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Cheap American

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FM(formerly far

11-12-1999 17:20:39




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tools? is there such a thing? seen a 307 peice set with tool chest for 50$ at kmart. is it worth it? it will be my first tool set, so...




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Fred Martin

12-14-1999 07:33:32




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
Hi from Fred This is an old post but I feel I must add my comments to it. When the foreign tools hit the american market, a lot of us bought into them
because we knew the quality of tools(american
tools anyway). They were not of the quality that
we were used to. In fact they were a joke. The
steel they were made from wasn't much more than
cold rolled steel. And the Orientals flooded the market with them. When we found out the quality
of them,no one bought anymore. They didn't have
a market for their tools anymore. So, they want
into the american tool market and they attacked
with a different method. They know how to make tools so in order to compete with the american
manufacturers they had to start making a quality
wrench. When you pick up one now and look at it,
the newer ones will have CR-V on them. Chrome-
Vanadium steel. They got their steel right and
if they get their heat treat right,they'll make
a good wrench. I've tried some of the newer ones
andquality is there. Is it too late? Fred from the Mung Factory

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Big D

11-26-1999 09:03:09




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
I used to work for an Auto Parts store. We used to sell both good tool with a lifetime warranty, and junk tools cheap or free with a coupon. We sold a lot of junk tools, stay away for anything that says Allied or All Trade on it it's pot metal junk. I picked up a couple to the Allied 40pc socket sets that I use as loaner tools, you know the ones your stupid brother-inlaw wants to "borrow" and then leave laying in the wet grass for you to find with the mower. After the socket breaks in half and he has bloody kuckles he doesn't ask again. My box is full of Craftsman, Truecraft and Snap-On. The only problems I've had is with Snap-On. If you aren't a regular customer the guy in the Snap-On truck won't even talk to you about a broken tool.

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Ol'#7b

11-15-1999 20:37:22




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
Mike, I have picked up quite a few tools at farm auctions. You can get good tools at a good price most of the time. Look for the boxes with misc. tools in them. Last sale I got a complete set of impact sockets for a dollar. They were in the bottom of one of those boxes.



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BUCK

11-15-1999 09:10:08




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  

You have gotten a lot of good advice here. I love tractors and anything with nuts/bolts and steel. Restored VW's for 25 years and my tools are about 99.9 % CRAFTSMAN. The main reason is the ease of replacement and overall guality I graduated into their proffesional line slowely but not completely. At times I would have to go to MAC or SNAP ON for special items and find them very pricy but well worth the price. I keep cheap tools in the tractor toolboxes because they are easily lost when on the feld but in my trck and car I'm mostly CRAFTSMAN. Personally I think the reason I like old stuff is to justify the tools. Bet you already have your eye on a nice welder. Hey go for the gold and good luck and put in that order for Christmas. P.S. Might seem like I lie Craftsman but KENNEDY has their tool boxes beat.

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Fm

11-15-1999 16:52:11




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 Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to BUCK, 11-15-1999 09:10:08  
Welder? why get one of them old buzz boxes? i got an uncle that can weld jsut about anything i would want welded. x-mas limit is about 150$, don't think i will find a good on for that.



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stay away from made in India and Taiwan..Dave

11-14-1999 18:12:18




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
total garbage, cut up my hands good when a couple of open ends busted...thats what I get for buying cheap crap..



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Steve Hansen

11-14-1999 12:40:22




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
Craftsman! Buy a good set of tools. One with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive ratchets and socket sets in metric and standard and complementing end wrenches. Don't be taken in by the number of tools in the package. A lot of the tools will be things you will never need. As you need specific tools, buy them. Keep a list of tools you would like to have and watch the Sears ads in your paper. Buy them when they are on sale. Look for Craftsman tools at yard sales and the like. You can take them to Sears and get replacements no questions asked. If the clerk is friendly you may even be able to get something of equivelent value and general type that you really need. Pawn shop here has sockets in bins - 50 cents to a buck each. Great way to replace lost sockets or to get a size that you don't have and find yourself needing. At first, you can keep your tools in a $10 RubberMade tool box. At some point, you will want a roll around chest. These are not cheap but you can occasionally get one at a yard sale or find one on sale. Buy good tools and take care of them. Like putting money in the bank.

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FM

11-15-1999 16:32:27




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 Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to Steve Hansen, 11-14-1999 12:40:22  
50¢? round here they are 35¢. i thinkn i have made up my mind. i am thinking of 2 options: A.) buy tools from where i work(coast to coast hardware, soon to ba an Ace store. the Ace tools have diff. packaging than the C to C, and i think darwin(my boss) will let all teh old ones left go for cost. at least i hope so. B.) buy my grampas old tools, which i think i can get for a good price(500$, but werll worth it.) tehy are all craftsman, lasted probably 25 years. he used craftsman for the 25 years or so he worked on Semis.

