Where do you get your tools?

[kingmeirl]

Northern Tool looks tempting outside of craigslist, I was just wondering if there was a better/cheaper place to get tools. Home depot seems to have crap, but they are convienent.

[trail rate this]

I go to Harbor Frieght now. They seem to be cheaper and have a better selection than Northern Tool.

[PacificEd]

I've bought stuff in the Stanley name from Wal-Mart and it's done very well so far. I typically use Craftsman.

[xjtrailrider]

Craftsman

[Swamprat]

lowes, i dont think there is a harbor freight around where i live

[Timmy2XJS]

mix bag of what ever i have but mostly snap on.

[Built2Flex]

I'm liking the Harbor Freight but only on certain items. They're a cheap store, both in price and quality, but they work well.

Other than that, Craftsman because of their guarantee.

[thechief86]

i like my kobalt stuff, but i have a little bit of everything, depending on what was close when i needed a tool ASAP. i do like harbor freight, but their products are a get-whatcha-pay-for situation.

[bmanga]

I go around and pick up tools left on the trail or have bounced out of rigs......much to my surprise I even found a 12 ton press once. ;) JK!

Surplus, used, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, Craftsman.....take my buddies.....gifts......I like tools! :cheers:

[Ghost]

Craftsman. Cannot afford snap on or those other fancy tools that are no better imho.

[trail rate this]

I used to buy all Craftsman, but stopped when K-mart bought them. That's when their customer service went to crap. Harbor Frieght is a "get what you for" tool. Ithank all tools are that way. Harbor Freight does have a better warranty on their hand tools than Craftsman.

[Cnickgo]

Craftsman, although I have bought some Kobalt because it's been easier to run to Lowes some days.

[Timmy2XJS]

Craftsman. Cannot afford snap on or those other fancy tools that are no better imho.


i scored an account with the snap on guy who comes by my unit. if i break em, i turn em in and replace em.

and sadly i get NO discount, other than the easy replacement deal

[mbogosia]

I try to buy a few good ones(craftsman is in my price range) every now and then, but usually Harbor Freight gets me by. I have had greeat luck with pry bars, torque wrenches, pliers, etc..

[bmanga]

FYI my brother use to work at National tool and die company in Stow Ohio which makes Matco tools. Interesting enough he said they also do Craftsmen and the only difference was one was stamped name badgeing where the other is etched.

[RenegadeStang]

Mostly Craftsman, but a few Northern items.

[256offroad]

craftsman and the local tool man!

[Shorty]

FYI my brother use to work at National tool and die company in Stow Ohio which makes Matco tools. Interesting enough he said they also do Craftsmen and the only difference was one was stamped name badgeing where the other is etched.

Danaher Corporation (sp) has been making Craftsman tools for the last 5-6 years, but before that Sears would buy from numerous manufacturers and provide them with their specs and casts.

If you want "Craftsman quality" for a little less, look at Advance-- the Gearwrench brand is the same Danaher Corp. tool with a polished finish.

[Jess]

I used to use Craftsman but I couldn't find a box that would keep everything where it is supposed to be....and their customer service is horrible.
I now use Husky tools. They are owned by Home Depot, but I have gotten both my sets off ebay. They come in a slim hard case that keeps everything secure on the trails and when I open the box what I need is right where it is supposed to be. I can't take credit for finding them because both Matt (rredalty) and Doug (shortdoug) were using them before I got my first set.

Here is a link to a set like mine:
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Hand-Tools-Tool-Sets/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg9Zarzz/R-100615095/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[xjtrailrider]

I used to use Craftsman but I couldn't find a box that would keep everything where it is supposed to be....and their customer service is horrible.
I now use Husky tools. They are owned by Home Depot, but I have gotten both my sets off ebay. They come in a slim hard case that keeps everything secure on the trails and when I open the box what I need is right where it is supposed to be. I can't take credit for finding them because both Matt (rredalty) and Doug (shortdoug) were using them before I got my first set.

Here is a link to a set like mine:
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Hand-Tools-Tool-Sets/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg9Zarzz/R-100615095/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

See, the problem you have is, you need a bigger tool box. I carry everything in the garage with me on the trail.:D

http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/xjtrailrider/Old%20Blue/24.jpg

[Jess]

I'm pretty sure if I stripped my interior and seats out of my rig less than one third the tools in my garage would fit inside the rig.
I do like the setup you have there. I carry a box about the same size that holds my tool box and spare shafts, driveshafts, spare parts, etc.

