How to choose?

[Cruzan80]

Started trying to sort out my toolboxes, and realized I have various competing brands.

For reference, I am keeping a few exotic sets of things (flare nut crowfoots, hex/torx sets), and ratchets are based off of what feels comfortable/smooth/etc, rather than matching brands for those.

This is simply for basic sockets (shallow/deep), DOE, shallow/deep DBE, Combinations short/longer etc.

I tend to put most of the Snap-On in the trade bin, unless it is something special (weather head, flare nut, etc).

I know this is subjective, but curious how people start to decide what is their go-to's. Almost none of this is handed down, so no sentimental attachment per se.

Brands I am trying to sort between are Craftsman BE/Circle H, Craftsman =V=, SK (bullet sockets), SK Wayne, Indestro, and JH Williams. I also have some Lectrolite wrenches.

It is just me in the shop, as a home wrencher. Working on cars, machinery, around the house, etc. I am also slowly putting away a full set of stuff for my son (currently 8), for when he is ready for his own set.

Once I get everything sorted, going to make sure I put a Wanted ad for any missing holes in the sets I decide to keep.

 

[Provincial]

Top of the list goes to what you use the most. If you can say that you use "_______" all the time, you likely will be happy if you keep that choice.

If you really cannot identify a brand that you use the most, then take each category of tool type and try to identify which brand you use most. For instance, I always grab the Williams ratchet, if I have one that size and type. But I don't have a long, flex-head 3.8 drive Williams, so I'd be keeping the RHFT Craftsman for that, or maybe the New Britain, or maybe the Challenger.

As you can see, I'm not the best one to give you advice!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I'm a diehard Craftsman collector but about anything I really take a fancy to can be found in my user boxes. My user tools are based around Craftsman -V- era tools I got as a kid or young adult. As the user boxes got bigger, I've figured out what I needed (and sometimes just wanted). My go-to 3/8 rat is an SK fine tooth (love it). Chisels and punches are all US but more brands than I can remember. I've gotten really fond of Knipex pliers, dykes etc, they're the only things I buy new these days.

 

[Cruzan80]

I fully expect to have multiples of thing around. But when I have CM BE short/deep, CM =V= short/deep, SK bullet shorts and Wayne deeps, and most of a Williams short/deep, all in 1/2" SAE, that seems like too much.

How much is too much, and how do you decide what to keep? Does it change by type/drive size?

Or is it asking too much for most of my sockets to fit in a 26" drawer, one per drive size? Same with DOE/DBEs? Figure short/deep, SAE/metric, and a few ratchets.
Again, special sockets get their own drawer.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I collect all the brands you listed. Personally I’d keep them all. I understand that may not be possible. Maybe hold each in your hand and decide which one you want for you then save some for your son.

 

[Cruzan80]

Yeah, maybe the key is just better organization to get everything to fit better. Trying to start narrowing it down to 2-3sets per, but starting to realize that means hard choices. Though 5 different sets seems like a lot (CM BE, CM =V=, SK, JHW, and Indestro)...

Right now, the plan is to set aside the CM -V- stuff for my son, so even when he gets it, we can keep them separated.

I have already said I am not going to dive inro any other brands for full sets. Though I do like the teardrop broaching on the Wards wrenches I have...

 

[Provincial]

I started out with almost all used tools, and as a result I have always had mixed sets. By mixed, I mean 4-8 brands in the same socket drive size, combo wrench set, and screwdriver sets, etc..

Now that I am collecting, I am putting together full sets of a particular brand, and sometimes style. For instance, I have Plomb combo sets in "Los Angeles", "USA", and "Pebble" styles. It is easy to go down a rabbit hole.

One problem is that each brand (and style within the brand) can have a feature that makes it different. In combos I like my Williams Superrenches for everyday use, but have a liking for my Barcalo (and Powr-Kraft) "scoop" combos that goes back to my first tool set almost 60 years ago. Then there is the Bonney set with the "Loc-Rite" off-corner broaching. And three choices of Plomb. And the P&C's.

One thing that helps me spread these out is the fact that I have two work vehicles that each need a tool set, three shops that each need a tool set, and various mobile and fixed pieces of equipment that need specific tools to stay with them. Thus, I can put old rusty Herbrand or Vlchek wrenches in a spot and feel that they are being useful.

I bought Craftsman -V- tools for years for everyday use, and made a living with them. Now I have a drawer full of them that I have accumulated from garage sales that I intend to sell off. I may even sell some of the -V- from my younger days, but am keeping the first "set" of tools a family friend gave me for my 14th birthday. It is made up of Plomb, P&C, Powr-Kraft, Craftsman, Crescent and other classic brands, all gleaned from second-hand stores and pawn shops. That set taught me that the fastener doesn't know what brand of wrench is turning it.

Both my kids have helped me use my tools, so they know what they mean to me, and they have had them in their hands. Both have borrowed tools to do their own projects, so I doubt they will want to part the tools.

One thing about my experience is that my Great-Grandparents, Grandparents, and Parents all lived through the Great Depression. All of them fixed things to get by, and instilled in me that ethic. In a throw-away society, it is harder to do, but at least we can remove and replace faulty things when parts are available.

Sorry to ramble on, but I am trying to explain my attitude to old tools.

 

[Cruzan80]

Yeah, it is just me, in my home shop. I already have the "get-by" set of ransoms I put together for the school shop (MS Engineering teacher), which is why I am finding a hard time justifying so many. That and the toolboxes keep multiplying, especially now that I am adding in metal working stuff (lathe and mill).

 

[Provincial]

Oh-Oh, metalworking machines! Now you are in serious trouble!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The sk stuff you can still get warranteed, so great for user stuff.

 

[d42jeep]

I tend towards Snap-on tools in my user box but prefer S-K ratchets to Snap-on. My user tools are a mix of what I’ve accumulated over the years.
-Don