Buying hand tools locally is a crapshoot...

[OmegaDPW]

But if you have to go to Lowes or Home Depot or Harbor Freight for a specific tool, what brand name are you looking for first?

I'm one of these water/sewage guys that actually uses an adjustable wrench everyday. In the last few weeks, I've bought a Stanley adjustable wrench made in Taiwan, a Stanley locking adjustable wrench made in China and today picked up an NOS USA Stanley adjustable wrench for my "collection". The Taiwan wrench was the best "modern" wrench I've ever bought. Definitely beats any of the modern wrenches I've tried by a mile. The locking wrench was just as good, even though the China marking gave me a bit of worry. The USA made NOS was probably better than both and works worlds better than the other stuff I've been given at work (Kobalt, Pittsburgh, Regent and Klein).

So, right now, I'm a Stanley guy with modern tools that I need. What brand are you choosing for hand tools with an immediate need?

 

[four.cycle]

IF I needed an "adjustable wrench" I'd probably go with an Irega or maybe one of the offerings from Japan.

The adjustables I use the most (generally fixing somebody's sink or toilet) are Diamond, Indestro, Proto, and Lobster.

After my last purchase of a "Crescent" product, I doubt I would ever again buy any of their product with your money - it was that bad.

Just my two cents.

 

[FigN⋅m]

IF I needed an "adjustable wrench" I'd probably go with an Irega or maybe one of the offerings from Japan.
Just my two cents.

Same...

Maybe Lobtex/Lobster or Fujiya?
Both have great tolerances and/or features that the typical cheapo adjustable does not.

 

[four.cycle]

^ in the "Tools of Japan" thread there have been several posts recently of what look like damn nice adjustables... I can't remember all of the brands. I bought the "Lobster" on ebay - and was going to give it to a buddy of mine as a joke - until I used it and discovered it was actually a pretty nice little wrench!

 

[cody1325]

For adjustable wrenches--anything Irega-built is best in terms of what I can just run in a run-of-the mill store and buy.

I've got a Channellock 8" from Tractor Supply that's awesome. The Proto pair I paid more for--made in Taiwan and definitely NOT as good as the old USA ones even though Taiwan is more than capable of matching the quality--but, SBD wasn't willing to pay, so they just slapped the Proto name on a Stanley offering.

I have a local mine supply for Proto, SK, and Klein (as well as Urrea), State Electric for "real" Klein (though I admit, I just bought their 7-inch pliers wrench from the plumbing aisle at Lowe's today for lawnmower work, and it's not bad at all), and CAT for the rebranded Williams/Snap-On stuff. Also, the Tekton screwdrivers Rural King sells are unmatched at the price point--especially given that they are made in the US.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

This won’t help you in your particular situation, but: If I need a basic hand tool ‘right now’, that I don’t have, I skip the big box stores and go directly to one of my industrial supplier’s ‘store fronts’ and pick it up. Brand won’t matter then, it’s almost all labeled/branded under their name anyway. Simple industrial quality that gets the job done, won’t win any prizes for ‘smoothest’, ‘best finish’, ‘most advanced’, ‘newest’ or whatever - generally speaking.

If you want to now what my favorite adjustable wrench is, it’s my Snap-On/ Bahco made wide mouth/ thin jaws adjustable wrench in either 6” or 8” (ADHW6A, ADHW8A)

If I can help it, I use neither and go directly for one of my Knipex plier wrenches. These would also be available at my industrial supplier, for example. (And at a better price compared to buying Knipex at a big box store.)

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[cody1325]

This won’t help you in your particular situation, but: If I need a basic hand tool ‘right now’, that I don’t have, I skip the big box stores and go directly to one of my industrial supplier’s ‘store fronts’ and pick it up. Brand won’t matter then, it’s almost all labeled/branded under their name anyway. Simple industrial quality that gets the job done, won’t win any prizes for ‘smoothest’, ‘best finish’, ‘most advanced’, ‘newest’ or whatever - generally speaking.

