You do make a valid point, especially about the fasteners. Aviation grade hardware is a whole-nuther animal from the pot metal **** that's used on some cars. No road salt or mud either, and there's very little rust to ever have to deal with.
What Brand is most cost effective while quality?
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Chris Adams
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Just reading all these posts makes me realize how much an enthusiasts board differs from real life.
I have visited a number of shops lately, Dealerships to Tire shops to state authorized inspection stations (smaller private shops).
I'm seeing pro's using raised panel and a LOT of HF stuff.
I'm seeing kids with scared looks, with lots of unpaid for Snap-On.
I'm seeing tool boxes that make my KR1000/KR1100 look tiny, and I am seeing a LOT of HF boxes and carts.
I'm also seeing a lot of hungry mechanics.
suggesting spending a fortune to get a name brand set makes me think a lot of people haven't noticed we are in a rescission, hell, a depression, and things are changing. And will continue to change.
Pro's are running scared, why ask a kid to go in debt for ten years to have the best bragging rights in the unemployment line?
HF tools, many of them, the wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc. are the equal of Craftsman tools from the recent past. Or much better.
Any of the brands mentioned and many not mentioned like Gearwrench, Toptul, Genius, whatever will earn you a living for many years.
Truck brands have lousy warranties, unless you owe the guy a fortune, and even then, well, I'm still waiting on warranty slides from months ago, and they are being warrantied through a guy owing a bundle, who's not making a living.
By the way, he's a heavy line mechanic, a good body man, and has worked auto-parts, In other words, as a mechanic he hits the the trifecta.
He's starving to death.
Most the posters either started in boom times and don't remember the end of the 70's and early 80's last time it got this bad, or are in union or government postilions with no worries.
Keep it close, keep it cheap and survive.
I have visited a number of shops lately, Dealerships to Tire shops to state authorized inspection stations (smaller private shops).
I'm seeing pro's using raised panel and a LOT of HF stuff.
I'm seeing kids with scared looks, with lots of unpaid for Snap-On.
I'm seeing tool boxes that make my KR1000/KR1100 look tiny, and I am seeing a LOT of HF boxes and carts.
I'm also seeing a lot of hungry mechanics.
suggesting spending a fortune to get a name brand set makes me think a lot of people haven't noticed we are in a rescission, hell, a depression, and things are changing. And will continue to change.
Pro's are running scared, why ask a kid to go in debt for ten years to have the best bragging rights in the unemployment line?
HF tools, many of them, the wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc. are the equal of Craftsman tools from the recent past. Or much better.
Any of the brands mentioned and many not mentioned like Gearwrench, Toptul, Genius, whatever will earn you a living for many years.
Truck brands have lousy warranties, unless you owe the guy a fortune, and even then, well, I'm still waiting on warranty slides from months ago, and they are being warrantied through a guy owing a bundle, who's not making a living.
By the way, he's a heavy line mechanic, a good body man, and has worked auto-parts, In other words, as a mechanic he hits the the trifecta.
He's starving to death.
Most the posters either started in boom times and don't remember the end of the 70's and early 80's last time it got this bad, or are in union or government postilions with no worries.
Keep it close, keep it cheap and survive.
crewchief888
Well-known member
there are still a lot of guys not working around here, everybody has cut back on the numbers of employees they have.
most of the guys that we layed off had only been in the business for less than 5 years, and had the "i have to have the biggest toolbox, and shiniest tools syndrome"
ive been with this dealership for 13 years, and been pulling wrenches for over 25 years.
a couple of our guys are "versatile" enough to step in as a service or parts manager if needed.
ive seen a lot of union and gvt jobs disappear, a lot of those guys are hard pressed to find another job.
just my $0.02
most of the guys that we layed off had only been in the business for less than 5 years, and had the "i have to have the biggest toolbox, and shiniest tools syndrome"
ive been with this dealership for 13 years, and been pulling wrenches for over 25 years.
a couple of our guys are "versatile" enough to step in as a service or parts manager if needed.
ive seen a lot of union and gvt jobs disappear, a lot of those guys are hard pressed to find another job.
just my $0.02
Lambo nut
Banned
I got a friend that is trying to sell just his Snap on box for 4 grand that he paid 6 grand for. Not sure how well that is going to work out for him around here.
Wouldn't be due to them only knowing how NOT to do one job very well would it?
