Socket Set question

5030 · Jul 3, 2004

Bird:

I stand corrected. They are nice tools though. Not bad for a box store.

KiotiJohn · Jul 3, 2004

Kobalt tools used to be made by JH Williams, and now by Danaher. Williams was a division of Snap-On, Snap-On owned the building where they were manufactured, but Snap-On never made Kobalt. In my research I've found that many people think the Kobalts are not as good as Craftsmen, Husky and others. John

chim · Jul 3, 2004

While it's interesting to see which brand has what parent company, you must remember that the Geo Metro and the Escalade belong to the same family. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif..................chim

Rch · Jul 3, 2004

I've accumulated various ratchet wrenches over the years. The Snap-on are nice but to change directions you have to press and rotate a disc on the back of the ratchet head and this is often a two -handed job and even necessitates taking the wrench out of a close space. By looking at it you can't tell easily what way it is set for /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The Craftmans and some others have a little lever that a finger can flip- much easier to use /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
As someone mentioned, those big laser-etched size markings are worth it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I also like to check how easy the ratchet backs up so a nut won't unscrew on you when first started.
Also, a finer toothed ratchet with a small angle can make it in a restricted area /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Junkman · Jul 3, 2004

Snap-On makes a lot of different type of ratchets and some of them are the flip lever design. I have mostly Snap-On, but mine are all older production products, having bought them back in the early 1960's. I have 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" in every feasible configuration by Snap-On and still don't always have the one needed. I bought many of there used also, so they are well worked. My 3/4" drive is Craftsman USA. I have also seen Craftsman 3/4" drive sets that were manufactured in Taiwan. Not as good quality, but who cares. If you break it, then bring it back to Sears for a free replacement. Many of the tools that you purchase today, are all made by one company and branded for the different companies that sell them. In these cases, go for the least expensive. An example of this would be pullers, easy outs, etc. Just remember, when the largest tool to fit the nut, doesn't work, then get out the hot wrench. Never seen one that wouldn't come off that way.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Inspector507 · Jul 3, 2004

Sears also sells a line labeled "Sears" not Craftsman. They do not carry a lifetime warranty /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thebigc · Jul 6, 2004

I'd heard that Kobalt tools were being made by Allen. Is Allen also part of Danaher??

By the way, Danaher also makes Armstrong tools. Nice stuff.

Donny

KENSFM · Jul 6, 2004

Donny,
Yes, Allen is also owned by Danaher.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

isucrazy · Jul 6, 2004

Good point about how easy the ratchet backs up or ratchets as not to undo what ya just did! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif And it must cost a bundle to mark the sizes on sockets, cause they sure do mark em as lightly as they can it seems! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif That lazer marking is about time gettin here now that we all or most folks have a lifetime supply built up! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Am I the only one here that prowles the pawn shops for good tools on the bargan? Buy the broken ones if you can and trade em for new ones when you see the tool trk. somewhere. Good tools are higher than cheep tools for sure.

OrangeGuy · Jul 6, 2004

Rch,

All my Snap-On ratchets have little levers to change direction. My Craftsmen rachets require rotating a disk at the back of the ratchet head. Must be an age thing. My Snap-Ons are less than 5 years old while my Craftman go back 40 years.

The Craftsman are great tools. For the most part they are my everyday tools. However, my Snap-On tools are the "Cadillac" of tools. They are the best quality tools I have ever worked with.

OrangeGuy

California · Jul 6, 2004

( Am I the only one here that prowls the pawn shops for good tools on the bargain? Buy the broken ones if you can and trade em for new ones when you see the tool trk. somewhere. Good tools are higher than cheep tools for sure. )

Hmmm. I have accumulated some US made, half inch drive sockets for an eventual yard sale. All good brands - S&K, Proto, Herbrand, Thorsen, Williams, and some antique Craftsman and all from the era when they were US made. No sets, just individual unmatched pieces showing substantial use. Sizes up to 7/8.

