Anybody switching to cheaper tools?

[chris142]

As I am aging I tend to drop tools more. Since most of mine are Snap-On ,Mac and Matco It drives me crazy when I lose a tool in a car and can't find it. Wondering if I'm better off buying Kobalt, Husky etc and taking my good ones home?

Has anybody done this?

 

[The Fall]

Sort of, but not for the same reasons.

I'd go SK and Williams USA if thinking about.

 

[mrvm]

Switch to cheaper tools? Hanging out at the GJ got me to the BEST TOOLS for the job at the best price! Perhaps start accounting for your tools at job completion.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Since I'm not using them for work any more,and being retired on a fixed income , I've bought some K Tool to fill in out of the clearance section. I was never a Snap-On sort of guy, more Proto and Gray. For the work I did they were better .

 

[rickpaulos]

I have a magnet on an extendable stick. Works quite well for my very stiff back. No more getting down on my aching knees to pick something up. I also have a ~32" long flex grabber that can get in tight places. Both of these handy tools cost less than 1 Snap On wrench.

 

[chris142]

I have a magnet on an extendable stick. Works quite well for my very stiff back. No more getting down on my aching knees to pick something up. I also have a ~32" long flex grabber that can get in tight places. Both of these handy tools cost less than 1 Snap On wrench.

I have that tool. I just had to pull the bumper off of a Lucerne to retrieve a wrench.

 

[chris142]

Perhaps start accounting for your tools at job completion.

I'm dropping them when I'm working on a car. I dropped a wrench and heard it go down but never hit the ground.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't buy truck brands when no real benefit .
For mobile kit I have mix of carlyle, gearwrench, toptul, premier, japan style, welzh, pitts pro, husky as good in use and can afford loose/abuse or get it stolen .
So much good and value options it be silly not use some of them .

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Just replace lost items with something that's "as good as necessary but as cheap as possible ". Since you mentioned Husky and Kobalt, I assume you have HD and Lowes nearby. I'd vote for Husky.

 

[58Yeoman]

Last year, I replaced the rear leaf springs on my 63 Galaxie. One of my deep SO sockets is missing. I've looked everywhere for it, but nogo. They are the only SO sockets that I have, so I'll probably put them on ebay and use my others.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

When I was in the dealership I would go to sears and purchase 7 and 10mm sockets by the handful. I remember the shallows were 99 cents and the deeps were $1.99. I never had an issue with the quality of the Craftsman sockets and worked as well as the Snap-On equiveliant. The way I saw it was working flatrate, if I dropped a socket it would cost more to look for it than the cost to replace it. I would do a quick search but after a few minutes I would write it off as a loss.

 

[giants]

Why not have a cheap back-up in case you need to finish the project urgently, instead of stopping and having to hunt down the missing tool right then and there?

For example, I was working with my torque wrench and misplaced the socket. After 5 minutes, I figured that I should finish the task, then look for the missing socket. I found it 5 minutes later.

 

[Extsp2]

I have been doing this recently. I retired from automotive repair and while I do some side work out of the garage at home I don't see the need for all my SO and Mac just sitting there in the garage when they only get used every so often. Plus I didn't like the idea of someone breaking in and stealing them. I've been selling them off on ebay and replacing them with the lesser brands but still with a warranty. So far I it seems I can replace the tool truck stuff with the lesser brands for about half the price.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you are the type of guy that will lose the tool before you end up breaking it, downgrading stuff you lose often is not a bad idea. There's no point in spending big bucks on Snap on sockets if you lose your sockets as often as you break them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Yep but, to me it's because the quality gap has narrowed so much over the years. Most of my recent tool acquisitions have been non truck brands, Tekton, Carlyle, OEM, Toptul, Koken, Wera, Proto, etc. I'm not a fan of Husky or the current Craftsman.

 

[sberry]

I am a compulsive duplicator. I still could use a couple more of a couple things. 440's and 10R Vise Grips. Common combo wrenches and adjustables. 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 , 5/16, 7/16 nut drivers, dozen of each, Stanley razor knives too. About 2 dozen common screwdrivers and couple sets of 1/2 impact sockets.

 

[snickers muncher]

Just pocket knives. There's now decent stuff coming out of China that works well and won't make you cry if you lose it.

 

[Szilagyi]

You have to find what's good, but I am all for getting value tools. My HF sockets are fantastic, I used a chrome 1/2 on an impact for 8 hours today working on assembling a big exhaust setup for a paint shop, the socket looks new on the broached faces. Another example is metric combination wrench set, Stahlwille 6-32 no skips, for $300, 1/5 of snap-ons 25 piece set and they are not only functional but gorgeous. Although I am biased in that I can't afford to own all snap-on, I like to think I would still buy high value tools even if I had money for better.

