Favorite brand of Pliers

[BarrelRoll]

I need a bunch of new pliers, all mine have pretty much disapeared, i need needle nose, channel lock style, side cutters, "normal" ones, long needle nose, side cutters, mini pliers, and snap ring pliers, you name it it has disapeard from my box (yes locking up my tools will happen this year). What brand do you prefer? I had some craftsman and some stanley but i have no problem buying a more expensive brand, i've been adding a lot of snapon to my collection lately though their pliers are crazy expensive.

[johnb1686]

klein makes very good hand tools and you can get them at home depot

[87toyred]

second the klein and channel locs brand

[Schmozilla]

Klein x3

[drnut]

Klein, Channel Lock, Craftsman all will do fine

[trkklr77]

the best most comfortable pair of needle nose i own came from kragen/checker/shucks pro tool brand, other than that kliens kick the ass's

[ZJim]

I have some Craftsman.. be careful with them. I bought a set of 3 pairs in a pack and they're all crap. I hate them. The channel locks slide when I don't want them to. My favorite pair is a small pair of Snap Ons I inherited :D

[yager]

Well I'll say it... I love my $9 on sale plier sets from HF :flipoff2:

With the quality of the newer tools, if im using the right tool for the job I hardly ever break one. Unlike my crapsmans with pre-scored 'break here' points.

My problem is improper tool usage, leaving outside, loosing them.. etc.. So with my large supply of HF tools, im not out much and if i break them oh well... Don't get me wrong I still have quality vise grips and channel locks etc for tough jobs.. But the HFs work 90% of the time, just fine..

[PTSchram]

Snap-On. I have a coupla tool trucks stop by the shop and I can pick and choose what I think are the better tools from each source.

I get screwdrivers, ratchets and pliers from Snap-On. Sockets from Matco, small electric tools (electric screwdrivers, etc) from MAC.

Surprisingly, the Snap-On pliers are less expensive than Matco.

[eschoendorff]

I have pliers from Craftsman, Snap On, Klein, Knipex, etc...

But my absolute favorite are from Facom:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/Facompliers.jpg

Most comfortable and most grippy pliers I've ever come across.

[John Smith]

Knipex are my favorite at the moment. Nice German quality tool. http://www.knipex.de/index.php?id=113&L=1

[EMG7895]

Klein, snapon, and sk are all I use.

[PTSchram]

I have pliers from Craftsman, Snap On, Klein, Knipex, etc...

But my absolute favorite are from Facom:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/Facompliers.jpg

Most comfortable and most grippy pliers I've ever come across.

Got a plier fetish?

[Kartracer55]

Got a plier fetish?


Yes, yes he does



I have alot of older klein/Utica pliers. I have had no problems with craftsman pliers which make up the majority of pliers that I buy. Ive got some channel locks brand pliers as well as 2 snap ons. One of the snap ons is a pair of wire cutters which are awesome, especially considering they are older than I am.


Basically what it comes down to with any tool is dont abuse them and they will last a long time. I have a friend who breaks tools all the time, but he claims he doesnt abuse them and its just that they are crap tools and that broken tools are almost cool because it means hes doing awesome heavy duty work. Well guess what? I do work that is WAY more complicated WAY more often and I rarely break a tool. I know a tools limits... exceeding somethings limits is not good. Thats why my tools are in good shape and hardly any have been replaced, including my craftsmans. Most tools I break are ones I knowingly abused and expected to break

Jim

[D60]

One of the snap ons is a pair of wire cutters which are awesome, especially considering they are older than I am.

That's been my experience as well. Cheap pliers can be ok, but cheap dykes (don't be so predictable) don't last. They won't cut well, won't stay sharp, or will simply require a much greater degree of hand strength to do what quality dykes do w ease.

[Gummi Bear]

Klein.

I've made my living with them for years.


There are different grades of pliers from them. Personally I like the 2000 series, they're hardened, and the cutting knives last longer and don't gall out like some of the less expensive ones.

