Tools

[bruceb58]

Re: Tools

I believe that Harbor Freight is switching all of their hand tools over to Pittsburgh.

They are basically switching the name to say Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is just Harbor Freight's brand name for hand tools.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Tools

They are basically switching the name to say Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is just Harbor Freight's brand name for hand tools.

Harbor Freight also sells Chicago brand tools that are made in China.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Tools

You will have a hard time convincing me that Mac or Snap-on are REALLY worth the money. Yes they are good tools but how much extra are you paying for the name and the middleman salesman driving a route. Craftsman is another example of companies cheaping out,originally their tools were made by Armstong which are excellent tools and can still be bought through WW Grainger at a lower cost than Mac or Snap. And don't completely rule out the Asian products either.....when it comes to tools the proof is in the metallurgy and some of the most sophisticated steel mills are in Asian countries. The forges in this country are aging and archaic to say the least. That is not to say that all Asian stuff is good because they will sell to whatever the market demands so you have to choose the quality that meets your requirements.

I would guess that you do not earn a living with tools, and that you have never owned any high end tools. If you use your tools often you notice a huge difference in quality between snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc. The cost of them is not that much more when you factor in the life of the tools, and the time it takes to replace tools at box stores or mail them in. When I break a wrench I don't want to wait for a week to get it in the mail, or have to spend MY time going to a store to replace it. I make a phone call and I can have whatever tool I need delivered to my hand in a matter of a couple hours. I use almost all snap-on tools, and while they do cost more, I have a lot fewer cuts and bruises on my hands, and I do not strip the heads off of bolts like cheap wrenches will.


The forges in the U.S. are anything but archaic. All factories in this country have recent machinery just to stay in business. They have to meet OSHA requirements, and production standards.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tools

Harbor Freight also sells Chicago brand tools that are made in China.

Chicago is also Harbor Freight's own brand name but for power tools.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tools

I would guess that you do not earn a living with tools, and that you have never owned any high end tools.

I would agree that if you made a living using tools that you want to remain high end. In the case of the OP, he was just looking for tools for DIY projects which really doesn't justify spending the money on the highest end.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Tools

Buy what your budget dictates. That's my answer. I've replaced 3 engines in my day and I don't own a single snap-on or MAC tool. I busted a really cheap made in china brand 15mm open end, I've busted a 15mm generic socket, and a couple of cheap ratchets. I am 29, so 5 years ago I would put myself in your situation and I had a limited # of tools as well. Guess what, 5 years have gone by, I've added individual sockets, and open ends as time goes but I haven't spent a small fortune on tools and I've accomplished A LOT with the mid-grade craftsman stuff.

If you can afford the more expensive tools by all means buy those, I would have if I could have afforded it.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tools

I would guess that you do not earn a living with tools, and that you have never owned any high end tools. If you use your tools often you notice a huge difference in quality between snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc. The cost of them is not that much more when you factor in the life of the tools, and the time it takes to replace tools at box stores or mail them in. When I break a wrench I don't want to wait for a week to get it in the mail, or have to spend MY time going to a store to replace it. I make a phone call and I can have whatever tool I need delivered to my hand in a matter of a couple hours. I use almost all snap-on tools, and while they do cost more, I have a lot fewer cuts and bruises on my hands, and I do not strip the heads off of bolts like cheap wrenches will.


The forges in the U.S. are anything but archaic. All factories in this country have recent machinery just to stay in business. They have to meet OSHA requirements, and production standards.

Yes, I did make a living with tools and made a living recommending and purchasing tools for industry. I did not say snap-on wasn't a good tool, like every product there is value added return. There was no way that I could justify spending 400% more than I needed to. Granted there is the psychological aspect when an individual invests their hard earned money but my bottom line was to minimise operating costs and that I did.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Tools

So you recommended tools for others. Did you factor in to your operating expenses how many of those people had cut or broken fingers because of the tools that you decided were more cost effective?

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tools

So you recommended tools for others. Did you factor in to your operating expenses how many of those people had cut or broken fingers because of the tools that you decided were more cost effective?

Of course that would have been factored in IF it had happened...but it never did.

