Do you guys find it's worth paying the extra dollars to buy the top of the line for tools...even though it's just for personal use? Is it useless overkill?

Is it worth it to spend on a PROTO ratchet? Grainger for example has their own in house brand I think...it's far cheaper than PROTO, but I often wonder that in todays economy, if many ISO factories actually use the lower cost House Brand...thinking it's adequate.

For example I bought a Westward torque wrench that has identical specs to a PROTO model...at a good
discount.

(I'm misunderstood - proto is not that much in the US..it's just overpriced here). When I meant was is industrial made offered in your own country good enough...because JET Equipment is big in our country...and the oil business in Alberta.)

 

In my opinion you usually get what you pay for, but I don't know if this goes for tools. I'm more of a driver than a mechanic. If they come with a lifetime warrantee I'd pay the extra.

 

The title "A Question For The Seasoned Mechanic Types" -locks me kinda out, but I'll answer anyways...

If money isnt issue, buy best. But then, are u sure youre now on right decade forum...?

Go to a shop -ONLY- selling tools at least to see and compare; ask silly questions....

For me: Cheap set from a source which has invested in a brand name. The most used bits will possibly break, then I buy those the best pricey available. Most of my tools will be lost before they break...

Note that when one brand delivery channel changes, its price may go up 3x. Is it now better than it was?

 

I bought a Craftsman toolset from Sears back around 1990. It has served me very well. I still use it to this day.

 

In my experience it all depends on what you are using them for. If you are using them in low force applications then cheap tools are fine but when you are standing on a wrench to remove a rusted bolt the strain on the tool becomes an issue. Cheap tools are cheap for a reason: less work is put into them, yes part of the cost of higher-end tools is because you are paying for a name, but you are also paying for extra processes their tools go through.

 

All my ratchets are craftsman, and I have never broken one. Thats even using bar extensions. I have a Snap on torque wrench and dont think it is any better than my craftsman and or Kobalt.

 

I"m was an A&P Aircraft technician for 10 yrs and I own an assortment of different brand tools! For instance, Craftsman is a good tool but it has it's downfalls/shortcomings...their 12 point sockets don't fit as tight as Snap-On 12 point sockets do on 12 point fasteners, and the plating tends to come off the tips of the sockets very easily. That's not good when you're assembling a turbine engine hot/cold sections! Snap-On makes certain offset wrenchs that tend to work better and easier to use than other brand offset wrenchs in tight quarters and on AN plumbing and fittings! I'm not a Snap-On man unless it really is needed or I know it's worth having because of the time it saves!
I would recommend for the beginner a good set of Craftman, Cobalt, Husky or some Made in Japan tools only! Stay away from that cheap *** Made in CHINA crap! I remember having a 1/4 drive rachet from Proto that I loved very much for the finest of the racheting teeth! Proto, S-K , Snap-On, Mac and Matco are for the seriously professional technicians and mechanics. Make sure that the tools you invest in always come with a lifetime warranty!

 

If you just need standard tools, a brand like Craftsman will work great for you. Most of my tools are Craftsman and I can count on one hand how many I've broken in the last decade (mostly screwdrivers, and one 3/8 torque wrench - all replaced at my local sears with no hassle). For certain specialty applications it's worthwhile to go higher-end (for example, Snap-On cordless impact is far superior to Dewalt or Craftsman) or for tools that are going to see high-stress work or frequent use, go a bit higher.

Is it necessary for the amateur mechanic to have a full Snap-on or Matco tool set? nope....

Buy mid-grade. As CMax03 said, don't buy Chinese-made tools....

 

I agree 100%! I still have got to have me Snap On screw drivers. They are far better than craftsman.

 

in my opinion when buying something like a ratchet or wrenches with ratcheting heads (moving parts) its always best to go with the best i.e. snap-on. I cant even remember how manny tools I have broken from inferior manufacturers. And yes while it is nice that sears will replace broken craftsman tools its quite infuriating when knee deep in a big job to have to run to the store to get a replacement for a broken tool.

" ..even though it's just for personal use? Is it useless overkill?"

is a loose question. if you plan on personally using it for years (doing your own repairs and service) I say invest in the best quality you can find and save yourself the hassle of interruptions and tools that don't fit snug damaging nuts and bolts.

if your just gonna change oil and spark-plugs when its nice out and still take your car for regular maintenance at a shop than let the shop buy the expensive stuff and get something cheaper (not china cheap).

I hope this helps..

 

you do get what you pay for. if you pay for a lifetime warranty. thats what you get. all tools break/fail/wear out in time. life span also depends on the use and abuse of the tool. if you just do periodic tune-ups a tool could last ypu forever. if your wrenching on something almost everyday, there will be breakage no matter what brand.

 

Anything can break when it's not used properly! I have never broke any of my Snap-On, Mac, or Matco tools and they're older than most of you guys/girls on this forum. I've got a 1/2 drive flex beam torque wrench my dad gave me that's older than I am. I think he bought it in 1960. It's one of those real Craftman tools! Most of my high line tools are about 20-21 yrs old now!

 

I must have like 6 different ratchets, 50 different screwdrivers, 2-3 of each size socket (SAE + Metric), 2-3 of each wrench (SAE + Metric)....if one breaks during a job, there's always a backup available

That said, I rarely break tools except for occasional mis-used screwdrivers when I use them as a chisel or prybar!

I lose tools, buy new ones, find the old ones, lol....

 

OK Cool guys - thanks. Anybody heard of a company called BLACKHAWK? They make ratchets.

I'm going to invest in high end - why not. I want to start getting into more advanced stuff...stuff that the 3rd gen freaks are doing, so I better be prepared.

 

My opinion...
Craftsman sockets.
good ratcheting wrenches. (GearWrench or better)
Best ratchets you can buy.

A good snap-on ratchet will run you about $100 each. get one in 3/8" and 1/4". you can use a 1/2" Craftsman ratchet and breaker bar. anything that big you won't be able to break with a cheater bar on it and you'll have room to work around it.
on the smaller stuff, 3/8" and 1/4" drive stuff, you don't need quite as much torque, but you need the fine gear teeth and the finesse that a quality ratchet has.

No sense in buying the high end stuff to take off axles an whatnot, but definitely get them for working on engine parts.

 

i am a tech at a dealer and a lot of my sockets are craftsman. i think i have only broken 2 in 10 years. i also have a decent amount of snap on sockets and have broken 2 or 3 of those. just buy tools with a lifetime warranty.