I like the J2000 series, good hard steel, and nice squishy handles.

http://www.service.kleintools.com/Marketing/Catalog_Imagery/J2000-9NETP_ICON.JPG

http://www.service.kleintools.com/Marketing/Catalog_Imagery/J2000-48_ICON.JPG

[Roughshod]

My favorite pliars are made by Knipex. They OEM some pliars for both Snap-On and Craftsman, but are available cheaper through there own brand name.

[DarkEternal]

Knipex. I buy alot from the matco man, they are under the matco name but are knipex pliers (even say it on most of them)

As far as vise grips I really like the craftsman ones.

[bigdreamin]

I second the Knipex pliers, they are the best you can buy. I have used those bastids in place of a pipe wrench before and you can buy them from Matco, Snap-On or even Sears sells them now. As far as needle nose and long reach needle nose go, if you want the best buy Snap-On a little example of how good they are I can grip a piece of paper with them and than hold the paper up in the air w/o the pilers falling off, thats gripping power. For vise-grips go with the name sake, everyone else just imatates vise-grip, Snap-On doesn't make their own vise-grips they just sell the vise-grip brand so don't waste your time on the junk one go buy a real pair of vise grips, your knuckles will thank you. Lasty for side cutters go with Knipex again, they are absoultly amazing, they cut like butter best part is if you buy them from your local tool dealer they will warntee them if they get dull, if you do get a pair get the 10" handels the extra leverage makes all the diffrence.

[Dave_Lucas]

knipex

[TNRanger]

Knipex

Agreed. I got mine from the Matco man as well. Love them. Snap-on are really nice but I wouldn't trade my Knipex for em.

[YJTypeR]

I had a pretty bad experience with the Craftsman Professional Vice Grips. I tried to pull a rounded out brake bleeder screw out of a caliper and it really chewed up the jaws. It left enormous gouges in the pliers teeth. I borrowed some real Vice Grips and it didn't phase them. I'm gonna take them back and get the Vice Grip brand ones.

[Kartracer55]

I 3rd or 4th or whatever the hell we are up to on the vise grips...

Those things kick ass. I have never seen a pair that has actually broken, aside from the springs breaking on really really old pairs, which, of course is to be expected. I dont bother with anything else. When I need another pair, I buy visegrips, plain and simple.

One thing that pisses me off is that Irwin bought vise-grip. Now, Irwin makes good stuff but they are using the Vise-grip name on regular pliers that they are selling, and guess where the pliers are made? TAIWAN! Bastards... haha

As long as the Vise-grips are made here, its kind of like an american staple. Anybody that knows ANYTHING about cars, bikes, trucks, tools, or w.e else can tell you about vise grips.

What do you guys think of the comfort handle ones? I have a pair of them because thats all Home Desperate had in the size I needed so I bought them. I have mixed feelings on them. They are comfortable but I think it can make them a little to big and bulky. How do they hold up for welding/heating? Does the grip start to get screwed up at all?

Jim

[eschoendorff]

One thing that pisses me off is that Irwin bought vise-grip. Now, Irwin makes good stuff but they are using the Vise-grip name on regular pliers that they are selling, and guess where the pliers are made? TAIWAN! Bastards... haha

yeah and they want an arm and a leg for teh damn things too. Just go buy Cobra pliers and be done with it.


What do you guys think of the comfort handle ones? I have a pair of them because thats all Home Desperate had in the size I needed so I bought them. I have mixed feelings on them. They are comfortable but I think it can make them a little to big and bulky. How do they hold up for welding/heating? Does the grip start to get screwed up at all?

Jim

I have some of the comfort grip, but because they were sent to me by mistake. I actually prefer the regular basic vise-grips. The handles on mine aren't messed up or anything, I just wouldn't go out of my way to find the comfort handles.

[Bolt Thrower]

I have mostly Snap-ons, knipex and some here and there kleins www.thetoolwarehouse.net has been really good price-wise for small tools like that.

[jpnjim]

Fawk Klein.

