Has anybody ever seen a coherent and scientific testing of different hand tools? Like a Consumer Reports head-to-head review of Snap-On, Mac, Craftsmen, Kobalt, MATCO, and Husky, where they do load-bearing and precision tests to determine who really has the best tools?

I'd be really interested in seeing something like that, but I've never seen anything close.

 

As long as Snap-on makes hand tools, there is no need for a test. They are the best.

 

Prove it.

 

I find it funny. hand tools. Although there are many factors to consider. What makes the best hand tools? I have used Snapon, Grey, Mac, Proto, Craftsman, Mastercraft and a few others.
Form my usage I found that Snapon Screw drivers are unbeatable, the tips are the least likely to strip heads.
As for wrenches, I perfer Mastercraft Professional series.
I had problems with some of the other brands stripping heads and that.

I think the biggest factor has to be cost, longivity, and ease of purchase and ease of returns.

 

I have to give it to Craftsman for ease of return they dont care what you did to it just toss it out and give you a new one. And a drive to sears is alot easier than waiting for the snap on/mac tools van every week.

 

Snap on tools are just great quality. If you have never tried a Flank drive plus wrench you are missing out. I have see the open end of one loosen fittings and nuts that the box end of a matco tried to round off.

As far as proving it goes, There are a whole bunch of guys in the world whos weekly paycheck depends on snap on tools. When your livelyhood depends on it, you only want the best. I promise more reputable techs are using Snap on than any other!

 

I've always known its the person behind the wrench that makes the difference (refer to my username). I did see a test on ratchets a few years ago, I'll try to dig it up. They tested the overall strength (max torque till failure) ratchet angle (how far to turn before it caught another tooth) and a few other experiments on them. I wish I could remember where I saw it now....

 

Yes, it is all dependant on the person behind the wrench. But any good tech knows a quality job starts with quality tools, Then a quality education, and then putting the two together to perform the job

"Oh no! My bobo ratchet head just came apart and the pieces fell into the oil pan. Oh well, its too big for the oil pump to pick up so I jut wont say anything. Now I need to go borrow another ratchet to finish this job". I bet that has happened before, just like that!

 

And yet how many people drive Fords to work?

 

Anyone that drives a Ford should be an expert on the best quality hand tools......

90% of all Fords ever built are still on the road.
The other 10% actually made it all the way home.