Investment in Tools

[TFOGGER]

I make my living with my tools. I have Mac, Snap-on, Matco, Cornwell, and Craftsman stuff in my boxes.

In my experience, the tool guy is at least as important as the brand name. My Snap-on guy is great, very responsive, suggests the appropriate tools for my line of work, no sales pressure. I haven't seen a Mac or Cornwell guy in a couple of years, and my Matco guy comes by maybe twice a year. Guess who's tools I buy more of? The Craftsman stuff in my box is mostly legacy stuff that I haven't managed to break, although I do use their screwdrivers and wrenches to make specialty tools from time to time by welding, heating, bending, and grinding.

[Great-Kazoo]

Mechanical/ Automotive

Start saving. I have probably $25K in wrenches / tools. Not incl specialty items. A good tool doesn't always last forever, BUT it also doesn't crack or round off after 1/2 doz uses. Last socket i broke was a 12pt craftsman socket. Had the thing since 72 finally crapped out in 2004.
The question is, would this be for hobby or items needed for work? That will also factor in to your investment.

[20X11]

Mechanical/ Automotive

Snap-On never let me down when I was turning wrenches professionally (long ago). Now I buy Craftsman. Sears Holding owns the brand and they are now sold in Ace Hardware Stores.
If i was going to make a living with tools Snap-On, Matco, Mac. But they are a waste of money for a hobbyist or weekend warrior.

[wctriumph]

I have tools from about everyone, some dating back to the 1930's, both Euro and 'Merican.

Swap meets and pawn shops sometimes have great selections and pretty good prices, don't be afraid to make offers.

As a rule of thumb, if you need to borrow a tool three times, buy your own and buy a good one. If it something that might get used maybe once or twice a year, buy the cheaper one. If it breaks, then but a good one. When buying air or power tools, buy as good as you can afford to buy and then get a back up (cheap is OK) for when you need to have your good tools serviced or repaired.

I like Snap On best, Matco, Mac and Cornwell about the same, Craftsman are my back up cheapies and some are over 40 years old. Almost all of my hammers are Craftsman, air tools are Snap On, hand tools vary and are across the board brands. Tool boxes are Snap On and Kennedy, small mechanics boxes are Craftsman. Some custom hand made tools too. Measuring instruments are Starrett, Desa, Mitutoyo.

[blackford76]

Craigs list and yard sales. <br>Snap-on makes the best ratchets, I use a lot of craftsman sockets, snap-on extensions, Mac, Snap-on and craftsman wrenches.<br>Used ones have the same warranty as new, keep that in mind.<br>When I took my tools off my service truck, it went from 11,800 lbs down to 8,800 lbs.&nbsp;<br>Ingersol Rand makes good air tools, almost as cheap as no name ones.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I have tools from about everyone, some dating back to the 1930's, both Euro and 'Merican.

Swap meets and pawn shops sometimes have great selections and pretty good prices, don't be afraid to make offers.

As a rule of thumb, if you need to borrow a tool three times, buy your own and buy a good one. If it something that might get used maybe once or twice a year, buy the cheaper one. If it breaks, then but a good one. When buying air or power tools, buy as good as you can afford to buy and then get a back up (cheap is OK) for when you need to have your good tools serviced or repaired.

I like Snap On best, Matco, Mac and Cornwell about the same, Craftsman are my back up cheapies and some are over 40 years old. Almost all of my hammers are Craftsman, air tools are Snap On, hand tools vary and are across the board brands. Tool boxes are Snap On and Kennedy, small mechanics boxes are Craftsman. Some custom hand made tools too. Measuring instruments are Starrett, Desa, Mitutoyo.

I'm on board with Triumph on this. 95% of my stuff (including home stuff) is Snap On. I've used enough cheap tools over the years to just skip 'em and buy the better stuff. Blue Point is Snap On's "other" grade, and I wouldn't stray too far from that. The other companies wrenches all suck compared to the Snappy stuff, and most other socket manufacturers don't even come close, IMO.

[ray1970]

When I wrenched with my own tools, most were Snap-On. A good majority were also Matco. I had very little Mac stuff due to a bad experience with one of their products followed up by crappy service from one of their reps.

I've never been impressed with Snap-on's chrome sockets. I've broken more of them than anything else. Their wrenches are a little thin for my taste. Really dig into the hands when you really need to pull on them. Their ratchets are awesome and will handle stuff that would destroy other ratchets.

I now work with company supplied tools. Mostly Proto. Total garbage. The wrenches and sockets aren't too bad but the ratchets really suck. Blowing the gears out in your 3/4 drive ratchet when you really have a load on it sucks ass.

For air tools, Ingersol Rand is going to be the best bang for your buck.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Pneumatic stuff, Nitro Cat and C&P are pretty good...IMO.

Ray, you don't like their "chrome impact" sockets?....

[ray1970]

Ray, you don't like their "chrome impact" sockets?....

Busted. Maybe some of those broken sockets did see a little time on an impact.

But some of them did break with me pulling on a ratchet.

[Graves]

My box is full with Mac and Snap-on tools. I brought all of my Matco, cornwell, and Craftsman stuff home, mostly due to lack of support on matco and cornwell in my area.