If you had it to do over....

[Conductor562]

All my friends know I'm really into tools. It was their lack of willingness and ability to carry on extended conversations about them that led me here in the first place. However, when they are in the market for tools they usually ask my advise and I'm kinda proud of that. After gauging their frequency and degree of use I typically find myself suggesting Kobalt or Craftsman and once in awhile, SK. Now I'm curious, if you were starting out today without a single tool to your name, and knowing what you know about the various brands, what line would you invest in for the majority of your core hand tools? The Proto tools I've had for a significant length of time have given me great service and I feel they've been a good value over all. I'd likely invest in them all over again. How about you?

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

SK for ratchets/sockets/wrenches, Channellock for pliers, and Wiha for screwdrivers.

 

[Conductor562]

On the Channellock pliers. I have 23 pairs and I want more.

 

[03protege]

I would basically by only items I consider a deal unless I need the item.

I would be hitting up Cripes and Harry Epstien looking for NOS USA. Also I would watch Sears for the items they love to put at %50 like the prybars, gearwrench, sockets.

I would search websites like tooltopia for the BOGO sale.

And lastly I would search here looking for the hot deals.

I know your question was mainly geared around the brands but for a me, a DIYer, there are SOOO many brands that will perform for me.

My tool box mainly has.

Cman
Cman INdus
Proto
Gearwrench
Snap On

Plus many other high end brands I am not listing due to only have 1 or two items for each.

 

[chrenan]

If I had nothing and had to start from scratch I'd fill my box with TopTul.

 

[Beaubeau]

All German, stahlwille, hazet, knipex etc there is no equal, I wish they had truck service. But I'm slowly swapping old **** with new German gold.

 

[PavelK313]

I would do exactly the same as I done so far:

Craftsman
So
Matco
Knipex
Wera
Witte
Felo
*Wouldnt hesitate to buy majority of german made tools.

 

[tweedlestan]

Knipex pliers instead of Snap on, among other things.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Since Craftsman is pretty much all imported now. I'd go with Armstrong for sockets and ratchets forsure. Maybe SK for extentions and wrenchs. Armstrong has nice wrenchs too though , really want a set of extra long pattern from Armstrong. Wiha for screwdrivers channellock and knipex for pliers. I like my Gearwrench flex head wrenches and XL gearboxes.

 

[bobcatdan]

SK, Wright and a Kennedy box.

 

[darkk]

SK for ratchets/sockets/wrenches, Channellock for pliers, and Wiha for screwdrivers.

X2.....I still have a vast assortment of SK and Channel Lock I bought in the late 60's early 70's They have served me well throughout my professional career in body work/fabrication 45+ yrs.

 

[sberry]

I would basically by only items I consider a deal unless I need the item.

I wouldnt buy it deal or not unless I needed it. Todays world is different than it was 30 or 40 yrs ago, today I would shop at Walmart or HF when I needed something, if that didnt pan out buy the few things I actually did really use in a better quality item.

 

[RivennHewn]

If starting over, I'd get a better college degree.

Then go out and hire a really good mechanic.

 

[Ben7203]

X10 on the better degree. My Animal Science degree is really only useful because I can say I have a BS degree. Pun intended.

 

[woody 73]

X10 on the better degree. My Animal Science degree is really only useful because I can say I have a BS degree. Pun intended.

I hear you big time


If only I had this cool web internet CL back in 75 along with my tool knowledge I could have surfed for fantastic used tool deals; instead I had to read each blurb in the newspaper looking for used tools and trust me it was not a picnic...

"drill for sale it works 1313 Mockingbird Lane ask for Gomez Adams".

 

[Builder302]

If starting over I would buy one of these complete tool sets that pop up on Craigslist from time to time. Either a retiree or student dropping out. Some of these are crazy price, but occasionally you see one reasonable.

 

[Bryan Burns]

I'd look for used vintage tools from quality brands such as Armstrong, SK, Kraeuter, M. Klein, Proto, Williams, Craftsman, Snap-on, DASCO, Mayhew, etc. and wouldn't stick to any particular brand.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I'd look for used vintage tools from quality brands such as Armstrong, SK, Kraeuter, M. Klein, Proto, Williams, Craftsman, Snap-on, DASCO, Mayhew, etc. and wouldn't stick to any particular brand.

This is what I did. I have almost nothing invested in tools but have tons of good tools. I avoid snap on as everyone knows the name and think its the same worth as 18k gold.

 

[wornoutoldman]

If I had nothing and had to start from scratch I'd fill my box with TopTul.

...and buy that new Vette I've always wanted with the money I saved!

 

[chrenan]

...and buy that new vette i've always wanted with the money i saved!

bingo!!!!!

 

[byoungblood]

If I was starting from scratch, probably mostly Wright, Channel Lock, Knipex, Klien and Craftsman Professional screwdrivers as long as they stay US made.

That's where I'm headed now, but I still have a mix of other brands in my sockets and pliers.

