If you started today buying all new tools

[john hall]

Since Harbor Freight has all these stores now, you don't really see the traveling Taiwan tool sale come to town a couple times a year like you used to. My hydraulic press came form there and it has enough power to "cause me concern" sometimes. Got quite a few "occasional" use tools from those with no problems. My 3/4 socket set came from there--never broke anything. I had to pull the rear tires off my dump truck once using that set and a 6 foot cheater bar with all my weight bouncing on it until they broke loose. Bought some really long, offset needle nose pliers from there as well as my set of miniature pliers--all good stuff.

I do not trust Chinese hammers--I have seen more than one literally start splintering chunks off, especially bigger hammers. Also, try as they might, nobody has come up with dead blows equal to Stanley and Snap-on----they are identical, just different color plastic and a change of the name insert in the mold. But, machinist and some professional mechanics are the only folks that are going to drop $50 on a "fair sized" hammer.

I don't like no-name Chinese grinding and wire brush equipment for high speed applications--mine is name brand and comes from a welding supply store.

I know a lot of us are "sold" on tools we have had for forever. The question you have to ask yourself is does the same manufacturer make the same quality tool today. Quick story, we needed a set of 0-3" digital mikes for the grinding shop at work. Boss told me to get Starrett (major old line machine shop measuring tool manufacturer). After a month or more the mike set never came in, dealer couldn't get an answer. I called Starrett and was told they were having manufacturing problems in CHINA and had no idea when the tools would be ready (should have been an common in stock item). I cancelled that order and then ordered a set of Japenese made Mitutoyo mikes and had them the next day for a little less money.

Here is a pic of an IH ratchet of dads, have plenty of sockets to go with it.

[OldSkull]

USA Apex tool group is closing Armstrong and Allen production line guys, you better hurry and get some of there wrench before they are all gone. Here the detail...http://toolguyd.com/apex-tool-group-...n-tool-brands/

Buying new tools is a very difficult exercise today, you never know what you get, it's like opening a can of worms! They change ownership and end up been mostly build oversea all the time. I buy a Canadian made ratchet set "Maple leaf" line from Gray in the 80' and It's now in my boys tool box. This is 105 years old family business owned company (Sold in 2012), they are good quality Canadian made pricy tools but not has much snappy, Mac, Armstrong are! If you ever found some around your neck of the wood take a good look.

I don't want to suggest X brand over another because I have a tendency of spending to much money even on tool I use only one time! You have to be smart and budget wise sometime and I have to admit I'm not a example to follow... If your not using your tool for professional propose you don't need to get the most expensive brand out there, try to find the best bang for the buck!

The only exception I don't take any chance with is my welding equipment, It's Esab and Miller for me! But there is few other good brand out there.

[Rescue11]

For the farm

SK hand tools,

Milwaukee impacts & drills etc...basically any electric handheld tool is Milwaukee ONLY!

Pneumatic tools, either Ingersoll rand or chicago pneumatic.

Bandsaws, drill presses etc... Jet

Plasma torch... Thermal Dynamics

Welders... Hobart/Miller

What I use at day work; Knipex, Lenox, Fieldpiece, Klein, Crescent, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Yellow Jacket, JB, Tin Knocker, Malco

[ol'George]

Took an old worn crapsman box wrench to my local ACE hwd who was sporting a crapsman tool sign in the window.
I asked for an exchange as it would no longer turn a bolt.
After talking to 2 employees (kids) they got the owner, he politely told me they only replace the item if they stock it and it has to have numbers on it, so most all of my older crapsman tools do not have numbers on them,
----didn't need ###'s in those days.
so much for a good thing.
@ my age, I think I have enough accumulation of tools to last me.
I have gotten a small 5/16" socket free exchanged @ fastenal, so I'll check
next time I'm in town and see they are like ACE or like sears was.

[DieselDoctor]

I took a 1/2" Craftsman cold chisel back to Sears about ten years ago after a chunk broke out of the tip and asked for a replacement. The clerk in the tool department looked the chisel over closely, then replied "We can replace this, it's been sharpened." This happened to be one of my better days when I was able to think quickly so I replied, "Ok, I'll buy a new chisel, but every time it gets dull, I'm going to bring it in for replacement! The clerk gave me a replacement chisel without another word!

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by DieselDoctor

I took a 1/2" Craftsman cold chisel back to Sears about ten years ago after a chunk broke out of the tip and asked for a replacement. The clerk in the tool department looked the chisel over closely, then replied "We can replace this, it's been sharpened." This happened to be one of my better days when I was able to think quickly so I replied, "Ok, I'll buy a new chisel, but every time it gets dull, I'm going to bring it in for replacement! The clerk gave me a replacement chisel without another word!

My Dad has been gone 50 years, I have all of his tools.
Prolly 30-35 years ago one of his long sockets (12pt) no longer would hold a bite on a bolt, so reluctantly I exchanged it @ sears.
The lady refused, saying it didn't look like their craftsman sockets ( it is the old ones with the knurl @ the top)
I pointed to the stamped name and said it sez right here "craftsman"
she still protested so I asked for a manager or someone much older.
The manager came and said not often do we get these older ones and explained things to the lady.
The new socket is not the same quality or style, I still question if I should of done the exchange, I have not exchanged any more, and I think if one shows up on ebay that matches the set, I'll buy it because of the sentimental value.
My boys know which tools were my dads and what were HIS father's tools.
@ 49 they have a lot more respect for tradition then they did as teenagers.

[drglinski]

The ace by my house won't warranty a Craftsman tool w/o a receipt.

[ambrola]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

Sears is selling the Craftsman brand to Stanley Black & Decker
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...aftsman-brand/

Is the Stanley Black and Decker offering the same trade in as Sears?