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First I know we have a tool thread in the vault but I can't post anything there.

I was just gonna ask if any of you have any opinions of the following. Kobalt, Craftsman, Husky and of course Snap-on. I've owned all and still have most of them around, and all have a liftime warrenty.

Speaking of hand tools, rachets, sockets, wrenches, ect.. but if you wanna add/comment on anything else please feel free.

So....... whats yer opinion?



We could do it ourselves and see if the mods object. They'll let us know :-)

So Matt, I have a collection spanning well into the mid 20th century because I "inherited" some of my wife's grandfathers bits from his tenure in the Bell System. I also have my first mechanics set of Craftsman metrics, purchased in 1973, a 1/2" a basic set of sockets and the ratchet is still in tip top condition. Very well made. I asked a tool vendor once and he wa under the impression that Crafstman, Kobalt and S&K were manufactured by the same company to the specs of the brand. I know first hand about "badging" products so I don't find this unreasonable to believe but I have no knowledge of tool origins when it comes to actual manufacturing. That's really another discussion.
I find this to be true, if you want a tool to last, buy a known brand. If you want a tool for a job, charge for it and use it up...that's the contractors creed. So less expensive knock offs make economic sense.
The better Kobalt is akin to Craftsman and S&K, tools that feel good in your hand and are dependable and sturdy. You can readily separate out the expendable tools that are also members of these brands...and that's a new feature of the past decade and a half, they've introduced lower quality bits into otherwise fine tool lines.
Don't have any Mac tools but I'd bet they're fine. The Mechanics linemfrom Ace hardware holds up very well too and looks suspiciously like Craftsman. I tend to stay away from Harbor Freight and flea markets. Sometimes those things are okay but I look at my tools as an investment and I want that long term pay back. Not to say you can't find a bargain and be well satisfied...I'd just bet they won't endure like my first tools have.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)