Best tool brand

[CoopKill]

[DanEboy5]

I have a huge mixture of tool brands. I have Snap-On, Matco, Mac, Armstrong, SK Wayne, KAL, and of course Craftsman. That is just hand tools. I prefer the Matco and Snap-On to most brands because of design and durability. I like my KAL sockets when I need to hammer on them and I don't care if they break! They are cheap and serve a purpose when you need to grind or weld on to make a special tool. Power tools: DeWalt, Rigid, Milwaukee, Makita. Paint: SATA and iWata by far! Air tools: Snap-On/Blue Point and Matco...love them!

[stealthee]

I have a mixture of tool brands. I have a set of Craftsman 1/2" drive sockets in both standard and metric and a Craftsman breaker bar. I have some Auto Craft socket sets. A 1/2" deepwell impact set, 3/8" set and 1/4" drive set. I have some Husky (or maybe its Task Force) 1/2" drive ratchets. I have a set of Stanley pliers (sidecuts, pliers, channel locks, etc) and some screwdrivers (probably Auto Craft).

For the amount I work on cars any more and the type of jobs I do my stuff works. I buy tools as I find a need for them and try not to buy something thats too cheap, but try not to buy something thats too expensive for the use it will get.

I don't own a whole lot of power tools, but at work I have a pretty badass 18amp Makita circular saw and a Ryobi sawzall. The Ryobi is okay for what its intended use is for, but I wish I still had the Milwaukee. It was just so much higher quality. Also we've been through several cordless drills at work and after our experiences will not buy anything other than Dewalt. We bought cheaper brands trying to save some money only to have them crap out, or the batteries stop holding a charge after less than a month. The Dewalts hold strong, are durable, and we usually catch them on sale. They are usually $190, but we can catch them for $100.

[PaulL]

I think snap-on has the best quality, but is very expensive. It's the brand you would need to get if you made a living working on cars. However, Craftsman's quality has been very good to me for the price. Craftsman professional air tools are just freaking awesome. As far as power tools, there are better brands that Craftsman. I have a hitatchi impact driver that I haven't tried out yet, but I've seen good reviews on it. I try to get craftsman for hand tools if I can't afford it in snap-on. Kobalt and GearWrench are pretty close to Craftsman IMO. I stay away from harbor freight tools though. The break at times you really need it.

[Chris@Rvengeperformance]

ick I don't know how you guys can stand the regular line of craftsman ratchets. Those things are so rough and squared off, they really tear your hands up. I'm slowly replacing my stuff with snap on.

At least the craftsman "professional" ratchets feel good in your hand, but they put the reverser in a spot that it gets tripped by accident all the time and can get in neutral from time to time.

[sketch]

I've got a growing collection of Craftsman/Harbor freight (and a few Kobalt as needed). Luckily most of my Craftsman stuff is pretty old (my Dads) and it's stood up to the test of time.
Most hand tools are Crafstsman, but a lot of my sockets are Harbor Freight (deep/impact sockets) or Kobalt

My air tools are were bought during Harbor freight sales and have performed flawlessly (keep them lubed up! It's your own damn fault when they break because you didn't use any ATC as directed!)
Power tools....some old Makita stuff, Milwaukee, old Craftsman, etc.

I generally only buy tools as I need them, but I've basically inherited 60-70+ years of tools as is.

[DrGonzo]

... I break stuff all of the time. Usually from using the tool for its non-intended use.

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I havn't broken many tools, but when I do it's due to this. Most of my hand tools just wear out from use. I have a mixture of Kobalt and HF hand tools. I have a Walmart deep socket set that I use religiously now for about 5-6 years. Only had the 14mm crack due to trying to use it with a 3ft breaker bar "Not Intended use" Should have used my impact socket instead.

For Power tools I also have a mixture, 18v Dewalt drill that has been running strong for about 7 years now with the original two batteries. Others are HF and have lasted way past their value.

I am looking for a decent Rotory tool though as I have gone through about 4 Dremels in the past couple years. I can't figure out why?!?!? they just stop working out of the blue...... Checked all wiring, Brushes, Switch, ETC!! Just can't figure out why they just dye out of the blue......


Pretty much most tools will last if used correctly. Use them incorrectly and that's when you will need to start replacing them.

[IPD]

yeah, i cracked one of baadvr4's craftsman deep sockets one time while trying to loosen my axle nuts.

[j2k4]

In my experience the best tools are the ones that come with great service, and the only brands I've been exposed to around here with that sort of regular service are Snap-on, Matco, and Cornwell.

Matco seems to come at a slightly smaller price premium.

[stealthee]

yeah, i cracked one of baadvr4's craftsman deep sockets one time while trying to loosen my axle nuts.

I once twisted the head of my Craftsman breaker bar breaking my axle nut loose. I literally picked the car up it was so tight. I cussed my cousin out for that one because he was the one who had put it on. The head is actually still twisted and I can't get it to break.