what is the best "bang for your buck" tool maker/seller?

[rudeguy]

I'm needing to replenish my tool supply. In the past I was just basically tinkering, so I bought off-brand tools. Now I'm needing some quality but don't want to overpay.

How are Craftsman? Does their warranty apply to power tools as well?

I used to swear by Makita but it doesn't look like they are even a player any more.

Any input is welcome

 

[herm0016]

I really like my rigid battery and power tools, I have a small router and a circular saw for corded tools, and the drill/sawzall battery powered combo they sold a few years ago. I have been happy with their performance.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What kind of tools you're specifically looking for would be helpful.

 

[rudeguy]

What kind of tools you're specifically looking for would be helpful.

Mostly had tools. Some small power tools.

For instance right now I need a good but small driver, a larger more powerful driver, a couple sets of good pliers and assorted bits. Down the road I'm going to need a circular saw and some larger tools to finish my basement.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Channellock makes excellent pliers. I've had good luck with my USA made craftsman hand tools. Craftsman has started making their hand tools in China so I'd look elsewhere unless you can find old USA made stock. As far as power tools I usually go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy the middle quality tools and have had good luck.

 

[edro]

Powertools:
Rigid offers lifetime replacement of batteries.
Ryobi 18v Lithium has served me very well and the price is great.
Keep in mind that power tool models change every few years, so saying a certain brand is best is futile. You need to check reviews and head-to-head comparisons to see how the most recent models stack up.

Hand tools:
I use Craftsman for general tools because of the no questions asked warranty at Sears.
I use Klein for anything electrical oriented, as they are top quality and last a life time. I have diagonal cutting pliers and linesman pliers from Klein that are ~30-50 years old and still cut much better than newer pairs of other brands.
Channel-Lock seems to be a great brand, but their new aged marketing is starting to scare me. My local hardware store has a whole aisle dedicated to Channel-Lock. Shopvacs, screw drivers, pliers, almost anything tool related, Channel-Lock makes now.
It just makes me think they are all re-badged.

 

[richardycc]

harbor freight? with the 20% coupon, can't get much better bang for buck than that.

 

[Ayah]

for levering tools (pliers, ratcheting crimpers, wire strippers and other such lever based mechanisms) I'm a big fan of Knipex.

 

[Strk]

Powertools:
Rigid offers lifetime replacement of batteries.
Ryobi 18v Lithium has served me very well and the price is great.
Keep in mind that power tool models change every few years, so saying a certain brand is best is futile. You need to check reviews and head-to-head comparisons to see how the most recent models stack up.

Hand tools:
I use Craftsman for general tools because of the no questions asked warranty at Sears.
I use Klein for anything electrical oriented, as they are top quality and last a life time. I have diagonal cutting pliers and linesman pliers from Klein that are ~30-50 years old and still cut much better than newer pairs of other brands.
Channel-Lock seems to be a great brand, but their new aged marketing is starting to scare me. My local hardware store has a whole aisle dedicated to Channel-Lock. Shopvacs, screw drivers, pliers, almost anything tool related, Channel-Lock makes now.
It just makes me think they are all re-badged.

Home Depot does the same with Husky hand tools.

 

[lxskllr]

As of the early 90s, Craftsman. I've heard they've been slipping, so I couldn't recommend them without checking them out first.

 

[BoomerD]

Craftsman hand tools USED to be all made in the USA. Nowadays, many are made in China...and IMO, quality has declined.

Home Depot's Ridgid Power tools are Chinese built, (like all cordless tools) but they're very good...and like some video cards, if you register them, you get a "lifetime service agreement" for them. I have their smaller 18v Lithium-Ion drill. I'm impressed by how good it is. I also have their corded "multi-tool" with the plunge cutter and auto-hammer attachments. Nice tools.

 

[PokerGuy]

I had craftsman for a long time, great quality. Then they switched to chinese made tools and now they are inferior quality. I'd look elsewhere.

I like the ryobi 18v li drills etc, you can get a good deal on those. Dewalt is always good, but expensive, just as Milwaukee brand.