Kevin
ive seen a lot of union and gvt jobs disappear, a lot of those guys are hard pressed to find another job.
just my $0.02
Wouldn't be due to them only knowing how NOT to do one job very well would it?
Kevin
Rickochet
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As a professional wrench for many years, I would recommend that you spend your money wisely! I fell into the Snap On trap and spent way too much of my hard earned cash buying tools that I really didn't need. The smartest thing you can do as a young tech: Buy Craftsman or used Snap On tools.
Please avoid the pattern that so many of us have fallen prey to when we were young! I have a killer Snap On set up that I use only for doing my own repairs-- I could have purchased Craftsman tools, invested the difference in price and retired a long time ago!!!
Choose wisely!!!!
Please avoid the pattern that so many of us have fallen prey to when we were young! I have a killer Snap On set up that I use only for doing my own repairs-- I could have purchased Craftsman tools, invested the difference in price and retired a long time ago!!!
Choose wisely!!!!
mrholeshot
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Good advice BUT he has an advantage thatpeople like me didn;t have coming up. He has a one time opertunityto buy new Snap-On for the price of used. The only thing is that Snap-On wants young tech caught in that trap. The best thing they could do if possible is get a low interest loan and buy as many hard line tools from Snap-On as possible using the student discount then stop.
Personally if I was a tech just starting out right now I'd be looking real hard at tools like Gearwrench, Duralast and some Craftsman.
Chadro
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Lets face the facts, if your utilizing your student discount your more then likely going to buy more Matco and MAC then anything. Snap-On offers an ok amount but MAC gives 50% almost anything and Matco's student catalog is twice as big as Snap-On's. You should definitely take advantage of the stuff Snapon does offer but don't forget about the other two as well.
just starting out chances r you will loose more than you break. look at getting your pullers,testers,ratchets stuff you have to count on from snap-on. toolboxs & hand tools the best you can new or used.gj or ebay has lots good used
stopdroplol
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Show me one HF item that's more expensive than the SO equivalent and I will retract my statement.
Respectfully I have to disagree. The tool stocks of the shops I've seen would go Craftsman> >HF>Truck brand. With Craftsman probably being 30-40% and HF and trucks being equal. If you were to count shop equipment which is mostly Harbor Freight then those numbers would jump.
As for endurance, I've never broken a tool. And I abuse mine at almost every opportunity, because even if it breaks I can take 10 min and go to sears, or HF and get a new one. Something you can't do with a Truck Brand.
mrholeshot
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I've been in shops all my life and finally ending with my own. I saw more Snap-On and Mac than anything followed by Craftsman. HF was a very very small %. Many techs break tools everyday. I've only seen a handful of techs that didn't have back up tools in their boxes. Plus my Snap-On man and my Mac man would deliver a special tool I needed by the end of the business day. If you are a pro tech you can't stop working to go to Sears to replace a ratchet or other tool mid job.
Now on the other hand in the past few years since my shop closed more new techs have hit the market. I see more HF, Kobalt and Craftsman boxes in shops than I ever have. Im seeing more and more auto techs leaving the trade due to low wages and shortage of work.
Is the Snap On (Tool Trucks in general) business model sustainable? It seems like a lot of new mechanics are holding the burden of an unsustainable business model but are willing to accept it based on the fact they are USA made tools and their quality. It just seems like there are a lot of poor saps that are up to their neck in debt to Snap On meanwhile the company is producing huge amounts of revenue.
That being said (I am not a pro mechanic), if prices were 50% less, I would probably own a good set of Snap On tools for what I use on a regular basis. For me though, the Taiwanese made tools (HF Taiwanese tools, Gearwrench, Genius, etc.) is where its at in terms of quality and price. I would love to by American it just doesnt make sense.
stopdroplol
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There wasn't an auto store on every other other corner, or a sears in every city or the internet in the past so I can believe it when you say that the truck's that actually came to the shop were the leading share of tools in a garage. And I find it perfectly sensible that the trend is flipping to store retailers.
