Tool sets...??? Any Brands anyone prefers?? nm.

Mac = Stanley and Matco = Craftman & NAPA. No kidding, that is interesting. That is like what the one guy metioned about Dewalt power tools being rebaged Black & Decker. Advertising is a powerful thing.

Check out Cruz Tools, they have neat T-Handles, the handle slides for more torque.

I am just starting out in building my tool collection and I really like Craftsman. I know that if any tool comes from Taiwan, then stay away from it. The plating will chip off, the ratchets will strip out, or the sockets will easily crack.

I remember a couple of years ago, I was tightening the shock linkage bolts on my KDX with a Taiwan socket and ratchet, and the socket cracked. I used an Allen wrench from the same tool set to loosen an Allen head bolt that held the brake caliper to the fork, and the Allen head wrench twisted right in my hand. It looked like a swirled candy cane.

Snap-On is nice and everything, but looking at their web site, their prices are just way too much. Plus I am very anti-snob and Snap-On carries this kind of air about them that says "If you don't use Snap-On, you ain't nothin, you're not a mechanic at all."

I don't like Craftsman power tools or lawn equipment either. Stay away from them.

I`ve owned all different brands of tools over the years and i`ve broke something from everybody. Bottom line is buy the best you can afford but that doesn`t mean you have to go buy the most expensive either. Just as long as it has a lifetime guarantee you should be fine. It does seem like alot of tool manufactures quality has gone down in the last few years though.

HG

Isn't it the branches that add most of the mark-up?
Thanks for the info on the snap on stuff.

andymstevens no not necessarily. As a member of the dealer advisory a few years back I sat in on some product pricing meetings and its a lot more complex than I previously thought. If you price it too high you won't sell enough to keep it in the product line. If you price it too cheap you won't make enough to inspire the dealer to make any effort to sell it much less be able to give a decent warranty on a product. It's all a balancing act and if you do it right everyone wins. The customer gets a good product with good service for a fair price. The manufacturer and dealer makes a profit and continues to provide good products and good service. Overall Snap-On does the best job marketing to the professional tool user which is why they dominate that particular market. The others never quite get all the puzzle pieces to fit together properly.Other posts keep refering to the "Snob appeal" that Snap-On has but I haven't encountered this with the customers I deal with. I think my customers use Snap-On because of the quality and the service I give to them. I have proved to them that Snap-On and I are the only ones they can count on to reliably be there when they need us year after year.

Getting off the soapbox now!

Toolman:cool:

Have to agree with the Snap On guy. I own craftsman, MAC, Vulcan, and others. Only the MAC tools have never been replaced. Every other tool in my chests are not original. The craftsmen tools have all been replaced 3 or 4 times. The newer craftsman wrenches and sockets are much softer than 20 years ago. I am upgrading to Snap On. Sick of going to Sears and wasting my time exchanging JUNK tools. There is a noticible difference in the flex of their wrenches. SnapOn will remove bolts that others wrenches will not due to flex in the jaws and the handle. Too many times I have had heads of bolts round off due to craftsman wrenches flexing too much. Also, I have felt how a Snap On wrench requires less effort from you to remove a tight fastener. Again the flex issue. Less fatigue while working on your bike, less aggravation fighting tight bolts. Less hassles from nuts and bolts falling off while riding ( I know it was tight when I put it on ). As a non mechanic, you don't need every tool on the truck. Stick to what you really need. Buy a basic wrench set, socket set, and pliers, and screwdrivers. Start small, don't break the bank. Plus a GOOD tool man will give you a deal if you buy the small set now and add to it later. Can't do that at Sears. Pay a little more now and be ALOT happier later.:)

Kobalt Tools

Craftsman tools are good the tolerances are loose, so you'd be more likely to round off your bolt before you break the tool. I own some and haven't had any problems, I also like Kobalt tools from Lowes, they are made by J. H. Williams a division of Snap-on, and are guaranteed forever.

S-K Tools are some of the best tools for the money. Tight tolerances, quality finish, and reasonable prices. The best place I have found to purchase them is through ONTOOL.COM. They seem to have about the cheapest prices around. Craftsman quality has slipped over the years, and it's my belief that the components you get in the "tool sets" are made up of second rate parts that wouldn't pass inspection to be sold as singles. Just my thoughts and experience!