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Paul R

11-19-1999 18:54:08




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 Re: Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to FM, 11-15-1999 16:32:27  
FM, I of course don't know but what you've told so far. If your Grandad did repairs on semi's, including engine work, he could easily have $3,000-$10,000+ in tools, in today's money. For $500 cash I'd be checkin' with grandad, might not have the shine of new but just as good or likely better. Besides, you can always spend the extra money on yer girl friend/wife.

Just my $.02
Best regards



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FM

11-20-1999 16:02:52




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to Paul R, 11-19-1999 18:54:08  
yes, that is what they think they are worth. Granddad died about a year ago, and they are settling his estate. that is where i gopt my farmall A. i am alos(hopefully) getting an Oliver 70 or three. i would like to buy the farm, but i don't really see a way to do it. i am only 114 adn dad has NO credit, so.... i think i will have to settle for some tools and a couple tractors to remember gramps by. personally, i think it is sad that none of the other sons or grandsons want it. about all of them could afford it, but..... back to the tools.. nope, not shiny. but not rusty or abused either. all kinds of 1/2 and 3/8 sockets, quite a few box/open end, couple torque wrenches, etc etc. would ba a good start. i know they have strength. don't put a 10 ft cheater on a 5/8 wrench, the bolt will break, even if new. don't ask how i got that little peice of info, or the scar on my foot...

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werf

11-13-1999 06:07:13




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
You get what you pay for. Most of my tools are proffesional brand names (Mac, Snap-on, Matco). About the most important thing on buying tools is to get a lifetime warrenty. That is why craftman has sold so many. Husky is a good tool, but also are the tools with an "Ace" brand name from the hardware store chain. Remember, this should be a once in a lifetime purchace.



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FM

11-19-1999 16:19:46




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 Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to werf, 11-13-1999 06:07:13  
the Coast to Coast hardware store where i work is changing to Ace. i wa looking at the tools some tonight and a 43 peice socket set is 170$ or so. about as big of combo wrench is 60$. the rolling box is about 180$. would theses be worthwhile purchases? once in a lifetime?



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Corey

11-13-1999 13:03:18




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 Re: Re: Cheap American in reply to werf, 11-13-1999 06:07:13  
You definitely get what you pay for. Although it may seem like the initial investment is high, you will end up money ahead if you go with better tools, such as craftsman,snap-on, mac, etc. There is a reason that pros use these tools: they want to depend on them. There is nothing worse than trying to loosen that tight nut only to have your wrench break (and maybe your knuckle, too!) Plus, when you buy a good tool, you buy it for life, not until it breaks. IMHO, do yourself a favor and get the good ones. You won't be sorry.

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Wally

11-13-1999 02:39:22




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
Walmart has some serviceable tools. In my opinion Craftsman is a name only they had a better product 20 years ago. The Popular Mechanics brand is about as good as craftsman for less money. It kind of depends on your budget and what you will be doing with them. Truecraft brand is another option. About all of the cheaper tools are imported.



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Hey busdriver

11-13-1999 00:00:25




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
I'd stay away from them if I were you. They wouldn't be much for tools, sut sometimes a good place to get tools is a pawn shop, watch though what you get , but I got a good set of tools all name brand tools, i.e. Craftsman, Snap-on, American Forge etc. over 360 pieces ( very dirty neaded cleaning) but not one cheap name for $65.
It took me 4 hours to clean them up but was worth while. I got 2 sets of 1/2 drive and 2sets of 3/8 drive 1/4 drive and several open and box end wrenchs, screw- drivers, Check it out sometimes you can get lucky. I had a cheaper set of tools before that I used but ended up selling them a garage sale for $95, so not lonly did I get $30 back but I got better tools.
Good luck Stan

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Paul R

11-12-1999 21:57:38




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  

For $50 and 307 pcs. I think you are nearly throwing away $50. It wouldn't be worth 50 cents to me because I already have two of all those tools in various quality brands that I find fits good, is comfortable, and strong enough for its expected use. I don't buy large sets from any one maker because I prefer to choose the features and price I like or need for each particular tool. You should expect to take time out during repairs to go find a tool to replace the ones in this "set deal" that doesn't do the job, or to get a tool that is not included in set but should be included in a tool set. Be careful because many cheap tools will unexpectedly slip or break, with smashed knuckles, rounded fasteners or worse as result. Make sure they at least say "Benchtop" or are some well known, nationwide guaranteed brand if buying at KMart.
I would not expect much from a $50 car or a $50 300 pc. tool set no matter where they were made, but it might get you where you are going for a while if you don't expect much.

Just my $.02 worth.

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Otis

11-12-1999 19:08:45




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
I would shy away from Kmart tools in my opinion. You will be best off buying a "quality" American made tool. There are many. If you have access to Home Depot for example, they offer Husky brand, I don't think you can beat there prices. S-K is also an economical tool, good price for a quality tool. Otis



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Not for $50....................maybe $10

11-12-1999 18:22:36




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 Re: Cheap American in reply to FM(formerly farmer mike), 11-12-1999 17:20:39  
:-]



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