Tool Question

[reynoldston]

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

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

 

[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.

 

[KennyV]

...
as life time gets shorter maybe the tools don't need to be such high quality anymore.

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

 

[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:

 

[midnite rider]

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

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.

 

[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.

 

[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:

 

[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!

 

[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.

 

[midnite rider]

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