Question about this tool set.

[Murder after Midnight]

I have lots of money wrapped up in tools, and from what I learned over the years is you get what you pay for. As far as hand tools go I wouldn't waste your money one harbor freight tools, I had sockets blow apart first time using them. Craftsman is a lot better but it seems their quality had gone down with in the last 5 or so years. I'm so use to using Snap-On, Matco and other top of the line tools it's hard for me to go back to using the cheaper stuff. But for what you are doing and to get a nice tool set started my vote would be for the craftsman set, that is what I started with and slowly upgraded over the years.

This is the box I have in my garage now and its just about full.

Just out of curiosity how much would a equivalent set of matco, snap on etc cost compared to the craftsman set?

[cpop98ws6]

Just for one set of 3/8 chrome sockets 8mm to 19mm you looking at about 150$ maybe more.

[pajeff02]

I try to avoid the really expensive stuff. Needed some torx plus bits for the transmission swap and a small set from Mac cost me $100. Ouch.

I can understand that the guys who work with their tools every day should spring for the really good stuff. I only use mine every other day.

[Murder after Midnight]

Just for one set of 3/8 chrome sockets 8mm to 19mm you looking at about 150$ maybe more.

Damn!!!!! LOL well is there any other mid tier brands to consider besides craftsman

[Zapper2003]

Kobalt has been decent for me, cept for one ratchet that got left in the rain, that is a little sticky sometimes. Didn't Napa used to sell good tools?

[bigrondownhiller]

Go with the craftsman set that was posted. Good deal and it has a good base set of tools. Pickup and set of screwdrivers and a plier set and you should be able to fix most things.

[cpop98ws6]

Craftsman is going to be your best bet. I know ampro has a nice gearwrench set that is probably on par with gearwrench and a bit cheaper.

[cpop98ws6]

My dad got a big set of husky tools from home depot years ago and they have held up really well. They are also lifetime warranty.

[pajeff02]

As posted, Kobalt and Husky are also decent and definitely a step or three up from Harbor Freight quality.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I bought a flexible screwdriver from Harbor Freight about 2 weeks ago. It broke taking it out of the package.

[98TransAmWs-6]

I've had some pretty crappy craftsman stuff. I have had 2 or 3 sockets crack in half on me and ratchet wrenches break the first time using them (these are craftsman too). I would hate to say it since I use to love craftsman but the Pittsburgh tools I have bought from HF have not broken on me like craftsman have.

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I've had some pretty crappy craftsman stuff. I have had 2 or 3 sockets crack in half on me and ratchet wrenches break the first time using them (these are craftsman too). I would hate to say it since I use to love craftsman but the Pittsburgh tools I have bought from HF have not broken on me like craftsman have.

[cpop98ws6]

You can always get a blue point set of tools, they are snap on's economy line. 200 piece set is around 300$ I think. The blue point is definitely a better quality then HF or craftsman.

[cpop98ws6]

I also get a lot of tools from thetoolwearhouse.net lots of name brand tools for cheap.

[CJREX]

Should that be toolwarehouse.net?

The link you posted looks a lot like a spam site.

[cpop98ws6]

Oops, yeah your right.

[Firebirdjones]

Another vote for Craftsman. I've had my base set for about 30 years and have added over the years.

Biggest seller for me is the fact that they still have free replacement and a local Sears is right up the street, same day service.


I do like Snap On and Mac, but their downfall is the fact that I can't go anywhere in town (or any neighboring town for that matter) and just walk in and buy it. If they had a walk in store somewhere local I'd probably have alot of Snap On and Mac tools in my box

[Zapper2003]

There's a mac tools guy right over the hill from me, but I don't like him

[Firebirdjones]

Funny stuff Zapper

I really think Snap On and Mac are really missing the boat here. There is a huge market for the average consumer they just don't cover. I like to see, feel, and touch what I'm buying when it comes to tools, so doing it online doesn't get it, and I'm sure as hell not chasing down a Snap On truck just to buy a tool.

I looked into the Franchise and they want you to invest $80,000 and have an established route to boot Talk about nuts.

Craftsman has gotten my money for the past 30+ years because of this....

Snap on,,,,Mac,,,,,are you listening??

[pajeff02]

There's a mac tools guy right over the hill from me, but I don't like him

That's the guy that I gave $$ to and he "forgot" to order my sockets.