[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Looking for tools.... (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 11/29/2014 5:43:35 PM EDT
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In the last 5 years I've had to move several times. And as everyone knows stuff gets lost/ left behind when any move is involved. But now the family and I will be settled (for the most part). So its time to rebuy my tools/ tool sets.
Now I will not work with these everyday. At the most it will be disassembling my dirt bike (or project truck) or doing house repairs. So with that being said I truly believe snap-on will not be worth it to me (unless I buy used, and there are plenty of pawn shops that sell used snap on tools) Also we are in the Christmas season so now would be the time for me to buy. I want to keep as local as possible just so I can visually inspect the product before I buy. The locations I have in town are Home Depot Sears (small hole in the wall, not a mall location) Ace Tractor Supply Walmart The main thing I want is an upright tool box but I don't know which brands are GTG and which ones are paying for the label As for the tools Im looking for anything and everything and would want the best out of what I can afford. (ie if X Husky is better than X Craftsman etc) I am not brand specific I wont mind any over lap to what I have (I don't have a ton to begin with). Side note if there is a worth worthy clearance item Ill grab it no matter what (picked up a couple of husky USA made screwdrivers for a $1/piece) Any suggestions would be great |
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Huskey brand from Home Depot are not bad. Home Depot also carries Klein in their electrical dept. If you are in sears and can find USA made craftsman those would be good. Lowes kobalt brand ratchets seem better than craftsman. Channel lock, and Crescent are good just check the packaging. Lot of places have crescent wrenches, that look identical, cost the same, one is made is us the other in china.
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Harbor Freight boxes are better than they should be.
For hand tools, I like to hit the local flea markets. There's one by me that always has piles of good old US made tools just waiting for their second or third owner. You'll pay less for them than for new chinese junk. |
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I've heard good things about the Husky Torque wrenches and they have a lifetime guarantee Ive noticed many of the hand tools among most of the brands have a lifetime guarantee but not sure on how the guarantee process works, except for craftsman. Thanks for the advice |
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs |
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Huskey brand from Home Depot are not bad. Home Depot also carries Klein in their electrical dept. If you are in sears and can find USA made craftsman those would be good. Lowes kobalt brand are good. Channel lock, and Crescent are good just check the packaging. Lot of places have crescent wrenches, that look identical, cost the same, one is made is us the other in china. Ill check Sears and Ace on the craftsman. (last professional craftsman I bought was at an Ace) Didn't know about the channel lock or crecent thanks |
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Harbor Freight boxes are better than they should be. For hand tools, I like to hit the local flea markets. There's one by me that always has piles of good old US made tools just waiting for their second or third owner. You'll pay less for them than for new chinese junk. For the HF Boxes any specific one you suggest. Not many flea markets in the area just a ton of pawn shops. bad thing is many people here are cheap to begin with so finding used USA made stuff is pretty rare to begin with. But I was able to get a Lufkin tape for $5 |
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs That's not bad at all being less than a $1 a tool. Curious have you ever seen this set on sale (less is always better) the free shipping is a bonus |
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I built my tool collection over ~20 years. Every time I needed a tool I went and bought the one I needed.
Then I took care of it. Pretty simple, really. I go through phases where I buy 1 new "something" with every paycheck. Depending on my needs it can be clothes, tools, toys, whatever. Spreads the pain of replacing all of "whatever" over several months and allows me to refine my wants and needs during the process. That way I don't go out and buy a 300 piece tool set that I'm wholly disappointed with or 6 pairs of pants that don't fit right in 6 weeks or wear funny after a few washes. I've lived in 3 countries and 17 states, I have never "lost something in a move." That's just weird, to me. I hear it often enough, though. You're, apparently, not alone. |
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That's not bad at all being less than a $1 a tool. Curious have you ever seen this set on sale (less is always better) the free shipping is a bonus Quoted:
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs That's not bad at all being less than a $1 a tool. Curious have you ever seen this set on sale (less is always better) the free shipping is a bonus that is on sale. looks like normal retail is $199 |