But you're warranty comparison makes no sense at all. You can't take the 10, 20, 30 minutes to go exchange it in a store but you can wait until the end of the day for the truck to come (maybe)? Professional or not, if I had my choice i'd choose to go into the store, I don't see how the other option even compares. And having backups is not limited to brands.
mrholeshot
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What I was trying to say was keeping a back-up tool is the only way to go. I doesn't have to be of the same caliber as your go to tool but it keeps you from stoping mid job (which can cost you a lot more than the price of a Snap-On ratchet) but you will still need to wait until the end of the day to go to Sears. Taking off work to get a tool replaced would be costly because time is money. No matter what brand of tools you need multiples on common items. If I needed a tool bad enough my Snap-On guy would get his wife to go get it and then bring it to me. Not something you make a habit of but nice to know it can happen. Then there are tools you just can't walk into Sears and buy off the rack.
speed bump
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I said a customer(the ones I work for) not price paid for the tool. When just what we are charging the customer is $30k-55k/day 10 minutes is more money to that customer than than a lot of mechanics bring home in a week. Also just because you can take 10 minutes when your tools break doesnt mean everyone can, if one of my tools breaks the replacement is a minimum of 1 hour one way and since we are a 24 hour operation I have a 50%+ chance of not being able to get another one anyway. Having multiples of every tool doesn't really make sense either because all of my tools have to be stored in my trucks tool box which limits me on space.
Do I still have some HF tools in my truck? Yep that 3/4" drive socket set has done pretty good. My rig floor needle nose are HF because after about 3 jobs there is no way that pipe dope is ever going to completely come out. I also have used some HF tools that I wouldn't ever use again namely Punches, chisels, extractors, and taps I think for those tools I might be 1 for 10 for them working. about the same with pliers for cutting, my beat to hell Klein dykes that I used in refrigeration, mining, and everything else while in school cut better than the set of HF dykes a driller handed me a while ago.
Again to the OP there is not ideal brand for everything. You can start out with just enough to do the job and upgrade as need and money permit. Don't overlook used tools and always have some cash for when that crazy deal comes along.
Jeff
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Like the other posters stated get your high-ticket items from SO. Then it's all a matter of personal choice. I like Armstrong for my wrenches and Beta for my sockets/ratchets.
I guess I can break my cherry on this thread . . .
I'm not a pro, but if I was just starting in the field I would buy high end tools for the ones
A) I used every day, all day long (ratchets, wrenches, etc); and
B) Tools I really needed to depend on (i.e. be accurate and not break).
Other stuff, I would go consumer grade. These could become backups if I got the $$$ later in my career.
To me, it's more than just a cost analysis. Even if you could buy 10 HF tools for the price of a Snap On, if you have to replace it even a couple times it isn't worth the hassle IMHO.
In addition, when you are working with something EVERY DAY, ALL THE TIME you need to consider how well it works and feels and you don't want it to be frustrating you every time you use it. Nothing bugs me more than crappy screwdrivers that ruin everything they touch! The same way you can't justify, cost wise, heated seats or power windows in your car. But your comfort and convenience is worth something.
Even if I was a pro, I wouldn't buy all high end stuff. Sometimes it just isn't worth it to have a Lexus when a Scooter will work. But sometimes that Lexus is worth it. I think you need to judge each tool and buy accordingly.
My rookie opinion.
I'm not a pro, but if I was just starting in the field I would buy high end tools for the ones
A) I used every day, all day long (ratchets, wrenches, etc); and
B) Tools I really needed to depend on (i.e. be accurate and not break).
Other stuff, I would go consumer grade. These could become backups if I got the $$$ later in my career.
To me, it's more than just a cost analysis. Even if you could buy 10 HF tools for the price of a Snap On, if you have to replace it even a couple times it isn't worth the hassle IMHO.
In addition, when you are working with something EVERY DAY, ALL THE TIME you need to consider how well it works and feels and you don't want it to be frustrating you every time you use it. Nothing bugs me more than crappy screwdrivers that ruin everything they touch! The same way you can't justify, cost wise, heated seats or power windows in your car. But your comfort and convenience is worth something.
Even if I was a pro, I wouldn't buy all high end stuff. Sometimes it just isn't worth it to have a Lexus when a Scooter will work. But sometimes that Lexus is worth it. I think you need to judge each tool and buy accordingly.
