Recommended tool brands

moresmoke · Nov 11, 2015

I'm looking to start giving my kids tools for gifts (Christmas,bday). I would like to stick with one brand, I have alot of Craftsman, but not overly impressed with the direction they are heading. What is recommended
for lifetime warranty, preferably made in USA? I will not be shopping tool trucks, while their tools are good its just inconvenient if you are not on their route. What have you bought recently that you have had good
luck with? Probably going to start with screwdrivers.

Gary Mitchell · Nov 11, 2015

More, one of my kids got me a decent set of Stanley screw-drivers a few holidays back. The are pretty usable. gm

glennster · Nov 11, 2015

my good tools all came from tool trucks, i use them at the shop. mac, matco and snap on. for screwdrivers and electrical stuff, i buy klein from home depot. they are in the electrical section. napa has pretty decent impact sockets, no too pricey. proto and sk are decent tools also.

Mark-Ia · Nov 11, 2015

Kobalt tools from Lowes have been good.

John Garner · Nov 11, 2015

Moresmoke --

For flat wrenches (ie: open-end, box-end, and combination wrenches), sockets, and socket drivers, I'm a big fan of Wright tools and today's SK tools. Both Wright and SK are privately-held, and make the vast majority of their tools in the US. For pliers, I prefer Channellock and Klein, but Wilde pliers are also good. Ideal Industries (the parent of SK) probably makes more screwdrivers than anyone else in the US today, as they own both Western Forge (the #1 US screwdriver maker before Ideal bought them), and Pratt-Read (the #2 US screwdriver maker before Ideal bought them); Ideal's top-of-the-line screwdrivers are excellent.

The other excellent-quality wrench makers include Snap-On (including their Williams and Bahco lines), Apex's Armstrong line, Stanley's Proto and Blackhawk lines, Ko-Ken of Japan, and a number of European makers.

All that said, today's Taiwan-made tools can be superb values. Quite frankly, I've found that Harbor Freight's Taiwan-made sockets and drivers exceed the quality of top-of-the-heap US tools made several decades ago, in fit-and-finish and in the quality of the metal and heat treatment. The Taiwan makers are also starting to sell tools in the US and Europe under their own brands, and are making names for themselves in the industrial marketplace.

John

rbhuntn · Nov 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:07:44 11/11/15) Moresmoke --

For flat wrenches (ie: open-end, box-end, and combination wrenches), sockets, and socket drivers, I'm a big fan of Wright tools and today's SK tools. Both Wright and SK are privately-held, and make the vast majority of their tools in the US. For pliers, I prefer Channellock and Klein, but Wilde pliers are also good. Ideal Industries (the parent of SK) probably makes more screwdrivers than anyone else in the US today, as they own both Western Forge (the #1 US screwdriver maker before Ideal bought them), and Pratt-Read (the #2 US screwdriver maker before Ideal bought them); Ideal's top-of-the-line screwdrivers are excellent.

The other excellent-quality wrench makers include Snap-On (including their Williams and Bahco lines), Apex's Armstrong line, Stanley's Proto and Blackhawk lines, Ko-Ken of Japan, and a number of European makers.

All that said, today's Taiwan-made tools can be superb values. Quite frankly, I've found that Harbor Freight's Taiwan-made sockets and drivers exceed the quality of top-of-the-heap US tools made several decades ago, in fit-and-finish and in the quality of the metal and heat treatment. The Taiwan makers are also starting to sell tools in the US and Europe under their own brands, and are making names for themselves in the industrial marketplace.

John

Could not agree more on the S-K brand tools. I have bought some and inherited my Dad's and those are older than my 51 years and still going strong even the ratchets are original.

Getting to the point where that is about all I buy anymore.

Jason the Red · Nov 11, 2015

John has it right.

OliverGuy · Nov 11, 2015

I bought case-ih branded tools that are blue points I think. Now they are not all made in the states which is a bummer. They have been good tools though and they have a lifetime warranty. If you have a good dealership nearby it works pretty good and will have a good selection.

CHUCK CAMBIS · Nov 11, 2015

price, availability with lifetime warranty and made in america since 1924! fit and finish Husky tools at home depot and amazon.com i have lots of all brands and craftsman was always the luck of the draw. who made the last batch. tools were made by the lowest bidder (they never made their own). some are the best and some are junk. SK is my favorite, but who can afford a complete set of them. SAE or Metric, or both, that is the question...............

CGID · Nov 11, 2015

I'm still using tools my Dad gave me while I was in high school. Your question got me to thinking 30 to 50 years down the road. If I were you I would go to the trouble to get them tools made by Wright. It's a family owned company. I'm still using Wrights my Dad used. Who knows what made in USA will mean in the future and Wrights are top-drawer quality. All this may not mean much to them now but if they are like anyone else on this site, it will. And, Wright makes some really cool sockets that work on hex or square heads!

Hobo,NC · Nov 11, 2015

Grearwrench brand the market is flooded with them the prices are cheap the tools are very good

Someone brought up Apex tool they handle 5 are 6 brands that I know of. I am working on a car for at BIG WHEEL at Apex tool I will ask him how many brands they make tomorrow...
I have seen Gearwrench, Armstrong and craftsman tools in his car.
He is over the plastic molding department.

I have some SK tools the warranty is not what its made out to be I want buy any more unless they are dirt cheap...

The only tool warranty that has served me well is Snap-on all the others come and go. I would not buy my kids a snap on tool they don't appreciate them...

