Harbor Freight SALE!

[bostonbmw]

FWIW there are some things on there that dont require high tolerances to be a good products. I have a lot of HF tools that have worked well for me, but i also have some SnapOn tools for when tolerance matters.

The calipers are not something to live or die by, but for small things where the precision is not going to ruin the project [i.e. dont use it to build set deck height] its a great product.

I would not go anywhere near $10 digital calipers, If your measuring something in thousands of an inch it requires high tolerances. Starrett, Mitutoyo would be the way to go with calipers. A impact socket on the other hand I might by from there if i needed some oddball size.

[browntown]

I used to like harbor freight, but the amount of shit that I've had to take back or simply broke was just too much. I drew a line in the sand and decided that tools were worth extra money for better quality. Sadly, even craftsman seems like harbor freight now. I seem to break tools a lot, so I always liked the ability to walk into sears though.

[mrsleeve]

Gear wrench factory is in Taiwan Thats where the better asian imported stuff comes from. That and all the ratcheting end wrenches no matter the branding Cman, Snap, SK, Matco(aka expensive cman) are all made in the same facotry by gear wrench.

Gear wrench is owned by Danher Corp. which also owns Cman, Matco, KD, Armstrong, Allen, Fluke, and a few others

Its not about being made here or not (gearwrench is imported and fantastic). its about end product with me.

When it comes to Tools I am slowly redoing my box, from the Cman stuff to SK, and snap, but am keeping the Cman Pro stuff I have as its really good stuff.

[Hick]

pffft

even with crap tools im sure i can wrench circles around the majority of you jerks

im not expecting this caliper to be dead fucking on, but its also 1/20th the price of a nice one.

[b*saint]

Gear wrench factory is in Taiwan Thats where the better asian imported stuff comes from. That and all the ratcheting end wrenches no matter the branding Cman, Snap, SK, Matco(aka expensive cman) are all made in the same facotry by gear wrench.

Gear wrench is owned by Danher Corp. which also owns Cman, Matco, KD, Armstrong, Allen, Fluke, and a few others






When it comes to Tools I am slowly redoing my box, from the Cman stuff to SK, and snap, but am keeping the Cman Pro stuff I have as its really good stuff.

Yea just bought some craftsman pro screwdrivers last night. For the past few years tho, I havent traded in my broken Craftsman ratchets for new. Sometime ago they changed and they don't feel as good quality. Believe it or not the NAPA professional series (you have to order it through their catalog) are ridiculously good. My ratchet is going on 5 years without a rebuild kit. And the sockets aren't chipping or anything. Although my 1/4" Proto (Grainger) ratchet is completely worn out. Im a huge tool freak. I've bought some really off brands like Stahlwille from Germany, Koken from Japan which I love but impossible to get here, Beta from Italy, and Matador which Im not sure what it is.

If you want good calipers go on ebay and look for a used decent pair of Fowler, Starrett (personal fav), or Mitutoyo (I have the 4" absolute model.)

[browntown]

Yea just bought some craftsman pro screwdrivers last night. For the past few years tho, I havent traded in my broken Craftsman ratchets for new. Sometime ago they changed

Depending on which flunky you get, I understand they don't exchange ratchets anymore, just tell you to rebuild the gear set at your cost. If they told me that, I'd put the thing in a vise and bend the handle.

[b*saint]

Depending on which flunky you get, I understand they don't exchange ratchets anymore, just tell you to rebuild the gear set at your cost. If they told me that, I'd put the thing in a vise and bend the handle.

Actually you rebuild all ratchets. Sears is the only one that exchanges the whole thing. Mac, Matco, Snap-On, etc gives you a rebuild kit when your ratchet breaks or wears out.

[Eric]

i've noticed the craftsman ratchet suck now too. I have a 1/4 drive that i never use since it slips all the time.

my favorite tool investment is a $80 husky ratchet set from Home depot. the ratchets feel great, the black finish is cool looking and it's lasted through 5 years of very hard abuse since it was my mobile take anywhere set. Sadly i've lost both ratchets and I don't think they make the same model any longer.

I had a set of stanley screw drivers that fit great in your hand, sucks i've lost all but one #1 screw driver (never use a #1 of course)

I love my craftsman professional wrenches. the edges feel great in my hand and they are easy to clean. i don't like snap-on's hard edges on the handle, the pro's are much smoother.


I just found out i can get the military discount for snap-on, and i've long wanted a complete set of screw drivers as well as 1/4 and 3/8's drive ratchets.