My rookie opinion.
bobcatdan
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I don't know how much asset has changed since I went threw, but it was 3 months at school, 3 months working at a dealership and we had to have our own tools. I would say buy one of the sets and add the big gaps in it. 1/2" impact and sockets, maybe torque wrenchs and a multimeter. I'm thinking you will start out doing a lot of maintance work, so oil filter wrenches, fuel and ****** line disconnect tools, hose clamp pliers and a good tire gauge. Get tools as you need them. My rule was borrow 3 times, get it. I would get a cheap 26" combo or 40" bottom since you will have to move it every 3 months. Ask the guys at work what you need. I would stay away from buying stuff just because you want it. You don't need 20 ratchets and a 1/2" cordless impact, if you don't have the sockets to put on them. Buy smart and you will have what you need as you need it and you won't break the bank. Best of luck. Of the 6 guys I still hag out with from school, one still work ford 10 years later.
watch on some of the things you buy from snap on. there are a bunch of items they sell that is from the same vendors that matco and mac use. Take the tap and die set and the screw extractor sets for instance. look at the websites and do your research. you can find the same sets for less from other tool companies. when i was in tech, i have used and bought from them all. i think snap on has some very good products. but most is over priced. the others hold up just as well.
stopdroplol
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What were the tools that broke? I find it unlikely it unlikely in the case of most hand tools. Something like a clamp, or puller I can understand. But for 90% of mechanical tasks HF will perform just as good as any other brand. While at the same time being exponentially more cheaper.
I'm not saying get HF for everything. Get what you like best. In fact, get a variety. I have equal amounts of Craftsman and HF, a little bit of Proto, and I prefer Channellock for pliers. But don't ever delude yourself into believing that HF isn't a good deal. Bottom line it blows every other retailer out of the water in terms of "cost effectiveness".
And I still don't understand why people bring up the truck brand warranty. Yes you're dealer can come to you and replace it. But in a fraction of the time I can go into the store and replace it. I can do this whenever I want and it's not dependent on any factor but me. The whole "you may have time to do it but I don't" argument doesn't make any sense because you end up waiting longer (much longer) for the truck. Obviously backup tools make this a negligible difference.
King Bojack
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This board should be renamed HF vs SO Rumble in the Bronx.
To the OP do remember that a half off student discount is both a good way to stock up on some crazy expensive SO goods for comparatively cheap and to apply a certain marketing pressure to put on tech students with these discounts because hey "YOU'LL NEVER GET THESE PRICES AGAIN STOCK THE HELL UP NOW OR YOU'LL BE SORRY!!!" so don't sink yourself to get a loaded snap on set.
So if you have the cash then yes, you can't go wrong with SO but don't let them back you into a corner. You can cherry pick from all the brands take advantage of deals etc. and such and build a good tool set for maybe half of the half off SO price at more or less any time you wish.
To the OP do remember that a half off student discount is both a good way to stock up on some crazy expensive SO goods for comparatively cheap and to apply a certain marketing pressure to put on tech students with these discounts because hey "YOU'LL NEVER GET THESE PRICES AGAIN STOCK THE HELL UP NOW OR YOU'LL BE SORRY!!!" so don't sink yourself to get a loaded snap on set.
So if you have the cash then yes, you can't go wrong with SO but don't let them back you into a corner. You can cherry pick from all the brands take advantage of deals etc. and such and build a good tool set for maybe half of the half off SO price at more or less any time you wish.
Very good advice and oh so hard to do for a young mechanic. Don't ask me how I know.
johnsdeere850j
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I'm a "pro" I guess you could say, I work on heavy equipment everyday. Lot of impact stuff, craftsman and proto and chinese tool store impacts. I RARELY break sockets. LOVE craftsman impact sockets, never had a problem with them. Recently had an issue with a 3/8 c-man swivel impact but that was because i was using a 3/4 gun on it... Honest to god, I have a ton of craftsman stuff. It is good stuff, I buy the sets when they are on sale so I have like 10 of each size now haha so plenty of extras... Craftsman may get dogged on quite a bit but I think they are pretty good tools. Cant beat the price and the warranty!
treasureseeker
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“What Brand is most cost effective while quality” I don’t think the answer can come from a survey of people’s experiences but for you to find in doing research based on the actual tools you are looking at buying for example a 1/2” ratchet. No real point to this statement but it has stuck with me. I used to do the used cars at an import dealership which had Honda and Mercedes and others. The Honda guys just had a medium bottom box and loose items like swivel impact sockets in just the sizes they used and a mixture of brands. The Mercedes guys had tool boxes that looked like a wardroom closet with every set of Snap On tool set you could imagine. I guess the point is you have to find what works for you and the tools become part of the culture of where you work. You have the folks that put all their money into the box and not the tools, or the opposite or largely invest in both. That Mercedes dealership redid the whole place in Mercedes colors but needed the boxes to match. They made them all blue with covering them in something like the window tint they use on cars. Perception is an interesting tool.
