It's probably all made in the same factory along with matcoThe one thing at China Freight that I know is as good as Snap-On is their breaker bar. I saw a test online about that and it actually performed slightly better.
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It's probably all made in the same factory along with matcoThe one thing at China Freight that I know is as good as Snap-On is their breaker bar. I saw a test online about that and it actually performed slightly better.
^^^this^^^It's probably all made in the same factory along with matco
I thought Proto was owned by Stanley; or is this a new development? I know SK was bought by Ideal.^^^this^^^
There are only about three or four companies currently supplying all the top name and big box store tools. If you want to look outside the big corporate tool companies, A decent middle of the road quality that I didn't see mentioned yet is Tekton. Tekton tools are made in U.S., Taiwan, and China, but they've been moving away from china. They're priced about the same as Craftsman, Kobalt tools. If you want industrial quality, forged in USA tools, look at Wright Tools. They're about the same price as Snap-on/Matco. Proto tools, while they have been bought out by a chinese company, haven't heard anything bad about their current quality yet. Pricewise, they're in between Box store and industrial tools. Similar deal with S-K tools as well.
I'm not 100% sure on that, I've slept since reading up on all that info, But, iirc Stanely conglomerate is mostly chinese made now days. If I'm wrong, correct me.I thought Proto was owned by Stanley; or is this a new development? I know SK was bought by Ideal.
HF top shelf hand tool line is Icon. Made in Taiwan and actually very good for the price point. Lifetime warranty too.It's probably all made in the same factory along with matco
There’s no ratchet made that compares to a snap on. Definitely not one from harbor freight that’s for sure. They can copy a look but the guts are definitely not the same. I’ve been earning a paycheck using professional tools for over 30years and there’s a reason real tradesmen buy snap on, matco or Mac.made in Wisconsin.Are snap on made in USA. its funny to go to harbor freight and see those same tools at 1/100th the price.
There’s no ratchet made that compares to a snap on. Definitely not one from harbor freight that’s for sure. They can copy a look but the guts are definitely not the same. I’ve been earning a paycheck using professional tools for over 30years and there’s a reason real tradesmen buy snap on, matco or Mac.
There’s no ratchet made that compares to a snap on. Definitely not one from harbor freight that’s for sure. They can copy a look but the guts are definitely not the same. I’ve been earning a paycheck using professional tools for over 30years and there’s a reason real tradesmen buy snap on, matco or Mac.made in Wisconsin.
View attachment 8011893
Seems the guys not looking to have to pay college tuition prices to own a home owner set. Mac, Matco and Snap On earn their owners money. Pretty much any other set will get by for general use around the house.
There's a ton of wisdom in this post.If you are cranking down lag bolts on your deck or changing the tire on your wellbarrow...CMAN (usa) or decent import stuff is perfect.I have a fair bit of snap on, granted they are 30+ years old, so I can't really speak to current offerings. What I can say is in my hobby playing around on a fairly larger scale for a home tinkerer snap on does not offer enough to justify their huge costs. Some "special" tools out of places like Germany I feel are worth it, but when it comes down to "normal" type hand tools, I think you are paying a great deal for that snap on name.
One last thing about the chinese, just because it comes from china does not mean it is crap, they will build whatever you want to what ever standard you want.
IF you want a 1/4+1/2 set in chrome/hand-tools look at european brands (german), they tend market sets with this combination. more than traditionally was agavilable in USA. Note however, that 1/2 drive sockets are bulky and, the ratchets are heavy. For a handyman set around the house, IMHO 3/8 is lighter and more compact option. But common sense is applicable here in the selection.Who makes which tool: WhoMakesWhat
For homeowners and not professional wrenches it seems to me that 1/4" and 3/8" sockets have too much overlap. I'd go for a 1/4" and 1/2" set.
This right here. All my knipex stuff is bombproofKnipex is a great brand!
This post is a good opportunity to point something out. Like my first post in this thread speaking to general around the home usage yes your correct. Wether lowes, Home Depot or harbor freight the quality at that level is just fine for most but the ease of warranty is key! Also one of the reasons tradesmen pay more money for snap on in many different style tools you also made that point. Which is I can have a much thinner walled lighter socket that fits into lots of machined recesses that most sockets won’t and they still don’t crack or fail nearly as often. Your comment of them being heavier is probably dead accurate but that wall thickness on many professional applications is very important that it’s thin and strong.I know I will get flamed for this but....
If you have a Harbor Freight local to you, go and get Pittsburgh brand. They are full lifetime warrantied like Craftsman used to be. If one breaks, walk in with it and walk out with a new one. Just that simple.
Btw- I haven't had a failure yet and I am hard on tools. Their impact sockets are heavier made than SnapOn.
I understand completely as I am a Machinist by trade. I have the high end tools and they are perfect for the right application.This post is a good opportunity to point something out. Like my first post in this thread speaking to general around the home usage yes your correct. Wether lowes, Home Depot or harbor freight the quality at that level is just fine for most but the ease of warranty is key! Also one of the reasons tradesmen pay more money for snap on in many different style tools you also made that point. Which is I can have a much thinner walled lighter socket that fits into lots of machined recesses that most sockets won’t and they still don’t crack or fail nearly as often. Your comment of them being heavier is probably dead accurate but that wall thickness on many professional applications is very important that it’s thin and strong.
