a blank check for buying hand tools

[petalmasher]

I work in field service, and have for the last 10 years. I work on radiological equipment which are large electromechanical systems with liquid cooling and computers, so it requires a good mix of tools. My previos employers supplied tool kits, but my new employer just said to buy whatever tools I need with my company card. and gave me a price limit that was quite a bit more than what I thought I would need. Since I've had work tool kits around for most of my adult life I've never really shopped for tools.

I had the tool kit from my last job for six years and everything worked well and stood up to daily use, so I assumed those were pretty good tools and was planning on basically replicating the tool kit from my last job. it was mostly Xcelite drivers, everything hex was Bondhus, most of the electrical cutter, strippers, pliers ... were Klein or Xcelite, the bigger mechanical wrenches and such were mostly Crescent or Chanellock and there was a US made craftsman socket set.

Looking around this forum, I don't see much mention of the brands I'm familiar with. The brands that are talked about seem significantly more expensive than what I'm used to. I've used the Chinese made Wallmart tools and know that isn't what I want for daily use. But when I see an Allen set like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EQADTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I Can't help but wonder what they could possibly do to make it worth so much more than this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E7ZQIA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I want to by good stuff, but I don't want to go crazy with my company card just because I can. My Xcelite/klein/channellock/ types of tools were good solid tools, but as you go up in price range there has to be a point of diminishing returns Does anyone have some general guidelines as to where that is for hand tools?

 

[zkling]

O... allow me to day dream a bit.

PB swiss for drivers and bits
Knipex and NWS for pliers, cutters
Wright with maybe some snap on thrown in for wrenches and sockets?
Starrett and B&S for measuring, punches and the like.

Throw it all in a pelican case, with shadow foam.

Hey you said blank check.

 

[mires]

If you liked what you used before, I would do like you said and just try to replicate it. Your employer will be pleasantly surprised when they see what you have spent knowing that you could have spent much more.

 

[SASORacing]

Budget?

 

[paulsomlo]

US made craftsman socket set? You may be buying that one from open stock - not sure that any of the full sets are made in USA anymore. Next best bang for the buck may be SK.

 

[flying eyeball]

US made craftsman socket set?

yawn

 

[66dave]

If you liked what you used before, I would do like you said and just try to replicate it. Your employer will be pleasantly surprised when they see what you have spent knowing that you could have spent much more.

I would take this road. Although I do live by the buy once/cry once at home my employer would not be impressed with my $1500 snap-on wrench set.

I do agree with a Pelican case if you are a traveling tech and getting the tools that feel the most comfortable to you. Spending $150 on hex wrenches aren't worth it if they feel odd in your hand, hold the tool and ensure it compliments you. I would assume your job is similar to mine, I work on semiconductor equipment. They gave us some new hex wrenches, black oxide, but they contaminated the equipment because the oxide came off one set (ball ends) so then the gave us chrome, yep the chrome pealed...now we get our own, I like Elkind as they are great for my application (to be honest I was very surprised at the low price point).

So not to sound like a broken record buy what complements you.

By the way congrats on the new job

Also be sure to post pictures of your shopping spree!

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Wamsutta]

Go to the Snap-on website and start shopping.

 

[nanofrog]

I work in field service, and have for the last 10 years.

I had the tool kit from my last job for six years and everything worked well and stood up to daily use, so I assumed those were pretty good tools and was planning on basically replicating the tool kit from my last job. it was mostly Xcelite drivers, everything hex was Bondhus, most of the electrical cutter, strippers, pliers ... were Klein or Xcelite, the bigger mechanical wrenches and such were mostly Crescent or Chanellock and there was a US made craftsman socket set.

Looking around this forum, I don't see much mention of the brands I'm familiar with. The brands that are talked about seem significantly more expensive than what I'm used to. I've used the Chinese made Wallmart tools and know that isn't what I want for daily use. But when I see an Allen set like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EQADTC/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I Can't help but wonder what they could possibly do to make it worth so much more than this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E7ZQIA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I want to by good stuff, but I don't want to go crazy with my company card just because I can. My Xcelite/klein/channellock/ types of tools were good solid tools, but as you go up in price range there has to be a point of diminishing returns Does anyone have some general guidelines as to where that is for hand tools?

I use the same types of tools/brands (electronics oriented), and also have occasion to do field work.

