Export thread

Tool Question

#1

R

Rickcin

I need to buy a complete set of wrenches and I see that the ratchet type are very desirable, but expensive, probably double the price as a standard wrench. I do not use the tool stat often, so should I just go with the standard Craftsman box & open end instead of the ratcheting type ?

Thnaks


#2

midnite rider

midnite rider

I would recommend starting with the basic set and building on that. Craftsman hand tools are guaranteed for life and are easily exchanged at any Sears stores. I have some basic Craftsman wrenches that were purchased 40 years ago and still work as good now as they did then.


#3

L

Lawnranger

Rickcin said:
I need to buy a complete set of wrenches and I see that the ratchet type are very desirable, but expensive, probably double the price as a standard wrench. I do not use the tool stat often, so should I just go with the standard Craftsman box & open end instead of the ratcheting type ?

Thnaks
Click to expand...

You are trading extra dollars for the convenience & speed that ratchet type wrenches provide. In my opinion, if you are not working on flat rate then you probably don't need the time savings provided by ratchet type wrenches. However, there are always some out there that have the luxury of having more money than they know what to do with and will buy what they want. Some ratchet type wrenches have the ratchet end pivot and that makes it easier to get the wrench in tight or awkward positions, if need be. If money is the main factor for you then maybe a set from Harbor Freight would be less money than Craftsman? Keep in mind that you don't get what you don't pay for.

You can make the comparison between lawnmowers and tools by looking at the difference between commercial mowers and residential mowers vs. professional, daily use tools like Snap-On and occasional use tools like Craftsman. You can use a residential mower every day in a commercial setting but that doesn't mean it will last as long as a commercial mower or perform as well. You get my drift?

I don't know your situation and I'm not judging, just providing a different point of view for your consideration.

The question I have for you is how much money do you want to spend on tools so that you can turn a nut or bolt? Let me know.


#4

midnite rider

midnite rider

Also keep in mind there are situations where only a open end wrench will work and a racheting type wrench will not. I have run into this many times as I have both types. In my opinion as far as versatility the basic set is the best to purchase. I would only purchase racheting type in addition to basic. Keep in mind that racheting type includes handles and sockets, also besides racheting wrenches. Socket type sets would be second and racheting wrenches third option. In my opinion I would stay away from Harbour Freight hand tools as I have found they are a lot more likely to strip fasteners and scar knuckles. I would purchase at least Craftsman quality or better. If you are doing work professionally or into speed, air tools is the way to go. :2cents:


#5

R

Rickcin

Lawnranger said:
You are trading extra dollars for the convenience & speed that ratchet type wrenches provide. In my opinion, if you are not working on flat rate then you probably don't need the time savings provided by ratchet type wrenches. However, there are always some out there that have the luxury of having more money than they know what to do with and will buy what they want. Some ratchet type wrenches have the ratchet end pivot and that makes it easier to get the wrench in tight or awkward positions, if need be. If money is the main factor for you then maybe a set from Harbor Freight would be less money than Craftsman? Keep in mind that you don't get what you don't pay for.

You can make the comparison between lawnmowers and tools by looking at the difference between commercial mowers and residential mowers vs. professional, daily use tools like Snap-On and occasional use tools like Craftsman. You can use a residential mower every day in a commercial setting but that doesn't mean it will last as long as a commercial mower or perform as well. You get my drift?

I don't know your situation and I'm not judging, just providing a different point of view for your consideration.

The question I have for you is how much money do you want to spend on tools so that you can turn a nut or bolt? Let me know.
Click to expand...

Yes, your points are well taken and very true. I do spend more on stuff that I do not use that often. I have a problem with always wanting and liking the best, the quality built top of the lines that will last.
My Sears tractor works fine and has been running trouble free for years, but do I wish I had an eXmark instead, you bet'ya but would I want to pay the price, certainly not!

Thanks for all of your good comments.


#6

S

SeniorCitizen

I try to avoid buying tools of this size on line at the popular auction site because of promoting theft, but if you are inclined to do so, Craftsman wrenches and sockets, extensions etc. and socket sets can be purchased there dirt cheap if you don't mind taking a time to shop and having them real soon is not imperative. Just be certain they say Craftsman and not Sears or some other jerk water name imposing as Craftsman.

Buying at 25 percent of new retail is probably possible and the reason I know this is I've bought tools at estate auctions and tried selling on ebay with the result being less than desirable profit wise. Example: Rather than selling an S-K 3/4 combination wrench ( the best made in my opinion ) for .99 cents I'll donate it to the Salvation Army.

According to your writing you are a person that takes care of equipment and your tools will probably not be an exception. So my advise is buy quality once and they will last a lifetime.


#7

R

Rickcin

Actually I returned the ratchet wrenches because the were much thicker than the normal wrenches, box end/open end. I listened to the advice of others, as well as thinking, is speed and time that important or would it be better to have a wrench that fits in a tighter space ?

I am a recreational mechanic so I think time or speed is not a concern for me1

I thank all of the members who have helped me come to this decision!

Rick


#8

reynoldston

reynoldston

Most of my tools are Snap-on. The reason is they are the best and as a professional mechanic a broken tool is no good no matter what brand it is. Also you will find a top quilty won't strip off a bolt head like a cheap one will. The snan-on will last a life time or for what ever reason it dosen't snap-on will replace it. This is good when you are young and need them for many years and that is if you don't lose them. Now that I am retired and its more a hobby if I need a tool its from harbor freight. You can buy a whole set for less what one snap-on wrench cost


#9

txzrider

txzrider

so +1 on craftsman plain wrenches before ratcheting wrenches... ++1 on snapon, I still have snapon tools I bought in the mid 70's while doing car stereo installs... My fav part of the job was the snapon guy coming by the shop I worked at. I could only afford a few pieces at a time. But almost 40 years later they still work as new.


