Super High Quality Expensive Tools

[Wamsutta]

I've always wanted to start this thread, but never had the courage. I get tired of all the threads about Harbor Freight, Tekton, and Craftsman.

 

[disston]

When I want a non cheapo professional tool and want to pay the right price I buy OTC.

 

[dr_clyde]

I prefer the good stuff when I can. I usually will buy once, cry once.

 

[Wamsutta]

Here we go. Expensive as heck. Can I afford them? No.

Am I ashamed or feel foolish for wanting them? Nope!

https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...nation-Ratcheting-Box-Wrench-Set-P906345.aspx

https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...nation-Ratcheting-Box-Wrench-Set-P906030.aspx

 

[Fedwrench]

All you have to do is read the tools of Japan thread for super high quality tools that are expensive.

 

[M6erfan]

Hazet, KTC Nepros, Snap On

 

[bonneyman]

I prefer the good stuff when I can. I usually will buy once, cry once.

Yeah, but when my one time crying lasted several months, I knew things had to change.

 

[sberry]

Are we amazed when something expensive is good?

 

[BigBoreFan]

Nepros comes to mind for me. And Hazet and Stahlwillie seems to be expensive.

You can buy from Amazon Germany and Amazon Japan and the prices aren't too bad.

 

[Negen]

Is there a question or topic here or is this thread just random statements? High price does not guarantee quality. Confused about what this thread is about.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Wamsutta]

This thread is about super high quality expensive tools. If there's a tool you like that fits that definition, post it up!

 

[L.Cheapo]

This thread is about super high quality expensive tools. If there's a tool you like that fits that definition, post it up!

View media item 85076
I think this fits the bill.

 

[Gmonkee]

I'm with 'sutta. I want some seriously heavily priced Euro tools I don't really need.

That is why I cannot post pictures of them.

I can post pics of lessor priced stuff I do have

 

[WittHay]

Mac 3/4" drive 400 ft.lb. Torque Wrench, slightly higher quality than the HF or Tekton

 

[Negen]

These are probably my more expensive hand tools I have bought this years mix of USA , Holland and Japan tools.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Matt Irvine]

I really do enjoy the 3/4” drive Stahlwille torque wrench I brought by accident just a few weeks ago

 

[Fedwrench]

PB Swiss trim tools, radiator hose picks, and their mini hook & Pick set are probably examples of super high quality versions that aren't cheap.

 

[bwringer]

Sticking to hand tools...

I really dig Wera tools.

Facom stuff is hella nice.

PB Swiss, Wiha, and Knipex all have some great stuff too. And as noted above, there are several Japanese brands that are pure jewelry.

If you start getting into power and air tools, then there are many more...

 

[ReggieR]

I'm a snob. American tools blow most Euro **** off the map.Hazet ? Gimme a break. That **** looks like a trade school science project. Stahlwille aint much different.
The Spaniards have hit a couple of home runs.The higher end Japanese stuff is very very nice but I haven't seen it in any durability contest with the likes of the US industrial brands. Might hang. Might not.Kyoto tool has been around for eons and we know Japanese stieel is famous so my bet is that it will take a beating. Maybe that "real tool review" guy could beat on a few ?
Good US Industrial stuff certainly isn't "cheap" especially when you look at MSRP numbers; which is what the taxpayer is raped for by the govt contractors. Street prices are hugely cheaper, of course
( like the old $20 aspirin and $75 spork stories---all true) Armstrong was the ultimate artist at that scam. Bye Bye.
I just bought an FF80A off the truck for $86~~~cash MSRP $130 ( pay weekly). It's a slick little piece of tool. Short yet not stubby.
The Nepros 3/8 flex 90 lists for $150. I paid that for mine but it was at a show. I have no idea what a street price might be in Japan or other areas of Asia.
Similar to Snappy or Macs "cash prices" % wise I imagine.
KTC has a coarse tooth older design that go for Blackhawk-Williams-Cougar prices that are pretty nice pieces. $50-$75 gets you into that stuff.
https://www.ebay.com/p/KTC-Compact-Ratchet-Handle-Convex-9-5mm-3-8inch-BRC3E-Made-in-Japan/754887782

SK, Proto,Wright are in the middle of the road. All are great tools too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SK-LP9...K+90+tooth&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313

 

[Tallpilot]

Are we amazed when something expensive is good?

