bubinga
Well-known member
My experience with Snap-On warranty over the phone has been excellent.
Lifetime Warranty Tools Vs. Cheap Disposable Tools
- Thread starter jimmy12345678
- Start date
bubinga
Well-known member
Do you guys seem to consider Husky hand tools as good quality tools?
finn
Well-known member
No. Serviceable, but not of particularly high quality. I don’t seek them out, but if the price is right, I will consider the brand.
You are pretty fortunate.
if I have to use a wrench I would gently loosen The fastener with a box end and finished removing it with the open end,
fwiw Harbor freight as lifetime warranties on all hand tools not just wrenches.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Some of the automotive specialty stuff only has a 90 day warranty @ harbor freight. It says right on the package. Your mileage may vary.
What hand tools would those be?
The ratchets are nice. They are based on the same mechanism as the Apex-Gearwrench ratchets. I prefer the lower profile single pawl 72T (I think it's 100 now) vs the twin pawl 100T (120T now?).
The wrenches are big box. Even though they look nicer than my '90s Craftsman stuff, I prefer the better shaped jaws of the older Cman stuff. In general I find the newer big box wrenches get a good finish by using a lot of polishing before plating. That leads to jaws that have rounded edges. Older Cman (and I think much of the newer stuff) avoids this by accepting a rougher finish. Snapon avoids this by having better finish before polishing thus less polishing is needed*. I think a lot of people view polished finish as a sign of quality because Snapon uses it and is a high quality tool. But, is the tool sufficient and are the limitations ones that matter in your application? For many applications Husky (Kobalt, Craftsman (old and current), HF Pittsburgh) are going to give a lifetime of trouble free service.
*All of this is my speculation based on looking at the finished product and thinking about the mfg process. This is not based on actually seeing the operations.
finn
Well-known member
It’s all of the specialty tools in the automotive aisle. Pullers, etc.What hand tools would those be?
Ton ton
Well-known member
Thank you, Finn.
Since this thread seems like its mostly about automotive tools, for DIY, does anyone actually go above HF/GW/Tekton? Why?
That's the mix i have, and a lot of it has always been HF (hate to say it but their sockets/ratchets have been fine for me). Mostly working on 4x4 suspension stuff for the last 14 years or so, so not the easiest on tools.
Curious why people would spend more for DIY, unless they just appreciate owning nicer tools, which I do get.
That's the mix i have, and a lot of it has always been HF (hate to say it but their sockets/ratchets have been fine for me). Mostly working on 4x4 suspension stuff for the last 14 years or so, so not the easiest on tools.
Curious why people would spend more for DIY, unless they just appreciate owning nicer tools, which I do get.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Safety and innovation come to mind.
Many on this forum are professional tool users meaning they earn a living using the tools. Those guys can't accept tools that don't get the job done.
Got a new job in light rail. My hand tools are all different brands form tool truck big box stores and some junk from those traveling tool companies (Homer tool and Cummings. If I break something I would get it replaced with a tool truck equivalent. And the old tool replaced if it was under warranty. I can’t get tool truck to stop in the shop even though we are in the city but we only have two othe technicians so I guess I get it. I had to get a 15/16 Kobalt ratcheting wrench got it from Lowe’s. It dropped less then 3 feet And the mechanism popped out. Called Kobalt they told me to take it to the store. Did that and they told me to call Kobalt. Asked if I could just return it but it was a few days past there return date. Ended up just leaving it on the return counter and walked off. Called the Snap On guy he told me he would order one but I’m still waiting for the stuff he told me he would order a few months ago so we will see what happens. Sorry for the rant. Just wish he would stop in at least once a month.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Lowes, man that place can’t get their stuff together. I had the same problem with a different brand. Same exact thing of being bounced from one to the other.
As far as Snap-on, they are incredibly behind on production. A lot of stuff has major lead times. I hope you get what you need quick enough!
MatBirch
Well-known member
The most expensive tools you own are the ones that can't do the job when you need them to. Either because they're broken (warranty or not), or borrowed/missing.
