What tool brand to replace Craftsman?

[mdnelson86]

Obviously there have been many complaints on here about the quality of craftsman tools (and some other brands for that matter) going steeply down hill. This got me thinking. In today's market, who would you see taking the place of the traditional craftsman quality and value?

This is primarily for the home garage mechanics and part time people that don't rely on tools for a living, but still do a fair amount of wrenching. factors that come to mind are quality, price, and warranty (ease and coverage).

I'm a big fan of buying products made in the USA, but don't have a problem with off-shore brands as long as the quality is there. I'd also like to hear responses for complete tool lines, not so much "Brand "X's" ratchets are good, and brand "Y's" screwdrivers are good.

thoughts?

Or is it just Harbor Freight or tool truck these days?

 

[ThisGuy310]

I have personally replaced what I used to buy from Craftsman with SK.

 

[dieseler]

Since you are in Illinois like me you probably have a mernards no too far away. I saw they have some master force brand it says made in USA for Hand tools, (maybe more) except I didn't have a chance to them out.

 

[Wakefield]

Is some Craftsman just Armstrong built to a lower price point?

 

[thetreshon]

SK is probably the best choice, because as far as I know, the NEW SK is sticking to "everything we sell must be made in the USA."

They get my dollar.

 

[Stooge]

if im not buying truck brand, (generally snappy) or want to save a few bucks, ive been pretty loyal to SK for most of my wrenching life as far as handtools go. good value for money and a great product all around, although not alot of brick n mortar stores carry them. ive also been warming up to gearwrench over the last few years, again great value, easy to find in stores and the quality is great. never had to warranty any gearwrench stuff so i cant speak on that

 

[Davefr]

I'd also like to hear responses for complete tool lines, not so much "Brand "X's" ratchets are good, and brand "Y's" screwdrivers are good.

thoughts?

I think you're making a big mistake looking for a complete brand vs. shopping the individual tools.

 

[72rallye440]

Most of my tools are older Craftsman and they always served me well. More recently purchased new Craftsman tools clearly are not the same quality.

I've tried some SK tools recently for the fist time and really like the quality. That will probably be my choice for hand tools going forward.

 

[BK13]

I'm going to be watching this with interest. I kind of figure to be looking for SK, Armstrong, Proto, Williams, or Wright. Or German stuff if I can afford it.

 

[signcrafter]

SK is about the next step up from craftsman as far as price, quality, made in the USA, warranty, etc. But not to many local stores that sell SK from what I've seen.

Then there are the industrial brands like Armstrong, Williams, etc.

I also like gearwrench. I've picked up a few seocket sets and other gearwrench tools from advance auto using discount codes when ordering parts. Have been real happy with them for the price.

 

[Scout Driver]

USA made Allen. Or, GearWrench.

Scott

 

[jjjrmx5]

Or is it just Harbor Freight or tool truck these days?

Ha!

C'man still has quite a few tools left that are purchase-worthy, but finding a brick and mortar or even a quality and budget-friendly full line of tools from one mfgr. is going away fast if not gone.

B&M nets you C'man, HF, Duralast, Gear Wrench and a few others, plus your industrial suppliers like Graiger that offer those mentioned above like Proto and Armstrong.

S-K and Willimas are always good choices but any tool issues gets you back to a far less simple process than other easier accessed brands.

NAPA/Carslye brand has some acceptable offerings with local access but for some they can't get past the name and , for some tools, past the price for COO when it can be found better and cheaper elsewhere.

NAPA, S-K, Williams and most of the rest are not at the same purchase value level of C'man and some start to get close to truck prices for some items. It's a pick-and-choose tool world out there now. No "one stop shopping" as in the days of yore.

You just have to weigh cost, quality and ease of replacement or even ease of buying more tools from that mfgr. into the equation.

 

[scaron]

i would agree with the member that suggests you find the best brand for the tool, there are lots of good vendors out there of USA made tools with lifetime warranty: klein, ideal/s-k, proto, wright, williams, etc. each company has something that it does best, and prices will vary slightly. just compare and go with whoever has the best value. between them all you should be able to find just about anything that was ever in the craftsman hand tool line.