Is there a question or topic here or is this thread just random statements? High price does not guarantee quality. Confused about what this thread is about.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

That's the issue we should be discussing here. Utility value is an important concept. Sometimes the most expensive option isn't worth the price difference and sometimes it's the only thing that will do.

Being a fanboy for a brand makes your statements suspect. We all know by now that Wamsutta loves anything Snap-on sight unseen. Gmonkee on the other hand staunchly refuses to own any Snap-on and sells any he ends up with immediately, apparently just on principal.

In my humble opinion discussing the merits of individual tools is far more productive that blind brand loyalty or hatred. Both of which we have in abundance here.

 

[ReggieR]

As far as Utility the American industrial brands are unbeatable. Logging, Railways, Iron workers, pipeliners. Go have a gander in their kits. TOUGH tools. Not necessarily slick and shiny but things that get the job done day in and day out.
Look at Some Martin stuff. Crude and brutal. You see it and know you can beat it with a hammer all day long.Proto, Williams, Wright slugging tools.

Rocket Man probably even buys this stuff for his science projects

 

[Gmonkee]

That's the issue we should be discussing here. Utility value is an important concept. Sometimes the most expensive option isn't worth the price difference and sometimes it's the only thing that will do.

Being a fanboy for a brand makes your statements suspect. We all know by now that Wamsutta loves anything Snap-on sight unseen. Gmonkee on the other hand staunchly refuses to own any Snap-on and sells any he ends up with immediately, apparently just on principal.

In my humble opinion discussing the merits of individual tools is far more productive that blind brand loyalty or hatred. Both of which we have in abundance here.

Not hatred. Its good business! I kept a G code breaker bar and 1927 ratchet because those are cool and are worth speculating higher.

I simply have never seen the superior merits of any prestige brand INCLUDING Wurth. The one I have paid into a few years ago. Even carefully chosen old **** has been great user tools.

And I had a large pool of old **** to test and use. Most did not make the cut.
I can use a very good wrench I paid a buck for and flip a Snapper I paid 3 for easily for ten bucks. That other has near no profit margin but works well despite no pedigree. Duh... it doesn't take a lot to see where the business lays.

No sir. Tools are for making me money. Not jewelry to impress my co-workers or those from other shops. No red tin condo and no lift. No shop lounge with five year old magazines....
Just a promise of a good repair at fair pricing if your budget allows us.

Does it matter what tools were used if it was done right? They are just a means to an end. What works well is sufficient.

 

[BigBoreFan]

"Gmonkee on the other hand staunchly refuses to own any Snap-on and sells any he ends up with immediately, apparently just on principal." Now that's funny.

I think I own 4 pieces of Snap-On, all acquired for free somehow. I'm not anti Snap-On, but it's not on my radar, I just have no interest in the brand. But I'm more of a tool polisher, DIYer, far, far from being a pro.

 

[ReggieR]

I like Snap-On for things others don't have. Probably my faves are that FF80A and my soexm short pattern(NOT stubby) flank drive plus for knuckle insurances in tight spots.
I have some needle nose that are real nice and their angle wrenches too. That long 1/4" 72(series 80) ratchet is a gem.
I'd say the majority of my box is Proto. Punches, hammers,chisels,pry bars, ring compressors, combo and double box wrenches,ratchets, extensions, metric angle wrenches, impact drivers, die grinders, 2 sets of screwdrivers.Tons of Proto.

 

[franzdom]

I'm a snob. American tools blow most Euro **** off the map.Hazet ? Gimme a break...

Huh??? Oh yeah this really looks like dog:

 

[Gmonkee]

Did I mention a few Z prefix part number wrenches with HECHO EN MEXICO on them?

