The General Tool Thread

[Slash]

As a technician, I've used a lot of different brand tools over the years, partly because my father owns a boatload for work and home use. I've used quite a lot of different tools and most have never failed me. Personally I prefer Snap-On because they are pretty tough to beat, and that is mainly what we buy off the truck every week. My father himself owns at least $30,000 in tools from Snap-On alone, not including the hundreds of other tools from MAC, S-K, Craftsman etc. They seem to be the most comfortable of the bunch as well. What I don't like, is the rediculously high prices. That is why I try to buy a lot of Blue Point tools. They are pretty much the exact same thing as Snap-On tools except cheaper (they are also made by Snap-On). Only reason they are cheaper is because they are produced outside the US but made to Snap-On specs.

All the S-K. Craftsman, Gearwrench etc tools that I've used to seem to be pretty decent for what they are. I'll buy them if I need budget tools but generally I can get rediculously good deals on the Snap-On stuff.

So what is your prefered tool brand for anything around the house, working on your car etc?

 

[Azure Flare]

I have a lot of Kobalt tools at my house.

Also, blue grips.

 

[AOS-]

Mastercraft is alright for screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches and other simple hand-powered tools.

For power tools like drills... well actually it doesn't matter, but Stanley Black & Decker is great. They own the brand Dewalt.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Here in Canada I use Mastercraft, sold at Canadian Tire. They're not the greatest tools, comparable to Craftsman (most, if not all, are made by the same people, just different name on the box - my friend bought a table saw, and inside the Mastercraft box was a Craftsman saw ) Usually not the cheapest tool on the shelf, but they have great deals that make them well worth the money.

They're great for their "no questions asked" replacement policy. I broke one of my dads 30 year old sockets, brought it in and they handed me a new one. What really sold me though was the time I found an old 3/8"s rachet buried in the ground while digging on the farm. Cleaned it up and it still looked like scrap and was completely seized. Brought it in and had a brand new one handed to me on the spot. 👍

 

[AOS-]

^ That's some ethics abuse right there.

not even a receipt at the very least?

 

[Slash]

Mastercraft is alright for screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches and other simple hand-powered tools.

For power tools like drills... well actually it doesn't matter, but Stanley Black & Decker is great. They own the brand Dewalt.

Black and Decker doesn't seem to be what it used to. I find them to be pretty cheaply made now. DeWalt is usually alright though, never had many problems with my cordless drills. I like Makita also.

I have a lot of Kobalt tools at my house.

Also, blue grips.

I can say I've never actually used Kobalt tools so I can't comment on them. A close friend of mine has a rather large set of them though and he absolutely loves them (he got a good deal on them too).

As far as taking things in under a lifetime warranty, I've heard people complain about Snap-On giving them a hard time but I've never had an issue. Everything is usually replaced on the spot, no questions asked.

 

[terminator363]

I like Bosch. Just cause. No reason.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Bahco. I've broken every other brand of tool that I've ever used, but never managed to break any of my Bahco stuff. I've used 5 foot extension tubes on my 8" Bahco adjustable and put my whole body weight on it, and it shrugs it off like nothing, no bend in the handle, no marks on it, nothing.

I inherited a lot of my Bahco stuff from my father, who used it in one of the most demanding environments that a tool can find itself in - on a cargo ship. 'Nuff said.

For power tools (not air tools), Bosch.

 

[Slash]

Bahco. I've broken every other brand of tool that I've ever used, but never managed to break any of my Bahco stuff. I've used 5 foot extension tubes on my 8" Bahco adjustable and put my whole body weight on it, and it shrugs it off like nothing, no bend in the handle, no marks on it, nothing.

I inherited a lot of my Bahco stuff from my father, who used it in one of the most demanding environments that a tool can find itself in - on a cargo ship. 'Nuff said.

Bahco is Snap-On under another name like Blue Point. I find Bahco stuff is also very good quality.

 

[nick09]

So far Wiha is my favorite. My set of screwdriver bits have been great ever since I bought them. Pretty tough despite the fact that I use it as prying tool sometimes.

