Now that Craftsman tools are garbage...

[Topdown]

Now that Craftsman tools are garbage, what tools are you guys buying?

I have a bunch of old craftsman stuff, back when they made them from metal instead of plastic (K-mart specials) but, the list of needed tools is growing

Snap-on is now made by S*K tools and was downgraded from Chinese made tools to Taiwanese made tools, so for the price, there is no reason to buy snap-on.

Matco? Husky? Stanley?

I actually bought a Stanley 1/2" ratchet that was on clearance and its really solid, anyone else have any thoughts on Stanley? Never had a high opinion of them, but also never had any REAL data as to why I shouldnt... kinda like why I dont like Fords, even though I have never owned one.

Harbor freight makes decent sockets apparently, though I have never used them myself. (info from a trusted friend) though it sounds like the ratchets leave a lot to be desired.

So... lets start the discussion. What tools do you spend your money on and why?

[kevin1106]

Craftsmans... still has a lifetime warranty... plus Sears is like 5 min from my house.

[Camaro_Corvette]

Anything with a lifetime warranty gets my vote. What tools are you looking at in Craftsman that are plastic?

[Topdown]

The ratchets for one. I took one of my ratchets in to be rebuilt, it came back with plastic parts instead of the steel ones that it had before. now as it ratchets, the damn thing switches from one direction to the other, there is a ton of play in it and honestly, after having it rebuilt twice, I am not even going to bother trying again.

lifetime warranty only goes so far for me personally... if I have to take them into sears to have them rebuilt every couple weeks, even for free, its not worth it.

[SS Drifter]

I have newer Craftsman, older SK and some real old stuff that I can't remember the name of. I've done some crazy stuff and only broken one socket. It seems like the broken socket was my fault.

Since Home Depot and Lowes are noted for selling cheap cr@p I'd avoid them. Harbor freight sells and great selection of single use tools, if they last that long. Unless Craftsman have really cheapened up in the past few months that would still be my choice.

[fargomike]

Cornwell Tools made in America http://www.cornwelltools.com/

[buzzy56]

Snap on old stuff. Bought my snap on tool set back in 1960 s . Fits your hand well , smooth actions (ratchets) compact and fit in tight areas. Never broke a single pc. yet in all these years.Go to yard sales , estate sales , auctions and pick them up & put a set together.You wont be disappointed.

[robsls3]

Craftsman or husky Is what I will use now. No hassle from both if an issue with a tool.

Snap on got to cheap and expsensive.

[mikeb27]

Depends on what I am looking for. Most of my tools are Craftsman. All of my impact tools are Matco from back when I wrenched in a diesel truck shop. The only time I buy cheap (Home Depot, etc) is when it is a tool I only need to use once.

[flht99b]

I have Snap On, Craftsman, Matco and a few old Proto ratchets. The Proto ratchets are decades old and I still like them the best. Snap On has definitely perfected the "feel" of a tool in your hand but are sometimes too pricey for a weekend home mechanic. I can't say I've ever felt my Craftsmen tools were inferior, again some of them are decades old and some are as recent as 2 days ago.
Ed M.

[hot_rod]

>>>Harbor freight ......

ah.....I don't know about their sockets but.....

I walk into that store expecting Chinese junk, and they have never exceeded my expectations.......

Some disposable, use once throw away stuff. I'll buy from them, tools never!

[gelboy1015]

I've got a mix of Craftsman, Snap-On, Stanley, and Husky tools. In the Camaro, I've got a Husky socket set in there thats held up pretty well, and I had a Stanley set in there before that I used until my dad traded me his Husky set. Craftsman quality has gone down a bit. I've noticed that at my cousin's shop, the ratchets from his Craftsman 200 pc set are always breaking...

[brandotron]

My stuff is a mix of Craftsman and Stanley. Harbor freight is great for the throwaway stuff, but I'd never buy anything important there (torque wrenches, jackstands, etc)

[fastkevman]

I have Craftsmen, Snap-On, Mac, Proto, and Stanley.
Craftsmen Professional is the best you will get from Sears, I have done really well watching for sales and store clearances, just make sure if you get something replaced that they don't try and give you a non-Professional replacement, they usually claim ignorance if you call them out on it but, I think they do it on purpose because it happens every time.
Snap-On is the absolute best if you need an odd ball tool that nobody else makes but will truly save you time and headaches.
Mac is good stuff, hard to track the truck down though.
Proto and Stanley make some decent stuff that I haven't broken yet or felt I paid too much for.

My tools are used hard both professionally and at home, whatever can take the abuse at work usually I buy a second set for home.

On a side note, I use Fluke for my digital multimeters, Simpson for my analog multimeters, Klein for electrical tools, IR for my air tools, and Lisle for my automotive odd ball tools.

[bigted83]

Craftsman and Stanley for handtools, and have some rechargeable craftsman stuff that's never let me down

[Ucantctchme]

Snap-on, I don't care what country the owner lives in. Repairing cars and trucks is what I do all day everyday. They are still the best and I can't afford to not use professional quality equipment. They can be purchased On the net but be prepared to drop some coin. Blue point is not the best or even close, beware. Still better than harbor freight though.

[SSRob]

I've never had an issue with Craftsman hand tools. For power tools I go with Bosch.

[Capthowdy]

I am a master Technician of 25 years and I use mainly Snap-On...There is no substitute...

[Majic]

Gotta call BS on the Craftsman rachet being plastic. I own a Dears Hometown Store and have rebuilt hundreds of Craftsman rachets...ALL parts are metal and are built in USA!! All Craftsman wrenches and screwdrivers have lifetime warranties. NOT power tools and some think...never have been. Craftsman wrenches have "Made in USA" stamped on them. I probably have 500 rachet rebuild kits in stock...come on by and you will see no plastic!!

[halo8hkk]

i use craftsman exclusively, ive never broke a ratchet (and i do stupid stuff like using cheater bars) i have broken several sockets but i just take it back and get a new one. for air tools i use harbor freight. air tools is about the only thing they make that last. i do wish craftsman had stronger sockets but for the price i have dubbles and with the lifetime warranty its worth it. id buy from the tool trucks but id have to get a second mortgage on my house to pay for them.

[clg_98ta]

I still buy and use a lot Craftsman hand tools... wrenches, sockets, (higher end) screwdrivers, etc., but I'll admit they aren't what they once were.

However, the only Craftsman power tools I'll buy are the "Professional" grade. They're equivalent to the regular Craftsman line of 15 years ago. The regular line of power tools now are probably not up to Harbor Freight standards... they're just crap.

fyi, Sears doesn't manufacture anything... They just have stuff made with their brand names on it. The suppliers can change every few years, which is why quality can vary.

Sears in general has gone downhill, and I'll be very surprised if they're still around in 5 years...

[victoryred1ss]

Mostly Craftsman for me. They work well for 99% of the stuff i do

[Majic]

FYI...the manufacturer of Craftsman tools has not changed in years....

[The Beard]

At home, Craftsman, never had a problem. At work Snap-on.

[Rich1]

I have SK ratchets and sockets from over 25 years ago and they are still good. I also have Craftsman sockets and Stanley impact sockets.