If you want to now what my favorite adjustable wrench is, it’s my Snap-On/ Bahco made wide mouth/ thin jaws adjustable wrench in either 6” or 8” (ADHW6A, ADHW8A)

If I can help it, I use neither and go directly for one of my Knipex plier wrenches. These would also be available at my industrial supplier, for example. (And at a better price compared to buying Knipex at a big box store.)

Kind regards,
Olli

I've slowly been switching my adjustables over to pliers wrenches. They are so much easier to use--plus they double as smooth-jaw pliers for delicate work.

Knipex isn't exactly cheap, however. But, everyone else's always seem to have some big flaw/design goof. Thus, I'm buying the 7" pretty soon.

 

[woody 73]

I don't know about crapshoot, but everywhere I look I find gold all over the ground; time is your friend at every garage sale swap meet or flea type place I pick up all those gold nuggets (adjustable wrenches.)

Again, time is your friend, if you need it right this second that is another story, all the best are coming from Spain as others have pointed out.

 

[cody1325]

I don't know about crapshoot, but everywhere I look I find gold all over the ground; time is your friend at every garage sale swap meet or flea type place I pick up all those gold nuggets (adjustable wrenches.)

Again, time is your friend, if you need it right this second that is another story, all the best are coming from Spain as others have pointed out.

Basically, that's half of how I've built my tools out lately--to the point that's even the box they're in.

 

[mikey03]

So, right now, I'm a Stanley guy with modern tools that I need. What brand are you choosing for hand tools with an immediate need?

honestly I decided it’s real hard to get quality tools locally these days maybe before my time it was easier I’m in my 20s. Even I noticed a down trend in the last 5 years tbh

so my strategy is buying stuff before I need it from online or if I see something real interesting in a pawn shop or swap meat at a good price.

i dont want to be in a position that I got to stop what I’m doing to drive across town to buy a crappy tool

 

[woody 73]

Just a few days ago, I picked up 3 Stanley work masters, (not one but 3 mind you). One heavy Stanley ball pein hammer with the original handle, one American plumb hammer also original handle, 10 American made auger bits full of rust bit now they look factory new, thanks to evaporust. 6 new craftsman nut drivers, 1 American made wooden folding ruler and 2 Yankee screwdriver bits.

Gold me boys just pure gold.

 

[Dagny]

bahco

 

[RTM]

Bought some adjustables for the lab toolbox from McMaster, they were both Proto, 4” and 8 or 10”, forget which. Better than the HD ****. Shoot, why waste the energy driving, took longer for the internal delivery than from McMaster to our dock.

 

[neophyte]

What brand I choose from a local store is usually determined by the type of tool.
I like that Lowes has Klein, and I bought one of the Reversible Jaw Plier wrenches, although Lowe's doesn’t seem to carry the 7” and 12” versions that Klein has added to the lineup.
For hammers I usually choose Estwing or Vaughan, and the same for prybars, although I like some of the Stanley offerings.
Kobakt routinely seems to have decent tools at a decent price.
For plumbing tools locally, I have multiple options were I can buy Ridgid, although some of the cheap brands from HD work well.
My favorite adjustable wrench is actually a Ridgid branded one made by Western Forge a decade or more ago.

 

[Meursault74]

honestly I decided it’s real hard to get quality tools locally these days maybe before my time it was easier I’m in my 20s. Even I noticed a down trend in the last 5 years tbh

so my strategy is buying stuff before I need it from online or if I see something real interesting in a pawn shop or swap meat at a good price.

i dont want to be in a position that I got to stop what I’m doing to drive across town to buy a crappy tool

is that a barter thing or a kink thing

 

[mikey03]

is that a barter thing or a kink thing

Could go either way depends on if your into it or just short on cash

 

[impactims]

What you are supposed to do technically speaking is have a MASSIVE collection at home AND at work (if you do that kind of work) so that you are never in the position of needing to go buy a tool “right now.” Tools are to be purchased ahead of time so that they are ready to go and so that you are ready to go for LITERALLY any task.

