Favorite Tool Brand?
- Thread starter Tallted
- Start date
What brand do I like or what brand do I actually own, aka can afford? 
I buy a very high percentage of my tools used due to cost. I'm good with anything USA made pretty much, but tend to look for the industrial brands that common non tool folks don't know. Proto, Williams, Wright, SK, etc.
I buy a very high percentage of my tools used due to cost. I'm good with anything USA made pretty much, but tend to look for the industrial brands that common non tool folks don't know. Proto, Williams, Wright, SK, etc.
Exceller8
Well-known member
Stahlwille, Snap-On, and Wright are my favorites. There are many others that are great tools as well, but those are my favorites. 
Sebastien
Well-known member
Start by looking at the accessibility, it wouldn't be practical to buy tools from a dealer 200 miles away from you. Then look at your budget and get the best you can afford.
I like Snap On, but I really prefer Gray. I live in Canada and it is easier to find a dealer, there is 4 in the town where I live presently against one snap on guy, was an easy choice for me.
I like Snap On, but I really prefer Gray. I live in Canada and it is easier to find a dealer, there is 4 in the town where I live presently against one snap on guy, was an easy choice for me.
I love the Armstrong, Wright and Williams wrenches I have been able to get for great deals off places like Ebay. But all in all for ease of warranty and price Craftsman is still the overall winner. Although I grow more and more concerned that Sears' days are numbered and that warranty won't be worth anything sooner than later. Not that I break very many C-man tools in the first place. Blackhawk and Proto are also some others I have been snatching up when I find a good deal.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Well...tools aren't really for collecting they're for use. Get the tools you feel comfortable using. There are lots of brands with varying durability but they tend to all do the same thing (to varying degrees of efficacy).
Starting out, I went craftsman because accessibility of warranty was important to me despite the fact that I've never used it.
At retail probably the taiwanese kobalt or harbor freight (I assume this exists in their "pro" line, might be wrong) will give you the best bang for your buck if you can't find something better quality US made (the us craftsman tools were very good they still might exist in old stock in stores). Higher end stuff (if you want to pay for it) I would go sk or possibly kd tools(which is cheaper but still good) or a tool truck brand if you're doing mechanical work professionally. Don't go get a huge set without knowing the quality of what's in there, buy a small or mid sized set (depending on cost) then add to it. I use kobalt tools (mainly taiwan) all the time for odds and ends stuff (bit sockets, some ratchets, impact, larger sockets). They're much better than they get credit for on here and in general despite the fact that they're no longer us made. For retail brands you'll never do better than their taiwanese stuff but you end up paying a bit more than other chinese made branded tools. The chinese stuff I haven't touch as of yet, looks comparable to other retail chinese tools though.
Love the gear wrenches, saves a lot of time. Other than that most of the stuuf in the toolbox is mainly snap-on and matco, and little bit of craftsman. Why I prefer these tools are because of the warranty and that they haven't broken on me.
jakemac
Well-known member
I buy mostly used, for the price and the better quality.
The brands I look for are the ones that I grew up with as a teen and upwards. Craftsman (double line V series), SK, and Utica. I blame this forum on my new addiction to pre-permalock Channellocks. For newer chisels and punches, I look for Enderes (I'm eagerly awaiting the Enderes' Day announcement).
I could care less about warranties. They aren't worth the paper they're printed on anymore, and I won't exchange a USA made tool for an imported POS. That's why I'm stockpiling for the future.
The brands I look for are the ones that I grew up with as a teen and upwards. Craftsman (double line V series), SK, and Utica. I blame this forum on my new addiction to pre-permalock Channellocks. For newer chisels and punches, I look for Enderes (I'm eagerly awaiting the Enderes' Day announcement).
