I want to buy my GF's son a decent set of tools, craftsman have become crap (I just replaced a 3rd 1/4 drive ratchet this year. SO who has a decent tool at a fair price, Lowes? Home Depot? Are there some other options out there?

Thanks
Ed

The problem is Craftsmans ratchets they give you are halfass rebuilt worn out junk. I just swapped out a 1/4 drive ratchet (and 3/8). The first one the guy handed me was frozen and wouldn't turn, the second one the guy gave me was worn out to where the dog barely caught on the teeth and the third one worked ok but wasn't great. SO, I look over and an 11 piece 1/4 drive socket set with the case, 9 sockets AND 1/4 ratchet was on sale for $9.99 (they had the same 3/8" drive sets for the same price), so I bought 2 of them. BUT, how cheap can craftsman be if they can sell an entire kit of 11 tools for $9.99 but can't give you a new ratchet when theirs breaks. They're still on sale for that price.

ALL in all the craftsman tools are still pretty good quality for the money. The only weak point really are the base ratchets. Kobalt sold at Lowe's and HD is slightly better quality (at least the ratchets), but much less selection in the kits as craftsman. I like kobalt slightly better in usage though.

Kobalt, if the pieces are made in Taiwan. IMO, better quality than the Chinese tools.

Kobalt.
Unless he is turning wrenches 40 hours a week with them, they will outlast him. From a weekend mechanic standpoint, Kobalt makes the grade. They have a great warranty that I have not had to use yet. Watch the sales at Lowes, they will place some nice sets on sale that should make any casual mechanic happy.

So true about the 1/4 ratchets especially with craftsman. I have an old made in USA one that is gone and I will not swap it out at sears because what they give me will be even worse. I've heard Gearwrench is decent quality shade tree mechanic level stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
Kobalt, if the pieces are made in Taiwan. IMO, better quality than the Chinese tools.

I've also found that tools from Taiwan in general regardless of brand are much better than just about any china mainland tools.

Buy the craftsman set of your choice for sockets, wrenches etc and head to Lowes for a set of ratchets. I think 90 tooth ratchets in a set of three is like $30 on the website.

I have a bunch of Craftsman stuff I bought in the late 70's early 80's when I was a teenager that I still have. The quality is night and day difference. I will head over to Lowes in the next day or two and look for some sales.

This $99 Kobalt tool set at Lowes is a pretty good deal and covers most everything. Just buy a tool bag, screwdriver set, and pliers set and he should be able to tackle most everything.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobal...h-Hard-Case/50200795

I've had good luck with Husky. Years ago they were made by Danaher Tools, the same guys who made good Craftsmen tools. Not sure who makes them now.

Local Home Depot will replace any worn out tool regardless of brand. Don't know if their tools are any better than the current Sears tools.

I think Stanley owns Craftsman now and the Stanley tools are good quality. I've taken to some used tools like Proto made in the USA. I also pick up some Craftsman and Stanley American made so long as not rusted or damaged. Many Swap shops carry whole sets of high quality tools American made and, many like new. They know the value and wont sell them too cheap. I'll never understand why everything we buy has to be made in china. I wont buy the stuff if I can avoid it.

Speaking of Proto, if we are discussing non "commercial" type tools Proto is a good bet. Lots of military tools are Proto (well except for the aircraft Snap On guys). They make lots of larger sizes too.

Look in the MSC catalog the military buys lots of things from them. They have a good selection of stuff not just tools.

https://www.mscdirect.com

I love MSC for tools and all things industrial. Stanley owns Proto now too. I love finding American made forged steel wrenches by Proto. Double box end and offset box are the bunk. Dewalt has their brand on some tools now. Im told they are china made but dont know this to be true.

I even got a old Thorsen 1/4" drive set and some SK tools...

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
....and some SK tools...

SK populated most of the first tool box I was issued. The rest were KD. The nicknames were
"Slip'n Kill Ya" (SK) and "Kill Ya Dead" (KD)

But honestly they were good hand tools. Us tank guys never got the Snap On tools the air wingers got because we ended up loosing them so much. A KD dropped in the desert at 0200 was cheaper to replace than a Snap On (and we didn't have to do the FOD checks they did, so it equalled out in my mind. They both did the job).

I have a few KD wrenches. I never really liked Snap On any better than Mac. I love the Mac tools best. Cant afford them now. Man they handled nice when I did reefer trailer work. Mac is my favorite tools.

Depends what affordable is.

Kyoto Tool Company

The Carlyle line from NAPA is great for the price. They are Taiwan built.

I never thought I’d say this, but the Pittsburg line from Harbor Freight is incredibly nice, considering the price. They have really upped their game in the last few years.

I seem to collect tools like I collect guns. I run the range from Craftsman to SnapOn. I find myself always going to the Carlyle tools. The SnapOn is nice, but I want them to stay that way, so they are like museum pieces in my toolbox.

For you military guys, remember your display foot locker in basic? All your socks and stuff laid out nice and pretty, but you never used those. You wore the thrashed socks you kept in your personal drawer. Well, my SnapOn tools are like my display. I might as well not own them.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
For you military guys, remember your display foot locker in basic? All your socks and stuff laid out nice and pretty, but you never used those. You wore the thrashed socks you kept in your personal drawer. Well, my SnapOn tools are like my display. I might as well not own them.

Partially true. I was never issued Snap On. But when I came across a few? I dogged the shit out of them. And they kept on going. They were the pride of my GMTK. I liken Snap On to a Rolex or an Omega watch. Yea, it's a great watch. But it's also a great tool that can be beat and it still works.

I own a lot of Snap On now, why? Because they work. And they have never let me down. Pretty, yes, but I have demanded a lot of my tools the past 20 years and I still choose them. Because they work. And they have always worked for me when it counted.

More than I can say for other brands.