In wanting to make sure I was tracking I watched the video you refer to. I liked it lots of good test. I think going back to the difference between homeowners/ hobbiest is the day to day torture. One thing I picked up on in the video is that every brand was brand new. So the inspection of the pawls and gears generally were great. Now in my real world test, use all those brands every day for a decent amount of time and see when your knuckles are bleeding all over from sudden failure on the bargain brands. The guts fail and you can’t see that wear with your eyes. Where some of my ratchets are daily use for 20 + years on original guts and I have much faith every time I use them that I’m not going to end up bleeding. With all brand new stuff there is no degradation of components but trust me it’s a real thing. Have I broken lots of snap on? He’ll ya a shit load throughout my career but like I said from real world experience the professionals buy those few brands for a multitude of reasons. Those reasons definitely not applicable to a homeowner. Liked the video though. I worked mainly in metric/foreign and agree with some other post that German tools are great. Used many throughout the years just guilty by association and loved them all.You should watch that Project Farm, he tested both ratchets and wrenches to failure. His results my change your mind.
And yes I know there is a huge difference between how strong a tool is and how long it will last in normal "day to day" use.
I bet I have at least one tool from everyone on the planet.
Me too just like my first post #2 in this thread was go to a box store and it will be everything you need.I understand completely as I am a Machinist by trade. I have the high end tools and they are perfect for the right application.
However, my post was directed at the op and keeping in line with the level of tools he had in his original post.
Are snap on made in USA. its funny to go to harbor freight and see those same tools at 1/100th the price.
The thicker wall of impact sockets can be too thick for some spots. Impact sockets aren’t necessary unless you start needing them on a regular basis. A chrome socket can be used a few times on an impact gun without exploding but you must be careful about itAny reason NOT to get impact instead of standard for basic use?
Chrome (hand tool) sockets have a harder heat treatment, they are generally better for use with ratchets.Any reason NOT to get impact instead of standard for basic use?
In wanting to make sure I was tracking I watched the video you refer to. I liked it lots of good test. I think going back to the difference between homeowners/ hobbiest is the day to day torture. One thing I picked up on in the video is that every brand was brand new. So the inspection of the pawls and gears generally were great. Now in my real world test, use all those brands every day for a decent amount of time and see when your knuckles are bleeding all over from sudden failure on the bargain brands. The guts fail and you can’t see that wear with your eyes. Where some of my ratchets are daily use for 20 + years on original guts and I have much faith every time I use them that I’m not going to end up bleeding. With all brand new stuff there is no degradation of components but trust me it’s a real thing. Have I broken lots of snap on? He’ll ya a shit load throughout my career but like I said from real world experience the professionals buy those few brands for a multitude of reasons. Those reasons definitely not applicable to a homeowner. Liked the video though. I worked mainly in metric/foreign and agree with some other post that German tools are great. Used many throughout the years just guilty by association and loved them all.
The thicker wall of impact sockets can be too thick for some spots. Impact sockets aren’t necessary unless you start needing them on a regular basis. A chrome socket can be used a few times on an impact gun without exploding but you must be careful about it
I didn’t know about induction heaters for seized nuts/bolts but I will check into them, thanks for the heads-upI am far from careful about it, and had chrome sockets on a breaker bar with a cheater pipe only to bust the breaker bar.
On a side "tool" comment, if you are screwing with "stuck" nuts and bolts you really need to look into one of those induction heaters.
I think anyone with a fair amount of grease under his finger nails knows this.
View attachment 8014316
But getting that stupid torch out is a pain, and I have started things on fire under a greasy car before, and that really will piss you off.
This thing falls into the "where have you been all my life". I bought an amazon knockoff and so far it is amazing. It is still in the area of me forgetting I have it.....sitting there with the impact running and thinking well this is good and stuck, go to get the breaker bar and hold on a sec I have this new gizmo, lets see how it works. Put it on there till it was red hot, tried a normal 1/2 ratchet and it just came off no issue at all....just amazing. But remember that stuff is darn hot after, socket included. And I think you should re lube your ratchets if you use it often, think that heat would be hard on the grease in the ratchet.
One of you honkers trade me some guns for my snap on box 54 w locker in combat tan power drawer
snap on you say? I'd give you a Taurus and a Hi Point, both in 9mm for it.One of you honkers trade me some guns for my snap on box 54 w locker in combat tan power drawer
Done dealsnap on you say? I'd give you a Taurus and a Hi Point, both in 9mm for it.
Yep. Taiwan steel / tools seem a lot more reliable. I have a couple sets of Proto combination wrenches (one set is ratcheting) and they're all extremely well made. Proto's sockets are decent, but their socket wrenches SUCK.For a budget set, look for Made in Taiwan instead of China. There's usually a big difference in quality.
You would be much better off sliding Germany In the #2 slot between USA and Japan and scratch the rest of your list off. Unless your shopping homeowner budget tools which at that point whatever pretty much works.Tools are made in just a few factories. I buy in this order:
1. Made in USA
2. Made in Japan, if I can find them
2. Made in Taiwan
3. Made somewhere else, except China, or India
I agree. Local to me, German tools are non-existent.You would be much better off sliding Germany In the #2 slot between USA and Japan and scratch the rest of your list off. Unless your shopping homeowner budget tools which at that point whatever pretty much works.
OP is looking for homeowner stuff...In the market for a socket set and case for home use