 

[giants]

Yep but, to me it's because the quality gap has narrowed so much over the years. Most of my recent tool acquisitions have been non truck brands, Tekton, Carlyle, OEM, Toptul, Koken, Wera, Proto, etc. I'm not a fan of Husky or the current Craftsman.

Thanks for your comment.

Why are you not a fan of Husky?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

You have to find what's good, but I am all for getting value tools. My HF sockets are fantastic, I used a chrome 1/2 on an impact for 8 hours today working on assembling a big exhaust setup for a paint shop, the socket looks new on the broached faces. Another example is metric combination wrench set, Stahlwille 6-32 no skips, for $300, 1/5 of snap-ons 25 piece set and they are not only functional but gorgeous. Although I am biased in that I can't afford to own all snap-on, I like to think I would still buy high value tools even if I had money for better.

If you look at the Stahlwille and the Snap-On combos side by side , then use them, I think you will feel you got the better tool. The I-Beam shank is both light and has wider bearing area. The box end has an offset will get you into places that the point of force design prevents. They just don't come with a truck fleet overhead.

 

[giants]

If you look at the Stahlwille and the Snap-On combos side by side , then use them, I think you will feel you got the better tool. The I-Beam shank is both light and has wider bearing area. The box end has an offset will get you into places that the point of force design prevents. They just don't come with a truck fleet overhead.

Thanks. Where do you get your Stahlwille?

 

[PFSard]

As I am aging I tend to drop tools more. Since most of mine are Snap-On ,Mac and Matco It drives me crazy when I lose a tool in a car and can't find it. Wondering if I'm better off buying Kobalt, Husky etc and taking my good ones home?

Has anybody done this?

- Roughly how many years before you no longer work with these tools in your current profession? As in retirement.

- How many tools are you actually losing? Quantity? Dollar amount?

 

[MushCreek]

I've always used 'mid-range' stuff, even at work (I'm a tool maker, not a mechanic). I've cracked exactly one socket in 50 years. I've never had a problem with (older) Craftsman sockets and wrenches. I recently bought a couple sets of Gearwrench sockets, and the ratchets are sooo smooth. My old Craftsman ones feel like they have rocks in them.

Certain things I only buy good stuff. In my trade, we use Allen wrenches hard all day long. Wera Hex-Plus hold up better than any others, and I've used a lot of them. Cheap screwdrivers just ****. I also like pro-level power tools for the added power, function, and life-span.

I'm 66, recently retired, and living on SS. I really don't need any more tools (did I just actually say that?!?). I'm starting to scale back on projects, and some things, like climbing on the roof I just don't do any more. At this point, I'd like to thin out my tools some, and maybe replace a few sketchy tools with better ones. That's why I bought the GW sets; my old sets were a mish-mash of mongrels, and I like having a matched set in a handy carrying case.

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks for your comment.

Why are you not a fan of Husky?

Current Husky to me is a cheaper form of Gearwrench for the most part. I just don't care the the fit, feel, balance of what I've seen on display.

 

[M6erfan]

As I am aging I tend to drop tools more. Since most of mine are Snap-On ,Mac and Matco It drives me crazy when I lose a tool in a car and can't find it. Wondering if I'm better off buying Kobalt, Husky etc and taking my good ones home?

Has anybody done this?

I started with 'cheaper' tools, C'man USA a couple decades ago. Still have them. But as my tool needs grew I started looking for better and I just couldn't find value in the truck brands (for the most part). I discovered Ko-ken and other Japanese manufactures a few years ago and am very satisfied. The value is pretty incredible IMO.

 

[lardy1]

Being retired, I often ask myself why I don't buy lower priced tools for my personal use.

Then I remember the "Buy American" pledge I took when I was initiated into the Carpenters Union.

Then I remember my grandchildren will need a job.

Then I remember how nice a quality tool feels under operation.

Then I remember all the political ******** I won't discuss in here.

I am 66 yrs. old and now live on a fixed income. I can no longer just purchase things just because I want them. I admit to buying foreign made tools from time to time. But I took my pledge to the union seriously. I live on pensions from two different unions and I just feel better personally when I think I might be contributing to the betterment of an American worker with my purchase.

 

[finn]

The last socket I broke was a Craftsman 3/8 drive that I was using a cheater bar on. That was in about 1992.

More often as not the Snapon sockets stay in the box and I use something else that does the job just as well.

I suspect that, unconsciously, I am “saving” the Snapon tools for some unknown reason.

 

[gearhead1]

I’m going the opposite way. I had cheap tools and back in the day 30 years ago, they were no where near the quality they are now. I could break a 3/8 ratchet as an 8 year old. Then I went to (US made) Craftsman, with tool truck names for specialty tools. I’d find find SK/Proto, and tool truck tools at flea markets, so had a few of them.

