Best cheap tool brands

[KD0AXS]

Tools for the shop...get a good quality brand.

Tools to carry in the tractor...Harbor Freight.

If you are working on something out in a field, tools are much more likely to get lost. You definitely want good tools for the shop, but you don't want to be losing those expensive tools out in a field.

I'll admit that a good portion of my tools are from HF, but I'm just a casual DIYer, not someone who depends on tools to help me make a living.

 

[67lemans]

wright, williams, sk, proto, armstrong, have you considered used tools?

 

[widman]

I have been liking Kobalt, but this week got disappointed. Trying to pull the AC compressor off my 24 year old BMW in a very small space, only the open end would fit. It was on hard enough that the jaws opened and closed as I turned.

 

[mcshooter]

even tho i dont recommend foreign made tools probably the best cheap tools are kolbalt from lowes,i was there to get a electric lamp socket and just in the door they have a lot of tools on sale. one row is 5 bucks another 10 bucks and another 20 bucks. so for some cheap tools and you cannot afford us made ones i guess kolbalt would be the best available

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: Gabe
You should take a look at SK, Wright, and Armstrong. They are all US made and very rugged.

There are cheaper tools, but you would be hard pressed to find a better value.


I bought an Armstrong metric ratchet set from a local auto parts store in 1972. I still have it and use it regularly. I never saw them anywhere else, Are they still made?

Whimsey

 

[67lemans]

[/quote]

I bought an Armstrong metric ratchet set from a local auto parts store in 1972. I still have it and use it regularly. I never saw them anywhere else, Are they still made?

Whimsey [/quote]

Yes Armstrong is still around. I just picked up a new fine tooth ratchet for 20 bucks.
http://www.armstrongtools.com/clientextensions/danaher/pages/default.aspx

 

[Gabe]

MRO Center is the best place that I have found for Armstrong tools. They have great prices with free shipping and almost the entire line. The downside is that everything seems to be on backorder, so it will take a couple weeks to get it.

Armstrong Tools are excellent; they are miles ahead of Craftsman. In fact, Armstrong manufactures most of Matco's hard line.

 

[zerosoma]

Stanley, GM, Craftsman are all in my tool box next to some cheap chinese [censored].

 

[notech47]

For normal consumer use, Harbor Freight offers some outstanding bargains, IF you know what to look for.

 

[default]

I used to say Craftsman, they've gone down hill. Now I tell people HF or get old Snap on, Matco, Mac, SK, Grey Pneumatic, etc. at garage sales, thrift stores, or pawn shops.

 

[cb_13]

There's nothing like scoring good tools at a Pawn shop! I bought out all the USA made tools in a local pawn shop because he had all sockets and screwdrivers 50 cents all wrenches $1. I left with 2 plastic bags filled with Snap on Mac SK and old Craftsmen tools.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I get a lot of Allen Industrial and other brands from here:

http://www.cripedistributing.com/


They also carry other brands and lots of made in USA tools.

 

[ajchien]

Best and Cheap kind of don't go togerhter ... but for me ...

the really cheap:
1) Harbor Freight
2) Craftsman
3) Stanley

Kinda Cheap:
1) Kobalt by Lowes

Less Cheap:
1) Genius

Inexpensive:
1) SK
2) Williams
3) Wright
4) Armstrong

 

[Vikas]

A decent brand especially when it is made in Taiwan and on sale/clearance is Gear Wrench.