ins. Co. got your good money. Find another damn Ins. Co.

USAA or Amica are best.

I'd look at this as an "opportunity" to buy Ko-ken ratchets and sockets; Hazet or Stahlwille wrenches, and etc.

 

[zktk01]

There was a guy on here selling Craftsman USA sockets for $1 a piece not sure if he still has them the classified section or flea markets is where I would start if wanting to go the economical route. Did you have tools in the trunk?

 

[blacksuit99]

Thieves ****!

 

[BD1]

Dam that *****!!
I set my son up with all made in USA Craftsmans tools . Complete setup.
His building had storage cages in basement for tenants.
Many tenants had there storage cages broken into. A can opener would have worked.
They got all his tools, bike, and deep cycle battery plus adjoining cages were empty.
Police said it was a previous tenant that had basement key.
What is your location ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[driftpin]

Sorry you lost your tools to thievery. Robbery is when someone removes your possessions from you while you are there, and the potential for suffering violence is much-higher.

Do you have a high deductible to lower your rates?

 

[Shakes_26]

Thieves ****

 

[PugetDude]

There was a guy on here selling Craftsman USA sockets for $1 a piece not sure if he still has them the classified section or flea markets is where I would start if wanting to go the economical route. Did you have tools in the trunk?

ssdave

Now permabanned.

 

[rockwind1]

Dam that *****!!
I set my son up with all made in USA Craftsmans tools . Complete setup.
His building had storage cages in basement for tenants.
Many tenants had there storage cages broken into. A can opener would have worked.
They got all his tools, bike, and deep cycle battery plus adjoining cages were empty.
Police said it was a previous tenant that had basement key.
What is your location ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am in las vegas!,, which used to be a nice city until california happened.

 

[rockwind1]

ssdave

Now permabanned.

it was a suv, so no trunk. they got a lot more than my tool bag. but it couldhave been a lot worse if i had my usual 3 bags of tools in there. i have 2 medium bags and one large bag. the medium bag they got had my most commonly used stuff, a lot of tools were in there.

 

[rockwind1]

Sorry you lost your tools to thievery. Robbery is when someone removes your possessions from you while you are there, and the potential for suffering violence is much-higher.

Do you have a high deductible to lower your rates?

you're right, it was actually burglary, more or less, although, since it happened on my property while i was here, kinda close to robbery but not quite.

yes, sadly i had a high deductable, 2500$ my rates are still astronomical. I hate insurance companies. they are worse than casinos. but not quite as bad as our politicians at taking our money in any way they can.

 

[rockwind1]

Another GJ member KM223 posted about selling all his Snap On tools, might find some deals.

i met him,, stand up guy. i bought some tools from him, very pleased.

 

[PugetDude]

i met him,, stand up guy. i bought some tools from him, very pleased.

Glad it worked out for both of you.

 

[John Timmins]

My Snap On dealer said he would sell the Blue Point socket sets but replace the ratchets with the Snap-On ratchets.

I like the Blue Point sets in the carry case.....with the SO ratchets.

Get Williams screwdrivers from Amazon. They are a Snap On product with hard handles

Or you might get Williams combination wrenches or socket sets from Grainger or elsewhere

Tools you cannot have unless they are the best quality are allen wrenches and snap ring pliers. I suggest Snap On for these tools.

 

[BrandoJames]

Sorry you got robbed. The thieves will never use your tools--work is anathema to them. As far as replacing your tools, check the "Truck Tool Equivalents" sticky thread on this board (link below). As a DIYer, my personal preferences below:

Ratchet: Snap-on Dual 80 or Matco 88. Splurge on professional fine-tooth ratchets. Check eBay for used ones.
Sockets: Tekton 6 point; get a chrome 3/8" set and a 1/2" impact set.
Screwdrivers: Vessel--excellent JIS screwdrivers.
Pliers: Harbor Freight's Doyle line.
Ratcheting wrenches: Tekton.
Hammers: ball peen=Stanley-Proto; deadblow=Nupla.
Cordless Tools: Makita.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120

 

[Annnttt]

Hate thieves. What type of sockets are you looking for? I have some usa made craftsman stuff I don’t use anymore and I’ll send them your way, just pay me for postage. Shoot me a pm.

 

[Max]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I agree with you about CA.

I used to have a lot of US Craftsman tools myself, but over the last two years I have been treating myself to upgrades.

