Well I figured that really im not saving all that much by looking at harbor freight or craftsman tools. Theres allot of either high end import or good value American tools for sale these days. I recently just spent 100 dollars on Amazon (well maybe 103 but you get the point.) For that I got a 36 tooth Armstrong 1/4 ratchet, that is surprisingly s,ooth for the tooth count. A set of gearwrench 1/4 extensions in a really nice tray. A 5 piece set of torx screwdrivers by Wiha, The handles are much nicer than my Craftsmans. And a set of Bondhus metric T handles. So you all can see the value here, and im really happy with the quality. For some stuff harbor freight fits the bill, But Id rather spend 10-15 more and get something thats really nice and I will be happy with.
Only Buying Quality Tools Now
- Thread starter Matt018
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kunkernator
Well-known member
Nice! I agree it would be nice to spend the extra few bucks. Don't rule Craftsman tools out though, their USA made tools (what they have left) are still pretty good quality. In fact I just got 5 sockets in the mail today.
Also, a huge thing I have taken a liking to is buying used. You may need to wait a little longer to get exactly what you want, but you'll find it, and a lot cheaper. If it is a good tool, it will be good used as well.
Good luck with your purchasing!
Also, a huge thing I have taken a liking to is buying used. You may need to wait a little longer to get exactly what you want, but you'll find it, and a lot cheaper. If it is a good tool, it will be good used as well.
Good luck with your purchasing!
wafrederick
Well-known member
The taps and dies including drill bits,I learned my lesson on: DON'T BUY!A few years ago,I bought a brad point drill bit set from one of those Homier junk tool sales.Tried drilling into a piece of wood with one,would not drill and I threw all the drill bits away keeping the case only.
Not to start a craftsman hate thread, but i believe gearwrench will be aroun longer than craftsman.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Maybe going into the future. But overall time since Craftsman was formed maybe not?
Conductor562
Well-known member
Gearwrench is AT LEAST as good as Craftsman now days. I think the benefits to quality USA made tools outweigh the costs. Give SK a look. All American made, good quality, and a price much better than Snap-On or Proto.
Stuey
Well-known member
Certain Gearwrench tools are better than Craftsman, certain Craftsman tools are better than Gearwrench. Blanket statements make everyone look like fanboys.
Anyhow, sounds like the OP got a couple of nice new tools. As for Wiha screwdriver handles being better than Craftsman, I would agree, although some people don't like them.
Anyhow, sounds like the OP got a couple of nice new tools. As for Wiha screwdriver handles being better than Craftsman, I would agree, although some people don't like them.
Conductor562
Well-known member
That's a fair statement, I'm just a little pissed at Sears. The store has went to hell and it appears they're taking the Craftsman line with them.
G1GRANDEUR
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actually I'd rather buy grearwrench stuff over craftsman.
their sockets and ratchets are so much better.
Someone at Sears got the bright idea that they're gonna start competing with HF on prices. The rest is history.
Stuey
Well-known member
I can't really argue with you there. Last time I met with Craftsman leadership I told them I still believe a store-within-a-store would be awesome. Separate Craftsman from Sears and things will be so much better, at least for us.
FunkyfullWidth
Well-known member
Check out napa for hand tools. My local napa carries sk tools and can probably order and warranty anything you'd like. The actual napa brand of tools isn't bad either and have a full warranty.
kunkernator
Well-known member
Really? All my NAPA carries is store brand Carlyle and Evercraft. They are starting to have Gearwrench, but not worth it because of the cost. I wish mine had SK.
I was really happy with the extension set, I got 5 of them in a tray so they wont roll around my toolbox for 25 bucks, Plus they are knurled.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIAJBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
My beef with the craftsman drivers is they work ok, but the handles are way too small for my hands to apply much torque.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIAJBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
My beef with the craftsman drivers is they work ok, but the handles are way too small for my hands to apply much torque.
dsmnickk90
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Armstrong has nice stuff and cheaper than SK. Craftsman sockets are still good. I like my Armstrong extensions more and would love to get some SK. If I needed any new wrenches I'd go with Armstrong. Gearwrench XL box end and flex ratcheting wrenches are nice. I have their electronic torque wrenches too and they are nice and assembled in USA. If I got another set on impact swivels I would get Armstrong Pinless they are a little deeper than Craftsman. Armstrong 88 tooth ratchets all thought I love my Cman premiums.
I most likely with be picking up an sk 38 ratchet shortly.
btbsandman
Well-known member
I still smell half-troll.
Look dude i dont care what your opinion is of me, do you see my post count? Ive been on this site quite a while and have contributed to allot of threads in a hlepful manor and also started a allot of productive threads, But then when someone doesnt like my ideas or how i feel about something they need to start ripping me up and everybody else hops on the bandwagon, im not a troll, theres quite a bit more trollish people on here.
dsmnickk90
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The only thing that keeps me from SK ratchets is I can never fined a tooth count on them and I really like Armstrongs handles
Ask around on here, somebody probably knows. And yes, armstrong handles look like they may be more uncomfortable but my boss has allot of armstrong ratchets at the machine shop i work at and there great, Thats why i decided to go buy the 1/4 armstrong ratchet. I may buy another couple of them, not sure yet.
coolreed
Well-known member
What's wrong with Craftsman Hand Tools? They have served me very well over the years. I don't buy their other stuff, but Craftsman Hand Tools are a very good value.
dsmnickk90
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Look at the MAXX ratchets they 1/4 and 3/8 are 88 tooth 1/2 is 60 tooth.
