Tools!

[F22Chris]

Tools!

What tools do you use? What brands do you use? Which company makes the best option for said tool? What makes it better than the next companies tool?

We all love tools, and this thread is going to be biased towards personal preference for sure; but I'm trying to see what tools are tried and true, what tools are best for daily techs, what tools are garbage, and what are some decent for the weekend warriors out there.

Personally, I find Snap-On ratchets and box wrenches to be superior to anything I've used by Matco/Mac/SK and the like. The Dual 80's are smoother, and the box wrenches don't spread under high torque. And the chrome holds up more as my uncle has had his box ends from SO for years and have little to no pitting at all.

That being said I really like Matco screwdrivers, and Matco Sockets. Chrome sockets from them are basically the same as Snap-On in my opinion. The Matco screwdriver handles feel better in the hand, and they're molded stronger. They even have a video on YouTube of them out torquing SO.

Air tools I would say Ingersol Rand all day every day. SO pneumatic tools are eh.. So are Matco ones. There is NO instance you should need 1,300lbs of torque from an air gun in practical uses. Unless you're running around ripping studs out of concrete for fun.

For a quality cheaper set for weekend warriors, I would recommend Grey Pneumatic. They're pretty good tools! Great junkyard set for like 200 bucks, and they double as impact sockets, which is really cool. If you can spend a bit more, Williams makes great tools. They're actually Blue Point rebadges so it's SnapOn! Don't believe me? Look up Blue Point 155 general set, and Williams. Same thing, like, exactly. The wrenches aren't SnapOn quality at all though so heads up.

So I say for wrenches, ratchets, and specialty tools, go Snap-On if you can dish out the monies for em. And for screwdrivers, Matco. Pick your sockets, as long as they're from quality metals you should be good.

I'd stay away from Craftsman. They're all China crap now.. Plastic internals and plastic paw switch? Bullsh**. I'd go Harbor Freight before Craftsman.

[sonikaccord]

I don't care as long as it gets the job done...and I don't have a personal garage yet, so I don't want to spend $$$ on too many tools.

With that being said, Harbor freight is the best bang for the buck for hand tools. I don't have any power tools that I care about.

Now for electronics, it's a different story.

Metcal Soldering station with DS1 desoldering gun, 2 talons, a soldering pen, numerous tips, etc.

Tektronix oscilloscopes, at least the older ones.

HP multimeters

I need a spectrum analyzer, not sure who I'm going with yet

Yeah, it's a different ball game there

[F22Chris]

I got to use a Tek oscilloscope today. Looked like a heart monitor from the 70's.

We weren't really getting into the Hz part of it, but we did use it to see AC and DC waves. Pretty neat!

Sonik, what hand held DMM would you recommend? I don't have $500 to drop on an auto Fluke.

Also, the point of this thread was me wanting to get opinions on tools, and why one would use those over others. And I need to stop by your store to get my Fender fixed still..

['93CB7Ex]

i have a shit load of snap on at work. i usually buy something every week when he comes around.

[H311RA151N]

I use primarily Kobalt.

Lifetime warranty.
Not some "expert" behind the counter when break something using it as it wasn't intended.
Lowes is everywhere.
The company makes practically everything.
When working alongside family/friends my tools are easily distinguishable.
Hellacious deals come Christmas time.
And lastly they are affordable.

Some tools I get from HF. When I know I'm going to beat the piss out of something I get it from HF. You have to be picky-choosy with HF but it saves $$$ at times.

Craftsman from Sears I use also. Here and there. I also buy Duralast tools from AZ when I'm lazy or right there needing something. Autozone carries pretty damn good tools IMO. At least everything I've bought from them has been alright. I'm sure the $20 socket and ratchet sets and such are not the greatest but I've never bought anything like that as I already own that stuff several times over.

I'm sure the big dogs will all say Snap-On. But you don't automatically get the "real mechanic" achievement just because your paying $50/week for the next 10,000 years on Snap-On tools. I say this lightly.

EDIT... I forgot to mention Williams. A friend gave me a few tools from Williams which I guess is a branch of Snap-On or some shit, and they have proven to be pretty sturdy. I wish their stuff were easier to get my hands on. I'd probably buy a few things if they are affordable as I've been told. Very pleased with what few Williams brand tools I have.

