Buying tools: used vs. new, whatcha think?

[motownbrowne]

So, i'm a vegetable farmer by day, and I have a few side gigs that keep me busy whenever I'm not picking kale or boxing onions. I'm not a professional mechanic.

That said, I am the guy on the farm who fixes stuff. We have a couple old Fords, our new Kubota, some mowers, a Troy-bilt Horse, lots of old implements, a couple Honda cars, a Mazda minivan for deliveries, and my F250 for heavy stuff. So, plenty of things that need fixing.

I have a decent collection of tools, mostly used, but some new stuff, and for the most part I get the job done with what I have. My question is, when I find something I need, am I better off buying new American made tools like "Masterforce" from Menard's, or Allen brand, craftsman, etc, or should I be buying used Snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc.

I can't afford the top-end stuff off the truck, and I'm not wrenching for a living, so I don't really need it, but I'm wary of the new tools on shelves today. It seems like the quality has really gone downhill, and compared to the nice stuff, craftsman type tools feel a little rough and clumsy.

That said, buying used tools isn't as convenient as buying what I need when I need it right off the shelf. Dealing with craigslist sellers isn't always pleasant, and there's no guarantee that the tool i need is available in my area. Also, I'm curious about warranty issue. It seems that the high-buck stuff is higher quality, but if it's used, does that hold up? If I buy craftsman, I can swap it out if it breaks. What about used snap-on? I know that stuff has a lifetime warranty too, but how difficult is it to redeem?


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Professor Marvel]

People seem to know the value of Snap On stuff so don't expect any bargains. Plus I have noticed that you usually don't happen to have a selection USED of just what you are looking for. However, if you just look and find something that is for sale that is what you are looking for go for it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Harbor Freight wrenches have a lifetime warranty and are reasonably priced. Kobalt tools from Lowes seem to be good and have a lifetime replacement warranty also. I would never spring for snap-0n or other high dollar tools for my personal use and even if I were a mechanic, I don't think I would pay that much for tools when these others are available and work well. I might spring for a high dollar ratchet but not sockets, breaker bars etc.

 

[Professor Marvel]

I agree with Gary

 

[boggen]

So, i'm a vegetable farmer by day, and I have a few side gigs that keep me busy whenever I'm not picking kale or boxing onions. I'm not a professional mechanic.

That said, I am the guy on the farm who fixes stuff. We have a couple old Fords, our new Kubota, some mowers, a Troy-bilt Horse, lots of old implements, a couple Honda cars, a Mazda minivan for deliveries, and my F250 for heavy stuff. So, plenty of things that need fixing.

I have a decent collection of tools, mostly used, but some new stuff, and for the most part I get the job done with what I have. My question is, when I find something I need, am I better off buying new American made tools like "Masterforce" from Menard's, or Allen brand, craftsman, etc, or should I be buying used Snap-on, Mac, Matco, etc.

I can't afford the top-end stuff off the truck, and I'm not wrenching for a living, so I don't really need it, but I'm wary of the new tools on shelves today. It seems like the quality has really gone downhill, and compared to the nice stuff, craftsman type tools feel a little rough and clumsy.

That said, buying used tools isn't as convenient as buying what I need when I need it right off the shelf. Dealing with craigslist sellers isn't always pleasant, and there's no guarantee that the tool i need is available in my area. Also, I'm curious about warranty issue. It seems that the high-buck stuff is higher quality, but if it's used, does that hold up? If I buy craftsman, I can swap it out if it breaks. What about used snap-on? I know that stuff has a lifetime warranty too, but how difficult is it to redeem?


Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

*laughs hard* ughs,, masterforce... masterforce... bought a portable table saw / jobsite table saw, and was missing a couple parts, they ended up shipping me the "craftsman" version of the entire large plastic housing that everything fits to (sides of a table saw). rebranding out of hand! all there is to it.

i have obtain a few craiglist tools, and my mom is a garage sale maniac, so some tools come that way. it is a lottery drawing, some stuff easy to tear apart and fix, while other stuff is a complete wipe, and get tossed into garbage.

 

[motownbrowne]

Oh, forgot to mention, I won't buy any tools made overseas (okay, maybe Germany or Japan) if I can at all avoid it. I think that rules HF out.

