Looking at new tools Options

[Montreal914]

I am looking at refreshing some of my tools for the second part of my amateur wrenching life. My combination wrenches are a collection of ~50% old Mastercraft (Canadian brand) mixed with ~50% Craftsman, both with a fair amount of mileage (over 30 years). I definitely want to drop the Martsercraft as they are of dull porous finish and more difficult to clean.

I was looking into a few options:

- Buy used US made Craftsman missing wrenches to complete my current Crafstman partial set. Not too excited about this option because of the wrenches semi-porous finish (again, cleaning).

- Buy new Tekton set. (cheap!)

- Buy used good condition Snap-On set.

Unfortunately, I have not experienced working a lot with Snap-On tools but have been very pleased with the 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets I have recently purchased. I know the feel is very nice working with them.

Also, it seems like there are very few uses for sizes above 19mm on our 914s. Tekton sets offer up to 19 or 22mm (and more). Any good reasons why I would want the 20, 21, 22mm wrenches? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Any comments on Crafstman, Tekton, Snap-On? Other good wrench brands to recommend? Looking for a purchase that will last me for the rest of my existence where I could get a replacement wrench if I was to loose or break one, both of which are doubtful (I think).

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Moving on to sockets. I have a mixed match of 12 and 6 point mostly craftsman of different model with odd brands in the mix. I am looking at having only 6 point sockets.

Same kind of options:

- Buy used US made Craftsman sockets to complete my sets.

- Buy new Tekton sets.

- Buy used good condition Snap-On sets.

There, I am a little more picky and know that some of the key elements to good sockets are the smallest outside diameter for clearance, the inside dimensions to be able to handle the rounded of bolt heads, and the smallest lead in chamfer to offer the most amount of contact surface.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to sockets of various brands to compare these things. A lot of YouTube reviews are just crap and talk about the casing and how many sockets but don't really talk about their engineering with effective technical comparison.

Inputs welcomed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Thank you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[914e]

I have a mix. In grade school and high school I mostly used Craftsman. That is what my dad had and when I needed a tool I would pick it up a Sears. After High School and working as a dealer mechanic the prices on the tool trucks came as a huge shock. But I needed certain tools and started the grow my tool collection at likely 5 times the cost of craftsman. I'm pretty sure my combination wrench sets were around $200 each 7 piece set close to forty years ago. By 1982 every new car was metric except powertrains. So I was in need of more metric tools.

The Craftsman tools while great for home use, really started having problems being used 8 hours a day. I was stopping by Sears twice week to have tool replaced. I never had a problem exchanging them but the time lost with broken tools was becoming a problem.
So my core tools are Snap On. I can count on hand the times I have had one break, and each one I was pushing the tool hard. Like trying to help someone replace a tire on truck with a 3/8 ratchet. The small electronics cutters and screwdrivers are fantastic.

I used to have deal with some small connectors that will destroy the few dollar 1/8" blade screwdrivers you might be able to do a hundred connectors before damaging the blade. Thirty-five years a ago everyone I worked with thought is was crazy to 10-12 dollars on a tiny flat blade. I have two of them, I chipped the tip once on one of them I redressed it and it has been fine for a few more decades. I have used those on tens of thousands of connectors.

Without easy access to a Snap On truck I will say service is a pain. Not the no questions asked service I have in the 80's. I don't think they will replace items that are just worn. I have few sockets that have heavy wear, I don't think they will replace them.

Flankdrive was amazing 40 years ago but most good tools these days have some version of that.

As I have needed larger 20mm and above tools those have been a mix of Harbor Freight, Husky and AutoZone and O'Reilly tools. Auto supply tools tend to be junk.
The Harbor Freight tool boxes are better quality than my 40 year old Snap On box. They didn't have roller bearing slides back then.

There is many good hand tool options now.