Tools question

[TX-TahoeLtd]

I've got an opportunity to get a discount on some tools through a partnership with my company. Problem is that I've never heard of these tool manufacturers. I know you get what you pay for and that it's better to spend more now for quality rather than buy twice.

 

So, anyone ever heard of...

 

Cal-Van

Grip

Performance Tool

 

Go to http://www.toolking.com

 

Seems they've got decent prices, but I just don't recognize the names.

 

 

Ideas?

[asilverblazer]

I agree that you usually do get what you pay for but I think most craftsman screwdrivers and cheapo deapo screwdrivers work the same. Rachets impact wrenches torgue wrenches, etc. I would spend the $$$ on.

[GMCSierra04]

Getting the right tools depends on what you are using them for, home or work? The Professional series tools from Craftsman are a lot different than their regular hand tools. For example, the professional screwdriver sets have different rubber type handles for better grip, a section on the shaft where you can put an open end wrench on for additional turning torque and the tips and a lot stronger and more durable.

 

But getting back to original question, if the tools come with a lifetime warranty, have good prices and plus you have a discount then they might be okay. The only thing that I would have problems with would be that its not exactly a brand you hear about all the time and what would happen if a tool broke? Not as easy as driving to your local Sears or whatever store and getting a new one but I don't know, thats just what I think. I just bought tow big Craftsman tool sets last week (546 mechanics set and specialty engine tool set) and I know that if there are any problems with any of the tools, no questions asked I would get a replacement. Hope this might help some.

[bartlanz]

I just looked around their site, and at leaste for some of the stuff I have or am looking at getting, there prices are pretty good.

 

So what kind of hook up are you gunna give all of us?

 

Be weary of Crafstman, they dont warrentte there tourque wrenches!

[GMCSierra04]

I have Craftsman's 3/8" and 1/2" Digitork torque wrenches for about 3 months now and I haven't had any problems what so ever. The 90 day warranty for defects and misscalibration is fine for me. As long as you store the wrenches @ 0 ft/lb's and in a good case, don't drop them or miss use them you should be okay. I don't even think Snap-on or any other tool manufacturers lifetime warranty their torque wrenches either, plus they cost about 3 times as much and no better in my opinion.

[bigdogs]

The warranty on the Craftsman torque wrenches are 1 yr (90 days on recalibration). SnapOn only warranties their's for 1 yr as well.

[Guest 007FL]

JMHO

 

K-mart warrants their WorkBench line for life. So much for warranties.

 

It's not about the warranty, it's about the fact that the better tools will last you and your kids the rest of your lives and never break.

 

If money is the issue go ahead and buy a full set from K-mart or Target or whatever then start saving. Craftsmen has a discount club (I forget the name) but it has some seroius savings occasionally. Every couple of months or so when there is a good sale start replacing parts of your tool set with high quality tools.

 

Sears is well known for no hassle replacement and I can't remember anyone ever saying the quality was not number one.

 

Happy wrenching!

[hercman]

Well I started off with cheapos and every month I replace a few with craftsman. Not so much for warrantee but for quality. The cheap stuff might be warrented for life but are they made to the proper tolerances. I have some cheap sockets that wore out after 3 or 4 uses now that sucks.

[Wingnut]

I have Craftsman's 3/8" and 1/2" Digitork torque wrenches for about 3 months now and I haven't had any problems what so ever. The 90 day warranty for defects and misscalibration is fine for me. As long as you store the wrenches @ 0 ft/lb's and in a good case, don't drop them or miss use them you should be okay. I don't even think Snap-on or any other tool manufacturers lifetime warranty their torque wrenches either, plus they cost about 3 times as much and no better in my opinion.

Nope...Snap-On torque wrenches are not warrantied, nither are their timing lights.

[tryn2lrn]

I totally agree, at least buy a good set of wrenches and sockets. The first time you snap a socket and rip open a few bloody, gushing knuckles or round the the head of your water pump bolt with junk tools you'll be wishing to go back and pay a few extra dollars after kickin yourself in the a$$ for a few hours.

[budhayes3]

There's definitely certain tools that you don't want to skimp on. Besides bloody knuckles, I once had a cheap impact socket crack while I was using it, and it stripped the head of the bolt. That sucked.

 

Most of my stuff is Snap On from when I was a tech, but I also have quite an arsenal of Craftsman stuff too.

 

Definitely don't skimp on Floorjacks and Jackstands...squish

[racer]

sockets from Lowes the Kobalt brand made by a division of snap on

[rikhek]

Craftsman from ebay. Dirt cheap deals.

[99silveradoz71]

I've got a nice Craftsman socket set in a case, a wrench set, and a screwdriver set. When it was time for a heavier impact gun than the one that came with the compressor, I went Craftsman. I did go with Harbor Freight on the sockets due to cost. I also don't use the compressor too often. My thoughts were that I could easily buy another set of impact sockets and still be cheaper than a set from Sears. A lot of Harbor Freight's stuff has lifetime warranty on it too. With their prices, I see the other tools I've gotten from them as kind of throwaways...if they break or get damaged, I'm not out a big chunk of change. I'll use the Craftsman stuff on certain projects, and the cheap tools on others.

[rascal]

how good does sears cover the craftsman impact wrenches? thinking of getting the 550 ft/lbs one. dang bush hog blade bolts are tougher to get off after they've been on multi able years. oh off subject but any ideals? going to try heating them with a propane torch next.