Need to buy my own hand tools

S

socalkid

Joined
Apr 8, 2011
Messages
216
Hello,

I work for a company that makes ground service equipment for the aerospace industry. For the last year Ive been doing an apprenticeship and they are about to let me work on my own. The tools they provided are very basic and I find myself using other mechanics tools. They dont mind and they take care of me but I need my own tool set. Im not sure what brand to buy. Most of the guys I work with use Craftsman but they say Craftsman tools aren't made like they used to. The hardware we use is grade 5, grade 8, and 18-8 stainless. We break tools regularly so a good warranty is needed. I plan on spending about $500 on just hand tools, I dont need to buy any power tools. I also want to spend another $500 on a rolling tool box. Any help would be great!

Thanks,

Chris
 
Craftsman, snap on, Mac. You're good to go there. Husky/kobalt could be cheaper but warranty may not be as good. Honestly craftsman man.
 
Husky USA Made tools have a lifetime warranty. They are priced about the same as th Craftsman tools. As long s they are USA made, you should be good to go. Or you can go with other quality tools. I own a lot of Klein, knipex, Greenlee, Husky, Kbalt, etc. as long as you don't abuse them, and use the right tool for the job, you should be fine with any of these companies. I also use a lot of hand tools for work, I always have at least a dozen different screwdrivers in my toolbag, vicegrips, crescent wrenches, open wrenches, ratchet/socket sets, pliers galore, etc.

If you want a rolling toolbox, look at Waterloo, they make most of the other branded boxes for other stores (craftsman, husky, kobalt, etc). There is also Gladiator brand, it's built out of what appears to be a heavier gauge steel than standard boxes. They look awesome.
 
Wright and S-K for wrenches, ratchets, and sockets. Klein for screwdrivers. And Klein or Knipex for pliers. All of them are well made and carry great warranties. Actually I don't know about Knipex because I've never had any of their tools break or wear out. None of them are cheap, but they are all well made. Knipex is the only brand not made in the USA, they are made in Germany I believe.
 
Nobody has mentioned Matco tools yet. I see them advertised a lot to car guys and they have a wide variety of specialty tools, but I don't know how good they are.

I started working in my father's garage over 40 years ago and he used SnapOn tools almost exclusively. They were the strongest, timmest and fit the fasteners the best of any tools I've used. I have a set of SnapOn tools but about 15 years ago I bought a set of Craftsman tools to carry in my car, the SnapOn tools were too valuable to carry around. My Craftsman tools work well enough and were much less expensive.

I would recommend that you buy a set of Craftsman tools and start using them, and consider replacing them gradually with SnapOn tools as your finances allow. You will learn what specific tools need to be higher quality than Craftsman and which tools are satisfactory as Craftsman.
 
Honestly I'm not sure you can put together a set of good hand tools for $500 unless you buy used. I would really look into Wright and SK, they have high quality tools for way less than Snap-on, Mac, or Matco. Crafstman used to be good, but here lately they've really went down the drain, all their stuff is moving to china. I would watch craigslist, ebay, and any local resale shops, good tools can sometimes be found used for pennies on the dollar compared to new. Same with the box, watch craigslist.
 
I like Klein screwdrivers, strippers, and linesman stuff. Channel Lock for certain pliers. And Snap-on for sockets and the like. I have expensive taste. If I had to do it on the cheap I'd go with Craftsman stuff.
 
socalkid said:
Hello,

Im not sure what brand to buy. Most of the guys I work with use Craftsman but they say Craftsman tools aren't made like they used to.
Thanks,

Chris
Click to expand...

Consider buying used. The local tool suppliers that drive the company trucks often have good deals on used "sets" and toolboxes from guys that get laid off or retire. Buying a small set of high quality tools first is better then buying a large set of mediocre tools you have to replace. Snap-On from Ebay aren't too bad. I have some Proto Professional my father bought me when I was in grade school over 40 years ago that are still good as new. My Snap-On's have never broken or slipped (I use the right tool for the job though). I've had a few S-K over the years that were really good and moderately priced. My old Craftsman are good tools but, the new ones today are not what the old ones were.
 
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As Sid Posted... buying used is a good way to start... as you grow you'll start stepping up the quality of your tools.

Sezman716 provided a nice list, although I would stay way from Mac,

Personally I would order them like this (

MatCo (because my local rep is nicer than the snap on guy) Snap On, Craftsman.
The nice thing about Snap On, MatCo and Mac is that they usually come to you once a week, so you can buy more or warranty broken items. The good thing about craftsman is that they really don't care what you do the tool... just about everything will be warrantied...
 
Used Craftsman tools have an unlimited life time warrenty as long as their not the evolv line. You can return any one of them for a replacement. If you can find a set from the 70s, 80s or 90s their still covered by warrenty if they break. They are also better quality then the stuff they make today.
 