DGersic
Well-known member
My hand tools include HF, GW, and Tekton, but also Craftsman, Mac, and SnapOn, and some cheap no-name and house brand stuff.
For the most part, the DIY tools are fine for the job. That’s the HF, GW, Tekton, and Craftsman.
There was something I wanted, that Craftsman didn’t make when I wanted it, and the husband of a lady I worked with ran a Mac truck. Mac made what I wanted. So I bought it. Now a 3/8” drive 8mm socket is probably easier to get. 30 years ago, 3/8” drive stopped at 9mm.
The DIY brand ratchets are mostly fine, but I wanted a 1/2” drive long handle high tooth count. DIY brands don’t have this. SO has one. Bought it (eBay). I have the 24” Tekton 1/2” ratchet, it’s pretty good, but low tooth count. Also the 24” SO breaker bar, because I broke my old breaker bar. Oh, and a 1/4” drive long handle SO ratchet, because I found it in the street one day.
I have three sets of flare wrenches. Cheap store brand ones that I never use. Craftsman that are decent but not great. SnapOn, because rounding off flare nuts *****. They’ll round off a flare nut too, because I live in salted road country, but they give me the best chance of maybe getting It loose.
Doing the brakes on SWMB’s Camry, the sliders need a thin open end. Bought a cheap no name that was thin enough to fit.
Then there’s the specialty tools from Park, and homemade stuff. And other brands.
They’re tools. They enable me to do something I want or need to do. They’re not a collection, nor a religion.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
I consider warrantees a non-issue. I don't abuse tools and I've never broken a hand tool in my lifetime. My view is if it's any good it will not break so who cares if it's warranted as I never intend to use it. I like quality tools simply because I like tools. I made my money with electron microscopes and KLA-Tencor semiconductor defect detection equipment all of which cost at least $1M each and I was responsible for several of them. My tools are my hobby. I love TOPTUL & Knipex hand tools and Milwaukee, Makita and Bosch power tools. Do I need such excellent tools - no not really. I just like tools and I have enough money to indulge my hobby so I do.
Shop-hound
Well-known member
Well said sir. I’m a construction manager and haven’t needed to use tools for a living in over 10 years. I frequently have to buy them for the crews on job sites (carefully balancing cost, quality and of course the lost and stolen factor). I’ve been wrenching as a hobby on cars, some racing, home renos etc since I was 12 so it’s a part of me, and I can finally afford the best for the key tools I use most often and value. I have a mix of Mastercraft, PowerFist (Princess Auto) and now recently have been upgrading to some Snap on, Matco (couple off the truck where I seem to consistently be able to get 15-20% off MSRP by coming to them, bringing cash and developing a relationship. They aren’t too hard to track down with Facebook etc. The quality stuff fits better/less chance to strip and it’s nice to have tools that I can pass onto my kids one day. Even if you’re not a pro, you have to look at what your time is worth not getting the job done, traipsing all over town to warrantee junk etc…. Now in the same breath I find it Very hard to justify the so called warrantee of the tool trucks (especially if you’re a pro), where they put it in a drawer and mail it in while you leave empty handed. As others have said, you could stop in at Canadian Tire or Princess on your lunch break and be back at er within an hour. Buy quality and don’t abuse it, unless you’re really stuck
. That 20mm powerfist wrench beside the snappy FD+ Set always makes me laugh when I open the drawer. Maybe it’s time to upgrade that one for my OCD 
I shop for quality at reasonable prices. Twenty years ago that was USA made Craftsman at the local Sears.
Today, there's a lot more options.
Toptul, Capri, Tekton, Sunex, Discounts SK before the buyout, Stahlwille, Facom, Icon, Carlyle if it's on sale, etc.
Edit: Proto, USAG, Vessel, Wilde
Today, there's a lot more options.
Toptul, Capri, Tekton, Sunex, Discounts SK before the buyout, Stahlwille, Facom, Icon, Carlyle if it's on sale, etc.
