Technical The best brand of tools for someone who just works on his own cars?

What kind of tools do you folks recommend in so far as ratchets, sockets & wrenches? I need to get more (long story). I used to have Craftsman tools, the older one's that were made in the USA... I read where there not as good now that there made in China. I just work on my own cars but don't want tools that break. Any idea? Thanks! Bill

 

Snap on for at least sockets, ratchets and wrenches. Pricey? Sure. But they hold up.

 

I worked with a metallurgical engineer years ago and back in the '80's Craftsman was forged in India, and then shipped to Lindberg heat treaters in Illinois. USA made back then? Well yes, to a point. All my stuff is '60's-'70's Craftsman and S-K, haven't bought any ratchets in years but I think that is the big difference today, seems like the old stuff had more tooth count on the ratchet mechanism. Some swear by Snap-On but for the average guy I still say buy big box store stuff and look for the best guarantee. Hey, even some of the deals on sockets, extensions and other hand tools from Harbor Freight is hard to beat. All my metric sockets are from there, cheap money and good quality for the hobby user.

 

I've been buying used snap on stuff lately....

 

Ratchets, sockets, and combo wrenches I buy Craftsman. If you can afford Tool Truck stuff, that's great, but unless you're making your living with them, I can't see spending that much more. Buy what you can afford, use them, and if you do manage to break something without abusing it, consider upgrading then. I can't recall breaking a tool that wasn't clearly being abused (3' pipe extension on a ratchet, screwdriver used as a prybar or wedge to open up a leafspring eye just a hair, that kind of thing).


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If it was not for Harbor Freight, I would have very little tools!

 

Find something with a warranty and a handy case if you don't have a tool box.
Pawn shops are a good place to buy Snap On for the money.
Even the tool truck have use stuff if you flag one down or catch them at one of there stops.

 

Whatever you can afford. Upgrade when needed.

 

Ummm, any pics of the 3w to share? I have a huge ***ortment of brands when it comes to tools. Mainly from rushing to the auto parts store to get something specific to get me out of a pinch.

 

Craftsman is fine, still. Hit up yard and estate sales. There are deals, and older/better stuff hidden out there.

 

I go to old tool swapmeets, good old usa made wrenches go for a few bucks, sockets about the same and ratchets are about $5-$10. If you get into the big 3 (snap-on, matco, mac) newer stuff then the price goes up. You really can't beat any old usa made tool, like bonney, williams, sk, proto, plumb, vlchek........

 

Proto. Unlike the 'tool truck' stuff, they don't break.... To save some $$, if you can find any out-of-production Challenger box/open/combo wrenches, those are the same as Proto except not quite as nicely finished. Challenger sockets aren't as good as Proto, but equal to most others.

My son-in-law is a Snap-on freak, spent thousands and breaks some on a regular basis...

 

Craftsman is still fine, except for the ratchets in my opinion. They have a low tooth count so I find them a pain to work with at times like when space is an issue. They also seem to have the direction lever switch pop out of position during use a lot, which I find very annoying. The last issue I've found with their ratchets, is I get a lot of the scenario where a nut is just about too tight to tighten by hand, but not tight enough for the ratchet to do its job.

Warranty, and quality are important to me. So, here is what I do. I most often use 3/8" drive, then 1/4" drive, and once in a while 1/2" drive. I have good quality ratchets of all these. My two favorites being my 3/8" drive SnapOn because it has a lot of teeth which helps me avoid the issues I've found in the Craftsman ratchet, and it has a relatively long handle for great leverage. And the second favorite being the Mac 1/4" drive. It's small with a good tooth count, and works very well for me.
So, armed with those ratchets, I have mostly Craftsman sockets at home. They do the job, and have a warranty in case any problems arise. Craftsman wrenches too.
It is also worthwhile to have some cheap sockets and wrenches around as well. That way if you need to modify one, make a special tool, or use a socket for pressing something in and/or out, you don't have to sacrifice a nice tool.

As far as screwdrivers, any known brand will do, as stated before, something with a warranty is preferred, because I know personally, I'll use them for pry bars and chisels sometimes even though it isn't recommended.
The one note I will make about screwdrivers is, get ones with either a square shaft, or a hex at the top of the shaft under the handle. That way, you can put a wrench on the shaft for some extra leverage on those stubborn screws.

If you're doing metalwork, some cheaper hammers and dollies will work but spend some time cleaning up the striking surfaces, making sure they are smooth, then give them a bit of a polish. That way no unwanted marks will be transferred to you metal. Some cheaper air sanders and such will get you started as well, and you can upgrade that stuff later as you see fit.

And believe it or not, Harbor freight has the best prices on better quality tool boxes then the stuff you'll find at the hardware stores. I even use a Harbor freight toolbox at the shop. It holds tools just as well as a box that costs more then 3 times as much, and I've saved money that I can spend on quality tools and/or car parts!

That's all I can think of at the moment, and that should get you going.

 

Craftsman is the way to go. They have a good selection of tools and tool boxes. The price is reasonable and the majority of the tools have a life time warranty. All I use is Craftsman and I can't remember the last time I replaced a tool but I take care of my tools. I don't throw them on the floor or use the Ratchet Wrench or screwdriver in place of a hammer.

