I'm done with Craftsman

[Whitetrash]

I still have an old 1/2" Craftsman ratchet that I use occasionally I haven't purchased anything Craftsman in many many years. I have started to pick up more and more Icon tools. For pliers and such I am real partial to Knipex.

[tenkara500]

another never again Craftsman here- Kobalt or Icon will do for me for now- except for my odd affinity for Knipex pliers.....something about their quality appeals to me.....

[Scratch]

I'm fine with the quality of Craftsman tools, it's just replacing them is so difficult that I won't buy them again.

[gimpyrobb]

Harbor freight 301 piece tool set is the best you will get now a days. I collect military surplus and all the trucks use fine thread fasteners. I spent a long time looking for a set with 6 point sockets(as to not round the heads off), this was the only one. They also have lifetime warranty on hand tools. I have yet to be turned away in the 8 yrs I've been using the set. For under $200 out the door with tax, you'll never find a better set.

https://go.harborfreight.com/email/2...ENGAGED&plcc=N

[TEK]

Originally Posted by gimpyrobb

Harbor freight 301 piece tool set is the best you will get now a days. I collect military surplus and all the trucks use fine thread fasteners. I spent a long time looking for a set with 6 point sockets(as to not round the heads off), this was the only one. They also have lifetime warranty on hand tools. I have yet to be turned away in the 8 yrs I've been using the set. For under $200 out the door with tax, you'll never find a better set.




https://go.harborfreight.com/email/2...ENGAGED&plcc=N

I got both my grandsons this set, when they turned 10 last year....seems to be a good set, according to their moms:

[dubby]

I had a customer bring a small knipex in to have a sheath made for his belt. I hadn't seen/heard of them before then and quickly became a fan. Now, I don't know that it's necessarily better quality or just a different color Kool-Aid. But, I've been drinking it too.

The big thing I've noticed is that since I spend so much money on them, I take better care of them. They don't get left covered in grease, or flung across the driveway in a hissy fit. Strangely enough, I treat all my old Mac stuff in similar fashion. The new GearWrench stuff I have has been used so rarely that I'd have to say I've taken better care of it as well. My fancy 12v Makita collection has very few scuffs from sliding it across the ground or dropping from a ladder.

That makes me wonder if what I define as a quality tool is correct. My HF stuff is dirty, scratched, bent, dinged up, etc. but it all works just fine. My Ryobi stuff has been used and abused and shows it. If someone needs to borrow something, I certainly don't lend the expensive stuff. My kids have been threatened within in inch of their life for grabbing my blue tools instead of the green ones.

So does it last longer because I've taken better care of it, or does it last longer because it's built better? Hard to say...

[Lew Hartswick]

Knipex tools; here is a set of tools I bought in the fall of 1955 or the spring of 56 (I made two trips) in Germany, I believe it was in Frankfurt just before I came home. They were for the kind of electronic work I was doing in those days. Been using them off and on ever since. I just went out to the garage and took that pix a few minutes ago. What sort of other tools are they making.
I will admit the second from the right hasn't been used very much but it did do a job once that at the time probably couldn't have been done any other way. :-)
...lew...

[toprecycler]

Originally Posted by dubby

I had a customer bring a small knipex in to have a sheath made for his belt. I hadn't seen/heard of them before then and quickly became a fan. Now, I don't know that it's necessarily better quality or just a different color Kool-Aid. But, I've been drinking it too.

The big thing I've noticed is that since I spend so much money on them, I take better care of them. They don't get left covered in grease, or flung across the driveway in a hissy fit. Strangely enough, I treat all my old Mac stuff in similar fashion. The new GearWrench stuff I have has been used so rarely that I'd have to say I've taken better care of it as well. My fancy 12v Makita collection has very few scuffs from sliding it across the ground or dropping from a ladder.

That makes me wonder if what I define as a quality tool is correct. My HF stuff is dirty, scratched, bent, dinged up, etc. but it all works just fine. My Ryobi stuff has been used and abused and shows it. If someone needs to borrow something, I certainly don't lend the expensive stuff. My kids have been threatened within in inch of their life for grabbing my blue tools instead of the green ones.

So does it last longer because I've taken better care of it, or does it last longer because it's built better? Hard to say...

You may be on to something in your thought process. My theory is if you spend your own hard earned money for something, you will tend to take care if it better. Eg, shop tools that everyone uses. Since they did not spend their own money, nor know how much it cost, most workers don’t care how they abuse it. If it breaks, attitude is have the company buy a new one.

I know if I keep a $5 pen in my pocket, I am more apt to make sure I get it back, vs a 60 cent pen, that I can buy a 12 pack of, and not be able to find one a month later.


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[Scratch]

Well, my father in law was cleaning out some of his stuff and knew I was looking to set up another tool kit so he brought over his full set of wrenches he says he never used. He gave me 20 wrenches, they look brand new, 10 metric and 10 SAE. They’re even ratcheting wrenches!
But…

They’re Mastercraft, which is Menards “high quality” brand made of Chinesium.

I’ve never used them but they look…. Ok…?

They do have a lifetime warranty and they say it’s a no receipt exchange, so I guess I’ll give them a shot. I feel like I kind of have to use them since he gave them to me even though I really wanted to try Icon…
But I’m certainly not going to turn away free tools!

Has anyone here used them before?

It looks like it’s this set:
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/h...os=2&exp=false

[greywynd]

When I saw Mastercraft, I wondered, as that’s Canadian Tire’s in house brand. Clicking on the link I see it’s Masterforce, a new one to me.


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