[1965gp]

I need to buy a new set of screwdrivers- over the years I’ve had a couple go missing from my snap on set that I absolutely love. I don’t have many snap on tools but I will say the quality is there…. But so is the price.

After watching the latest Icon vs Snap On wrench feud (and Snap On not really having a response, at least on social media) I was curious if anyone had any reasonably priced tools they were impressed with?

I think the screwdrivers are definitely worth the $$, I rarely strip a screw with the snap on but I did see some Milwaukee ones that looked nice for about 1/4 of the price.

I have the Milwaukee M18 fuel cordless tools and I don’t think I could be happier with them.

[Mr Twister]

I lost my tools and am in the same situation. I bought some new craftsman screwdrivers and could not be more disappointed. The 3 smaller flat tips broke the tips off almost immediately. They look like the vintage tools but are poor quality, not recommended.

[Half-Inch Stud]

My tools are select to doing the work needed, nothing more.

So today, why is it all (every one) my 1/4" extensions are missing. It's off to harbor chinesium freight to see about a set or 2 of 1/4" extensions.

[71GP76TA]

Most of the tools I have were free... Stuff that I found in cars or people have given me. I have buckets of extra wrenches... sockets.. etc..

[DavesGTO]

My Dad was a serious tool collector, as I kid my brother and me almost always had the tool we needed, took it for granted we had the tool to do the job. We have them now and all are old American made stuff that still abuse and get the job done. I do buy those old tools off af eBay that I see will complete a set I have. If I am looking for something newer I buy used Snap On off of eBay and locally off of facebook may. I do like their stuff.


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[grandam1979]

So rumor has it Catapiller offers tools over the counter at their dealerships and they are made by Snap On. I haven’t gone to the dealership yet but looking on line they look the same and half the price.

[67drake]

Originally Posted by 1965gp

I need to buy a new set of screwdrivers- over the years I’ve had a couple go missing from my snap on set that I absolutely love. I don’t have many snap on tools but I will say the quality is there…. But so is the price.

After watching the latest Icon vs Snap On wrench feud (and Snap On not really having a response, at least on social media) I was curious if anyone had any reasonably priced tools they were impressed with?

I think the screwdrivers are definitely worth the $$, I rarely strip a screw with the snap on but I did see some Milwaukee ones that looked nice for about 1/4 of the price.

I have the Milwaukee M18 fuel cordless tools and I don’t think I could be happier with them.

I bought this Milwaukee set at my local Ace hardware about 2 weeks ago. So I haven’t really been able to determine how they are going to hold up yet. Seemed like the best set they had out of the Craftsman, Ace brand,and Chineseium

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-48-...3&gad_source=1

[geeteeohguy]

I'm a retired auto tech with a bunch of 40+ year old Snap On, Matco, Cornwell, Plomb, and Mac tools. Mostly Snap-On. Buy it once and cry once or cry every time you use it with less quality and rounded off fasteners. I have gotten a LOT of vintage Snap-On stuff from garage sales, flea markets, etc. A few years ago picked up a nice Snap On ratchet dated to 1960 for $2 in mint condition. I would try ebay or online for vintage used Snap On stuff. It's still covered by warranty if you know a dealer or run into one.

[mgarblik]

For new tools at reasonable prices and quality, the IKON branded stuff from Harbor Freight is pretty darn nice. I hate to admit it, and it's probably all Chinese, but that line of tools is impressive. I have been called a tool junkie and a tool snob plenty of times. I have allot of Snap-on hand tools, some MAC, Proto, Cornwell and others. Snap-on is my favorite for all the shiny hand tools, wrenches, sockets, extensions, ratchets, especially flex stuff and flex universal sockets and flare nut wrenches. But at 4 to 6 times the cost of the IKON stuff it's difficult to justify. IKON has a $50.00 screwdriver set that looks nice, has a non-chrome plated tips, that won't crack off, soft handle grips, and a wrench capability on the larger ones which I really like and use. Similar set from Snap-on would probably be around $200.00. Flea Markets, estate sales and pawn shops are great places to buy used top shelf tools, often in like new condition.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

For new tools at reasonable prices and quality, the IKON branded stuff from Harbor Freight is pretty darn nice. I hate to admit it, and it's probably all Chinese, but that line of tools is impressive. I have been called a tool junkie and a tool snob plenty of times. I have allot of Snap-on hand tools, some MAC, Proto, Cornwell and others. Snap-on is my favorite for all the shiny hand tools, wrenches, sockets, extensions, ratchets, especially flex stuff and flex universal sockets and flare nut wrenches. But at 4 to 6 times the cost of the IKON stuff it's difficult to justify. IKON has a $50.00 screwdriver set that looks nice, has a non-chrome plated tips, that won't crack off, soft handle grips, and a wrench capability on the larger ones which I really like and use. Similar set from Snap-on would probably be around $200.00. Flea Markets, estate sales and pawn shops are great places to buy used top shelf tools, often in like new condition.