They're gone down the shitter in the last 6-7 years.

A pair of Klein sidecutters used to last forever (or until they accidentally get blown up).

I'd buy HD2000's, orange handles, with hardened cutters, for cutting bolts.
Used for copper 99% of the time (I'm an electrician), and the occasional non-hardened bolt.

Last 5, or 6 pairs have been gapped out within a year (one pair broke in half in the first week!).
Their lifetime guarentee is a joke,
get a copy of it, the tool is guarentee'd to be servicable "for the life of the tool".
= when the tool wears out, it's life is over.

OT, but I just had a Klein #2 phillips with the nice new soft handles wear out in less than 6mos.



Rant over, but now instead of dropping $30 a year on Kleins, I spent $50 on a pair of Snap-On's ONCE, and they actually take them back when they wear out.
Plus, the Snap-On blades overlap = they can be sharpened.

For slip joint/water pump pliers = Channellock brand only.
They're not guarenteed, but when they last 20+ years, you don't need a guarentee.

For needle nose, I have some 20+ yo kleins, if/when they wear out, I'll buy something else.

[Krawlin98ZJ]

Got a plier fetish?

After using Facom pliers it becomes very easy to develop a plier fetish (or atleast a Facom plier fetish). Those are absolutely the best pliers I've ever used.

[glfredrick]

As an ex Snap On rep, some of our pliers are the best to be had -- while others are branded Blue Point and come in from other companies, Knipex. Vise Grip, etc.

I like the Knipex water pump type pliers, Channel Locks right behind them. Snap On for anything related to cutting or for the regular pliers, needle nose, etc. Lifetime means something with Snap On. So does being able to actually grip something and twist it.

I've used plenty of Klein over the years as well (I've worked in industrial maintenance and have done plenty of electrician's work) and I agree that their quality has gone down hill -- as has Craftsman (now imported from Taiwan by Stanley, as is Mac, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.).

I've got around 30 pair of assorted brand name pliers in my tool box drawer. I know what I grab first... ^^^^ I use the other junk (HF, Sears, etc.) for holding stuff while I torch it, abuse it with a hammer, etc.

[bigdreamin]

As an ex Snap On rep, some of our pliers are the best to be had -- while others are branded Blue Point and come in from other companies, Knipex. Vise Grip, etc.

I like the Knipex water pump type pliers, Channel Locks right behind them. Snap On for anything related to cutting or for the regular pliers, needle nose, etc. Lifetime means something with Snap On. So does being able to actually grip something and twist it.

I've used plenty of Klein over the years as well (I've worked in industrial maintenance and have done plenty of electrician's work) and I agree that their quality has gone down hill -- as has Craftsman (now imported from Taiwan by Stanley, as is Mac, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc.).

I've got around 30 pair of assorted brand name pliers in my tool box drawer. I know what I grab first... ^^^^ I use the other junk (HF, Sears, etc.) for holding stuff while I torch it, abuse it with a hammer, etc.


Ever since Stanley bought Mac, Mac's quality has sucked something fierce, I agree that the Snap-On name means something despite the high price, when you have other techs. constantly getting your tools (Snap-On) cause their shitty tools couldn't get the job done, it says something, also something to whatch out for, Sears is starting to get real shitty about warranting Craftsman hand tools.

[glfredrick]

At least Snap On is still making their own tools (for the most part) in their own plants, and hiring regular American citizens that are working to feed their families in the process. That Sears and others have caved into price demands that end up supporting the Chinese military is pure un-American.

I'll keep on paying the price and helping some other family to feed their kids instead of furthering the military build up in the Far East that we are going to have to deal with one of these days.

[Kartracer55]

At least Snap On is still making their own tools (for the most part) in their own plants, and hiring regular American citizens that are working to feed their families in the process. That Sears and others have caved into price demands that end up supporting the Chinese military is pure un-American.

I'll keep on paying the price and helping some other family to feed their kids instead of furthering the military build up in the Far East that we are going to have to deal with one of these days.


