is it true they are an affiliate of MAC? How's the quality? Problems with trying to exchange tools on warranty? How would they compare to craftsman tools?

 

I don't know about the affiliation, but I've never had any problems with Stanley. Exchange is probably going to depend a lot on the store where purchased. For example, Klein tools are lifetime warranty, but to actually get the store to honor the warranty is like pulling teeth. They are usually okay with doing it if you are a regular customer, but beyond that, it's a crap shoot. It's tough to beat Sears (Craftsman) for their very good exchange program, seldom any questions asked. Snap-On is probably the best for exchange, even a little chrome coming off will be no problem.

 

I didn't hear the whole story, but a friend told me of someone he knew trying to exchange a snap-on tool box that they wouldn't honour because they said he shouldn't have been moving the tool box around, but then why the hell do they put casters on the bottom!?!?


[Modified by SizzleChest, 8:40 PM 1/25/2004]

 

Mac Tools is a division of Stanley.

 

To me Stanley is cheap hardware store junk.

I have nothing against the quality of Snap-On or Mac, but when you break a tool, where do you get it replaced? They are fine as long as you have a Mac or Snap-On truck coming to your place.

I prefer Craftsman or Husky (Home Depot / Rigid). If you break one, take it back to the store, get it replaced - done.

 

STANLEY = Crap
There products are worthless. I Last time I heard they moved there head offices off -shore to avoid U.S. tax laws.

 

i never broke a stanley tool, but then again i never broke a craftsman. if i had a repair shop i wouldn't use stanley, but for around the house stanley should be fine

 

As far as cheaper household tools go, I'd give Stanley some respect.
I've have some Stanley tools that really held up, and Craftsman tools
that folded under pressure.

I say buy Craftsman - for all around quality, value, and a pleasant exchange
when you finally do break them.

 

too many mixed opinions. here's a more direct question: would you buy this for backyard mechanical work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=23782

PS: nevermind about it not being a current auction. Just curious if it's worth the $ if it was available. thanks.

 

No - not when I can find a Craftsman set that is similar for about $100.

I know when you're 22 - that's a lot of beer money, but ....

You'll look back in 15 years and be bragging that you bought your tools
in 2004 - and you still have 'em !! Look at Sears for a sale on a set like
those Stanley ones ... you'll get 'em less than $100 (USD).

I would consider something like this as an alternative ..
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00933151000


[Modified by NHvette, 5:13 PM 1/26/2004]

 

They are ok... I twisted the head on my breaker bar... but didnt want to spend the money on a craftsman model.

They are ok, the old stuff is better then new, like most of the tools out there currently. The best deal for value is to grab broken craftsmans at yardsales, pawnshops and fleamarkets... but if your strapped for time your best bet is to go for Craftsman and to get a decent sized set then fill in with what you like.

For me, I love craftsmans hand wrenches as long as they are 6 point! I dont mind the pear head wrachets but anything cheaper then those and I'd just as soon throw them away. The sockets are about as strong as they come as long as you use common sense... the strongest I have heard of are the old Plomb tools socket sets, but havent really put any time on there stuff.

Mostly when it comes to tool buying you need to use common sense. Common sense being the fit of a tiwaneze standard wrench vs a craftsman or snapon... the junker will most likely leave you with a broken nuckle... and the craftsman will get you by, but for hi-end stuff snapon feels the best! Another one of the common sense things is the thickness of the wrench, look at the gearwrench you can buy in sears and its thickness, its nice to use for the ratchet head... but they have a warning not to loosen anything with it! So look for stuff that looks strong, and feels strong... most of the time it is!

Tool buying can be a big thing... or it can just be a trip to harborfreight to pickup a couple sets of hand wrenches and weed out the loose fitting ones. I know guys that do that and they come out just fine... its more about the quality time going into the tool its self then the actual brand or metal used. A tight fitting soft metal wrench will loosen a nut, a hard well built badly machined wrench will again, leave you with a hurt hand!