Few questions:
What types of considerations do you have other than the types of tools mentioned and brands?
Meaning, what kind of quantity and weight?
Travel considerations (i.e. do you need to deal with airport security, ship it as freight, ...)?

For drivers for example, you might want to get your most commonly used types from PB Swiss. Fit is impeccable, and this keeps the number of them down, as they're not cheap. Wiha might be suitable for the rest (better priced, and still excellent tools), and if both packed space and weight are a concern, a bit set or interchangeable blade set would be the way to go instead of dedicated drivers for everything (security bit set + interchangeable torx to get into deeper recesses than 1" bits can reach for example).

Bondhus could still take care of your Allen needs. If you'd prefer a screwdriver handle (not sure how frequently you use them), Wiha would be worth considering.

Pliers, I'd go for Schmitz if you can wait ~10 days to get them (have to order from Germany, and pay with PayPal). If not, Swanstrom would be worth a look for electronics pliers (download the catalog; All-Spec sells them, and are good on prices). Both offer ergonomic grips which are really nice if you've larger hands (can't describe how much more comfortable they are to use vs. Xcelite, which I also own).

Tronex for electronics cutters. Also offer ergonomic grips.

Stripper, lots of choices. Pressmaster Embla for example if you want an automatic (no die nests, can also do Teflon with the right blade cartridge). Xcelite rebrands them, as does Waytek Wire (crimp tools as well).

Sockets and wrenches, I'd say look into SK, Wright, Proto, and Williams (even their Taiwanese made stuff is quite nice, and well priced). Lots of info in here on these brands.

Larger pliers, Channellock is still decent. Could also look into NWS and Knipex (check each type you're interested in, as they vary).

Klein's have gotten too soft in the tips IMHO, so sadly, I'd have to recommend skipping them.

If you liked what you used before, I would do like you said and just try to replicate it. Your employer will be pleasantly surprised when they see what you have spent knowing that you could have spent much more.

Replicate what worked extremely well, upgrade/change what needed improvement IMHO.

Doesn't mean cost will go crazy, and if done right, will cost the least in the end (durability = less frequent tool replacement, reduced/eliminate costs associated with damage from ill fitting tools, ... sorts of things).

I think a lot of the appeal of the European tools is that they're uncommon and exotic. Not that they aren't high-quality, but they're the sort of extravagance you don't need when you're spending your employer's money.

In this particular area of tools, it's nothing to do with exotic, just what works best IME.

For example, if you use screwdrivers constantly, it may actually be worth investing in PB Swiss for the most commonly used drivers in your kit (i.e. Philips), and step down in price to say Wiha for the rest of them. This is actually cost effective due to how long they'll wear, and reduction of damage/rework (i.e. stripped screws).

And the US still makes high quality in these areas as well. Tronex makes the best cutters, and they're made in CA. Swanstrom is right there too, also made in the US, as are Ideal Strip Masters. Daniels Manufacturing and Sargent are still producing here too.

A lot more is coming out of Europe though, and most specific to the electronics market is out of Germany, followed by Switzerland.

 

[Dust Devil]

I love pelican cases, but a hard case from Platt would probabally be a better choice for a field tech (just my opinion after 20 years field work)

www.crawfordtool.com

Is geared for the field service work on tech equipment and has the brands of quality tools you are looking for.

 

[matt stott]

Nice problem to be having- congratulations on the new job, too!

My take (20+ years as field service in industrial manufacturing equipment):

Get what works best for YOUR application. I love Snap-On, but for much of my work it does not fit well. I travel a bit, and often by plane, so compact and lightweight are important considerations- to me. I often work in remote areas of the globe, with no access to a local Sears (or ANY stores), so reliability is very important, too. I need to be lugging this stuff everywhere and I am not getting any younger. This may not apply to you- so bear that in mind.

That being said- the PB swiss hex wrenches are worth the money (every penny!) if you use hex wrenches a lot. The do not strip nearly as easily as the Bondhus (not picking on Bondhus, I have just used a LOT of their stuff) and no black oxide to come off. The PB swiss wrenches also do not bend as easily, or more like they do not stay bent as readily. The other PB swiss thing I swear by is their screwdriver bits- they fit the hardware that my company uses very well, and are easy to ID when you are in the field.

Snap-On ratcheting screwdrivers- I love them. Bulletproof and very flexible. I have a 1/4" socket adapter for mine, to add to its usefulness. It gets used for much more than driving screws.

