Craftsman, Husky, or Kobalt hand tools
- Thread starter HawgWild
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Quatre Coureur
New member
Always had good luck with Craftsmen. Good return policy, but I think Kobalt and Husky have the same policy. Skip the cheap, Chinese junk from Harbor Freight. Which store is most accessible to you?
bofa
New member
It's all Chinese junk these days, if we are talking monkey wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc... even the affordable Craftsman stuff.
OP, really for basic hand tools you can't go wrong with any of them. I have a bit of each that I accumulated as gifts all in a cheap 3 piece rolling tool chest from HF and they serve their purpose. Craftsman tends to have tons of sales around Fathers Day and Christmas. HF always has sales and their infamous 20% coupon. Also, some Lowes and HD accept that coupon on similar items they sell (yes, even power tools!).
If you give an idea of what you are specifically looking for I'm sure we could give you a better idea.
HawgWild
New member
All 3 are within 2-4 miles of my house. Lowes is probably the closest and most visited.
I'm specifically looking for hand tools. I don't have any. I borrow my roommates whenever I need to use some. I don't need any power tools at the moment.
BrianSD_42
New member
There are still some good non-chinese brands out there such as Klien and ChannelLock
Stick Figure
New member
Watch Craigslist for some good used stuff. There are a lot of old American made tools left in this world that will out last another couple of generations of the current crap available.
If you are set on going new check the hot deal section over on garage journal for some good sales to maximize what you can get for your money.
If you are set on going new check the hot deal section over on garage journal for some good sales to maximize what you can get for your money.
Ol'Blue
New member
Agree with some of the guys. Look for Sears to run specials around holidays. I have a nice 300 piece I got for 125 bucks with all the savings they offered. Standard and Metric all the way up to 1 1/4 and I think 22mm? It is a nice set for around the house and for the 4Runner. not much you can't fix with this set. I got some extra stuff for mine when I bought it because I saved so much $$$ when it was on sale. Sorry it is a 255 piece set not 300. I'm sure it is now with all my extra stuff in it.
Also, never be afraid to hit the swap meets for tools. I have got allot of good power tools there for cheap also (chain saws for 50 bucks). Most guys selling stuff will make a deal at the end of the day vs in the morning time.
Blue
255 Pc Mechanics Tool Set: Never Again Borrow a Tool!
Also, never be afraid to hit the swap meets for tools. I have got allot of good power tools there for cheap also (chain saws for 50 bucks). Most guys selling stuff will make a deal at the end of the day vs in the morning time.
Blue
255 Pc Mechanics Tool Set: Never Again Borrow a Tool!
1engineer
Moderator
You live in Arkansas right? I would think your area and mine in WV are culturally alike (not like California or NY) so let me tell you what I did, and still do to some extent:
Once upon a time I was like you and had no tools or really anything. Every Saturday I would go to the local Flea Market and look for hand tools. I kept away from the new stuff and looked for old socket sets, ratchets, hammers, etc that were quality stuff that was just older and used. Fast forward til today and at 50 years old I STILL am using the same sockets, ratchets and tools I purchased 30 years ago that was 30 years old then! For example, I am using a set of Stanley Sockets and Ratchet that is 50+ years old! I paid $5.00 for the full set lol. Point is, a tool does not have to be pretty, shiny or new to be good. Save money and go look for good used tools. You can also find cool stuff at a Flea Market! Just keep away from the new cheap junk at the market.
wnelax04sr5
New member
i have a craftsman compressor, impact gun, air ratchet, air chisel, die grinder, socket set metric and standard, wrenches, and i have never had anything bend, break, or chip. i highly recommend them
BucknutBob
New member
For hand tools, I wouldn't hesitate for a second recommending Craftsman. Forget that "entry-level" moniker--these are just as good as triple-the-price Snap-On. The only problem with Craftsman is they don't have all the tools the other guys carry, so if you get more specialized, you may need to go with another brand for those. Watch buying the Craftsman sets, though--the larger ones just get that way by including slightly different styles of the same tool (different handles, etc.).
Stick Figure
New member
Don't get me wrong I wouldn't suggest for the OP to run out and drop 20gs on a Snap on, but I also wouldn't say new Craftsman is just as good as Snap on. 99.9% of the time it simply isn't. Nothing wrong with a lot of Craftsman tools (their cheaper ratchets do BLOW though) but I would bet on Snap on holding up over Craftsman all day long.
Hex (allen) sockets are another Craftsman product I won't recommend. Particularly their tapered design on the 3/8 and 10mm. I have a great scar on my wrist from snapping on of those off and dragging my wrist across a stud when it let go. I will actually say buy HF over Craftsman when it comes to hex sockets.
UnderFire
New member
Craftsman has always seemed the nicest, kobalt is just as tough, but not as user friendly. I have a kobalt ratchet set and they are super thick, very hard to use in tight spaces, the 1/2" drive ratchet is around 3/4" thick at the head. Only used husky wrenches, they're junk.
TNRunner99
New member
Just about everything I have is Craftsman. I don't have a lot, but if you look on Sears website they run deals on tool sets every now and then. My set is pretty limited (ie: a tool box you can carry) but its still enough to wrench on my Runner. All you need for a Toyota is a good variety of metrics. I think Craftsman is the best quality for the price.
I have mostly craftsman tools and have used them a lot more than your average garage junky for the better part of ten years. They have done great and have only had to swap out some stripped Allen wrenches, bent small punches and some flat tip screw drivers from me prying with them. Most of my screw drivers are snapon though because their tips grip the screws better. I won't hesitate to buy craftsman. The only thing I would do again is buy their professional line of wrenches. They are a smaller profile and more ergonomic.
ben550
New member
haha thats good.
you're concerned about buying hand tools when you're driving a $36k vehicle...
1engineer
Moderator
I am putting two kids through college. Damn right I worry about cost of hand tools and everything else.
ben550
New member
Exactly... so buy a used 4Runner for 10k (paid off in full) no interest no payments, or buy a brand new trail edition and make $500/month payments for the next 5 years...
Doesn't make financial sense to worry about the price difference of hand tools while dropping that kind of money on a truck.
