Snap-On.
I just replaced my couple month old Stanley (wife bought me the black-chrome set) 3/8ths with a Snap-On fine-tooth because I broke the gears in the Stanley ratchet putting a sway-bar in my buddy's Mustang.
My grandfather taught me an important lesson when I was young.
I was working on a snowmobile-powered Golf Cart we had to bomb around the island on. The axle had seized and I was trying to get the nut off.
Now, the "kids and guests" were given Mastercraft (Canadian Tire) tools to use if they needed. Grandpa had bought them so that we wouldn't use his, much more expensive, and sentimentally more valuable tools. His tools were primarily Snap-On, with the odd SK or Craftsman tool thrown in there.
So, being young and stupid, I'm using the Mastercraft 3/8ths ratchet on this axle. And it isn't moving. Out comes the 6ft pipe. And I silly-puttied that ratchet; the selector and head spread open so that you could actually see the internals. Out comes the 1/2" drive. And I destroyed that in the same way. Frustrated, but determined, I ventured into the basement where I found Grandpa's 3/8ths Snap-On. JUMPING on the 6ft bar, I broke the nut loose.
My Grandfather asked why I had his ratchet. And I told him. He then simply stated that what I experienced was the difference between real tools, meant to do a job and those simply intended to do the odd thing around the house. That was a lesson I've never forgot.
As I've got older, I learned to appreciate that lesson. I feel blessed that I was able to inherit many of these tools. Just last week, I took my Snap-On 1/2" drive ratchet in to get the selector fixed; the pin had worn and the selector had come out. Found out that the ratchet was from 1951. It was made in Canada, as are almost all of my Snap-On tools. And most of them are probably around that age as well. Quality tools last. And I imagine my kids will inherit these from me.
