Gray tools or other options

[buckwheat_la]

I haven't posted often on here but thought I would put this out there for you guys as it is Garage Journal that got me in this predicament

Going to be donating my tools (Mastercraft Maxmium) to my employees at my shop/business (landscaping) as some of them have requested a full set of tools. So this leaves me in a dilemma, do I buy another set of cheap tools ($300-600) or go with a nice set for my own home garage set (edited because I am a bone head and wasn't clear).

In researching tools (to which Garage Journal has been a awesome resource) I now know a couple of things. Snap on and Mac are completely out of my price range for a full set, and I am coming to realize that overseas stuff can be pretty decent too. Also discovered GRAY ,built right here in Canada and sold at Home Depot online, seems to be of a rather high quality and decently priced.

So here I am with 3 distinct options.

Buy Snap on or Mac and take a year or 2 to make my kit (full investment something around $4000+

Buy the Gray set now (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 shallow and deep, metric and SAE, and a 15 piece metric and 15 piece SAE wrench set for around $2300 (which is one hell of a sale price right now and would normally cost me around $4000)

Buy the cheap set (tossing around Dewalt, Craftsman, or Ultra-pro) (spending around the $1000)

And if you have other thoughts, please share them, but keep in mind that I am in Canada and don't have access to the same stuff some of you South of the border do (and our dollar ***** right now )

 

[JJThrasher]

In my experience when the boss is buying the tools they tend to get lost before they get broken. I'd go with the cheapest possible that'd get the job done. Consider something sold locally that would be easy to warranty if it does break.

 

[buckwheat_la]

In my experience when the boss is buying the tools they tend to get lost before they get broken. I'd go with the cheapest possible that'd get the job done. Consider something sold locally that would be easy to warranty if it does break.

I think I confused the issue a bit. This will be MINE, I am giving my guys the cheap one I had before at my home garage. Now I am buying tools for my own personal garage, my employees have no access to it.

 

[JJThrasher]

I think I confused the issue a bit. This will be MINE, I am giving my guys the cheap one I had before at my home garage. Now I am buying tools for my own personal garage, my employees have no access to it.

Oh my bad. Your personal tools I vote go big. Build up name brand truck tools for yourself.

 

[FigureItOut]

I think the most common, and most sound advice you'll receive here is a judicious compromise between the two extremes you described.
Using GJ and other resources, it's fairly easy to learn about and obtain high quality tools for far less than SnapOn. It takes some time, but the process and results are rewarding.
Myself, I have a bit of SnapOn stuff that's crucial to me, and some other pricey brands, but I also some Harbor Freight that's perfectly fine, for me.
The rest I'm building with brands like SK, Grey Pneumatic, Vim, Williams, Carlyle etc. The key is learning about who does what well for a good price, then balance that against your need.

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[buckwheat_la]

So you think I shouldn't just go for one brand/set of sockets and wrenches? Usually I have a main set and build out from that.

 

[FigureItOut]

So you think I shouldn't just go for one brand/set of sockets and wrenches? Usually I have a main set and build out from that.

That's not exactly what I meant, but I guess it does read that way. I think your main sets of sockets, and separately, wrenches, could probably be bought more economically as a set, but for example you're looking at fairly complete sets, couldn't you spend less on say, your SAE sets, and beef up your metric, or whatever would be most useful to you.
For me, I want my 1/4" metric to be at least SK quality, electrical tools the best I can get, trim tools the best I can get, but 1/2" metric impact? Harbor Freight all the way, and I don't even own 1/2" SAE. You may be better off building this way.

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[Richard Cranium]

no buy what you need, The best for the least. Snap on ratchets, Gear wrench wrenches. and so on.

 

[jakemac]

Start with a basic set of Gray, just the tools you use most. Then take your time buying the other tools or upgrading on the used market (yard sales, estate sales, Craigslist, kijiji, etc). You'll save some money, and who knows, you may end up with some truck brands at bargain prices.

In the meantime if you're missing a tool to finish a job at home, you've got the keys to the shop to "borrow" back what you need.

 

[bczygan]

If you buy a "Set" of tools from most anyone, you will have a lot of fluff in it, but also a lot of basic things.

It's all the other things that you will need, that will add up.

So for most people, unless they just have lots of money, buying what is a good value is the road to take. New or used, slowly assemble your kit from a variety of sources that fill the bill.

We are in the middle of a time where the availability and choice is tremendous.

As you use what you have, you will discover additional things you need.

It's a work in progress that seems to never end.

