Hand tools in the US.

[Medic82]

I have started in a new job where I assemble and install shelves and drawers in cars that is used by craftsmen. The only problem is that the tools that belongs to the company gets misplaced all the time by some co-workers that would have misplaced their head if it wasn’t attached to their body and I spend a smurf load of time looking for the tools since they can’t remember where they placed it.

So I have talked to my boss and I can build my own tool cart/work bench that have drawers that I can lock up so I can use my own tools if I want to. So this is a very good excuse to buy some quality hand tools but looking at the prices here in Norway I am probably going to buy it from the US instead considering the big price difference.

I am looking at the Craftsman web page and I have found some tools that I need but I just wonder if there is any other company that makes tools of the same or better quality than Craftsman. Is there any good online hardware stores you guys know of or is it just the same to buy straight from the company?

Kenneth

[Medic82]

Hmmmm, perhaps this belongs in the Gadget forum

[AHB]

Don't you have Bahco Tools in Norway.? That's the best brand I ever used/seen/sold.. 

Hmmmm, perhaps this belongs in the Gadget forum

Let's move it then.. 

[Mr. Whippy]

In the US, the top brands are SnapOn and MAC.  Tight tolerances, beautiful finish.  Expensive but lifetime warranty against breakage.  Most mechanics here have SnapOn or MAC for all critical tools (Torque wrench, close tolerance sockets, magnetic drivers, etc).

Craftsman and Husky are a step down, but fine for most home DIY'ers.  Also lifetime warranty, and easier to replace.  Less expensive, but not quite the same quality either.

[Medic82]

Don't you have Bahco Tools in Norway.? That's the best brand I ever used/seen/sold.. 

Hmmmm, perhaps this belongs in the Gadget forum

Let's move it then.. 

Sure we do, I have a Bacho bitt kitt right by my side and it’s great. But I am looking for reversible ratcheting wrench set and socket wrench set, and the price difference between Norway and the US on products like this is HUGE. I have found a Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrench set that I want for 90$ on their web page while a cheap no name brand goes for 150$ in Norway. So guess where I want to buy my tools from?

In the US, the top brands are SnapOn and MAC.  Tight tolerances, beautiful finish.  Expensive but lifetime warranty against breakage.  Most mechanics here have SnapOn or MAC for all critical tools (Torque wrench, close tolerance sockets, magnetic drivers, etc).

Craftsman and Husky are a step down, but fine for most home DIY'ers.  Also lifetime warranty, and easier to replace.  Less expensive, but not quite the same quality either.

Thank's!  Will check it out!

[AHB]

You could take a look at Kamasa tools.. I got their medium ratchet set and it's a very good quality too..
http://www.kamasatools.com/sv/

[Medic82]

I have used Kamasa before and they do make good tools, but the price difference is still big compared to the US and Norway.

[AHB]

I have used Kamasa before and they do make good tools, but the price difference is still big compared to the US and Norway.

I'll shut up then.. 

[Medic82]

I have used Kamasa before and they do make good tools, but the price difference is still big compared to the US and Norway.

I'll shut up then.. 

No, please don’t . I like your input since you are knowledgeable in the tools department, but it’s just that you can’t compare the price between the US and Norway.

[Styerman]

For pliers and such , I'm a big fan of Kline tools . Knipex from Germany is also very good .

Chris

[Sparky415]

I don't know if you can get Halfords professional range over there? I think they are around the same level as craftsman (which I have used and like) 
 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&categoryId=-1&langId=-1&action=listrefine&constraints=ese%7C%7Ci%3A1%3B258%3B%3Bprofessional%3B%3Aprofessional%3B1%2C1%3B%2B0%7C%7Csea%7C%7Cprofessional%7C%7Ctax%7C%7C1%7C%7CCar+Care+%26+Maintenance
(they do some cheap rubbish there aswell)

Sorry AHB even though I have some Kamasa I don't think they are in the same league as others mentioned on here 

I agree with the others re, snap on, Bahco,Kline, and Knipex 

[AHB]

Sorry AHB even though I have some Kamasa I don't think they are in the same league as others mentioned on here 

I mentioned them as being a very good quality too, but I don't recall
comparing them to any of the other brands..

[Sparky415]

Sorry Mate   

I feel guilty now 

[Pacu]

I use klein, snap-on, knipex, and some craftsman hand tools at work.

Buying a quality tool maybe higher initially but pays off when you still have it in prime condition 30 years later. I recently became a fan of knipex after buying a pair of dikes from them.

[AHB]

Sorry Mate   
I feel guilty now 

Well you certainly should Mister.. 

All's fine mate.. 