 

[varmint]

I have a motley assortment of HF wrenches and sockets, and I really can't fault them... their screwdrivers, some of which you get for free, are pretty much worth just that... For occasional use, HF hand tools seem fine, considering the cost when they are on sale. Like the long 1" open end wrench I used to use to tighten my adjustable links... it cost me a buck on clearance. Ratchets and screwdrivers- I'd go for the real stuff, like Proto, Snap on or one of the other mechanic's tool companies.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Myself, I refuse to buy HF tools but in reality machining of wrenches (even Chinese) should have advanced sufficiently that they are accurate and strong enough for all normal use. Moving part tools might be another story. I have always bought Craftsman because I think they were good when I grew up and I like my tools matching but I am pretty sure they are also now made in china. Not sure if I care about a lifetime warranty anymore since I have never broken and open end or combination type wrench ever.
I am sure you will get all sorts of opinions here and I will get amusement out of the responses. Good luck in your choices and thanks for the thread.

 

[DJ54]

The majority of my specialty tools came from auctions. Sometimes you can buy them at a decent price, other times buyer's pay more than they are new. And this was back before Mac & Snap-On were made in China.

I have lucked out several times over the years, and bought Snap-On & Mac ratchet & wrench sets by the box full for $5 -$10 a box, but not often. All 4 shops here have double sets of combination wrenches, 2 with the jumbo sets. I can do a minor fix at anyone of them. Beats dragging wrenches from one, to another.

Never had any problems getting something replaced from being bought at an auction, but it has only been a couple of times. A Flea Market is a good place to pick up odd wrenches. I try and pick up all the thin wrenches I can find. They do come in handy..!!

 

[Clint S]

I go with Craftsmen for many hand tools, that are in my garage toolbox . It is just nice to be able to use them hard and if you break them a 20minute drive has them replaced. Who hasn't used a screwdriver for a prybar or put a section of pipe on a ratchet. For many things I keep on the tractor or in my boat that may get lost I go with the cheaper HF tools, that way if I lose them I am out little $$$$$. If I lose a socket, I go to the fleamarket on Sunday and can usually replace a craftsman socket for .50 to a $1.00 or a wrench for $1.00 $2.00. If they are rusty just take them in and exchange for new.

 

[Xfaxman]

Check the local pawnshops that is where a lot of mine came from. :thumbsup:

 

[muddstopper]

And this was back before Mac & Snap-On were made in China.
!

While I am sure some of Snap-on electric tools, and probably a few of their air tools probably come from China, It might interest you to know that Snap-ons corporate headquarters is located in Murphy NC and that they actually make tools there. Real tools, not rebranded china junk. You may or maynot of already knew this, but your post suggests that all of Snap-on tools are made in China. It might also interest you to know that Snapon makes tools for a lot of other tool companies, so even tho the tool you buy might not say Snapon on the side, theres a good chance that Snapon made those tools also. I dont know anything about where Mac tools are made. Craftsman used to make tools in Kings Mnt NC, but they pulled anchor when Bill Clinton signed NAFTA.

My tool box contains lots of Real American made tools and at least a equal number of off shore stuff. I tend to stay away from the el-cheapo china junk, The stuff that looks chrome plated and subject to bend or break if held too tightly, But for general work, I will try to save a few bucks if its something that doesnt see a lot of use, or is a one time, need it now tool.

 

[motownbrowne]

I dont know anything about where Mac tools are made. Craftsman used to make tools in Kings Mnt NC, but they pulled anchor when Bill Clinton signed NAFTA.

I did recently buy some Mac tools. They say USA right on 'em. I paid $75 for a 10-19mm set of long knuckle-savers, and $150 for a 41 piece set of 3/8" sockets. The sockets included a full set of SAE shallow, full set of metric shallow, most of a set of metric deep, and some random SAE deep. All of those tools were barely used, some never.

I think I got a good deal on that stuff, and it's part of what got me thinking about this topic.

Great responses so far, thanks to everyone for jumping in.

 

[timster2]

I made a living with my tools and when my son started in the industry, and I retired from it, he adopted most of my Snap-on tools. I back filled a lot of the impact sockets and select stuff from HF. I have to say I have not broken any of the impact sockets yet. I have used their wrenches and again have not broken one yet. My son laughs at my discount tool box but it works.