The fact that you need to go get a tool “right now” tells us that your tool collection is inadequate and needs to be added to in big ways.

Time to go shopping on the Snap on website.

 

[impactims]

If shopping locally at a storefront, it’s pawn shops. They seem to always have lots of tool truck hand tools.

But, you should never be in this position. You should have EVERYTHING, with duplicates, ahead of time.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

My go to is any of the parts stores. They have really come a long way with their tools especially Advance Auto and their DieHard for the price the ratchets there are hard to beat. Carlyle from Napa is always my first choice, then Duralast from AutoZone then DieHard from Advance Auto then PowerTorque from O’Reilly. I use all of them on a daily basis as a professional mechanic and they work fantastic. My next go to’s would be Kobalt, Craftsman and Husky. And Rural King has Tekton so I do buy some of the Tekton stuff sometimes or order it. These days any store pretty much has good tools it’s hard to find a place with “bad” tools unless it’s like the dollar store. Used to go to all the pawn shops in my area but none of them give deals anymore so it’s now cheaper to go to the store and buy it new.

 

[zendriver]

How often does somebody need to buy an adjustable wrench in a pinch? I've had the same one I found somewhere 35 years ago and the 8 others (all USA made brand names from estate auctions) usually still need to be readjusted about every other time I put them on the fastener.

If it's a "crapshoot" guess I'm lucky just picking up whatever I need at the local HF store, using without problem, then moving on with life. No local big box stores and hardware store is on the other side of town.

 

[DAWrench]

Any Snap On tool that is in my local area pawn shops not by anyway a bargain and estate sales are picked over in first minutes by folks that are most likely gonna try to flip them on eBay. I use auto parts store brands along with HF tools everyday with the few exceptions where Snap On tool is actually better.

 

[OmegaDPW]

What you are supposed to do technically speaking is have a MASSIVE collection at home AND at work (if you do that kind of work) so that you are never in the position of needing to go buy a tool “right now.” Tools are to be purchased ahead of time so that they are ready to go and so that you are ready to go for LITERALLY any task.

The fact that you need to go get a tool “right now” tells us that your tool collection is inadequate and needs to be added to in big ways.

I'm quoting this post because it's 100% correct. I have a pretty nice adjustable wrench collection at home that is great for my needs. But, I ain't using my Dad's tools from the 40's at work when I can get a "new" tool with a simple purchase order when things go wrong. Working in water and sewage, a wrench, vise grips or pliers can be gummed up really quick or dropped and lost when you screw up.

I've really enjoyed all the replies so far, but I think I really wasn't clear in the original post. I use an adjustable wrench every day with my job- along with other tools. I was asking about hand tools you can buy locally and what brand you would look for at the local retailers when needed. Would it be Craftsman or Kobalt at Lowes? Pittsburgh, Icon or Doyle at HF? My local mom and pop hardware store sells Stanley and Crescent. I brought up the Stanley because they were much better with lock-up than the Crescent version of the same tool that this store sells.

So, pick a brand that is local to you that would (probably) be better than the other brands that the same store would sell. ie. Bahco is a great brand of adjustable wrench but I'm not finding it at Lowes, HD or HF...

Again, thanks for the replies so far but let's not make this an adjustable wrench thread. Any hand tool...would you prefer a Craftsman ratchet compared to a Pittsburgh if you had to grab one for work?

 

[OmegaDPW]

I've slowly been switching my adjustables over to pliers wrenches. They are so much easier to use--plus they double as smooth-jaw pliers for delicate work.

Knipex isn't exactly cheap, however. But, everyone else's always seem to have some big flaw/design goof. Thus, I'm buying the 7" pretty soon.

I love my adjustable pliers. I hadn't switched to Knipex since I haven't seen them locally, but have a pair of Vise Grips adjustable pliers. In my line of work, though, a water meter may be covered in dirt and I usually don't expect that and get my trowel. The adjustable wrench handle will dig out the cut off valve a lot better than pliers handles.

