Tool Brands you cannot stand . . .

[F-22]

People are often surprised to find out that Makita and Ryobi stuff in Japan is often industrial equipment or high quality equipment for timber framing. It's a stark contrast to the stuff in the US market. I think Hitachi has a pretty good reputation here since more people are aware of the fact that they make such a broad variety of things.

Makita is high quality pretty much anywhere. Ryobi in Japan is an entirely different company that might only sell their tools in Japan. Recently they got sold off to another Japanese company called Kyocera and they now make tools under that name. Not sure about the quality, but the US Ryobi is a completely different manufacturer. It's possible Kyocera power tools are manufactured in Japan.

Also, ever heard of Panasonic power tools? They're focused on the industrial market like production line tools. I think those are also made in Japan.

Apart from the China junk rebranding companies (*insert about 150 brands here*) I have issues with...

Beta: used to be good (until the 90s), now it's total garbage or relatively good, but costs twice as much some other best in class tool.

Bosch: similar to Beta, used to be the go to power tool brand until the end of the 90s, now it's dead at the end of the warranty period, if not, you had to claim warranty several times.

Wera: their hex plus stuff is great but everything else is gimmicky, plasticy, overpriced and quality is going downhill. Made in Germany is history, but made in CZ is almost also history. While I have no issues with good Taiwan made stuff Wera seems to be telling them to fk quality control, lets make it cheap because hurr-durr profit margins

Irwin/Channellock: I'm going to get a lot of hate for this from the Americans, but here's my question: how can you stand that huge pile of dung they dare call tools? I know, you are 70 and Channellock was all you had, now you can't use anything else, but seriously... the quality and design... I have seen better China garbage.

In general: daughter companies of known quality tool brands like Vigor (Hazet) and quite a few more. Just because they are the daughter company of some known quality tool brand doesn't mean they are any better than the no name garbage. I'll go even further, the no name garbage is at least cheaper and you get twice the quality from good TW companies like King Tony, Hans, or Toptul for roughly the same price.

Really sad what happened to Beta. At least USAG still is decent - the actual made in Italy stuff is top notch, the French and other European production too, and most of the Taiwanese/Asian offerings they have as well.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I can't speak for Panasonic power tools, but almost anything else that I've used (from VCRs to CD players, to batteries, to security cameras) with the Panasonic name has been great. Maybe not top-of-the-line, but a good bang for the buck.

Kyocera used to make pretty good cell phones back in the day, and they made solar panels that were pretty good. They are one of those companies that make a wide range of seemingly unrelated products. I would not be surprised if their power tools are quite decent.

Black and Decker used to be top of the line, but the brand name has been relegated to entry-level tools and gimmicky home appliances. DeWalt is the real Black and Decker, IMO. It's just branding at the end of the day.

 

[KnurledNut]

@F-22
Beta makes premium toolboxes, workshop furnishings, and lifts in Italy.
https://www.3dbeta.it/en/
Also you may have heard of BM Group in Slovenia. Thats a Beta company.
https://www.bm-elektromaterial.com/
And they still make some tools in Italy like the newly released Zero Reset torque wrench.

 

[Al Borland]

SK roundhead Ratchets ****.
Most India-made tools ****.
Tools with comical names (Powerfist was mentioned earlier) get avoided.
I would like to find one funny-named set though. A worker had brought in a set of "Snap-Off" wrenches. Too funny. Of course, he didn't understand what was so funny (Limited English) and got upset when I wanted to know where to get a set.

 

[roofdweller49]

SK roundhead Ratchets ****.

They're so polarizing. Some people swear by them, and others refer to them as slip and kill. They have a nice old school "clicky" feel, but I noticed the occasionally slightly wobbly core

 

[F-22]

@F-22
Beta makes premium toolboxes, workshop furnishings, and lifts in Italy.
https://www.3dbeta.it/en/
Also you may have heard of BM Group in Slovenia. Thats a Beta company.
https://www.bm-elektromaterial.com/
And they still make some tools in Italy like the newly released Zero Reset torque wrench.

Interesting, I actually own the crimping pliers from BM but I thought they are generic chinese ones. Wonder ifvthey're actually made in Slovenia. They work fine. The Beta Tank table/cart is very well known here. You see them in old mechanic workshops.