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For the HF Boxes any specific one you suggest. Not many flea markets in the area just a ton of pawn shops. bad thing is many people here are cheap to begin with so finding used USA made stuff is pretty rare to begin with. But I was able to get a Lufkin tape for $5 Quoted:
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Harbor Freight boxes are better than they should be. For hand tools, I like to hit the local flea markets. There's one by me that always has piles of good old US made tools just waiting for their second or third owner. You'll pay less for them than for new chinese junk. For the HF Boxes any specific one you suggest. Not many flea markets in the area just a ton of pawn shops. bad thing is many people here are cheap to begin with so finding used USA made stuff is pretty rare to begin with. But I was able to get a Lufkin tape for $5 Whichever's on sale. This one's going for $350 this weekend: 
I've got a craftsman from within the last decade. I've handled the HF boxes at the store, the quality is on par. The real nice snap on and whoever pro boxes are a great step up in quality but you tack on a zero or two. |
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I built my tool collection over ~20 years. Every time I needed a tool I went and bought the one I needed. Then I took care of it. Pretty simple, really. I go through phases where I buy 1 new "something" with every paycheck. Depending on my needs it can be clothes, tools, toys, whatever. Spreads the pain of replacing all of "whatever" over several months and allows me to refine my wants and needs during the process. That way I don't go out and buy a 300 piece tool set that I'm wholly disappointed with or 6 pairs of pants that don't fit right in 6 weeks or wear funny after a few washes. I've lived in 3 countries and 17 states, I have never "lost something in a move." That's just weird, to me. I hear it often enough, though. You're, apparently, not alone. The only reason Im looking at sets is to keep the price down per tool in the even of breaking or in that loosing. While the 300piece sets are scary the 20-30 piece sets that you see during this season is the ones that are very attractive because many are the same price (per tool) as the bigger sets Half of my moves were back and forth to home and back. While I might have not lost my tool, my grandfather or my father could've easily had it integrated in their tools (Grandfather a carpenter father tool and die). My biggest loss is a set of Stanley sockets but my kids got a hold of it and that didn't go well (this is the biggest loss of any of my tools) |
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that is on sale. looks like normal retail is $199 Quoted:
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs That's not bad at all being less than a $1 a tool. Curious have you ever seen this set on sale (less is always better) the free shipping is a bonus that is on sale. looks like normal retail is $199 had to change store locations saw full retail $99 wow that's a hard one to say no to |
| Garage Journal is the ar15.com of tools. The hot deal index often times shows some good buys. Last year this time I was able to find a Proto 1/4 inch drive set for cheap. |
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Thread title had me thinking Washington DC............not what I expected... pretty much here too. I've been collecting Craftsman for over 30 years now and that's most of it. Kind of a crapshoot anymore. Sears sells Gearwrench but the warranty isn't with Sears. Sears sells DeWalt but I can't afford it. I got a great deal at HD on a Husky tool box. Check there often for yellow tags. Not just on sale; on clearance. Ball bearing drawers or nothing. Seriously. The Husky boxes aren't bad. |
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pretty much here too. I've been collecting Craftsman for over 30 years now and that's most of it. Kind of a crapshoot anymore. Sears sells Gearwrench but the warranty isn't with Sears. Sears sells DeWalt but I can't afford it. I got a great deal at HD on a Husky tool box. Check there often for yellow tags. Not just on sale; on clearance. Ball bearing drawers or nothing. Seriously. The Husky boxes aren't bad. Quoted:
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Thread title had me thinking Washington DC............not what I expected... pretty much here too. I've been collecting Craftsman for over 30 years now and that's most of it. Kind of a crapshoot anymore. Sears sells Gearwrench but the warranty isn't with Sears. Sears sells DeWalt but I can't afford it. I got a great deal at HD on a Husky tool box. Check there often for yellow tags. Not just on sale; on clearance. Ball bearing drawers or nothing. Seriously. The Husky boxes aren't bad. Anytime Im at home depot I always check the clearance (always). I was able to get a 4/pack of DeWalt screw drivers for $5. Right now I bet I wont see much tool clearance from HD until sometime after Christmas when they are clearance their gift sets. Thanks about the advice on the tool box. I guess its finding the best price now. |
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I have this bottom box. I looked long and hard at a Snap-On; finally came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth the 5X cost to me. Some good friend mechanics said that since I don't use them professionally this should last longer than me. The Snap-On / MAC etc. is designed to be loaded up and opened a dozen times every day forever. I'm not going to put that type of use on my box. FWIW I love the HF boxes I have.
