Tool Brand Make

Twincam · 11-12-2007, 5:59 PM

Hi Everyone,

Im sorry if there was a thread already on this subject but couldnt find it

I was just wondering what brand of tools bikers all over the world trust and use. I personally have faith in Snap-On (I know its expensive but they are really good and they have never let me down) but generally i use American/England/German made tools as the quality is better than chinease tools - has to be said

Thanks for your responses (if i get any)

slickwill · 11-12-2007, 8:14 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the top level tools that come with a lifetime warranty, Snap-On, Matco, Craftsman. I personally use the Craftsman just because you can get two sockets for the price of one snap-on socket and it is easier for the average person to take care of warranty issues. Every time I break anything I just walk in hand them the broken one show them the new one and walk out. I went through probably 15 of their shovels when I was landscaping. Very rarely did they actually fail, usually we ended up running them over with a skid-steer. For a professional snap-on is awesome because you have rep that shows up on schedule. It just depends on what you find convenient and what you prefer. It's almost like boxers vs. briefs. Arguments for any of the options but it is completely a preference issue. I have a few chinese tools as well. Sometimes they are all I can afford.

Twincam · 11-13-2007, 1:10 PM

Im not saying chinease are totally crap, i used to use them as they were always available and if i broke a socket, i could go get one for a few pence.

Ive never heard of Matco or Craftsman, are they only available in the US?

Thanks

sospelotudo · 12-24-2007, 11:47 PM

Late to thread but...I am a tech here in the USA and I have mostly Beta (Italian, call me strange), Snap-On/Blue Point, Hazet (German) and some Matco and Craftsman. Craftsman is a Sears brand and based in the USA. Matco private labels alot of their tools, some not so good, but more affordable than Snap-On. They also sell Knipex pliers, which are great. If you are in the industry or a racer who does all their own work, I highly recommend owning a VacuumMate synchronizer. I have some Motion Pro junk too, they specialize in motorcycle tools, but the quality of some of their stuff is so-so. They are trying to remain affordable to do-it-yourselfers, I believe.

Doomwitha929 · 12-25-2007, 12:24 AM

I am a professional auto technician and have used about everything in a industry setting so I have a pretty good idea whats what. Most of the tools mentioned are good. Craftsman tools are nice and work well for average joe but lack some when it comes to everyday constant duty. Matco, Snap-On and Mac tools work better for everyday. I have found MATCO to be excellent tools and in some cases nicer then MAC or Snap-On usually for less money. Again unless you are using these everyday professionally Craftsman is likley fine but for a profession the extra money for Snappy etc is well spent. I have also had good luck with some SK tools. I have a socket set and a wrench set for years that I really like. The wrenches especially have the same quality and style as Snap-On ones but with a flatter edge making them easier on your hand when using a lot of force. There is another brand like BlackHawk that I cannot think of at the moment that makes some very nice tools. If I think if it I will repost

rokitt51 · 12-25-2007, 1:45 AM

I pretty much just head to auto zone and do the "BUILT TO LAST- DURALAST" thing. Havent had any probs with their tools yet. Hopefully never. they have a lifetime warranty anyway. I think.

Twincam · 12-25-2007, 6:50 AM

Well if the tool does the job, then i think its a good tool.

There is no point going out and spending big bucks on big names like Snap on if the other tools do the same job for cheaper prices.

Ive built trust in Snap on and Blue Point and thats the reason why i like using them - Sealey tools, Mac Tools, SP, Chicago Pneumatics, Facom along with many others are in my tool boxes too.

macker · 01-16-2008, 7:53 PM

most top brands are decent but its a very individual thing.price ,avalability,and what your use to are all factors in the purchase of new tools.

adriano1k · 02-15-2008, 11:48 AM

im an automotive technician. have been for a while so i buy atleast one new tool a week. id have to say im extemely loyal to snap-on. when i break a tool the guy ull come to house to replace. and he comes to drop off things ive special ordered even if its not his day. id have to say the customer satisfaction won me over. ill still buy other tools if i need them. but for the quality, snap-on digs deep in my wallet

Twincam · 02-15-2008, 2:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adriano1k

im an automotive technician. have been for a while so i buy atleast one new tool a week. id have to say im extemely loyal to snap-on. when i break a tool the guy ull come to house to replace. and he comes to drop off things ive special ordered even if its not his day. id have to say the customer satisfaction won me over. ill still buy other tools if i need them. but for the quality, snap-on digs deep in my wallet

Im with you on this one!