 

[Jure]

Bgs and Raxx

 

[Steve_P]

They're so polarizing. Some people swear by them, and others refer to them as slip and kill. They have a nice old school "clicky" feel, but I noticed the occasionally slightly wobbly core

I'm sure they sold tens of thousands of those ratchets over 80+ years, so they certainly don't ****- the 1/4" drive has 60 teeth which is pretty good despite the thick head height. Yes, they are dated in comparison to the 90T thin head ratchet of today, but so are the Snap On and Koken ~30 tooth designs- yet somehow no one dares to ***** about them. Yes, I have a few SK round head ratchets and while they've essentially been replaced by newer 90T designs, they work just fine and fit in 95% of applications on modern cars.

 

[larry4406]

Milwaukee tape measures.

Give me a Stanley Fat Max any day.

 

[dnschmidt]

Milwaukee tape measures.

Give me a Stanley Fat Max any day.

Actually, I prefer Fisco or Komelon.

 

[dclark2171]

Back in the 60's and 70's, and early 80's, before Lowe's HD, we either had Lumber companies, Small Hardware stores and Sears. Craftsman tools pretty much had good quality across the board. Just like Kenmore appliances. For 98% of buyers, the quality was more than enough. For the 2%, Industrial level tool brands were best. I use to manage, 20 years ago, a large automotive parts plant. Many old timers skilled trades people (electricians, machine repair, etc) had old Craftsman tools that they were still using. Old S-K, Armstrong, Crescent and Channellocks were everywhere. Basically those must have been the brands that the tool crib carried.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Currently, I’d say Craftsman. I’m leaning towards SK as well, but that’s still up for debate. Frankly, if a company was once an American tool manufacturer, or at least primarily so, but has now off shored their manufacturing to China, India, or generally Taiwan, then I have no interest in that company. In fact, on a personal level, I hope that the company fails. I have some respect for companies that were always overseas, but zero for those that moved off shore.

Couldn't agree more. I'm very happy with my older Craftsman and SK, but wouldn't buy any of their import offerings. Part of that is on principle, but that aside, there's also the perception of less value for the dollar and perhaps poorer quality. Hard pass for me anymore. I don't hate them, but I cannot stand what they've become.

Teng Tools. Its just something about that brand and ridiculous logo that makes me go yuck.

Thought I was the only one that felt this way. Glad I'm not alone.

Apex tool company and anything made by them, especially Gearwrench. They killed so many great American tool companies and hollowed out many others such that they exist now in name only.

Also Icon. There’s no innovation, just blatant ripoffs of Snap On designs. It’s unseemly.

I never liked GearWrench and always felt there was too much hype. The only tool of theirs that ever made it into my garage was a ratcheting wrench that a mechanic left under the hood of my Bronco about 15 years ago. I tried to return it and they swore it wasn't theirs, so I threw it in the trash. If he's ashamed to own it, I sure as hell didn't want it either.

As for Icon, I'll never understand the appeal. There are plenty of cheap tools out there, but the fact that there exists a significant market for "it's cheap and looks exactly like Snap On or Knipex" makes me cringe. I wouldn't be caught dead with any of the Icon stuff in my garage. And to be clear, I'm not bashing all of Harbor Freight here, I have bought several things over the years, but the Icon line is a hard pass for me.

If I had to add something not already mentioned, I would say Matador branded tools that I've mostly seen in Europe. They have an infuriating saturation of import junk and only a few German made gems, but try to appear as if they're a German brand. I have some screw extractors of theirs from many years ago, but won't buy anything else.

 

[Callelle]

Apex tool group I avoid like the plague with a few small exceptions that I've needed for work.

And for the hill I'll die on,

Knipex. I really don't think any of their stuff is that great or special, they're way over hyped, and their fan boys are damn near as snotty as Snappies and Milfukbois.

Edit: Also Wera, I bought a Koloss for the memes but the whole "Tool rebel" thing is straight cringe, and their tools are mediocre at best.

 

[micromind]

Another one who hates Apex.

Seems like all they do is buy up tool companies and close the good ones while keeping the mediocre and lousy ones open.

Their worst offense so far is they bought Armstrong, kept it for a while then closed it. Armstrong made some of the best tools and had a great lineup. Now it's gone......not forgivable.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have yet to be disappointed with ICON. I've got five Pliers wrenches from Knipex and one from ICON and I can't tell the difference. Also the Doyle line of pliers is outstanding value for dollar. Bash HF all you want they are the tool version of THE BORG: “Resistance is Futile you will be Assimilated.”

 

[yellowbox]

They will only warranty items in their current lineup as well. I bought a lighted magnetic pickup tool from them 15 years ago. The light never worked properly. Asked to warranty it. They told me since it was discontinued there was no possibility to warranty or replace.


This is a prime reason why I would rather buy tools on Amazon at a good price than pay a premium price for a tool and the warranty “up front” for something that likely will not be available or made the same way into the future.

