I have been gathering tools and equipment for my son for awhile now. I have tried to get GOOD craftsman and some snap on stuff whenever I find them at flea markets and estate sales. It’s taken awhile, but we have the basics pretty well covered.

My question: craftsman tools sold today are a far cry from what was sold 20-30 years ago. As much as it pains me to say, it’s almost junk. With that in mind, is it worth paying the premium craftsman price for harbor freight quality? Why pay a premium for lousy quality when you can get it cheaper? And without getting political, I’d be willing to bet it’s basically the same china crap.

So, what’s the opinion of those in readerland? Hold out for the vintage harder to find stuff, pay for the substandard craftsman, or the “brand X”?

 

Hit all the garage sales you can, a quarter of what I have is cheap stuff the balance is old stuff I bought 30 plus years ago and estate/garage/ auction stuff.
not a full time mechanic though

 

My $0.02 USD, hold out to find vintage Craftsman sets. Some of my Craftsman hand tools are very close to fifty years old and still perform flawlessly after professional and hobby use. If one of them is missing I'll search a replacement out on online auction sites.

I'll buy a cheapie tool to carry on the road where it may get lost, lent or damaged e.g., wheel nut sockets etc.

Also watch for vintage used Proto, SK, Snap-on, Mac and Matco

 

I'll bite. Here is what I do...
Keep buying the old USA made stuff from estate resellers or garage sales. That is their job to go to auctions and estates buy, restore, resell, recirculate the good stuff. F china. Educate the younger generation. Its not as convenient but its a sacrifice I choose to make.

Old guys are croaking daily. They have a plethora of good USA made tools.
Don't line chinas coffers buying crapsman, kobalt, harbor junk or any other inferior crap. The bean counters and CEOs sold us out long ago. Hit them in their wallet.

I found a local guy who makes his living buying from estates and auctions. He has a ton of used and NOS Starrett, Brown & Sharp, Southbend, Bridgeport, Snap on, Mac, real craftsman et al.

We just bought a 36" Southbend bench top lathe from him. He completely restores these machines. $1300 with all the attachments bore bar, gear sets etc. He has all sorts of tools, Wilton vices, Mills, Lathes, wood, metal and hand tools. His garage is a friggin museum. You need to wear a bib.

I bought a Starrett articulating mag base and dial indicator. NOS in the original boxes $175! Look it up that's 600+ of tool for 175.... china you loose.

I'm supporting a local guy and my money isn't going over to that giant SH.

This recycling habit, if it takes off, may eventually open USAs and chinas eyes. We don't want your inferior non-durable junk and WE need to start manufacturing again.

 

Second hitting garage and estate sales, flea markets and swap meets. I haven't bought half a dozen brand-new tools in over twenty years but I've found plenty of good quality well-cared-for vintage tools at those. A few minutes in an ultrasonic bath and you've got a good quality tool that has been loved before and is ready to go to work. Almost like its original owner is there with you.

Plus you'll find a lot of interesting tool brands that were quality and innovative but got swallowed up in mergers.

I'm not a tool snob. I went for Craftsman because everywhere had a Sears and the quality was great for the price. I didn't like the concept of being in debt forever so rarely bought from a tool truck. But I wasn't making a living with my tools either. Strictly hobbyist.

You can sometimes find tool truck brands for pennies on the original cost. If you can do that you get the name quality at a good price. Far as I know a jobber will still honor the warranty.

 

I find it refreshing to see others with the same gut feeling as myself.

Occasionally, I buy the harbor freight stuff. But only for a tool I will use once or twice. I figure if I need it more often than that, I need a GOOD quality tool in the first place.

It infuriates me what has happened to some of the companies that built this nation. The decline of manufacturing in pursuit of the almighty dollar disgusts me. . Briggs and Stratton, Craftsman, whirlpool, countless others.

I’ll continue the flea market search. Besides, I like the hunt!!