Bill

 

[Fender1325]

Are you talking about gray pneumatic? If so I have a 12 point 1/2" ratchet and socket set from them. Heavy in your hand, heavy duty feeling, if a little bulky. I like them though, not bad.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Are you talking about gray pneumatic? If so I have a 12 point 1/2" ratchet and socket set from them. Heavy in your hand, heavy duty feeling, if a little bulky. I like them though, not bad.

I don't believe so. Not "Grey" but "Gray" made in Canada (like to support my country). They seem to be little heard of but definetly professional quality stuff.

To be very honest my biggest beef with cheaper tools is that most are lazer or acid etiched and i know my mastercraft sockets wore off. Also seems that some of the lifetime warrantee stuff is getting harder to actually get serviced. Who is going to keep reciepts for 20 years???

I want something high quality, that will be in my garage for the next 20 years. Same time I only work on my own stuff so do I "NEED" snap-on or mac..... absolutely not.

 

[buckwheat_la]

If you buy a "Set" of tools from most anyone, you will have a lot of fluff in it, but also a lot of basic things.

It's all the other things that you will need, that will add up.

So for most people, unless they just have lots of money, buying what is a good value is the road to take. New or used, slowly assemble your kit from a variety of sources that fill the bill.

We are in the middle of a time where the availability and choice is tremendous.

As you use what you have, you will discover additional things you need.

It's a work in progress that seems to never end.

Bill

I am not buying a pre built "kit" but my first order from GRAY comes with 15% off so i figure i should grab lots of the basics...

 

[Boilerhouse]

In the early 80's, Gray was sold through Canadian Tire. I bought a metric ratchet set and a 15 (or so) pc metric wrench set. They have been great tools over the years and buying them supports a local business. If it is within your budget, I recommend them.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Fwiw mac precision torque wrench sets are about half the price of flank drive plus. Also hear great things about wright but I prefer a long pattern.


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[nutsnbolts]

I have a lot of Snap On, Mac, Proto etc. tools and have bought them gradually over the last couple of years. I just bought a new F80 ratchet the other day and I believe it is the only brand new Snap On tool I have purchased. What I do is watch for deals on Ebay, make lists of what I want, research and figure out what a good price is for a certain item, and the pounce when I see it. At first I was buying like crazy; now I buy a couple things every payday, it doesn't hurt the wallet that bad, and the toolbox fills up nicely over time.

 

[trainer]

Gray tools are very good, but the price has crept up over the years.
http://shopgraytools.com/collections/2016-winter-promotion

 

[Sine Swept]

Also look for equivalents. There are many mfg`s that make snap on product. Buy the exact tool without the Snap On badge.

Snap On trim tools are made by Bojo. I went right to Bojo for them and got more tools for less money.

 

[patchap]

Gray stuff is very heavy duty overall, not necessarily geared towards car work. The sockets have thick walls, standard ratchets are coarse tooth.
You should be able to put hands on the stuff, look around at industrial suppliers, gray is very common in industry.

Good stuff overall, just not sure I would want to have a base tool kit of it.

 

[MWEric]

Buy the Gray set. Keep you fellow Canadians employed. I have a bit of Gray tools. They are at least on par with Proto, SK, Wright. If the funds allow buy quality North American tools. For wrench sets look at the wright grip wrenches. By far the best for the money. Harry Epstiens has good prices and ships to Canada. Everything else, go with Gray.

 

[5.9Jon]

Thumbs up for Gray. Good tools and when they have their specials not to bad of buys. G2Sequip.ca carries Sk, gearwrench and the like. Also amazon is a great resource to get tools from.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Gray stuff is very heavy duty overall, not necessarily geared towards car work. The sockets have thick walls, standard ratchets are coarse tooth.
You should be able to put hands on the stuff, look around at industrial suppliers, gray is very common in industry.

Good stuff overall, just not sure I would want to have a base tool kit of it.

Interesting take on it and gave me something to think about. Thanks

 

[buckwheat_la]

Buy the Gray set. Keep you fellow Canadians employed. I have a bit of Gray tools. They are at least on par with Proto, SK, Wright. If the funds allow buy quality North American tools. For wrench sets look at the wright grip wrenches. By far the best for the money. Harry Epstiens has good prices and ships to Canada. Everything else, go with Gray.

Totally going to check out the WRIGHT stuff (see what i did there i will check out Harry Epstiens. Thanks

 

[buckwheat_la]

Thumbs up for Gray. Good tools and when they have their specials not to bad of buys. G2Sequip.ca carries Sk, gearwrench and the like. Also amazon is a great resource to get tools from.

