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.