Henry Rifle Forums

I left a lot of hand tools in Seattle when I left and now need to replace them. Most were vintage Craftsman made in the USA. They are now made in China.

It’s difficult to find tools made here and they tend to be very expensive. I’m going to order a few each month and just placed my first order for 12 SAE combination wrenches.

Good tools are a comfort.

Don’t forget MAC Tools and NAPA carry some Proto tools.

Mine are all old Craftsmen, but if I were to buy new again, I think I would choose Snap On.

I would love to buy Snap-On tools but they're way too spendy for me, i.e. I needed a 24mm socket today, got a Craftsman 24mm 6 point impact socket at Lowes for around $8, the same size Snap-On socket is $35. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Shallow ... cket/TWM24

Their 1/2" drive ratchets are $200-$300.

If I was a full time mechanic I could maybe justify the cost but for the amount of mechanic work I do my old Craftsman tools are fine and if I need something new it's Lowe's or even HarborFreight.

I have spent more for some quality tools. Love my Metabo cordless tools, a contractor friend of mine said they are almost as good as Milwaukee cordless tools. I was kind of surprised that he said he considered Dewalt cordless tools to be no better than Craftsman. For weedeaters, chainsaws, etc I will get Stihl.

dave77 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 20, 2022 12:56 am

I would love to buy Snap-On tools but they're way too spendy for me, i.e. I needed a 24mm socket today, got a Craftsman 24mm 6 point impact socket at Lowes for around $8, the same size Snap-On socket is $35. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Shallow ... cket/TWM24

Their 1/2" drive ratchets are $200-$300.

Wow! I didn't realize Snap Ons were that expensive now. I guess I would not be buying them after all.

I think S&K tools are US made also

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:30 am

I think S&K tools are US made also

I purchased my first socket/ratchet SK set when I was 15 at the local NAPA store. I still have them and they look as good as when I bought them. I think the Klutch tools sold at Lowes look like good tools although I've never purchased them. I don't know where they are made.
Jake

I forget where I bought my first S&K ratchet and sockets in the green metal case, I bought it when I got my first Chevy P/U. 1964 sky blue short, step-side narrow bed, 231 6 cyl. As long as you had a 9/16ths socket you could do 90% of all mechanical work. I sure did love that old pick-up.

Muddy Waters68

When I first started in the automotive industry I had a combo of napa and craftsman tools. As I got my first job I began to purchase snap on, mac, and matco. So I have a good variety.
Funny story, I was told that if I slept with my first snap on tool under my pillow I would have good luck. I did and it must have worked. I had the chance to work at some of the best garages and dealerships. I finished my career leaving Lexus with a open invite to come back. To this day I still get offers to work at different dealerships and garages.

The USA made Snap-On are expensive. The Blue-Point are cheap and made in China. I had some of my Craftsman for fifty plus years. They were all made in America. I don’t need as many as I had so just a few will do me.

Gene, for pliers it’s hard to beat Channel Lock. Made in the USA.

I've had Snap On since the 1970's if that says anything (other than I'm too cheap to buy anything new).

RanchRoper wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:37 pm

I've had Snap On since the 1970's if that says anything (other than I'm too cheap to buy anything new).

It says you like quality tools. Most of my Craftman were the high polished and had the same balance as the S-O.

I still have all my USA made Craftsman tools. They have held up very well. I have only broken two, a 10mm socket broke years ago. It was replaced without issue at my local Sears. The second was a phillips head screw driver new from a set. It wasn't heat treated and the point ground out the first time I used it. Again, no issues, just a new one from the store. With that kind of confidence, I paid the slightly higher price at the time for Craftsman. Who would have thought Sears would disappear like they have?
I was given a Snap-On socket wrench with flexible head as the person didn't need it anymore. It's my only Snap-On that I have. I recently found my fathers 1/2 inch socket wrench I saved from the farm along with all the spark plug sockets for the tractors. I have no idea what brand it is, but it bears the USA markings. I'm sure it will outlast me, much like my Estwing hammers and axes.
Good luck with your new tool accumulation. You will find that your farm will soon tell you what you need.

I am surprised to hear DeWalt is not considered to be a good brand by some. I have all my power tools and yard tools made by them. I have some hand tools with their name on them that seem very well made. I do not know where the hand tools are made though.

I have never had a problem with my Dewalt power tools.

GeoBoy wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:36 pm

Gene, for pliers it’s hard to beat Channel Lock. Made in the USA.

I have the four piece set of them plus a duplicate wire cutter.

I bought my first set of Craftsman tools in early 70's. Still have them and the tool box. Tools look good as new but the tool box shows its age. Bought a few specialty tools from snap on truck from time to time. Luckily all the moving I've done thru the years, I haven't lost many tools.

graywolf wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 21, 2022 4:17 pm

I bought my first set of Craftsman tools in early 70's. Still have them and the tool box. Tools look good as new but the tool box shows its age. Bought a few specialty tools from snap on truck from time to time. Luckily all the moving I've done thru the years, I haven't lost many tools.

We must be close to the same age. Early 70's is when my tool collection started growing. ( class of 73 )

Yep. ( class of 71 ). Bought in the summer of 71.