Tool Talk

D

Dockmaster

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
930
Reaction score
756
What line of tools are folks using these days? I'm talking mostly hand tools here. I used to buy mainly Snap On, Mac, Matco and similar if I could find decent deals. I've recently bought some HF Icon and been happy with it thus far. I've bought a few things in SunEx that have been good too. I recently saw some info suggesting the Craftsman Overdrive line is a rebranded Mac line. Not sure if this is accurate or not but I do know that many of these brands are owned by Stanley Black & Decker so wouldn't be surprising. Curious what you all are using and what you like or dislike?
 
I buy vintage stuff off Ebay, mostly SK....HF stuff is not that bad. You can find some really good deals on fleabay....
 
Honestly the giant boxo tool boxes that are loaded with cutouts 100% full for 10k seemed like a pretty legit option?

RD
 
Funny thing is the Speed tool kit actually has some nice stuff. I use it a lot since I own a Polaris.
IMG_7944.jpeg
 
i have alot of snap on but i wouldnt pay those prices these days. The HF icon stuff is practically just as good.

Really depends on what it is and what you are doing with it. Wrenches, ratchets, sockets etc Icon is great. The standard pittsburgh impact sockets are good for the money.

For specialty stuff if its a one time use deal or minimal use HF stuff gets the job done. If its a more used item i like to get better brands. All electrical stuff i run milwaukee and have been very happy with all of their tools.
 
RiverDave said:
Honestly the giant boxo tool boxes that are loaded with cutouts 100% full for 10k seemed like a pretty legit option?

RD
Click to expand...
I was planning to buy one of their boxes with tools for my new trailer. I looked at them at the SSSS and honestly wasn't impressed. The boxes are pretty flimsy and the tools looked no better than other basic stuff. I opted for a HF box and some tools for far less money and the stuff seems as good or better. I think they are a marketing deal and you pay big $$ for the organized drawers.
 
Realbadlarry said:
I buy vintage stuff off Ebay, mostly SK....HF stuff is not that bad. You can find some really good deals on fleabay....
Click to expand...
Agree on Ebay and vintage stuff. I have some S-K. They are still in business and will warranty any S-K tools. I also have a lot of older Craftsman USA stuff.
 
I have a 30+ year old set of Craftsman wrench's and sockets that I am the one and only owner of. When I have to add to or replace to that set, I will buy from wherever I am at when I remember. Seems like my work sockets have all turned into HF over the years though, but they seem to grow legs unlike my garage toolbox.
 
Talking boxes here- The US general boxes are legit. Quality is good, nice fit and finish. Really cant beat the price. The tool carts are nice as well.
 
megadesertdiesel said:
Funny thing is the Speed tool kit actually has some nice stuff. I use it a lot since I own a Polaris.
View attachment 133587
Click to expand...

I bought the 1,000.00 tool kit to take with me in my Speed car.. I gotta admit though anything other than minor repairs it's getting towed back to camp. LOL.

It's a very nice tool kit though!

RD
 
It's not so cut and dried any more, brand wise. My Dad started me out with a craftsman mechanics set @ 18. Probably so I would stop using his tools. I still have all of the wrenches and sockets. Ratchets have been replaced by a blackhawk and some HF Pittsburg ones that I use all the time. I refuse to buy craftsman any more due to their fall from quality. I buy klein and knipex for pliers and cutters. Can't go wrong with either. I really like a brand called tekton for wrenches now. They are a USA company and make some of their tools here. Quality has been very good with no need to test the warranty. I have some extra long ratcheting box end wrenches that started me buying more of their tools as needed. They had supply chain issues so no available stock around covid but their selection on amazon seems to be back to normal. The great thing is that even the lower tier brands are putting out decent products.
 
I've been a tool buyer since 1956. Yes, I started with Craftsman. (Go figure)
After a few years, I actually was hired by Sears as a mechanic. Enter the 1100 piece
Craftsman tool set. (1960s) A few years later, I was doing location film for major studios, and needed a more advanced collection including electronic devices. A few years later, enter Caterpillar tractor repair for Los Angeles County. (Larger tool set, hydraulic stuff, etc)
Snap on, sure, tons of Snap on. Enter Steam and gas turbines for L A County. Even bigger tool sets, larger hydraulics..
Christmas was score for my grandsons. One CRAFTSMAN VERSASTACK 262-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Polished Chrome Mechanics Tool Set with Hard Case @ $99.00 on sale for each grandson.
My garage still has two Craftsman roller boxes, (3 Level, FULL) Several tig/mig welders, drill presses, VW transmission gigs, full Turbo 350 transmission rebuild kit, several engine stands, go cart stuff. (Too much to list more.) Even a couple of bicycles.
I should get out more.
 
i turn wrenches for a living and these days ita all icon tools in my service van. ive broken a few of them but its easy to just get it replaced at the hobo fright. its a pain in the ass to track down a RELIABLE tool truck in mohave county. caught up with the matco truck here in havasu, had to order the tool iw as after of course, said theyd order it and the fucker never followed thru. heard matco pulled the franchise from him. if you want snapon tool without the snapon price you can buy the stuff from caterpillar. snap on makes the cat branded tools. its a fraction of the cost.
 
Milwaukee for at least 25% snap on /mac I have been collecting for 32yrs My dune tools mainly come from buying and selling trailers
 
tektron, if you have a kid that's in college, set up the account thru them.
 
FENDERFAB said:
i have alot of snap on but i wouldnt pay those prices these days. The HF icon stuff is practically just as good.

Really depends on what it is and what you are doing with it. Wrenches, ratchets, sockets etc Icon is great. The standard pittsburgh impact sockets are good for the money.

For specialty stuff if its a one time use deal or minimal use HF stuff gets the job done. If its a more used item i like to get better brands. All electrical stuff i run milwaukee and have been very happy with all of their tools.
Click to expand...
I 100% agree with everything in this post.

I probably have (what it would cost to replace today..) 75k in Snap-on stuff. I won't buy another piece from them though. The ICON line up from HF is awesome. If I handed you one of my Snap-on wrenches and the same ICON unit, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Not in feel or function.

The US General boxes are solid too. I bought one to match my terribly overpriced Snap-on box....yellow w/ black trim.
 
Kevin said:
i turn wrenches for a living and these days ita all icon tools in my service van. ive broken a few of them but its easy to just get it replaced at the hobo fright. its a pain in the ass to track down a RELIABLE tool truck in mohave county. caught up with the matco truck here in havasu, had to order the tool iw as after of course, said theyd order it and the fucker never followed thru. heard matco pulled the franchise from him. if you want snapon tool without the snapon price you can buy the stuff from caterpillar. snap on makes the cat branded tools. its a fraction of the cost.
Click to expand...
I didn’t realize CAT tools are same as Snap on. Next time I have to go to my CAT dealer for boat engine parts I’ll have to see what they have. I looked at some stuff online after your post. Sounds like the CAT tools are like 75% less than same Snap on.
 
Dockmaster said:
I didn’t realize CAT tools are same as Snap on. Next time I have to go to my CAT dealer for boat engine parts I’ll have to see what they have. I looked at some stuff online after your post. Sounds like the CAT tools are like 75% less than same Snap on.
Click to expand...
the screwdrivers are hte oldschool shape that snap offs used to be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top