Proto Tools....are they ****?

[impactims]

So, I don't have much experience with them other than 1 ratchet which seems ok at best. A huge step down from my similar snap on ratchets.

The folks I know personally that have Proto tools don't speak all that highly of them.

 

[Elvie84]

Never had proto but s-k are better

 

[Davefr]

The folks I know personally that have Proto tools don't speak all that highly of them.

Well, the folks here at GJ generally have a lot of respect for Proto.

 

[BajaScout]

The ones I have are fine. No issues.

I am not a professional mechanic though.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Well, the folks here at GJ generally have a lot of respect for Proto.

Proto is top notch, the original ratchet designs are mediocre. Tough though. The new 90tooth stuff is great

 

[CrazyTools]

So, I don't have much experience with them other than 1 ratchet which seems ok at best. A huge step down from my similar snap on ratchets.

The folks I know personally that have Proto tools don't speak all that highly of them.

I've never used their ratchets, but I had a set of their long allens in SAE. They weren't as close tolerance as the Snap-on counter part, but if you didn't compare them directly you probably wouldn't have known the difference.

Great customer service from Stanley too. Overall probably a decent company to do business with.

 

[cherrybomb]

No,they are some of the best industrial type tools money can buy.Thats why some of the best large companies and our government demand for their wrench turners.There ratchets aren't on par with Snapon imo,but they won't let you down.U.S.A.built ,trust me.

 

[Cruzan80]

Their old ratchets are bulletproof though. Havent managed to break one, even with cheaters. I grab others more often, but if I need a "slugging" ratchet, I grab those.

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[BarryWells]

Proto is top of the line.

 

[Fedwrench]

Do not judge Proto by their old style 24 tooth ratchets.

Most if not all, Proto tools are as good as anything that comes off of a tool truck.

Most of the Proto hardline is Made in the USA but, there are exceptions such as the round head fine tooth palm control ratchets made in Italy, some ratcheting wrenches made in Taiwan, locking pliers made in Spain, and some of their vehicle fleet stuff being made who knows where.

I like their Duratek screwdrivers, their premium pear head ratchets, their knurled extensions, chrome six point sockets, as well as their very wide selection of impact sockets.
I feel their precision line of 90 tooth ratchets pricing is deliberately held above MAC pricing so, I'm not a fan of those especially, since the PROTOs haven't been updated like the MAC versions were. Shop around for the best Proto pricing though as some Proto pricing can make tool trucks look cheap and no SK isn't better than Proto. SK does offer things like 1/2 drive chrome six point deep metric sockets that Proto doesn't.

 

[pstemari]

I don't have any of their ratchets, but their sockets, torque wrenches, and combination wrenches are excellent.

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[yrly]

I got a complete 1/4 inch set from a thrift store for $10 a couple of years ago (USA made). It’s not junk by any means.

Do I still use my Metrinch set for 90% of what I do? Yes. Does it make Proto junk? No.

I prefer older Williams but that’s just me. I’ve always liked the old superratchets and they’re my go to next to the Taiwanese allied pro from 15 years ago.

My dad has two of the Snap On 1/4 inch sets and I don’t find them substantially better in any way shape or form other than the case is better designed.

 

[Shane6377]

Proto is top notch. I have old and new stuff and never had a problem. I have an older 1/2" drive long handle ratchet that is great. Used it on heavy farm machinery for years and it's never let me down.


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[Downwindtracker 2]

I like the finish on their older wrenches better. Their sockets are industrial quality, a step up from automotive. Thick, heavy, tall. " Where's that 3/4 to 1/2 adapter ? and now where's that snipe for the 3/4 ratchet? Don't worry, if it breaks the company will replace it anyway." That's the work environment they live in. Naw, they are good quality.

 

[davethorik]

To the surprise of thousands of people, Stanley has somehow managed to not run Proto into the ground as it has done with many other companies.

 

[woody 73]

yes sir pure **** , don't touch them just send them to me asap so I can dispose of them before any harm comes to the op...

Didn't we have some other op complaining of cornwell tools just this week, dang what is with you kids, channellock is junk, blah, blah blah…

You don't like something fine don't use it end of story, I would rather hear more stories about new tools coming to the market place instead of all the complaining ********.

 

[AS556]

Proto is top of the line. No question.

 

[sberry]

I have some, 2 or 3 ratchets, they are good. Sockets are tough, it all works. What more is there to it?

 

[fang123]

never had proto but s-k are better

lol!