Bingo. Wright supposedly makes thier stuff here as well, but I cant find a place that sells thier stuff. Alot of SK tools are claimed to be "100% made in USA"

The thing about sears, is, they have to compete in thier own price-point. What I mean is, they are trying to compete with imported brands like husky and eventually kobalt id imagine. They have to make sacrifices. Im fully confident that sears, if price was nothing to worry about, could make a tool that would be right up there with snap on, but its not what they are trying to do. Lets face it, when you o to sears and pay 16.99 for a ratchet do you expect it to be as nice as your 70$+ snap on?

Sears might be onto something with thier pro-line though...

[glfredrick]

The Pro Line is also imported, but from a different source. It appears to be the same as Matco...

What I used to say to a lot of my customers that though going to Sears to buy tools was a good shake was something along these lines...

You charge tools on your charge card, adding a percentage to what they cost, making them close to the same price as Snap On (the dealers let you have a no-interest account on the truck to pay for tools while you use them to make money), so why use tools that will cost you time and aggravation (all the extra time spent dealing with rounded/broken off bolts and stuff) when you could just do it right from the start.

Over the years (before and after I was a Snap On dealer) I've managed to amass a nice set of tools, and I've spent around $30 a week to do that. I likely have around 20-30K worth of stuff now, including a scanner and vantage, all with those low payments spread over a lot of time. Cool thing is that I'm still pulling on a good many of the tools I first bought as a 16 year old (yup - no replacement on a lot of them yet) and I just turned 49 this summer. Try that with crap tools...

[eschoendorff]

The Pro Line is also imported, but from a different source. It appears to be the same as Matco...


Huh??? Imported??? The only imported Sears pliers taht I am aware of are their minature pliers. Everything else - including the proline - is made here in the USA by Western Forge. That said, I still like my Knipex and Facom MUCH better, and yes, my Snap On sets are nice too. But even the Snap On pliers (mini cutters) are sourced from Sweden (EP 144).

[bigdreamin]

Quick note here, Danaher is teh parent company to both Matco and craftsman as well as the Napa tool line. Also ANYTHING with the Snap-On name on it is made in the USA, period end of story. Only the Blue Point line is imported.

[eschoendorff]

Quick note here, Danaher is teh parent company to both Matco and craftsman as well as the Napa tool line. Also ANYTHING with the Snap-On name on it is made in the USA, period end of story. Only the Blue Point line is imported.

Not true. The set of EP144 that I have say Snap On right on them and are also marked "made in Sweden."

[bigdreamin]

Not true. The set of EP144 that I have say Snap On right on them and are also marked "made in Sweden."

Hmmm, I'll take your word for it, anything I have ever seen says made in USA right on, I have also been told that from several dealers.

[ZJim]

Is there any good place to buy discounted Snap On stuff, or do you have to buy locally through the tool truck guy? Or is it all sold at whatever Snapon dictates?

[bigdreamin]

Is there any good place to buy discounted Snap On stuff, or do you have to buy locally through the tool truck guy? Or is it all sold at whatever Snapon dictates?

Yea, go to swap meets, look for old snap on stuff thats been beat up or is even broken and shitty, snappy dealers will replace it with new for free. You can also check Ebay motors for used Snap-On tools as well, remeber with the lifetime warntee you can buy one that looks shitty and get a new one at no cost. As far as buying new Snap-On tools you have two choices, localy through a dealer or online at www.snapon.com if you strike up a good repore with yoru local dealer he will usally cut you a better deal than you cna get at Snap-On's web site.

[glfredrick]

Is there any good place to buy discounted Snap On stuff, or do you have to buy locally through the tool truck guy? Or is it all sold at whatever Snapon dictates?

There are a couple of carefully selected import tools in Snap On's line (I was a dealer). There are not many, however, and if they are there, they are likely among the best tools possible.

Blue Point tools may be imported, purchased from other manufacturers OR manufactured by Snap On and in turn sold to other distributors under their own brand name (some of the Kobalt line for instance).