Given the choice of new vs used I would work on picking up Snapon or other brand name tools from garage sales etc., I got a lot that way. If you need a specific tool in a hurry hit HF and take a good look at what they have. A lot of their tools are acceptable for occasional use and they are guaranteed, some are not worth the price, so all are not bad. The tools at HF have been increasing in quality over the years and with all the re-branding going on the same factory in China is producing for many vendors.

 

[mikehaugen]

I really do like snap-on tools... but warranty is sometimes an issue. If you don't have a dealer visiting you, then you have to mail them in. I don't have a dealer, so the tools I have came from ebay or ordered directly from snap-on. I had an old ratchet and found it simpler to pay the $10 and order a rebuild kit than deal with the warranty.

For ratchets I also like matco 88 tooth ratchets. They are not cheap. I like using the smallest drive tool I can (I laugh seeing people use 1/2" ratchet with 7/16" socket) so I have a long handled 1/4" matco ratchet that gets the most workout. It started ratcheting a little funny, not stripped but just weird, so I sent it to matco for rebuild and they sent me a brand new ratchet.

 

[DJ54]

The Snap-On & Mac China made comment, is through a buddy of mine who is an Aircraft Tech. In the last couple of years he's had a ratchet fail, a couple of sockets break, and a few other tools that needed traded back in. All replacements were made in China. He was not happy about that, and complained to the guy selling them. Which all the sales guy can do, is pass it on up the ladder. I'm sure they are made to their specs., but that's not the idea.

His company buys all of his tools, and still gives him a generous tool allowance every month. But, can only be spent with the 3 big tool companies that come around their hangar. Personally, if the company is buying the tools, I don't know that I would complain to loud. But then I've had to work with heavy equipment, that someone flying a desk bought, so I guess I can see his point.

I still have a set of S-K combination wrenches, up through 1-1/4" my Dad bought back in about 1960. Only had the 3/4" wrench break. None have had an easy life. Guess that says something about their quality.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Oh, forgot to mention, I won't buy any tools made overseas (okay, maybe Germany or Japan) if I can at all avoid it. I think that rules HF out.

OK, that rules out almost all electrical tools. Hope you have all the old hand tools to sand, rasp, file with because that is what you will be using if you don't use tools made in China. Almost all the original USA brands are now made in China. I don't think made in China automatically makes them bad. Some are crap but others seem to work OK. I have 4 of the 4.5" grinders, 3 from HF and one DeWalt about 20 years old but the first 15 saw very little use. Most of the HF, I have had and used a lot for 5 years and they still work perfectly. I prefer the paddle switch style and I think they are $29 on sale and they are much stronger than the slide switch version. My BIL gave me one of the slide switch versions that are about $15 and it works OK also but I don't like the switch although my DeWalt is also a slide switch.

I did take off the gear box head on all the HF grinders and but some good grease in them. They don't have much from the factory and what is there is more like wax than grease. I recommend everyone buying HF electric grinders do the same with them.

 

[motownbrowne]

@Gary: I said I won't buy "made-in-China" if I can avoid it, not that I wouldn't ever but them. I get your point, and already own an angle grinder that I'm sure is made in China, as well as some other power tools.

That said, to me it is not just about quality. It's about keeping jobs here. As long as I can afford to do so, I'll be buying American-made whenever I can.

 

[kencunningham]

Autozone doesnt have the best prices, but the duralast brand has lifetime warranty. Some of them actually have "lifetime warranty" stamped on the side of the wrench.

 

[jaotguy]

Personally, if the company is buying the tools, I don't know that I would complain to loud. But then I've had to work with heavy equipment, that someone flying a desk bought, so I guess I can see his point.

when you're wrenching something big ( or hard) , you don't want that tool to fail and bust your knuckles or swing the end into your face /teeth ... or slice up your hands and put you out of work for awhile ....

buy the best ( guaranteed ) you can afford ... buy good quality "used" when they present themselves ... don't loan them out ... buy those really needed odd ball sizes/ specialty tools as needed or as they come up .... ( if you need a 1 3/16" deep socket , don't buy the whole set up to 3" if you'll never use them ) use a cross slide 3/4 or 1" cheater bar to loosen / tighten big bolts and nuts, and use the 1/2" drive to assemble ....