Edit: Proto, USAG, Vessel, Wilde
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General Geoff
Well-known member
There are cheap gems and expensive turds. A wise man does not limit himself to only one or two brands. He does his research and buys quality at whatever price point fits his budget, his location, his work schedule or his free time (as a hobbyist). Harbor Freight has a place alongside Snap-On in almost any roller cabinet (or as the source of the cabinet itself!), if the user doesn't obsess over country of origin. They make some damn good tools at affordable prices.
I'm DIY. Here are two of my 1/2" ratchets, I use the Hazet and the Stanley I no longer touch. Why?
The Hazet is 90 tooth and obviously bulkier than the Stanley in all sides. The Stanley which I bought first, is strong, 72 teeth with socket lock and you would need at least 1.5meter pipe to break it, so in theory a good solid ratchet.
But you will discover whats wrong with it in the first 10 minutes of using it or 10 seconds if working in a car's engine bay.
The direction switch on the Stanley is bulky and accidentally catches and changes direction all the time, especially in confined spaces. The Hazet direction switch as in every good ratchet is flush. A pro car mechanic would probably throw the Stanley angrily out of the window...
rust in the eye
Well-known member
The anecdotal experience of a non-pro here;
I regard all my tools as "tools", they are not status symbols or collections. I use them for their intended purpose and sometimes abuse them.
It makes no sense for me to pay tool truck prices but I've bought some under duress and have a few others bought used. Don't like my Snap-On ratchets at all because no quick release so seldom use them. I love their long extensions as they don't "wind up" as much as others, an instance where better quality materials pays off.
Most of mine are well regarded US brands and some "imports" that serve me well.
Pretty much any decent tool carries a lifetime warranty, some easier than others to exchange. A lot depends on the user's location.
I find the notion that any one brand is best at everything to be absurd. I find those that condemn anything Chinese/Taiwan equally absurd.
Tools don't make the mechanic and I've heard there is often an inverse correlation between the size of the box and number of expensive tools to actual skills.
I've fixed plenty of pro's mistakes using my much humbler tools.
I regard all my tools as "tools", they are not status symbols or collections. I use them for their intended purpose and sometimes abuse them.
It makes no sense for me to pay tool truck prices but I've bought some under duress and have a few others bought used. Don't like my Snap-On ratchets at all because no quick release so seldom use them. I love their long extensions as they don't "wind up" as much as others, an instance where better quality materials pays off.
Most of mine are well regarded US brands and some "imports" that serve me well.
Pretty much any decent tool carries a lifetime warranty, some easier than others to exchange. A lot depends on the user's location.
I find the notion that any one brand is best at everything to be absurd. I find those that condemn anything Chinese/Taiwan equally absurd.
Tools don't make the mechanic and I've heard there is often an inverse correlation between the size of the box and number of expensive tools to actual skills.
I've fixed plenty of pro's mistakes using my much humbler tools.
Agree with this 100%.
The idea that you need tool-truck tools to "get the job done" safely is, in a word, silly. There was likely an element of truth to it 30 years ago, but there are plenty of affordable tools that stand up fine to professional use just fine. If the tool truck model works for you in terms of service and relationship, fine, but even the $20 set of HF Pittsburg wrenches are ANSI certified. I'm not suggesting they're great tools, but they aren't "unsafe."
The bigger value of the tool truck brands is the breadth of their portfolio - they make a wider variety of tools that are responding to the needs/desires of someone using tools to make a living. The box stores aren't going to carry things that are beyond the mainstream of homeowner/DIY types. And if they do, the game of dogeball described above on "who owns the warranty" would be enough for a pro to avoid box-store/pure consumer brands altogether and choose a tool truck or a brand that focuses highly on customer service (Tekton, HF, most MiUSA brands).
GearWrench is the perfect example. Their quality isn't great, but it isn't terrible. Their warranty sounds great, but in practices there's enough smoke about challenging warranty and lacking customer service that I believe there's a fire.
My Sunex ratchets do the same thing. The only reason I still have them is to be sacrificial if the need ever arises. Great handle and profile, but junk when you're actually using them to do something...
bubinga
Well-known member
Blake the car guy, do you think Husky is junk?