 

I buy off ebay mostly. Mac, Cornwell, Matco, Snap On sometimes. Mac knuckle saver wrenches are my favorite.
Sign up for Tool Topia, NXTools, and watch their specials. They have some good specials on Gear Wrench brand. Most mechanics I work with will grab a Gear Wrench ratcheting wrench first if there is enough clearance to use them.
B

 

Use what you want to use. I don't care what anyone says. Go for the best warranty and ALWAYS BUY AMERICAN MADE TOOLS!

 

I can deal with HF combo wrenches and sockets. You can get decent quality impact sockets there too in my opinion. Nut drivers and screwdrivers, wire cutters, side cutters etc are a source of gluttony for me as my preference for those types tools developed while working in the HVAC industry and its only Klein for those. Pricey yes, but I've only bought one set in 20+ years and proper use is the key to longevity. A pair of linemans pliers are not made to be hammers or bolt cutters! And screwdrivers are for driving screws, not prying and punching holes!

 

My toebox is full of snap on & mac,
Harbor freight does have nice wrench now ,reasonable price and some of their sockets, I would not recommend impact , ( socket's ) or impact guns , there screwdriver **** and do not buy nothing Electrical powered from them .I do work sometimes for people and they go by tools from Harbor freight some of it's OK but definitely No electric ( thanking it will last ) and screwdrivers ,first time ever seen a grinder come with extra brushes !!!!
Being a beginner you can buy a lot of tools for $60 !!! Build your collection of name brands as you go sometimes you need a thin wall socket and it needs to be snap on or mac

 

My daughter pretty much furnished her home with estate sale finds, and I have done the same with tools, getting lots of older American made quality tools. Like daughter Linda said, "dead people go off and leave a lot of good stuff."

 

Hit the yard sales and look for American made stuff. The tools I have are a mix of Snap on & old Craftsboy stuff.

 

Same here. I've been fairly lucky at the flea market recently.

 

A neighbor rung the corners off all but one of his brake lines on a proportioning vale he wanted to replace using box store line wrenches. I loaned him a snap-on,for the last brake line and it came right off, he noticed the snap on line wrench didn't spread apart like his tools. It cost him several hundred dollars and hours of work to replace damaged parts ,by using cheap tools. If you don't believe there is a difference, look at the meat around the flare on a snap on line wrench compared to others.

 

Like a lot of us older members, most of my stuff is (70s era) Craftsman. Been good enough for me, and I never had a h***le on warranty issues (even when abuse was obvious). Add a mix of the various other pro brand odds & ends & I'm good to go. Somebody mentioned line wrenches, don't skimp there. My Bonney's have been a good set. I do like the Gearwrench stuff under normal use. Fav ratchet is an old Stanley 3/8 flophead. HF stuff has it's place, I've had good & bad, just use your head. I will mention I was turned on to their Extreme XT series impact guns by a heavy truck shop owner, and he was right. Helluva impact gun for the $.
Yard/estate sales like mentioned, are always a good source for good ole USA stuff if you can find it.

 

I have alot of old Craftsman, some from my teen years, (68 now) parents would buy for my birthday and christmas presents. Never been a Mr Goodwrench for a living, but these tools have served me well, what ever you break, wear out (ratchets) they replace, no questions asked. MY Best Example, twisted the square out of a 1/2 breaker bar using a 4' pipe, clerk said, wow you're strong, I smiled and said I work out. LOL. I have also bought some oddball stuff from harbor freight and have not had any problems. Agree w/ suggestion of buying used Snapon, have some of that also. The Best Advise I'm giving you today is, no matter what brand of tool you're using, ALWAYS Think where is your hand going if that bolt breaks, wrench slips, etc., Most of us have learned that lesson the hard way, sometimes with a trip to the ER.

 

Nice thing about snap-on is they hold their value more than other brands.
I don't have any brand loyalty, Hazet, Proto, Snap-on, Craftsman, Mac, Iv'e
got a little of everything and they serve their purpose.

 

Snap-on the choice of aircraft mechanics. Craftsman which are now made in China by small children are no longer an option.

 

i have a lot of OTC that i bought at garage/estate/auction sales...while OTC hasn't made hand tools since the 70's they were forged and made right in my hometown , so finding them is not a problem

all my Craftsman is at least as old

 

Lowes Kobalt brand are good. Plus, you get 5%
off using your Lowe's credit card.
Here are some reviews:
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=486602

 

Hello,
All of my sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers are all 60-70's Craftsman. I have broken several tools that say Craftsman on them and have received new ones for free at the local Sears stores. They work, socket teeth are not worn out and do the job for me. I have given my son a set of rachets from the 60's and he still uses them when necessary. Guaranteed for life...that is outstanding. Working on cars is getting less and less, so the amount of tools is also getting less and less. The old Craftsman tools are the first ones grabbed by someone at our yearly, neighborhood garage sales. The age of the buyers is from teenagers to old guys.
Jnaki