Regular guys, what's your Sears alternative?

[Cato]

I'm not a mechanic, but I do fix and maintain (sometimes break) everything mechanical around the home and garage. Sears was my source of tools. I have no interest in chasing a tool truck to pay hundreds for a 3/8th inch ratchet. With holiday sales and acceptable quality, I was satisfied. I suspect some of you guys are like me.

But Sears is starting to look like Harbor Freight, without the low prices.

Where are you regular guys going to take your business?

 

[Sugarfryz]

I truly believe sears now has the worst tools by far. I prefer hf, use some of their tools daily. It's not too bad depending what you buy

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

I'm not a mechanic, but do some of my own farm equipment repairs and haven't bought any tools from sears in years other than a few screwdrivers. Usually buy SK and Proto sockets and wrenches that are used often, however I like Snap on ratchets and have bought a few Snap on Dual 80 ratchets that I use a lot. Mostly buy online, a lot of stuff comes from Zoro.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing but I think (key word) is that most every small town in America has some kind of Napa tool store, or at least within driving distance and they sell a nice tool called Carlyle that is made in Taiwan with a Lifetime warranty.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[Sh40674]

depends what i need. still use craftsman screwdrivers. the reason being is i can get them exchanged if or when they break (i never plan on a screwdriver not breaking at some point). i have a full set of harbor freight impact sockets that have served me VERY well. i have a set of their ball peen hammers i'm fond of. HF has a lot of quality stuff. a lot of people that bash them have never even held one of their tools. if you know what you're buying you can walk away with some real quality stuff. otherwise we have a menards here, they have a decent tool selection, kinda like a home depot or lowes. if i need something more specific i cruise the internet and try to find a local place that stocks it, or just buy it online. my problem with our local sears isn't necessarily the tools it's the customer service. i've had much more bad experiences there than good, like the employees don't care anymore and many of them have been rude. just my location, not knocking them as a whole.

 

[T45]

sears has loads of competition now...30 years ago it was either sears or pro brand and or a specialty retailer....now its walmart/hd/various other big boxes, plus chains of parts stores like autozone that are much more widespread...sears is like 10th down the list... The only reason to buy from sears TODAY is to support USA + maybe knipex and similar quality imports. just my $0.02.

 

[nbpt100]

It all depends on what you are looking for.
Hardware stores like Ace and True Value have similar quality tools as Craftsman and also carry some brand names like Dewalt, Channel Lock, Irwin, Klien and Milwaukee

HF you need to use discretion. I have some impacts from them and they have worked out find. I hate their power tools and cutting tools. But don't expect a lot from them.

Huskey and Kobalt are decent mid grade tools but look for sales. There was a recent thread on here about the Kobolt warrantee at Lowes not being very easy to use. It seems store dependent.

As I said it all depends what you need and anyone of them have decent offerings and some turds.

I have heard good things about Carlyle...Never used them..I don't think they have been around for long. They seem more expensive than Craftsman but certainly cheaper than the truck.

 

[billyjp2]

I've moved on from buying at sears to Gearwrench, then S-K, Williams and Wright.

 

[Tenex]

For me it's usually Menards or Advance Auto Parts. I don't have a Home Depot around and Lowe's Kobalt hand tools ****.

 

[Ign]

99% of Harbor Freight's hand tools today are good, and easily as good or better than present-day Craftsman counterparts

 

[65k10]

I'm pretty far from any store, so most of my tool purchases are done online. I would say Zoro and Amazon are the two main sources for what I buy. This results in me having a lot of Proto, Wright, some Williams, and a little bit of SK. I also get some stuff from places like Epstein's, toolsdelivered, and Cripe Distributing.

If I go to a store to buy tools, once in a while I'll get something from Napa or possibly Menards.

 

[wjamyers]

My main source of tool buying information is here... I come on here and check hot deals and browse various reviews...

I buy nearly all the HF stuff that passes on the HF pass/fail thread, I have their 21 gallon compressor, the earthquake impact and ratchet, a bunch of sockets, torque sticks, in lb torque wrench, 3/8" polymer ratchet, magnetic trays halogen dual head work lamps, 6 ton jack stands, 2 Ton Low Profile/Long Reach Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack (this combo plus 1" plywood under my jack stands to protect asphalt gets my car a full 24" off the ground so I can really work freely on a creeper), rubber wheel chocks, picks set, ...

plus the Craftsman/Wilde 3 pc prybar set for 21.19 picked up, Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches, VIM metric hex sockets, got some stuff off ebay (Kastar 279 4-in-1 Brake Caliper Spreader), amazon (OTC 7034 Disc Brake Pad Spreader, 11Pc Auto Trim Door Panel Window Molding Upholstery Clip Removal Tool Kit)... nearly all of with recommendations from GJ.

I'm only interested in what gets the job done with the best bang for the buck.

 

[jimmy-ray]

they were fine, the tool truck stuff took advantage of a better angle. or it ratchets quicker or something, if you just need a wrench, craftsmen was fine in my book (the old stuff). I only stretched a few and i stretched snap on and matco just as easy.

