I didn't know Pittsburg brand was Harbor Freight. I have a set of offset wrenches that are Pittsburg that I picked up at a yard sale and I think they're great.

 

It boils down to time and money. My time is worth more than what I have to waste in driving to town and replacing a broken tool, let alone *hoping* the store will have it in stock. I know a guy on another forum who goes cheap on everything all the time and bit-ches when his tools/equipment break after just a few uses. If he'd have ponied up good money the first time he would have tools he could hand down to his children in future decades.

I swear by my Pittsburgh wrenches THAT ARE MADE IN INDIA. I bought some wrenches for my son for his birthday and was saddened to discover they've been made in China for quite some time. **** poor quality at best. I will make up for that by buying Hazet, Wahler, or another brand. I sure as hell wouldn't pay a squirt of **** for Craftsman. That's all overpriced junk that relies on a name from a bygone era.

 

VW, most of my tools are Craftsman (Passed on from my father), Snap-on, Mac and Matco. My electrical testers are all Fluke.

My cheap tools chill in my truck since I lose them all the time. My cheap stuff has craftsman and harbor freight tools in it. I whole heartedly agree craftsman tools bought today are complete crap. I have gone through a lot of knuckle skin finding a decent ratchet. My personal favorite is my Mac ratchet. I haven't had much trouble with my craftsmen sockets. Specialty tools though are a different story...
Any other recommendation for tool brands?

 

^^ I heard SK went bankrupt and the warranties aren't being honored anymore. If someone were scrounging pawn shops or yard sales, SK and Husky are quality. Snap On is very pricey.

I have heard good things about Whia, Mac, Klein, and Stanley (before Stanley was made in China).

Stahlwille is a German brand, but dammit if those Krauts don't make quality metric tools.

 

Most of my air tools are Husky, a few Ingersol. Never had a problem with any of them...

 

center punch cost me about 3 grand worth of a rebuild.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-CTK17.../dp/B000LWAX2C
That is the tool kit I keep in my truck, fits perfectly under the passenger seat. I think they're great tools.

Don't bother with Stanley ratchets, I've broken 3 or 4 of them without a whole lot of torque on them. They do have a good warranty though. Each one just took a phone call and a 3-5 day wait for the replacement to show up in the mail.

 

I have Stanley ranked about even with craftsman. Not the greatest.

Who make those cresant tools?

 

Crescent is made by Cooper hand tools.
http://cooperhandtools.com/brands/crescent/index.cfm

 

I have used the tow hooks from the freight.Works ok for me.I couldnt drop $150 from the dealer for that.I have used the tow hooks on all kinds of equipment.I am currently mounting a set to the front of my truck.I also use a lot of their hitches and ***** and d rings,with no issue.I have their chains,but I dont use them for recovery anymore.Buddy had a chain come through back window and he still cant get the shiht stains out of his interior.Nothing but straps for me from now on.I know a lot of the HF stuff is crap,but some of it aint too bad.I pulled many a trans and engine with there equipment.Even the name brand stuff like reese is starting to be made in china.Check tractor supply stuff real close,a lot of it is chinee.