I was thinking to sell these oldies at several sockets per $. Are these classics worth more than that due to the free exchange when they finally break? Should I list them individually on ebay?

isucrazy · Jul 6, 2004

The way I understand it there is nothing that can't be sold on EBAY. Worn out or rounded out ain't broken. You might be supprised thow and recieve new ones for em. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Bird could tell you better than me , brother I think has a tool truck. Good luck eather way with the ol classics collection.

JDdude · Jul 6, 2004

This is a great place to buy tools..I have bought many Sunex brand impact swivels,etc and they are great quality..IMO

http://www.toolparadise.com/

MicroPilot · Jul 7, 2004

My BIL, who is an aircraft mechanic, told me that the Snap-On tools, while high quality, have much closer tolerances. Because of this they are sometimes difficult to use because they are harder to get around a nut or bolt. He prefers using the Craftsmen brand, especially when working "blind".

thebigc · Jul 7, 2004

( And it must cost a bundle to mark the sizes on sockets, cause they sure do mark em as lightly as they can it seems! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

One of my pet peeves is the knurling(or lack thereof) on extensions. Most of it is on there just for show, or it's only effective when your hands are squeaky clean. Which isn't often while wrenching your CUT/implements!! My TrueCraft stuff has knurling you can feel! Too bad they're out of the tool business /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Donny

isucrazy · Jul 7, 2004

I will be glad when someone comes out with a feeler guage you can still read after a couple years too. I have a MAC that you can only read a couple of sizes on and the dang thing is only 81-04.... 23yrs. old. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Wonder why my valves rattle worse than before I adjusted em?

Junkman · Jul 8, 2004

Your selling costs are going to be high on individual items and the selling price is going to be low because of the high cost of shipping a small heavy item. Many items can be sold on e Bay, but usually they have to be a savings over new or no longer available. If that socket cost $7.50 new, how much do you think that a person will bid? Then add the cost of shipping a 1 pound or less package by U.S. Priority Mail is going to cost $3.85 for the lower 48. When you add the bid amount to the shipping, you are at the cost of new. Your auction listing fee is 35 cents plus the selling commission. I don't think that selling them individually on e Bay makes sense.
I have purchased a few replacement wrenches (Snap-On) on e Bay, but usually have to by others that I don't need in the lot. Shipping on a bunch of wrenches is a lot better than on one item. Usually I don't bid more than 40% of new, when I add the shippping, I am usually at 50% -60 % of new and anything more than that is no longer a good deal.

dixiedrifter · Jul 13, 2004

Stanley tools from wally world are pretty decent. I use regular sockets and have hammered the heck out of them with an impact wrench and not broke them. I busted 3 cheap HF impact sockets the other day. If it were me, and I had to get a good set of shop tools, I'd go with Craftsman hands down.

Also, you might want to consider getting an electric impact wrench. I have a 1200 watt power inverter hooked up to my truck. Its big enough to run an angle grinder and impact wrench out in the field.

Sam's Club sells the same identical thing for wayyyy less money. Mine set me back $150 or so with sales tax.

LBrown59 · Nov 3, 2004

My uncle moved from Ohio to Mt. Carmel Il. back in the 30s when he was in his early twentys to go to work for Snap-On.
Worked for them till retirement age.
My cousin his son retired from there last year,his wife retired from Snap-On a couple of years before that.

hobbyfarm · Nov 3, 2004

Hey Jim,
Don't forget Danaher Corp. 
They make an awesome selection of tools in various brands (including Craftsman brand).

"Danaher is committed to deliver customer-driven new product innovation through user-preferred brands such as, Armstrong®, Matco®, Sears Craftsman®, AllenTM, KD-Tools®, Holo-Krome®, NAPA®, and SATA." 

Also don't forget some other good brands most people have never heard of:

Blackhawk Tools
Williams Tools - very popular in the mining, oilfield, and railroad industries. So good in fact that Snap-On bought them out rather than compete against them, but they are still in production.

Other than machinery, my other passion is TOOLS!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

phil