 

[mikey03]

The fact that you need to go get a tool “right now” tells us that your tool collection is inadequate and needs to be added to in big ways.

Time to go shopping on the Snap on website.

just don’t use a credit card, it’s bad luck, a cat might pee on your new tools and rust them

 

[mikey03]

Any Snap On tool that is in my local area pawn shops not by anyway a bargain and estate sales are picked over in first minutes by folks that are most likely gonna try to flip them on eBay. I use auto parts store brands along with HF tools everyday with the few exceptions where Snap On tool is actually better.

Other than flare nut wrenches which is indisputable, what are the few cases you find snap on to be much better?

 

[OmegaDPW]

For hammers I usually choose Estwing

Thank you for answering my initial question correctly. I was a Boy Scout as a kid and became a Scout Master when my kid got interested. He became an Eagle Scout. Estwing was the best hatchet all the Scouts used. The younger kids abused them like no other. I will always be an Estwing fan. Oddly enough, I have never used their hammers.

 

[impactims]

I'm quoting this post because it's 100% correct.

Yes sir, some have a hard time seeing the forest through the trees with this stuff.

 

[impactims]

So, pick a brand that is local to you that would (probably) be better than the other brands that the same store would sell. ie. Bahco is a great brand of adjustable wrench but I'm not finding it at Lowes, HD or HF...

Proto if shopping in stores.

Hardware stores tend to have Proto.

SK is good too, if USA made. Can be found at certain retailers, certain parts stores.

 

[DAWrench]

I

Other than flare nut wrenches which is indisputable, what are the few cases you find snap on to be much better?

Yes. Flare nut wrenches and flare nut crows foot wrenches for sure. I also prefer Snap On 1/4" drive ratchets and wobble extensions. Hex and Torx bit sockets would also be on the list. I'm not saying doesn't make great tools just that you can by with cheaper tools even if you USE them everyday

 

[DAWrench]

I'm quoting this post because it's 100% correct. I have a pretty nice adjustable wrench collection at home that is great for my needs. But, I ain't using my Dad's tools from the 40's at work when I can get a "new" tool with a simple purchase order when things go wrong. Working in water and sewage, a wrench, vise grips or pliers can be gummed up really quick or dropped and lost when you screw up.

I've really enjoyed all the replies so far, but I think I really wasn't clear in the original post. I use an adjustable wrench every day with my job- along with other tools. I was asking about hand tools you can buy locally and what brand you would look for at the local retailers when needed. Would it be Craftsman or Kobalt at Lowes? Pittsburgh, Icon or Doyle at HF? My local mom and pop hardware store sells Stanley and Crescent. I brought up the Stanley because they were much better with lock-up than the Crescent version of the same tool that this store sells.

So, pick a brand that is local to you that would (probably) be better than the other brands that the same store would sell. ie. Bahco is a great brand of adjustable wrench but I'm not finding it at Lowes, HD or HF...

Again, thanks for the replies so far but let's not make this an adjustable wrench thread. Any hand tool...would you prefer a Craftsman ratchet compared to a Pittsburgh if you had to grab one for work?

I say HF over newer Craftsman. The Pittsburgh ratchets are very good for the price. HF has some real **** but also has some good stuff. HF likes to use the 3 level quality comparison which is smart marketing on their part. The middle priced version is usually the best deal on the quality vs price

 

[lardy1]

I have a pretty full range of Proto's but, to be honest, I don't have much faith in adjustable wrenches and don't use them very often. I have three sizes of Knipex pliers wrench but not as impressed with them for turning fasteners as some folks seem to be. On a whim I bought two Channellock adjustables mostly just to see what the hoopla over the Made In Spain adjustables was about and I like them far more than the Proto's. They're available about everywhere. Do It Best uses Channellock as their house brand around here. The adjustables and maybe their bit sockets are about all I would recommend, though.

