Reasonable cost alternatives to Craftsman tools?

[easter bunny]

Thanks to this thread I spent more money on tools I didn't really need! Lowes had some Kobalt gearless wrenches on clearance. I've been looking at ratchet wrenches for awhile but never dropped the money since they were pricey plus I already have a zillion box wrenches and sockets. I also bought some wall drive sockets - because clearance.

Now I have to look for a fourth tool box to house all this stuff. Anyonce have experience with the HF stuff? I looked at the really big monster size one with the add on side locker and drawers and I can get the whole setup for under a grand.

 

[auntiebling]

For harbor freight info I strongly encourage signing up for garagejournal.com and utilizing this thread

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192&highlight=harbor+freight+fail

I also strongly encourage yall to not stray outside that thread because you really will spend all your money...

One thing to keep in mind for HF is that they frequently change part numbers for identical items. The solid (or shitty) reviews of the previous generation do not automatically apply to the new item.number.

The large tool boxes have been getting good reviews for several years tho.

 

[Sportbiker]

What I will miss if craftsman goes to junk is the ability to drive down to OSH and get whatever when I need it.

I can't really get exited about doing a bunch of research to buy a tool and I normally just want something I know will be decent at a reasonable price so I can get on with my project.

+1

 

[OaklandF4i]

One of the best threads in sometime, really good information. Thank you!

I've been a craftsman guy since receiving my first kit as a kid. Some of my craftsman tools were inherited from my grandfather and still going strong. Could never afford Snap On, and I am just a hobby user. I have noticed a drop off in quality for some more recent purchases in the last decade. Will definitely look to some of these American made brands as I expand or replace some of the craftsman stuff when and if it ever fails. Good to know there are some alternatives priced within reach of us non professionals.

 

[Stormdragon]

I also have had good luck with Crescent brand. They sold a all inclusive kit at Cost-co for around $100 and you can't go wrong for the price

I won a kit much like this one several years ago, and have been impressed with the quality. It lives in the truck, but I tend to grab it and use it on whatever project I'm about to embark on, instead of making multiple trips to the shed for my Snap-on and Bluepoint stuff.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Now that I lack the tool trucks visiting me, I buy Craftsman still because Ace Hardware is near my house and they give me zero issue with returns. The things I can't get branded Craftsman, I use SK. My Nevada shop has a fantastic NAPA store near them, and I use the Carlyle branded tools from them. I can not lie, my Snap On wrenches and ratchets are substantially better than the Craftsman or Carlyle, but when they break, I'll be up a creek.
FWIW, the Stanley buyout is probably a good thing, My Mac tools have been fantastic, and for a while Mac sold a budget line branded under the "Jesse James" trademark. They're sold as Husky at Home Depot, and they're great. I have the Husky branded sockets in 3/8" and 1/2" and the JJ branded in 1/4". I use them daily, and have been for 15 years. I hate to admit it, but these days Taiwan manufactured tools are not bad.
For air tools, I use the Astro Onyx series that are damn good. Nothing beats my hot rodded Mac 1/2" impact gun, but it's probably overkill.
Quality corded electric tools are getting harder to find these days. I have a stash of USA Black and Decker Industrial USA made 4" angle grinders that I have to have new cords installed every few years on. I have brand new DeWalt versions (unknown manufacture country) that have awful safety guards on the switches and are not nearly as tough.

 

[Maddevill]

Thanks to this thread I spent more money on tools I didn't really need! Lowes had some Kobalt gearless wrenches on clearance. I've been looking at ratchet wrenches for awhile but never dropped the money since they were pricey plus I already have a zillion box wrenches and sockets. I also bought some wall drive sockets - because clearance.

Now I have to look for a fourth tool box to house all this stuff. Anyonce have experience with the HF stuff? I looked at the really big monster size one with the add on side locker and drawers and I can get the whole setup for under a grand.

Go check Costco. I don't know if they still sell them but I bought a huge Stainless steel cabinet AND top box, all ball bearing drawers, hydraulic lid, locking for $600. Super good deal.

 

[Sharxfan]

I bought one of the large tool boxes from HF a few years ago. Got quite a steal on it as it went on sale and I used a 20% coupon on it so it was sub $300. The steel was thick and it had ball bearing slides. It has held up extremely well and in a few of the drawers I keep some really heavy items and it slides like there is nothing to it with no sag even at full slide extension. This is the older one before they started putting the shiny red paint on it but I am very impressed with it and if I needed another one I would definitely give the new ones a close look to see if they are structurally the same and if they were I would not hesitate to buy another one.

 

[catch2otwo]

I usually stick to Snap On, Matco, Proto, SK, Wiha, Knipex, Channel Lock. If its too expensive to buy new, I buy it used from ebay or garage journal. Wrenching on stuff sucks enough to be using crappy tools.

If you like tools, get on garagejournal.com and start reading.

 

[dowlinginchico]

I usually stick to Snap On, Matco, Proto, SK, Wiha, Knipex, Channel Lock. If its too expensive to buy new, I buy it used from ebay or garage journal. Wrenching on stuff sucks enough to be using crappy tools.

If you like tools, get on garagejournal.com and start reading.

Cant agree more!