Tools? Is it worth it to buy pro tools?

Should I just buy cheapo set from Costco, or buy fewer tools and get Craftsman with a lifetime warranty?

I am not a major do it my self person...but I can do minor maintenance tasks.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve on January 11, 2011 at 12:25pm

I received some Bahco tools recently. Well worth the dollars.

It is NEVER money mis spent to buy quality tools. They will last a lifetime, and working with a quality ratchet, hammer, or even simple screwdriver is completely different experience with a good tool versus something out of the $1 bin at home depot.

You may still want to buy a fairly complete set to get you started from Costco...but start collecting good set one at a time.

Craftsmen is fine, Snap-On and pro tools are wonderful.

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Permalink Reply by Timothy C on January 11, 2011 at 12:48pm

Craftsman is fine, but beware their are different levels of Craftsmen. The ratchet handles that come in the kits are basically junk. When they break, take them back to Sears and instead of just exchanging under warranty ask to pay the difference to the "fully polished" handles. Much better. I don't have any of the crappy handles left, but I haven't broken a polished one yet.

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Permalink Reply by Jack on January 11, 2011 at 8:08pm

Agree with Steve. Those Bahco's are amazing. My amazing son got me some for Christmas this year.

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Permalink Reply by Paul T on January 12, 2011 at 10:00am

Snap-on tools are better than Craftsman. They are better, but my issue with Snap-On is on average, I think they make a 15% better tool than say a Craftsman Professional/Husky/Kobalt, and yet that they charge 300-400% more.

I have many friends who are big-shot "master mechanics" who also think Snap-On is a huge rip-off, but would love their tools if they were more reasonable. I have a wide range of tools, including a lot of Snap-on, and I don't feel the price is anywhere near appropriate for the tool.

I also love how people rave about how Snap-On has great support compare to Craftsman. The only reason Snap-On comes to your shop is to sell more tools and collect debts, not to replace your tool. It's not like you place a call and the Snap-On man comes speeding into your shop in 30 minutes to give you a replacement.

Another urban legend that seems to float around is that somehow if you use Craftsman tools all of your fasteners are going to be rounded off, or you may get seriously injured because the tools are ticking time bombs. Most of the time it's an idiot doing something stupid when these type of "accidents" happen.

Snap-On is the Harley Davidson of the tool business. No matter what they make, people will say it's the best and pay several times over what it's actually worth.

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Permalink Reply by ChrisZ on April 1, 2011 at 1:08pm

I have destroyed Craftsman tools recently. Snap On, I have never thought was worth the expense. However I have a Matco collection these are pro tools and very expensive. I have never busted one. Even reinvented a few wrenches for some weird places.

I can say that the tools you can get at harbor freight are cheap, and made in China, I have some, they sort of hold up. But if you are not going to do heavy work all the time. A nice Craftsman set should do you good.