 

[cody1325]

I say HF over newer Craftsman. The Pittsburgh ratchets are very good for the price. HF has some real **** but also has some good stuff. HF likes to use the 3 level quality comparison which is smart marketing on their part. The middle priced version is usually the best deal on the quality vs price

Aside from V-Series, not one tool from SBD Craftsman has impressed me. Harbor Freight on the other hand--hit and miss. For the most part, a lot of it is great for the money.

I will say this. I recently picked up a Quinn 90-tooth ratchet in an attempt to finally retire my favorite NLA SK 3/8 ratchets. The 40% off sale early this month left me no excuse--extremely smooth with no back-drag. Soft-grip handle too. I've heard these were made in the same plant as the Gearwrench ones, but can't prove it. Honestly, I wish I'd gotten the half-inch drive one too. Plus, being as Harbor Freight has a great warranty and it's not an antique, I have no problems letting someone borrow it.

 

[u2slow]

So, right now, I'm a Stanley guy with modern tools that I need. What brand are you choosing for hand tools with an immediate need?

I'm lucky if one of my 3 stores (hardware, lumber-yard, or auto-parts) carry the thing I need at all. I can choose.... take it or leave it.

 

[mikey03]

I will say this. I recently picked up a Quinn 90-tooth ratchet in an attempt to finally retire my favorite NLA SK 3/8 ratchets. The 40% off sale early this month left me no excuse--extremely smooth with no back-drag. Soft-grip handle too. I've heard these were made in the same plant as the Gearwrench ones, but can't prove it.

I got a Quinn ratchet and it’s pretty smooth. But I never used gearwrench are they considered good? You bring it up like they are known to be good but honestly I don’t got experience and hadn’t really heard people raving about GW ratchets.

 

[cody1325]

I got a Quinn ratchet and it’s pretty smooth. But I never used gearwrench are they considered good? You bring it up like they are known to be good but honestly I don’t got experience and hadn’t really heard people raving about GW ratchets.

Pretty much, same with me. I don't own much Gearwrench stuff either--Granddad bought one set each in SAE and Metric when they first came out, and I bought a small set of Metric micro wrenches to go alongside my Craftsman ignition wrench set from like the '60s. The wrenches have been used hard, and they're still going strong without problems.

 

[cody1325]

Proto if shopping in stores.

Hardware stores tend to have Proto.

SK is good too, if USA made. Can be found at certain retailers, certain parts stores.

The mine supply near me has SK stuff dating back to the Facom era. They stopped selling the brand when Great Star bought them out. I was told by the manager that not long after the buyout, Great Star refused to honor the warranty; and the outsourcing to China was the final nail.

 

[vssjim]

The mine supply near me has SK stuff dating back to the Facom era. They stopped selling the brand when Great Star bought them out. I was told by the manager that not long after the buyout, Great Star refused to honor the warranty; and the outsourcing to China was the final nail.

I have SK tools from when I started back in the seventies and what has happen now with china it's game over for me also what a sad ending for a long time great tool company

 

[liliysdad]

Locally…for hand tools…I’ve got a HF, an Ace that carries some Craftsman, a McCoys and Bomgaars that carries DeWalt. Another lumber yard carries Milwaukee, and the third doesn’t carry anything resembling a socket or wrench. Tractor Supply carries their generic **** and some GearWrench. Local parts store here has Knipex, Gray Pneumatic, GearWrench, and CHANNELLOCK. The industrial supply house carries Proto and Milwaukee.

It ain’t perfect, but it works in a pinch.

 

[belvedere]

Other than flare nut wrenches which is indisputable, what are the few cases you find snap on to be much better?

Dual 80 ratchets

 

[impactims]

Other than flare nut wrenches which is indisputable, what are the few cases you find snap on to be much better?

Hex and torx bits, torque adapters, crow feet, certain pliers, hammers….thats what comes to mind at the moment. Extensions possibly.