Those go to a collector in SoCal when I get some. All made before 1964 and a direct tie in to the ProtoMex story just unfolding at the time. My boss has two in the shop hanging on the rack outside where we work too. Not that special somehow but out of Mex they hold better price.

 

[rk_tek]

https://nemopowertools.com/product/nemo-special-ops-diver-drill/

I have no reason to own one, but that doesn't mean I don't want to. And for the people whose work requires these tools, I'm sure they are worth the money.

You can also add any oilfield or aerospace specific tools to the list of ex$pensive.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A Bugatti vise. I think current pricing is around $2,000 for a little one, $6,000 for a big one.

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's the issue we should be discussing here. Utility value is an important concept. Sometimes the most expensive option isn't worth the price difference and sometimes it's the only thing that will do.

Being a fanboy for a brand makes your statements suspect. We all know by now that Wamsutta loves anything Snap-on sight unseen. Gmonkee on the other hand staunchly refuses to own any Snap-on and sells any he ends up with immediately, apparently just on principal.

In my humble opinion discussing the merits of individual tools is far more productive that blind brand loyalty or hatred. Both of which we have in abundance here.

I don't think the original poster wanted to start some big discussion about utility value or being a fanboy or any of that...he just wanted to see pictures of some high end tools. Life doesn't always have to be so serious.

 

[PugetDude]

"Expensive" is relative term.
Everyone has different levels of economic comfort when it comes to tools.
Some don't mind borrowing to finance a purchase, others only pay cash.
Exchange rates and shipping cost can also change the definition of "expensive" HF tools shipped third-party to Norway would be relatively expensive, for example.

 

[M6erfan]

I'm a snob. American tools blow most Euro **** off the map.Hazet ? Gimme a break. That **** looks like a trade school science project. Stahlwille aint much different...

I'll take any/all that your not happy with. PM me for shipping details...

 

[rlitman]

I really do enjoy the 3/4” drive Stahlwille torque wrench I brought by accident just a few weeks ago

By accident? This I've got to hear.

I've got Stahlwille Manoskop wrenches from 1/4" through 1/2" drive in various ranges, and they are truly amazing tools.

 

[woody 73]

I don't know if this counts or not, but last week I bought a very rusty shear for $1.00, after cleaning it up and buying a new blade it is now a keeper. Although my wife tells me the man hours in cleaning it up I could have bought a new one, so be it.

It is made in Switzerland and it costs new about $45.00 dollars; I was very happy so not sure if that counts at all in the grand scheme of things.

 

[poppakap]

What everyone should use to remove lug nuts

 

[928'er]

A Bugatti vise. I think current pricing is around $2,000 for a little one, $6,000 for a big one.

Years ago our local PCA Region finagled a tour of Arturo Keller's collection (think multiple time Pebble Beach winner) at his winery here in Sonoma County.

The thing that most impressed me (other than the fantastic car collection) was the restoration shop. Every workbench in the shop had a Bugatti vise bolted to it!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

View media item 85076
I think this fits the bill.

I would like to add one to My Christmas Wish List, but a Monarch two post lift has to come first.

 

[WittHay]

Couple of locally manufactured tools. Tiger Tools driveline set for HD trucks, sells for around $750 and a battery powered Rad Gun used for torquing large fasteners. The latest one torques to 5000 ft.lbs. Cost about 6 to 10 grand

 

[Mr_B]

I'm a snob. American tools blow most Euro **** off the map.Hazet ? Gimme a break. That **** looks like a trade school science project. Stahlwille aint much different.

Stahlwille wrenches one of best in world, ratchets not so good but that what snapon do well .

 

[davethorik]

Interapid dial indicators- available in .001" to .0001"

Mahr Federal dial comparators- available in .0005" to .00002" (20 millionths!!)

 

[dr_clyde]

Interapid dial indicators- available in .001" to .0001"

Mahr Federal dial comparators- available in .0005" to .00002" (20 millionths!!)

I love my Interapid and Federal test indicators. Top shelf quality.