Im looking to buy one of them huge Snap on chests, some on ebay at fraction of the retail price. Problem is they will leave a huge hole in my wallet too

Decisions Decisions

CBR400RR · 02-23-2008, 2:11 AM

Craftsman is good for the average guy but when I started my own motorcycle repair shop I started breaking them. So I sold all of my Craftsman tools except the box and replaced everything with Snap-on. I have had almost no problems and anything I do have a problem with they will drive to my shop and take care of it for me.

johnx14 · 02-24-2008, 7:42 PM

but the best u can, ive had cheap spanners etc break easily.

Twincam · 02-25-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnx14

but the best u can, ive had cheap spanners etc break easily.

Did you mean to say,

"buy the best u can, ive had cheap spanners etc break easily."

?

Ps, try not to buy the drop forged spanners, chrome vand is better

nedro · 02-25-2008, 5:18 PM

I was a professional Mechanic for a little over a decade.
Snap-on for everything except...
Hazet for FI, Cam, and Diesel timing tools.
Mac for impact sockets.
Matco for straight and offset ratchet wrenches.

BIG NOTE HERE!!!
Only Snap-on makes 1/4" drive universal sockets that are worth a damn. Their short socket 1/4" drive universals are shorter than all other brands. Try using something else as a pro mechanic. You will be sorry.

Bigtoe · 02-26-2008, 7:46 AM

I like my Craftsman for my garage use. If I were a professional I'd use Snap-On or Mac Tools.

Jaranden · 02-26-2008, 8:30 AM

Not much use on bikes (yet) but the Army uses S&K. We abuse them pretty badly, but they hold up pretty well. 6ft breaker handle on a 3/4 in wrench

only tweaked a little, and we used it all day.

nedro · 02-26-2008, 1:38 PM

Any Chrome Vanadium tool will hold up. And any wrench will do when you have all the room in the world to work with.
Try using those S&K tools in and around an engine compartment. Sure you can get away with it for the most part, but it won't be fun. And it certainly won't do it all.

slickwill · 03-06-2008, 11:20 AM

Yeah, a lot of time having tools that are just a little smaller and thinner can make a big difference. I really like the Snap-On end wrenches. They are very thin but plenty long.

adamjayp · 04-04-2008, 9:01 AM

+1 for snap on Universals. The army switched to a different vendor for their toolboxes (aviation anyway) and we went from snap-on to (heaven help us) PROTO tools. the 12 point 1/4 inch-1/4 inch drive universals lasted almost 20 min. We broke 3 the first week we were in Afghanistan. Up until then, I'd never broken one. I know, why 12 point... It's a universal, Right? WRONG! believe it or not, the head of the bolt/nut is a 12 point, and there are places on the engine where you can't get a regular socket... Long story short, 20 bucks is a lot of money for a socket, but a lifetime warranty is useless if you can't get the tool to finish the job before you have to get it replaced... And there is no snap-on guy in Afghanistan.

jlaman19 · 07-05-2008, 6:35 PM

A big selling point for me whether it was snap on, matco or cornwell was being able to make payments....and with no interest. Working as a diesel tech sometimes I couldnt really find anything I needed at stores anyways. sometimes I could go to harbor freight and buy a tool that I knew would probably break but was so cheap I could buy another after 6 months and still have money left over compared to the alternative.

silverback · 07-12-2008, 6:02 PM

As a professional I am sold on snap-on quality. I seem to buy at least one if not two new tools every week. I started out almost exclusively with craftsman, then slowly was converting over to mac. One day I needed a 20mm wrench and snap-on was the only one close to the shop so I bought a set of there Flank drive wrenches. They are light years ahead of any other wrench I have used. It has been about 5 years since i have bought anything other than snap-on. As crazy as it sounds between my box and all of my tools I have about 90k in tools.

Doomwitha929 · 07-12-2008, 7:17 PM

90K sounds about right. Luckily I am a Nissan tech so only have to have the usual stuff plus things particular to Nissan. I know a lot of guys at independant shops that have two or three times the tools I do because they have to work on everything.
I don't know how many people I have been talking to about work are surprised when they learn we have to buy our own tools. Usually they make some comment about how expensive it is to get their car repaired and I mention that we have to pay for our tools and they say "what, dosent the shop buy them for you?"

-Z- · 07-13-2008, 5:15 AM

I use just about any brand as long as it has a lifetime warranty and will get the job done. I don't abuse my tools so I see no reason I should need to replace them, but just in case, I want to make sure there's a proper warranty behind it. In my tool bag/box I have Snap-On, Matco, SK (some purchased through Snap-On, some surplus from the Army), Duralast, Powerbuilt, Craftsman, and some Motion Pro GARBAGE. Yeah, I say garbage, but sometimes I need a tool NOW and they're the only ones who have it without waiting to get it...plus I get a huge discount on their stuff.