The student discount is definitely worth taking advantage of but don't some student discount programs limit you on buying certain packages to get the discount? Honestly if you wan't to make a long term career out of being a tech at some point or another you will wan't to own the best tools for the job, if money is an issue I would look at Craftsman or quality imports like Gearwrench or maybe Duralast but not Harbor freight. I think there is a bare minimum a tool should meet to be used as a pro and you have to weigh the price vs the frustration or complications of using cheap tools since your livelihood will depend upon them remember that. Thats not to say you have to have the best straight out of school I would actually not recommend that at all. Is Snapon overly expensive sometimes of course, but try to match the tools you will be using most often to the highest quality you can afford. I would start out slow with a basic set of tool truck tools if possible, if not buy Craftsman and slowly replace as needed with higher quality tools. As a professional your tools are a reflection of the pride you take in your work and the invested interest you have in doing your job. And quality tools are an investment that you will benefit from for many generations and maybe even your kids or grandkids will be able to use them and at least you will have something to be proud of from all your hard work. Tools will be used as an extension of yourself, something that allows you to express your skills on the job why falsely limit yourself with sub par instruments of yourself. It's all in where your priorities lie.
speed bump
Well-known member
Last job I was on a rig that didn't have a good float puller. No problem this little HF adjustable head pry bar should do the trick right. 10 seconds and it broke, ended up pulling it with a mangled screwdriver. Spent an extra 5-10 minutes because I thought a HF tool could do a simple job without breaking.
This job I thought I would use the 5/32 long hex socket I had just bought to remove some screws torqued to 80 in-lbs since I didn't feel like getting my hex key set out of the truck. Stripped the first screw and rounded the tool head, thankfully I happened to have an extractor that size or it was a $1000 hot shot trip for another one of those tools. Glad I tested those out before I used the tool on what I bought it for. Now on my list are Proto or Snapon ones to replace the HF ****.
You know that you can meet up with the SO guy if you already are leaving where you are at don't you? Also living in a small town shoots Sears (catalog stores with very little) and HF (closest one to my house is 3.5 hours) most of the time.
Chris Adams
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I think you need to examine the time frame you are discussing.
From the early 80's to 2006 we were in a boom time, and boxes kept getting larger, swank tools where all the rage and even starting guys had a huge chest of Truck tools.
Times have changed and are changing even more.
The days of the Truck guys giving support like you are describing seem long ago now. Many shops around here (1,000,000+ local population) don't see a truck of any kind in weeks.
Many trucks have about zero stock, everything is back order, I mean, everything.
In business first thing to be trimmed is inventory, always that way in recessions. Heck, Fry's electronic, where in the boom times you had to almost climb over inventory, has trimmed it till they have started spreading the gondolas to make them look less empty.
Also, before the mid 2000's tools from places like HF were pretty darn junky.
Now the hand tools and much of the air tools, etc. are superior to most the products sold in the 80's.
The tool cartels are pretty much busted.
The days of an SK socket selling for 2 hours pay at Minimum wage (1975) are long, long gone.
As to mechanics breaking tools everyday, yeah, I know one of those. Now that he's starving he doesn't break as many tools... and the word 'careful' has lately entered his vocabulary.
He would NEVER use a 1/2 inch ratchet, just the 3/8, and who cared what broke. Now that it takes a week to three weeks to get a new socket, or a ratchet, and now that the truck guy argues every warranty, he uses the proper tool for the job. And does a better job.
Times have changed.
Personally, I'd probably take advantage of the snap on discount. However, I would not go into enormous debt over it either. I'd be selective. There are many quality alternatives that can be had for less money which you can buy at any time online as the need arises and as you have the funds to do so. Owing a couple hundred or possibly even a couple thousand to snap-on may not be too bad if you are buying things you will need frequently and must endure hard use but I'd keep the spending under control. I don't know about you guys but I think it would be extremely depressing to finish school and end up owing more money between tuition and tools than I paid for my house. If I were starting a new career I'd want to be as debt free as possible. Just my opinion...
mrholeshot
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I would hate to think I had to enter the auto repair industry in todays world. Compared to 15 years ago it's less money and a bigger investment in most cases. The market is so flooded with so many young and inexperianced techncians that they may call it quits long before they come into their own because the pay vs investment is so lopsided. It's a crying shame that a fresh out of voc school tech is delivering pizza at night just to make the payments on his tools. Not only have times changed but in the automotive feild something has to break. locally here fresh techs are making 12-15 dollars per hour flate rate on a 120 dollar per hour shop rate. The problem is that there are five guys waiting for the first guy to throw his hands up. Crying shame
That's about $17 in todays money, so I have to wonder, you really can't buy an SK socket for $17? That seems really high. In the sets I looked at they come out to about $5/piece.