 

[whitetrash1]

I wouldn't really change anything. Buy a basic generic whoever basic kit to get by and upgrade as I had the money.

 

[RCStocker]

It is hard to say. I started out with all Craftsman and they are still serving me well 45 years later.


If I had to choose one brand it would be SK. I own all the brands and have multiple sets of everything in different shops. My Craftsman work as well as my Snap-on's.
I like the C man VF ratchets better than my Snappies. I like the snap-on's 80 tooth ratchets are a must have but other than that My old raised pannels have done the same job for me as my Snap-on wrenches and sockets.

I have sockets or wrenches in every brand made including ones from India and China.
The wrenches I have had form India are just as good as any US made wrench in its class.

I would never buy new. There are so many millions of used tools out there only a fool would buy new. I don't buy electronic's used.

I have a set of Wright wrenches and I am not impressed witht the fit and finish but they work. I don't find that the Snap-on plus wrenches do any better job over the old style.

Every time I have a nut or bold head that the wrench is slipping of of I find that it is a cheap nut or bolt. I have used most all of my wrenches in machine shops where I have rebuilt equipment. They all work well on good hardware.

Any good used tool would be my first choice. If I purschased new it would be SK

 

[matt1977]

I am just starting out, and from what i've learned here i'm planning on getting sk for hardline, channellock for pliers, felo for screwdrivers, bondhus for hex keys and international for my tool chest.

 

[shooting4life]

I am just starting out, purchased my first home in September and only have a few specialized gun tools to my name. I have purchased 80% of my tools from the sears outlet. All of the tools have been craftsman professional/industrial grade. Every item has been between 50-70% off. I recently purchased two sets of craftsman impacts (short/long standard for less than $40 out the door for both sets). I am happy with the quality of these tools for the price.
I have two outlets within 3 miles of my house. Unfortunately they do not carry ratchets so I have pieced my ratchet collection together, my brother gave me a bunch and I have purchased a few from Kobalt that seem to be nice.

 

[kythri]

While I've bought (and continue to buy) used tools, there's never any consistency of what's available, and as such, if I had to replace all my tools today, I'd be buying new, because what I've got are matched sets (wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) and I've little desire to spend days/weeks/months/years piecing together a mismatched collection.

A significant amount of consideration would be given to SK and Wright, but GearWrench would definitely be in the mix somewhere - at a bare minimum, for ratcheting wrenches, but I'm also quite enamored of my GearWrench full polish long pattern "Surface Drive Plus" wrench set, and it's tough to beat the deal that set represents...

 

[Conductor562]

I am just starting out, and from what i've learned here i'm planning on getting sk for hardline, channellock for pliers, felo for screwdrivers, bondhus for hex keys and international for my tool chest.

I think those are wise choices if you value quality Matt. I suppose this thread has not been in vane.

What I'm surprised I have not seen is anyone saying they'd buy all Snap-On, all over again.

SK seems to be getting a lot of love. Rightfully so in my opinion.

 

[TwoInch]

much of my stuff is craftsman, only one taiwan ratchet. im totally satisfied with the hardline stuff, and i would have no problem buying them again for what i paid.

i would also consider williams USA sockets, armstrong stuff.

 

[AV tinker er]

I wouldn't change that much. I started out buying SO when I worked for Lockheed and was required to have my own tools. Certain things I would get cheaper with and others I would only buy higher end stuff. Examples: Ratchets/breaker bars/wrenches I wouldnt waste money on the cheap stuff... to many times have I been burned working on something and ended up breaking a tooth on a ratchet, rounding the head on a bolt, or bending a breaker bar. Even the expensive stuff breaks but not as often for the weekend warrior like myself. Nothing like trying to break loose the CV joint nut with a breaker bar, bending the bar, and having to reassemble everything to get is replaced at Sears.... There are plenty of ways to cheap out and save money especially when you research and find out that certain companies rebrand anothers products; just takes a little effort.

 

[shoturtle]

I would go with wiha and knipex for pliers. Wiha, Wera and Felo for my drivers. Craftsman for the master socket set. Wiha for all my torx and hex socket. Wera for my fine tooth ratchet, proto for all my corse tooth ratchet and wrenches. Craftsman for pass through ratchet.

I would skip the Kline and Craftsman drivers and hex keys. While channellock is a good tool, it just does not compare with the wiha and knipex for pliers.

 

[Danglerb]

The world has changed in the last 5 to 10 years. Deals that were common a few years ago have dried up, and a LOT more people are buying tools and trying to do the work themselves, oddly I think it eventually creates more work for the pros.

For the model of car I own, Porsche 928, its a point of pride among owners to buy cheap and fix them ourselves. Its also a major money factor, but the downside is that its easy to get stuck one repair behind things breaking so you rarely drive the car to its potential. Starting from scratch would take rethinking, with the "smart" move being buying a MUCH nicer car to start with and letting a pro keep it perfect.

Assuming the smart move passed by me like a freight train, I would be looking at buying two or three full boxes used and parting stuff out to keep what I wanted.

