Now that Sears appears to be headed for bankruptcy, who makes decent quality hand tools? I know that Snap On and Mac service the mechanics trade, but their tools are incredibly expensive (to a ridiculous level).

Any suggestions on who makes a tool that will hold up for a lifetime?

I really hope Craftsman doesn't go down the toilet.

Rog

 

Black Hawk makes a good tool. Not sure if they are in with Sears though.
Just looked them up and Stanley makes them.

 

Klein makes great hand tools. Had 30 or so diffrent tools from them and nothing has broke yet. Just lost a few along the way haha

 

Any opinions on the Kobalt line from Lowes? I bought one of their tool cabinets and it seems like a quality product. Don't know about the tools though. They are right with Craftsman on most of the pricing from what I've seen.

I also like that they use the Blue/Black color scheme which matches my truck and bike quite well. But that isn't a good reason to buy them, just the added bonus.

 

X2 for Klein tools.

 

The old Craftsman tools were pretty good, the new stuff is junk. I keep a box laying around for all the tools of theirs I break. Once I get a good pile built up I take it in to be replaced.

I have started buying some of the Kobalts to give them a test. The seem to be pretty good quality since I haven't broke anything yet. Their screwdrivers are nice but not when working on a greasy car. The pads on the handle are not oil resistant and will look pretty grungy after their first use. Lowes also has a lost socket replacement policy if you register your tools with them. I have a feeling Lowes is about to really go after Craftsman market share in the hand tool market.

The Husky brand at HD works but does not have the fit and finish of Kobalt and their selection is pretty small.

 

I don't think Sears is going to be going anywhere in our lifetimes. They may file for bankruptcy, but it will be a reorganization, not a liquidation. Even if it was a liquidation, I think you would see some of their brands (Craftsman, Kenmore, Diehard) spun off to other entities that would continue with them. Those brands still have a ton of value and should be around well into the foreseeable future.

 

I've had good luck with these.... http://ktindustries.net/ they hold up just as good as snapon or matco

A couple of the local autoparts stores carry this brand.....

 

Original Kobalt tools were a joint venture between Lowes and J.H. Williams (a dfivision of Snap On), made in the US. They are now made in Taiwan by Danaher Corporation.

 

http://www.kleintools.com/

http://www.cornwelltools.com/

http://www.idealindustries.com/products/tools_totes/

http://www.channellock.com/



I used to buy Husky until they shifted production to China in the 90's. Before then, they were great for general household use.

Home Depot carries a decent selection of Klein hand tools.

 

I have a pretty big collection of craftsman tools. Been collecting them since my Dad gave me his tool box.. If money were no object I'd buy snap on.. My kid will get boxes of tools not just a box..

 

a little dated...

http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

about Danaher...

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...8/b4022065.htm

 

Ive had great luck with stanley... Most of them have outlasted my craftsman junk

 

Yal really have issues with craftsman? I broke one ratchet when i was like 5 (wasn't already old as hell at that point) and besides that haven't broken anything.

Only thing i've noticed is their ratchets aren't quite as smooth as they used to be. About 95% of my hand tools are craftsman and have yet to let me down. I've noticed their new "innovative" line (black wrenches) the ratchet seems a little smoother but could be just the different shape and feel of the wrench itself.

If i had to switch brands, i'd jump over to kobalt from lowes. Usually have good sales throughout the year and the quality looks pretty nice. I'm just OCD and don't like mis matching brands between specific tool sets. Until i have a reason to switch i won't.

 

Folks lets be real here, try and stay away from Kobalt, etc... The Chinese have enough of our money and do not need any more.

Please make an honest effort to buy tools made in the USA. At the very least surf your local Craigslist or yard sales for some old quality tools.