 

[Tallpilot]

I have Proto bit sockets, 1/2” drive chrome and knurled extensions in all drive sizes. With 25% off coupons at Zoro it’s about the best deal you can get on industrial quality USA made tools. Do Snap-on tools have better refinement and finish? Of course but they are also 2-3 times more expensive.

In short as everyone else has stated Proto is good stuff. Of course their old ratchets are low tooth count and not the pleasure to use that modern fine tooth models are but they will take an insane amount of abuse.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

proto are great. ive never broken one.

 

[Lisamelting]

Proto is top notch and is heavily used in heavy industry. We buy from a local industrial supply house.
Our large wrenches and sockets, which the company supplies, get beat on like you wouldn't believe. It's common to see someone using a 2 1/2" wrench with a 6 foot cheater pipe.
Not too long ago I had a Proto torque wrench fail. I called the sales rep, and he delivered me a new one within a couple hours. He took the defective wrench with him and sent it off for repair. A week later he brought it back. In the end we ended up with a new wrench and a repaired one at no additional cost. Try getting that level of service from your local Snap-on rep.

 

[M6erfan]

Proto is fine and great USA quality. Their sockets are nothing special though. I have acouple of their older ratchets. Again, fine.

Nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either.

 

[Indexmill]

OP, clearly you had done zero research before your post.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Only downside with Proto I have found is their sockets can be a bit thick to reach some head-bolts. Standard length 3/8 are also slightly taller than USA williams/GW/Craftsman USA, which make up my hodge-podge 3/8 shallow set.

 

[kngelv]

Wrenches and sockets are awesome especially the ASD wrenches. Ratchets are very solid if a bit lacking in tooth count until recently. Screwdrivers are decent. However they have some of the worst pliers I have ever used. Diagonal cutters and linesman pliers are utter garbage. My work issued them for awhile but enough complained so they were dropped from the system.

James

 

[Briancapecoral]

I have an old 3/8 pearhead ratchet, head is big but thinner than most. Also have a long 1/2 ratchet I use more like a breaker bar, just short of abuse and has held up perfectly. I needed a good quality flare nut wrench after an off brand broke on a 35 year old fuel line. Granger had Proto available next day delivery. Took it off with no problems. I would recommend.

 

[kb1982]

Nothing at all wrong with Proto branded tools. They have some quality tools in thier lineup. Ive had one warranty experience with them for an allen socket that broke. It did cost me shipping one way, but a week later i had a replacement. Compared to SK sockets, their 3/8 drive metric deep sockets seem to be a tad longer along with a tad thicker. As for their ratchets, i have a few of the 45 tooth pearheads in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive and they are top notch. Butter smooth and tough. The head is also smaller than most brands.

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[Jason280]

My favorite 1/2" ratchet is an older Proto long handle pear head.

 

[The Fall]

Proto is high quality and their old pear head ratchets are very strong with good knurling. Great for suspension work and heavy-duty stuff. Used it yesterday to loosen up bearing caps when rebuilding a differential. I have the long-handled one.

I found the SK flare nut wrenches to be better, but other than that it's indistinguishable. They're (Proto) geared more towards industrial usage.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Proto does make good, industrial quality combination wrenches at a fair price. Most of their tools are well above average.

 

[AS556]

This thread just irritates me lol.

I love Proto tools.

 

[nelstomlinson]

If any brand matches Snap On's quality, it's Proto/Mac. They make a lot of good stuff.

 

[1982fxr]

Proto is top of the line. No question.

This

 

[AS556]

If any brand matches Snap On's quality, it's Proto/Mac. They make a lot of good stuff.

Are Proto and Mac associated?

 

[toolmutt]

I have lots of Proto, both old and new. As others have said, top notch.

 

[kb1982]

Are Proto and Mac associated?

Stanley owns both proto and mac.

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[sweet victory]

Are Proto and Mac associated?

Yes. Both owned by Stanley Black and Decker. Lots of tools sold on the Mac truck that are identical/rebranded Proto stuff: impact drivers, screwdrivers, pneumatic impacts, etc.

 

[AS556]

Yes. Both owned by Stanley Black and Decker. Lots of tools sold on the Mac truck that are identical/rebranded Proto stuff: impact drivers, screwdrivers, pneumatic impacts, etc.

Interesting. I seem to recall some Blackhawk stuff on the MAC truck come to think of it.

 

[sweet victory]

Never had proto but s-k are better

The ridiculousness of this comment.


Never tried strawberry milkshakes before, but vanilla is definitely better!