 

[SMKS]

I'm a big fan of buying products made in the USA, but don't have a problem with off-shore brands as long as the quality is there. I'd also like to hear responses for complete tool lines, not so much "Brand "X's" ratchets are good, and brand "Y's" screwdrivers are good.

If you buy all your tools from one brand then you might be doing it wrong.

Blackhawk is a good step, IMO. All the sockets and wrenches are USA made (not ratcheting wrenches, obviously) and are well priced. They're not talked about too much here, though.

Otherwise, SK, Wright, Williams, etc.

If you don't care about country of origin, then GearWrench or maybe Kobalt, or even Chinese Craftsman.

 

[jakemac]

Sadly, in 20-30 years, there will be people chatting online about how they love and miss their quality "vintage" Kobalt and Husky handtools.

 

[Exceller8]

Personally I really like satin finish tools. If I had it to do over I'd probably go with Stahlwille. I bought a single wrench and really love it!

I'm going to buy this set:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y8SIVG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Loscaldazar]

Menards has some Masterforce tools that are USA made (Sockets, ratchets, wrenches, crowsfoots, NOT pliers).

I would go for SK! Great tools for the money. Certainly more expensive than Craftsman, but also much better!

 

[Flybye]

I have personally replaced what I used to buy from Craftsman with SK.

That is what I have done. I already started with SK and their snap ring pliers set:

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/pliers/product.aspx?ID=4473&view=view

Not a big purchase at $20, but we all have to start somewhere.

I was in Sears last month, and 3/4 of the things I bought were made in the USA. I'll keep buying the good stuff till they are out for good. Then as things break I will slowly switch over to SK. Things do not break very often with me, but when they do, I'm really happy to know I can buy SK. I only find good reviews on them.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

I'd take a look at Williams, SK, Wright, and as the OP said Blackhawk.

 

[mrjaw14]

I wouldn't be completely loyal to any one brand of anything. Every manufacturer has something they're good at and somethings that they don't do as well on. I really like Snap-On and Armstrong ratchets. I do not however have snappy sockets, I have craftsman sockets. They've not let me down yet so I'm not going to replace them until they wear out or break.

I have pliers from snap-on, blackhawk, crescent, channellock and many other brands. I think you'll end up with a much better tool assortment if you shop for individual tools based on your requirements for that tool.

 

[jd_1138]

I have personally replaced what I used to buy from Craftsman with SK.

Plus, SK is headquartered and are made in Sycamore, Illinois -- not too far from the OP. Seems like a slam dunk choice for SK, if I were the OP. Keeps your tool dollars local. I am starting to buy SK (and love what I have bought). I used to buy USA Craftsman.

 

[e_d]

I like many others have switched over to SK, I just purchased the 42472 on amazon and love it. This will probably be my favorite 1/2in ratchet.

 

[cgv69]

I disagree with the whole premise that you should limit yourself to or even focus on just one brand. Don't limit yourself. There are a number of manufacturers out there putting out good tools but none of them make the best of everything, regardless of how you define "best" (i.e best design, best quality, best price, best value, etc.)

Each purchase has to be looked at individually and the decision based on what you need, how you will use it, how often you will use it, budget, personal preferences etc..

 

[mdnelson86]

I think you're making a big mistake looking for a complete brand vs. shopping the individual tools.

I'm really not even in the market. I own a mix of everything. The question was more just informational about what would be the decent go to brand these days.

 

[zkling]

Whatever USA made stuff I can find at garage sales and the like.

For those rare (for me) brand new tool purchases:
SK, Armstrong, Proto, Williams or Wright for mechanics tools like sockets, wrenches, drive accessories.
Vaughan hammers
Channellock or Knipex for pliers, I'm really liking the Knipex stuff, but ouch on $
Mayhew chisels and punches
Williams, Wera, Whia for screwdrivers and like drive accessories

I think that covers about everything I would typically purchase via craftsman.

 

[Skyline]

Used Snap-on from eBay.

 

[Farmall450]

Since you are in Illinois like me you probably have a mernards no too far away. I saw they have some master force brand it says made in USA for Hand tools, (maybe more) except I didn't have a chance to them out.