Xcelite and the like are great tools for electronics work. I use their wire cutters and pliers and love them- I use Wiha stuff nowadays for cutters and pliers (mostly because I need ESD tools and this is what I had).

Most field work gets very specific, though, and will dictate what tools you will need. Once you have THAT list, it gets much easier to make specific tool recommendations. Will you be dealing with fiber optics at all? Circuit board level repair? Rigging heavy machinery for crane lifting? Running calibration routines that need special measuring equipment? I am pretty tool-agnostic in my work, I use what works best for me, and that has left me with a kit of many different brands. But the two brands I love for field work are PB Swiss and Wera. These two companies seem to have their whole tool line focused on field service and their stuff just works well. And no one will ever take away my snap-on ratcheting screwdriver or flank-drive wrenches.

Good luck, let us know what you end up getting.

Matt

 

[jakemac]

I'd forget about new Craftsman sockets. Even the last of the US made ones were poor quality compared to vintage stock.

If you can wait until Sept 23 to order your socket sets, then I'd recommend participating in the "Fall for SK" event that GJ is organizing with Epstein's and SK. We don't know yet what (or if) there will be discounts, but you will be getting good US made tools for less than Snap-On prices. The details are still being worked out.

Keep an eye on this sticky thread for the details to be revealed.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257824

 

[Dave455]

Xcelite, Bondhus, Klien! I own a few bits from most of these makers, and they are all good quality serviceable tools! If you're happy with them, and your boss will be happy with the price, then you could do a lot worse!

Generally speaking, the more a tool travels, the more you have to pay for it, hence U.S. tools are costly in Europe, and vice versa! I've paid out big money in the past to get some Snap On and don't regret it, so might advise considering a couple of European purchases!

Firstly, some PB Swiss! I'd second nanofrog's advice and just get a couple of drivers in the popular sizes, and maybe some hex keys! You need to handle them and use them for a while before you appreciate the quality, but they are worth it! If nothing else, get a bit driver and a few of their 1/4 inch bits! The traditional 'hard' handles are much more durable than the soft 'Swissgrip' handles that seem to be promoted in the U.S. however!

For small electronic pliers I'd consider Schmitz too. I discovered them on this site and am really a convert! They are as good as Lindstrom used to be! For bigger pliers I probably wouldn't bother buying European if I had Channellock and Klein available, though Knipex (and indeed most of the European makers) produce decent stuff!

If you've used older Craftsman you might not like it as much now it's imported. It's not what it was. Again, look at US makers such as Wright and SK! Can't really fault much of the advice given above!

 

[quattroJoe]

I think most of what you're familiar with is good stuff. I like Bondhus for hex drivers, decent quality and a fair price. They're offered in chrome (which I have and am happy with) if you don't want the oxide finish. Klein is still a great choice for crimpers/strippers. Channellock is always a good bet for, well, any kind of pliers. I'm not very impressed with Crescent, typical Chinese junk these days. If you need adjustable ("Crescent") wrenches, Craftsman's are still made by Western Forge and are pretty great quality at a decent price. As for smaller/precision pliers and any type of cutting pliers you can't go wrong with Knipex. They're not cheap, but not ridiculous expensive either and there are plenty of retailers in North America who carry them. SK is a good choice for sockets, but if you feel that they're too expensive then Gearwrench isn't bad.

 

[SantaAna12]

It seems you have at least some reservation regarding using that "blank check."
Good for you.

Here's an idea: Hang around here and learn. Tons of knowledge here.....some BS too...but take what you need and leave the rest.

Here is my suggestion: Klein pliers are great, good value. Their wrenches are--relative to their pliers--something you might consider upgrading. Channellocks: very workable.
I would stay away from today's Craftsman....unfortunately. SK: great tools.....google is your friend to price-match.

Figure out what you need to buy quality on, and do it.

Turning down a blank check.....how goddam refreshing!

 

[SASORacing]

Do you get to keep these new tools?

 

[ajchien]

If you're working around radiological equipment, a lot of it is from overseas. With a lot of Japanese equipment, make sure you have things that handle JIS fasteners. JIS screws are all over the place where I am.