Snap On seriously polices their pricing policy. All dealers get a company computer with software that sets the price. It "should" match the web site price. He "can" lower the price, but seldom does, as it cuts into his own profit margin, which is MUCH less than the average dude purchasing the tools thinks (after fixed expenses, around 10% - markup is not nearly what most think it is -- especially on hand tools).

The only place for discounted sales (normally, without an unscrupulous dealer) is from a dealer going out of business, or used tool sales. Remember, you can always trade up used tools for new with the life-time warranty, so used tools are effectively discounted. Snap On also seriously protects their sales territories. They authorize a dealer to a particular territory -- period. If a rival dealer penetrates that territory, the primary holder of the region gets the profits from the sale. At that rate, why bother selling outside your area. It just makes more work for you. They also police eBay sales. If a dealer is caught selling on eBay, it is their last day as a dealer. So, yes, Snap On typically sells for retail based on company policy.

You can purchase Snap On via their company web site, but the profits go to the dealer in your area, so you are better off just finding the local dealer and doing business through him or her as the case may be.

Some guys have problems with their dealers -- or worse, have no dealer to service what they've purchased earlier. The no dealer issue is the greater problem, as the only remedy is to go through Snap On via the on-line source. As a former dealer, what I've learned is that most guys that have a problem with their local dealer are likely the problem themselves... They come on the truck with an attitude, never make a purchase for weeks/months on end, then demand a cut-rate deal. Meanwhile, it costs your local dealer between $10-15 a week just to stop in to see you. After a while, he or she gets an attitude also. You should see how friendly those dealers get when they find a regular customer... You don't even have to spend a lot -- just be regular, and be personable, and it will all be good.

In my own route, I inherited a LOT of bad attitudes -- people that were pissed at S-O for some reason or another, some of that generated by competing tool dudes so that they could profit. It took me the better part of a year to convince a lot of these guys that I was for real, and that I actually cared if they made a "return on investment" on the stuff they purchased from me (it is all about YOU making money with the tools -- you make money, you buy more tools to make more money -- we are both happy campers). About the time it started clicking on all 8 cylinders I lost my truck because the franchise owner I drove for sold out.

[bigdreamin]

Huh I never knew dealers couldn't sell on ebay. I hope you don't think there is anything wrong with discounting prices on the truck, I don't think I have ever paid list price for anything off the truck, and when I have bought by tool boxes I have been given alot of nice freebies (tools,towles socks etc.)
I do feel for dealers who have to go into areas that havn't had a dealer for a while, its a shame people can't see that its not their dealers fault they didn't have service.

[glfredrick]

Huh I never knew dealers couldn't sell on ebay. I hope you don't think there is anything wrong with discounting prices on the truck, I don't think I have ever paid list price for anything off the truck, and when I have bought by tool boxes I have been given alot of nice freebies (tools,towles socks etc.)
I do feel for dealers who have to go into areas that havn't had a dealer for a while, its a shame people can't see that its not their dealers fault they didn't have service.


Some try to sell on eBay. You should read the private Snap On dealer forums... :eek: Its not pretty having your life ripped out from under you when they find out.

Dealers can discount on the truck, and many do. I know that I did, but it was not as normal a thing as most would have you believe. In many cases Snap On helps the dealer do this with various promotions, etc.

Tool box sales are another animal entirely -- there is room for discount there with a generous trade-in allowance that allows for "perks" in the form of tools, etc.

Want a great dealer? Help the one you have stay in business. He's just trying to take care of his family, just like you are... Some, who have been in the business for years have made some good money. Those coming in now are hurting big time, as the metric revolution is long over. The core sales that S-O used to build its dealer business has deteriorated to a small fraction of sales because almost everyone out there has everything. The new trend is in electronics and tool boxes that hold all the stuff -- both hard sales.

[bigdreamin]

Want a great dealer? Help the one you have stay in business. He's just trying to take care of his family, just like you are...