 

I refuse to buy the new C-man crap. Except for the set I bought new in the late 1970s, all of my tools are used swap meet purchases. The only problem today is finding the C-man ratchet rebuild kits, which are starting to dry up. My tools are going to get greasy and scratched up because I use them. I don't need shiny new pieces of art.

 

make sure to buy at least 20 10mm wrenches and sockets.them things grow legs.

 

I still have a few tools that I snuck away from the Air Force back in the sixties

 

cherokeepeople wise like owl.

I would look on Facebook, offer up, Craigslist, etc. As noted above, old guys are dropping out and, well, dropping, period, daily. You can likely find whole toolboxes full of older U.S. made, quality tools for pennies on the dollar. Ya, they might be a little dirty, greasy, or engraved, but likely great tools that will last another lifetime or two. The boutique, truck brands are all still under warranty.

​​​​​​….

 

If you have a problem with 10mm sockets, you own the wrong car.

 

My two cents,
Quite honestly I bought what I could afford, I was a ASE certified mechanic with a growing family to support so price was a consideration, I had accounts with Snap On , Mac and Matco and had tools from all of them in my arsenal however not many. I had considerable amounts of Craftsman and Husky (Home Depot) I also had a considerable amount of Harbor Freight tools my theory on Harbor freight was to purchase H.F. tools that saw limited use as opposed to every day use or tools like a tie rod and ball joint separator (pickle fork) after all it's a solid piece of metal no moving parts !! H.F. had great prices on pullers etc... I too was a fan of picking up tools at garage and estate sales. I found it better to have a lower quality tool to use than not having the tool required to complete the job.
I am also a wood worker strictly on a hobby level. I have power tools from Rigid, Craftsman, Milwaukee, Dewalt , Skil , and of course Harbor Freight and quite honestly I have not had any H.F. tools fail on me. If I were a contractor going to a job sight every day I probably would not rely on some of the H.F. tools but for me they have been fine.
So my advice don't be a tool snob buy what gets the job done, buy what you can afford, acquire what you can from multiple sources. Craigs list and Offer up can be good sources !! I bought a like new Rigid table saw off of Offer Up at a fraction of the new cost and have not had a single issue with it !!!! Good luck and happy hunting.

 

I bought quality tools when I was making a living off of them. Appliance, Machinist, Amusement park and lawn/ag repair dealer. I bought mainly Craftsman USA made and replaced most of them with their professional series screw drivers and polished chrome wrenches. The MAC and Snap-on guys stopped also so I have a lot of stuff from them including a decent size box.

Since my eyes are getting worse as time goes by, I have a small service call Kobalt tool set. The big labels on the sockets help my eyes and I really like the ratios of their ratchet.

Pat

 

Don't bother picking through yard and estate sales unless that's something you usually do. Just buy a cheap set of tools at Horrible Freight. If you son is interested in turning a wrench for a living then he'll have access to better tools later. If he ends up doing something else then the HF cheapies will work just fine.

 

One thing that I forgot to mention. If your son knows anyone going to a tech school, he may have a connection for HUGE discounts on boutique brand(s). I had an employee attending tech & through him bought some rather expensive Snap On sets for HALF price via their “hooked on crack” tool program in the tech schools. Still doesn’t make them cheap, but sure makes for good value!

…

 

When I bought my tool set in 1979, I went to Sears Craftsman catalog and bought a roll around box and upper box full of tools. Now my 2 grandsons are that age and I went online to see about a box/ tool set for them. My wife has had jewelry made for the 4 granddaughters and I am going to get something for about $500 for the boys. (Make even) Everything seems to have changed. Most all the boxes are formed plastic. No "mechanic" combinations are available. Snap on boxes are crazy prices, Matco and others are almost as high, Harbor freight are high also. I don't know what to get. Any suggestions?

 

Look in Ebay. Old SK - Wayne stuff from 60's to early 70's their tapered 1/2" drive sockets were one of the best sockets of that generation. Taper fits nuts in tight places were others would not. Cannot break them. Old Proto is great. Old Proto ratchet will catch at the smallest angle rotation. Also makes a great club.