 

[Slash]

So far Wiha is my favorite. My set of screwdriver bits have been great ever since I bought them. Pretty tough despite the fact that I use it as prying tool sometimes.

I've never heard of them. How is their other products? I'm currently in the market for tools right now so I've been interested in checking out other brands. Right now a halfway decent start is going to run me almost $2,500 not including tax or shipping (if I buy online, which I probably will and have my dad pick it up off the truck). That money is on top of the $500 or so I have already including a Blue Point Ratchet/Socket set my dad just bought me for graduation and some other odds and ends I've picked up over the years.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Bahco is Snap-On under another name like Blue Point. I find Bahco stuff is also very good quality.

The old stuff isn't. The new stuff is monkey metal compared to the old stuff.

 

[Slash]

The old stuff isn't. The new stuff is monkey metal compared to the old stuff.

I know the old stuff isn't. That said I have only user the newer Bahco stuff off the Snap-On truck and I didn't think they were all that bad. I wonder how good the old stuff is then haha. Is it comparable to the old Williams tools? I've got a few ratchets and wrenches that are almost 3 ffeet long, some even cut and welded back together lol.

 

[W3H5]

I've used many over the years not really caring for brand as long as they are good quality; Stanley, Snap-On etc. These days I look for Park Tools since they are specialist bike tool maker and one of the quality bicycle tool makers out there.

 

[nick09]

I've never heard of them. How is their other products? I'm currently in the market for tools right now so I've been interested in checking out other brands. Right now a halfway decent start is going to run me almost $2,500 not including tax or shipping (if I buy online, which I probably will and have my dad pick it up off the truck). That money is on top of the $500 or so I have already including a Blue Point Ratchet/Socket set my dad just bought me for graduation and some other odds and ends I've picked up over the years.

It's the only tool set I have from that brand but the whole 38 bit pieces with anti-static body and cloth carrying case(Really good quality and no bits ever fall out) cost me $44 at the time. It was made in Germany and it's quite nice with no magnets to hold the bits in(A metal ball and a thin strip of metal holds the bits in with friction). It seems like most of their tools are lifetime guarantee(But don't take my word for it). Finding a local store that stocks this brand would not be likely.

 

[SpeedDrift360]

I'm going to have to say Snap-On. My dad owns a body shop, so I have experience with a bit of everything. I just find Snap-On tools the best.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I know the old stuff isn't. That said I have only user the newer Bahco stuff off the Snap-On truck and I didn't think they were all that bad. I wonder how good the old stuff is then haha. Is it comparable to the old Williams tools? I've got a few ratchets and wrenches that are almost 3 ffeet long, some even cut and welded back together lol.

I've never seen an old Bahco tool break, even after going to work with my father many times as a kid. The name of the game when you are loosening and tightening bolts on a ship is ludicrous amounts of leverage - 10ft extension bar over the handle of a 30" Bahco adjustable with 3 plump Romanians hanging from it? No problem.

My father got a little fed up of other engineers asking to use his tools to avoid breaking their own, and then not getting them back. The Eastern Europeans did this a lot, as back then they were very poorly treated (sacked on the spot and dumped at the next port levels of mistreatment) and poorly paid compared to other engineers from Britain, America, etc. - to the point that they could only afford cheap tools, meaning they often couldn't complete jobs due to broken tools, meaning they often got sacked and dumped somewhere with little money to get home and then didn't have the money to replace their broken tools once they were home.

Belzer were good too. As with Bahco, their newer stuff is only as good as Snap-On, but their older stuff was brilliant.

The ownership of Bahco and Belzer is quite complex - Bahco bought Belzer before the Bahco brand was sold to Snap-On and they destroyed their reputation - so Belzer became Bahco in all but name. Belzer is now owned by Apex Tool Group and only sold in South America.

 

[photonrider]

My preferred tool is this, but I'm not sure what the brand is. I have a model that's somewhat old, but history has shown that the manufacturer takes ages to improve on it in any significant manner, so I'm quite happy with it. Has a lifetime warranty.




