Hand Tool Prices
- Thread starter wizbangdoodle
- Start date
I'm assuming they are. My buddy is a mechanic and they are his go to for work. Home stuff is a mix.
90% of my tools are USA made Craftsman. They are of course older, but I've only blasted through (2) 3/8 rachets in like 25 years. Maybe 3-4 box and opened end wrenches. Still have gramps old Craftsman tools. Still work fine. If I need a few odds and ends I'll look on Craigslist or EBay for USA Craftsman.
Same here. Msost of mine are well over 20 years old. Still get the job done.
That's great and all, but how about some input to the OP's question(s)?
I forgot about the Tekton stuff. I have a handful of sockets and a ratchet from them, nice stuff. Like @Lambeau, I have a ton of Craftsman stuff that is close to 50 years old.
For dudes looking to purchase a decent bench vise, keep an eye out on CL, garage sales, or wherever for old Craftsman vises.
I purchased this made in USA, 5-1/2" Craftsman vise back in the early 2000's. From online info, it was made by Wilton or Columbia.
Was able to score the exact same vise on CL for $60 that I repainted and gave to my son.
The stepped jaw feature (red arrow) is nice to hold round objects. Swivel base is really nice to have.
If you can find an old bullet style Wilton vise at a reasonable price, they're really the cats-ass. Those are pro quality, but go for $250-$400 or more.
I purchased this made in USA, 5-1/2" Craftsman vise back in the early 2000's. From online info, it was made by Wilton or Columbia.
Was able to score the exact same vise on CL for $60 that I repainted and gave to my son.
The stepped jaw feature (red arrow) is nice to hold round objects. Swivel base is really nice to have.
If you can find an old bullet style Wilton vise at a reasonable price, they're really the cats-ass. Those are pro quality, but go for $250-$400 or more.
I like gearwrench as well, specifically the ratcheting wrenches. Used them day in day out and they were reliable. I have a few old craftsman socket sets that held up but have no idea where I would get warranty replacements these days. My go to was Snap-On for hand tools/meters/ specialty tools(pullers, testers etc) and Launch for scan tools and diagnostic equipment. I went with snap on hand tools because they broke the least and warranty was no hassle. They all break eventually depending on use.
Cornwell was just not reliable in my area. This is due to the rep not the tool though.
There are plenty of high end tools that are affordable. Wright tools are criminally underrated. A $188 11 piece set of Wrights will go toe to toe with a $630 Snap-on set (see videos below)
I use the following:
Wright Wrenches
Wera laser etched screw drivers
Bondhus, Wiha, Beta allens
Wright sockets
Knipex pliers
SK Swivel sockets
SK ratcheting wrenches
I have Gearwrench wrenches, sockets, and ratchets in the race trailer. I do complete tear downs regularly so impossibly stuck bolts aren't an issue but they're cheap enough that I'm not worried about someone walking off with them if I'm on track. They deflect too much for anything else though. I keep a set of Wera screwdrivers in the trailer for carb tuning since everything is either brass or soft metal and there has been a noticeable increase in part longevity since moving away from Craftsman.
I use the following:
Wright Wrenches
Wera laser etched screw drivers
Bondhus, Wiha, Beta allens
Wright sockets
Knipex pliers
SK Swivel sockets
SK ratcheting wrenches
I have Gearwrench wrenches, sockets, and ratchets in the race trailer. I do complete tear downs regularly so impossibly stuck bolts aren't an issue but they're cheap enough that I'm not worried about someone walking off with them if I'm on track. They deflect too much for anything else though. I keep a set of Wera screwdrivers in the trailer for carb tuning since everything is either brass or soft metal and there has been a noticeable increase in part longevity since moving away from Craftsman.
Another vote for Wera.
We used Wera bits exclusively for production box builds. Excellent fit to fasteners and wear properties.
The best GMTKs are the USGI from Snap-On and the older decommissioned Armstrong. Both can be found on Facebook and eBay pretty regularly. If going Armstrong, try to get the USMC version. It comes with ratcheting wrenches.
I have both (sadly the non USMC) and the Snap-On is for my home garage while the Armstrong one comes with on trips in the truck or Land Cruiser. Mostly since it’s cheaper to replace if it gets stolen.
The Snap-on generally runs in the 3-5k range while the Armstrong one is normally less than 2k.
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I still have my trusty 90s made in the USA Craftsman set. Only broken one piece in nearly 30 years. If I need anything, I like buying made in USA stuff on ebay. I think the plans are for Craftsman tools to be made in a factory in Texas sometime in the near future, which is awesome.
I'd never heard of wright tools. Going to have to check them out. Several others on my radar because of this thread, thanks guys.
Your government is lying to you
Your government is lying to you
Also forgot, keep an eye on GovPlanet.
The US Gov gets rid of neat shit all the time, especially in the tool department, so you can find it there at sometimes decent prices.
Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
The US Gov gets rid of neat shit all the time, especially in the tool department, so you can find it there at sometimes decent prices.
Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
So, based on recommendations here, I purchased a wrench set. 44 pieces both metric and SAE. Now we'll see how much I like them. Quality seems to be good.
I've bought an oddball tool here and there, but the vast bulk of mine are my 35yo craftsman set, plus SK and assorted craftsman I inherited from my late FIL. Most of those are vintage 60's through the 80's. Have a few Husky pieces and no complaints so far.
I'm the occasional shade tree guy, so not putting them through their paces on a regular basis.
I'm the occasional shade tree guy, so not putting them through their paces on a regular basis.
I bought my first house at 20 yo. 40 years ago. Caldwell Banker reality sold it to me. They were a sears company. At closing they gave me a coupon book for sears to include appliances and that sort of thing. The last coupon was a 50% off coupon for anything. I waited for a quarterly tool sale they always had. I also presented my coupon. I bought the biggest set they had available at the time at a 70% discount. It came with boxes too. However, after having four boys, all of which use tools. My set is a shadow of what it once was.
Wanted some long pattern wrenches so I picked up the ICON set, and then needed some larger wrenches so I grabbed the $30 Kobalt set at Lowe's.
Also, wrote a one star review for the Ryobi USB-C ratchet I bought, they saw the review and sent me the One+ version for free!
Also, wrote a one star review for the Ryobi USB-C ratchet I bought, they saw the review and sent me the One+ version for free!
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I did the Snap on thing when I started as a tech 35ish years ago, glad I have them still use them often and still buy the odd one now and then. Would I do it again if I was starting out? Nope, not a chance. Their prices are way up and quality is not the same as it was. The other brands have stepped up their game, quality is much better than it was.
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