Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General What brand of tools

Since I'm buying a house with a 2.5 car garage (woohoo!), I'm looking to expand my basic set of tools. I'm wondering what brands of tools you guys use and would you recommend them. Everyone at work suggested Snap-On, Cornwell, or Mac Tools, but since I won't be wrenching on engines 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, I don't feel like dropping $400 for a 22 piece socket set.

So, I've been looking at Craftsman, Husky (Home Depot) and Mastercraft (Canadian Tire). I've searched the net and found good and bad reviews of the first two (used to be good quality, then moved production overseas and they went down the pisser), haven't been able to find anything about Mastercraft.

So, please tell me what you use and how you like them.

Thanks,
Bob

I would have to agree with you friends at work. I like Snap on. Though they are expensive they have never ending lifetime warranty. Meaning if you pass them on to anyone else the warranty is still good. Unlike Craftsman, Snap-on holds an awesome resale value. You could sell your tools years from now if need be and get almost what you paid for them.

For the weekend DIY'er you can't beat the value of Craftsman tools. Yes, the quality is not what it used to be but the lifetime warranty coupled with the multitude of Sears locations where you can exchange broken tools makes up for that. Also have to remember, Sears stores are open on the weekend so you can go and get a brand new tool if one breaks in the middle of your weekend project...a little harder to do with Snap-on or Mac. Plus I've never been hassled when returning tools at Sears, they simply take the broken tool and give you a new one no questions asked.

I'd love to own a set of Snap-on or the like but there simply is no reason for me to buy such expensive tools since they will not see enough use to justify their cost.

Craftsman have an unconditional lifetime guarantee too. Got a 3/8" drive for my b-dy x-number of years ago, had no receipt when it stripped out, took it in and no questions asked walked out with a new "refurbished" one in a matter of minutes.

Most tool makers these days have lifetime guarantees. Its more of a matter of the store which honors the guarantee will being around when the time for a warranty claim comes up. Sears has been around since the early 1900s, if not longer (just guessing here). Home Depot has only been a player for maybe 20 years, and with home improvement stores coming and going these days, its tough to say if they will stand the test of time.

My first choice would be Snap-on, but finding a salesman to buy from and in the case of a warranty claim, vs. going to a Sears store which rarely moves and has solid hours. Unless you are a mechanic in which case you have a salesman stop by your shop regularly.

All of that being said, I have never owned anything but Craftsman and with the exception of the one warranty claim above have never had a single problem.

Echoing everyone else. Snap-On is great, but too pricey. Craftsman are the way to go, lifetime guarantee, no questions asked, no reciept needed. My dad has replaced his that way a few times. Craftsman is what resides in my garage

I too would go with Craftsman. Its one thing if you are a professional mechanic, but I find Craftsman tools to be far better than "adequate", and the SEARS support is STELLAR. Also, SEARS has recently redone their tool departments,and the selection is awesome. Sure, some of the purists are going to snub you because you don't have Snap-on.

Screw 'em. CRAFTSMAN = VERY GOOD.

Husky is definitely a notch down IMHO.

To me, its no different than a Contour. It ain't top dog, but you can love them just the same.

Good Luck,
Jab

I remember in high school, my crazy physics teacher told me that one time on the highway he saw a bunch of tools scattered on the highway. Someone's toolbox had fell off their truck but they were long gone. He took a chance and pulled off to the side of road (yeah, I said he's crazy) and checked to see the brand. Yep, craftsman. He picked up every single tool, including ones that were busted and broken. He took them to Sears and they replaced them no questions asked. It was a couple hundred dollars worth in replacements.

'nother vote for Craftsman.

My 1/4" rathet's bearings inside were all screwed up, free replacement, no questions asked.

Bought the 153 piece tool set fot $99.99 on special. Definitely worht it.

John

Snap-on and Mac. I tend to stock Craftsman simply because I have no problem with running to Sears whenever I break a socket or wrench. One of these days I'll pick up a complete set of Mac metric and SAE impact swivel sockets, though

Snap-On Tools. Have you ever even seen a Craftsman Tools girl?