What type of clamp do you have on your co2 tank? I need to find a good way to mount mine.

[kingmeirl]

lowes, i dont think there is a harbor freight around where i live

Thats what I was just about to ask, I dunno of a Harbor Freight anywhere. There is a craftsman/sears store in Dahlonega which is only about 10 mins from my new house. Ill have to check them out.

[xjtrailrider]

What type of clamp do you have on your co2 tank? I need to find a good way to mount mine.


I got it with the tank from UltimateAir, pure beef!

[RenegadeStang]

If you want "Craftsman quality" for a little less, look at Advance-- the Gearwrench brand is the same Danaher Corp. tool with a polished finish.

Snap-On carries Gearwrenches now.

[Wwildman]

In my rig I carry some cheap stuff . but I own mostly snap-on

[bigalpha]

I have a set of Kobalt sockets, some cheapie box wrenches, and a few miscellaneous things. That's about all I have. So far, I've been able to work on my junk with just that.

[High2by]

All Craftsman and mostly all 6 point. I do have a 13mm 12 point....hmmmm, wonder what that fits?

[kf_chris]

I use Craftsman and Harbor freight. HF is great like the others said for the 'disposable' tools. I haven't had a lot of exp with snap on, and with no access to the truck it won't happen soon. Sadly the big ass jack I bought at sears a few days ago had a MADE IN CHINA stamp on it. though they make better steel so it's ok, still though, be better if it was american made, hell even canadian!

[bigalpha]

hell even canadian!

It's basically part of America anyways. I plan on getting some HF tools to supplement my existing stock - like the ratcheting wrenches. I can think of a bunch of times those would have come in handy.

[kf_chris]

Well the economies depend on each other. Having been up there for work all over and talkign to the canucks...yes and no. They speak english, and there are other similarities, but they got some funky stuff going. I'm sure they could and do say the same about us.
I'll say the best tool purchase I made in the last few years was the swivel head rachet wrenches from Craftsman. I got the metric set and it was pricey but way worth it, especially on the front accessories on the engine. I'll get a set of standards this fall or winter too if I have time off work!

[PacificEd]

All Craftsman and mostly all 6 point. I do have a 13mm 12 point....hmmmm, wonder what that fits?

Don't forget that 8mm 6 point, and Torx head stuff.

[rob92xj]

Craftsman. Cannot afford snap on or those other fancy tools that are no better imho.
If you use them the way I do the professional tools pay themselves off.

I will never spend a dime on another Craftsmen tool after going into a Sears on my way home to have a ratchet that broke on the trail warrantied, they wouldn't because I was in my work uniform and said there tools are not a professional line.

[Cnickgo]

If you use them the way I do the professional tools pay themselves off.




That is certainly true. There has been a couple occasions I have had to run to a shop where some buddies work to bust a nut with their Snap-On guns. They are really nice tools, but if you aren't making a living off of them, it's hard to justify the price.

[YJ-GENRAL]

If you use them the way I do the professional tools pay themselves off.

I will never spend a dime on another Craftsmen tool after going into a Sears on my way home to have a ratchet that broke on the trail warrantied, they wouldn't because I was in my work uniform and said there tools are not a professional line.

professional use... definately.

change before you go into sears to get the warranty part :D

That is certainly true. There has been a couple occasions I have had to run to a shop where some buddies work to bust a nut with their Snap-On guns. They are really nice tools, but if you aren't making a living off of them, it's hard to justify the price.


yes it is hard to justify if you dont use them everyday... thats 98% of the people that have posted have said craftmans or harber or nothern... or etc. not snapon or mactools

and on a side note... you run by shops to watch your buddies bust a nut with their tools?? thats just desturbing ;)

i have a bit of everything... but mostly i have a set my dad bought me when i graduated college, a jesse james edition tool box with black tool set and they are awesome tools... i believe they are snap on but they dont say so i could be wrong... but i have stanley (few) craftsman and some husky brand stuff... oh yeh and ryobi woot woot :D

[kingmeirl]

Has anyone bought from Summit? I just got a catalog that just has their tools in it. I have not looked at it yet to compare the prices.

[Jamescad04]

For me mostly Craftsman but i have some Ingersoll Rand, S&K, & Husky! I would say if your looking cheap the best way to get quality tools is craigslist or ebay!