Tool Brands you cannot stand . . .

[Steve_P]

Their mechanics tools were alright at best; but the carpentry/building trades tools were actually really good tools, made by really good manufacturers, with a great warranty.

The mechanic's tools were very good overall as far as durability. IMO, the Cman WF pliers were much better than Channellock; I've had both for decades, and still do. I'm not saying the Cman ratchets were great- they weren't. But the reality is that Craftsman could not have survived with a no question warranty selling junk back in their glory days.

 

[LopezBart]

I started using Craftsman tools in the 1970s; fixed a lot of cars, motorcycles, etc. with them. I don't buy them anymore; lately I've been getting Tekton for stuff that stays at home, and HF stuff for toolbags in vehicles, since those seem to disappear at 10x the rate. Power tools are a mixed bag; I buy Milwaukee battery stuff, corded tools are whatever seems best - my 1980's Skill Model 77 is still going, as is my 20+ yo Sawzall. My stainless Ridgid shop vac is a really good tool; pretty quiet for the power; they made a nice cut-off grinder, too. Chainsaws and other two-stroke power equipment - Stihl, every time. Oh, yes - and Peavey for, well, peaveys and other tools for the woods.

 

[ecotec]

I don’t think there is a brand I hate.

Powerfist is one I stay clear of almost always thou. Most of the hand tools I see from them are REALLY bad. Exception being some of the simple electric stuff like bench grinder, polisher, etc seem to be decent and great value when on sale.

Powerfist is a hilarious name…

 

[AEAdam]

I would choose almost anything other than Pittsburgh. They are lowest possible cost tools, which is okay I guess. I just feel the name intentionally seeks to conceal their Chinese origins with a recognizably USA name.

Wish they could be called whatever they really are Zheng Xio tools or whatever Chinese name they are or even HFT brand. Why do we have to cover that up? Same with US general. Big marketing turn off for me. I had a SIEG mini mill. That was like Shanghai industrial…the name of the manufacturer. Fine with the name and the mill.

I like Snap on tools, but don’t love the name.

 

[Shoreline_]

The interest is factored into the price. The poor suckers who pay the truck guy in cash subsidize the people who flake out on their payments. If buying a $30 dollar ratchet for $125 isn't debt service, then what is it?

I don't know. I get a cash discount. For instance my KRL was 25% off by paying cash over 8 months.

 

[Pinemarten]

I don't know. I get a cash discount. For instance my KRL was 25% off by paying cash over 8 months.

When a premium brand like Facom or Koken costs one third to one quarter the price of a comparable Snap-on product, I think that builds in a bit of wiggle room for a "discount" from the truck guy.

I've got no issues with the tools. I have a number of Snap-on ratchets and ratcheting screwdrivers but.......................WOW, they sure seem expensive!

 

[anndel]

All brands no matter the cost have great ones and bad ones.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I rather stand using tools better leverage.

 

[Shoreline_]

When a premium brand like Facom or Koken costs one third to one quarter the price of a comparable Snap-on product, I think that builds in a bit of wiggle room for a "discount" from the truck guy.

I've got no issues with the tools. I have a number of Snap-on ratchets and ratcheting screwdrivers but.......................WOW, they sure seem expensive!

I think the markup is just crazy. I bet for a $10,000 toolbox, the complete cost with labor into it is $1000-$1500. The entire process is automated. Everything else goes to profit or overhead. I don't know what the dealer's discount is. I thought he said 50% or 40% I don't remember.

 

[pfaustus]

Haters might be surprised about what Great Neck tools actually are:

Great Neck Saw is an American company that manufactures and distributes hand tools, including wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, chisels, and automotive specialty tools. The company is the largest privately owned tool manufacturer in the United States.

The company sells tools under the Great Neck, Sheffield, OEM, GreatLite, Mayes, and Buck Bros. brand names, as well as private label brands such as Husky and Kobalt.

When I think of Great Neck, I find it sad that one of the few surviving American tool makers is the maker of some of the worse tools I have ever had the misfortune to own. The day I find a Great Neck tool that isn't absolute **** will be a first.

 

[neophyte]

I think the markup is just crazy. I bet for a $10,000 toolbox, the complete cost with labor into it is $1000-$1500. The entire process is automated. Everything else goes to profit or overhead. I don't know what the dealer's discount is. I thought he said 50% or 40% I don't remember.

