M1AM14SPUR
Member
I'm looking at getting some better quality tools. Snap-On is too expensive and I'm trying to find out what you all are using. Thanks for your time.
Hand Tools
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BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
Good old Craftsman... Or hell for that matter cheap old harbor freight.. Why spend 50 dollars for a ratchet when a 12 dollar one can do the same thing. I beat tools up im not buying expensive crap. That's just me.
slimt
Well-Known Member
I take time to hit Garage sales for tools.. much cheaper by the dozen than buying from Snapon or mac. I usually find that some garage sales , there could of been a mechanic thats had enough and cannot do the work anymore and they have specialty items that could be handy in repairs on the car at home..
HT413
Semi Pro Bowler
My tools are a mix of old (US) Craftsman, Proto, SK, Williams, and Bonney. All USA made and forged. None have ever broken.
Edit - I did break an old craftsman deep socket (15/16’s?) but it lived a long hard life on the end of an impact.
Edit - I did break an old craftsman deep socket (15/16’s?) but it lived a long hard life on the end of an impact.
GTXperience
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Agreed. Garage sales, Craigslist & general swap meets/flea markets. I have filled my tool chests with Crafsman, Mac, Cornwell (and even Snapon) from these sources. Granted, I have bought plenty of new tools (usually Craftsman) when needed as well.
HT413
Semi Pro Bowler
I’m damn cheap so just about all my tools I listed above I got over the years at giant flea market near me. I have maybe $150 in sockets and wrenches and I picked up a kinda rough Snap-On rolling combo chest for $400 a year or so ago. New that baby is like $6000.
mosquito13
Well-Known Member
Pawn Shops around here have snap on stuff regular. I have left my card with a couple shops and gotton calls . Craigs list also has full boxes regular like.
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slimt
Well-Known Member
I dont mind pawn shop stuff.. but they seem to ask 75% of new.. for well used.. I would rather take the time to hunt in G sales and give the money to the moms and dads that could really use the money.. pawn shops here are crooks and play they I gave to much to sell cheap card..
HEMI-ITIS
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I have had several friends pass away owning a work box and home box.These cases you can buy the whole box too cheap!
oldbee
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Auctions,garage sales is the way to go IMO. You have to remember that your usage is a lot less than a pro using his tools numerous times every day. I’ve still got Cornwell that my dad liberated from the late 40’s and they’ve been used very often. With 2sons & 1 capable daughter, my tools will migrate over. Most of mine were used everyday in my normal job. To me, Snap-on is just too $$$, but they do sell a lot to the gov’t.(?)
Car Nut
Well-Known Member
Other than garage sales, I check out the local flea markets for good used tools. I usually find Craftsman, Snap-On’s, etc.
oldbee
Well-Known Member
Just for history I had a 1/2” ratchet that to change direction you pushed the 1/2” drive from one side to the other to change direction. The CEO of Cornwell wanted to buy it 40yrs ago but I refused. It had such very fine teeth you could really get some throw with very little movement of the handle.( Cornwell started out in my hometown)
65-440
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Mostly snap on, with a few matco, Mac and craftsman.... snap on is expensive, but there is a definite difference. And I use my tools for a living, I'll pay the premium for quality stuff !
65-440
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$50 ? HA, try $100-$200 !
BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
lol Then I stand corrected.. Who buys these things? I guess professional mechanics that have to have a bigger better tool box than the other guy. You know what they say about guys in Ferrari's well maybe that crosses over into tools too. I buy what I can afford. I have had the same S-K ratchet for 10 years I found it in the middle of the street along with all the sockets. The only Snapon I have is a ratchet I found in a car at the junkyard years and years ago.
oldbee
Well-Known Member
Beep, for a pro the 10yrs is a couple yrs, that’s why we buy the best so we can trade-in for a replacement & that’s where the extra money goes for.
BeepBeepRR
Well-Known Member
I know good tools aint cheap and cheap tools aint good. I was just talking crap. I just cant afford the good stuff. I would use them if i could afford them. You can swap in craftsman too..
mopar 3 B
Well-Known Member
I leave the good tools home and look at work tools this way. How many $50 wrenches can you afford to loss on a jobsite?
cudatom
Well-Known Member
Probably 80% of mine are Snap On. Was lucky that my dad was a dealer and could purchase for his cost. The rest are Craftsman. I have started shopping Clist and pick up Snap On items for 50% or less of new. If it breaks I still get free replacement. The Craftsman tools are only used when I need to use 2 wrenches of the same size. They just break too easy.
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