How does that saying go? You pay what you ge- No, you get what you pay for, yeah, that's it. I was in the auto parts store a couple years ago, and needed a torque wrench for the four wheeler (didn't own a truck at the time). Well, they had one for 35 bucks, so I got it. Been using it ever since, and a couple weeks ago I was doing the timing on my truck, and for some reason I took the air horn off. I had just got done explaining to my buddy that you don't need to spend a million dollars to get a tool that does the job. Boy did I eat those words I was torquing down the air horn bolts, and CRACK, BANG, TING! Oh crap, what now? The torque wrench head exploded, bounced off the hood, and off the wall! Good thing I wasn't standing over it Okay, no big deal, we'll just guess. Wait, that bolt looks kind of loose, yep sure enough it snapped the bolt with it Okay, just go get another bolt. Find out the size from the Dodge dealer, NOBODY carries it, I called everywhere within a 50 mile radius, it was a 8mm x 125mm. I ended up ordering one from Ohio! I botched it together by welding two bolts together, it was a decent temporary fix. Next day I went right down to SEARS and bought a Microtork. It was worth the $100 to not have it break.

BTW, the original torque wrench wasn't even made in China, it was made in TAIWAN! The brand was Lin Shing With that being said, I am in the process of replacing all of my tools with CRAFTSMAN, because I finally learned your tools are your tools, if they break, you're screwed.

Just figured I'd share with you guys and get it out of my system

 

Never buy tools named after the sound they make when you throw them across the shop .... "Cling-clang, Lin Shing ... whatever !!

PISTOL

 

I own only Craftsman brand small hand tools and continue to be happy with that choice.

However.....after looking closely at my Craftsman cordless screwdriver, it ain't made here.....

What chaps my hide though is my son's toys - Matchbox cars, Tonka trucks...forget it. Not to mention that on one of his trucks they hung the flag wrong!!

Matt

 

I've walked into Cummins looking for an engine bolt, and they've handed them to me for no charge.

 

I love the look you get when you walk into Sears to get a really beefy broken tool replaced........

 

I have Snap-on, Mac, Matco, and Sears, for the money Sears Craftsman are the hands down winners. They have replaced tools for me that they should not have!! Excessive abuse!!

 

Thats the great thing about Craftsman. I mean you take a snap on tool back to the tool truck its like ok wells end it in(if a torque wrench quits) Or they can argue with you about breakin someting under abuse. Craftsmans like ok go grab one off the wall back there

 

I wish the 150pc tool boxs were as strong as their tools. Dang lid broke on mine and spread my tools everywhere. Think they'll give me a new kit for free?

 

anyone tried HUSKY brand I have been using them since I lost most of my tools......they are pretty good at home depot about replacements..i cracked a socket and they didnt ask anyquestions......And no husky arent the only sockets ive cracked.....Everybrand except for cornwell has given out ar one time or another on me.......I dont think anythink lasts forever....

 

I'm kinda fond of the Proto tools. Don't see them around much, but good to keep an eye out for at swap meets. Snap On is my actual favorite, but I decline to spend that much for tools, if buying new I get Blackhawk or Craftsman.

 

Stahlwille and Gedore make rather good tools too. I don't know if they are availlable over there but the Stahlwille open box tools are phantastic. Even I've got a hard time destroying them.

AlpineRAM

 

I know you get what you pay for, but I walked into the local harbor freight today with a shattered 15mm impact socket. Stood in line for awhile and they exchanged it for new, no questions asked. I was pretty impressed since the entire 12 piece deep well 1/2" drive metric impact socket set cost me $13 on sale. I always thought that Harbor freight carried the cheap over seas tools, but I'm pretty impressed that they stood behind them on the warranty with no receipt.

brandon.

 

I've seen a few online places here in the US that carry a very limited selection of Stahlwilles. Haven't heard of Gedore, though.

 

I once took a 7/8 inch boxed end wrench back to Sears that had snapped in half. The guy behind the counter told me to grab a new one off the display, and "next time use a shorter pipe!"

 

I have a Husky socket set. About 2 yrs ago I noticed the 3/8" ratchet's direction switch was acting kinda funny. A co-worker was using it a few weeks later and said it broke. I look at it and the dang switch just fell off! I just thought it was a manufacturing mistake...nothing big. Then a year later, the same thing happened to my 1/2" ratchet! I have since replaced both ratchets w/ Craftsman. I'm not the type who will abuse a tool, and I don't expect my tools to fall apart for no reason...that's why I switched to Craftsman.