 

The reality is you can probably assume every new tool is made from globally sourced parts, except maybe a socket or box wrench. Pretty much every decent major tool company has plants worldwide.

Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black & Decker. There are new USA made Craftsman brand tools out there, but you need to check for the Made in USA label.

 

+1. I inherited my Grandfathers tools after he passed away in the early 2000's and, for the most part, it's everything I need. I have all of his old SAE Snap On wrenches that were made in the late 60's in Canada that he used as a dealer technician in the 60's and 70's. They've got just the right amount of wear on them and still work like they are brand new. It gives me a really nice feeling to work on my Dad's Toronado, that he gifted to me, with his Dad's tools.

I had no idea Snap On made anything outside of Kenosha, WI but apparently they did because all of my Snap On wrenches, and everything else I got from him, say "Made in Canada" on them.

 

beat me to it!!!

 

‘x 2, I have old proto and sk wrenches given to me 50 years ago still going strong..watch garage sales and marketplace as there are old farts like us checking out all the time unfortunately.

 

My eye are getting bad. So I added labels to all my sockets. No luck making the labels work on the old school wrenches. So I went out and picked up Duralast combination wrench sets, 10 Piece $31.99. Not american made, but easy to read the size, almost no slop on a nut and easy to clean. Break one and AZ replaces for free. Very nice to work with.

https://www.autozone.com/wrenches-pl...ion+Wrench+Set

 

These are what I see in the field nowadays.... see what you think Greg

https://youtu.be/9Y0ARq0Z4CE

https://youtu.be/jvao6OpoS34

 

SK-Wayne tapered

 

Thanks Keith, I like the better markings on wrenches/sockets than the old ones. Especially when sockets are greasy it's hard to see what size they are!

 

Good read about Wright Tools, US made from US steel. Expensive like snap on, etc. Good to see another North East Ohio company keeping manufacturing alive in the US

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/akro...81590950869909

 

I am going to opine here.

In my opinion, there is a time for a minimum level of tool for each application. For a dead blow hammer, a harbor freight tool is fine. For a tire filling compressor, a harbor freight hot dog is fine. For a flare wrench, you need a minimum of a good American tool, because, if that wrench fails, it will take your captive, one of one, flare nut out with it. My father never understands this; the reason tools are good are for strength, precision, and form factor. Let your needs drive your purchases for each application. I am not a tool snob, but I do own some snap-on, but I also own some harbor freight.

A good use for cheap tools is modification. If I need a half height box socket, I am taking the grinder to a cheap wrench.

 

I have Dad's Canadian made Grey 3/4 drive with a US made SK mixed in, very well made. My 30+ year old US made Craftsman set is great EXCEPT the ratchets. Those replaceable gut ratchets never worked properly from new. Another Technician had the same issues, otherwise great stuff. Some of the new stuff is pretty good, just don't pay for the name unless recent reviews support the extra cost.

 

^^^THIS exactly. My Snap-On flare nut wrenches are head and shoulders above even my old US-made C-man. The difference in fit and how much torque you can put on them without rounding the flare nut is obvious at the first use. On the other hand, I DO have HF dead-blow hammers, for example. The thing I don't get is why people need to spend the money on brand new tools. Except for the very first socket set I got in the late 1970s, virtually every tool I own I bought used at swap meets. I'm getting them to use as tools, not as artwork. I frankly couldn't care less about scratches, small rust spots, or someones engraved initials on them. US-made C-man sockets typically go for $0.50-$2 each, depending on size, Combo wrenches are $2-$5. Sets have a lower unit price. There's no reason to buy new.

 

First time I saw those SK-Wayne tapered sockets, at an estate auction many years ago, I was convinced someone had taken a grinder to them.

Then I wiped off the grime and realized they were made that way, and they'd work good in tight spaces.

