Tools, where do you get yours?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
Tools, where do you get yours?
In an ideal world I guess I would like to have snap on tools because as with most things, you get what you pay for.
Im looking to buy a couple of torque wrenches and had a look at snap on but they were a little too pricey.
Knowing nothing about American made tools, has anyone heard of Precision Instruments and are they a good make? Was lookin at this wrench, http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-i...-c3fr250f.aspx
* Convenience: This tool does not have to be "turned down" after use.
* Speed: Innovative torque mechanism requires only fingertip force to adjust.
* Durability: All steel construction resists industrial fluids and abuse
* Length: 22 1/8"
* 4% accuracy clockwise
* No need to reset tool
* Comes with 1 year warranty, dated calibration compliance certificate, and is made in the USA.
* Packaged in a storage case
Does this look like a good deal and if not, what would you suggest.
Im looking to buy a couple of torque wrenches and had a look at snap on but they were a little too pricey.
Knowing nothing about American made tools, has anyone heard of Precision Instruments and are they a good make? Was lookin at this wrench, http://www.tooltopia.com/precision-i...-c3fr250f.aspx
* Convenience: This tool does not have to be "turned down" after use.
* Speed: Innovative torque mechanism requires only fingertip force to adjust.
* Durability: All steel construction resists industrial fluids and abuse
* Length: 22 1/8"
* 4% accuracy clockwise
* No need to reset tool
* Comes with 1 year warranty, dated calibration compliance certificate, and is made in the USA.
* Packaged in a storage case
Does this look like a good deal and if not, what would you suggest.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Contrary to most Snap On does not always have the best tools. They do have some good ones but a lot of them are now being "sourced" out and are not top quality. I have worked with tools in my hobbies and job for 30+ years and have had many good and bad tools. You are pretty correct in you get what you pay for but the most expensive tool is not always the best. Snap On is very pricet due to their name. I have a variety of tools in my box and some good some not so good. In todays market it is a crap shoot. A lot of domestic brands are now overseas made with names put on them. It is just the way business is done now, not always the best but it is what it is. Be careful shopping when you do purchase.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
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From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Craftsman.
Great quality and a reasonable price. Lifetime warranty.
I know guys who swear by companies like Snap-On. They're great tools with out a doubt. But a lot of the dealers are getting out of the business and that leaves their costomers high and dry with no one taking over the routes.
If you're just looking for 1 tool. Get what you want.
Great quality and a reasonable price. Lifetime warranty.
I know guys who swear by companies like Snap-On. They're great tools with out a doubt. But a lot of the dealers are getting out of the business and that leaves their costomers high and dry with no one taking over the routes.
If you're just looking for 1 tool. Get what you want.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I've had pretty good luck with Craftsman tools. They are an inexpensive alternative to Snap-On. I just stay away from anything they sell that has a motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I have mostly craftsman tools, many of which were my grandfathers. They have held up well over the last 25 years that I have been using them. I have only had to take 3 or 4 things back to Sears for replacement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Snap-on owns there own Torque Wrench company and they have very good torque wrenches. I'm not a Craftsman fan, I used to sell to them and a lot of their stuff is bought based on lowest price. Their wrenches and sockets are made by Danaher who also owns MATCO, so probably decent if you don't buy the raised panel wrenches.
Try Williams Hand tools, a Snap-on company and probably the same product, but without the dealer markups. Try an Industrial distributor like an MSC or most markets have good local distributors that will sell at a much smaller markup.
Try Williams Hand tools, a Snap-on company and probably the same product, but without the dealer markups. Try an Industrial distributor like an MSC or most markets have good local distributors that will sell at a much smaller markup.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NYC NY
For the home hobby guy Craftsman makes life easy. Not a whole lot of money, easy to find a location, and lifetime warranty. Yes there are better tools but they cost more (yes you do get what you pay for) but if you're not making a living with them or using them constantly do you really need better?
