Popular Post kmealy Posted October 17, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2022 The van or the contents? Good thing is you _might_ only have to buy the contents once and the van will need to be replaced in a few years. Business must be good if you can trash everything you have and start over with everything, including that $250 wrench set. https://www.protoolreviews.com/festool-systainer-systems-for-van-storage-solutions/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=milwaukee_leaf_blower_gets_a_massive_performance_upgrade_plus_the_latest_news_and_reviews&utm_term=2022-10-16 FWIW, I saw a video last night comparing a bunch of brands of open-end / ratchet box end wrenches from $4 to Snap On ones. Surprised I'd never heard of 2/3 of the brands (but them I'm not a wrench person too much). I think all but one or two were made in China or Taiwan. I was pleased to see that my inexpensive GearWrench came out very well in most categories of the test and Tekton that I have a few other tools also came out reasonably well for the price. SK that the local discount store carried when I was a teen (but never bought any) did well, but was much more expensive. Al B, lew, HARO50 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted October 17, 2022 Report Share Posted October 17, 2022 2 hours ago, kmealy said: GearWrench I use these professionally, every day. Hold up well. Grandpadave52, HARO50, Fred W. Hargis Jr and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Al B Posted October 17, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2022 Not a pro but my Craftsman tools have served me well for over 60 years. Gunny, Gerald, Grandpadave52 and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BillyJack Posted October 17, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2022 (edited) If I was a full time mechanic I'd buy the best I could afford in the business, otherwise it's Craftsman and whatever is cheap at the pawn shop Most hobbyist aren't looking to get a large return on their used tools.. I took 3 years of auto mechanics at trade school in high school. They supplied Craftsman tools at this time.. Edited October 17, 2022 by BillyJack Artie, Fred W. Hargis Jr, kmealy and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted October 17, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2022 My most used mechanics tools are a set of HF combination wrenches used to Guage thickness out of the planer. Occasionally, I will turn a bolt or nut, though. Al B, Larry Buskirk, Grandpadave52 and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Grandpadave52 Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 8 hours ago, kmealy said: SK that the local discount store carried when I was a teen (but never bought any) did well, but was much more expensive. When I first starting turning wrenches for a living my MAC Tool distributor also sold S-K tools off the truck. I purchased a 3/8" drive set based on his recommendation. I still have and use regularly both my 3/8" & 1/2" short and long handled ratchets as well as my 3/8" drive shallow well sockets and extensions. NEVER had an issue with the ratchets unlike some of my MAC and Snap-On. The youngest of those is a least 45 years old. The oldest is over 50. I have a few S-K wrenches too. They've held up well. Unfortunately I think S-K sold out to some Chinese consortium a couple years ago. I do have one Cornwell ratchet, a 3/8" small frame my dad gave me. Its probably 60 years old. Use it all the time. My main tool set built over the years while a mechanic mainly consists of Mac and Snap-on. They're niche back in the day was their tools trucks and salesmen traveling the countryside to all the shops, carrying many specialized tools and their "easy payment" plans. I have some John Deere wrenches & sockets (made by Bonney), pliers, screwdrivers (made by Stanley), a few International Harvestor, some New Britain (sold mainly by NAPA) even a few Monkey Wards and JC Penny tools from back in the day. Also some Herbrand that belonged either to my grandfather or dad. I've supplemented since with old school Craftsman, Proto, Gearwrench etc. purchased at auction or flea markets as well as numerous H-F tools. Almost everything H-F sells in the hand tool line now has a lifetime warranty. The FEW issues I've had, tools were replaced no question, no hassle. ALL tools can be damaged or destroyed used improperly or not maintained and cared for. I still have my first Snap-On wrench (7/16" x 1/2", open end combination) I purchased when I was probably 11 or 12 and most of my Wizard (Western Auto Brand) open end combination set I bought with my paper route money when I was maybe 10. The Western Auto store was on my route. Had to have some tools to work on my banana seat bike I bought from them too. forty_caliber, Al B, HARO50 and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post forty_caliber Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 (edited) Can't justify the purchase of anything Festool as a hobbyist. $75 for a plastic box...$300 for a cordless drill...really? Waste not, want not. .40 Edited October 18, 2022 by forty_caliber Artie, kmealy, Fred W. Hargis Jr and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gene Howe Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 13 hours ago, Gene Howe said: My most used mechanics tools are a set of HF combination wrenches used to Guage thickness out of the planer. Occasionally, I will turn a bolt or nut, though. Don't want anyone to get the, maybe not totally erroneous impression, that my mechanical abilities are without merit. My tool collection actually does extend beyond those HF wrenches. Heck, there's even a 10mm socket in there somewhere. The socket collection isn't extensive, most common sizes SAE in drives of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. And a good number of metric sizes. Got deep ones, too but the only spark plugs I change anymore, are on the small engines. I leave auto engine repairs and, especially auto electrical, to the pros. But, Shopsmith repairs/maintenance, planer tear downs, and rebuilds, and scroll saw repairs are within my abilities and, that of my tool collection. Oh, and work on the zero turn is often required. Not the engine, though, (yet) thank God. As to tool brands, most all the socket sets come fom Ace. There are a few, tools picked up at yard sales, too. But, the extent of my mechanic's tool collection far exceeds the knowledge to know when and where to use them. Al B, HARO50, Fred W. Hargis Jr and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 There have been a lot of HF comparisons. Many of their tools past the test. I'm thinking it was "Garage mechanic" on line that tested them to Snap-On, etc. Larry Buskirk, HARO50 and Grandpadave52 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Grandpadave52 Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 3 hours ago, Gene Howe said: Heck, there's even a 10mm