worst tool brand

[BMack37]

That Blue Hawk **** from Lowe's, it soo bad that I left it on the shelf when it was clearanced for $2. Once you get your hands on it you realized it wasn't worth the $2 asking price.

HF Pittsburgh stuff can be pretty hit or miss. Their pliers aren't terrible if you watch out for corrosion and isn't in a high torque usage. Screwdrivers are very good for the money with the lifetime warranty(and because they don't care they will warranty wear and tear)...but the adjustable wrench is a paperweight. Their vice grips jaws don't line up. Many others that go in the "miss" pile, less that go in the "hit" pile.

 

[chris142]

When I was about 14 I bought a 40 piece tool set @ the swap meet. The sockets were soft as Cheeze and were only good for a 1 time use.

The ratchet on the other hand was very course and sloppy but it was my only ratchet for a few years, it actually held up pretty good. I think I paid $4 for the set back then.

 

[94_C/1500]

It's been said but usually tools without names. No one wants embarrassed with their name on junk. For instance, Regal. I don't own their sockets and ratchets. For $10 you get a 3/8 ratchet and a rail of sockets. For $5 you can get a small set of deep well 3/8. Quality stuff...
I do have their bow saw ($3.28 at work) and I did make 2 cuts in a 10 inch log and it's still sharp so not even that brand is complete junk.
I have very few harbor freight tools. The only one I've had that was junk was a pulley puller. I figured it would have to be good for one use. Nope, the bearing was locked up. I figured out if you could hold tension one bearing the center could be turned. So I put vice grips on the bearing and had them ride against a post. I used it once and the threads were all chewed up. Never buy speciality tools from there. Home is an hour away and that's when you find out it won't even work once.
Whoever makes those little AC Delco jacks need to reexamine their design. Mine has been used maybe 10 times and it won't hold it's own weight for 5 minutes. Autocraft has the same one. It'll jack the car up but you better have a jack stand under it within seconds or it'll start to drop slowly. There's also a company popping out, from china, oil filter pliers. The one I had was from tractor supply but they are sold by many companies. I only needed it once. I broke the jaw off getting a stuck filter loose. Didn't even budge it. I borrowed a giant pair of giant channel locks, couldn't even tell it was stuck with those. I've since used your standard style channel lock pliers since. But I did pick up a vice grip style oil filter wrench a few months ago and it seems to work good too.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I remember regularly spreading and snapping off Jet open end wrenches back in the early 90's.

Worst tool I ever used was some no-name heel bar that snapped off the first time I used it. When I looked at the crack, the black paint was halfway through the shaft, so it was half split the minute it was made.

Any reversible snap ring pliers were an exercise in frustration.

I broke 3 Mastercraft 3/8" ratchets taking aluminum bell housings off. That first snap as the corrosion breaks was enough to strip the pawl teeth. Always got them replaced no questions asked though. Seem to hold up just fine since.

Snap-On soft faced hammers were about the worst I ever used. There was small pile of orange chips the whole while they were hitting something.

Anybody know who made Master Mechanic wrenches? I picked up a couple of sets cheap at a liquidation place about 20 years ago and they really held up well. I guess I haven't abused them enough yet.

 

[camd64]

Trades Pro sockets. Years ago I bought a tool kit from them at Kragen Auto for home use, bad idea.... I actually dented one of the sockets by dropping it on a concrete floor from only about 4ft. Had another one swell open (not crack or break). I ended up using most of the rest for drivers since I figured at least the wouldn't chip or shatter.

Also had a set of wrenches made in India, I think they where sold under the name Mechanics Products? Soft steel and very thin chrome.

 

[rednotch]

cummins tools or gedore india with the older HF tools being a close second.

 

[kv501]

anything marked Pittsburgh

I'd use their composite ratchet ANY day over an RP Craftsman. That thing is ridiculously bombproof. I've used it several times in sketchy situations while my Dual 80s sat in the box because I was scared to shell them out.

Used a pipe on the 3/8 to pop rusted lug nuts on a buddy's car trailer (on the side of I-29). It was all I had with me and I told him I'd go until something flew apart but it never did.

 

[kv501]

Oh, and Alltrade in any shape or form is the absolute worst tool ever produced.

 

[KnurledNut]

Those potmetal sockets made in Sri Lanka...

 

[steed andersen]

1/2" combination wrench only marked "JAPAN". Bought from a flea market in mid 1980's. Broke while tightening lawn mower blade I had just sharpened and severed my finger at the first joint. Lesson learned young-Don't trust cheap tools.