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Whichever's on sale. This one's going for $350 this weekend: http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23816.jpg I've got a craftsman from within the last decade. I've handled the HF boxes at the store, the quality is on par. The real nice snap on and whoever pro boxes are a great step up in quality but you tack on a zero or two. Quoted:
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Harbor Freight boxes are better than they should be. For hand tools, I like to hit the local flea markets. There's one by me that always has piles of good old US made tools just waiting for their second or third owner. You'll pay less for them than for new chinese junk. For the HF Boxes any specific one you suggest. Not many flea markets in the area just a ton of pawn shops. bad thing is many people here are cheap to begin with so finding used USA made stuff is pretty rare to begin with. But I was able to get a Lufkin tape for $5 Whichever's on sale. This one's going for $350 this weekend: http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23816.jpg I've got a craftsman from within the last decade. I've handled the HF boxes at the store, the quality is on par. The real nice snap on and whoever pro boxes are a great step up in quality but you tack on a zero or two. |
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs This set doesn't come with a 9/16th inch wrench. |
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This set doesn't come with a 9/16th inch wrench. Quoted:
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs This set doesn't come with a 9/16th inch wrench. Does it come with a 1/2" and a hammer? Quit being picky. |
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Does it come with a 1/2" and a hammer? Quit being picky. Quoted:
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mostly everything you need in this set for working on a dirt bike and they have lifetime warranty. you don't have lowes on your list but you could get it shipped http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?Ntt=338518&UserSearch=338518&productId=3364134&rpp=32 ETA: free shipping on orders over $19 right now as long as you keep it under 150lbs This set doesn't come with a 9/16th inch wrench. Does it come with a 1/2" and a hammer? Quit being picky. No set is perfect but its hard to beat the price |
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He has a tractor supply and they sell the Job Smart tools. I've seen these before...very cheap price tag. Whats the word on them? I thought about bucking up a few tools to keep at the barn. I had to ask about Tractor Supply. My father (as mentioned in a few posts) is a tool and die. He bought one of their Big boxes (bottom and top). I had to move it and after I took the drawer out (moving it by myself) a few of the ball bearing came out. Not sure if this was a QC issue or human issue but he has owned the box for less than 2 years. Heck I have his kennedy toolbox of 30 years in useable shape. |
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If you are looking at Craftsman, black friday to a few days after Christmas is the time to buy. A lot of their tools are 50% off. They also have big sets that are cheap this time of year. They run the big sales now and around July 4th. Most of it is made in china now but there is still the lifetime warranty. It is not as good as it was but it still isn't garbage and you can get it replaced if it breaks. There is some made in the USA around but your really have to hunt for it. |
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Gearwrench is good stuff. A mix of Taiwan and China. The only thing I don't like is their deep well sockets. They are not full broach.
SK is good stuff made in the USA. Proto is good USA tools. It's high end Stanly. Sometimes prices are good, sometimes not. Grey Pneumatic makes a pretty good import impact socket. Old Peterson Visegrips can be found on Ebay for about 15 - 20 dollars a unit. Not a great price but a much better tool than you can buy new. JH Williams. Owned by Snap-on. Ratchets and sockets are import but screw drivers are USA. Wrenches are good also. Prices are good. Look on Amazon. Nepros from Japan. Really nice ratchet and sockets. Wera makes good stuff from Europe CDI torque and Precision Instruments make a good torque wrench for far less than Snap-on money. . |
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If you are looking at Craftsman, black friday to a few days after Christmas is the time to buy. A lot of their tools are 50% off. They also have big sets that are cheap this time of year. They run the big sales now and around July 4th. Most of it is made in china now but there is still the lifetime warranty. It is not as good as it was but it still isn't garbage and you can get it replaced if it breaks. There is some made in the USA around but your really have to hunt for it. Well that's why im looking at any tools because the season is the time to buy. A majority of the tool set (SKUs) in the stores are specific for this season and meant for huge deals SIDE NOTE: Any love or hate for Ace Professional tools?? |
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Gearwrench is good stuff. A mix of Taiwan and China. The only thing I don't like is their deep well sockets. They are not full broach. SK is good stuff made in the USA. Proto is good USA tools. It's high end Stanly. Sometimes prices are good, sometimes not. Grey Pneumatic makes a pretty good import impact socket. Old Peterson Visegrips can be found on Ebay for about 15 - 20 dollars a unit. Not a great price but a much better tool than you can buy new. JH Williams. Owned by Snap-on. Ratchets and sockets are import but screw drivers are USA. Wrenches are good also. Prices are good. Look on Amazon. Nepros from Japan. Really nice ratchet and sockets. Wera makes good stuff from Europe CDI torque and Precision Instruments make a good torque wrench for far less than Snap-on money. . Awesome this still scratches the service but very detailed thanks |
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HF Pittsburgh Pro series are very nice, and supposedly import xerox of snap on. The ratchets are VERY nice, and as I recall, $20. They have a nice set of wrenches in the series too.
Bought my Dad a top and bottom 48" roller box from HF, and would trade my craftsman pro box for it in a heartbeat. I have a lot of craftsman, but I won't buy anything new. It seems to all be junk, tool boxes especially. |
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My father has one of the U.S. General Pro boxes, it's a great tool box for the money.
It's nicer than the Craftsman premium grip-latch box that I paid $600 for. Tool chest review - Sears, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight The Kobalt set on sale for $99 is a good deal. I'd also look at GrearWrench as well, Amazon has a lot of stuff on sale this weekend. |
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Well I went to the hardware store (Ace) to see which products on the shelf are US made. Well to start with not many are but here's a short list
DascoPro (chisels) Klein Channel Lock (except for their 6" adjustable wrench that was made in Spain) Lufkin (While its not fully made in the states, its assembled, they are the only ones that don't have a "assembled in the USA" badge on the wrapping) Estwing PrecsionCraft (hex tools) The one thing that I am seeing a lot though is many of the china made stuff of "past" is now being made in the USA (with global components) Not sure if this helps QC or not. Some of them include Milkwaukee (some of the power tools but mostly the saw blades) Dewalt (on their cordless drill) Stanley on some of their FatMax line While this is a short list and myself still learning the good from the bad perhaps this might help some |