I’ve bought tool truck names for stuff that are more prone to breaking. Like breaker bars. Plus Craftsman went overseas. No I’m not trying to get into a COO debate, just my preference to use US made stuff as much as possible. I will say the quality of overseas stuff is far better than what it used to be. A couple years ago I bought some 1/2” impact extensions from HF. One of the socket retention balls stayed in and wouldn’t come back out right after I bought them. I don’t need Snap-on but I still think quality control still needs some attention from some overseas suppliers.

Interestingly enough, I go on eBay to get a Snapon, MAC, Wright, Proto, or Sk breaker bar and can get a Snapon one for $25. Sure it’s an older model, but why would I get one from HF when I could get a US made one for about the same price.

 

[VinceG]

No. I am a diesel mechanic. I have been in the industry for 25+ years. I now am a Technician trainer. I travel around the country and train our techs. My tools and box are now home. I work on some side projects but don't plan on getting ride of any of my tools or box. Just replace the missing tool with one from Ebay

 

[chris142]

-

- How many tools are you actually losing? Quantity? Dollar amount?

I have not lost any until the last year or so.Now I'm dropping and losing one a month or so. A snap On wrench can be $30

 

[eyeball]

Being retired, I often ask myself why I don't buy lower priced tools for my personal use.

Then I remember the "Buy American" pledge I took when I was initiated into the Carpenters Union.

Then I remember my grandchildren will need a job.

Then I remember how nice a quality tool feels under operation.

Then I remember all the political ******** I won't discuss in here.

I am 66 yrs. old and now live on a fixed income. I can no longer just purchase things just because I want them. I admit to buying foreign made tools from time to time. But I took my pledge to the union seriously. I live on pensions from two different unions and I just feel better personally when I think I might be contributing to the betterment of an American worker with my purchase.

I respect your commitment.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Giants, I bought a set of Stahwille 1/2 chrome sockets 30 years ago, from an industrial supplier. The price was not affordable, but then nothing was affordable to me then, it wasn't that bad. You could put a chain on them and use them as a necklace they were so well finished. When I found a 13/16 combo at the fleamarket for a buck ! It came home. Without a doubt amongst the Snap-On, Gray and Proto that make up my main set, it shines out. The shank isn't a new idea, Tru-Fit had used it in the early '50s. Tru-Fit was a second line and not well finished, so it didn't catch on. This summer in a camp site talking with a HD mechanic about tools, he told me he had bought a set of Jet combos as his Snap-Ons couldn't do the job. It was that offset that allowed the Jet box end to get to a bolt on some head. You didn't go cheaper, you went better.

I don't care for Dowidat, Gedore , Hazet, or Rahsol, all German and all feel cheap.

 

[Mr_B]

If you look at the Stahlwille and the Snap-On combos side by side , then use them, I think you will feel you got the better tool. The I-Beam shank is both light and has wider bearing area. The box end has an offset will get you into places that the point of force design prevents. They just don't come with a truck fleet overhead.

+1 on stahlwille for wrenches.
the series 14 combos well worth having, world class durable finish and very affordable .
amazon germany good place find them good prices with US shipping .
they use o some nice screwdrivers too (about 25 years ago lol) but newer style not so good .
Toptul long wrench set very decent too and prices can be good but the stahlwille staggered ring offset is a legend for getting in tricky spots .
Lots of quality about at great value if research/look .

 

[Wamsutta]

When the tools are out of the tool box, and they're not in my hand, they're laying in a cardboard tray that says "Skippy" on the side of it. Everybody that's been to Costco has seen those cardboard trays everywhere. The Skippy peanut butter and Smuckers jam trays are the good ones. For longer tools, I'll use a Coffee-Mate tray. So expensive tools and free cardboard trays from Costco is how I operate.

 

[unslow1]

I took my truck brand tools out of the enclosed trailers and trunks of cars. Now they have Husky and Kobalt blow-molded kits in them.

 

[kctyphoon]

I hear the new HF Icon stuff is worth a look

HF has made a big effort to be considered by people in your situation lately.

 

[DSLTRK]

Current Husky to me is a cheaper form of Gearwrench for the most part. I just don't care the the fit, feel, balance of what I've seen on display.

IDK, I saw a new Husky 100 tooth 18" fixed head 3/8" ratchet that was pretty neat.

Must be newer because I don't recall seeing it a month ago at the local HD.

 

[d.mcfarland]

As long as competition keeps going the way it is, we all are going to have very nice tools that aren't very expensive.

 

[snooter]

For stuff we beat to death then yes...use many cheap screwdrivers as chisels and prybars....for when it matters i break,out the starett and snappy stuff....my 50+ year old craftsman stuff i have just waxed up and use now for talking points when we start arguing over why anybody would not buy mopar over chebby.....

 

[Stuart in MN]

The tools are already paid for, so why replace them? As mentioned, get one of those magnets on a stick for retrieving the ones you drop. You don't want to leave dropped tools in the engine bay of your car anyway, it doesn't matter if they're cheap or expensive ones.