I have heard lots of good things about the gear wrench brand. Will check out G2Sequip as well

 

[buckwheat_la]

So on a lark I checked Grays import "Taiwan" brand and found they had some interesting features. A grip collar and are stamped as well as lazer etched. Now i have a bunch of choices.

 

[wiens80]

If I could do it again, I'd buy Gray as much as I could. They are just so classic, I'd say worth every penny. I didn't know enough about what I REALLY wanted until I already owned a basic set of tools.

 

[KamiCrit]

Gray tools are very good, but the price has crept up over the years.
http://shopgraytools.com/collections/2016-winter-promotion

I've been conducting multiple +$200 orders through the shop Gray Tools website and don't have any complaints. (+$200 because you get free shipping)

I always make sure to buy up all the good deals in the quarterly flyers. I find there is a heavy premium on the non-flyer items but I guess that's the price you pay for needing it now.

Buy Canadian!

 

[RRmech]

I bought a bunch of GRAY Canada tools, when a RR co-worker from Toronto retired.
The ratchets are a little course, but they are built like tanks, along with their sockets, wrenches, etc.

Steve

 

[SpeedyJ]

My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic (in Canada), he started off with Snap On (some inherited from his dad) , but as the prices crept up he simply couldn't justify the premium for SO any more. In the early '80s he switched over to Gray and Proto and never looked back. He used those tools until his retirement a few years ago and never had a bad word to say about the Gray stuff. Most of his work was out of a service truck in remote locations, so you know that it was used hard, pushed past it's intended limits and creatively used when necessary.

-J

 

[buckwheat_la]

So I talked with the local supplier of GRAY tools, and after chatting a bit, he asked me if I had considered the DYNAMIC line (Grays import line). He mentioned that he considered them mechanic quality and have lifetime warranty. I was rather intrigued so he opened up a set of sockets and I was rather surprised. Both stamped and laser etched, a grab collar on them, and all the extensions have a bolt pattern built in to use a wrench for extra torquing if you need it. So now I am torn, I am willing to make the investment into the GRAYS however this DYNAMIC set is impressing me. Haven't seen any reviews on the DYNAMIC, but if anyone wants to chime in, happy to hear any advice. http://www.dynamictools.ca/products/

 

[carcajou]

I have seen them. They look ok, but they are definitely not the quality i expect from Gray.

 

[vssjim]

If I lived in Canada like you do I would take the discount I could get on the Gray Tools made in Canada and then fill in with things as needed with time like you plan. The sets you listed I'm sure will be a good start on all the basics and will last a lifetime. I have a few Gray tools and they are fine but no longer sold around me. I'm sure you will be happy and I'm sure like most domestic tool companies they will appreciate your purchase because they are all under pressure to keep going and thats why they have the import line for sure.

 

[polaris900]

Most of my tools are gray.. I don't think you can find stronger, better made tools. I have a 3/8 swivel head 40 tooth dynamic ratchet that has been my go to lately.. I buy gray and dynamic during the promotions, and I don't think price for the quality can be beaten.

 

[buckwheat_la]

So a update. I am a horrible person who over thinks too DAMN MUCH!!! I thought I had a clear winner in the Dynamic line (and buying GRAY when it went on sale as well) but all the Dynamic 1/4 inch sockets only come in laser etching. Their regional rep has told me they won't wear off, but I have seen it happen so much that I am rethinking it. So here is where I am at....

First off, I am looking for 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch sets, both standard and metric, deep and shallow socket.

GRAY line. Going to own this at some point, but going to take my time. (made in Canada) $2000

DYNAMIC line. I like them, nice finish, interesting features. All the sockets come stamped and laser etched, except the 1/4 which really annoyed me. (made in Taiwan, Gray keeps a quality control officer at the factory though) $1000

GEARWRENCH line. Definitely the cheapest out of all the sets, but all stamped and despite being a cheap line, have a very good following and good reviews. Not sure they are a upgrade from Mastercraft other than having great ratchets and stamped markings
(Taiwan/China, hard to know which ones you will get when ordering) $350

SK line. This is one I have not even thought of, but seems to also have good reviews, and pricing is quite reasonable. I have no experience with these, but they have good reviews and despite a couple of cosmetic complaints they seem to be great quality, with lots of people saying they are Tool Truck level tools. $1000

Other line I have looked into and will be making some purchases on. TOPTUL. After a discussion with Dennis, I will be buying some wrenches as soon as my paypal is set up. I have to say that TOPTUL seems to be the SO of Asia. So many positive reviews. The only weak part about them is that they carry little STANDARD stuff, and some things are completely missing from their tool lineup. That being said, if Dennis were to ever bring in complete sets of everything, I would be on it like white on rice.