Tools for the semi-pro mechanic

[ckucia]

Been through a few threads on this subject, some are getting a bit dated and things are always changing, so I thought I'd start a new one.

I've always been a home mechanic. I do all my own car maintenance, the occassional job on the side, plus the occassional vehicle project and home repair.

I'm not hitting my tools as hard as a full-time mechanic, but way more than the occassional at-home handyman.

Most of my tools are Craftsman. I've been mostly happy with the brand over the years. The return policy has been great. However, it seems like I'm going through them faster every year due to wear and breakage. I have a day job, so most of my wrenching is at night and on weekends, and I loose a lot of time if I have to drop what I'm doing to run to Sears (if they're even open) to replace a tool and if that happens when I'm working on the daily driver, its an even bigger problem.

I'm at the point, after a few summer projects, where I need to buy some more tools. Worn screwdrivers, a bad ratchet, a few cracked/worn/missing sockets. I'd also like to expand my metric selection, and my larger sizes.

So, I guess I have a couple of options.

1) Stick with Craftsman

2) Buy Kobalt instead of Craftsman from now on (Lowe's is a lot closer and has better hours)

3) Step up to SnapOn/Mac/etc

4) Stick with Craftsman, but buy two of everything (preferably on sale or used) that is likely to break.

5) Something else?

Seems that there's probably a different approach for every class of tool. I.E. maybe buy ratchets from Snapon online, but stick with Craftsman for the sockets (and buy two?) What do you guys think?

 

[rodm1]

For you I would say " Stick with Craftsman, but buy two of everything (preferably on sale or used) that is likely to break." is the best option.

S&K probable would be another option if you have a dealer close. I use my tools every weakened and I see a lot of rusty fasteners on rarely brake anything. It sounds like you need to invest in the proper tool for the job.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

If I was you I would lay low for a good deal on either a used set of Snap on sockets or fild a good deal on Proto sockets. As far a s screwdriver go, C-man pros are quite a bit better than the standard. Or better yet, I would look for a Snap on ratcheting and go to my local hardware store and get Irwin bits. They are decent and are a good value.

 

[ckucia]

For you I would say " Stick with Craftsman, but buy two of everything (preferably on sale or used) that is likely to break." is the best option.

Funny. I originally typed that in as a joke, but then when I started looking at the prices for the high end tools, it actually made sense to buy two of everything as long as it's a company that has a return policy.

 

[bigsteve1969]

i would say watch the classifieds here i am still surprised how many DEALS are available on here. buy good used snap on, matco, cornwell etc.. for just a few dollers more than what you would spend on craftsman.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Seems that there's probably a different approach for every class of tool. I.E. maybe buy ratchets from Snapon online, but stick with Craftsman for the sockets (and buy two?) What do you guys think?

This is what I do, professionally and at home. Well, except I don't have doubles of most.

 

[Fedwrench]

I would recommend staying away from Kobalt. First, it's basically the same as as the danaher produced Craftsman for wrenches and sockets. Most of the Kobalt pliers and screwdrivers are imported. Secondly, the Kobalt selection is very limited.
I would recommend staying with Craftsman while being on the lookout for used bargains in truck brands. For sizes in metric that you can't find in Craftsman, I would go with SK, or Gearwrench. Shop around though because there is a wide range of prices for the same item.
Lastly, there probably isn't a need to buy two of everything in case one breaks as long as you use the tool as it was intended. However, if you want more tools than, watch for used, a sale at Sears, or ebay.

 

[tw33k2514]

Keep an eye out for sales on some SK socket sets. They are very complete, and well made. Also I would spend whatever it takes to have a ratchet that I liked because to me this is the most important part. Not having a good ratchet *****...

And for a home owner I would just buy Channellock pliers, or Knipex now that they are at lowes.

 

[Kurt4440]

I would buy them all. That way you get to try different brands and are covered if any or several break.

 

[senlow]

First, pay attention to the tools that fail, and why they fail. Then upgrade or buy duplicates accordingly.

In general Craftsman chrome sockets and wrenches are OK.

You may want to upgrade torx and allen sockets to Snap-on or Hazet.

I have a strong aversion to Craftsman ratchets. Do yourself a favor, and upgrade to Snap-on.

Channelock and Klein pliers are an upgrade from most Craftsman, and are reasonably priced.

 

[r0meyrome]

I agree with the person above me. Pay attention to what you break most and go from there. Even if you upgrade to a truck set, its not like the truck comes to your house on the evenings to warranty your tools. And if you do decided to just sent it out to the company that still leaves you with no tools for that night or weekend. I say stay with craftsman just because its the ease of warranty and its the "best bang for the buck". I myself is building two sets of tools.

 

[illmatyk]

^^I agree with this.
Also, if you really want to upgrade I have noticed some good deals here on the forum. So maybe keep an eye out for what you may need or want.
As for Craftsman ratchets breaking, I haven't had it happen to me yet, but I'm planning on getting some Matco or Snap on ratchets next year.

 

[ckucia]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses. You've been a great help.

 

[sberry]

Craftsman doesn't bother me and neither does that stuff from Lowes especially if its got the USA stamp on it. I don't need all one brand either, buy them as needed and where its the easiest. Just because they don't have every tool on the planet doesn't mean you cant buy anything there.
Personally, I don't worry much about warranty, even cheap stuff these days is covered. The best warranty is from my auto parts store. They will deliver. I bought a couple Duro china impact sockets for as building project where the potential for loss was high, 4$, after about 5000 bolts I bust a 3/4, they replaced it.