I would do my best to cut to the chase, buy the best tool without two or three steps in the middle. OTOH we are just about to see the next generation of power tools the brushless stuff, how long do you wait as its be steady improvement for a decade with no stopping apparent ahead.

 

[pfctblu]

I haven't had much luck finding used deals so I buy new more often than not. Over the past year I have been selling my old stuff and pickup up some of what's listed below. I'm not a tech but I do most all my own work. I wouldn't change much of what I have now if I started over from scratch for my use:

-Impact: Northern Industrial for sockets, Klutch and IR for drive tools
-Sockets: I started with a 200ish Craftsman tool set (still have it, works fine, sold the USA raised panel ratchets and upgraded to USA thin profiles)
-Ratchets: Williams flex ratchets, Gearwrench rotos
-Wrenches:
--Combos: Craftsman USA reversible ratcheting (if you can find them)
--Box end: GearBox XL ratcheting
--Stubbies: Gearwrench ratcheting combos
--Flares: Gearwrench
--Adjustable wrenches: Channellock
--Hex wrenches: Park Tool
-Pliers:
--Normal: Channellock
--Electrical: Klein
--Hose clamp: Gearwrench
--Mini: Craftsman Professional
--Locking: Peterson/Dewitts, also have Chinese Craftman Pros-they're okay
-Screwdrivers:
--Normal: Craftsman pro/Williams/Wiha (whatever feels right in hand) --Precisions: Wiha
--Ratcheting: Williams or Snap On
--Picks: Craftsman professional
--Junkers (to abuse): Channellock Code Blue, they take plenty of abuse and havent failed yet
-Hammers: Vaughn or Craftsman rebranded Vaughn, Ames/True Temper for larger/sledge
-Pry bars: Wilde, my old Wilmar/performance set has held up well however
-Vice: Craftsman Professional-use it all the time

Overall, I am satisfied with everything above as most items on this list represent very good value IMHO. This is especially true if you watch for sales and discounts.
The only thing Ive been considering upgrading lately would be sockets. I don't really need them but the Gearwrench mid-length 6pt sockets are tempting. My Craftsman sockets (mostly G and G2) have never failed in my use, however.

 

[Fastbird]

Exactly as I've done.

Mainly craftsman for hand tools (USA made CM of course)
SO, MAC, Matco, Blue Point, etc for specialty tools

 

[TOOL_MONGER]

id marry money... so I could buy these things of which you speak...

 

[Conductor562]

A lot of people saying they'd buy used. I don't mind buying used under the right circumstances, I bought a set of used Proto ASD combo's off the classified here for about half price versus a new set and they were in fantastic condition. Only 2 of them could be positively identified as used. They were the current models and matched my metric set. I bought a 12 piece set of Proto 360B retaining ring pliers on eBay for $75 and I don't think they'd ever been used. I could have never justified paying $300 for them new. These are exceptions, but I like matched sets and I'm way to picky about the condition of my tools and the care and maintenance that goes into them to buy used in most cases.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have a mix of pretty much everything bought over the last 17 years bought either on sale or bogo of the Snap on or Cornwell truck. Those are the only 2 truck brands I own. The one thing I would change is sockets. I have Craftsman and Kobalt but would have done all SK if I could do it over. The Craftsman have all rusted and I relaced with Kobalt. The only Craftsman lest is 1/4 deep. The only ones that did not go on sale at Lowes. For being Taiwan they are better overall than the Craftsman they replaced. The Kobalt is the only non USA tools I own. I still may do SK eventually but the Kobalts are fine for now. I am really impressed with the quality of them for what they are.

 

[adamsredlines]

Wouldn't change much....I guess I found this site when my addiction started so I did pretty well.
I would have spent less time piecing stuff together at the flea market....with some of the sales Sears runs on the basics its cheaper and easier that way but live and learn.

 

[crewchief888]

just to get started, i'd probably get a set of CM, and a HF 41" roller

upgrade, as needed, ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers.

SO ratchets and screwdrivers, (i prefer hard handled screwdrivers, SO, older mac, older SK) channelock for most pliers,
i do like the pair of knipex dykes i picked up a while back, but havent tried anything else from them.

add selected tools from OTC, SO, matco, mac, proto, blackhawk, SK, cornwell, lisle, duralast, kobalt, great neck, IR, CP, bluepoint, astro, and HF

buy multiple truck brand toolboxes, (nothing wider than 36").


wow i just pretty much descirbed the last 29 years

well except that i started with late 50's SK hand tools and a kennedy roller cab and top box.

only regret selling a SO roller cab and side box that i used to have.

 

[BigAl62]

I shudder to even think about it! If I had to do it over I don't know that I'd do the same thing. At work I have mostly Snap On and I'd do that over, but at home I have Craftsman and it's all older and USA made, I wouldn't buy the China **** to replace it. Not sure what I would replace my home stuff with if I had to.

 

[ironmutt]

i would of got snap on or mac from the begining i would have saved tons by not buying the same stuff over and over when the cheap stuff broke .