I still swear by my craftsman tools. Can't bet the lifetime replacement. I had to break loss a bolt and in the heat of the moment took my 3 pound sledge to the ratchet, broke the bolt loose, but also messed up the ratchet. Sear replaced it no questions asked.

 

Tim....sorry to hear about your dad. What tools are the best...I don't know. I have had a set of Craftsman since college (and now an 43). I have had not had any problems with them.

 

Snap-on. But I can't justify the cost so I have mostly Craftsman. They're not bad, they just don't hold up to regular use and they're not as precisely made.

I had a 3/8 ratchet go bad on me this weekend when I was doing the spark plugs in the truck. I have multiple sets, so it wasn't a big deal, but now I need to go back to the store and get another one. It's a bother for a do-it-yourselfer, but it's money lost for a professional. Which is why you see the pros use Snap-on.

A friend who works on Porsches for a living only uses Snap-on. I can feel the difference when I use his tools. The sockets and wrenches are exactly the right size. Not "close enough." You won't round off the head of a bolt with a Snap-on. Good stuff.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

My dad used Craftsman tools so I use Craftsman tools, when making a living as a mechanic I now have a mixture in my tool box of Craftsman, SK, Snap On, and MAC tools. They are all good tools, I got the other brands in most cases because the tool truck came to the shop, it was convenient. They all have some feature that I like, if I need tools today I go to Craftsman since I have to go to the store to buy, I still work for a truck dealer but never see the tool truck when it comes. At one time Craftsman open end wrenches were a little softer that Snap On but the thin wall sockets and box end wrenches would get in places that none of the other brands would get in. I made my living for 30 years at least with mostly Craftsman tools.

 

What are the best tools made today?

It depends on the tool.

I like Kline for screwdrivers and basic hand tools.

I have yet to find a hand held flashlight that I like. I have Maglight, Pelican, SureFire, Fenix (best I found but uses its own batteries that you can not go get at the corner sore) and more.

 

I have yet to find a hand held flashlight that I like. I have Maglight, Pelican, SureFire, Fenix (best I found but uses its own batteries that you can not go get at the corner sore) and more.

I've had one of these http://www.streamlight-flashlights.com/ultrastinger.html?gclid=CI2c8aroiZkCFQHHGgodT3YHnA
for several years. Well made & very bright.

 

The Master Mercruiser Mechanic I met at the first class swears by Snap On tools. He did say they cost alot more but the warranty can't be beat especially for how much he uses them in saltwater.

 

Craftsman tools are great for the at home guy but professionally they suck. I couldn't justify snap on's cost for my home tools unless i did side jobs out of the garage. so craftsman it is.

They can't make a quality ratchet to save their life.

The finish on their sockets kind of sucks. I've got the new set with the numbers etched in the sides. Your "not supposed" to use a chrome socket with an impact gun but it doesn't hurt a snap on socket. the craftsman ones start to flake pretty easily.

 

I use a combination of Craftsman, Snap On and Napa Professional. The Snap On and Napa are fantastic tools - and the warranty is a no questions asked replacement which is great - especially when the guys at my shop are a bit rough on things.
The Craftsman has always been a great tool for the money but they do have limitations. Also - keep in mind Craftsman has changed their warranty terms - you now need to keep your original sales receipt in order to have things swapped out. Although you may have certain stores which aren't enforcing it. Also - commercial use is not warranted on Craftsman. On the boat I keep the cheapest set of tools I can so I don't have to worry about them. The West Marine sets in plastic cases work well and then I supplement the set with a few Craftsman pieces where I need better quality.

 

...Also - keep in mind Craftsman has changed their warranty terms - you now need to keep your original sales receipt in order to have things swapped out. ....

When did they start that??? The ratchet I was talking about had to be a least 15+ years.

 

I like Chraftsman, but mostly because it's all I've ever owned. I have found their sockets to crack too easily but ahve been free to repalce. But I recently bought some special pieces from Husky and from Harbor Frieght and frankly their stuff is pretty good for uses I have.

 

I own mostly Craftsman tools. I have broken several of their ratchets and their screw driver tips always break on me (no I wasn't even prying with the tip). I'm unsure if all their ratchets, or just the ones you exchange, but I know for a fact that they are remanufactured. Not that it's a bad thing, just how their policy has changed over the years. Craftsman isn't the best, but their return policy is top notch.