 

[Jay H 237]

Not sure how much of a hurry you are into finding/buying the tools but if you keep an eye here on the classifieds and Ebay for the older "V" stamp Cman tools they are better than the current stuff. Someone might be able to chime in and nail it down better but from what I remember the V stamp was from the 80s to early 90s. Unfortunately if you do break one of those and warranty it you will get a current tool.


I'm not a pro either and I mostly stick with Cman due to the ease of buying and warrantying since I don't have easy access to a tool truck.

 

[Cobra4B]

C-man stuff is getting crappier, but most people will tell you the high end stuff can break too.

 

[boostedgt]

craftsman is good enough for most stuff, check out ebay and pawn shops for high end tool truck tools if you can snag a deal. everybody has thier own prefrences but i like craftsman sockets and snap on ratchets

 

[forceyoda]

You can also land alot of the industrial US made stuff for only a few dollars more than craftsman on ebay, brands like Proto and Wright.

 

[Homoudont]

I am in the same boat as you, I try to do most of my own car maintenance both to save money and because I like working with my hands. I use a combination of craftsman, master mechanic, and toptul sockets. I have a few Snap on socket sets I was able to get cheap off ebay and always keep my eyes open for more.

I've upgraded my drive ratchets to snap on, Proto, SK and Toptul. Just keep your eyes out for some used ratchets and tools and slowly upgraded whatever you have.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I would recommend a Craftsman fine tooth ratchet(the ones with the red dot)
or the KD version, that i bought at Oreilly Auto..

 

[benjamming]

You can also land alot of the industrial US made stuff for only a few dollars more than craftsman on ebay, brands like Proto and Wright.

yep, and Armstrong, SK, etc.

 

[48548]

I agree about watching what breaks. Also I do think proto, armstrong and napa makes some good tools as alternatives without breaking the bank, but also agree spend top dollar on ratchets and you will always be happy. A socket is a socket to me, but a ratchet isn't just a ratchet. A dual 80 or wera are pretty nice and haven't let me down yet. I would take any of my old 20 tooth snappy's over any craftsman, except maybe the thin pro 60 tooth, but other than that snap on is where it is at for ratchets. Sockets, I have been happy with my craftsman, proto, armstrong, koken, toptul, just about anything and I do have spares so if they break it isn't a problem. Picking up a complete set from sears on sale really helps with spare sockets and is cheap per piece that way and some of the better sets come with the thin pro handled ratchets as well.

 

[Cobra4B]

I just bought a set of thin pro 60s on here... can't wait for them to come in.

 

[48548]

I just bought a set of thin pro 60s on here... can't wait for them to come in.

For craftsman ratchets, I really like them, I have the blue and chrome and while they aren't my favorite, I used them a lot when I didn't have better snap on. They worked fine and I wouldn't hesitate to get another set.

 

[sberry]

Sockets are where quality issues really show up, they can get highly stressed so easily, way bigger issue than end wrenches.

 

[rsanter]

use cman as the base to your set
add some snap on in there over time for the tools you use the most.
look at the tools being sold on this board, there are often good deals on quality tools you can add to your collection

bob

 

[the spyder]

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I bit the bullet, spent weeks on CL and ebay buying up Snapon for great prices. Used it twice then it all got stolen. I fell back on my Craftsman and everything just seemed... horrible. So back at it again, I am searching here, CL, Ebay, ect to find another set of Snap On. Mind you I am not sticking purely to snap on- I am mixing and matching between Wera/Wiha/Knipex/Snapon/TopTul/Craftsman. There is a short list of Snapon I actually want, the rest can be other brands.

 

[ckucia]

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I bit the bullet, spent weeks on CL and ebay buying up Snapon for great prices. Used it twice then it all got stolen. I fell back on my Craftsman and everything just seemed... horrible. So back at it again, I am searching here, CL, Ebay, ect to find another set of Snap On. Mind you I am not sticking purely to snap on- I am mixing and matching between Wera/Wiha/Knipex/Snapon/TopTul/Craftsman. There is a short list of Snapon I actually want, the rest can be other brands.

Sorry to hear that. Thieves ****.

We've had a rash of breakins in my hood lately. I'm was worried about the tools in my garage, but then I realized it's such a mess in there right now, that I can't find anything - good luck to the hoodlum looking for an easy score. They'll probably kill themselves tripping over something and their crack ho' widow will sue me.

 

[wendell]

Its important to note that there's a large continuum between the cman/ kobolt/ chicom junk and the conspicuous consumption of Snap On. High quality US and western European tools are pretty reasonable. You've got to make a little effort to source them. Proto, Williams, Wright, SK superkrome, Wera, PB, Witta, Channel Lock, Knipex. It just takes a little effort to resist what's being fed to you.

 

[crewchief888]

i basically have 3 sets of tools, one in my service truck, one very basic set @ home, and another set at my shop.
my home and shop tools are a mixture of CM, kobalt, HF, and truck brands. if i find myself breaking certain tools, i upgrade to truck brands, especially torx bits.
the tools in my service truck are all truck brands, mainly snapon, i use bluepoint and ingersol air tools.
all the boxes that ive used for "professional" use are snapon, the rest of my boxes are for the most part dumpster finds, or flea market buys. i have a snapon roller cab that was rescued from the scrap after it fell out of a truck, another set was damaged in our shop when a boom drifted down overnight and tweaked the top, an old set of wards powercraft boxes that was another dumpster find.