 

[BoomerD]

I had craftsman for a long time, great quality. Then they switched to chinese made tools and now they are inferior quality. I'd look elsewhere.

I like the ryobi 18v li drills etc, you can get a good deal on those. Dewalt is always good, but expensive, just as Milwaukee brand.

MAYBE the Ryobi stuff is better with Li batteries. Their Ni-Cd stuff (batteries) sucked. The tools weren't horrible...but their batteries were poor quality.

 

[Mixolydian]

Klein.

For power tools, Milwaukee or Makita.

 

[Vdubchaos]

What are you doing OP?

I would never purchase a tool unless I absolutely need it. Assuming need = buying tools + sitting around for years/never used.

For mild work (dyier or project here and there) Craftsman is probably your best bet.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What are you doing OP?

I would never purchase a tool unless I absolutely need it. Assuming need = buying tools + sitting around for years/never used.

For mild work (dyier or project here and there) Craftsman is probably your best bet.

Then any project becomes 5 trips back and forth between the hardware store just to get the job done. No thanks. I've invested in a decent tool collection for a diy-er that gets most jobs done without me running to the store for every little thing I run into.
Yes I'm all for saving money but tripping over a dollar to save a penny isn't how I go about it. My tools have paid themselves off several times over. And many of them paid themselves off the first time I used them.

 

[rudeguy]

What are you doing OP?

I would never purchase a tool unless I absolutely need it. Assuming need = buying tools + sitting around for years/never used.

For mild work (dyier or project here and there) Craftsman is probably your best bet.

Its a mix of professional stuff (I repair electronics hence the need for good pliers and such) but I am also doing a ton of DYI stuff at home. So I need a good selection of tools.

Sucks to hear about Craftsman. Maybe I'll just keep shopping on Amazon and buy whatever I can find that is good at the right price.

 

[highland145]

Then any project becomes 5 trips back and forth between the hardware store just to get the job done. No thanks. I've invested in a decent tool collection for a diy-er that gets most jobs done without me running to the store for every little thing I run into.
Yes I'm all for saving money but tripping over a dollar to save a penny isn't how I go about it. My tools have paid themselves off several times over. And many of them paid themselves off the first time I used them.

This. Stuff that sits for a year unused needs to go but that does not apply to tools. The bi-plane that I posted a while back, took just about every one that I own to make it (sans wrenches).

 

[d4a2n0k]

I bought a large Craftsman Professional set (Black handles/Black steel) of screwdrivers/pliers around 2000. They were kept in an attached garage and all have rusted, even ones that Ive never used. Some pliers and wire cutters have rusted shut.

I brought them back to Sears and they wont replace them because they say I must have got them wet. They have never been wet although I live right near the bay/ocean so maybe salt air? Even so, my other tools, even cheap Stanleys dont rust. Will never buy Craftsman again.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Then any project becomes 5 trips back and forth between the hardware store just to get the job done.

Not if you plan right

 

[highland145]

Not if you plan right

That's not me. Ridiculous number of times that I've packed up a tool because "I'm done with it" only to need it again.

 

[Midwayman]

harbor freight? with the 20% coupon, can't get much better bang for buck than that.

I use them for specialty stuff that'll get real limited use. Anything more than that and they break too much to be worth it. I wouldn't suggest a socket set from them for example.

I've had good luck with the Husky stuff from home depot for hand tools. They do (or did) have a lifetime warranty as well.

 

[slag]

Pittsburgh hand tools at harbor freight are just as good as today's craftsman stuff, but much cheaper and still have a lifetime warranty.

 

[twinrider1]

GarageJournal is a great site. You can still find US-made Craftsman here and there. Some still being made new, some NOS sets people picked up to resell. The GarageJournal forum is a good source for what works and what's on sale, like our Hot Deals.
And really, if you break a tool, it's usually because you weren't using the right tool in the first place.

Don't skimp on ratchets.

 

[Midwayman]

Pittsburgh hand tools at harbor freight are just as good as today's craftsman stuff, but much cheaper and still have a lifetime warranty.

Dubious. I've bought way too many chinese butter steel items at harbor freight.