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
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From: Los Gatos CA
If it is all in the budget, there is nothing like a Snap On torque wrench. I have a 3/8" flex head that is used for every spark plug, manifold, etc. It is a pleasure to use. I believe you would be happy with a Craftsman or other quality tool, but there is something special about the feel of my Snap On. Remember, he who dies with the most tools wins. Just my 2 cents...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
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From: Savannah GA
Take a look at the used market in your area. Classified ads, "Pennysaver" type ad magazines and Craigslist are excellent places to acquire best quality tools at a decent price, and the warranty is still valid on those tools as well. Pawn shops regularly have a fair selection.
Like RobRace says, Craftsman has a "budget" and "pro" line of tools... and the 12 point stuff with a raised center panel which they include in their "value" toolsets are pure garbage. Yes they will replace it forever when it breaks, but they will never replace all the lost skin, bruised knuckles, ruined fasteners and wasted time they cause because they grip bolts only slightly better than a 99 cent pair of slip joint pliers. I wouldn't even give a set of those to my brother in law as a gag gift.
Like RobRace says, Craftsman has a "budget" and "pro" line of tools... and the 12 point stuff with a raised center panel which they include in their "value" toolsets are pure garbage. Yes they will replace it forever when it breaks, but they will never replace all the lost skin, bruised knuckles, ruined fasteners and wasted time they cause because they grip bolts only slightly better than a 99 cent pair of slip joint pliers. I wouldn't even give a set of those to my brother in law as a gag gift.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
If "you get what you pay for" then why would anyone ever complain about getting ripped off? How could anyone possibly get a really great deal if you always get what you pay for? "Value" would not even exist. I never get what I pay for - it is really frustrating! I get most of my tools at Sears, and usually when they are on sale. They aren't as good as they used to be, so I don't get as much for what I pay as I used to.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: West Chester OH
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St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
I can't help you with the torque wrench, I have a Proto that I've had about 15 years, no problems.
As far as tools, most of mine are Craftsman. I bought a used set in the early '70s and still have most of them. I've added to my collection over the years and it is probably 80% Craftsman.
For wrenches I like Channel lock. Electrical tools are Klein.
Whatever I get, I try to stay away from the imported junk, although I have been spotted at Harbor Freight on occasion
especially if it is for something I'll only need once. I've seen some of their tools snap in use.
As far as tools, most of mine are Craftsman. I bought a used set in the early '70s and still have most of them. I've added to my collection over the years and it is probably 80% Craftsman.
For wrenches I like Channel lock. Electrical tools are Klein.
Whatever I get, I try to stay away from the imported junk, although I have been spotted at Harbor Freight on occasion
especially if it is for something I'll only need once. I've seen some of their tools snap in use.
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
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Tools, where do you get yours?
Friends...............Neighbors......... .........Open Toolboxes............
Most of my stuff came from Sears.........
Most of my stuff came from Sears.........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
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From: Chattanooga TN
I have a mixture. I have bought Snap-on off the truck. If you pay cash and don't ask for a receipt they can be bought at a substantial discount sometimes. I have bought Snap-On and Matco and Mac at pawn shops and flea markets-same warranty either way. I have bought a few loose pieces off the competing tool truck (I bought a nice Mac dial-timing light off the Matco truck for example). I have bought a few pieces off Ebay, that is where I got my Snap-On torque wrench. I have some older Craftsman tools, but they aren't what they used to be anymore. I would rather have Cobalt from Lowes than Craftsman anymore, and that is a tough thing to say.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
Snap-On ain't what they used to be. As stated, much of their stuff is off-shore now. I own a lot of Matco, Mac and Snap-On from years ago but the last several times I looked at their stuff it's been China crap. That torque wrench you posted looks good to me, the company has been around since 1938. You could call Team Torque and ask them about it, they're a calibration company for torque wrenches. I ended up buying the nicer line of Craftsman the last time I bought a torque wrench and it seems like a good one. I still have a Snap-On inch lbs dial type that was made in USA. I would avoid digital though.....just my preference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Most of my stuff's from Sears too, but have a pretty good brand assortment. My daily 3/8" ratchet set is actually a Montgomery Ward's Power Kraft my dad gave me for Christmas as a kid, and just keep's going. Were trying to change the rear shock's with this on my buddy's old Charger, using a piece of fence post and both of us on it. Somehow manged to break it. Handle bent and square drive missing, Ward's gave me a new one.