10% is probably the maximum production cost most manufacturers would really want, especially for an item that has a “Lifetime” Warranty,
And which is heavy, and large, and would require specialty shipping,
And which is sold thru dealers, who also need to add in a profit margin, especially with the cost of driving around a truck, and offering credit.

Also, while a bunch of steps are automated, a number of others, including assembling parts for welding, and some of the actual welding, is not automated.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

Their mechanics tools were alright at best; but the carpentry/building trades tools were actually really good tools, made by really good manufacturers, with a great warranty. I used a bunch of older USA made craftsman long after they had moved the brand offshore in residential home construction/carpentry and electrical work without a second thought. They had contracts with great brands with a warranty that the OEM manufacturers didn't carry, like if you notched a set of Kleins on a live wire you are stuck, you notched a pair of craftsman's you felt like a ***** but you weren't out $20-30 for a replacement.

That's a fair point, my stepdad was a contractor but for some reason I have always leaned more towards mechanical trades so that's what I think of when I think craftsman (those horrible raised panel wrenches, and the abominations they called ratchets). I forget about the carpentry/building trades stuff, which may have been great, I have no real experience with it.

 

[Kscardsfan]

The mechanic's tools were very good overall as far as durability. IMO, the Cman WF pliers were much better than Channellock; I've had both for decades, and still do. I'm not saying the Cman ratchets were great- they weren't. But the reality is that Craftsman could not have survived with a no question warranty selling junk back in their glory days.

Make no mistake, I love my craftsman stuff. My first real job in high school was selling tools at sears in our local mall. I still like to grab one of my old ratchets for nostalgia sometimes. But if I'm going to be working for real on something I will grab my Snap on, mac, armstrong etc without a second thought.

 

[bobg03]

I spent $32k plus tax on a new Electra Glide Classic. The sales person, with joy in her voice, announced, "It comes with its own tool kit." The tool kit was made up of the worst looking tools I ever held. I put the tools back into the cheaply made plastic tool wrap and put them on a high shelf, in the shop. I told myself, "Those will go with the bike." Who ever made those ugly wrenches did not put their name on the tools. I should give some credit where it is due, the screwdriver, with exchangeable bit was just OK.

The last two new bikes I purchased were in 2012 (Dyna) & 2013 (Road King). Neither came with any kind of tools.... My 07 CVO (Dyna) came with a pretty comprehensive set of what appeared to be Snap-On, and my 2010 (Dyna) came with a nice basic set.

It's been awhile but I seem to recall the Stealerships selling a tool case that were Snap-Ons. My friend owned a Snap-On Franchise and even he said they were way, way overpriced to get a zippered pouch with the HD logo on it.

 

[roofdweller49]

I dislike wiha because it seems to me like a cheap copy of wera, I dislike the ancient crude sk or equivalent american ratchets that many are obsessed here in GJ, I hate most of the gedore hand tools (like socketry and especially ratchets) and I hate park tools.

Are park tools overpriced, or actually bad? What do actual bike shops use?
+1 on the nostalgia tinted love of old Proto/SK ratchets - They're fun in the same way driving a Model A Ford is

No, you just buy some of the Knipex, some of Channellock, some Wilde, and some Klein so you end up with overwhelming confusion from your wife or children when you ask them to grab you some needle nose from the garage. Or you end up bringing 9 pairs of pliers with you to make sure you have the right pair handy for the one pin you need to pull out.

You forgot Lindstrom pliers for the really small stuff

 

[Rabid Badger]

When I think of Great Neck, I find it sad that one of the few surviving American tool makers is the maker of some of the worse tools I have ever had the misfortune to own. The day I find a Great Neck tool that isn't absolute **** will be a first.

OEMTools is their higher quality stuff. I guess they figured the Great Neck brand was toast.

 

[bwringer]

...When you go to the pawn shop, the tool section is ALL Dewalt. No doubt from the same crackheads hocking their tools at the end of a job.

What kind of bastion of quaint civility do you live in where the crackheads are both completing jobs and hocking their own tools?

 

[Pinemarten]

What kind of bastion of quaint civility do you live in where the crackheads are both completing jobs and hocking their own tools?

If their "job" consists of filling a shopping cart with DeWalt and other high dollar tools, and wheeling it out of the store without bothering to pay.............then yes, the job is done. All that remains to do is hit the pawn shop to get a "loan" on "their tools".

 

[LWB]

I don’t think there is a brand I hate.