I have also examined Husky tools at Home Depot and they appear to be very well made. They appear to be better than Craftsman and more on par with Snap on.

If I need an unusual tool or a one time use tool, I will go to Harbor Freight. I have bought several hand tools from them for obscure projects and their pricing can't be beat. A lot of items in Harbor Freight are complete $hit, but if you know what you're looking for, you can make out OK. Their impact sockets have worked great as well.

Doug

 

For basic wrenches and sockets Snap On and Proto. Dad was a heavy machine mechanic for 40 years. Got a whole tool box full of 'em. For around the house stuff Craftsman is OK. But the sure are proud of their stuff. Anymore, for the use of the average DIYer, some of the brands at the Depot and Lowe's should suffice.

 

Without a doubt the best are Snap-On. They are also the most expensive. For the average person the best value for the dollar is Craftsman. This sounds like a recurring theme.

Mr Salt
2001 540 CPMY
Caterpillar C-12s
Cape May, NJ

 

In college I once used a Craftsman 3/4" drive ratchet to break loose lug nuts on the wheels of a WWII surplus 6x6; had to use an 8' length of pipe for a cheater. I ended up ruining both the socket and the wrench, but Sears replaced them both, no questions asked. My uncle always swore by Craftsman on the farm, but of course it was easier for him to replace them when he had to.

My preference is for Snap-on ratchets and sockets over Craftsman, but I find the Craftsman box-end wrenches work just fine. Kline pliers are my preference, but I have one very slender pair of alligator-nose pliers I found in the road with no brand on them that I hope to never lose -- I know they'll never let me down.

 

Most of the Craftsman tools are now off shore....mainly China and India. We sell many different brands, but IMO, it is hard to beat either Proto or Armstrong. What is not widely known is that almost all tool makers have a lifetime warranty and will replace the tool, except for wear parts and abuse [although we had a 1-1/4" wrench come back that was broken....they used a 6' cheater bar and Armstrong still covered it].

Another brand to look at is Urrea Professinal tools. They are made in Mexico at the old Proto forges and are true "A" Grade tools. They meet all the milspec and ASME codes and have some of the best finishes that we currently see. So far, the only problem that we have with them is that to meet the European specs, each socket has both a SAE and a metric size on it....a little strange to see a 3/8" socket also listed as a 9.652mm.....

Snap-On makes a good tool, but they have moved much of their production off shore and of course, they are a premium priced tool.

Woof
Bowser

 

I just exchanged a 1/4" ratchet at Sears last week. No receipt required. After nearly 20 years of hard use, the darn thing broke while removing a sheet metal screw. Go figure...

Craftsman, because that's what my parents got me for Christmas when I was 15. The BIG set. The only tools that I ever bought myself were the specialty ones.

 

In my opinion their worst ratchet is their 1/4 inch one. my brand new one slips into "neutral" EVERY turn. My 5 dollar autozone 1/4inch drive works twice as nice as the crapsman. :smt009

I really do not like the "just get a new one" motto. Sorry for the loss.

Yea, its after 9 on a week night and sears is closed. Your repairing your vehicle and your wrench breaks half way through the job. NOW your screwed and have to find a ride to work in the morning, then a ride to sears and back home.

It's nice when the tool trucks come right to your shop every couple days. Although, walking through a tool truck is like putting an alcoholic in a bar and giving him a glass of water. :smt009

 

What I didn't expect is how many people use a brand because of their dad. I guess I should have, I've got all Craftsman because either my parents gave them to me as presents or I "borrowed" them from my dad.

Now with my dad gone I (along with my brother) have inherited a lifetime collection of Craftsman tools, most dating back to when they were made in the good ol' US. The older ones sure held up. I will miss my dad giving me $hit about how he had to buy a new __________ from Sears 'cause I borrowed his and he needed one and couldn't wait until I got home from work. In reality it was just him giving me a tool that he thought I would need long term. He was a generous man.

 

My dad uses mostly Snap-On at his shop for the same reasons most have posted. I however have a full box mostly craftsman purely based on price and warranty. Of note, I agree things just are not made as well as they used to be. It is too bad that shaving quality is an expense of staying in business these days. I really do not like the "just get a new one" motto. Sorry for the loss.