 

[larry_g]

I would suggest that you contact Snap-on industrial. Since your in an industrial environment you may qualify and if you do then prices are greatly reduced. Where I last worked Snap-on industrial competed with Sears industrial.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[nanofrog]

As for smaller/precision pliers and any type of cutting pliers you can't go wrong with Knipex.

Actually, not that good in this field. The grips may be comfortable, but the metal is too soft.

NWS's own line aren't that great either. Their Yellow handled ESD versions (can be purchased from Ash at german-handtools), are rebranded Schmitz. Just not much selection, particularly regarding teeth in the jaws (IIRC, what NWS selected are all smooth).

There are some other really good brands, but Schmitz kicks **** here (they're better than anything else I've ever used, and the cost is amazing). For an idea as to quality, they kick Lindstrom and similar to the the curb for less than half the cost (~$65 - 75 per for these brands). Cost wise, the pliers can be imported for ~$28 per total (includes everything; price, shipping, and currency conversion fee levied by PayPal <it's not much, 4% max using CC>). This isn't much more than Xcelite pricing (~$20 - 24 per).

Cutters run a little more. Here, the newer type of lap joint works just fine, and Tronex is the best I've ever gotten my hands on (FWIW, I currently own Erem, Lindstrom, Swanstrom, and Xcelite cutters). If you need Tungsten Carbide types, Schmitz is the least expensive I've seen by far (~$80 per IIRC, while most other brands, such as Erem, run $170+ per).

 

[Monte]

Bernstein
www.bernstein-werkzeuge.de

 

[petalmasher]

Wow, that was a lot of response... I didn't realize there is so much traffic on this forum. Thanks for all the advice. To be more specific, since the equipment is work on is mostly in Hospitals I'm often parking in centralized parking garages and lugging a laptop and tool bag up flights of stairs and all over large hospital buildings looking the machines I work on, so I'm particularly Items that can reduce the weight and size of my tool set. Also particular things (like what was mentioned with the BP swill Allen keys) where the utility top-end tools really does justify the price difference over of the types of tools I talked about in my OP

 

[nanofrog]

Bernstein

No, you mean rebranded Schmitz (at least the pliers and cutters pictured).

Bernstein is good stuff, but it's very hard to get in the US, and it's expensive (Farnell carries at least some of it, which is Newark here, and it's imported from their UK location).

Example:

2230 ESD TOOL SET $500.85 for 20 tools (works out to $25 per tool). The pliers, cutters, and tweezers are worth that, but the screwdriver handle, reversible screwdriver blades, and an ESD brush are not (~15 per tops, and I'd say closer to 10).

lugging a laptop and tool bag up flights of stairs and all over large hospital buildings... Items that can reduce the weight and size of my tool set.

What are you able to accept in convertible kits?

To give you an idea, take a look at the following for screwdrivers (I use both systems).

Wiha Drive-Loc System 6 (all kinds of sets, such as the master set in the pic, and individual blades galore, including nut drivers).

Saves a lot of space and weight. Another couple of really nice features about these, is they cannot slide back up into the handle (ball detents down the flat surface of the blades; aluminum collar is how you release the balls to slide blades in/out), and it allows you to set the depth (handy for recessed screws that 1/4" hex bits cannot reach). Lots of security bits available, should you need those too. Hex and Ball Hex as well in both SAE and Metric (hex on one end, ball hex on the other).

They offer an ESD handle should you need that as well.

There's also a smaller size, Drive-Loc System 4 (i.e. where you'd get a #000 Philips).

BTW, most of the kits come in a pouch (plastic tray is only for the master set). They roll up small, and you can fit a lot of blades in one pouch.

Still advocate a couple of PB Swiss for your most commonly used drivers, such as a Philips #2 for example. Everything else use the interchangeable blade types (or 1/4" bits if they'll work & you prefer them).

Because of these blade system screwdrivers, I can do almost everything I need out of a Canvas Platoon Tool Bag. Screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, meters, strippers, crimpers, 1/4" sockets (I've a 1/4"DR blade for the Wiha), a few meters, and a probe kit for example. Few specialty tools that get carried in from time to time, but the bag carries everything I need for say 90% of all jobs.

Messenger bag or backpack would probably make more sense in your situation IMHO (more walking). Maybe wheels, as I'm not sure just how much you'll need to haul (not so convenient to get to a vehicle for a less used item left in it you didn't realize you'd need for example).

Hope this helps.

Other stuff might be possible, just need to know what you actually need tool wise.