Powerfist is one I stay clear of almost always thou. Most of the hand tools I see from them are REALLY bad. Exception being some of the simple electric stuff like bench grinder, polisher, etc seem to be decent and great value when on sale.

You just have to know how to use them. Take this hammer for instance, anyone would know you're supposed to rotate it when you take a swing...

 

[CoogarXR]

What kind of bastion of quaint civility do you live in where the crackheads are both completing jobs and hocking their own tools?

What can I say... The crackheads around here light their spoons with their pinkies extended

 

[Beemer]

Black and Decker for 6" cords, among other things.

 

[HannibalLecter]

Are park tools overpriced, or actually bad? What do actual bike shops use?
+1 on the nostalgia tinted love of old Proto/SK ratchets - They're fun in the same way driving a Model A Ford is


You forgot Lindstrom pliers for the really small stuff

Mostly overpriced, for example the retractable hex heys are sourced from bodhus, so are I believe the t handle hex wrenches. The cable cutters are mediocre and cost as much as a knipex, the combi wrenches remind me of china ones. Etc. And the pricing is sky high. They are cheesy and remind china tools, not even taiwan. The bike stands are good, but the derailleur alignment tool compared to unior, is a joke

 

[F-22]

I would choose almost anything other than Pittsburgh. They are lowest possible cost tools, which is okay I guess. I just feel the name intentionally seeks to conceal their Chinese origins with a recognizably USA name.

Wish they could be called whatever they really are Zheng Xio tools or whatever Chinese name they are or even HFT brand. Why do we have to cover that up? Same with US general. Big marketing turn off for me. I had a SIEG mini mill. That was like Shanghai industrial…the name of the manufacturer. Fine with the name and the mill.

I like Snap on tools, but don’t love the name.

In kind of the same manner - I really like Toptul. The name is kind of meh. But if they forged on "proudly made in Taiwan" it would make many people look at that brand through a very different view. Not as someone trying to catch up and copy others, but as an equal to other top tool brands.

 

[Kscardsfan]

What kind of bastion of quaint civility do you live in where the crackheads are both completing jobs and hocking their own tools?

Kentucky if I was to guess

 

[richfinn]

In kind of the same manner - I really like Toptul. The name is kind of meh. But if they forged on "proudly made in Taiwan" it would make many people look at that brand through a very different view. Not as someone trying to catch up and copy others, but as an equal to other top tool brands.

I think most Taiwan made stuff is pretty good nowadays to be honest.

Kind of a halfway house between China and Japan (although to be fair Launch in China make some good diagnostic stuff)

When I was a kid "Made in Japan" was always a bit dodgy, but now it's a mark of top quality in Europe, In fact I always have a look at what they make before I buy anything European made!!!

 

[AEAdam]

I think most Taiwan made stuff is pretty good nowadays to be honest.

Kind of a halfway house between China and Japan (although to be fair Launch in China make some good diagnostic stuff)

When I was a kid "Made in Japan" was always a bit dodgy, but now it's a mark of top quality in Europe, In fact I always have a look at what they make before I buy anything European made!!!

Not sure where made in Taiwan ranks against made in Korea. Are there any popular tools made in Korea? I can't think of any.

 

[Kaffeetanne]

Mostly overpriced, for example the retractable hex heys are sourced from bodhus, so are I believe the t handle hex wrenches. The cable cutters are mediocre and cost as much as a knipex, the combi wrenches remind me of china ones. Etc. And the pricing is sky high. They are cheesy and remind china tools, not even taiwan. The bike stands are good, but the derailleur alignment tool compared to unior, is a joke

Working as a bicycle mechanic, i would to add that their combination wrenches are by far the worst **** i have ever encountered in my life.
My employer provided them and while they are just a few years old, they are totally beat up.
The jaws have nicks and bends and the chrome starts flaking. Also those stupid dipped handles with the size printed on them crumble away, leading you to constantly searching for the right size.

 

[designer485]

Working as a bicycle mechanic, i would to add that their combination wrenches are by far the worst **** i have ever encountered in my life.
My employer provided them and while they are just a few years old, they are totally beat up.
The jaws have nicks and bends and the chrome starts flaking. Also those stupid dipped handles with the size printed on them crumble away, leading you to constantly searching for the right size.

One look inside the tool boxes of world cup mechanics and you won't see a ton of Park, you will see Knipex, Wera, Abbey, PB Swiss, Beta, Snap-On. I think that says a ton.

