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Hand Tools

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.
You must be a tool breaker? That why i don't lone tools. I have worked with people that could even destroy snap on tools.
 
I bought my 1st real set of tools through the Chrysler troubleshooting contest in the 70's.Bottom roller and a top with an assortment of everything.Craftsman must have been a sponsor.Now there is a mix of Snap on,Matco and a variety of tools.

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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.

Yeah it’s different for the pros. Futzing with broken ratchets when you’re on billable time is a killer.

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?

Yeah if you’re crazy enough to take a decent tool onto a jobsite , spray painting it, wrapping it with tape to hide the brand lol and stuffing them all in Ryobe tool boxes will by you some time.

Craftsman tools are only used when I need to use 2 wrenches of the same size. They just break too easy.

You must be a heavy equipment mechanic? I’ve had the same craftsman wrenches since high school... I’ve slid 3’ of pipe over a box wrench and stood on it bouncing to free a stuck lug nut (hey i was young!). Wrench still lives.
 
My toolbox is full of craftsman, gearwrench, cornwell, mac, matco, snap-on... Anything with a lifetime warranty. That being said I have NEVER bought anything off a tool truck. I buy used off ebay, yard sales and pawn shops.
 
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..
Just make sure when you swap that Craftsman fine head ratchet for a new one, it's also a fine head. Ran into that years ago and the sales guy trying to give me a course head didn't know the difference or maybe he did. After trying to edumacate his butt, I finally told him that I wanted to talk to his manager. He didn't want to do that either and so I went to the nearest phone and that's when he decided to give me the right ratchet. At that point I wanted to do this to him :BangHead:
 
Mix of S-K, Proto, Craftsman, Klein, Channel-Lock, and vice-grip
 
Just make sure when you swap that Craftsman fine head ratchet for a new one, it's also a fine head...........
Ran into that myself. They tried to replace mine with the cheaper coarse tooth. After arguing the issue they finally ordered the fine tooth replacement. Took over a week for it to get to the store.
Found a repair kit online for the next time.
 
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Ran into that myself. They tried to replace mine with the cheaper course tooth. After arguing the issue they finally ordered the fine tooth replacement. Took over a week for it to get to the store.
Found a repair kit online for the next time.
This store had one hanging off the shelf and I got it and went to the register. That's when all the crap started. It was even an exact duplicate of my old broken one! Just don't get it sometimes. Anyways, I'll be throwing some tools up for sale on here shortly...
 
I have mostly MAC but I was a dealer for 28 years and you tend to collect a lot off the truck. I made sure I got a standard and metric set of Blackhawk ratchet wrenches off the truck b/4 I retired. I do have a fun little S-K 1/4" set that I use all the time. Real handy and worth the money. I saved a repo tool box when I retired and I hope to make room in the garage and move into it next spring.

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I have mostly craftsman tools, and search the pawn shops, flea markets, used item stores like Goodwill, ARC and habitat for humanity. The pawn shops are wise the cost of snap-on and the like, but are reasonable with craftsman stuff. Just picked up a 5 piece ratcheting wrench set for $10, new its $40, and a 3 piece 3/8 drive extension set for $2.
 
Metaldad, I’ve often thought a good way to digest tools was to go to a tech school close, for guys just starting out & need tools; cash only. Save them some money & let them get stuff they need to start out rather than buying some ‘new fangled ‘ stuff they won’t need until later in career.
 
@oldbee, don't think a 'school kid' would be looking for, for what i'm offering. i have a few 'like new' grinders that need to go, that are duplicates of duplicates. and other miscellaneous.
 
If it makes any sense, The smaller hand tools I buy are more snap on and mac, like 1/4 drive 3/8 , screw drivers ect.
Seems I always ask to much of them , using them for tasks they are not made for LOL.
Anyway the well built ones hold up better, I use them everyday.
the larger tools I go more for matco and craftsman.
swap meets are a good place to round up or fill out sockets sets.
 
I just found out my chrome 4 way lug wrench is a S-K lol never knew that.
 
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