Alright, I'm kidding as usual.

Great thread, Slash; wanted to make a 'Tools' thread for quite some time now - but I'm afraid my thread-making list is already too extensive. - so I'm happy you started this one up.
As for brand of choice - depends on the tool, doesn't it? As you yourself mentioned when it comes to drills, Makita is a good brand. And so is Ryobi and Milwaukee Tools.
When it comes to compressors . . . and hammers . . . and axes . . . and shovels.. . .

However, I have to admit there is nothing quite like the feeling of having a 9/16ths Chrome Vanadium Snap-On in one's hand when practising floating a spanner.

 

[Slash]

It's the only tool set I have from that brand but the whole 38 bit pieces with anti-static body and cloth carrying case(Really good quality and no bits ever fall out) cost me $44 at the time. It was made in Germany and it's quite nice with no magnets to hold the bits in(A metal ball and a thin strip of metal holds the bits in with friction). It seems like most of their tools are lifetime guarantee(But don't take my word for it). Finding a local store that stocks this brand would not be likely.

Interesting, I'm going to have to look into them.

I've never seen an old Bahco tool break, even after going to work with my father many times as a kid. The name of the game when you are loosening and tightening bolts on a ship is ludicrous amounts of leverage - 10ft extension bar over the handle of a 30" Bahco adjustable with 3 plump Romanians hanging from it? No problem.

My father got a little fed up of other engineers asking to use his tools to avoid breaking their own, and then not getting them back. The Eastern Europeans did this a lot, as back then they were very poorly treated (sacked on the spot and dumped at the next port levels of mistreatment) and poorly paid compared to other engineers from Britain, America, etc. - to the point that they could only afford cheap tools, meaning they often couldn't complete jobs due to broken tools, meaning they often got sacked and dumped somewhere with little money to get home and then didn't have the money to replace their broken tools once they were home.

I wonder if its even possible to find a good set of the older stuff now..you've sparked an interst in me.

 

[Shaun]

If you can find the older stuff go for it.
Most modern tools are made from a mixture of lead and three week old avacado.
As Marina said get the older Bacho stuff (made in Sweden) and it will never need to be replaced.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I get all my 'new' tools from the blue trays hidden away under folding tables at fairs. A particularly good spot for them is at the annual Great Dorset Steam Fair, loads of old kit from retired engineers having a clear out. I've had clients ask me to work on 60 year old machines that require a specialist tool of some description to strip down, and I almost always find what I need at the Great Dorset.

If it doesn't require up-to-date technology, then the old stuff is the best. My shed and workshop are full of second-hand tools, including my grandfathers trusty spade, which is likely 60 or 70 years old by now.

There are some old Bahco tools on Ebay.co.uk, but I'm not sure if the same could be said for Ebay.com.

 

[Slash]

If you can find the older stuff go for it.
Most modern tools are made from a mixture of lead and three week old avacado.
As Marina said get the older Bacho stuff (made in Sweden) and it will never need to be replaced.

I'll definitely keep a sharp eye out. If its anything like the good Sanp-On stuff I already have then it should be a treat. The problem is actually finding them, and in a set at that.

My preferred tool is this, but I'm not sure what the brand is. I have a model that's somewhat old, but history has shown that the manufacturer takes ages to improve on it in any significant manner, so I'm quite happy with it. Has a lifetime warranty.




Alright, I'm kidding as usual.

Great thread, Slash; wanted to make a 'Tools' thread for quite some time now - but I'm afraid my thread-making list is already too extensive. - so I'm happy you started this one up.
As for brand of choice - depends on the tool, doesn't it? As you yourself mentioned when it comes to drills, Makita is a good brand. And so is Ryobi and Milwaukee Tools.
When it comes to compressors . . . and hammers . . . and axes . . . and shovels.. . .

However, I have to admit there is nothing quite like the feeling of having a 9/16ths Chrome Vanadium Snap-On in one's hand when practising floating a spanner.