I could care less about warranties. They aren't worth the paper they're printed on anymore, and I won't exchange a USA made tool for an imported POS. That's why I'm stockpiling for the future.
ibedayank
Well-known member
the one that makes the tool I need to get the job done
shoggoth80
Well-known member
Well, this is a tough question. Personal preference? Snap On, Matco, Armstrong. Those are my big ones. I have a lot of different stuff, from different makers. Just because I like a couple brands, doesn't mean I can afford all their stuff. Lol. Waiting for a chance to give Proto and SK a try.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Warranty warranty warranty. Seems to be the #1 tool buying factor here. Seems you and I feel the same way about this phenomenon. Oh and I see what u did there. I purchased a home near a Lowes well you know just in case.
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
I wouldn't say that I have a "Favorite" tool brand. But there are certain brands that I own that have given me consistently good experiences. If I had to put a name on it, it would be brand "Trust". Such brands are Facom, Felo, Grip-On, Hilti, NWS, Toptul, Snap-On, and Wera. There are more, but these are the brands who's products I use most.
No one brand is my favorite in all hand tools, and some that I really like, PB Swiss are so expensive and hard to find that I don't bother looking. Snapon is just as costly, but I can find them used all the time.
I buy good tools anytime I find them at good or better than good prices, and only seek out a brand to complete a set. The exception are Snapon combo wrenches, those I like a lot.
I buy good tools anytime I find them at good or better than good prices, and only seek out a brand to complete a set. The exception are Snapon combo wrenches, those I like a lot.
Spinaker01
Well-known member
For overall quality and decent pricing, I am a big fan of the Proto industrial stuff as well as Armstrong for drive tools. For pliers and screwdrivers, my favs are Wiha and Wera. That said, I have a fair amount of S/O and Mac, but I only tend to buy the well recognized/truck brands if there is deal to be had on the used market- Too much snob factor driving the price up for a hobbyist like me. Warranty is not a huge concern either.
woody 73
Well-known member
Favorite tool brand Wow that is a tough one, kind of like going to a fancy restaurant and the waiter asks you if you want a bottle of red or white wine.
At least for me any time I can save a few dollars, then any good tool from all the names above will work for me.
So which does red wine go with fish or chicken???
At least for me any time I can save a few dollars, then any good tool from all the names above will work for me.
So which does red wine go with fish or chicken???
Hako86
Well-known member
Hazet, Snap-On... but most of my tools are Kraftwerk, works great for me 
Hyster Gareth
Well-known member
Obviously depends on your application. I use Snap On, CAT and a few others brands but use my tools everyday.
As you state for use in your garage I would lean towards a good brand like SK. They are well made and have a good reputation as many others members have attested to.
O'Brein Tools are offering 15% discount to GJ members so that is something worth thinking about.
Williams are another great brand and are part of Snap On Industrial.
Here in Canada we have Gray tools and they make some really nice stuff. Been stocking up on a few bits recently.
As you state for use in your garage I would lean towards a good brand like SK. They are well made and have a good reputation as many others members have attested to.
O'Brein Tools are offering 15% discount to GJ members so that is something worth thinking about.
Williams are another great brand and are part of Snap On Industrial.
Here in Canada we have Gray tools and they make some really nice stuff. Been stocking up on a few bits recently.
There are a lot of brands being named Im not familiar with. Where are you guys buying them at? I know Craftsman at Sears, Husky at HD (nobody has mentioned them and I had my reservations). I see the snap on trucks everywhere but not sure how to get them besides ordering online.
I'm self taught with all this stuff and mainly wanted to see what you guys thought about different brands. Most of my tools are from a Craftsman set I got as a gift when I first started tinkering with my car when I turned 16. They have done well with no breakage, but I worry about Sears being around in the future to back the warranty. Plus I'd prefer to buy American made if I'm going to buy anything.
I'm self taught with all this stuff and mainly wanted to see what you guys thought about different brands. Most of my tools are from a Craftsman set I got as a gift when I first started tinkering with my car when I turned 16. They have done well with no breakage, but I worry about Sears being around in the future to back the warranty. Plus I'd prefer to buy American made if I'm going to buy anything.