Tools

[bigmac0331]

I am looking to expand my collection of tools. I have looked at Harbor Freight, Sears, Cummins Tools, Snap-on.....I don't have a ton of money right now to spend on tools...but I thought maybe I should start buying stuff piece by piece......So I was wondering where you guys find your best deals on good tools. Thanks...

 

[BigBSBusa]

Harbor Freight has some great deals, Rusty.

 

[omslaw]

If you're just going piece by piece, I've always liked Craftsman; most of my stuff is that. Also, Husky from HD or Kobalt from Lowes are decent, too.

If you're after price, look at Harbor Freight and/or ToolsNow (Cummins had to change their name due to a lawsuit with Cummins Diesel). While their stuff isn't the greatest, I've had good luck with it. I've got a lot of wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. from them; mainly HF. They all have lifetime warranties; so if anything breaks...just take it back. Nice thing about HF and TN, their stuff is cheap enough, I don't get too upset if I lose something...

 

[rockadaous]

check out http://www.motionpro.com for speciality tools

 

[TA_GunSurgeon]

I would go with Craftsman if for no other reason their hand tools have a lifetime warranty. My set is a mixture of Craftsman, Snap-On, and Matco.

 

[HillbillyTom]

I've been getting more and more Craftsman stuff. Cheaper than the big names (Snap-on, etc..), high quality, and a lifetime warrenty with an actual store close by to take tham back to if anything ever does break.

 

[Over_Easy]

Unless your building cars or houses for a living just go to Harbor Freight. I picked up an awesome 1/2" socket wrench set last week for $19.99 and I have put it through hell and it still works like a champ. If you can get the stuff you need on sale you can't beat the price and for my needs, used sparingly, it works just fine.

 

[Jester0769]

I am a die hard craftsman fan. I have been using there tools for years. I have them in the shop and at home. I like the fact that Sears will take care of what ever breaks.


Josh

Ryders Connection

 

[bigmac0331]

Thanks guys....I am honestly leaning towards craftsman...

 

[Blazing-Saddle]

Harbor Freight works for me...

 

[Mr Bogus]

I have about 30G in tools in my garage (side effect of owning auto repair shops) and you can do really well at Sears.. Bonney tools (NAPA I think) are dull finish Snap-on clones.

First thing to do is decide what it is you are going to be working on.. My tool collection started out "Chevy" oriented and then built from there.. It is pretty amazing how "few" tools you really need to work on specific cars.. You need A LOT of tools to work on many cars..

It was said above, if this is just for home, I would stay away from all the "commercial" tool guys (Mac, Matco, Snapon) Cornwell seems to make a decent "middle of the road" tool

 

[Big Wall]

NAPA has good tools as well if your buying piece by piece. One way to save money though is to but a cheap set of tools and then as sockets etc. break replace them with better pieces.

 

[BIKE DUDE]

Buy them from me!! Just kidding. I've been a MATCO dealer for 18 years and sell mostly to professional mechanics who use their tools every day and need the quality, warranty, and payment plan of a weekly tool dealer. For what you're describing sears craftsman would be the best price, quality and easy to get to. Just my professional opinion.

 

[Mr Bogus]

Buy them from me!! Just kidding. I've been a MATCO dealer for 18 years and sell mostly to professional mechanics who use their tools every day and need the quality, warranty, and payment plan of a weekly tool dealer. For what you're describing sears craftsman would be the best price, quality and easy to get to. Just my professional opinion.

I own a LOT of Matco... sort of impractical for the home guy but man you guys....

I just put a IV in my wallet and donate to the truck every week for 20+ years? ...

(at least I got my warranty guy now)

 

[Hot Rod Harv]

You can buy any kind, but will probably want good tools for your bike. Get Craftsman, from Sears, lifetime guarantee and there are about a zillion Sears stores that will replace ANY tool that doesn't work for the rest of your life.
That is hard to beat.
I got a lot of other tools, but my Busa only gets the best. Craftsman tools. I bought a whole set just for her.

I have bought so many other brands to try to "save" money in the past, but found if you buy good ones in the first place, you really save in the long run, they will last for life, and you don't screw up what you work on either...

 

[99'busa]

If you're just going piece by piece, I've always liked Craftsman; most of my stuff is that.  Also, Husky from HD or Kobalt from Lowes are decent, too.

If you're after price, look at Harbor Freight and/or ToolsNow (Cummins had to change their name due to a lawsuit with Cummins Diesel).   While their stuff isn't the greatest, I've had good luck with it.  I've got a lot of wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. from them; mainly HF.  They all have lifetime warranties; so if anything breaks...just take it back.   Nice thing about HF and TN, their stuff is cheap enough, I don't get too upset if I lose something...

+1 couldnt agree more. The only thing I'd add is if your going to use it all the time, ie.work, I'd stay away from HF and TN and get craftsman (hand tools that is) craftsman power tools are only good for occacional use.

I use to use all dewalt pwr tools till I tried Bosch. Bosch isn't the only good ones but their better than dewalt. Milwalkee is also good.

 

[omslaw]

If you're just going piece by piece, I've always liked Craftsman; most of my stuff is that. Also, Husky from HD or Kobalt from Lowes are decent, too.

If you're after price, look at Harbor Freight and/or ToolsNow (Cummins had to change their name due to a lawsuit with Cummins Diesel). While their stuff isn't the greatest, I've had good luck with it. I've got a lot of wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. from them; mainly HF. They all have lifetime warranties; so if anything breaks...just take it back. Nice thing about HF and TN, their stuff is cheap enough, I don't get too upset if I lose something...

+1 couldnt agree more. The only thing I'd add is if your going to use it all the time, ie.work, I'd stay away from HF and TN and get craftsman (hand tools that is) craftsman power tools are only good for occacional use.

I use to use all dewalt pwr tools till I tried Bosch. Bosch isn't the only good ones but their better than dewalt. Milwalkee is also good.

I agree on the power tools. I have a lot of DeWalt and Bosch. That said, I'm really liking Rigid, from Home Depot. The lifetime warranty the offer on most of their stuff is incredible! It even covers battery replacement on their cordless stuff!!

 

[99'busa]

If you're just going piece by piece, I've always liked Craftsman; most of my stuff is that.  Also, Husky from HD or Kobalt from Lowes are decent, too.

If you're after price, look at Harbor Freight and/or ToolsNow (Cummins had to change their name due to a lawsuit with Cummins Diesel).   While their stuff isn't the greatest, I've had good luck with it.  I've got a lot of wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. from them; mainly HF.  They all have lifetime warranties; so if anything breaks...just take it back.   Nice thing about HF and TN, their stuff is cheap enough, I don't get too upset if I lose something...

+1 couldnt agree more. The only thing I'd add is if your going to use it all the time, ie.work, I'd stay away from HF and TN and get craftsman (hand tools that is) craftsman power tools are only good for occacional use.

I use to use all dewalt pwr tools till I tried Bosch. Bosch isn't the only good ones but their better than dewalt. Milwalkee is also good.

I agree on the power tools.  I have a lot of DeWalt and Bosch.  That said, I'm really liking Rigid, from Home Depot.  The lifetime warranty the offer on most of their stuff is incredible!  It even covers battery replacement on their cordless stuff!!

I've been eyeing that Rigid stuff. Looks very durable. That's probably what I'm gonna switch to next. I always keep all our pwr tools the same for battery reasons and dont change till some of them start failing. So I'm gonna be a while I think

When these bosch's finally give out it'll be our fault one way or another

 

[bigmac0331]

Thanks for all your opinions.....Still thinking sears(craftsman)

 

[omega0003]

Can't beat the prices of Harbor Freight.