[gearhead1985]

i have a mixture of tools my main rachets are snap-on and matco backups are crapsman and crapsman sockets i brake lots of tools but i carry spares just like parts

[Opihi59]

Asking Jeepers about their favorite tools would be akin to getting a consensus on what is the best Jeep color, etc.

I like Craftsman tools. I was given a very comprehensive set at 15 when my Dad got tired of me having his all the time. I have added to this set over the years and now over 35 years later, those same basic tools are still working for me. I don't skimp on tools, and my wife never complains when I buy a tool since she knows it will pay for itself in my hands in a very very short time. So yes, I vote for Craftsman. I have had to take back some I have broken, and yes I have had ratchets fail. I have not been disappointed with the replaceable internals like some have mentioned in this thread. Strangely enough, I have been known to take them apart and actually stuff some grease in them on occasion. I have learned not to apply herculean force to ratchets, unless that is the only remedy. I use a Craftsman breaker bar instead when I need to get my entire effort into a troublesome fastener; they do not have a ratchet mechanism inside which can strip out. There are Sears stores practically everywhere, and when I do break something, like my Torx bits, I take them back and they give me a new one without question. Never had a problem with that guarantee. Often enough I can find an odd wrench or socket at a garage sale, or flea market and I pick them up for pennies on the dollar. Those are the ones I modify for specific purposes, like grind the open end down thinner for a special need, or cut out a segment of the ring on a 6 point box-end wrench to make my own flare nut wrenches. When I got my first set, Metric series wasn't very common at all, it has all been added in over the years, and I am completely satisfied with Craftsman tools in every aspect.

So bottom line, buy Craftsman tools--but wait for them to go on sale. Don't ever buy them at regular price unless you are in a bind.

[jason280]

I have mechanics tools by just about all the major manufacturers, including Snap On & Blue Point, MAC, Proto, Craftsman, and just about all the big box marked stuff. I haven't found one specific brand that I prefer over others, and I have yet to find one tool that was necessarily more reliable than the others for my needs. That being said, I have more Craftsman tools than anything else, mainly because its the easiest stuff to find used. I buy the majority of my tools from Pawn Shops, which seem to never have a shortage of hand tools on the shelves.

[texas_yj]

I started w/ the craftsman, I have had the same problems as other above with returning them. I buy mostly Kobalts from Lowes now, I really like their fit and finish. I have only broken 1 ratchet and 1 socket in like 4 or 5 years, the first return the counter girls didn't know what to do, so they called the tool world dept. head, and he schooled them, go get one off the rack and givit too him. next time was no issue at all, must be part of the training now. I do have a cresent set from sams club that works pretty well, I like it because of the flat foldable case they come in, it makes tracking tools on the trail (or side of the road) easy, if all the holes aren't filled when your done, start looking for missing sockets and it fits under the rear seat to boot

[BigBass]

I've cut and welded craftsmen wrenches to get in to a specific spot and returned them like that. Usually resembling a pretzel.

[Matt The Hammer]

Originally Posted by MrJohn

Good input, and thanks a lot. As it turns out, my grandpa used to work on cars and gave me all of his mechanic tools. It took me and my roommate multiple trips to get all of the tools in our dorm... It's really a lot. So, I'll hold off on buying tools for a while, and I'll sort through all of these tools I inherited, maybe I'll just buy a tool box. I'll keep in mind the "buy parts not sets" when I do need to actually buy tools. This was good information to know, thanks!

You have found the best answer... FREE TOOLS.

Especially from loved ones.

While I was in college, I rocked the Craftsman toolbox with a few drawers like this:


Sears shows it as $59.99 - but I know I got it for Christmas from my girlfriend and it was under $30 on sale. There's a handle on the lid too - for carrying it around.

They also show a plastic version:


Enjoy the tools. Take care of them.

[Matt The Hammer]

Oh, Torx bits by any manufacturer seem to always round out or bend. Bought them from every store around...

[1tuffyj]

Originally Posted by BigBass

I've cut and welded craftsmen wrenches to get in to a specific spot and returned them like that. Usually resembling a pretzel.

LMAO, thats awesome. just fyi, u would NEVER get away with that in the store by my house.

[50rck]

I have had Craftsman tools for years, and yes, they are lifetime replacement. But I got tired of breaking them, ALL THE TIME. So I bought this when I rebuilt my engine:

149-Piece Chrome Mechanics Tools Set - 69027 at The Home Depot

I haven't broken one of these yet, and we all know what kind of rust is on these things after so many years. I used impact wrenches both air and electric, and very long breaker bars, and never broke a socket or a ratchet wrench.

I have been told that Husky has the same replacement guarantee that Craftsman does, but I haven't broken one to test it out.

[sampsonite987]

Originally Posted by jason280

I haven't found one specific brand that I prefer over others, and I have yet to find one tool that was necessarily more reliable than the others for my needs.

I agree, I have tools from many different manufacturers, and IMO, it really depends on what tool it is and what you need it for as far as reliability.

I used to work at a small Sears location, and we did have to put new internals into "some" of the ratchets that were returned. If the internals and only the internals were damaged, then we replaced them with a new set. If anything else on the tool was damaged (deep scratches, chunks of metal missing, etc....) then we sent the ratchet back to be recycled. I didn't agree with replacing the internals and if I was the one who was working with the customer, I always gave them a new ratchet off the shelf.

[Poke]

I am slowing going all Kobalt. No complaints and they seem to last. like many here, I am not easy on tools.

Will be getting a full ratchet set soon. tired of my pieced together stuff.

[superj]

if you hit the local swap meets and check the tool areas, you can usually get all hte stuff you need for about 1/4 of the price from the store.

i have craftsman and have had craftsman for years. i have a tall 9 drawer roll around red box and use my 100 or 120 piece set 99% of the time. i have three broken craftsman ratchets that the store wouldn't let me return without the rest of hte set. i said screw that. i try to get tools from another manufacturer because of how much of a pain it has been trying to return craftsman stuff the last few years. snap on is nice, matco, too. even the ones from lowes are pretty decent tools

[Opihi59]

Originally Posted by superj

....i have three broken craftsman ratchets that the store wouldn't let me return without the rest of hte set. i said screw that. i try to get tools from another manufacturer because of how much of a pain it has been trying to return craftsman stuff the last few years.

Now that is outrageous. If you can't get thru to the store manager, try another Sears. These tools have a lifetime guarantee, and they aren't honoring their guarantee. The only thing I can think is that this must be specific to that store. I would not let them get away with that.

I had a broken ratchet they no longer made, they offered to replace the entire thing with a newer version. I was particularly fond of that old one so found many replacement internals on ebay for very cheap. It was my choice to go this way instead of accepting the brand new one/different updated model from Sears.

Go back to Sears, demand replacements, remind them they have a guarantee, and don't leave until you speak with a senior manager, not some temp help that has barely reached puberty.

Maybe we should start a Sears Craftsman replacement thread since we're walking all over the OP's original topic. My apologies of course, but when I hear of stores/dealerships reneging (renege-To fail to carry out a promise or commitment) on their published policies and stiff-arming customers, it really gets me going.........

[superj]

they said if i bring in the whole set and ratchet they'll replace the whole thing. its ok, i got ratchets from lowes because that is the only thing i have had trouble with, is the ratchets

[jbolty]

Personally I have mostly all craftsman and have had no complaints, except with the ratchets. They seem to break a lot, at least more often than they used to. I had one 3/8 drive for over 30 years and it broke not too long ago and I have had to swap it about 3 more times in the last year. Same with the 1/4 drive as well. The only good thing about them is the quick release button to get the sockets off.

As for what to get, any quality brand is fine.