Investment in Tools

[OtterbatHellcat]

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.

lmao. You're alright.

[zteknik]

I have a bunch of the top 3 - Snap On, Mac and Matco.
I use them all on a daily basis. Snap On chrome sockets don't last with me, seem to split after a while and round off inside, and that's without using them as an impact.
I always seem to get crappy ratchets from them too. My favorite one I had I got back in the 80's from a guy at work and he had it since the 70's. It finally wore out and the Snap On guy said he had to give me a new one cause it was discontinued. Had it for a week and it broke. Replaced it a few times, got sick of it now it sits in my drawer.

Matco sucks, never had a good experience with them. Had some stuff need repairs and now their worse off than before...
Mac I have no issues with, dealer is a great guy to deal with and doesn't try to sell you the truck..

As far as air tools, I.R. is the best. They make for everybody else and brand that companies logo on it. Another good one was Chicago Pneumatic- Not Central Pneumatic ( Central is Harbor Freight Chinese)
Don't know if CP is around anymore.


Now if I need any other tools I go to the pawn shops, stay away from the big 3 there- the pawn shops are asking ABOVE retail on those. I look through the buckets of sockets and wrenches and find some pretty decent stuff.

[sniper7]

Harbor freight.


what? Somebody had to say it!

[Great-Kazoo]

Harbor freight.


what? Somebody had to say it!

For once a year use, why not. When it's putting food on the table. Or keeping what you own going, pay once cry once. You'll see some HF items in my collection. If I've used them 2x the last few years I've used them a lot.

[Zman]

If you want a place to rid yourself of extra cash, here's a great outfit in Kansas City (mail order).

Specializes in discontinued USA tools with all kinds of crazy items also ... like a hardware store you could wander around in for hours. There are a few imports, but all clearly marked.

No connection to the place other than I have helped their bottom line a few times. .

http://store.harryepstein.com

Z