It's kinda funny you mention that, when I first met my dealer it was in December a few years ago, he had just started and wasn't selling shit (another case of not having a dealer on the route for a while). I had been deatign getting a tool box and finally decided to pull the trigger, we always joke that I bought his kids Christmas presents that year. Ever since than I have been taken care of (I was the first person on his route to get their Snap-On "Charhart" last winter) although hes gotten like ubber slow with getting orders in lately.

[TANNERJENNINGS24]

Is there any good place to buy discounted Snap On stuff, or do you have to buy locally through the tool truck guy? Or is it all sold at whatever Snapon dictates?
EBAY

[Alex123456]

Not true. The set of EP144 that I have say Snap On right on them and are also marked "made in Sweden."


Could these be made by Bahco? I had heard Bahco was same as Snap On only made and sold in Europe. Don't know if that is true.

[kingnuke32]

I work In Sweden almost every summer and have used Bahco tools they are swedish and not the same as snapon tools here, not bad quality just not in the class of snapon. And there stupid crescent wrenches turn the wrong way... :shaking: :flipoff2:

[Alex123456]

Just looked it up, Bahco is owned by Snap-On but their tools are different, as far as I can tell. Maybe the Snap-On cutters made in Sweden are Bahco

[hayseed]

Best pliers i have ever used on the farm
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=15559&group_ID=749&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

[glfredrick]

hes gotten like ubber slow with getting orders in lately.

Snap On dealers get slow in filling orders for two reasons -- either they cannot afford to pay their tool bill to Snap On, or the tool is on back order from Snap On and there is nothing the dealer can do to get it. Trust me -- there is not a Snappy dealer that doesn't want to get your stuff. He doesn't make a dime until you are paying for that tool. Ordering costs him money up front, as does the truck accounts that they give as they are paying your tool bill out of their pocket, hoping that you'll keep your promise to pay them back. They don't make any money for doing this -- it is a service to the customer in hopes that the will sell more product and eventually recover the cost.

What compounds some of these problems is Snap On itself. They have no qualms about sending a couple tool boxes a month (or the latest scanner or other high ticket item) to the dealer, then forcing that dealer to turn that product in order to pay his 30 day net tool bill. A couple times of this and he ends up on hold, not able to order any more tools -- and also unable to sell his way out of his financial pickle. That's why being regular with payments makes your dealer VERY friendly toward you. If he can count on you, you will be able to count on him.

[bigdreamin]

Snap On dealers get slow in filling orders for two reasons -- either they cannot afford to pay their tool bill to Snap On, or the tool is on back order from Snap On and there is nothing the dealer can do to get it. Trust me -- there is not a Snappy dealer that doesn't want to get your stuff. He doesn't make a dime until you are paying for that tool. Ordering costs him money up front, as does the truck accounts that they give as they are paying your tool bill out of their pocket, hoping that you'll keep your promise to pay them back. They don't make any money for doing this -- it is a service to the customer in hopes that the will sell more product and eventually recover the cost.

What compounds some of these problems is Snap On itself. They have no qualms about sending a couple tool boxes a month (or the latest scanner or other high ticket item) to the dealer, then forcing that dealer to turn that product in order to pay his 30 day net tool bill. A couple times of this and he ends up on hold, not able to order any more tools -- and also unable to sell his way out of his financial pickle. That's why being regular with payments makes your dealer VERY friendly toward you. If he can count on you, you will be able to count on him.


Well here's the thing with that, I'm still waiting on a few wrenches and a few smaller items to be warented along with a cover for the tool box I bought, everything I am waiting on was part of our package deal when I bought the box. Keep in mind I bought this box way the hell back at christmas time I also put everything on my snappy credit account about $8,000 worth of stuff. He deffiantly hooked me up don't get me wrong I just wonder if I'll ever get my stuff :confused:

Edit: Everything I am waiting on has been paid for, or is a warantee item.