I would not worry about the warranty they are going to loose them and more than likely never ware them out... The market is flooded with good cheap tools...

NCWayne · Nov 11, 2015

I haven't bought a new tool in years. That being said, I still buy tools on occasion, but they are usually gotten from yard sales, or pawn shops. I like the usual name brands, but also the older ones like Wright, Bonney, and the like.

I just bought a full set of Bonney wrenches (3/8 to 1") the other week from a lady for $30. I once bought a set of Proto wrenches from a pawn shop, I believe they went from 15/16 to 2", along with a handful of smaller ones of mixed brands, for something like $120 which was just about the going price on one of the larger ones alone.

In other words, there are some really good deals out there, on good, quality, tools, if you take the time to look for them. It might take you a year or two to amass a set like you want, but it's also fun doing it. Too, I guarantee you'll find not only the basic, go to, tools you'll need everyday, but you'll also find specialty tools you have needed before, but didn't have for one reason or another, along with those that you didn't even know you needed, until you saw them.

showcrop · Nov 12, 2015

I have not had very good luck with Kobalt.

moresmoke · Nov 12, 2015

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, there is good demand for used tools here. The pawn shops often want as much as new, some specialty stuff can be found reasonable, but that would be bought for me. This is going to be about a ten year project, my goal is for them to have a decent set of tools for general repairs by the time they move out. Then maybe my tools will stay here!

A while back, I was in a store, following a young couple down the aisle. They were having an argument on whether or not to buy a hammer. She thought it would be good to have, he didn't see the need for one. I thought he needed his man card revoked.

I know for sure anyone reading this would not argue with their woman if she was suggesting buying tools! "Yes dear, how about this nice Estwing?"

Mike M · Nov 12, 2015

Maybe he was afraid she would use it on him ?

w1ebb · Nov 12, 2015

I preferred Craftsman tools when I operated bag machines back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. And I'm still happy with my old tools today, they all date back to 1979. I have a set of Williams flat wrenches that date back to the 80s, good solid wrenches. Gear Wrench, while handy, aren't good for any but light work. The thing about Craftsman tools is that Sears used to replace them for free with no argument. Now you go to the tool section at Sears, the clerks are all squabbling over whose turn for a break it is or dancing while listening to their iPod. If I were young again and buying tools now, they would probably be Williams, S-K, or the like. Tools are an investment. Eventhough I no longer use tools to make my living, I sure couldn't live without them!

Good luck!

Scott

Hobo,NC · Nov 12, 2015

grearwrench is more than a wrench now they have a good selection across the board.. As far as the original gearwrench wrench its a complimentary tool, break the fastener with a standard wrench then use the speed and convenience to remove the fastener... Do that every day for a living you learn to respect them not abuse them...

BTW I as my customer he said they make more brands than he could call out... The big 4 are Gearwrench, craftsman, Husky and Armstrong. Armstrong is used by the military its the same tool a consumer can buy...

WGM · Nov 13, 2015

Most all of my tools are Craftsman from the late 60's & early 70's. Work as good today as they did back then. I can't remember the last time I returned a tool to Sears for replacement. But, I don't abuse my tools.

stonerock · Nov 13, 2015

18'' handle, 28oz that will put some spikes in

DR. EVIL · Nov 14, 2015

WHAT???? Your Dad bought your first set of tools? I've bought All my own tools, including my first set of Wright sockets & combination wrenches when I was in HS. Still have and use all of them daily! I've broke one socket, 13/16" 1/2" drive shallow socket in 47 years.

caterpillar guy · Nov 15, 2015

I've bought most of mine at pawn shops. I got what the guys could't afford to keep. Much cheaper than new and just as good. I have bought some specialty wrenches that way. Like my accessory drive wrenches for getting the bolts out on truck engines like the air compressor and such. Also watch for surplus places. I bought a set of Wright 1" drive sockets there once. I just look where ever I go. Can't have to many tools. I also stick to the big name companies like Snap-on,Proto,mac,S-K, old Craftsman. If you need to warranty a Craftsman watch they don't give you one with the name ground off. They will not replace that that way. They pulled that on my dad with a 3/4 ratchet. I noticed it when he got home.

The Famous Grouse · Nov 15, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:00:32 11/11/15) I'm looking to start giving my kids tools for gifts (Christmas,bday). I would like to stick with one brand, I have alot of Craftsman, but not overly impressed with the direction they are heading. What is recommended
for lifetime warranty, preferably made in USA? I will not be shopping tool trucks, while their tools are good its just inconvenient if you are not on their route. What have you bought recently that you have had good
luck with? Probably going to start with screwdrivers.

I think you're right on with Craftsman and it's awesome what you're doing for your kids. My dad gave me some tools back when I was 10 because he said every man should have his own tool box. I still have everything he gave me except the screw drivers that somebody walked off with.

People have been saying Craftsman is going downhill since 1902. I'm calling BS. Like every other brand, they have high end stuff and they have low end stuff.

I have a nice set of Craftsman screwdrivers in my truck tool box that are Made in the USA. My kids got them on a Father's Day sale for me for $12.99 for the whole set and they are perfectly good tools.

The vast majority of tools that break are broken because of abuse and stupidity by numbnuts who don't know what they are doing. Then they complain about how this/that brand is going downhill after they just messed up a 3/8 ratchet buy attaching a 6 foot pipe over the handle to get more leverage to take off a lug nut.

Grouse

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