favorite tool company

Chewyjr15 · 02-14-2009, 11:02 PM

matco
snap on
craftsman

i have craftsman stuff but when i get a house i plan on investing in a nice collection of matco tools.

TK-421 · 02-14-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

matco
snap on
craftsman

WIN

Kensta335 · 02-14-2009, 11:55 PM

snap-on are the best but they cost an arm and a leg.
mac tools are pretty good too.

Chewyjr15 · 02-14-2009, 11:59 PM

binford hahah i loled

Spool · 02-15-2009, 01:05 AM

Snap On is over priced like a mofo, but i was watching "How It's made" and they had a thing on Snap On tools, i think most of their wrenches are forged...pretty cool...

I use Husky tools the most, relatively cheap and good quality...

Chewyjr15 · 02-15-2009, 01:07 AM

saw that same thing on how its made they were making open and box end wrenches haha. Yes i think they are overpriced matco is a bit cheaper and same quality i think i am leaning towards matco.

Rawhide · 02-15-2009, 08:37 AM

Craftsman have always served me well. I do not use my tools for a living, if I did perhaps I would prefer the more expensive Snap-On.

As it is my tool use is for the occasional project and fix-its around the house, in which case Craftsman tools have lasted me years.

jhv · 02-15-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markoni

Binford

+1

jlaw · 02-16-2009, 10:23 AM

I have found Craftsman to be more than suitable for my needs. Snap-On stuff is very nice but also very expensive. Plus, unless you work in an area where there are a lot of repair shops, you're limited in your ability to easily swap out broken tools... which is why I love Craftsman.

As stated above, if I was using my tools to earn a living, maybe I'd feel differently about it. Snap-On makes it easy, they come right to you. I have a couple of mechanic friends who owe Snap-On a ridiculous amount of money.

777ER · 02-16-2009, 09:21 PM

As I work in aircraft maintenance at a Line base, my tools are:

Craftsman
Snap-on
Stahlwille
Knipex Pliers

As for matco, never had good experience with them....they came to promote at Englishtown Raceway park more than a few years ago and a few I know brought a few rachets and some special tools and the rachets broke in 2 of them during normal use and one basically fell apart...one of the special tools had poor welds and looked unsafe construction.

For aircraft maintenance, most of the sockets you're going to use is 12 point deep sockets, in english sizes. Rarely you'd use 10mm, 11mm and 13mm (battery contactors bolts and nuts)

I couldn't find a set of craftsman 12 point sockets that was laser etched with the size for easy reading so I had to buy a small set and the rest piece by piece.

I have sizes from 1/8th all the way to 1 7/8th deep sockets 12 point and then standard sockets from 1/2" all the way to 2" 7/8ths all 12 points.

Some of them are labeled from a label maker as FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTER, or FAV (Fan Air Valve) as they're the ones used on them and it's quick to pull them off the rack.

The only snap on tools I have is: the tigerwave safety wire twister, racheting screwdriver, 2-1/2" crowfoot wrench (fuel lines from wings to engine), forged thin walled deep sockets, and adapters set.

As for torque wrench, that's company tools and they're all Snap-on from screwdriver type all the way to a 4 foot long torque wrench...sent out every year to be calibrated.

The wrenches are all craftsman blue titanium ones with the gearwrench racheting closed end...very useful.

as for Stahlwille, I have the 1" to 3/8" adapter for changing the wheels on the big jets and be able to use the torque wrench without a bunch of adapters.
They have BMW specific tools and kits...I think the BMW factory in Germany uses them.

As for Snap-On, a coworker brought quite alot of them and with a big bill he's still paying off, he started bitching that the snap-on cordless drills sucks big time...and they're POS...I started laughing and said my trusty dewalt drills never gave me problems

As for using snap-on tools, they're good if it's a specific tool, like the crowfoot wrench...who makes a 2-1/2" one? very hard to find other than Snap-On.
Other than that, their special thin walled deep sockets is useful in tight spots like changing the wheel bearing hub on a '00 Deville, I can change it without taking the whole strut apart...saves me alot of time.