[glfredrick]

I'd guess, I'd just ask him. Note that some small hand tools are perpetually out of stock until they get around to making a new batch. I couldn't get a 1/4" ratchet or a couple of common sockets for months. Same with the most common brake pliers (7 months!). At other times, the part has been discontinued and/or superseded to a new number. Ask him to check with his fellow dealers to see if they have the stock on their trucks. Sometimes that is the only way to get something.

[bigdreamin]

I'd guess, I'd just ask him. Note that some small hand tools are perpetually out of stock until they get around to making a new batch. I couldn't get a 1/4" ratchet or a couple of common sockets for months. Same with the most common brake pliers (7 months!). At other times, the part has been discontinued and/or superseded to a new number. Ask him to check with his fellow dealers to see if they have the stock on their trucks. Sometimes that is the only way to get something.
Well my biggest thing is the cover, I bought the American Chopper box (not my 1st choice but it was on teh truck) and you know what its worth and I really want to protect it. Other than that its a 7,8,9mm flank drive plus wrenches and the bolt girp puller kit (we tried ordering the replacement parts I need but kept getting the wrong ones) I know he's trying it just blows, when he first started he coudl get stuff in one week. :(

[Jess James]

. . . That Sears and others have caved into price demands that end up supporting the Chinese military is pure un-American.

I'll keep on paying the price and helping some other family to feed their kids instead of furthering the military build up in the Far East that we are going to have to deal with one of these days.

That's what I've been saying for years. I hate poor fitting sockets and wrenches. I put craftsman hand tools back on the rack if I see "Made in China" on it, and if there is a manager around I bitch about. I canceled my sears card and paid it off recently.

[Jess James]

My favorite standard pliers is a set of Snap On that I've had for about 22 years in addition to a set of Snap On curved needle nose. My favorite set is a set of 20 year old Craftsman channell lock knock offs that are chrome plated and if I were to break them probably couldn't be replaced. On duck bills, its a tie between the current Craftsman and current Snap On although the Crescent Duck bills are cool in a funky sort of way for weird things.

As far as electronic tools, Lindstrom (They're Sweedish) is hard to beat as far as diagnals go followed by Klein and Ideal dykes and strippers (:flipoff2: before you even go there).


A lot of the Crescent tools are starting to be labeled "china" and "taiwan." About the only things on the shelves by them that is USA seems to be the adjustable wrenches. Even the cool new adjustable by crescent is chinese shit.
Someone at Cooper Tools needs an arse kicking until their nose bleeds. Cooper tools has gone to hell (or China, same difference).

[ZJim]

Well here's the thing with that, I'm still waiting on a few wrenches and a few smaller items to be warented along with a cover for the tool box I bought, everything I am waiting on was part of our package deal when I bought the box. Keep in mind I bought this box way the hell back at christmas time I also put everything on my snappy credit account about $8,000 worth of stuff. He deffiantly hooked me up don't get me wrong I just wonder if I'll ever get my stuff :confused:

Edit: Everything I am waiting on has been paid for, or is a warantee item.



Whenever you mention cheap tools, or Craftsman stuff, everyone always talks about how the SnapOn guy is right there for returns, and how SnapOn tools are for people who actually make money with their tools, but if your guy isn't there, that sorta takes away that aspect of it. At least if you break a Craftsman Sears is ALWAYS OPEN! Cheap Chinese shit or not, it's free and reasonably quick to replace. Just an observation, although I still prefer the quality and feel of Snapon's stuff.

[bigdreamin]

Whenever you mention cheap tools, or Craftsman stuff, everyone always talks about how the SnapOn guy is right there for returns, and how SnapOn tools are for people who actually make money with their tools, but if your guy isn't there, that sorta takes away that aspect of it. At least if you break a Craftsman Sears is ALWAYS OPEN! Cheap Chinese shit or not, it's free and reasonably quick to replace. Just an observation, although I still prefer the quality and feel of Snapon's stuff.

Yea but the Snap-On guy comes to your shop, you don't have to go to him. It's a rare occasion he doen't have stuff for you pretty quick, besides that Snap-On tools are alot less likely to break in the first place.