 

[KenS]

Honorable mention:

 

[rednotch]

Honorable mention:

pot metal hammer lol. Made in India?

 

[RedneckWelder]

India made or the Jobsmart/Bluehawk/Alltrade/Calhawk ultra cheap ****... you know the stuff that is clearly a step below HF tools...

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

I had to do some research into the Cummins Industrial Tools since I have quite a few Cummins Engine Co specialty tools and they are as good as you can get. Cummins Industrial has no affiliation whatsoever with Cummins Engine Co and were ordered to liquidate and stop selling under that name.

On another note - we have our version of HF up here called Princess Auto and they have a house brand called Power Fist... Those tools span the range from completely unusable to usable in a pinch but walking into a shop and reading PowerFist will never inspire confidence.

The worst I've ever seen was the late night tv hucksters selling the Metrinch tools that fit (sort of) on metric or SAE sizes. It's basically a regular socket or wrench with the corners ground out so it only grips near the centre of the flats. Might as well use that 5/8 on the 14mm - if it's decent quality it'll work better anyway.

EDIT: I almost forgot about the Wonder Wrench... Google it.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Those potmetal sockets made in Sri Lanka...

I have a few 1/2 drive ones kicking around, never used them but their looks did not inspire any confidence.

 

[John in OH]

When I was a teenager (many years ago) someone gave me a set of made-in-India Gedore open-end wrenches that were truly dreadful.

 

[stearn786]

Blue hawk *****. Newer Kobalt china is pretty terrible too. As for Regal, I bought a ratchet and socket set when i was 14 and the ratchet still exists. It's not good but I've hit it with a hammer and had a 2 foot pipe on it and it hasn't broken. What more can I can ask for $10 in 10 years?

 

[hangfirew8]

90's era 40 pc 3/8 socket set from HF, still available.

Each socket use destroyed the socket, even on bolts that were not stuck. Then I used the ratchet with a Craftsman socket and bent the head out of round and it jammed up for good. I had a few unused sockets left and threw them away. Made in China.

Same order, early 90's era, HF used to offer a cheap wrench set, something like $1.99 for 7 pieces or like that. I remember the ad copy (no stores local to me at the time) said something like "you'll be amazed at the quality." They were right! I was totally amazed. I threw them away without even trying to use them. The most porous metal castings I've ever seen. Made in India.

First Gen "thin wall" Craftsman sockets. Late 80's? Each time I used one I cracked the side. Eventually they all got warrantied or just thrown away. Back then metric sockets were impossible to find in open stock. It took 3 years to replace the 10mm deep. Drove me to SK.

 

[franzdom]

Craftsman. Consistently going downhill in quality, warranty becoming more and more worthless as are the tools.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I remember a traveling tool circus that sold Buffalo brand tools back in the '80's, possibly late '70's.
Then along came Chuck Homier and he made that Buffalo stuff look almost legitimate.
Then the Cummins ringmaster set up his circus and took the cake as far as crappy tools go.
I don't think any of them are in business anymore.

Also, have some old Barcalo Buffalo wrenches that were my grandfather's that are pretty crappy.

 

[shoggoth80]

I've got two sets of sockets that are branded Powerbuilt (Taiwanese), which is owned under Alltrade. The sockets are surprisingly nice. There are some older (cheap, CHEAP) Alltrade wrenches floating around the house... and they are not even remotely close to the same level of manufacture.

 

[Darling123]

Has anyone ever used Regal brand ratchet tie downs? How did they hold for you? They broke for me!

 

[mr57]

Power Fist stuff from Princess Auto is a real hit and miss. I used their 3/8 extra long extensions a lot and have never bent them even using them as a prybar. I bought a router that can be used as a die grinder as well and it is awesome. The finger ratchets are sold in a set with all three sizes. I used the 1/4" and 3/8" a lot. The 1/2" fell apart in my hands before I even had a chance to try it. When you look at a lot of their stuff it looks and feels cheap. I will never use their pliers again either.

 

[fastbike02]

Cummins Industrial Tools, I'm sure they are made from the slag out of the foundry's floor

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I was in Costa Rica some yeas back doing some work with a local carpenter, and he was drooling over my Taiwan tools. turns out for them, made in Taiwan or China with a name is pretty good, and Hecho en Nicaragua is...well there is a step down from Snap On or whatever to HF...and another equal step down to the Nico stuff. My new Nicaraguan shovel folded in half before I got out my first spadeful! I gave the man my Taiwan set when I left, hope it lasts him a lifetime.

