Tool & Cabinet Brands?
- Thread starter ClassicMuscle
- Start date
ssdave
Banned
Now, you're narrowing it down a bit. The sticker shock at Snap-on is understandable if you had a <1000 budget in mind for a toolbox.
In the toolbox range you're looking at, without ordering one and paying freight, HF 44 or 56 will probably be your best bet.
If your target quality level of tools is Kobalt, comparison shop the better HF ones, Carlyle at NAPA, and maybe Williams (Taiwan quality, not USA ones) or Blackhawk sets. You should be able to find a selection that suits you in those.
As to the price of Snap-on in comparison to the others, and the quality difference: This follows the 90/10% rule: On commodity level items, you can get 90% of the quality for 10% of the price. If you want that extra 10% of quality, you have to pay 10 times as much.
You can get an inexpensive ratcheting wrench set for under $50, and the same wrench set is $400+ from Snap-on. You can buy a $20 HF ratchet, or a $140 Snap-on one. The Snap-on is absolutely, undoubtedly better. But, it is hard for someone that expects a $50 or $20 budget to think that it is $400 or $120 better.
However, if you want high quality, durability, top level design and pride of ownership, Snap-on can supply all of those. At a price. Only you can decide if the benefits are worth that price. The same can be said of most of the other quality brands. Better, yes, but much more expensive than the imported, mass produced, common retail quality level available at discount stores.
It all depends on what you want to spend your money on. I have Snap-on and Proto tools. I have a SO box, and two Shure boxes, which are heavier and better built (and as expensive) as the Snap-on. But, I don't have any car that approaches the level of cost of yours. I drive a 20 year old pickup and a scratched up, beat up 12 year old SUV, and a 6 year old mustang that I bought cheap.
In the toolbox range you're looking at, without ordering one and paying freight, HF 44 or 56 will probably be your best bet.
If your target quality level of tools is Kobalt, comparison shop the better HF ones, Carlyle at NAPA, and maybe Williams (Taiwan quality, not USA ones) or Blackhawk sets. You should be able to find a selection that suits you in those.
As to the price of Snap-on in comparison to the others, and the quality difference: This follows the 90/10% rule: On commodity level items, you can get 90% of the quality for 10% of the price. If you want that extra 10% of quality, you have to pay 10 times as much.
You can get an inexpensive ratcheting wrench set for under $50, and the same wrench set is $400+ from Snap-on. You can buy a $20 HF ratchet, or a $140 Snap-on one. The Snap-on is absolutely, undoubtedly better. But, it is hard for someone that expects a $50 or $20 budget to think that it is $400 or $120 better.
However, if you want high quality, durability, top level design and pride of ownership, Snap-on can supply all of those. At a price. Only you can decide if the benefits are worth that price. The same can be said of most of the other quality brands. Better, yes, but much more expensive than the imported, mass produced, common retail quality level available at discount stores.
It all depends on what you want to spend your money on. I have Snap-on and Proto tools. I have a SO box, and two Shure boxes, which are heavier and better built (and as expensive) as the Snap-on. But, I don't have any car that approaches the level of cost of yours. I drive a 20 year old pickup and a scratched up, beat up 12 year old SUV, and a 6 year old mustang that I bought cheap.
Last edited:
ssdave
Banned
In a high end mobile home to plain, well built house sort of comparison. All the look, and the flash to sell it initially, but the basic design and manufacture doesn't compare.
HF is good at capturing the look to lure in the masses that are impressed with cheap over quality, but they always fall short on the quality, consistency, durability, and service. But, are cheaper to make up for that. They have their niche, just like mobile homes do.
Bigbird
Well-known member
Just acquired this Roller Combo from Tractor Supply. Basically the same price as the Harbor Freight 26” roller box combo but 10” wider and 3” deeper. Top hatch is larger too and can close with my dewalt cordless drill (with battery pack) standing up. They gave me $50 off for a slight dent in the roller box too, so $450 all in.
Attachments
Things can get out of hand pretty quick! If you want to burn $20 grand.....
Tools kinda evolve in life...
Just get a us general box 44-56 -72 they are all good
Sockets - craftsman ultimate socket set Like $600
Open end wrench’s gear wrench Would be my 1st choice, husky has a nice set at Christmas long and short (stubby) ratchet type
Pliers - Knipex would be my 1st choice, Klein side cutters /strippers linesman, channel lock
Screwdrivers - Klein, Milwaukee, Craftsmen you’ll need different sizes and grips so get what feels good
Impacts- dewalt or Milwaukee look at the entire tool line and try to figure out what tools you’ll want /need I use red m12 and m18
Ratchets- get a good high tooth 6-8” long and go from there you end up with quite a few over the years, I have So, husky, craftsman, kobalt im always kinda looking for the next best set up
As things move along ( evolve) you’ll pick up things Here and there
Air compressor- I only use it for airing up tires - cordless Tools batteries work better, They are cord / hose less, if you get into heavy duty stuff get a drill press, Ele hand drill / hole hog, electric impact
When buying stuff think about organization /layout of your new tools / gold
Thus is a process and takes a while, I have 3 red craftsman boxes at one house and a Yellow mac and 3 yellow us general at our lake house, I plan to do a SteveO bench with the us general boxes when time permits. The yellow makes it bright inside the drawers and you can see everything fairly easy.
I really like the green boxes some of the guys have on here
Good luck
Tools kinda evolve in life...
Just get a us general box 44-56 -72 they are all good
Sockets - craftsman ultimate socket set Like $600
Open end wrench’s gear wrench Would be my 1st choice, husky has a nice set at Christmas long and short (stubby) ratchet type
Pliers - Knipex would be my 1st choice, Klein side cutters /strippers linesman, channel lock
Screwdrivers - Klein, Milwaukee, Craftsmen you’ll need different sizes and grips so get what feels good
Impacts- dewalt or Milwaukee look at the entire tool line and try to figure out what tools you’ll want /need I use red m12 and m18
Ratchets- get a good high tooth 6-8” long and go from there you end up with quite a few over the years, I have So, husky, craftsman, kobalt im always kinda looking for the next best set up
As things move along ( evolve) you’ll pick up things Here and there
Air compressor- I only use it for airing up tires - cordless Tools batteries work better, They are cord / hose less, if you get into heavy duty stuff get a drill press, Ele hand drill / hole hog, electric impact
When buying stuff think about organization /layout of your new tools / gold
Thus is a process and takes a while, I have 3 red craftsman boxes at one house and a Yellow mac and 3 yellow us general at our lake house, I plan to do a SteveO bench with the us general boxes when time permits. The yellow makes it bright inside the drawers and you can see everything fairly easy.
I really like the green boxes some of the guys have on here
Good luck