Knipex pliers...very good pilers! The Corba ES and the adjustable plier wrench have come very useful, strong grip, tight, just like a socket is on a nut...and no flexing!
Corba ES works well working in the slats in some suitations.

MrHarris · 02-17-2009, 02:44 AM

snap on, but expensive

TurboFan · 02-17-2009, 07:33 PM

I have two chests full of Mac, Snap-on and Craftsman tools. Most of them are well over 40 years old, handed down to me by my grandfather who was a mechanic. Funny thing, the Snap-on stuff is mostly junk. The ratchets suck, and the sockets are so worn its not funny. The craftsman stuff, which my grandfather loved and used the most, while worn, are in far bette shape. They seem to have far out lasted the snap-on. The Mac box end and open end wrenches that haven't broken (only a couple) look pretty good and are still in spec. I'd say the Mac quality control leaves a bit to be desired.

As for power tools, I'll take DeWalt. Best value for the money, and a very wide variety of tools to go with your battery investment. Skip the compact crap, it's a plastic gear box. Stay with the XRP, which is a hybrid metal gearbox. I make a living off these tools.

As for electrical tools, Klein is the only thing I want in my bag. 'Cept for my Fluke meter.

Dwn2earth610 · 02-17-2009, 08:25 PM

snap on, thats what i use and never had a complaint

PrimoM3 · 02-17-2009, 08:29 PM

Does anyone think Craftsman has gone down hill in recent years? I see a lot of shit with rust on it and actually had a wrench crack on my last year. I was SHOCKED! Of course Sears happily replaced it, but I was disappointed...

TK-421 · 02-17-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primo135

Does anyone think Craftsman has gone down hill in recent years? I see a lot of shit with rust on it and actually had a wrench crack on my last year. I was SHOCKED! Of course Sears happily replaced it, but I was disappointed...

I do. I still have some of my dad's trusty Craftsman tools he passed down to me and the ones I recently bought definitely aren't the same. Good thing I can return them to Sears if something goes awry.

Citizen Z · 02-17-2009, 10:16 PM

My fave tool company is e90post.com... /troll

BMW_TT · 02-17-2009, 10:54 PM

Caftsman for the liftetime warranty
Mac
Snap On
Matco

TurboFan · 02-18-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Primo135

Does anyone think Craftsman has gone down hill in recent years? I see a lot of shit with rust on it and actually had a wrench crack on my last year. I was SHOCKED! Of course Sears happily replaced it, but I was disappointed...

I think most things in life aren't as well made as they were 10 or 20 years ago. I've blown the sides out of a couple craftsman sockets, but of course the new ones are free. Ratchets really seem to have gone to sheet.

BMW_TT · 02-18-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboFan

I think most things in life aren't as well made as they were 10 or 20 years ago. I've blown the sides out of a couple craftsman sockets, but of course the new ones are free. Ratchets really seem to have gone to sheet.

True. They seem to be a bit loose now.

