Best sockets & rachets to buy

[Sidney]

Below is a list of the best hand tools I compiled from other peoples opinions:

Hand Tools (sockets, rachets, wrenches)

Snap On Tools (West Ward) (USA)
Mac Tools (Blue Point) (USA)
Gedore (Germany)
Facom (France)
SK Hand Tool Corp (USA)
Wright Tool (USA)
Stahlwille (USA I think)
Craftsman (Sears, USA)
Mastercraft (Canadian Tire, Canada) (www.mastercrafttool.com)
Ko-Ken (Japan)
Matco Tools
Moto Tools
Britol
Gray

Sidney

 

[ovrrdrive]

Hey Sidney... I didn't realize you posted over here. I guess things are pretty quiet these days over on toyota nation...

Snap on tools are widely regarded over here as the best you can get but you wouldn't believe the prices. I have a Snapon 5/16" line wrench in my toolbox that cost $26! Stuff looks nice and feels nice though, and of course is lifetime warranteed.

Most of my stuff is Popular Mechanics from Walmart and what ever brand Harbor freight is selling this week.

 

[04 sc V8]

I personally have thousands of dollars invested in tools, 90% being Snap-on. I recieved a deal of 65% off on 10k worth when graduating diesel school and there definitely is a difference if you use them all the time, especially as a professional. I have owned Craftsman since I was 12 years old and they're good tools for the money. Don't get me wrong, I own Matco, SK, Mac, cresent,OTC, made in china and many other brands. I don't buy top of the line stuff if I'm only going to use it once or twice.

 

[K_Labs]

Harbor Freight! I got my cherry picker and engine stand there as well as my off road lights $15 a piece! I love that place really cheap flood lights too for late night car work

 

[peter78]

I have a few snap on and yes a few harbor freight. I would say, snap on is about the best, but the bulk of my ratchets, sockets and wrenches are Craftsman, simply because if they break, I can return them. They are also pretty well made. I have returned a few screw drivers, but have not had a problem with the ratchets, sockets and wrenches. Oh yeah, the harbor freight tools usually collect rust.

 

[K_Labs]

I'm a craftsman club member 10% Discount baby! BTW A heads up for all you craftsman fans. The warrenty for Torque wrenches has been revoked from lifetime to 1 year only. BULLSHIZLE! I purchased mine b4 the change so even though it was 5 years old I still had the original packaging that said "LIFETIME WARRENTY" so after they gave me a new one they said I have 1 year from the exchange date.

 

[dl19]

Snap On, MAC, are the best and you pay for them. If you wrench a lot they fit and are noticeably better. For the cost you can not beat Craftsman with a warranty that equals Snap On. I just bought a Snap On 3/8 Torque Wrench. Had the adjustments and detail quality needed for working on Snowmobile, Wave Runner, and Mortorcyles. I use a S-K for my heavy work, but there is no comparison. I paid almost twice the price for the Snap On. If it is going to be used a lot then Snap On. I have a Snap On 1/2 impact wrench that has literally taken off thousands of wheels. I also have a IR 1" that will freaking break just about anything loose when ran at 150PSI.

 

[K_Labs]

I work in a Davenport machine shop and if there is any wrench I have to use it's a craftsman or better. I've used that made in china crap and had the wrench just break right off and bust my knuckles up. So if you like your knuckles no "made in china" crap.