I am a fan of value when it comes to tools. It is hard to beat craftsmans hand tool warranty imho, expecially since it is about 15-20 min down the road to get tools replaced when I break them and need replacements asap. That said, this next question goes out to you fellow shade tree'rs who work on there truck. Have you run across a time where you wish you would have spent the extra money for a specific matco / snap on tools instead of craftsman or other brand?

 

If you had asked me that 10 years ago..... I would have responded with a resounding NO. However..... Sears has seriously let their quality slide on their tools. Granted, the lifetime replacement thing is cool, and I make use of it on a fairly regular basis. But, it isn't just about how long they last, its about how well they do their job too. I have used Craftsman, Matco, Mac, Snap-On, Kobalt, and a few others.... and the Mac, and Snap-On tools are hands down superior to any other. Are they worth the additional cost for the shade tree mechanic? Nope. Not so far as I am concerned. ALL of my tools at home are Craftsman. All of my tools at the shop are Snap-On. (well, ok, not my tools.... they belong to the shop.)

I like working with the snap-on tools better, but, not enough so that I would spring the GIGANTICALLY HUMONGOUS amount more for them at home. The convenience factor of just driving ten minutes to sears is a major plus too.... as opposed to waiting a week for the snappy man to come back. (as tools invariably break ten minutes after he leaves....)

 

Chiming in agreement with HeyYou, yet again. If I had an unlimited tool budget I'd go with all Snap-On, but only for bragging rights.

I've found that over the years I've gotten smarter about freeing frozen hardware, so tool breakage is not really a problem for me. With forethought, patience, mechanical and thermal shock, and penetrating lubricants all properly applied it's been a long time since I broke a tool or a fastener.

 

I bought Snap On many years ago working in the business...and then realised I couldn't afford them when I was no longer connected.
So I found a way to get them cheap...by going to pawn shops. Phoenix was the perfect place with UTI and MTI.

Then I discovered the Allen brand. Snap On flank drive grip at a bit better price. Problem is that outlets are hard to find. I usualy buy what I need when I'm up North for Vacation.
Craftsman stuff is reserved for the tool bag I took in my truck for offroad breakdowns.

The other day I lost my 10mm Allen combo wrench, a piece from the first set I ever owned. After a few minutes of self loathing and cursing I sighed and went to the local farm store.
I cringed as I placed the chinese made replacement on the hook. But I'll be in Minnesota in June...

 

I've got all Craftsman, except for the Stanley mechanic's tool set I carry behind the seats in my truck. The only thing I have that isn't Craftsman is the toolbox, I couldn't beat the deal I got on the Mac Tools rolling toolbox that I ran across at a swap meet awhile back.

 

Only reason I asked was because I have a chance to get some special pricing for a very limited time. I already took the opportunity to purchase the matco MD1052 scan tool that does ABS. From what I can tell, it seems like craftsman stuff does fine for you guys for the most part. Most of my stuff is craftsman. Money is tight already... but just wanted to make sure there wasn't something I should go for while I have the chance. My dads friend only owns one set of snap on tools... and those are a set of line wrenches which he claims are superior to craftsman. They very well may be, but i've also used craftsman to replace all my brake lines and never had a problem. Only thing that comes to mind that would be cool is a snapon impact.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....e=&dir=catalog

Who doesn't need over 1000 ft lb tq lol?

 

I've broken a couple 1/2 rachets of craftmans,Then i bought the one with a longer handle, in 1/2 inch and 3/8 and they both skip sometimes, so im gonna try snap on rachet next.. 200 dollar snap on screwdrivers just break/wear as easy as the cheapies, so craftman wrenches/ sockets good, harbor frieght "impact" sockets are good imo .

 

We have exclusively Craftsman tools in our shop, and we always will. Many of our tools are very, very old and still performing well.

 

I have all craftsman, but I definetly can tell that my older craftsman are better quality then any new ones I have. I can't afford new snap-on (or at least I can't justify the price), so I get them where I can (pawn shops, garage sales, etc...).

 

After breaking two snapon breaker bars, I've never bought another tool from them.