[Sparky415]

I don't know how you like to work Kenneth
But can I suggest you have some kind of storage/system to keep your tools in so you can see  whats missing with just one look, easier than going all through your tools at the end of the day to see whats missing 

Another one for the good toolmakers list is Teng for sockets etc (only by reputation I've never played with any)

[Medic82]

I use klein, snap-on, knipex, and some craftsman hand tools at work.

Buying a quality tool maybe higher initially but pays off when you still have it in prime condition 30 years later. I recently became a fan of knipex after buying a pair of dikes from them.

Yes, exactly what I mean also. But is the quality in a wrench set from Snap On and Mac worth the 150 or 200 $ more than a wrench set from Craftsman? Craftsman does have a lifetime warranty so if it breaks you will get a new one.

I don't know how you like to work Kenneth
But can I suggest you have some kind of storage/system to keep your tools in so you can see  whats missing with just one look, easier than going all through your tools at the end of the day to see whats missing 

Another one for the good toolmakers list is Teng for sockets etc (only by reputation I've never played with any)

like having order in my tools and I am very careful to put the tools back after I am done with them and I am going to custom build my own cart at work so as I can have, quoting the German guy at work now, ordnung und kontroll. I really feel amputated at work, have to walk all over the place to find the tools I need and sometimes we don’t have the exact tool for a curtain process so I will have to do it as best as I can with something that roughly will fit.

[Tabasco]

For hand cutting tools, Knipex and Klein. For the day to day use, Craftsman and Proto and Elora are good tools for the price. For high torque applications I own Snap-On and Mac, both live up to the high price tag for that use. I use a six panel tool bag that now weighs 87.7 pounds. To reduce weight I have been using a Metrinch socket set that fits both metric and standard. For moderate duty applications I have been cautiously impressed by this "as seen on TV" set. But, the Metrinch ratchets are ka-ka. I've replaced the ratchets with fine tooth Facom ratchets.

Power tools I like are Metabo, Makita and Dewalt. Measuring equipment I prefer Fluke and Hioki.

[Pacu]

I've busted a knuckle or two on wrecked half inch Craftsman ratchets. When i took them back to Sears for replacement i got alot of negative attitude from the tool clerks. (2 different occasions at 2 different Sears).

My snap-on ratchets still going...for me the extra price is worth it. I mix and match though..some stuff is better than others in tools. Klein screwdrivers beat all, Knipex cutters are better than craftsman, craftman sockets are the best value, Husky and Kobalt have nice handtools too.

[Mr. Whippy]

I've busted a knuckle or two on wrecked half inch Craftsman ratchets. When i took them back to Sears for replacement i got alot of negative attitude from the tool clerks. (2 different occasions at 2 different Sears).

My snap-on ratchets still going...for me the extra price is worth it. I mix and match though..some stuff is better than others in tools. Klein screwdrivers beat all, Knipex cutters are better than craftsman, craftman sockets are the best value, Husky and Kobalt have nice handtools too.

For a time period, I had the EXACT same experience at Sears.  I stopped buying Craftsman tools for a while. Sears contacted me at one point after I sent a nasty email to them about their "Lifetime" warranty. 

I let them have it.  I told them that I was buying Husky and Ridgid brand tools for non-critical purposes.  I was done with craftsman.

Then, a year and a half ago, I was in Sears replacing broken screwdrivers, I brought a broken socket handle with me, expecting a big hassle. 

They didn't have the socket handle in stock,so they replaced it with the smallest socket set with the same handle.  Clearly they heard the same from a LOT of former Craftsman owners.

[Pacu]

at flea markets and garage sales i buy old craftsman sockets and tools..seem better built than what's on the shelves now. Sockets seem thicker heftier back then. I got a good vintage 3/8 collection of deep sockets going.

[stack]

I do agree with most on here. I love my snap on tools. The boxed end of the wrenches have a thin wall that gets in tight spots. Crafstman wrenches have a thicker wall and weaker steel. I have bent the steel on opened end wrenches the very first time I used them. I too gave up on crafstman. They are the tools that stay out in the garage while my snap on ect... stay locked inside. I have some mac but the chrome plating chipped off. For a more affordable tool I really like Proto. I think mac tools own them. They have the thin walls like snap on and they are very strong. Two other names worth mention are SK and Matco, both great tools.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm not sure Craftsman is getting enough love here.  I see a few folks commenting on them then moving on to something else.  I have been using a lot of Craftsman tools for some time now and I am happy as anything with them.  I have screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches etc and I think they are great.  I don't think you can beat them.  Yes, I agree that Snap On and Mac may be a little bit nicer and higher quality, but I don't think the increase in price is justified by the increase in quality.  It's the difference of having a car that does 150mph and one that does 152mph- chances are you'll never have the opportunity to test it at that level, and in the off chance you do, the difference is negligeable.

