To replace or not to replace? That is the question...

[Jtels85]

First, let me start off by saying... I’m not interested in owning Snap-On or Harbor Freight... or GearWrench. This is strictly a mental struggle between two brands.

So, I don’t necessarily have brand loyalty, but 85% of my tools are Craftsman. Of that 85%, the majority are USA made and were purchased in the late 2000’s. While these tools have served me well, I’m not real fond of them, not fond of the direction in which Sears allowed Craftsman to go in the past decade and I’m extremely disappointed with the **** that Stanley/Craftsman wants to churn out.

With that being said, most of the tools I have purchased in the last couple of years have been Carlyle from NAPA. I have been impressed with the quality, look and feel of the tools. They’re not archaic compared to most of my Craftsman. Lately, the gears have been spinning and I’ve been thinking about replacing/upgrading most of my tools to Carlyle. I’m a DIY guy who does a lot of work on cars, small engine repair, home maintenance, etc... always working on something. So can anyone give me a good reason to not do this? I just need a little help deciding if I’d be making a good decision or not.

 

[marineman]

1. Why try to fix what's not broken?

2. Why stick with one brand for everything? Different brands do different things well.

3. Why drop all that money to replace made in the USA with made in Taiwan.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Fedwrench]

I see no reason to replace your US made Craftsman if they're meeting your needs. There's no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water

However, i see nothing wrong if you need something that you don't already have from Carlyle. or if you need to expand, choosing Carlyle. I like Carlyle tools especially on sale.

 

[Wamsutta]

Lately, the gears have been spinning and I’ve been thinking about replacing/upgrading most of my tools to Carlyle.

You'll never have that problem with Snap-on.

If the world was coming to an end and I had the choice of one ratchet to go to war with, it'd be a Snap-on.

 

[Steiger9]

I recently replaced my Craftsman wrench sets for partially the same reason. They were early 2000s USA, but like you said, they just kind of didn't do it for me anymore. But I really chose to replace because I wanted different features: longer length and anti-slip open end. Went with Proto. I guess if the wrenches you want to replace with are exactly the same only different, then personally I wouldn't bother.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

1. Why try to fix what's not broken?

2. Why stick with one brand for everything? Different brands do different things well.

3. Why drop all that money to replace made in the USA with made in Taiwan.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

OP; frame this post and hang it on Your wall.

 

[Shelbylex]

Start slowly picking up tools which you like when opportunity comes on CL, flee markets, etc. As you already have tools, do not rush. Eventually you can get a good set for little money and sell your Craftsman sets which you do not like anymore... Take your time and try couple of different brands first.
I have a mix of Craftsman, SK, SO and pick up more when opportunity is there... Worst possible scenario, you will just buy an extra tool box for all the extras and spend more time making a second collection for your hobbies...

 

[Tallpilot]

Interesting that you purposely limit yourself to two choices but I will respect your wishes. I would certainly replace Craftsman raised panel wrenches and ratchets with Carlyle (but only on sale). I think 'upgrading' sockets would be silly. I'm on the fence about screwdrivers.

What other tools are we considering?

I like Carlyle for some things but I think all tool lines have gems and duds along with mostly serviceable tools.

 

[d.mcfarland]

While these tools have served me well, I’m not real fond of them,

[...]

So can anyone give me a good reason to not do this? I just need a little help deciding if I’d be making a good decision or not.

Sounds like there might be a few key pieces that you would like to upgrade, like ratchets, for example. Without knowing what exactly you have and what you want to upgrade, nobody can tell you one way or the other.

You did say they served you well, so as for now, not a good decision. Maybe post pictures of that things you have now?

 

[zendriver]

I was going to suggest therapy, but new tools would cost less, so get the new tools

 

[Mr_B]

Carlyle has some good tools, ratchets are decent, wrenches are decent , some of the pliers decent and sockets pretty decent .
High prices are mainly for the included warranty and this the main thing that would restrict buying heavily as Napa doesn't have great past with house tool brands, even if Carlyle survives 2 or 3 decades will the tools be same taiwan oems at same quality level or will it be cheaper sourced !
I'm for picking the cream, take what they do well when they price it well .
Warranty on low cost items like chrome and impact sockets generally a waste of money and reduces your options on good tool design, self warranty is way go on lot of things, it cheaper it faster and 100% satisfaction .

 

[Jtels85]

Really sound advice coming in here, thanks everyone so far for your opinions.

As for screwdrivers, I already have MAC Duratek’s and they are my go-to’s, as well as a set of newer Duralast Diamond tips that I really like. They’re real grippy.

For pliers, I’ve always preferred Channellock and have started picking up a pair here and there.

Wrenches and ratchets... Hands down I have found the Carlyle Power 90 ratchets and the long pattern non-slip wrenches to be comfortable and of excellent quality.

While there’s nothing wrong with the function of the sockets, extensions and breaker bars that I have, I do like the knurling on the metric Carlyle sockets and they’re chrome looks 10x better. My torx and hex sockets are Craftsman and have seen better days. A couple of them are looking pretty twisted and chewed up. I always felt the Craftsman’s were a bit on the weak side, especially for what they cost.

 

[Tom White]

You'll never have that problem with Snap-on.

If the world was coming to an end and I had the choice of one ratchet to go to war with, it'd be a Snap-on.

