Guys, okay, this is getting old. I'm making my 5th trip to the Sears outlet to return tools that I purchased online. The website does not say where the tools are manufactured, and the fellow at their call center claims all of the Craftsman line is made in US of A. Either he is a liar, or just misinformed. His english was terrible, don't know where their call center is, but it certainly wasn't US or Can. Anyways, I was thinking i'd get my son some tools for Hanukkah presents, but Sears and Craftsman.com don't have much anymore. If I wanted Chinese I'd buy from harbor freight. can I still purchase US or Can made hand tools ? From whom ? More expensive is okay, China and Taiwan are not. LSG
Mike where do you get snapons ? When I used to work at the dealership, I just got them from the guy in the truck, he came around every other week. I'm not there anymore. LSG
Mike where do you get snapons ? When I used to work at the dealership, I just got them from the guy in the truck, he came around every other week. I'm not there anymore. LSG
You can buy SnapOn tools from their web site. But be aware, I'm pretty sure their "Blue Point" stuff is made in Taiwan.
I tried to exchange a standard Craftsman Made In USA 1/2 ratchet and they are now made in China. I didn't make the exchange. I'll look for a rebuilt kit because it just needs a new gear.
Depends on what you are after. Craftsman has a "professional" line now that are much better ratchets. I used to turn in Craftsman regular ratchets for warranty replacement three at a time. I can and do wear out anybody's ratchets hough. Snap-On lasts longer but not a single one I have hasn't been replaced or rebuilt.
I like Craftsman chrome sockets because they are particularly thin walled. Under duress they tend to crack down the side though. So reserve them for particularly tight spots.
If you don't work somewhere where the Snap-On/MAC/Matco/Cornwell tool truck comes by regularly good tools can be hard to find. I've found Northern Tool sockets to be OK for the money. The chrome ones are a tad soft but you have to use them a LOT to see the effects. At one Lowe's had Kobalt wrenches that were as good as anybody's and then they went to some Taiwan stuff. That said I have most of the set of Taiwan "Vanquard" wrenched that have had a rough and busy life since 1987. I have some Craftsman wrenches that predate them by 15 years and still do their jobs. Speaking of Lowe's, they sell Gearwrenches individually which i nice. Gearwrenches are good but their screwdrivers and such other tools with their name stuck on them aren't. Avoid using Gearwrenches to "break loose" stuck bolts and they last a good while. Avoid the versions (Gearwrenchs or any other brand) that have a "switch" to change wrenching direction. Get the ones that you just flip over. I find the straight Gearwrenches about useless but the ones that swivel on one end have saved the day many times.
Hard to beat Channellock for pliers for price/performance. Since Irwin bougt Vice-Grip they aren't what they used to be but I still think they are better than anything else out there. The Chinese copies are instant scrap metal.
Some cheaper tools aren't all that bad. I have some Harbor Freight stuff that works fine. The trick is to weed to goodies from the crap. Don't be afraid to bother a fellow shopper when in a a tool store. They might have already bought what you are looking at.
I'm sure plenty of folks here have input on various kinds of tools if you will be more specific about what you are having problems with.
Snap-On's "Blue Point" branding just means not actual USA made Snap-on. I bought a Blue Point air ratchet that was made in Japan and serves very well. I bought their Blue-Point rebranded Mastercool tube flaring set and am very happy with it. Some is Taiwan made but mostly stuff they want to provide to their customers but don't actually make. Gotta watch the warranty on the Blue Point stuff though.
My two cents... as somebody who works out of a toolbag most of the time Sockets... anyone who will replace broken ones lifetime... I use Sears and I am happy with the Craftsman line of sockets... a socket is a socket is a socket..... I personally have a set of their 3/8 air sockets which I use for everything and they are awesome and have been through hell.....
Wrenches get lifetime replacement.... I have all kinds, Craftsman, Snap-On, MAC, Matco, and even one or two of the old (10+ years) Home Depot line...The MAC stuff is light and seems cheap compared to the others, they seem to be a different Alloy.... Big difference is the highline wrenches are much easier on your hands when pushing and pulling on the all day....either ways... not much difference...
For the ratchets... I am partial to Snap on and Matco... 3/8 size is most important to me... Get a decent long handle 3/8 and then an extra short handle 3/8 with the most teeth on the gear you can and you will be very happy... As for 1/2... I have a 24" Matco with a positionable head thats awesome, standard 1/2 is one from Home Depot that is over then years old and it works great when I use, and that is not often.....
If you can find a good Snap on or Matco guy they will undersell the website...
I get them from the snap on truck, comes to the shop every week, you can probably get his number from your local shops mechanic and meet up with him along his route. Or snap on.com
guys, went and picked up some masterforce at menard's. You have to pick and choose, but I was able to get US of a stuff. Kinda disappointing about Craftsman and Sears LSG
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Hand Tools , from whom ?
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