With that being said, for home wrenching on bikes, Park tools are pretty much available in any bike shop and they are usually the first / only locally available option for specialty bike tools. I would absolutely avoid them for any "standard tools" like wrenches, torque tools, screwdrivers, etc...there are much better options at much better prices.

 

[yellowbox]

I have some wisdom brand name wrenches , look like a 8 year old made em ...
I used to get greatneck brand tools for Xmas gifts years ago , still got one of their lame ratchets
Both brands sucked

 

[Kaffeetanne]

With that being said, for home wrenching on bikes, Park tools are pretty much available in any bike shop

True. Their tools are readily available and they are also good at marketing hence they can charge good money since there isn't much competition they have to fear.

I would absolutely avoid them for any "standard tools" like wrenches, torque tools, screwdrivers, etc...there are much better options at much better prices.

Totally agree. The specialty tools are decent, but for everything basic go with one of the reputable tool brands.

 

[richfinn]

Not sure where made in Taiwan ranks against made in Korea. Are there any popular tools made in Korea? I can't think of any.

Not seen any but I'm sure they must make tools.

I remember the first Daewoo cars in Europe were a weird mish-mash of GM bodies and Asian power trains, but some of the new Kias and Hyundai's look pretty good at the side of some of the Eurotrash I work on

 

[Komet]

I'm surprised at all the butthurt about Icon considering they're the modern equivalent of Craftsman USA in terms of quality and availability.

The only tool brands I can't stand are the no-name pot metal garbage import tools of old, because they would immediately break, twist, snap, round off fasteners, the works.

 

[Pig_Pen]

I'm surprised at all the butthurt about Icon considering they're the modern equivalent of Craftsman USA in terms of quality and availability.

The modern equivalent of Craftsman is undoubtedly Tekton.

 

[bcradio]

I'm surprised at all the butthurt about Icon considering they're the modern equivalent of Craftsman USA in terms of quality and availability.

The only tool brands I can't stand are the no-name pot metal garbage import tools of old, because they would immediately break, twist, snap, round off fasteners, the works.

I personally would put Icon quality above USA Craftsman

 

[slowtwitch73]

I'm surprised at all the butthurt about Icon

You'd be butthurt too if you were broke a joke because you had a shop full of frufru tools you couldn't afford.

 

[Robinson1]

I don't know of any brands I hate, but there is one brand that everybody seems to love that I have never had a good experience with.

Knipex

I have a pair of needle nose pliers and one of the ends snapped off with little force. I looked into getting them replaced, but don't have the original receipt so it's not going to happen. I also have a pair of Raptor pliers, and they just don't seem to work like I hoped. No matter how tight I squeeze, the bolts still turn in the jaws, even ones that are not rounded. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

I'm also not a big fan of Black and Decker, Stanley, or Crescent, even though I have several of each.

I’m not a big Knipex fan either.

I won’t go so far as to say I hate Knipex. But they seem overpriced for what they are and a lot their stuff seems like a gimmick. I will say their needle nose ****.

 

[milkovich]

Kobalt. I had to try to repair a trailer that had broken down in the parking lot of lowes and figured I'd buy kobalt tools to save a few bucks. This was years ago but ever since then I can't stand them... tbh, even other blue tools creep me out. I'd rather have hyper tough or pittsburgh because at least they're not blue.

 

[Robinson1]

Milwaukee corded grinders. I’ve had three that all died in spectacular fashion doing jobs I would consider to be fairly light duty. They had such a great reputation on a contractors forum I used to visit regularly. I didn’t experience that.

Every other Milwaukee tool I’ve ever owned has been good. Not all of them were what I’d consider great but they all did their job.

Those grinders. They made me avoid the Milwaukee brand for about 10 years!

 

[Higgins]

All the brands have great tools and **** tools. Depends on the tool and the user.

Back in the 70s we had some projects overseas and shipped our standard tool set, which didn’t last long so we purchased replacements on the local market. All the tools performed exceptionally well. I still have a Bosch hammer that just keeps on ticking.

 

[rwa2004]

All the brands have great tools and **** tools. Depends on the tool and the user.

This. I think Grizzly makes mediocre to great woodworking tools. I abhor anything made by Grizzly for working metal.

One of the ways we get ahead in life is by making generalizations. If a company makes one good tool it is natural for us to think they make another good tool. Generalizations are natural and can make you more competitive (i.e. save you time when shopping). Generalisations are natural and can be wrong as well (hense why racism/bias/prejudice will never completely go away.)