1/2'' socket sets: SK vs Armstrog vs Toptul

[wrenhandtools]

Auto, I agree with you that it is wrong for some company like a Snap on to re-badge a product and make the consumer keep checking to see if it up to the same standard as always....AND charging the same price makes it even WORSE. I have a feeling that they know that their business model is breaking down so they are trying to maximize every last bit of profit with the old model instead of making a new model. We need more manufacturing jobs here in America. AND damn good stuff is made here. Like autos, the GM FORD stuff is way better than it used to be and Honda - Toyota - BMW are made here as well.

So who's to say if a tool plant would need/have to be Union or not ( kind of a separate issue ) but I KNOW these quality tools could be made here forever at a more competitive price. Also same thing in Europe, Hazet and the big brands over there charge the same OBSCENE prices for stamped pieces of metal.

I really like the different guys on this site. Makes things fun and keeps a person honest!

 

[autoace]

Instead of injecting a new thread, I was just remembering one of many events; that, almost made me give up my anti-import paradigm.

I was trying to remove the balancer bolt on a Subaru,boxter engine. My high power 3/8 drive impact gun barely fit, and didn't do it. I didn't have the proper spanner wrench then so I got my MAC 25" 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and 22mm impact socket,also MAC and put it on the balancer, then the handle end on the "frame" and figured I would use the starter to break it loose. I unplugged the coil pack and turned the ignition key, bang, ok it broke free? nope I cracked the socket WTF. Got a SO socket, turn key bang, broke the breaker bar end,WTF! I got my Crafsman one, huh huh,nope,that didn't surprise me. My 3/4 one was too short. Well I went to my "junk yard" tools and got my Harbor Freight Pittsburgh, 25",1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a 50cent HF impact socket, I wasn't having confidence. I hooked the coil pack back up, to get even more torque, hoping the bolt wouldn't break,"knowing "the HF bar would fail right. I turn the key,Bang Bang,third try the motor fired and I shut it off, thinking the socket or breaker bar failed. The crank bolt came loose and unwound,I could now continue my job. The 8.99 HF bar and 50cent socket tolerated the flogging WTF. In this case the cheap Taiwan stuff showed up the pro tool. That bar and socket is still alive and well today. I sold all my MAC stuff on ebay; because, it failed often and HF "junk yard" box tools finished the job. Now I have not had the same problrms with SO or Cornwell. BUT FOR THE PRICE OF THE HF TOOL,wow. I endorse the pro USA tool companies as part of my USA economy paradigm, but am sometimes disappointed with the quality, at least from MAC and Craftsman. Now that the Pro companies are re-badging Taiwan fare, why should anyone buy it??just because of the "name stamped". So my rage is at the US companies responsible for this. Toptul is not a "traitor" company so my beef is not with them, I will stifle my import rant for you and Toptul; because, they are not quilty of deceit, they are what they say, one can take it or leave it. My attitude about re-labeling by pro US companies will stay alive and well. Good Luck with the Toptul idea, hope you are successful.

 

[autoace]

I just noticed a thread about Toptul gearless ratchet. On the page is a indexable ratchet. The Harbor Freight indexable ratchet,which replaced my MAC sold on ebay for now, maybe, looks JUST like the Toptul, right down to the release button and hardware, handle shape, only thing different is the lack of green on the handle.

Does Toptul make some of Pittsburgh professional????????

 

[vssjim]

We had a u bolt on a axle of my old pick up years ago, friends brand new Snap on breaker bar with Craftsman socket, laying on ground foot on bar bang no more Snap on breaker bar. Got out my old SK with green rubber grip breaker bar and same Craftsman socket got that nut off and the other three no problem had to exchange the brand new Snap on breaker bar. I still have both of my old SK rubber grip handled breaker bars and he still has the same socket.

 

[billymade]

wrenhandtools, I think we all agree that pro tools seem to be "overpriced"; the thing is, you are paying more for the benefits of the "service" that comes with it, then the tool itself. I find this article to be enlightening about the market Snapon has created and serves: "How Snap-on Tools Ratchets Its Brand"
By Glenn Rifkin http://www.strategy-business.com/press/16635507/9598

 

[Hip2u77]

We had a u bolt on a axle of my old pick up years ago, friends brand new Snap on breaker bar with Craftsman socket, laying on ground foot on bar bang no more Snap on breaker bar. Got out my old SK with green rubber grip breaker bar and same Craftsman socket got that nut off and the other three no problem had to exchange the brand new Snap on breaker bar. I still have both of my old SK rubber grip handled breaker bars and he still has the same socket.

I love old SK tools. My old man has some and I abused one of his rubber handled 1/2" breaker bars while I was growing up and that thing is still going strong today, 20 years later.

As for the Craftsman sockets. I used one along with a 25" HF breaker bar and broke the stud in half on a 2" receiver ball using a standard 6 point shallow socket.