Looks like you tree'd me. I happened to think about this thread after pricing out some things I needed to pick up today. I figured it would be cool to get everyones input. You are right though, it does depend on the tool. I find MAC and Ingersoll-Rand make great air tools. I prefer Ingersoll though becuase the plant is native to my area and it supports the local economy. I've never used Ryobi or Milwaukee for much, I've always picked up Makita or DeWalt and sometimes older Black and Decker stuff for saws and drills etc.

Also is Powerbuilt tools any good? I happened to get a 5/8-7/8 set of combination wrenches for free brand new but never used them yet. They look and feel kind of cheap but I want to hear it from someone else to make sure I'm not imagining things I have heard some of their stuff like floor jacks etc are decent but I don't know a lot about their hand tools.


@Marina

I've got quite a few tools that are handed down, but most of them are still my fathers that were his fathers, grandfathers etc. I have a lot of older saws, screwdrivers etc.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Whia, Wera and Knipex.

 

[photonrider]

I sometimes buy tools for no reason at all.

I bought a router and a set of carbide bits, and it's been sitting around for ten years unused. I got it on 'sale', though. Couldn't help myself.

I'll be making my own wainscoting one day. Hopefully.

 

[Slash]

Wow those look a lot more comfortable than the orange handled Snap-On set my dad has in the garage.

I sometimes buy tools for no reason at all.

I bought a router and a set of carbide bits, and it's been sitting around for ten years unused. I got it on 'sale', though. Couldn't help myself.

I'll be making my own wainscoting one day. Hopefully.

I have a tendency to do that as well. If I walk into a Home Depot or even a Walmart I'll leave with something. Usually its not much, like a set of needle nose pliers or something stupid to that effect but it all adds up to something over time. I really should save my money from something really nice though

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Also is Powerbuilt tools any good?

I've heard that they're pretty cheap, and the quality matches that. Be sure to lean on one and report back though

Isn't buying tools that you will probably never need normal? Maybe one day I'll have a tool so rare that I can charge a lot of money for it...

 

[Slash]

I've heard that they're pretty cheap, and the quality matches that. Be sure to lean on one and report back though

Like I said they look and feel pretty cheap but I haven't used them. Again the same thing applies here, with the older stuff being better. Its seems that applies to almost everything these days.

I will difinitely report back though. =P



For the screwdriver comparison all of the sets in the garage (my dads) are like this:

Here is that set if wrenches.

What is the best way to ewmove rust from tools? I've heard vinegar soaking etc. I've got some older tools in need to rust removal and re-chroming and I don't know where to start.

 

[Shaun]

I've always found that any hand tool should also have the ability to double as a hammer. If it's damaged in process it's worthless anyway.
The abuse some of my tools have copped since starting my apprenticeship 23 years ago is huge.

Buy quality and buy once. 👍

 

[photonrider]

.............................
Isn't buying tools that you will probably never need normal? Maybe one day I'll have a tool so rare that I can charge a lot of money for it...

I can't help it; for some reason my brain is wired in a way that found that both incredibly wise and yet downright hilarious.

True, true . . . very true.

If you don't have a tool, you have to get it. Never know when it might come in handy. If you can find it when you need it.

 

[Slash]

I've always found that any hand tool should also have the ability to double as a hammer. If it's damaged in process it's worthless anyway.
The abuse some of my tools have copped since starting my apprenticeship 23 years ago is huge.

Buy quality and buy once. 👍

That is why I tend to lean towards the Snap-On brands. They've never failed me and I'm done some questionable things to some tools before to try and fix something. I have abused the hell out of a lot of tools.

I can't help it; for some reason my brain is wired in a way that found that both incredibly wise and yet downright hilarious.

True, true . . . very true.

If you don't have a tool, you have to get it. Never know when it might come in handy. If you can find it when you need it.

That's always the problem isn't it Can never find the damn thing when I need it, and can find find it when it don't I try to stay organized with that stuff. Not going to dump that kind of money on tools and then lose them somewhere.