socket in there somewhere What no spares? Thankfully H-F has resolved that quandary for us all with THIS SET. Already got mine. I'm quite pleased with the H-F hand tools I own. Good value, quality, fit, finish for the average and above DIY'er IMO. IDK how they would hold up in daily, high volume Pro use but since I'm on the Seniors Tour now a few missed putts is to be expected. Gerald, kmealy, HARO50 and 4 others 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Fred W. Hargis Jr Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 (edited) A farmer down the street from me has a garage full of Snap On tools he uses for machinery/equipment repair. But when you look at the tool boxes that are in his trucks and the ones on his tractors, they are full of HF stuff. I mentioned that to him one day, it seems when you have hired hands and others handling tools in the field making adjustments/repair they tend to not come back......not stolen; but lost. So, HF it is for that purpose. He also pointed out that repairs made with the HF tools seem to be just as good as the ones made with Snap On, and (laughing) he said the tractors didn't seem to mind. Edited October 18, 2022 by Fred W. Hargis Jr JimM, Gerald, Artie and 5 others 1 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 (edited) My mechanic charges $75 an hour. If I get the car back with rounded nuts, I’ll know he ain’t using Snap-On… Snap-On are designed to fit perfectly, everything else is second. You pay and expect this.. Edited October 18, 2022 by BillyJack Grandpadave52 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gunny Posted October 19, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 On 10/17/2022 at 6:22 PM, BillyJack said: If I was a full time mechanic I'd buy the best I could afford in the business, I buy premium stuff for heavy duty constant work. Special tools or odds and ends don't require that 400% mark up. BUT, I do own a Snap-On toolbox, 3 in all. 25 years of service and they are still in excellent shape after all they have been through. Paid for them like I bought Google.... Gerald, Artie, Al B and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gunny Posted October 19, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 21 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said: My main tool set built over the years while a mechanic mainly consists of Mac and Snap-on. They're niche back in the day was their tools trucks and salesmen traveling the countryside to all the shops, carrying many specialized tools and their "easy payment" plans. Did same thing when I started. Paid it off after 5 years,. Those days are over though. The tool trucks charge interest rates higher than credit cards with bad credit. it is insane these days for the new ones coming up. With the internet you can order quality tools and have them delivered in 2-5 days. I paid off Matco last week when he told me for the 5th week in a row a socket set, I wanted was "on backorder" and no idea when they would be available. They arrived today, found them online made by Tekton for $83. Not $195, and none of this back-order business. New breed of tool truck guys is not what they used to be. And I find that odd, as I pay $125 EVERY week. So why hack me off and NOT spend that anymore? Perhaps he thought I was bluffing? Hmm. Fred W. Hargis Jr, Larry Buskirk, Gerald and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gerald Posted October 19, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 Yes I have the box full of craftsman wrenches and sockets, a couple Blue Point and I am sure there are a few others even some screw drivers and pliers from HF. But I do have something I do not think anyone else has an inherit from my FIL, a JC Penney 4 foot level. Fred W. Hargis Jr, Gunny, Artie and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpadave52 Posted October 19, 2022 Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Gunny said: BUT, I do own a Snap-On toolbox, 3 in all. 25 years of service and they are still in excellent shape after all they have been through. I started out with Snap-On top boxes..2 in all but had Mac Roll cabinets. Eventually traded for the biggest top/bottom set Mac sold at the time which was larger and less expensive than Snap-On at the time. By today's standards and offerings my Mac is a pup though. However back then I only had need for a few metric tools. I kept my Snap-On 3 shelf side cabinet but have the Mac fold-down shelf. I also have a smaller Mac top box I used for a "road service" tool box. I've since purchased Craftsman (long before Sears went belly-up) both new and used top & roll cabs for home use expansion. They work fine for a home shop. BTW Gunny....NICE digs you're working in...very nice! Edited October 19, 2022 by Grandpadave52 Artie, JimM, Larry Buskirk and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gunny Posted October 19, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said: BTW Gunny....NICE digs you're working in...very nice! They treat me exceptionally well. I am busy all day long, every day. JimM, Headhunter, Artie and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kmealy Posted October 19, 2022 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 On 10/17/2022 at 5:41 PM, Al B said: Not a pro but my Craftsman tools have served me well for over 60 years. Yeah, but the only thing today's Craftsman and 60 y.o. Craftsman have in common is the label. Al B, Artie, Grandpadave52 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kmealy Posted October 19, 2022 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 On 10/17/2022 at 5:28 PM, Gunny said: I use these professionally, every day. Hold up well. Yes, though I don't use them every day, I have a set of GearWrench open end+ratcheting box end wrenches that I really like. But my favorite is the 35 pc. Microdriver set. I bought it originally to get the fasteners out of the back of center drawer glides on shallow drawers, but I use it regularly for all sorts of fasteners. I used to assemble a whole set of dining chairs in the time the other guy could do one with the supplied L-shaped allen wrench. Artie, Grandpadave52, Larry Buskirk and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BillyJack Posted October 19, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 (edited) I didn't waste anytime art the furniture company. I went to Sears and bought a metric and standard set of Craftsman wrenches. Each set included a set of micro wrenches. Bought deep sockets of each in 1/4 and 1/2... it costs more th8s way , but I didn't want overlapping tools which Craftsman great at. You wouldn't think mechanics tools in a woodshop, but I used them often for hardware or machines... I'm not a mechanic, but I've pulled my share of engines, etc. Edited October 19, 2022 by BillyJack Gunny, Larry Buskirk, Grandpadave52 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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