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Where do you buy most of your tools?

11K views 29 replies 29 participants last post by  swmnhay  
#1 ·
I used to be big on the Craftsman tools from Sears. These days I find myself at Harbor Freight just to be able to afford some items. Only the sales get me to the Sear's Craftsman aisle. How about the rest of you?
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#11 ·
I too used to be a Craftsman fan but the last set I bought of end wrenches I think were miss marked. The half wouldn't fit a half inch nut. The quality is way down unless you buy the newer professional line they have out and then you might as well buy Snap-on. I have a mix of Crapsman, Snap-On, SK and others.

I recently purchased a replacement 1 3/8 inch 3/4 socket at TSC for $6.99 (farmhand or some such). Crapsman wanted $24 for the same socket. The new TSC tools have lifetime warranty also. I have also bought Kobalt (Lowes)and like them. I was told they are made by Snap-On for Kobalt. Don't know this to be a fact.

I keep the china tools in the tool boxes on the equipment and the good stuff in the shop.
 
#13 ·
I usually goto auctions and once in awhile find good tools. Snap-on, Proto, Mac and S-K are worth the money even if you have to buy em brand new. I used to buy tools from T&E which were made in the USA at one time, just bought a set of metric impact sockets from em and those were made in Taiwan so I won't be buying anymore of those. Like what's been pointed out, the cheapies go in the tractor tool boxes.
 
#14 ·
I have bought them all Snap-on, Matco, Mac, S-K, Craftsman. I have been an mechanic (semi's, boat's and auto's) for 25 years. I like Snap-On myself. But since I don't buy tools every day or have an account that I owe money to Snap-On the local dealers won't replace any broken tools I own. So as far as Snap-On is concerned they will never get another dime from me. Most of the local drivers have quit them due to the corporation raising the sales quota's around here. I hope you all that buy thier tools have better luck with your salesmen than I do. I'm done with them. I'll buy S-K or Proto or some other brand and just throw it away when it breaks.
 
#15 ·
I mostly buy Snap-On, we don't have a problem with broken tool replacement. I know a lot of company's say " life time warranty" and that's fine except I don't want them to break. When I am 50 miles from East Egypt I don't want my tool to break in the first place. Some of my Snap-On's have given up on me but not many. I have broken Craftsman and they were replaced fine, but I was out of it when I needed it. I also like S-K and Proto but I get better service from Snappy Ron (our Snap-On dealer) .
 
#16 ·
I have found that I can afford more Harbor Freight tools. Stock my PUs, each of the tractors and my tool box in the shop. I do break Harbor Freight wrenches but I figure if I break 5 or 6 Harbor Freight wrenches it is still cheaper than 1 good wrench. Having several sets I always have another of the same size handy. I have never broken a Harbor Freight 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 wrench. Buying them in a set for a couple of bucks each is a big savings.
 
#18 ·
I've got a mixed bag of mostly craftsman and TSC. I've tried Harbor Freight but the only thing from there that I haven't broken is a hammer. I guess I haven't pounded on anything hard enough. I agree with the logic that at their prices you can afford to throw a bunch out but at my age my knuckles are more important than the cost of a cheap wrench.
 
#20 ·
I too keep the good ones in the shop and the HFs in the truck. I loose too many tools in the field to take any chances. I have my shop tools laid out like surgical instruments in my tool chest drawers so I can easily tell when I have something missing.

You really have to be selective on what you buy at Harbor Freight. Many of their tools are doomed from the get-go such as the 3ft - 1/2" drive breaker handle with the thin neck. Get real! I broke that rather easy. The sets of impact sockets I have have held up well, though. Items like electrical terminal ends or MIG welder wire are a good deal when they are on sale. They are the same quality as the ones sold at any of the part stores or TSC. The good thing about it is the manager of the HF store that I buy at realizes that all they sell is a bunch of Chinese junk and he is quick to replace or refund. That comment takes me to my next point which is --- Just think about all of the waste that America goes through as a nation on a daily or yearly basis due to all of the inferior Chinese junk that doesn't last and gets thrown out. I'm not talking only about tools but everything...like hand sprayers, vacuum cleaners, lawn chairs, etc. I don't like this "buy from China" thing that we are force into on a daily basis. I'll get off the soapbox.
 
#21 ·
^^^^^^ I'll have to agree with you. All the cheap crap available to buy has been brought on by ourselves (well, not me LOL) Everyone wants to buy on price only, so to be competetive quality has been trimmed down to meet the lower selling price. I'm fairly selective on the types of tools I buy Tiawan made. Very occasional use in the shop yes, but tools for the equipment in the feild that you need to rely on........top shelf only.
 
#22 ·
If you are unhappy with Snap-On service call the 800 number and ask for a corporate account. Our Snap On truck guys are real jerks and don't give "poor" farmers the time of day because we don't pay their ridiculous interest on truck accounts. I've had good luck with online sales and service from snap on.

SK is getting easier to find and replace and they are damn good tools. Snap On really only labels tools, they don't build anything so many times there are better tools to be had. Bluepoint by Snap On might as well be Harbor Freight.
 
#24 ·
In the shop it's Snap-on and SK, in the truck and on the tractors it's mainly SK and Napa, Love my gear wrenches and surprisingly one of the best set's of sockets I bought for the truck is made by sun-ex, 12 yrs of abuse and haven't busted or rounded one yet.