 

[Ohmthis]

I'm not a auto mechanic, but I am a maintenance mechanic. I have moved on from craftsman to Proto. I'm as bumbed as most about craftsman tools going over seas. Truth be told though, my newer Proto sockets and wrenches (I only replace when a tool is worn, broken, or lost) are much better than my older craftsman stuff. I am curious what will come about when Stanley takes the reins, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Yarpo]

I've really been pleased with everything I bought from Gearwrench, use a bit of it at work and a lot of it at home. With some of the BOGO deals they frequently have I find it hard to stay away

 

[Stuart96]

Harbor freight ratchets and sockets are as good as almost any tawain, gear wrench is good as is husky. If you're going to pay Carlyle prices may as well throw in a little and get snap on. Especially if you're patient enough to find the good deals on eBay/or locally


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[anndel]

Snap On first then the following in no particular order: SK, Williams, Wright, Carlyle, Tekton and Sunex.

 

[maxchevy]

Amazon prime

 

[Matt XYZ]

I've had good luck with Tekton as a Craftsman replacement. It is another brand option with better prices and excellent customer service and warranty support. The quality is good enough for a weekend mechanic who doesn't wrench daily. Most of there stuff is made in Taiwan with a few items made in USA and some in China. Some basic items are currently on sale on Amazon for good prices.

 

[97nismo]

I use gearwrench as my road set I leave in the daily

 

[Bacon Man]

Proto, SK, Gearwrench, Channellock, Greenlee, Klein.

Any tool I break at work or home, from craftsman to pittsburgh I turn in at work order the brand I want and they replace it for free.

They even replaced my tool cart when a tow motor operator decided to send it over the shipping dock.

 

[M-technik-3]

Autozone even carries a tool line and they honor their warranty. I on occasion will pick up a something there. There is Lowes their Kobalt line is not bad for home shopper.

I bought 2 500 piece sets from Sears when they started clearancing all their good stuff. Gave one to my now future ex-wife and kept the other one for myself. Yard sales but tools tend to be hit or miss.

 

[gungatim]

generally I go to HF or Lowes, sometimes Home Depot. depends on what I need. if I need something better quality or unique, I will hit Napa. the Carlyle stuff is pretty nice. Occasionally hit the farm store for Tekton, but the prices really aren't too good unless there is a sale.

that's pretty much your only option around here if you want it NOW, otherwise Online shopping...Williams on Amazon is usually a good deal.

 

[yuanzichen]

Am I the only weird one who only deals with oil change and brake work and still buys top line tools?


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[Wyoming09]

I've had good luck with Tekton as a Craftsman replacement. It is another brand option with better prices and excellent customer service and warranty support. The quality is good enough for a weekend mechanic who doesn't wrench daily. Most of there stuff is made in Taiwan with a few items made in USA and some in China. Some basic items are currently on sale on Amazon for good prices.

I,too, have had really good luck with Tekton. Maybe part of the reason is they are located in the same city and if I order today it's delivered tomorrow. I turn wrenches about half the time for a living though nothing heavy duty at all. The Tekton items I have work well for what I'm doing with them. I also have some Gearwrench stuff. I like that as well.

 

[bcradio]

Proto, SK, Gearwrench, Channellock, Greenlee, Klein.

Any tool I break at work or home, from craftsman to pittsburgh I turn in at work order the brand I want and they replace it for free.

They even replaced my tool cart when a tow motor operator decided to send it over the shipping dock.

You are allowed to do this?

Sweet, I'd break all my cheap tools at home and have work buy Snap-On for me.

 

[Ign]

generally I go to HF or Lowes, sometimes Home Depot. depends on what I need. if I need something better quality or unique, I will hit Napa. the Carlyle stuff is pretty nice. Occasionally hit the farm store for Tekton, but the prices really aren't too good unless there is a sale.

that's pretty much your only option around here if you want it NOW, otherwise Online shopping...Williams on Amazon is usually a good deal.

When I was rounding out my ratcheting wrenches no one beat toolsdelivered for Williams, esp Amazon. Maybe for more "run of the mill" stuff Amazon is competitive, I haven't looked. I was after things like reversible flex heads and the larger "completer" sets of ratcheting wrenches, so kind of specialty

 

[lilxtra]

As a former full time technician and now an automotive teacher who's been around many years, here's my $.02. Gearwrench due to it's availabliity and quality is the closest I've seen to the old Craftsman stuff. IF you have a quality NAPA store the Carlyisle stuff is very nice for just a few pennies more. For USA made, S-K, Proto, Williams, and Wright are good but more money. With that said my boxes are full of OLD Craftsman and Snappy stuff.

 

[Citation]

I've got a mix. Most of my sockets are CM, some older USA, some Chinese. I like the Husky 72t ratchets. They are the same design as the 80t GW models. My wrenches are again older CM, some CM polished wrenches (China), Kobalt and Crescent box end wrenches. I haven't noted huge differences between any of them other than the ratchet handles. The older raised panel CM aren't as nice. They don't feel as good and the ones I have are short handled so you have to pull harder for the same torque.

HF had a bunch of sufficient stuff. I would use their wrenches and sockets but I'm not that fond of the ratchets.

