http://www.wsj.com/articles/sears-sells-craftsman-brand-to-stanley-black-decker-1483623215

There goes the last reason I had to go into their stores.

Most of the Craftsman tools, especially basic hand tools (such as wrenches and screwdrivers) are not worth spending money.
(Not because of COO, but because of the quality)
You are not missing too much.

Stanley is purchasing . . 

Quote from: S21FOLGORE on January 05, 2017, 10:59:44 AM
Most of the Craftsman tools, especially basic hand tools (such as wrenches and screwdrivers) are not worth spending money.
(Not because of COO, but because of the quality)
You are not missing too much.

So, what brand of tools do you recommend?

Quote from: Speeddog on January 05, 2017, 11:45:37 AM
So, what brand of tools do you recommend?

I really have a mix of really old Craftsman, Stanley, Proto, Hazet, a Japanese brand whos name I cannot remember now, USAG  and it have been the Crafstman ratchets the ones that have failed . . . Or the 10mm closed wrenches that have loosed their grip

QuoteSo, what brand of tools do you recommend?

That, greatly depends on ...

1)the budget

2)what kind of vehicle you work on

3)whether you are tool fetish or not

4)how much “perfectionist” you are

5)whether you care about tool’s COO

So, I can’t say, “I would recommend brand XXX”.

I just wanted to point out that, there’s not much point trying to stick to Craftsman brand anymore,
unless you live close by Sears store and you expect to do a lot of warranty exchange.


What I find (somewhat) ironic is, if you are working on relatively newer vehicle only, you really don’t need Snap On (or MAC or MATCO). But, if you are working on older, neglected vehicle with tons of frozen screws, half butchered bolt heads and nuts, you actually need high end tools.

How about tools with the same warranty and similar price, even a little more $?

And the same availability. The snap-on truck doesn't come to my house (yet).

NAPA Carlyle line, for example, are a better option than Craftsman.
(At least, hand wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, that kind of stuff.)

wrenches
http://www.carlyletools.com/products/wrenches

sockets
http://www.carlyletools.com/products/sockets

Ratchets
http://www.carlyletools.com/products/ratchets

Some of them (especially long pattern wrenches) are direct copy of Snap On design.

They are a bit more $$ than Craftsman (& Husky, Kobalt, HF)
But a lot less than truck brand.

They are made in Taiwan.

I have some of them, and have no issues.

The good things are,

You can walk into the NAPA store and buy them 7days a week.
(Snap On tool truck comes only once a week.)

If you need warranty exchange, you just walk into the store and walk out with the brand new tools,7 days a week.
(Snap on warranty exchange, you will have to wait until next week.)

Sometimes, it happens that in Sunday afternoon, in the middle of the project, you realize that you need the odd size socket, some of the tools broken or missing, ...

So, Harbor Freight?

Quote from: DarkMonster620 on January 05, 2017, 03:05:10 PM
So, Harbor Freight?

Safe, durable Chinesium for the win.

I bought my Snap-on stuff when it was relatively affordable. It was still top end, but I never could get used to the feel of a Crapsman wrench or ratchet after using them.

Harbor freight is fine for things that hardly ever get used.


Mostly I buy used snap-on stuff at yard sales.

Quote from: S21FOLGORE on January 05, 2017, 02:59:07 PM
NAPA Carlyle line, for example, are a better option than Craftsman.
(At least, hand wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, that kind of stuff.)

I bought a set of metric impact sockets of theirs a couple of months ago, nice quality stuff. I wouldn't hesitate to buy more. 

Otherwise I have primarily Craftsman tools in my roller. Always good enough for me. The stinker is that local news said yesterday that the mall Sears store will close this spring, which sucks since it was my first go-to for a tool. 

Quote from: Speeddog on January 05, 2017, 11:45:37 AM
So, what brand of tools do you recommend?

MY 2cents: If you wrench often (hobby or for $$$) drop the coin and buy good tools. I have mostly Snap-on and a very old set of craftsman wrenches.

I bought a bargain set of impact sockets once and had one break. what I saved upfront I gave back in ER for stitches co-pay.