[sonikaccord]

lol...shop...if you call a random room in my apartment a shop, that's cool with me.

Ahh yes, well I guess technically they are "tools." I can post my thoughts.

So for soldering irons, Metcal is pretty much the king. The use RF energy to heat the iron instead of your typical resistive heating element. It reaches operating temp in less than 10 seconds, it doesn't get heat sinked as fast as a resistive iron which means when you touch cold metal, the station keeps pumping more heat into the object you are trying to solder until the solder eventually melts. The other units do this as well, but the response time is faster with the Metcal. The Hakko and Weller units are the main competitors, and are still very good units, but they aren't the Metcal. ECU chipping and wire soldering is a breeze, just to keep it automotive related. It is way overkill for a typical patch job here and there, a little 120v pencil works well for small stuff and I would recommend it if you only solder like once every blue moon. As for pricing, I have the MX-500 base station which you can pick up for cheap...like around $50. Now it gets expensive when you need accessories. It can go well over $200 for 2 handpieces with no tip. I'm a cheap-ass so I use the Bay religiously for used parts.

Tektronix and HP/Agilent/Keysight (yes, they changed names like 3 times) are the big boys in the O-scope game. There is also a relatively new company called Rigol that has very cheap (relatively of course) scopes as some of the uber high-end ones can cost you a new Porsche or 2. Honestly, I don't know why I like Tek more than HP. Probably because it was the first one I used, they are solid, control layouts are good. Reliability speaks for itself as I've used one from the 80s that's still kicking. They are like the Honda of scopes though...the new ones aren't as solid feeling as the older ones to me. Plastic and LCDs make it more portable and affordable, though.

Bench Multimeters, older HP because price and performance are unbeatable.

Portable multimeters, Fluke because they are pretty much the standard. Chris, I use a cheap Fluke multimeter for my car. It literally has only a 3 position rotary switch and one of those positions is 'off.' It is perfect for automotive work. I can't remember the model number (Edit: Fluke 113 is the model number), but I plan on upgrading it soon. It cost me like $45 bucks and has lasted me over 5 years on the same 9v battery.

[AccordWarrior]

Admittedly I've got basically exclusively Craftsman outside of my air tool setup, but I think it's fine for what I need them for. I'm not a mechanic, most of my projects aren't necessarily aggressive to the point I will break my tools. I do enjoy the variety of tools I have at this point though, as I've been trying to flesh out what I've got. The only advantage I have as a basic user for Craftsman is if I do break something, I can run to Sears and exchange it it on the fly.

It is really nice to have a large arrangement of tools though, which is nice when you can get crazy deals from Sears. I've been working on filling the gaps on my socket and wrench setups.

My air setup is HF, which haven't been bad for the price when I'm only using it to change tires and do the occasional suspension revamp.

[Jarrett]

I'm like most people, it seems. I have a base set of Craftsman tools that include all of the easy-to-read sockets, polished slim ratches and polished combination wrenches. I have their standard screwdrivers, too, but I've switched those to Kobalt for the ones I use primarily.

I'll go to Harbor Freight for a lot of things that I won't use very often. If I plan to use it only a couple of times, I don't find it terribly economical to spend a lot of money on it. If it's something I end up using often, and I feel it's not of good quality, I'll buy a better version of it to replace it.

I also use Amazon for odds and ends. They usually have good deals with Add-On items that are too good to pass up. I'll find myself buying Gear Wrench ratcheting combination wrenches in sizes I don't even use often just because they're cheap. I bought a 27mm ratcheting wrench for $9.00! I have that size nut on my motorcycle's front axles, so I'll use it next time I change the tires. I also got these ratchets from Amazon. They're not my primary ratchets, but sometimes you need a bit more leverage. These work awesome and the quality seems really good. Worth it to me.

[AccordWarrior]

I'll go to Harbor Freight for a lot of things that I won't use very often. If I plan to use it only a couple of times, I don't find it terribly economical to spend a lot of money on it. If it's something I end up using often, and I feel it's not of good quality, I'll buy a better version of it to replace it.

That's how I justified buying an axle nut socket set. I will probably use it twice, but now I have a full set, including a handy-dandy carrying case!