Cornwell did that to me "that tool is discontinued, no warranty or replacement "
**** You cornwell , haven't spent another dime on them since

 

[darkzero]

Another one who hates Apex.

Seems like all they do is buy up tool companies and close the good ones while keeping the mediocre and lousy ones open.

Their worst offense so far is they bought Armstrong, kept it for a while then closed it. Armstrong made some of the best tools and had a great lineup. Now it's gone......not forgivable.

Yup, this the exact reason (top reason) why I hate Apex! I will never forgive them for killing off Armstrong.

 

[jdl25]

Stanley left me disappointed on a set of wrenches I bought. I had one that was stamped with the wrong size. They were awful to communicate with. They wanted me to spend more time and money to return the set than it was worth. I asked them to send me the wrench I needed and they refused. Said they didn't have one. So I doubt I'll spend more money on Stanley.

 

[dclark2171]

Stanley left me disappointed on a set of wrenches I bought. I had one that was stamped with the wrong size. They were awful to communicate with. They wanted me to spend more time and money to return the set than it was worth. I asked them to send me the wrench I needed and they refused. Said they didn't have one. So I doubt I'll spend more money on Stanley.

It's really sad to see what were once great, American brands go to pot. Stanley B&D really dropped the ball with Craftsman. The new "V-series" was a major letdown. I believe the US based plant was closed after only a year or so.

 

[Billy Jack]

Black and Decker used to be top of the line, but the brand name has been relegated to entry-level tools and gimmicky home appliances. DeWalt is the real Black and Decker, IMO. It's just branding at the end of the day.

That's definitely correct. 30-40 years ago B&D had an "Industrial" line of power tools that weren't sold in "discount" stores(KMart, Walmart) but in hardware stores and actual tool stores. I still have a 3/8 drill and a recip saw from the 80's still going strong. A young hire at B&D with a degree in Marketing proposed that they change the housing colors of the industrial line to yellow and resuscitate a long dormant name on a B&D division-Dewalt. His upward ascent in the company happened quite rapidly.

 

[BSWS]

7 pages and I haven't seen WEN mentioned yet. When I was a kid they were known for cheap imported tools. They're web page says since 1951. I still have a feeling they might be low quality but I've gambled on 2 things. An air cleaner and an oscillating spindle sander. So far I'm impressed with both of them. I wonder if they really are decent tools at reasonable prices.

 

[four.cycle]

^ WEN made some great stuff. My late step-father passed on a few WEN power tools that were fine. I think I sold them at a garage sale years ago. One was an electrically-powered knife sharpener, which was a real hoot - kind of like a miniature bench grinder.

Kind of funny reading through this because... every manufacturer turned out a real turd now and then. They're all guilty.
More often than not the products worked fine for their intended purpose.
There are definitely some brands I would choose not to use if I had other options, but that's only because I sold them and know exactly how junky they really are: Hollywood Accessories, Medallion, Zomax, and Buffalo come to mind.
Hell, Wilmar in its last iterations (before the name change to "Performance Tool") was actually trying to crank out some respectable-looking product, even if some of it was still being made from cheese.

 

[darkzero]

7 pages and I haven't seen WEN mentioned yet. When I was a kid they were known for cheap imported tools. They're web page says since 1951. I still have a feeling they might be low quality but I've gambled on 2 things. An air cleaner and an oscillating spindle sander. So far I'm impressed with both of them. I wonder if they really are decent tools at reasonable prices.

I never heard of Wen until not that many years ago when their orange colored machinery started popping up all over & on HD. I've always considered them to be ecomony/DIY grade tools but they're no where near my dislike list.

A year or two before the pandemeic I bought an older yellow generation WEN drill press from CL. During the lockdown I decided to rebuild/refurbish the thing with new bearings, paint, modifications, etc. I bought a few replacement parts from Wen, the person I spoke to was very helpful, spoke proper english, knowledgeable/familiar with what I was looking to purchase, & was even pretty cool just chatting with him, even gave me recommendations on places to eat in my area that I had never heard of. The replacement parts prices were very reasonably priced and the shipping was free (something like over $25 shipping is free).

I have no affiliation with Wen but I'd buy their stuff again & I'm happy with my Wen drill press.

 

[threewood]

There are tools at the bottom of the list when I need tools. At the bottom are generally Ryobi, SK, Chicago Electric.

 

[nadogail]

Globe Master

 

[darkzero]

Starrett.....

Too soon?