If your breaking mad tools your doing something wrong. Your best bet is to buy used snap on tools off 3bay.

In the aerospace field don't you need special tools that nothing can fall off of. You don't want chrome flakes falling into turbines. I think you need satin finish tools, a lot of the european brands make them. Hazet, gedore are 2 brands of top notch tools.

Or you could do what I did when I was starting out, buy all craftsman tools and as they break replace them with snap on.
 
You can sometimes find snap on/Matco/craftsman tools in pawn shops. Sure you may not have a matching set but I have seen 1/2" drive sockets for $0.50 a piece.
 
When I got out of the Air Force I started taking High School Auto Shop at night. The first night was tool night and it went something like "Yeah, Craftsman has a lifetime guarantee, but you have to drive over to Sears. Snap-On has the same guarantee, but it won't break." Not exactly true but higher quality tools won't waste as much time. Another thing they mentioned was that it's nice to have mirror finish hand tools because they clean so easily - just wipe them off.

On tool forums I've seen every make trashed and recommended. I have seen a number of kudos for Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh wrenches.

I'd look on Craigslist as well as ebay. Sometimes you can get complete sets of good tools at reasonable prices. Check out weekend garage and estate sales.

If it has moveable parts, get the best. My Snap-On ratchet screwdriver is fantastic.
 
Buy the tools you can, as you can. Obviously you are going to get what you pay for, but look at the high end stuff, then look at the other tools. Some just have a feature you just have to have, (channel-lock pliers engage two tongues and grooves, cheap pliers just have one) then see if a budget brand doesn't also have what you need. Also be careful of assuming the warranty applies in all cases to all tools. For a while craftsman did not warranty socket u-joints. Guess what breaks first? Snap-on doesn't warranty their IR thermometers if you over-temp the sensor. do you need 0.1 degree accuracy? probably not, and if you are just doing a cold cylinder check, then you just need a cheap one. get what I'm saying?

Another thing is that if buy yourself the tools you are using most, asking nicely to borrow tools when you need them, and generally making friends, then the guys you are working with will be more likely to help you out and find the good deals, or sell you their old stuff. Plus, then you don't buy tools you never use.

By the time you are done, you'll own thousands in tools. having a good toolbox with good locks will be the best investment you can make, and don't be afraid to modify or even build your own, you obviously have some skills. My Dad has had his tools stolen (hes an AME, so not only lots of tools, lots of specialized and custom ones.) and each time the insurance was well worth it(your shop might cover it, or you might have to do it yourself, best to make sure you're covered). His tools are almost all Snap-on and Mac. But he does have his fair share of the super cheap stuff. In his words, if you only ever need the tool once, get the one that breaks after two uses, you'll still have it forever, but it won't cost much.

My buddy who does heavy diesel and used to work on buses and then airport ground vehicles owns many different brands. You find what works, often he gets the cheapest possible as they get ruined anyway, modified or "misplaced" but there are some things you have to spend the little extra on.

Since you seem to work with a good bunch, take your time, build slowly, and save your money. the day may come when you have to buy a bunch of tools all at once, but in the mean time, no need to spend a dollar you don't need to. Like other guys have mentioned, nothing wrong with good second hand stuff, and brand doesn't matter, a mix-matched set of sockets and ratchets still work together, not like they know the difference.
 
If you can, hit up Craig's List. You will likely see all sorts of high end tool sets and rollaway chests that are used but still have plenty of life in them.
 
If it has moving parts- mac, snap-on, matco. I'm a big fan of snap-on ratchets.
For sockets- SK, craftsman
Impact sockets- just about any USA brand, or harbor freight, but buy two sets just in case .
Wrenches- honestly the harbor freight ones have yet to fail on me, but SK also has good ones. Craftsman works too
Screw drivers- channel lock USA.

I have a lot of my Grandfathers craftsman tools, and my own set as well from 5 years ago. The finish is different on the new ratchets and wrenches (which ARE imported, yet cost the same). I avoid them on principle now, dislike them putting American flags on the same packaging with a tiny "made in china" under the UPC.
 
Hello,

After about a month of talking to a lot of people that work with hand tools for a living I finally got everything i need to get started. The toolbox I went with is the Extreme Tools 56" RXE Series Tool Chest & Roller Cabinet Combo. All my ratchets, wrenches, and sockets are Snap-on. My pliers and screwdriver are Klein. Hammers are Vaughan. I got a lot more from a bunch of different makers also. Everything but the toolbox is American made. Originally I only wanted to spend $1000 total but ended up spending $3000. In the end Im happy with what I got, you really do get what you paid for. Thanks for the advice guys.

Have a good one,

Chris
 
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