#10

K

KennyV

You should buy tools to Last a Lifetime...
You will soon appreciate a high quality tool, they look nice, feel nice and Fit perfectly.... :smile:KennyV


#11

reynoldston

reynoldston

KennyV said:
You should buy tools to Last a Lifetime...
You will soon appreciate a high quality tool, they look nice, feel nice and Fit perfectly.... :smile:KennyV
Click to expand...



I agree what that 100% but as life time gets shorter maybe the tools don't need to be such high quality anymore.


#12

L

Lawnranger

Since my middle teens I started buying Snap-On and spent over $30,000.00 with that company. I still have most of the tools I bought but sold some of the specialty tools like my alignment tools since i do not align vehicles anymore. Arguably, Snap-On is the best and they have served me well for many decades. It is a real pleasure to use such quality tools but now if I need to purchase a new tool I look at all my options before making a decision. Factors such as how often will I use this tool, how will the tool be used, will the tool make me money, etc. come in to the decision making process and I cannot remember the last time I bought a tool from Snap-On.


#13

K

KennyV

reynoldston said:
...
as life time gets shorter maybe the tools don't need to be such high quality anymore.
Click to expand...

Hadn't looked at it that way... but I have to agree...
I still look at new tools, But it seems I can always think of a reason Not to buy more.... :smile:KennyV


#14

okiepc

okiepc

I have tools of all kinds, from Snap-on down, I use them very little these days as I am retired, but the tool that has helped me out most is the ratchet wrenches, I like them, you can get into places a regular ratchet can't and they are so much faster than an end wrench. The only tip is to break the nut or bolt loose with a conventional wrench first then use the ratchet end to avoid damage, don't ask me how I know. :laughing:


#15

midnite rider

midnite rider

reynoldston said:
I agree what that 100% but as life time gets shorter maybe the tools don't need to be such high quality anymore.
Click to expand...

I plan on handing my tools down to my Grandson. I still have some passed down to me from my Grandfather. The main factor I consider when purchasing tools new or used is if it says made in China :thumbdown: I steer clear and avoid them.


#16

reynoldston

reynoldston

Most of my wrenches and sockets are SAE seeing that when I was working as a full time mechanic metric was just starting to come to the USA. So I am still buying now seeing that most everything is metric now and a lot of newer style fasteners like torque drive. For some reason I have never bought the ratchet box wrenches except I bought one back in the early 60's 1/2 - 9/16 which I have found very little use for for some reason. I find the main tools I used through the years are air tools.


#17

F

fastback

Although I never needed my own tools for the work I did I bought a ton anyway. I have a few Snap on, some Vulcan, Huskey, Blackhawk and a lot of craftsman. I have air tools also some are from the USA and others are from the place that shall not be spoken:laughing: I also have Ridge pipe wrenches and threading tools as well.

Now I tend to get the cheaper salt water brand. They tend to work ok since I'm not as strong as I used to be. I haven't broken very many at all:laughing:


#18

R

Rickcin

As an end result, I returned the ratchet wrenches and just swapped them for the conventional ( box end/open end 12pt) At Sears. They are much thinner and I am sure, as a homeowner hobbyist will be fine.

Thanks for all of the good information!


#19

S

SeniorCitizen

Snap-On is a popular brand but a wrench brand that most mechanics have never heard of and is equal in quality is Williams.

I prefer the Williams combination wrenches for two reasons. The body is thicker without the sharper edges to cut the hands and when they become oily the sandblasted finish is much easier to hold a grip on than the chrome of the Snap-On.


#20

midnite rider

midnite rider

Another quality brand tool distributor used by many professional mechanics. :biggrin:

Attachments





#21

okiepc

okiepc

I have a complete set of Williams 1/2" drive socket and ratchet set that I inherited from my dad, has to be at least 55 to 60 years old, still in fair condition, never use them, I don't do big projects anymore :laughing:


#22

M

Mtn.Mike

I too have many Craftsman tools but I learned the hard way that Craftsman doesn't stand behind them like they used to do.
I had a broken torque wrench that I bought from Sears years ago and when I tried to return it they told me they no longer did replacement of tools.
Maybe the clerk didn't know what he was talking about but if anyone wants a broken torque wrench there is one in the Sears parking lot in Horseheads, NY.
I buy Kobalt now since they will replace and I also buy NAPA for the same reason.
Since I don't make my living with tools I see no reason to buy Snap-On, Mac or Blue Point.
I do like my ratcheting wrenches from GearWrench in both SAE and metric even though I too am retired and not in a hurry except to fix what my 5 brother in laws break.

Mike :laughing:


#23

R

Rickcin

As an end result, my thinking is never buy the cheapest, just do the research and get a good quality item because it will always be less expensive in the long run. I am an occasional tool user so why pay more money for a ratchet wrench that is thicker , making it more difficult in tight places while the savings in time is meaningless to a weekend warrior.

I guess if you do this for a living, you should have all of the items that will save you time and make your everyday job easier. I just went with some Craftsman tools and a nice chest box so I can be fully organized and find thing quickly when needed.

Thanks for all of the great comments and opinions!


#24

reynoldston

reynoldston

I had a broken torque wrench that I bought from Sears years ago and when I tried to return it they told me they no longer did replacement of tools.
Maybe the clerk didn't know what he was talking about but if anyone wants a broken torque wrench there is one in the Sears parking lot in Horseheads, NY.


Just this pass year I bought three torque wrenches. Three different sizes. Harbor Freight had them on sale for 10 dollars each. A torque wrench is something I don't use heavy duty. All three wrenches work just fine and for what I payed for them when they go bad I can just leave them in Horseheads parking lot and buy another new one.


Footer Links 1

Top