 

[jd_1138]

Power Fist stuff from Princess Auto is a real hit and miss. I used their 3/8 extra long extensions a lot and have never bent them even using them as a prybar. I bought a router that can be used as a die grinder as well and it is awesome. The finger ratchets are sold in a set with all three sizes. I used the 1/4" and 3/8" a lot. The 1/2" fell apart in my hands before I even had a chance to try it. When you look at a lot of their stuff it looks and feels cheap. I will never use their pliers again either.

Power fist sounds like a kung fu style.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I don't know how bad the Fukung wrench really is.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Craftsman. Consistently going downhill in quality, warranty becoming more and more worthless as are the tools.

This.

I wanted to say BlackHawk, because they refused to warranty this:

They also sent me two 12mm sockets, and no 11mm. The extra 12mm was larger and sported their parent company's branding.

But I'm going to say Craftsman, because they've let me down the most. I invested heavily into a relationship with them when I first started out, based largely on trust. Now if I break an American-made tool that I paid American prices for, they'll replace it with inferior Chinese junk that has similar markings on it. The size and branding are where the similarities stop.

A Gibson Les Paul Standard is a very different guitar than the counterfeit versions coming out of China and selling for a couple hundred bucks. Guitars and hand tools are direct extensions of your body, and the FEEL is important, and you pay dearly if you care.

It's like if my brand new Gibson LP's neck began warping and they replace it with a Chinese knock-off, but it SAYS Gibson on the headstock. You paid $2000, and now you have a $200 guitar, when you could have just bought the $200 one in the first place.

I doubt Gibson would ever do that, and I don't know how C-Man gets away with it, but it was a loophole that I never suspected when I invested in their trust, many years ago.

Don't get me wrong, my Armstrong-made C-Man stuff has been great (I did have a problem with some S•K made wrenches that they switched out for the Armstrongs, before they went full-retard), and I'll probably use them forever without a problem. It's just that they betrayed my trust.

I had an all-metal tape measure that broke, and they replaced it with this yellow ª39678 one thats been my all time favorite tape-measure for twnety years, but they don't even make tape measures anymore, so apparently my lifetime warranty expired. I treat it gingerly and would cry if it ever bit the dust.

If a tool breaks, hey - understandable. I won't get upset with the brand for a defect. That's why I paid for the good stuff with the warranty. Betray my trust? Well, that's just not cool. That's unforgivable. It's like everytime they offer a Chinese tool to replace an American one, they're lying to my face with a smile, and I hear in my head, "ha ha, you can't say anything, because loophole, ha ha" in Nelson's voice.

I've boycotted Sears and Craftsman ever since, and am not sure how I feel about my almost vintage C-Man stuff that is good, and will probably last forever without needing warranty, but now seeing that brand just leaves a bad taste in my toolbox.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Ryobi. I have heard people on here say they have done well with them, but l have never personally seen a good thing that had their name on it.

 

[d.mcfarland]

In my opinion junk is junk. No particular brand of known junk is worse than another brand of known junk.

Worst is subjective though, don't forget.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Any no named tool out of china. At least branded **** has a name hahaha

 

[Nick Danger]

I had a no-name socket set that I bought for a few dollars in the 1980s. I figured that I would keep it in the car for emergencies. Bad idea. The first time I used it, the socket handle bent and the extension twisted like a barber pole.

 

[PeterT]

I bought a set of Craftsman drill bits (in the red 'thin' steel case) about 10 years ago. After getting the bits out of the clam-shell packaging, the hinged bit container wouldn't open. I looked closer, and was able to get it open,, pulled out a small bit and drilled into whatever it was I needed then (I think it was a soft metal), the bit broke in the first 5 secs. I pulled out another bit, next size up,, same thing. I went to close the bit container and the hinges were buckled out, and I couldn't get the 'treys' to fold back in,, the entire thing was a mess. I threw it in the bag unlcosed, broken bits and all and brought it back to sears

 

[L.Cheapo]

Has anyone ever used Regal brand ratchet tie downs? How did they hold for you? They broke for me!

