Starter mechanics set help.

[Bleugrass]

I know there's a lot of these threads, but with tool brands getting better or worse/diversified every year I figured the Internet could benefit from this as well as me.
So I'm building my credit, and plan on getting lots of snap on tools with sep sometime 2016. But til then, I want practice tools that'll double as my spare set down the line. Low budget. I'm small engine and wanna work on my own automobiles.
So, nothing China. Definitely. But I wonder if I should get cheap American made like Craftsman, or top brand Taiwan like Blue Point or some of Matco. I hear craftsman is often loose fitting, and breaks easy. So blue point, is made to snap on specifications but what are your experiences? Don't tell me get USA or die. Pros and cons here.
I'm looking at BLPGSSC100 from blue point. I get it 260, and BLPGSS1233 for 145. Also from Matco sap486v (**** that's china, but thoughts?) 91$ is helluva price but I don't want bulls hit either.
Thanks for all contributions to this thread. This is my first post btw, hello.

 

[AmishFury]

cheap American made like Craftsman

i'm going to guess you've not stepped into a sears or any tool related forum for a few years

 

[jerseykat1]

GearWrench! Get your basic stuff in GearWrench brand. Sockets, ratchets, wrenches etc. Amazon has good prices on them or any local supplier.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[P51Boilermaker]

All craftsman hand tools are made overseas now.. If you're doing the Sep from Snap On be aware that Matco and Mac also have student programs. Mac is only good for 4 months and is the biggest pain in the *** to use. I've gotten a lot of Snap on through the SEP and Matco as well. Awesome deals in both. PM me if you have any specific questions about them.

Starter tools- Honestly if you're going to replace them with Snap On or an equivalent, Craftsman isn't a terrible way to go. They're good for tinkering at home and if you break one it's pretty easy to replace. Stanley sockets are made in the USA I believe. Gear wrench is better than Craftsman IMO but made overseas. Channelock for pliers, and look at stuff made in Germany. Knipex, Wiha, Wera all make REALLY nice stuff that rivals the best USA made tools.

 

[Ponchoguy]

All craftsman hand tools are made overseas now.. If you're doing the Sep from Snap On be aware that Matco and Mac also have student programs. Mac is only good for 4 months and is the biggest pain in the *** to use. I've gotten a lot of Snap on through the SEP and Matco as well. Awesome deals in both. PM me if you have any specific questions about them.

Starter tools- Honestly if you're going to replace them with Snap On or an equivalent, Craftsman isn't a terrible way to go. They're good for tinkering at home and if you break one it's pretty easy to replace. Stanley sockets are made in the USA I believe. Gear wrench is better than Craftsman IMO but made overseas. Channelock for pliers, and look at stuff made in Germany. Knipex, Wiha, Wera all make REALLY nice stuff that rivals the best USA made tools.

This is not correct. Some "regular" Cman tools are still made here, and Cman Industrial tools are USA made.

To the original poster: A good used set of Cman USA should work fine as a second set for home and you should be able to get them reasonably on Ebay and CL. I work on small engines as well, never a problem with my Cman.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

This is not correct. Some "regular" Cman tools are still made here, and Cman Industrial tools are USA made.

That's true, some cman tools are still made in the US. I have yet to see any Craftsman industrial in stores though, only online. This makes replacement more difficult. Has anyone else seen Cman industrial in any Sears stores?

 

[pacemade]

Craftsman are nice because you can walk into a sears or any other supplier that stocks them, and trade your broken one for a new. But I pick up all sorts of brands, some of those Asian made wrenches are skinnier and fit into tight places better. If your going professional and working in a shop, definitely get a good set from the trucks. I'm learning I that I can't have enough spare tools, I might be working on two or three jobs and I like to leave the tools I'm using with that job. I may need two 12mm wrenches on one job, loan one to somebody, miss placed one and need another for example.

 

[pacemade]

And if you visit the pawn shops you can find odd ball sizes, lengths and usually barter for them. Plus Canadian mm is different that European, and there are standard sizes that are not found in your typical sets.

 

[drink]

I know there's a lot of these threads, but with tool brands getting better or worse/diversified every year I figured the Internet could benefit from this as well as me.
So I'm building my credit, and plan on getting lots of snap on tools with sep sometime 2016. But til then, I want practice tools that'll double as my spare set down the line. Low budget. I'm small engine and wanna work on my own automobiles.
So, nothing China. Definitely. But I wonder if I should get cheap American made like Craftsman, or top brand Taiwan like Blue Point or some of Matco. I hear craftsman is often loose fitting, and breaks easy. So blue point, is made to snap on specifications but what are your experiences? Don't tell me get USA or die. Pros and cons here.
I'm looking at BLPGSSC100 from blue point. I get it 260, and BLPGSS1233 for 145. Also from Matco sap486v (**** that's china, but thoughts?) 91$ is helluva price but I don't want bulls hit either.
Thanks for all contributions to this thread. This is my first post btw, hello.

Several people have said the Snap-On tool truck or other brands with a tool truck are the way to go if you are using them in a business. The tool truck can do sales, service, and warranty at your door. You don't have to pay an employee to run all over town to buy, repair, or get warranty service.

I have used the made in USA Craftsman tools for decades and very few have broken. Some of the Craftsman hand tool line being sold at Sears now is made in USA. The last time I looked Sears was selling Craftsman pliers, screwdrivers, punches, and chisels that were made in the USA. If you shop at Sears you will probably find more.

If you do not want Craftsman tools made in China you can buy the made in USA Craftsman Industrial line. Here is a catalog to shop.

http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/299205-tools-2014-2015/116