Looking at new tools...

[alexholl]

Hi everybody, first post on here!

I'm sure this has been gone over several times, so I apologize. I currently have a set of Kobalt sockets, ratchets, pliers and screwdrivers but I'm looking at upgrading to something a little nicer that meets my needs. I don't want to pay prices of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. but I also want a quality USA made product (is that even possible ). Thought about Tekton but not made in USA...

I intend on buying 6pt. metric sockets and wrenches, sizes 10-19mm in a 3/8" drive to start. Mainly doing this to keep cost down. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KEH]

Suggest SK or Wright.

KEH

 

[derosa]

Basic answer is Wright or SK, either is a nice quality tool in which you're paying for the quality and not the status or warranty that for you is no better than any other brand. I have the Wright 6-19mm 6pt, think it was just under 100.
For knurled handle ratchets one's as good as the other. Wright has the contour grip that I prefer, either was it's a round head ratchet. SK will be coming out with a pear head that should be good if it's your preference. SK has great ratchet wrenches I wish I could get soon. Either have great regular wrenches.

 

[gdocktor3]

Ya this has been gone over many times. Each time its the same answer. Williams, Proto, Wright, etc, etc, etc. IMO, SK is what you're looking for. Alternatively you can hop on eBay and get lots of good, lightly used American made tools for cheap. Most of my tool collection was purchased used online and at flea markets, pawn shops and Craigslist. None of it is/was "beat".

 

[PavelK313]

I used USA sockets since I was 16 yo, but few months purchased Tekton impact 1/2" deep, 3/8 shallow & deep socket sets and they quickly became my go to sockets. Absolutely love them! I guess time will tell how good they stand to use and abuse.

 

[Tellingthem]

Tekton does have some nice USA Screwdrivers and Pliers. Otherwise...yeah what everyone else says really.

 

[Whchua]

Scout ebay for used snap on, sk

 

[hangfirew8]

I intend on buying 6pt. metric sockets and wrenches, sizes 10-19mm in a 3/8" drive to start. Mainly doing this to keep cost down. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A 6-pt socket with a breaker bar is your 6-point wrench. For your first set of good wrenches, get a 12 point. If you already have the 12 point, get the 6 point as your second set.

 

[pescados666]

If you don't care so much about warranty (usually you're required to be the original purchaser of the tools to warranty them anyway) you could consider brands like KD/NAPA usa and JS (I believe they're just SK sockets rebranded for military toolkits.

 

[Skin]

KD and USA Napa Pro are dead.

They've gone up in price over the last couple years but I still think you'd be very hard pressed to find a better value than the SK tool sets in the green cases with a ratchet and extensions. You can of course buy the same sets piecemeal from other USA brands like Proto, Wright, Williams but it will cost you a bit more and you wont have the extra add-ins.

 

[pescados666]

KD and USA Napa Pro are dead.

They've gone up in price over the last couple years but I still think you'd be very hard pressed to find a better value than the SK tool sets in the green cases with a ratchet and extensions. You can of course buy the same sets piecemeal from other USA brands like Proto, Wright, Williams but it will cost you a bit more and you wont have the extra add-ins.

Dead, but still available if you don't mind buying used. For a first kit they're great quality. NAPA will still warranty their tools with their new taiwan tools, and KD will warranty with gearwrench.

Since they're not an active brand you can sometimes find better deals on them compared to SK or other brands still in production depending on where you're looking.

I wouldn't go out of my way for them, but if they happen to be the best deal at the moment I wouldn't turn them away.

 

[drink]

Hi everybody, first post on here!

I'm sure this has been gone over several times, so I apologize. I currently have a set of Kobalt sockets, ratchets, pliers and screwdrivers but I'm looking at upgrading to something a little nicer that meets my needs. I don't want to pay prices of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. but I also want a quality USA made product (is that even possible ). Thought about Tekton but not made in USA...

I intend on buying 6pt. metric sockets and wrenches, sizes 10-19mm in a 3/8" drive to start. Mainly doing this to keep cost down. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Some say Armstrong tools are a thing of the past but Cripe Distributing has a bunch of them. Maybe you will consider the following.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-4...3-Piece-USA-/401281658881?hash=item5d6e403001

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-T...hash=item4d19a1d28d:m:mo-j84t-EZjqrkz9yUHJFeg

 

[Richard Cranium]

another vote for S&k tools

 

[d.mcfarland]

Wright.

 

[alexholl]

Thank you all for the recommendations. SK has been on my radar, and my dad has the 1/4" drive set and likes it. I will look into the other brands mentioned but it looks like SK is the clear favorite among those looking for a cheaper set of nice tools.

 

[winlinmac]

To be frank, this what you should do,

Go with the SK Brand (Made in USA) and based on pricing, if you're on a set budget, you can complement your SK purchases with the following,

- Since Sears is really in a unstable position, buy as many of their Craftsman USA-made Hand tools (most of their tools are rebrands from the major manufacturers such as Western Forge and Mayhew) ; forget about warranty

- Then also, check out Cripe Distributing (they have a bunch of USA-made Armstrong and Kobalt (Danahar days) wrenches--you can easily put together an affordable set)

- Don't forget about Harry J. Epstein

- If you need Impact sockets, go with Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro (Taiwan-made) or Sunex or Tekton

- There's even TopTul, but no warranty is expressed or implied (plenty of eBay listings from various sellers here and abroad)

You'll pay a little bit for shipping, therefore definitely create a cart and submit a quote request for the total price prior to placing your orders.

eBay is also good to get a general idea of the current pricing. There's also a thread here which lists out the tools which are sold under different brand-names (including the tool-truck brands) but are all Made in the USA .

Hi everybody, first post on here!

I'm sure this has been gone over several times, so I apologize. I currently have a set of Kobalt sockets, ratchets, pliers and screwdrivers but I'm looking at upgrading to something a little nicer that meets my needs. I don't want to pay prices of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. but I also want a quality USA made product (is that even possible ). Thought about Tekton but not made in USA...

I intend on buying 6pt. metric sockets and wrenches, sizes 10-19mm in a 3/8" drive to start. Mainly doing this to keep cost down. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[67King]

Thank you all for the recommendations. SK has been on my radar, and my dad has the 1/4" drive set and likes it. I will look into the other brands mentioned but it looks like SK is the clear favorite among those looking for a cheaper set of nice tools.

SK is my primary brand, but for your primary wrenches, definitely look at the Wrights.

 

[winlinmac]

Alex, as per my previous post, this is the thread for the brand equivalents,

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120



Also, welcome to the forum General advice, be careful not to spend too much, haha

 

[ecotec]

You do not want 6pt wrenches as your main wrenches.

I would look at Wright, SK, Blackhawk, Proto and Armstrong... and used Snap-on.

 

[Citation]

alexholl, what are you hoping to get out of a new set of tools? I've had a chance to use "the good stuff" and my consumer grade (US CM, and recent Kobalt) sockets as well as various wrench brands. For the most part the differences are small and not worth spending money on for home/hobby users. If you are missing sizes or just want new toys... er tools... go for it but don't assume you will do better work or really improve things because you changed tools.

 

[bixxjs]

Go for the best quality you can reasonably afford ,we all want solid platinum diamond encrusted wrenches,but what's wrong with eBay scores?