[bobbycos]

I have tools all the way from Snap-on down to Harbor Freight and even some 99 cent store stuff

[F22Chris]

I get 50-55% off Snap On and Matco. That makes it worth while for me. And I use them everyday, and will continue to for years to come. They're my money makers so I gotta pay to play. I'm not going to spend 10 grand with the SnapOn dude this early in the game. That's plain dumb. I bought the basics (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchets, 6-22mm deep and regular sockets, and open box wrenches) I'm looking for a nicer box on CL. Those things can run you 10k themselves.

I'm gonna buy more as it is needed like a normal person would.

I got the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 88 tooth set, and a 3/8 locking flex from Matco. The 1/4 sucks; broke it twice. And the 3/8 flex screw backs out of the head. The lock switch is badass though. Much better than the button thing SnapOn uses, which is why I got another one with no locking button.

Sears has good pliers. Knipex are great, and will get some soon. All the tool truck guys sell rebadges Knipex, so that should let you know about the quality. Craftsman screwdrivers are still USA made.

I've never used Craftsman impacts, so I would like to know if you guys used those, and what your take is on em. The only Craftsman things I own are a 1/2 ratchet from forever ago, and a 1/2in socket I found in a junker. Old USA made craftsman was actually pretty decent stuff. I put a 5ft bar on my 1/2; I used that sucker to get off axle nuts. Now it is hella sloppy, but still holds up to torque. It's in my junkyard box. I named it Larry.

[Jarrett]

For a tool chest, just go to Home Depot. Their drawer slides feel great, and they feel very sturdy for garage use. It's nothing like a Snap-On or Matco box, but those are insanely overpriced for what they are.

This is a very difficult deal to beat.

[H311RA151N]

I get 50-55% off Snap On and Matco. That makes it worth while for me. And I use them everyday, and will continue to for years to come. They're my money makers so I gotta pay to play. I'm not going to spend 10 grand with the SnapOn dude this early in the game. That's plain dumb. I bought the basics (1/4, 3/8, 1/2 ratchets, 6-22mm deep and regular sockets, and open box wrenches) I'm looking for a nicer box on CL. Those things can run you 10k themselves.

I'm gonna buy more as it is needed like a normal person would.

I got the 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 88 tooth set, and a 3/8 locking flex from Matco. The 1/4 sucks; broke it twice. And the 3/8 flex screw backs out of the head. The lock switch is badass though. Much better than the button thing SnapOn uses, which is why I got another one with no locking button.

Sears has good pliers. Knipex are great, and will get some soon. All the tool truck guys sell rebadges Knipex, so that should let you know about the quality. Craftsman screwdrivers are still USA made.

I've never used Craftsman impacts, so I would like to know if you guys used those, and what your take is on em. The only Craftsman things I own are a 1/2 ratchet from forever ago, and a 1/2in socket I found in a junker. Old USA made craftsman was actually pretty decent stuff. I put a 5ft bar on my 1/2; I used that sucker to get off axle nuts. Now it is hella sloppy, but still holds up to torque. It's in my junkyard box. I named it Larry.

Just bought a set of Knipex pliers. Haven't taken them out of the package yet. Watched ETGC's video and figured I needed a set or two of pliers, figured I'd give them a try as they do appear to be pretty slick.

[F22Chris]

Yeah? ETCG is what turned me on to Grey Pneumatic. The ratchet is kinda bad though. And the numbers aren't part of the mold so I took a Dremel to them as the black wears off. God forbid if I can't find a 10,12, or 14mm..

And yeah that $600 tool box is HUGE for that amount of money. I just wonder how the will hold up to weight and being constantly pulled around. I have one of those tiny Stanley ones for like $200 bucks, and my moms Fatass of a cat actually bent it. I'll just save up a grand and get a used Matco one.

The driver came by the other day, pulled out a drawer from a box, and sat on it while bouncing. The slide and drawer were both fine. He was like 250lbs too. That made me want one. Though I don't NEED one at this moment. I feel if I got one, I'd want to fill it up. A lot.

[bobbycos]

For a tool chest, just go to Home Depot. Their drawer slides feel great, and they feel very sturdy for garage use. It's nothing like a Snap-On or Matco box, but those are insanely overpriced for what they are.

This is a very difficult deal to beat.

Actually the Harbor Freight boxes are very good for the money