Wrenches and Screwdrivers?

If you have decided to go "top shelf" also consider that Snap-On dealers are pretty much everywhere around USA, and thus may be easier to contact if you want to add to your collection, or need something special.  They certainly offer many special application tools, and are often the first or the only maker to offer a special tool for a particular application, e.g. when the automotive designers decide to use a new fastener style or to require a special tool to fit some adjustment mechanism.

Dave R.
 
Or if you work a big jobsite, the Snap-on 'candy' truck comes around pretty often. ;D
 
The difference between the Snap-On tools and the Craftsman is the same as the difference between Festool and Craftsman.

If you are a hobbiest, it will depend on how much you  use the tools, and how much money you have.

If you are a professional, the Snap-On tools will increase your productivity and decrease hand fatigue. Craftsman makes wrenches with slightly rougher edges on the handle (where you grip) to help you when your hands are greasy. This is great for a shade-tree mechanic changing his oil. If you use them all day your hands will feel sore and cut up. The Snap-On are smooth, balanced, stronger, thinner (so they can sometimes fit places other tools wont) and a joy to work with.

Both have a lifetime guaranty.

That said, a 1/4" drive ratched and 6-sided metric sockets will put you back $249... the same thing from Sears is probably $59.
 
Thinner sockets (and some of the wrenches) enable you to work some fasteners that a Craftsman socket (or wrench) cannot.  That is exactly why my father bought Snap-On and Proto brand tools.  Some of the Craftsman sockets and box wrenches are visibly uneven in wall thickness around their circumference.  Guess where they break?

Dave R.
 
MAC are pretty good too aren't they? I've only had a very few things from them, so I can't really comment, but I was pleased, and they're a bit cheaper than Snap-Ons (depending on what you buy, I think some things are actually dearer). But there is only one Snap-On, that's why every entry above has a reference to Snap-On, no matter what tool we're actually talking about.
 
Yes, they are, and so is Cornwell.  They both have distribution systems similar to Snap-On. 

Dave R.
 
Most mechanics tools in the US, except for Chinese cheapies, are made by only three companies: Stanley, Danaher, and Snap-On. Each makes several quality levels (pro, hobbyist, and Wal-mart), though not necessarily all levels. They also make different brands for different labels and distribution methods.

Stanley
  Pro-industrial: Proto (except Proto Blackhawk, which is Wal-mart level), Facom, S-K (Facom[French] bought S-K and was then bought by Stanley, S-K is a mix of original S-K, Facom, and Stanley)
  Pro-dealer truck: MAC
  Hobbyist and Wal-mart: Stanley
  Store label: old Craftsman, HD Huskey
Danaher
  Pro-industrial: Armstrong, Craftsman, Allen, others
  Pro-dealer truck: Matco
  Store label: Craftsman
Snap-On
  Pro-industrial and truck: Snap-On
  Hobbyist: Blue Point
  Store label: Lowes Kobalt (make them, but they are not relabeled Snap-Ons)
There is also the small truck-distributed Cornwell.

It's all pretty confusing, with industry consolidation, contracting out, relabelling etc. I probably got something wrong.
 
 
Just to throw fuel on the fire, I have a set of Husky (Home Depot's house brand) sockets (with a few other 1/4" hex drive accesories), that I use daily for everything from mounting TV's with a drill (driving a socket) to dropping transmissions. I've had this set for about 5 years, and I haven't suffered even a broken phillips bit from that set, and they offer the same lifetime warranty that Sears does on Craftsman.  The set  has 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2" drive, metric and standard, regular and deep well sockets from very small (1/4") up to 1 1/4" (with metric equivalents), with wrenchs from 3/8 to 1", and I think the whole kit (with a case) cost $149.

Please understand that I am not promoting that you shop at Home Depot, but I've been pretty pleased with this set.
 
Thanks Paul. That's good info. I had no idea.

I have some Husky stuff too Garry, a set of sockets I think? They're good.
 
For high end (spendy...) screw drivers & pliers I'd add the German Wiha brand. 

Once you try them...  a Stanley or Craftsman doesn't feel comfortable in the hand.  The electricians pliers & screw drivers are coated to take a 1,000 amps....  I hope I never do something to where I'll need that protection, but it's nice to know it there.

jim
 
I'll second the recommendation for Wiha.  I've been very impressed with the quality of their tools.

Allen
 
Snap-On tools are popular with many mechanic's and technicians due to their vast catalog of available designs, tool strength and comfort, flawless finish, free girlie calenders and most importantly, easy weekly payment plans! (Hint, hint! Whink, whink Festool!) If your not in service and repair trades but are a cash buyer that is interested in obtaining large quantities of these pro-grade tools, I doubt that you will have a hard time getting curb-side service at your home from a local dealer.

I like the newer designed Craftsman Professional set with the comfort grips. After owning a set of these too for home use, I find them to be a good value. They are light weight, well balanced, very strong, fit screws well and sell for a whole lot less dough. Afterall, when I need to turn a screw I usually grab a cordless drill/driver first so I would rather have spent more for a better tool in that category.

After owning way too many Snap-On wrench sets I have developed a feel for the tool's feel and balance. Put another brand in my hands and my fingers will suddenly change to all thumbs. I'm sure that others have similar experiences when changing brands too. That said, a good general assortment of metric Snap-On combination wrenches 7-21mm are roughly US$500, certainly not priced for occasional users. Craigslist and eBay are great sources for like new, used Snap-On tools at much better pricing. 
 
just a little point about german hand tools.

THEY FIT GERMAN FASTNERS.

thats it. simply. stahlwille, hazet, wiha, gedore, heyco, knipex, facom (ok euro).

this works especially well with BMW (heyco), and MBENZ and VOLKSWAGEN
the product was designed around this tool.

That little metric wrench that comes with the domino? thats exactly what they look like
most distinctly the wrenches are thin and stronger!.. a craftsman wrench will be 2x as tall at the fastner.
It will do the job just not if the fastner comes from a country where they dont have these cheap fat wrenches.

Secondly. the wrenches just fit german fastners better. tighter. and they last forever.
thirdly, they make a good product in germany. we all know that here.

I like the wiha screwdrivers with oil /slip handle. fat handles, more torque, and fit a wrench if you need extra HD snap torque.
also their bits are good. you do know about good bits dont you?

 
Shoot! I thought it said "Wenches and screwdrivers" and I was expecting a discussion of ladies and vodka drinks. Phooey!  ;D
 
Dave Rudy said:
casper said:
for drive bits go here
http://pbtoolsus.thomasnet.com/category/precision-bits?
Click to expand...

This thread has been very helpful for those of us who know nothing (or close to) on this subject.  I took a look at this link and had a thought:

Anyone know whether E6 bits fit the Centrotec chuck?

That would solve a different problem.
Click to expand...

No they don't fit Centrotec. Festool have cunningly sized it to be unique.
 
Beta is another brand of ridiculously high-end tools. Their prices seem to be below Snap-On, at least for the time being. I suspect this is similar to the Festool situation: prices are low(er) for a while until there is brand acceptance. They got the F1 contract recently (over Facom), not that it means anything.

http://www.procarestores.com/product/index.php
 
Wiha and Knipex are top quality stuff.  I have a Wiha set with Wiha's "soft finish" handle ----- I like em.

Justin
 
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