Snap-On, Matco, Mac Tools: Where to buy...cheaper?
 

Does anyone have any useful info concerning where to buy some of the better quality mechanics tools, such as Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, Matco, and SK? I'm interested in American made tools, as opposed to tools that are made overseas in the same factories that make plastic toys that line your local Wal-Mart shelves.

Also, is anyone familiar with Bahco mechanics tools? Some of them, such as their socket sets, appear to be made my Snap-On. They're "Made in the USA" and in my book, that's a good thing.

I get my better stuff at two places. eBay and pawn shops. For run of the mill hand wrenches Sears and Home depot work for me.

Check your local pawn shops.

Yup, used if you must have the "top brands". For me, Craftsman works just fine. The tools are high quality, resonably priced, and the hand tools have a full 100% warranty. For stuff I almost never use but it useful, HF works fine.

For the pro who relies on his tools for a living, make friends with a "tool man" who has a truck and start up an account.

You have to ask yourself the question, how often are you going to use the tools? Sure it is nice to have that top quality tools, but really you can buy alot more craftsman tools for the price you would buying snapon,etc. I am a heavy equipment mechanic and most of the time I prefere craftsman. Not only are they cheaper they have a heck of alot better warrenty on them. No questions asked they replace it.

Honestly craftman tools work as well as my snappy and matco stuff for your basic tools plus they are chaeper and warranty for life. Only your special stuff is worth the extra money. My dad been wrenching for over 25 years now 90 percent is craftman. I have been wrenching for 7 years and i have seen his point on many of the stuff i use everyday, Also if you dont have one brand you like use the tools guys against themselves. both snap-on and matco sell nice tools and both would like to sell them to you. haggle a little on price most are flexible, jr

I was gonna mention Craftsman, but was afraid I would get booed out of the room.

Check out their fully polished long pattern wrench sets. Just under $100.00 for what would cost you closer to $300.00 from the Snap Off man.

But as stated by others, I only bust my knuckles for sport on the weekends. I can't talk with any real knowledge about using them everyday to earn a living.

I bought 2 broken Craftsman Crescent wrenches at a flea market for .25 cents. A guy next to me asked why I would buy those pieces of junk as the guy gave me my change from a dollar bill.

I told him they were only pieces of junk until I turned them in at Sears for Brand New ones... The guy who sold them to me for .25 cents just stared at me with his mouth agape :D

I agree check pawn shops and flea markets ;)

Ohhhhh, man!

Didn't I once read something you wrote questioning the ethics of warranty work after mods?
[nonono]

busted!!!!!!!!!

True but MY actions did not cause the wrenches to break ;)

Those Craftsman wrenches are guaranteed to take what ever you throw at them, modifying your truck beyond stock configuration and then wanting it covered by a warranty when you twist the driveshaft off it in a 4 wheel launch at the drag strip with 50lbs of boost, is hardly the same thing.

There are only a few tools that I have that aren't Craftsman. 1 is my 1/2 drive impact (Snap-on) I bought it used and it has out worked every less expensive impact I've ever owned. The others are a odd offset 7/16" open end wrench that fits headers like nothing else, and a 12mm impact swivel with a mid-length socket, that is the only socket that will take out a Mustang driveshaft. The last is my Snap-on 1/2 drive torque wrench. Sears torque wrenches only have a 90 warranty, I found that out the hard way. Snap-on will fix it or replace it for a year and it will always be repairable. Yes it cost more, but they can check calibration on thier trucks and in 2 years with a lot of use, mine is still dead on.

imma big rig technician part of the time... short of specialty tools, there isn't much at the local sears that can't get the job done. cornwell and snap-on trucks stop by the shop weekly. i've spent maybe $100 on cornwell tools in my life, specialty sockets and a hand riveter. quality but not worth the price, unless you can't find it at sears. not to mention what do you do if something does break? if you're lucky enough to have a weekly tool truck, the soonest you'll have a new tool is in 2 weeks. craftsman tools break too but you're out maybe half an hour of time to get a new one.

fwiw, i do think it's pretty stupid that craftsman does not make a hand riveter.

Not to offend any of the Craftsman fans, but what good is a life time warrenty on a tool if your going to the store all the time to get it replaced.
Snap On get my vote.
Sorry not sure where to get good prices though.
tim.

Westard Tools are common place in the oilfield up here. From personal experience, a Westward 3/4" ratchet will stand-up to a Snap-On anyday. Then, as stated before, where to get a replacement? Wait for the truck or just take the broken Westard over to Acklands or for replacement? I'd rather have the least amount of hassle on replacement personally.