 

[Rellik546]

Re: Tools

no need to argue guys, i appreciate all the help and have considered everyones post, their careers and whether or not they use their to tools all the daily/weekly/weekends/monthly. I dont do anything too hardcore just projects and stuff that if anything just require non normal sizes. i will buy midgrade stuff because it would be nice to just have it last/ not rust or have the chrome peel off. I will definately be purchasing tools only with life time warranties in companies that i can see being around longer than others....in my eyes i see lowes or HD being around longer than Sears...whether or not that will affect craftsman tools or not. walmart doesnt compete directly with lowes or HD but it does with sears(hopefully walmart doesnt put everyone out of business and drive the total economic quality of this country to the ground)

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Tools

If you have a harbor freight near you you can get some from there. But get some here and there don't spend all your money at once getting a kit because you will realize that you have tools that you never use if i need a tool i borrow one and if i like it i buy if from the store. if you need it buy it don't just buy kits that have a little of every thing.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tools

Hard to imagine Sears going of of business but have seen stranger things. Probably no need to make it a reason to buy one tool over another.

 

[Fed up]

Re: Tools

So you recommended tools for others. Did you factor in to your operating expenses how many of those people had cut or broken fingers because of the tools that you decided were more cost effective?

You have to look at his company's point of view, the more expensive the tool the more legs they sprout. I knew a guy that owned a machine shop supplied with nothing but SK tools, for the life of him he could not figure out how to reduce his tool shrink. I recommended that some of the more stolen tools should be replaced with cheap stuff. So when the guys broke one and had a beat up hand, he could ask where his good tools where.

Long story short, he started buying cheap tools and the guys started complaining. So he explained his actions. Now the shop is fully stocked with SK tools again, but now they do not sprout legs anymore.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Tools

You have to look at his company's point of view, the more expensive the tool the more legs they sprout. I knew a guy that owned a machine shop supplied with nothing but SK tools, for the life of him he could not figure out how to reduce his tool shrink. I recommended that some of the more stolen tools should be replaced with cheap stuff. So when the guys broke one and had a beat up hand, he could ask where his good tools where.

Long story short, he started buying cheap tools and the guys started complaining. So he explained his actions. Now the shop is fully stocked with SK tools again, but now they do not sprout legs anymore.

I was not referring to CHEAP tools but rather LESS EXPENSIVE tools that come with the same service and warranty as the MOST EXPENSIVE tools. Our company (fortune 200) also purchased snap & mac for the individuals who preferred them that wanted to buy their own tools through payroll deduction. It was interesting to point out that the warranty claims were about equal for mac & snap and the less expensive tools!!

 

[mscher]

Re: Tools

IMO, I'd skip Snap-on and other high dollar tools. You need a box full of tools, not bragging rights.

The quality of lower piced hand tools, has risen so much, there is no justification for the extra expense, unless you are rich or a professional mechanic. If a wrench breaks 5 years from now, so what? Pitch it in the scrap heap and get another.

Harbor freight makea some great tools. Their hand tools are low cost and have a lifetime warrany. Menards, Lowes have some really nice tools. Craftsman wrenches and sockets, always get the job done in my garage. i do have a few Snapon sockets, that I have had for 35 years, but I still have some sears that are that old. Even the Stanley wrenches at Walmart are a lot higher quality then they used to be.

IMO, I'd skip the "200 piece sets". The one's I see look like the have a lot of stuff I never use and are not really priced that much cheaper. I'd suggest just start with the basics and buy (preferrably on-sale) a set of standard wrenches, as set of metric wrenches, a set of 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4" sockets (SAE and/or metric), a set of good screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, etc, etc.

Then just buy tools as you need then and build up the toolbox. I'm still building mine 40 years later.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Tools

Being a professional mechanic for years I always bought Snap-On,Mac and Matco tools but then again they came to the shop every week... I do own some Craftsman and Husky stuff and don't see anything wrong with then. I think anything with a life time warranty that you can go to the store and exchange is a good tool. Just my .02

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Tools

Figure out the level that you will be working at and then buy what you can afford......if there any lesson over the last 2-3 years (or 20 years?) that has had a hard time sinking in...this is it.
If you want quality then keep your eyes open for it. Like a lot of guys said...check out the odd garage sale or pawn shop or better yet, the guy that just absolutely had to buy everything super high end and new....then went broke and is selling it.
Good Luck.....lots of good advice in this thread.
BP