 

[Ign]

The Carlyle roto head ratchets are nice and Cornwell re-badges them on trucks. IIRC they're 90T? They go on sale periodically at Napa stores for reasonable prices. I will say, though, the reversing knob is a little odd IMO, but it works.

 

[Super Sport]

I was able to buy nearly all the tools I could ever need before much of the Craftsman line went overseas. I still buy some tools online or local, but not a ton.

If I had to buy a complete set of tools again, I would be tempted to go with HF or Gearwrench for much of it because both can be obtained locally and the stores are open late and on Sunday. For non-automotive tools I would probably buy online or from Lowes or HD. No one brand/store carries the best of everything, so I think it's best to shop around a bit.

 

[nbpt100]

Am I the only weird one who only deals with oil change and brake work and still buys top line tools?

If you are not a full time tech you are out of the ordinary.

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The Carlyle roto head ratchets are nice and Cornwell re-badges them on trucks. IIRC they're 90T? They go on sale periodically at Napa stores for reasonable prices. I will say, though, the reversing knob is a little odd IMO, but it works.

I saw this ratchet at my local Napa last week on sale for $80 (1/2 drive). It is a Unique design. It was heavy duty looking.
I like how you can lock the flex head in place at any given angle. If I was a full time mechanic I would seriously consider purchasing it at this price.

 

[Jtels85]

My alternative is Carlyle at NAPA. The quality is excellent and the warranty is easy. You'll pay a little more than you would for Craftsman, but not by much. I also started going to Harbor Freight, a store I swore I'd never buy anything from.

I started accumulating my tools in my mid 20's, around the time Craftsman began offshoring most of their production. I was lucky to get all of my socket sets, ratchets, breaker bars, etc.. made in USA. Once that dried up, I was left with no alternative other than eBay, flea markets and Midwest tractor shows. Most of my tools are Craftsman USA, but I've come to realize that the imports aren't just as good, if not better.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I'm not a mechanic, but I do fix and maintain (sometimes break) everything mechanical around the home and garage. Sears was my source of tools. I have no interest in chasing a tool truck to pay hundreds for a 3/8th inch ratchet. With holiday sales and acceptable quality, I was satisfied. I suspect some of you guys are like me.

But Sears is starting to look like Harbor Freight, without the low prices.

Where are you regular guys going to take your business?

Yes, I agree... I still go for a the few USA tools they make. (Like screwdrivers, picks, Lisle stuff, etc.) But I am not going to buy a socket set unless they list it at HF prices. For example, I am looking for a set of 1/2 short impact sockets but they want $50 for something that was probably made at the same factory as the HF ones?

When I need something immediately, I run to Autozone. Sockets and wrenches have been OK. Prices are also reasonable.

Advance Auto has amazing prices on Gearwrench sets if you find coupons online and purchase online and pick up in store. For example, that 3/8 metric flex socket set. You can get it for $30 bucks! That's a no brainer if you ask me!

Long term, I've been buying USA Allen, Kobalt and KD tools off of Cripe. Yeah, they don't have a lifetime warranty. (I suppose you could try to warranty the Kobalt stuff at Lowes...) But I'm not worried about that. Cripe also ships fast.

I've also been trying to purchase used stuff more. SK and Wright stuff is really high quality stuff for the DIYer.

Tekton has amazing warranty service. I would definitely give them a try if that is more your price point.

 

[stioc]

I have enough Craftsman general purpose tools to last me my lifetime. I bought them over 15 yrs ago mostly and don't see why things like sockets and wrenches would break. For tools that do break like ratchets etc or when I need specialty tools I do some research and buy whatever suits my mood like OTC, Lisle, Knipex, Stanley, HF etc...

 

[jeeper46]

Here's my alternative, these days:

http://www.cantontoolshop.com

 

[bonneyman]

Believe it or not, most of my tools came from pawn shops and estate sales. Throughout the years I have bought new brand-name stuff, but the past 10 years or so I only buy new if I need it now or a new feature makes it a gotta-have. I have great quality older American tools for pennies on the dollar just by walking into a pawn shop looking for DVD's - and then spy a bin stashed with "junk" tools and dig for diamonds.
If you have the time that's what I would recommend.

 

[todd_fuller]

Amazon prime

This is where my business went. A lot of stuff isn't directly from Amazon, but some small business.

(And Zoro w/ coupon)

 

[outdoorspace]

Not satisfied with the quality of tools in department stores and home centers, I look to the aftermarket (eBay, trading forums) and certain online retailers. The prices on tool trucks and at supply houses are steep with warranty exchanges being met with increasing resistance nowadays. If you buy quality (Stanley-Proto, Wright, Williams, Snap-On) and use the tool as intended, there should not be a problem. Snap-On is still a valid, high value proposition but it entirely depends on your relationship with the franchise owner and how dependable they are. Snap-On is too expensive for me but their tools absolutely hold value and are dependable. I have personally invested in Proto and Wright for wrenches, drive tools and hand sockets with no expectation of warranty exchanges.

For someone that needs a same-day warranty exchange, Carlyle through NAPA is a good option.

 

[bsg1]

Snap-on/Plomb/Proto-Los Angeles and others; swap meet finds.