Im really starting to like the idea of SKs 3'8 in 1/4 head.
Nothing at all most my sockets are Craftsman with Armstrong filling in the blanks. They are the same sockets. Same with the Craftsman USA impact sockets. The RP ratchets arnt very smooth but the Premium 84ths are nice.
hifi_hokie
Well-known member
If it wasn't for places like this, I probably would have spent a lot more figuring out what works best for me and what doesn't
cgv69
Well-known member
I think anybody who uses tools more then the average home owner eventually realizes that quality tools do matter and are usually cheaper in the long run.
The problem with buying tools is it's foolish to make any assumptions about a tool based on the name stamped on it. No hand tool brand out there that I'm aware of makes 100% of the tools they sell and from Snap-On to Harbor Freight, they all have some tools that are good deals and others that are either **** or a rip off price wise.
That's what makes sites like this thrive as you have a wide demographic of tool users, buyers and sellers from many different backgrounds and professions to draw experience and knowledge from so you can make informed, intelligent buying decisions.
The problem with buying tools is it's foolish to make any assumptions about a tool based on the name stamped on it. No hand tool brand out there that I'm aware of makes 100% of the tools they sell and from Snap-On to Harbor Freight, they all have some tools that are good deals and others that are either **** or a rip off price wise.
That's what makes sites like this thrive as you have a wide demographic of tool users, buyers and sellers from many different backgrounds and professions to draw experience and knowledge from so you can make informed, intelligent buying decisions.
Not sure I can agree with that statement anymore (with a few exceptions).
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
From a durability standpoint I think modern US made craftsman is > gearwrench, but as far as their function, much better quality.
I think the new ratchets are 45-tooth. Definitely not "fine tooth," but they're still very well liked.
The old SK Tuff1 and Palm Control ratchets were Facom-based and were 72-tooth. Not made anymore, though.
The Williams B-52a and S-52 are really nice, too. USA-stamped and all
Maybe true for some items, but "US made Craftsman" becomes rarer and rarer every day. If I'm going to buy Chinese, I'll get the GearWrench and save myself a few dollars.
Better yet, I won't buy either
Conductor562
Well-known member
For years I gave Craftsman an edge over many brands because (A) They were nearly always American made (B) They had one of the few truly hassle free warranties, and (C) The Sears associates were always very helpful and knew their **** when it came to their tools. They were very dedicated your satisfaction and that was worth supporting. The quality was typically very good and in the rare event that it wasn't they did their best to make it right. That is no longer the case. Many (maybe even most) of their products are imports, they tend to get ****** about warranty swaps, and the majority of the pimply faced little douch bag associates don't know a drill bit from a torque wrench. Calling customer service results in nothing more than wasted time and shattered dreams. Sears corporate operations have went to hell and Craftsman is nothing more than collateral damage. If I want import tools I'll go to HF and get twice the junk for half the price. I don't buy Kobalt anymore for much of the same reasons and I never fooled with Husky anyway. I'll pay more for Proto and SK and be glad I did.
The older craftsman tools are wonderfull, but the more recent production tools are lacking as far as quality is concerned.
How hard is it to warranty Armstrong tools? I don't have any experience with them but I am interested in them.
I pulled an engine last year and did two transmissions swaps recently, all with Craftsman tools. The only thing that wasn't Craftsman was my air ratchet and impact, those were from Harbor Freight. Even the compressor was from Sears.
The *only complaint* I have from my Sears tools is some of the sockets I bought seem to rust incredibly easily. I bought the 299 pc set and I continue to find sockets with surface rust on the outside chrome on some. A good 15% or so now...just makes me nuts. The problem I have is they can make some really good stuff (see the Industrial polished wrenches) and of my sockets are great, it's just those select few that make you want to give up the brand altogether.
I bought some SK and wasn't impressed, different issues but quality just not consistent.
The *only complaint* I have from my Sears tools is some of the sockets I bought seem to rust incredibly easily. I bought the 299 pc set and I continue to find sockets with surface rust on the outside chrome on some. A good 15% or so now...just makes me nuts. The problem I have is they can make some really good stuff (see the Industrial polished wrenches) and of my sockets are great, it's just those select few that make you want to give up the brand altogether.
I bought some SK and wasn't impressed, different issues but quality just not consistent.
Conductor562
Well-known member
Clean off the rust and coat them with Liquid Wrench Silicone spray. Wipe em down and put them away. Worked for me. I had the same complaint with my Williams era Kobalt sockets.
dsmnickk90
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I have never had to warranty anything from them but I have been told fastenal does warranty for them without a hassle