For screwdrivers, both Williams (Snap On Industrial) and Tekton are made in the US and are very nice at good prices. I got my Williams through Zoro with a 20% off coupon, so I think it was a bit over $100 for a large set.

https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-indust...19-pcs-100p-19md/i/G7080836/?recommended=true

https://www.tekton.com/phillips-slo...rewdriver-sets?quantity=1&blade-finish=chrome

Tekton also gives you 10% off in rewards if you buy direct from them.

For wrenches I've got a mix of Proto US and Proto Taiwan, and I'm very happy with them both.

And for sockets I've got mostly Proto, with a bit of Williams and Tekton thrown in. The Proto and Williams are US, the Tekton are Taiwan. I've been happy with all of them, and the ratchets in particular are a big step up from US craftsman.

If you just want the cheapest that will work, pittsburg pro from HF works and they have a very good warranty. They are made in China, and in my experience the quality varies.

Good luck in replacing your tools!

- Max

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

SK, Proto, Williams, Wright are going to be about the only USA options you can still get new that isn’t too overpriced. Tekton, Capri, Sunex, Carlyle are all good tools too and Kobalt and Pittsburgh Pro are good for chrome and impact sockets. Majority of my stuff is SK and Craftsman USA and Popular Mechanics which used to be Walmart brand tools which all work excellent for me professionally. My go to ratchets are Capri they are just so smooth and work excellent even over my Matco they are my go to. For screwdrivers in my opinion nothing is better than the Craftsman USA ones and SK the handles are comfortable and work excellent. I do not recommend Gearwrench or Husky anymore they have moved to China and are terrible I cracked so many of their China tools I won’t buy anymore of them. Capri and Tekton give you reward points if you buy from their website to use towards other things.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[rockwind1]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I agree with you about CA.

I used to have a lot of US Craftsman tools myself, but over the last two years I have been treating myself to upgrades.

For screwdrivers, both Williams (Snap On Industrial) and Tekton are made in the US and are very nice at good prices. I got my Williams through Zoro with a 20% off coupon, so I think it was a bit over $100 for a large set.

https://www.zoro.com/snap-on-indust...19-pcs-100p-19md/i/G7080836/?recommended=true

https://www.tekton.com/phillips-slo...rewdriver-sets?quantity=1&blade-finish=chrome

Tekton also gives you 10% off in rewards if you buy direct from them.

For wrenches I've got a mix of Proto US and Proto Taiwan, and I'm very happy with them both.

And for sockets I've got mostly Proto, with a bit of Williams and Tekton thrown in. The Proto and Williams are US, the Tekton are Taiwan. I've been happy with all of them, and the ratchets in particular are a big step up from US craftsman.

If you just want the cheapest that will work, pittsburg pro from HF works and they have a very good warranty. They are made in China, and in my experience the quality varies.

Good luck in replacing your tools!

- Max

thanks for the advice! good info

 

[andy102]

That is terrible, i had my ladder stolen from my van a few weeks ago.

 

[Dave455]

O.P. I am so sorry. What a ****** thing to happen. Coming from another country, I didn’t believe that there were such things as a $2500 excess. That is outrageous.

Having known others who have had similar issues, my only advice would be to replace with at least comparable quality. I know that getting identical isn’t feasible where U.S. made Craftsman is concerned, but if you accept a downgrade, you will have to live with that forever, and it will piss you off every time you use the tools.

There is some good advice here. Most likely you won’t get everything from a single source, but it’s worth picking and choosing to get the best deals. U.S. made Williams and Proto are good, but there are Wright and S.K. too.

I know they are more money, but at least you get U.S. made tools, and maybe even an upgrade. Can you also look at what you can get from say Harry Epstein? There are good discounts there, and chances are they will have similar quality to what you lost.

 

[Robinson1]

Sorry about your loss.

I'm really liking the import Williams sockets. They have some pretty complete sets in 3/8" and 1/4" drive for not alot of money.

1/2" drive if I was starting over id probably just buy impact sets and call it good enough. On the other hand there's alot of older USA stuff on ebay that sells fairly cheap. Outside heavy diesel mechanics they're not many people actually wearing out 1/2" drive tools.

Channel lock for pliers

Milwaukee for vise grips

You can likely piece together a nice set of USA wrenchs if you're patient. Id probably buy a cheap Husky or Craftsman set to get started.

Screwdrivers Id buy a Klein or Lenox 10-in-1 then whatever set from Harbor Freight felt the best in the hand.

Hammers, get an Estwing or Vaughan 16 oz ball pein, a harbor freight dead blow, and whatever 3 pound mini sledge feels good in your hand