02-14-2009, 11:02 PM	#1
Chewyjr15 1 addict and proud! 42 Rep 570 Posts Drives: jb 135 on order Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: irvine, ca iTrader: (0)	favorite tool company matco snap on craftsman i have craftsman stuff but when i get a house i plan on investing in a nice collection of matco tools. __________________ 2009 135 in transit jet black, coral red, 6mt. sports, hifi, ipod usb, idrive parts sitting in garage: RR intake, plenum, ddv, cdv, catless dp's, o2 sim, catback, bmw performance shifter, m door sills, cf spoiler, cf mirror caps, cf grills, cf pedals.
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02-14-2009, 11:55 PM	#3
Kensta335 Brigadier General 161 Rep 3,637 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal 626 iTrader: (4)	snap-on are the best but they cost an arm and a leg. mac tools are pretty good too.
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02-14-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
Chewyjr15 1 addict and proud! 42 Rep 570 Posts Drives: jb 135 on order Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: irvine, ca iTrader: (0)	binford hahah i loled __________________ 2009 135 in transit jet black, coral red, 6mt. sports, hifi, ipod usb, idrive parts sitting in garage: RR intake, plenum, ddv, cdv, catless dp's, o2 sim, catback, bmw performance shifter, m door sills, cf spoiler, cf mirror caps, cf grills, cf pedals.
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02-15-2009, 01:05 AM	#5
Spool ****** 558 Rep 6,169 Posts Drives: A few Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (24)	Snap On is over priced like a mofo, but i was watching "How It's made" and they had a thing on Snap On tools, i think most of their wrenches are forged...pretty cool... I use Husky tools the most, relatively cheap and good quality... __________________ MKIV 6spd 1000hp Club
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02-15-2009, 01:07 AM	#6
Chewyjr15 1 addict and proud! 42 Rep 570 Posts Drives: jb 135 on order Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: irvine, ca iTrader: (0)	saw that same thing on how its made they were making open and box end wrenches haha. Yes i think they are overpriced matco is a bit cheaper and same quality i think i am leaning towards matco. __________________ 2009 135 in transit jet black, coral red, 6mt. sports, hifi, ipod usb, idrive parts sitting in garage: RR intake, plenum, ddv, cdv, catless dp's, o2 sim, catback, bmw performance shifter, m door sills, cf spoiler, cf mirror caps, cf grills, cf pedals.
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02-15-2009, 08:37 AM	#7
Rawhide Captain 363 Rep 794 Posts Drives: 2022 M340ix Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA, KC iTrader: (0)	Craftsman have always served me well. I do not use my tools for a living, if I did perhaps I would prefer the more expensive Snap-On. As it is my tool use is for the occasional project and fix-its around the house, in which case Craftsman tools have lasted me years.
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02-16-2009, 10:23 AM	#9
jlaw First Lieutenant 29 Rep 351 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0)	I have found Craftsman to be more than suitable for my needs. Snap-On stuff is very nice but also very expensive. Plus, unless you work in an area where there are a lot of repair shops, you're limited in your ability to easily swap out broken tools... which is why I love Craftsman. As stated above, if I was using my tools to earn a living, maybe I'd feel differently about it. Snap-On makes it easy, they come right to you. I have a couple of mechanic friends who owe Snap-On a ridiculous amount of money.
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02-16-2009, 09:21 PM	#10
777ER Lieutenant 36 Rep 561 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	As I work in aircraft maintenance at a Line base, my tools are: Craftsman Snap-on Stahlwille Knipex Pliers As for matco, never had good experience with them....they came to promote at Englishtown Raceway park more than a few years ago and a few I know brought a few rachets and some special tools and the rachets broke in 2 of them during normal use and one basically fell apart...one of the special tools had poor welds and looked unsafe construction. For aircraft maintenance, most of the sockets you're going to use is 12 point deep sockets, in english sizes. Rarely you'd use 10mm, 11mm and 13mm (battery contactors bolts and nuts) I couldn't find a set of craftsman 12 point sockets that was laser etched with the size for easy reading so I had to buy a small set and the rest piece by piece. I have sizes from 1/8th all the way to 1 7/8th deep sockets 12 point and then standard sockets from 1/2" all the way to 2" 7/8ths all 12 points. Some of them are labeled from a label maker as FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTER, or FAV (Fan Air Valve) as they're the ones used