I think this has to do with the warranty mentality. For example, people will beat on Craftsman tools and sockets because they can easily be warrantied. I found myself doing that. I have since reversed my course BUT I think anything where you can easily warranty something will get beat on way more.
In my industry you end up paying $50k-$80k for a degree and certifications. You come out making $12,000 a year if you are lucky. The pay goes up to maybe $20k-$25k your second/third year. Then after that into the $30's, then $40's next year, if you get lucky and willing to work you can hit $80k-$100k in your later 20's. But the pay ***** at first especially after spending that much.
I think what you will see in the auto industry is more independent shops being started. Or maybe a large shop supplying the major equipment, and guys operate as independent contractors bringing their business there, but keeping the lions share of the rate.
I know in my industry, we have something similar. When you first start out you can either work as an employee collecting maybe $10-$20/hr of the customer billed amount of $50/hr, or you can go independent making the full customer billed amount but have to bring all your business in on your own.
Then I would say you have already artificially biased your poll and have made it invalid. A lot of professional techs have Craftsman tools intermixed with their collection. My personal favorite is to see the Snap On fanatics swear up and down that a certain SO tool is better to only find that the tools are the same with identical numbers stamped into them. Blind prejudice is the mark of a fool.
Value is defined by quality over price. It's simple economics.
By the way, some of the HF stuff outguns the SO. Be careful with having just one supplier, those tool franchises don't last very long. They made the Forbes (or maybe it was Business Week?) list of absolute worst franchise decisions to buy/own.
-Techniker
What industry are you in, just out of curiosity?
As for independent shops being the way of the future...eh...I think the general consensus is that the independent shops will be soon climbing into their death bed, sadly enough.
With the rise of hybrid vehicles and, eventually, full electric vehicles, dealerships are going to have a complete monopoly. The diagnostic equipment that you have in an independent shop is mere child's play when you see what a dealership has (particularly with the newer hybrids). Automotive technology is giving way to becoming more like the watered-down equivalent of computer science and electrical engineering.
-Techniker
How are you only earning $12k a year, while working full time at $10-20 per billable hour? Even assuming not all hours are billable, Federal law requires you to be paid at least minimum wage unless you're an independent contractor.
mrholeshot
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I have to ask, Just what tools does Snap-On sell that are the exact same as Craftsman?
There was just a post of one here today, actually. I believe they were a set of snap ring pliers actually, but I will look it up later. Two cost $40 from Craftsman, three cost $200 from Snap-On. That was a very expensive snap ring plier.
-Techniker
mrholeshot
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I have a 10-12 peice Craftsman set of snap-ring pliers. Although similar and work as well they are not Snap-On
How are you only earning $12k a year, while working full time at $10-20 per billable hour? Even assuming not all hours are billable, Federal law requires you to be paid at least minimum wage unless you're an independent contractor.
It *****, basically you work the time required and get paid what it pays because you are moving on. Rock and a hard place. Companies get away with it left and right, have been for decades. There were times where I went in to work and was there all day and never earned a dime for the day. *****.
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I work in aviation
Good point about the cars getting more sophisticated, if that is the case techs pay will have to go up as their technical knowledge increases.
Chris Adams
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Hi, you missed my point, reversed it. Back in the day before Taiwan tools got good, you paid through the nose for even cheap brands. Tools were EXPENSIVE back in the day.
That SK I'm talking about (yep, I bought it, actually a universal in half inch) is not as high a quality as stuff you can get for about one third an hour at minimum wage, or less than 3 bucks. Minimum is probably higher here.
Cartels are things like the oil cartel, where they keep prices under control (read, HIGH) for the benefit of the cartel members. The US had a tool cartel in effect if not in name, for many years. Honestly, anything stamped or forged by machine costs virtually nothing to make. Been beat to death, tools cost more to package and deliver than build, in most cases.
Your second point is true about the warranty mentality, but far more than that is the training, mindset of many tool users that tools are to be expended or you are either not a man, or not working hard enough.
Mechanics have it, but construction workers tend to do it much worse.
mrholeshot
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While that seem like it would be the case it seems that the complete opposite is happening