Icon tools are made in Taiwan, not China. I’m impressed with their overall quality; is it the same quality as Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Cornwall? No, but a lot of the tools from these vendors aren’t up to the quality they were twenty years ago. I would give my I teeth to find my dad’s Bonney ratchet sets and OLD Craftsman wrenches!

[rolling money pits]

I stumbled across a brand I’d never heard of, Capri.

Looked into them, Taiwanese, but get very good reviews. Not an overly expansive selection, but reasonably solid AFA hand tools go. Notable exception to that are their screwdrivers. Also have a line of air tools and such.

I’m somewhat lucky in that most of my tool amassing happened long ago. For example, all my craftsman stuff is stamped/cast “made in USA”.

As indicated, check yard sales, flea markets, classified ads, etc. if looking for older specific brand stuff. Whenever I’m at Carlisle I’m always stomping through the tool people, have gotten some pretty good deals on quality stuff.

[67drake]

I agree with the yard sales and eBay with replacing missing pieces. I do that all the time to replace any lost originals from my 1980’s Snap-On sets.
I think the OP was talking about sets you can buy now retail. If I was just starting out in the business at 20 years old, for example, I wouldn’t be hitting garage sales to fill my tool box, I’d want to know what the best bang for the buck is right now in the world of tools.

[1965gp]

Yes I was talking about new tools. Living in such a big city most yard sales have scavengers there the day before/early morning. Like most I work a lot, looking for something I can buy online or retail and be happy with wrenching 4-6 days a month.

[ID67goat]

Maybe look into German made Wiha or Wera tools? They are good quality and reasonably priced.

[dataway]

In general these days when the quality of a tool brand spreads instantly online .. I've found that tools made in Europe, US and Tiawan are pretty good. Brand doesn't seem to matter nearly as much as where they are made. Tiawan seems to make about the best when price is taken into consideration.

One thing to keep in mind about Tiawan is that they have a level of technology and quality control that equals anywhere in the world ... the reason 80% of the worlds most advanced computer chips are made there.

I recently bought a Dewalt full set of sockets/ratchets to carry in my truck during long drives towing, made in Tiawan, top notch quality.

Probably there are just a few tool foundries in Tiawan and they make the majority of the branded tools be it Icon, Milwaukee, DeWalt etc. Much like Snap-On getting their tools from some manufacturer that makes several other tool lines on the same assembly lines.

[sdbob]

I look for tools like screw drivers also. I'm very fortunate. I volunteer at St Vincent DePaul store,one day a week. I'm the electrical, mechanical guy. I inspect for electrical problems, price them. We never know what gets dropped off.Slot cars,trains,hand tools.I have my boss price anything for myself. Yes I ve gotten screw drivers, wrenches etc. I bought a 1/2" drive short handle looks like a 3/8drive snap on ratchet. Insides rusty,took apart oiled works like new. Just brought home a channel lock 3/8 drive
ratchet.

[TAKerry]

I wouldnt imagine it would be that hard to find a good screwdriver?
But most of mine are 30+yr old Craftsman. I have got a couple of new ones at Lowes, I think they are Cobalt? seem to be ok.

As far as HF goes, My go to 3/8" ratchet was a Sears brand (not Craftsman) and finally gave out after many years of service. I bought the premium grade at HF I think it may have a branded name but not sure what it is. It has a soft red rubber handle and has been working fine for me over the last 8 or 9 months. I would buy another.

[Mr Anonymous]

I'm a self-admitted tool whore. I buy every specialty tool I need for a job, because I think if I needed it once, I will likely need it again. Rarely turns out to be false. I've even made a handful of tools, sometimes you're just doing off the scale stuff and need to handle it. Having a vertical mill helps too.

In 1998, our place was broken into, and ALL of my tools were stolen. It was a staggering amount, and the insurance co was hesitant to pay until their agent stepped in for me, and it didn't hurt that I had worked on the agent's farm for a decade. Majority was Craftsman, and at the time, they had an industrial tool supply chain thing that I believe was based in Cincinnati. The replacements were all drop shipped directly. All good stuff, and only recently did I find a broken socket. I usually break tools only by brute force and stupidity, rarely by inferior manufacturing. Some stuff I have is MAC, a little bit is Snap-On. My tool collection motto: "There was a struggle".

Its hard to tell anymore what is good and what isn't, and it changes regularly too. Threads like this one are very helpful.

[VCho455]

For screw drivers I generally go with Kline tools. Electricians use screwdrivers like no one else and I have found them to be good tools. I have not bought any from the box stores though. There has to be a reason they're cheaper there.

Proto is another quality tool at a good price. Their line of wrenches that are not chromed are a great value. They don't have the oversized ends like Craftsman wrenches do which make working in tight spaces easier Plus I can get them at Grainger with the company discount.

https://www.grainger.com/product/PRO...y-Steel-449N48

https://www.acehardware.com/departme...tm_term=611504

[1965gp]

Those wrenches look pretty good. I was going to stop by HF and check out the Ikon wrenches which are supposed to be a great value. Don’t need them as my gear wrench and old craftsman are holding up fine.

What about pliers? I love the snap on (can grab and hold anything) but again very pricey.