on them and it's quick to pull them off the rack. The only snap on tools I have is: the tigerwave safety wire twister, racheting screwdriver, 2-1/2" crowfoot wrench (fuel lines from wings to engine), forged thin walled deep sockets, and adapters set. As for torque wrench, that's company tools and they're all Snap-on from screwdriver type all the way to a 4 foot long torque wrench...sent out every year to be calibrated. The wrenches are all craftsman blue titanium ones with the gearwrench racheting closed end...very useful. as for Stahlwille, I have the 1" to 3/8" adapter for changing the wheels on the big jets and be able to use the torque wrench without a bunch of adapters. They have BMW specific tools and kits...I think the BMW factory in Germany uses them. As for Snap-On, a coworker brought quite alot of them and with a big bill he's still paying off, he started bitching that the snap-on cordless drills sucks big time...and they're POS...I started laughing and said my trusty dewalt drills never gave me problems As for using snap-on tools, they're good if it's a specific tool, like the crowfoot wrench...who makes a 2-1/2" one? very hard to find other than Snap-On. Other than that, their special thin walled deep sockets is useful in tight spots like changing the wheel bearing hub on a '00 Deville, I can change it without taking the whole strut apart...saves me alot of time. Knipex pliers...very good pilers! The Corba ES and the adjustable plier wrench have come very useful, strong grip, tight, just like a socket is on a nut...and no flexing! Corba ES works well working in the slats in some suitations. __________________ -Chris 2007 Montego Blue 328xi Sedan \| Poplar trim \| Steptronic \| Cold Package \| Power front seats w/memory \| Xenon Adaptive Headlights \| PDC \| 2008 Plate LED's \| PBX \| LUX v5.2
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02-17-2009, 02:44 AM	#11
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	snap on, but expensive __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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02-17-2009, 07:33 PM	#12
TurboFan Ski bum 317 Rep 6,198 Posts Drives: sideways Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Knee deep in the pow iTrader: (8)	I have two chests full of Mac, Snap-on and Craftsman tools. Most of them are well over 40 years old, handed down to me by my grandfather who was a mechanic. Funny thing, the Snap-on stuff is mostly junk. The ratchets suck, and the sockets are so worn its not funny. The craftsman stuff, which my grandfather loved and used the most, while worn, are in far bette shape. They seem to have far out lasted the snap-on. The Mac box end and open end wrenches that haven't broken (only a couple) look pretty good and are still in spec. I'd say the Mac quality control leaves a bit to be desired. As for power tools, I'll take DeWalt. Best value for the money, and a very wide variety of tools to go with your battery investment. Skip the compact crap, it's a plastic gear box. Stay with the XRP, which is a hybrid metal gearbox. I make a living off these tools. As for electrical tools, Klein is the only thing I want in my bag. 'Cept for my Fluke meter. __________________ 1999 e46 328i Ti Silver / Black[retired] 2007 e90 335xi Jet Black / Black[retired] 2011 e70 X5 35d Vermillion Red / Cinnamon 2011 e92 M3 LeMans / Fox Red extended
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02-17-2009, 08:25 PM	#13
Dwn2earth610 avant-garde 19 Rep 124 Posts Drives: to work everyday Join Date: May 2008 Location: jersey iTrader: (0)	snap on, thats what i use and never had a complaint
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02-17-2009, 08:29 PM	#14
PrimoM3 Chemofski 54 Rep 1,295 Posts Drives: '13 X5M Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Coast, U.S. iTrader: (0)	Does anyone think Craftsman has gone down hill in recent years? I see a lot of shit with rust on it and actually had a wrench crack on my last year. I was SHOCKED! Of course Sears happily replaced it, but I was disappointed... __________________ '13 Individual Frozen Brilliant White ///M3 Coupe Ordered 2/15/12 \| Euro Delivery on 9/21/12 \| U.S. Redelivery on 12/6/12 \| Motor Dead on 7/15/13 '13 Space Gray/Mugello Red X5///M Pavement Punisher \| Snow Muncher \| Family and Board Hauler \| Roadtripper
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02-17-2009, 10:16 PM	#16
Citizen Z Alpine Master 111 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: '08 135i AW Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (1)	My fave tool company is e90post.com... /troll __________________ Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727
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02-17-2009, 10:54 PM	#17
BMW_TT Colonel 224 Rep 2,548 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Caftsman for the liftetime warranty Mac Snap On Matco
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