I now have both 1/2" and 3/8" drive sets. I like using them.

DK what it is about tools. Hi my name is Glenn and I'm an addict...

 

Well Glen, Admitting you have a problem. Is the first step. Second step is to send me all of your SK-Wayne tapered sockets!

Yes, really the best sockets I ever used. Even put a big 3/4'' breaker bar with adapter. Would not break the socket, hardened bolt would break first. S-K was acquisition by Symington-Wayne Corporation. They are from the 1964 to 1968. 1969 Symington-Wayne Corporation was acquired by Dresser Industries. American made tools and machinery were the strongest and best in the late 50's & 60's. My old Ridgid 535 thread machine was built in the 1950's. Rebuild a few times before I got it. My guys ran it for 12 years threading and grooving pipe. I am sure the guy I sold it to, it's still working today. With him or the next guy. Things were made to last forever or at least 100 years.

 

I do have a large collection of snap on tools. The common sockets and wrenches were part of a package deal that was offered when I when to school years ago. Most of the other sockets I bought used. What I bought new was either part of a package deal, or something I just couldn’t do without.

I go to harbor freight for one time use tools, or tools that need modifications. As much as it annoys me to admit, it seems the quality of SOME of harbor freights stuff has improved. Some of it is still junk. But slot of the trusted domestic tool quality has gone downhill as well.

Just this part weekend I was able to complete some of the SAE 1/2 drive deep socket need. Moved #2 daughter back to school in Tennessee, stopped at a flea market in Kentucky and found a bunch of craftsman tools.

The deals are out there, just gotta be patient

 

Buying used is great, but when you're in the professional world you don't have time to go to the flea markets/garage sales or deal with yahoos on Craigslist. Good used stuff doesn't hang around the tool trucks long either..

 

Sometimes you need specialty tools. I could not believe how I could not get the lower bolt to the power steering pump to bracket on my 72 tight. Nothing would work, I couldn't find the offset wrench I needed. Ended up a distributor wrench was just right.

 

I'll bet that most of the folks here, including the ones who ask questions like this, are not professionals. I work full time and travel a lot because of it, yet I still make time for swap meets where I get my tools.

 

Speaking of which, ever since all the GM dealerships closed around 2008, lots of Kent Moore tools have been showing up on ebay. I've made it a point to grab the ones applicable to my vehicles. Having the right tool makes life SOOOO much easier. That Burroughs Tool spring compressor is a perfect example.

 

I have mostly Craftsman from the 70's and 80's. I have a set of wrenches and a top box I bought from Montgomery Wards when they were going out of business. I would only bought specialty tools off the Snap-on truck. If you make a living off your tools then I suggest good quality. I am also in the camp of use the right tool for the job. For a guy just starting out for hobbying, todays Craftsman hand tools are not bad.

 

If you can find them at swap meets, you need 700 or so 3/8" sockets, and at least 400 9/16" wrenches. For some reason those "walk off" with friends and family way too often.

But in reality, Koda's assessment is spot-on. Buy the best tools you can afford for stuff like engine work or critical bolts/nuts and precision work. Don't skimp there, even if you're just starting out. Bad fitting tools can injure you and your car. Hammers and hacksaws don't always have to be the best of the best, but I try to get the best tools I can when it comes to sockets and wrenches.

I'm like Joe in the fact that K-M specialty tools are great to have, even if you use them just a few times. The time they save is a great payback. The R-4 tools along with the old school Delco parts made the compressor rebuild so much easier. And all those CCC carburetor tools? Absolutely necessary if you have an E-Quadrajet.

 

Professional or not, if someone is in the middle of a job and need something they aren't going to wait and hope it's at the flea market next week.

 

I was offered the boxes on the left and the tools for a very reasonable price. The tool's were purchased by a friend who attends yard and estate sales weekly. Ratchet sets 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4". Most are original Craftsman, including 6 point sockets.

​​​​​​My biggest challenge is to find someone who knows how to use the tools. 😊