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Tekton makes some nice wrenches and sockets. Astro Pneumatic makes a really nice set of hex headed shallow sockets and a matching 17mm wrench for tight spaces.
I think a bot bumped this up but I'll play. I was brand agnostic my whole life but now that I'm getting into battery powered tools I have some Makita stuff.
I think a bot bumped this up but I'll play. I was brand agnostic my whole life but now that I'm getting into battery powered tools I have some Makita stuff.
You picked high end. Those aren't cheap batteries. I bought some Ridgid impacts. I don't use my stuff everyday and the batteries are affordable compared to Dewalt and Milwaukee and you can score some great deals at Direct Tools.
Tekton tools are very nice and ship quickly. Locally, I'll go between Kobalt, Husky, and Carlyle. I try to find the stuff that is made in either the US or Taiwan. Whenever I look at the Craftsman stuff in Lowe's, it is always more expensive than the comparable Kobalt tools sitting the next shelf over.
I’m not a brand loyal guy though I tried to be for a few years. I was mainly buying Mac tools at the cash price discount but stopped once I learned there are only 6 manufacturers making tools for all the different brands.
I have tools from Mac, Snapon, Gearwrench, Craftsman, Kobalt, Stanley, Husky, OTC, SK tools, Tekton, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and even some shitty throw away Pittsburgh tools to smash with a hammer.
I stopped buying tools this year. I seriously have a too many tools problem.
What the hell, ill bump this too. Been using craftsman for 30 years or so. My rolling and side toolboxes are 90s era craftsman. Last 20 plus years though, HF/Pittsburgh have been a decent replacement with return policy similar to the old sears policy. Now Icon, Quinn, Gearwrench, Powerbuilt, Titan, Capri, Milwaukee are replacing some craftsman/HF tools. Also Milwaukee fuel for cordless over pneumatic tools.
I use Craftsman. My grandpa used them, my dad used them, and I use them. They are a little more expensive, but they last. I have some Husky stuff and it’s been good. Their Screwdrivers are excellent. My husky stuff is 16 years old. I would recommend it as well. I inherited my dad’s old 90s Craftsman rolling tool box. It’s probably 27 years old if I remember correctly. That new Icon brand HF has looks like a really good set, but it is the same price as Craftsman. I know it’s meant to compete with Snap on, I dunno that I would trust spending that much on HF tools.
I have a 1/4 inch drive Husky set from the early 70's in a metal case. I don't use it any longer, it sits on the shelf due to the cool factor. I don't want to risk breaking it.
Has Husky always been a home depot line? I don't even remember seeing it in their stores till the early 2k's. I had the black finish combination wrench set and the socket set, but it used that funky universal pattern that fits multiple styles, but doesn't really fit any of them properly. The open end also had a "ratcheting" design that never worked great either. Never jived with me, i only have a couple of their big sockets, 28mm maybe.
Has Husky always been a home depot line? I don't even remember seeing it in their stores till the early 2k's. I had the black finish combination wrench set and the socket set, but it used that funky universal pattern that fits multiple styles, but doesn't really fit any of them properly. The open end also had a "ratcheting" design that never worked great either. Never jived with me, i only have a couple of their big sockets, 28mm maybe.
I am not sure. Yeah those early ones in the 00s were weird. I got a set when I got married and it didn’t have those funky ratcheting wrenches. Mine came with both, but I pitched those funky universal pattern ones about 10 years ago. They never worked right.
The open end "ratchet" is practically useless. Only time is actually worked was when the nut/bolt would NOT free spin on the threads.
Icon is pretty good. I think other outlets sell it too. Definitely better than HF's pittsburgh line.
The open end "ratchet" is practically useless. Only time is actually worked was when the nut/bolt would NOT free spin on the threads.
Icon is pretty good. I think other outlets sell it too. Definitely better than HF's pittsburgh line.
Craftsman did that back in the late 90s. My dad had a set that he eventually threw away. It was the dumbest design I had ever seen. I get the thinking behind it, but it never worked correctly.
I don't have many battery powered tools, probably just pick up powerful drive to swap wheels, maybe another drive just for bolts on the car.
I was actually just looking yesterday at the battery powered ones. My dewalt from impact from 2012 has seen better days. I was looking at the Milwaukee ones.
Craftsman did that back in the late 90s. My dad had a set that he eventually threw away. It was the dumbest design I had ever seen. I get the thinking behind it, but it never worked correctly.
Its one of those looks good on paper ideas ,but in the real world, not so much.
I’ve been using Craftsman tools for 50 years. I even have some of Sears own brand which were the Companion series, those were pretty much poorly made junk and just take up space in my tool box. I also have some Snap On, Kobalt and Gear Wrench, all of which seem well made. As for battery power tools I like DeWalt and Makita.
I’ve been using Craftsman tools for 50 years. I even have some of Sears own brand which were the Companion series, those were pretty much poorly made junk and just take up space in my tool box. I also have some Snap On, Kobalt and Gear Wrench, all of which seem well made. As for battery power tools I like DeWalt and Makita.
I have been using them my entire life. I just ordered 2 new craftsman impacts, a craftsman lithium ion 20v drill. Ratchet wrenches both standard and metric craftsman, and 2 digital torque wrenches from craftsman. I got this cool air bag jack as well. I am interested to see how it does lifting the Camaro. I really need to just buy some quick lifts until we retire to Lake Travis in about 10 years or so and I can build the garage I want.
You picked high end. Those aren't cheap batteries. I bought some Ridgid impacts. I don't use my stuff everyday and the batteries are affordable compared to Dewalt and Milwaukee and you can score some great deals at Direct Tools.
They don't seem too bad to me. I got a set of 2 4 Ah batteries for my Makita on sale for a little over $100 from Home Depot. I can't complain about that. Plus, my Makita set I bought 11-12(more?) years ago came with 2 3 Ah batteries and they still work! They don't have quite the capacity or the oomph they used to have when new, but they are still more than useable for a lot of stuff. If I need the most power (from my 1/2" impact for example) I'll get my newer 4 Ah battery out as it can handle the instantaneous amps better.
Side note - replacing my old 2 cycle weed eater that I was constantly fighting with to keep running with a Makita weed eater was one of the best decisions I ever made.
On the original topic - I'm not buying Craftsman anymore. Trying to get warranty service is like pulling teeth. Ace: "Well we don't have that series of ratchet here, I can't replace it" - they don't make my ratchet anymore, so of course you won't have that series. Lowes: "Sorry can't help, try Ace" Argh I was just there. "Can't help you no idea man, did you try calling?" Yeah they sent me to you guys
I've been buying Gearwrench more lately. Seems to be really nice stuff. Their ratchets remind me of my Snap-On 3/8 long handle I have. Very smooth and so far I haven't broken them I'd love more Snap-On but the price ouch. Only have the one I have because I won it in a drawing.
I know it’s not a kobalt or craftsman tool, but I got one of these on sale. Im pretty impressed. Im going to order another one. Super quick to get the car up and down. I have to detail the underside for an indoor show I am doing next month and this is going to help speed things up.
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I'd love more Snap-On but the price ouch. Only have the one I have because I won it in a drawing.