If it was me... I would get the hundred dollar basic tool set that sears sells that has:
sockets in metric and SAE in 1/4 3/8th and 1/2 in both 6 point and 12
12 point hand wrenches in metric and standard
Allen key set
1/4 inch ratchet
3/8th inch ratchet
1/2 inch ratchet
and a couple different sized extensions

Then... while your still there grab:

An Standard set of 6 point hand wrenches that go up to 7/8ths
A set of standard flare nut wrenches
A set of needle nose pliers (big little... long short)
A side cutter (plier with a cutting edge...)
A set of channel locks either craftsman or the Channel lock companys brand.
Vice grips (a couple of em...)
A 1/2 inch breaker bar (or two... depending on the size of the stuff your working on...)
A pair of electrical crimp/cutters (klien tools is industry standard...)
A basic set of allen wrenches in standard and metric
A decent sized Ball peen hammer, and hand held sledge... (big honking "ford tool")
a HUGE array of extensions for your socket sets... 1/4 gets to be real tiny feeling so when it doubt jump up to 3/8ths...

The reason for having 2 sets of standard wrenches is that you'll more then likely enjoy using the 6 pointers more then the 12... and having 2 sets on hand helps if you break one and dont have time to get to the store.

That will get you through most repairs but other stuff you might need fall under the category of at your own risk tools... multimeters, putty knife, wire brushs, battery brushes, pry bars(shhh!) At your own risk because they are the things that will more then likely end up in your tool box... but are not necissarily brand specific, consumable items if you will.

Oh, and buy the biggest tool box you can afford at the time of purchase... or at the very least one that can be expanded with middle box's and bottom box's.

:cheers:

 

Stanley ??????
If it Ain't the CUP then forgettaboutit !!!
Red Wings Rule !!


:party:


[Modified by motown 71, 10:48 PM 1/26/2004]

 

The only real namebrand tools I own are my basic socket sets. All specialty sockets and wrenches are no names or harbor frieght and I have NEVER broken any of them. One of my most commonly used tools is a harbor freight offset closed end wrench set. They look awfull and might even be CAST! However, they have never broken and the damn things seem to fit into almost any tight space. Considering that most fasteners are well under 100ft pounds on a car (unless suspension where there are a few above) I feel that only a truly crappy set would fail.

 

You get what you pay for. If it is selling on e-bay for $69 it is worth that or less. If it breaks, can you send it back to the seller? :lol: As others have said, go to SEARS spend a little more, get much better with a lifetime guarantee.

 

I have to jump on the craftsman bandwagon also.

I have sockets and wrenches that I bought back in 77 and just inhereted a set from my dad that were bought some time around 1961 all still in great shape.

I also have a cheap set of combination wrenches to use at the salvage yard in case I drop one and can't get it back..................no big loss.

Steve :steering:

 

My tool collection is split about 50/50 between Craftsman and Snap-on. I definitely like the feel of the Snap-on tools better. Craftsman are cheaper in price. As far as durability, both have performed about the same. I did break a Snap-on 1/4 inch ratchet (my fault) and had to wait until I found a Snap-on truck to replace it. A broken craftsman can be replaced at any sears store. Try some of each and see what you like.
:cheers:

 

I break my Craftsman tools all the time. The quality is not what it used to be. But I like the exchange.

Stanley? :U IMHO, of course. But if it's just for something for my wife to use around the house, not bad.

 

Quick question... are you breaking deep well sockets? Using a pipe on the 1/2 inch breaker bars?

Or really going nuts on a 3/8ths inch box wrench?

... those are the only ones I seam to have trouble with of any brand...

Snapped a no namer short 1/2 incher clear down the side trying to pull a ball joint out of an old station wagon...

I seem to round the fastner before the stuff breaks normally... :crazy:

 

I purchased several sets of crappy tools when I was younger. If you like having to replace often and curse at them alot, then go the cheap route. If you want tools that will last and do the job, go for Craftsman or Snap-On, depending upon your budget. Can't beat their replacement policy, but then again since getting good tools, I've never had to replace anything as nothing has broken.

Well, I did have to get a Craftsman screwdriver replaced once. I was using it as a pry bar and bent/chipped the tip. The thing was beat to heck with all kinds of hammer marks on it, and they replaced it no questions asked! :yesnod: You can't blame the tools for the owner pulling a "Bubba". :lolg:

Good Luck!

:seeya

 

I've never bought Stanley mechanics tools (although I've seen tham at Wal-Mart). I tend to stick with Craftsman or Huskey (Home Depot), their return policy can't be beat. A few years ago I broke a Husky deep socket from a set I've had since 1964. I took it to Home Depot and the guy tossed mine in a bin, grabbed a replacement off the shelf handed it to me and sent me on my way. Now that's a guarantee.