I got tired of cheap junk tie downs. Had a custom set made by Mac's in Idaho and I don't think I'll be buying anything else from now on. Quality, reasonably priced, made in USA, and super nice people. They make box store tie downs look like toys.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Got given some Vaunt brand drill bits to try, they saved a lot of time as i didn't have to do any drilling to blunt them...

 

[Al Borland]

Power fist sounds like a kung fu style.

I'm gonna say power ******* sounds like something from a dirty movie...

 

[seber]

No name anything for sure, then Globemaster, then Crapsman ratchets.

 

[Metalio]

I found a 10mm open box wrench in a corner of my garage that was some indian brand and the chrome finish was honestly rougher than sandpaper. Another time I was fixing my car using a set of "steelwood" branded open ended wrenches and while trying to loosen a nut with the 14mm one of the jaws just broke clean of and I cut open my hand on a piece of steel.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

This.

I wanted to say BlackHawk, because they refused to warranty this:

They also sent me two 12mm sockets, and no 11mm. The extra 12mm was larger and sported their parent company's branding.

But I'm going to say Craftsman, because they've let me down the most. I invested heavily into a relationship with them when I first started out, based largely on trust. Now if I break an American-made tool that I paid American prices for, they'll replace it with inferior Chinese junk that has similar markings on it. The size and branding are where the similarities stop.

A Gibson Les Paul Standard is a very different guitar than the counterfeit versions coming out of China and selling for a couple hundred bucks. Guitars and hand tools are direct extensions of your body, and the FEEL is important, and you pay dearly if you care.

It's like if my brand new Gibson LP's neck began warping and they replace it with a Chinese knock-off, but it SAYS Gibson on the headstock. You paid $2000, and now you have a $200 guitar, when you could have just bought the $200 one in the first place.

I doubt Gibson would ever do that, and I don't know how C-Man gets away with it, but it was a loophole that I never suspected when I invested in their trust, many years ago.

Don't get me wrong, my Armstrong-made C-Man stuff has been great (I did have a problem with some S•K made wrenches that they switched out for the Armstrongs, before they went full-retard), and I'll probably use them forever without a problem. It's just that they betrayed my trust.

I had an all-metal tape measure that broke, and they replaced it with this yellow ª39678 one thats been my all time favorite tape-measure for twnety years, but they don't even make tape measures anymore, so apparently my lifetime warranty expired. I treat it gingerly and would cry if it ever bit the dust.

If a tool breaks, hey - understandable. I won't get upset with the brand for a defect. That's why I paid for the good stuff with the warranty. Betray my trust? Well, that's just not cool. That's unforgivable. It's like everytime they offer a Chinese tool to replace an American one, they're lying to my face with a smile, and I hear in my head, "ha ha, you can't say anything, because loophole, ha ha" in Nelson's voice.

I've boycotted Sears and Craftsman ever since, and am not sure how I feel about my almost vintage C-Man stuff that is good, and will probably last forever without needing warranty, but now seeing that brand just leaves a bad taste in my toolbox.

Regardless of the COO, they replaced one tool with another of the same utility and quality which is what the warranty is for.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I am surprised that I'm not seeing any love here for one of my all-time favorites: Wilmar. Aptly named, because they will mar - your knuckles, the trim panels on your dashboard, inner fender wells, you name it.
Sold a heck of a lot of it. We had all our warranty stuff upstairs in boxes arranged alphabetically by manufacturer's name. The box with the 'Wilmar' label on it was about big enough to hold a dryer, and it was always at least half full when the rep stopped by to write up the warranties - no argument, they always issued full credit. I think I still have one of their 7/8" combination wrenches, but only because it was up at the cabin for the gas system and we knew nobody would bother stealing it.

Oh yeah... shout-outs for Oxwall, Globemaster, and Buffalo... pure trash, but people bought the stuff like it was going out of style, and the reps were easier to dicker with on other lines if we wrote POs for the gravy 6% commission Chinese tool lines they peddled.

I think I noticed a 'Made in India' double-end box wrench in a drawer the other day while I was looking for a 7mm open-end. I'll have to remember to dig it out and toss it in the scrap metal pile so I don't hurt myself with it.

I have the Buffalo ratchets in 1/4,/3/8 and 1/2 and they are my favorite ratchets. I bought them in the mid 80's and have abused they beyond believe. Used to use the 1/2 as a hammer on the 1/4 to knock out bearing races on old GM disks.

Those ratchets are still going strong. I have a couple Buffalo pickle forks, gear puller and steering wheel puller which are the same vintage as the ratchets.