Plus, there is no hesitation when it comes to replacing Craftsman tools.  I got a bunch of broken tools from someone a while back- he saved up all his broken tools to return at once rather than replacing them as they broke, and they were obviously abused.  Still, when I walked into Sears and dropped all these second hand, abused tools on the counter, the sales guy ran around picking out replacements, printed off a reciept as a record for the transaction and sent me on my way.  It couldn't have been easier.

Def

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm not sure Craftsman is getting enough love here.  I see a few folks commenting on them then moving on to something else.  I have been using a lot of Craftsman tools for some time now and I am happy as anything with them.  I have screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches etc and I think they are great.  I don't think you can beat them.  Yes, I agree that Snap On and Mac may be a little bit nicer and higher quality, but I don't think the increase in price is justified by the increase in quality.  It's the difference of having a car that does 150mph and one that does 152mph- chances are you'll never have the opportunity to test it at that level, and in the off chance you do, the difference is negligeable.

Plus, there is no hesitation when it comes to replacing Craftsman tools.  I got a bunch of broken tools from someone a while back- he saved up all his broken tools to return at once rather than replacing them as they broke, and they were obviously abused.  Still, when I walked into Sears and dropped all these second hand, abused tools on the counter, the sales guy ran around picking out replacements, printed off a reciept as a record for the transaction and sent me on my way.  It couldn't have been easier.

Def

Yes.  As I said, in the last year or two, Sears seems to have reversed course and are honoring the Craftsman warranty like they used to.   

However, for critical tools (I'm thinking my torque wrenches), The SnapOn's are just better.  As in WAY better.  (As someone mentioned, the SnapOn sockets and closed ring wrenches are thinner walled and stronger too--but again, for MOST applications, the Craftsman tools are just fine)

[Pacu]

snap-on ratchets > craftsman ratchets imo




that craftsman is my 3rd one...plastic tab on the back keeps breaking

[Styerman]

I have Snap On stuff that has seen heavy industrial use since the eighties , a couple of the pieces were bought used , they are still in very good condition . Lots of luck getting that kind of service from Craftsman ( OK tools for amateurs ) . Hazet of Germany make some lines as good as Snap On , ditto Gedore - I mention these in passing , as they might be easier to find in the old world .

Chris

[ICanFixThat]

I'm not a mechanic, but I like hand tools.  Usually they are quite small, like one might use for electronics work and such. 

I use Craftsman for my large toolset, it a few decades old now, sockets wrenches and stuff.  Really I could not afford SnapOn or I probably would have bought a few items like ratchets there.

I do own some SnapOn mini-cutters, mini-pliers, and things.  At the time there were the best tools I could find by far so I got them.  My Craftsman tools are on the larger side and I don't really need them anymore. I have a set of Craftsman screwdrivers that have served me well, but there are much better systems like Xcelite and some German makers that make my Craftsman set look primative.  I will say screwdrivers sound simple, but if you need to use them a lot, quality can make a huge difference.  A quality tool is always a joy to use, so anything that's used frequently should be the best quality. Finding the best "value" (quality vs. price) can be very difficult without extended use.

Since the buyer is in Norway I'm not sure the warranty is too important since he'll have a heck of a time replacing them no matter what. 

I would not hesitate to recommend Craftsman for sockets and wrenches, it does not sound like his applications are going to be really high torque you might find in mechanics or industrial machinery.

Now if OP could find some used SnapOn tools, that would be ideal, shipping to Norway is not going to be cheap, so I'm not sure how that affects the value poposition of buying from the US.

[zepla]

Mostly I use Teng Tools, they are Scandinavian IIRC. That should make them perhaps more easy (read: cheaper) for Medic to buy. My experience is excellent with that brand. Maybe not as smooth and slick to look at but functional for sure. Good waranty as well so I'm told. Luckily I've never had to find out my self 

The second brand I have are Beta tools, looks a bit smoother if that's important. And great stuff and good waranty as well. And it is made in the old world as well so maybe less expensive for you.

Good luck with finding the right tools 

[Medic82]

Snap-On and other high quality tools that you are familiar with in the states are no problem in getting hold of in Norway, they just cost 2-3 times more in Norway than in the US so if the shipping runs up to 40-50 $ I will still save lots of money. ICanFixThat is right, I won’t be doing high torque jobs so my demands for über good quality is not there.

I have found some wrench and socket wrench sets from Teng for an OK price but they are still more expensive than the sett’s from Craftsman I have seen and as far as I know the quality is the same. It’s looking like I am going to go with Craftsman tools since they have nice price, the quality seams good and I want to try them before going with Snap-On or Mac.

[Vladimir]

Maybe you should check for Stahlwille tools, German made and easy to find in Europe.