Why is every post of yours an ad for snap on? Even in a thread where the OP clearly stated he is not interested in that brand? Annoying.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle sockets okay but pricey .
If like that style look at infar premier taiwan sockets, you can get them in rail sets at sensible cost.
I would worry about sockets last seems you got usable sockets and splash cash on weak areas first then upgrade sockets if money and desire allows .
I would only really want go all Carlyle sockets via sale/real deal prices, full prices to high and individual value and need of warranty too low benefit fully from the warranty .

 

[byoungblood]

Get some better ratchets, and go from there, as the pear head RP ratchet leaves much to be desired if you use your tools more than occasionally. I've become rather fond of round head ratchets, but most don't have a quick release if that matters to you. There are some dual pawl designs (Wright and old Williams) that effectively give you a fine tooth design.

As far as screwdrivers, I have Craftsman Professional drivers which I find to be a solid step up from the standard Craftsman drivers. While no longer available new from Craftsman, S-K sells the same tool except the handles are green and black. If I didn't have those, I'd probably go with Williams hard handles.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yeah williams hard handles are superb buy, the large set is quite a steal at times.
also big fan of toptul and premier hammer thru screwdrivers, great mechanic or engineer option for rougher scenarios .

 

[kythri]

You'll never have that problem with Snap-on.

If the world was coming to an end and I had the choice of one ratchet to go to war with, it'd be a Snap-on.

Apparently, that doesn't apply to floor jacks bought for display purposes.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I don't replace but I do duplicate. I buy when I find a good deal used or new.
In the 90's 85% of my tools were Craftsman from the 80's. I had a few problems with warranty/quality and didn't like the way Craftsman was headed.
I still have and use most of those tools but now they are less than 30% of my arsenal.

 

[Tonyuk]

Buy what you like, some of my most used tools are from lesser known brands;

Pliers from tekton, spanners from toptul, screwdrivers and bits from wera/wiha, hammers from thor, deadblows from china, cheap chisels, basic pry bars.

Couple of bits of kit i would buy again right away if i were to loose them;

Wera 3/8 & 1/4" metal ratchets
Toptul long pattern combo set
Beta long zero-offsets
Long hazet 13mm spanner
Facom 1/4" & Padre 13mm t handles
Stahwille 11mm flare nut spanner

Loads of others too, COO etc.. doesn't really mean that much these days tool wise imo.

 

[Mecha]

I'm all for new tools but I'd be smart about it. It's probably that you'd like new things, if so, add the ratchets that are nice or a new set of metric whatever but don't go all out. I've learned that when I get to wanting all new stuff, I just get more organization stuff instead so its easier to use what I have.

Or sell the old to buy new. That's not a bad strategy either.

Good luck.

 

[rsanter]

Why?
The USA made a man is a good line to have for the homeowner.
If they are not being a problem why spend money replacing them.

Add to the set with select snap on, gearwrench, and other good brands and keep the rest of the money in your pocket

 

[ChevyEFI]

More Supra pics.
Less brand ball-holding.

 

[bobcatdan]

I would replace the tools you don't like and keep what works fine. I have been replacing my remaining craftsman socket from the late 90's because the metal seems to have expired. 20 years of good service, now I have been breaking one every time I use one.

 

[dacan23]

I do not replace hand tools unless they are broken or unusable.

The only tool line someone should be brand loyal to is cordless power tools. I have 1 brand of cordless power tools and at least 10 in hand tools. Theres 2-3 new brands I am looking to add soon, I like when people recommend a tool or set regardless if its a brand I own.

 

[L.Cheapo]

You say the tools work. I'd keep using them until they don't. Maybe buy yourself a few nice ratchets, especially if you're using raised panels.

 

[2001ZR2]

I am fond of my HF ratchets as step up from the RP craftsman ones. The advice to start their is what I am doing.

Liking the Gearwrench set I got over the HF one but not as much as I like the Craftsman SAE cross force one.

In short find the tools you like and you'll use them more and perhaps take on more things than you thought you would.

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[Wamsutta]

Why is every post of yours an ad for snap on? Even in a thread wherethe OP clearly stated he is not interested in that brand? Annoying.

I missed that part. Not being interested in Snap-on is so illogical, that my brain subconsciously skimmed right over it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Replace as you break. I don't see the point in replacing what is not broken.

 

[toolman9w]

You'll never have that problem with Snap-on.

If the world was coming to an end and I had the choice of one ratchet to go to war with, it'd be a Snap-on.

Never is a long time. No need for ratchet repair kit.

 

[The Fall]

I see no reason to replace your US made Craftsman if they're meeting your needs. There's no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water

However, i see nothing wrong if you need something that you don't already have from Carlyle. or if you need to expand, choosing Carlyle. I like Carlyle tools especially on sale.

US Craftsman sockets have always worked great for me. When I lose one or two at the shop, I just go to the pawn shop to replenish. I've been filling in missing sets with SK and Wright.

 

[derosa]

Rather than replacing what you do have take a good hard look at what you don't have and buy those first and go from there. I started doing the same thing, bought a full run of wright ratchets which filled out more than I had to begin with so happy there. Also bought a full run of their wrenches, metric and standard, which I only had smatterings on anyways so that was good. But than I bought a full set of metric sockets in regular length and that was a small mistake. I already have a full run of USA and chinese metric sockets so the switch was overkill while I don't have more than a couple deep and a set of those would have been better. I've cracked the walls of craftsman sockets so I don't trust them that much but not replacing a couple of ratchets that are similar in size and sticking with sockets I needed more than wanted would have made me happier.
Only major upside is that I am buying the sets I need slowly but if the only thing left to buy were the duplicates I might be even slower now to replace them.