(Well I hope they don't make it onto this thread someday)

 

[JHForman]

Craftsman gets my vote here, their tools always seem to disappoint me. Someone said it earlier and it was a great analogy, the ratchets feel like they have rocks in them. Ive busted my hands many times on their ratchets.

Im gonna go against the grain here and probably catch a lot of **** for it, but ive been moving over to gearwrench for all my tools, their ratchets and sockets have never failed me. I have a set of ratchet wrenches from when I was 16, not a single one has failed me in the 24 years ive owned them. I consider myself to be more than a weekend warrior/DIYer

 

[Ton ton]

Kobalt is a brand to avoid. Very poor quality.

 

[Ton ton]

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 can't believe someone actually posted Knipex but I have to say I agree with you.

 

[Ton ton]

Gearwrench, they do make some useful stuff (Serpentine belt kit). Just not convinced on quality and feel some of the prices have crept up a bit too close to pro level/tool truck pricing.

Gear wrench is a tool truck brand. I'm not saying that they're good quality. But they're sold on tool trucks.

 

[richfinn]

Gear wrench is a tool truck brand. I'm not saying that they're good quality. But they're sold on tool trucks.

I wouldn't say I hate them particularly, but they would be low on the pecking order for any further purchases

 

[BSWS]

I never heard of Wen until not that many years ago when their orange colored machinery started popping up all over & on HD. I've always considered them to be ecomony/DIY grade tools but they're no where near my dislike list.

A year or two before the pandemeic I bought an older yellow generation WEN drill press from CL. During the lockdown I decided to rebuild/refurbish the thing with new bearings, paint, modifications, etc. I bought a few replacement parts from Wen, the person I spoke to was very helpful, spoke proper english, knowledgeable/familiar with what I was looking to purchase, & was even pretty cool just chatting with him, even gave me recommendations on places to eat in my area that I had never heard of. The replacement parts prices were very reasonably priced and the shipping was free (something like over $25 shipping is free).

I have no affiliation with Wen but I'd buy their stuff again & I'm happy with my Wen drill press.

Thank you, that's what I was hoping to hear. I will certainly consider more WEN tools in the near future, so they're officialy not on my dislike list.

That's a good looking drill press for light duty or woodworking. It looks a lot like the Jet I've been using for 20+ years. Actyally it looks a little better.

 

[dchawk81]

Milwaukee tape measures.

Give me a Stanley Fat Max any day.

Actually, I prefer Fisco or Komelon.

I'll take anything I can find.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

spyder....mostly bits and consumables....but i have been less than impressed.

 

[Tdbo]

Craftsman gets my vote here, their tools always seem to disappoint me. Someone said it earlier and it was a great analogy, the ratchets feel like they have rocks in them. Ive busted my hands many times on their ratchets.

This. It was never that they were great, it's that they were easily accessible, had a decent warranty, and were a good value.
I am still using the 3/8" socket set that my Grandmother bought me as a Birthday present in 1978 when I was in High School.
It has held up well and has always done what was required.
However, the issue with Craftsman ratchets is that they are very imprecise with much slop in the mechanism.
However that was an easy fix, I bought a decent ratchet.

 

[bigjeff94]

Don't have much experience with SK, but I can say I've been disappointed with the bulk of the proto tools I've purchased. One that sticks out in my mind is a 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar that broke the first time I used it. Didn't even require a cheater pipe to shear the drive end.

I broke the same one. Took my 30 year old craftsman 18" breaker bar and finished the job. However aside from that one Proto tool I have had good luck with everything else.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Kobalt is a brand to avoid. Very poor quality.

I have to agree, but they used to be outstanding. There was a time with their wrenches were made in USA by Williams. Most of their stuff is gimmicky and/or poorly made.

 

[Steve_P]

Wow, now Knipex is junk They probably sell more pliers worldwide than any other brand, but obviously they make **** and people just keep buying them because they love higher priced low quality pliers. Or something like that.

 

[richfinn]

Wow, now Knipex is junk They probably sell more pliers worldwide than any other brand, but obviously they make **** and people just keep buying them because they love higher priced low quality pliers. Or something like that.

Knipex is a mixed bag depending on trade, some stuff is absolutely awesome for particular jobs, other stuff is pretty generic.

We really need a Hit/Miss thread for Knipex!!!

 

[Callelle]

Wow, now Knipex is junk They probably sell more pliers worldwide than any other brand, but obviously they make **** and people just keep buying them because they love higher priced low quality pliers. Or something like that.

I don't think anyone specifically said they're junk, the thread is about tool brands you can't stand. Though your response kinda proves what I said in my post about why I can't stand them.