I've been using Craftsman tools for years, and also have a small Proto tool set (80 piece) that has been also used with no problems. Nice to know if there's ever a problem the tool will be replaced with no questions asked

 

As far as screwdrivers go I buy Klien, I have some Craftsman that came with sets I bought and they are alright but not the best quality. Pipe wrenches and other plumbing tools I own Rigid. I have been known to visit Harbor Frieght for tools I use only on occasion for the cost effectivness but I find the quality lacking.

 

I used to have all Craftsman but I got tired of taking them back for warranty-especially screwdrivers. The older Crafsman was good, say mid 80s back-I still have some of that. I started buying Snap-On from pawn shops and flea markets in the early 90s (and last few years some from Ebay) and to me it is worth the price-especially for the heavy users. In my experience if you have a marginal nut or bolt the Craftsman may slip, but the Snap-On will hold. I like the way the combo wrenches feel. I will also say that the Snap-On man will sell off the truck for cash at much better deals than if you have a charge account. Like most businesses thay make a not-insignificant portion of their profit through interest and payments. I also have a few Husky hand wrenches in odd sizes and they are pretty good too.

For air tools I have a 1/2" impact, die grinder, and 3/8 rachet from Ingersoll Rand bought through Harbor Freight and Northern Hydraulics. I have had CP from Sears and it was OK, I still have a 1/2" CP impact in the bottom of my toolbox. We just use IR at work and I saw how well they lasted. I also have a die grinder from Big Lots that refuses to die. I keep it oiled and it keeps going and going.

 

Yeah... for air tools American Ingersol Rands are nice... the 2131A (half inch drive impact...) is the old standby.

Some reading for yall with an intrest in tools...

http://www.bricklin.org/TechCentral/TCArticle017_1.htm

Who makes what...
http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

 

I have mostly craftsman tools in my tool chest. I have some Kobalt stuff also that I like, screwdrivers especially. The handles are bigger and the blades are made better. I have a few IR air tools mostly.

 

Proto, Proto and Proto .... Altho Klein is good, Snap-On is good but way over priced.

I'm a bit prejudiced as I have a complete set of 1/2 drive sockets that the original owners of proto gave me back in 1963. They have been used on more cars than I care to count.

I also have spent most of my career in the tool business so know a bit about what's good and not so good. Used to sell Proto to the Unlimited Hydro guys along with a bunch of Armstrong. That's how I got the moniker of toolking ... I have virtually one of everything.


For air tools I-R and C-P are equal and torque wrenches are a crap shoot. The reason Proto doesn't warrantee their torque wrenches is because if you drop 'em wrong it will damage the internals. They are however just about the most accurate that a non professional can afford.

Craftsman is generally considered a second line tool in industrial circles. Don't confuse the warrantee for a quality tool.

Just my $.02

 

I have used KMart.....I mean Craftsman tools for years and as someone said earlier a few Snap-On (most because my son got them for short $$ in shool shop years ago!). Unless you do it for a living, Craftsman are real good tools.

 

lots of Powr-Kraft you old guys remember these right... craftsman, lincoln mig, crafts man arc welder, HF oxy/acteylene, campbell hausfield air tools, HF airtools, snap-on, crescent, vise grips, HF welding clamps,craftsman radial arm crafts man band saw, delta drill press, craftsman joiner, black& decker electrical, lots of HF things like pullers, gear pullers, body dollys etc, etc...

Interestingly i have been buying my son mechanic tools from Harbour Freight (HF) for the last 4 yrs didn't really know his interest level or ability not to lose tools so i wasn't willing to go with Craftsmans tools. So he has things like screws drivers, combinations wrenches, ballpein hammers, files, chisels,complete 120 piece socket set 1/4,3/8,1/2 all SAE and Metric, Pliers, channel locks... I am really impressed with the quality for dollar ratio, i have used these for the last two years with him when they were closer then mine ....this year i will round out the tool chest then he is on his own....

 

We hang out at bars and talk about women....not Tools!!!

I've got over 40k in tools ....my current balance is 3k @ $200 a month payments. Most of the guy's I work with owe more!! For Home use I agree Craftsman & other brands are just fine. In the shop... Snap-on is about the only brand that will take the daily abuse!!!

 

Craftsman----(combo wrenches, socket sets)

SKG or Klein----(screwdrivers)

Crecent----(crecent wrenches)

Channel lock----(channel locks)

Klein----(ALL other pliers/electical tools)

 

I like Mastercraft( Same quality as Craftsmen). You replacement tools is only a Canadian Tire( and they are almost as plentiful as Tim Horton's are up here)..... and they replace them no questions asked.... I even return one with significant hammer marks on it and they just snickered and got me a new one

 

I always buy Craftsman tools because of the warranty. Just this afternoon I broke not one, but 2, 1/2 drive ratchets trying to loosen an axle nut on a Maxima. I'm going to Sears first thing tomorrow to buy an electric impact wrench and I know that when I hand them the 2 broken ratchets I'll get 2 new ones without having to explain what I did to break them. Good thing because I have performed many unnatural acts with my Craftsman tools over the years and have replaced a lot of broken sockets, ratchets and screw drivers.

Rick B.

 

remember my Powr Kraft tools from Montgomery Wards with the lifetime warranty..... make sure you like the stuff enough to buy it, because sometimes the tools out live the companies....Sears and K-mart....

 

I'm a Jaguar tech and I have a combination of Matco, Snap On , and Mac. Along with some Craftsman tools. I think Snap On is a bit overpriced and the tool truck guy is an obnoxious person. I like Matco.

 

Interesting thread.

Craftsman now has two grades of hand tools. The professional series are far superior especially when it comes to the open end wrenches and rachets. The standard Craftsman rachets suck in my opinion.

Craftsman are still made by Danaher. Check out this link and you will see their other brands - Danaher Tools

Open end wrenches - Craftsman Professional
Rachets - Craftsman Professional
Socekts - Craftsman and Kobalt (Lowes brand now made by Danaher - used to be made by Snap-On)
Screwdrivers - Craftsman Professional
Compressor - Craftsman
Air Tools - Chicago Pneumatic (the old stuff from the '60's not the current cheap stuff) and some cheap stuff from Harbor Freight.
4-Post Life (The best tool I've ever bought) - Rotary

 

This has been a great thread. I appreciate and learned from each of your posts.

I suppose I'll purchase some Craftsman tools for myself for Christmas. (To: Stephen From: Stephen) I was unaware of a Professional Series of Craftsman tools. I hope I can find them at my local store.

 

I've had the pleasure of using snap-on once or twice.. if i were a professional..i'd use them.

But craftsman are readily availible and of very good quality. That's what I use at home.

There is more to a tool than whether or not it will break. There is comfort and how well it fits the bolt. this is where snap-on becomes worth the big bucks for a professional.

~Jay

 

I agree with the Craftsmen Professional line....They are almost twice the standard Craftsman line in price but well worth it. I bought the adjustable wrench set and they are the nicest tools I have used. LineX coated handles...laser marked size scale...and tapered jaws that Don't "spread" under load when tightening. I only picked these up because I needed a set of adjustable wrenches around the house...but I was VERY impressed with their Quality.

 

Being a mechanic and owning my own shop at one time, i have 2 sets of tools one set for home use,and one for work,i use everything from snap-on,craftsman professional,matco,mac,air tools are ingersol rand.

 

Craftsman.

Kona