I will be using them & Allen USA (Farm & Fleet)

Maybe some SK, rest SO

 

[cburnscrx]

I think you're making a big mistake looking for a complete brand vs. shopping the individual tools.

I agree. I think you're making a big mistake too. Just because Snap On makes the best widget doesn't mean that SK doesn't make the best watchamcallit. Buy the best value or tool from many different brands.

 

[Brownsfan]

SK has a pretty complete hand tool line up from top to bottom. I hear they are coming out with a ratcheting wrench USA made very soon. I have USA craftsman for ALL my sockets and wrenches(non ratcheting). If I need to replace anything it will be with SK. I also own a LOT of snap on but I don't use my tools everyday anymore so the cost is a littl high. I am going to get a set of SK long wrenches very soon. Sometimes the craftsman raised panel wrenches are just not long enough.

 

[MackMan]

Snap-On or USA Craftsman for me (usually used from here, Ebay or Pawn shop... local pawn sells Craftsman for $3.50/lb)

 

[woody 73]

In all my tool hunts, garage sales, flea type places, cl etc. I will find about 90% craftsman. The other 10% will be a mix of sk, proto, Williams, wright, etc.

If I had to start over again I would give my vote (two cents) to SK tools; now I know the op said only one brand, even though I am not a big fan of their ratchets I still give my vote to SK.

 

[Farmall450]

Snap-On or USA Craftsman for me (usually used from here, Ebay or Pawn shop... local pawn sells Craftsman for $3.50/lb)

Geez, by me, it's probably averaged to $30/lb

 

[cheechi]

If I had to get all new hand tools and stay within 'traditional' cman budget, I could do it but it would be a mix of brands and COO

screwdrivers: that one HF set and/or Williams, or any of the German brands
Sockets, ratchets: GW & the good HF rats.
Wrenches: Kobalt since I have those already but I'm sure there is nicer.
Impacts: HF
Pliers: my same mix of CL, Knipex, & misc. Never liked CM pliers.
Hammers: Vaughan or Estwing take your pick.
Storage: HF for boxes, Husky for bags.
Bigger power tools: Ridgid (most are the same model as CM anyway) or Bosch depending on price & use.


I'm sure if you make a shopping list at Sears then compare to the above you're going to come out better or within 5-10% of your same overall price. All local, no trucks.

Nowhere local to me has SK. I would go for those wrenches if they cost about the same as Cman RP ones. I also don't have a Menard's, F&F, or anyplace else that sells USA tools besides whats been mentioned above.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Line of NEW USA tools that can be ordered online today? Proto, SK, SnapOn.
I get three tries for a quarter?
Pocketbook may rule out SnapOn.
I like my SK, but recent purchases amongst the three have favored ProTo..

 

[bcradio]

Is some Craftsman just Armstrong built to a lower price point?

No, but some of it sells at a lower price point.

 

[priceman1414]

Most of my tools are older US Craftsman that I plan on keeping for as long as possible.

There's plenty of New-old-stock USA Craftsman stuff you can find on ebay (for now, at least).

A Menards recently opened in my town and I've been getting some of their Masterforce (Allen) stuff - haven't had the chance to really test anything I've gotten there yet (so far I've bought odd socket sizes that didn't come in my Cman sets, some breaker bars, and a 1/2" drive flex-handle ratchet, I believe I saw the exact same ratchet on ebay branded as an Armstrong, selling for a lot more. Menards also has a good selection of gearwrench stuff - I'll probably be buying more US Masterforce stuff from Menards in the future).

 

[Farmall450]

Aren't masterforce ratchets Allen?
So I guess Danaher.

 

[SMKS]

Aren't masterforce ratchets Allen?
So I guess Danaher.

Apex, you mean.

Danaher spun off all its tool brands (except MATCO). All those brands are now part of Apex Tools.

So, the Masterforce sockets/wrenches/ratchets are made by Apex.

 

[CWP1616L]

I think SK is the IDEAL brand to replace Craftsman.

Did you guys get that?

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

SK would be my choice.