You Guys Were Right - Stanley Junk

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Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Originally Posted By: Tdbo
Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Get some craftsman ratchets off ebay, or buy new.


Craftsman ratchets have way too much slack in them. If you're in a tight spot you're only going to get 1/4 turn or so at a time if that on the fastner.


Ditto.
I still use both the 1/4" and 3/8" Craftsman sets that I have had since the late 70's.
The only modification that I have made is that I have replaced the Craftsman ratchets with an Armstrong in both sets.
They perform like a proper ratchet should.


I agree.

US and Chinese both are sloppy.


I will add my agreement too that their "base" model rachets are sloppy and don't have the tooth count to be smooth and workable in a tight space.
 
I agree that Tekton is pretty good.

You can also find USA Craftsmen still if you keep an eye out. I wouldn't bother with the Chinese.
 
I believe Tekton is made in Taiwan, but their tools look like rebranded Chinese HF tools. I have no true experience with either so I can't say how they feel or how they'll hold up.
 
I would suggest Craftsman. That is what I have used at home for 35 years. Also used them professionally as a mechanic for 15 years. I have purchased some Matco, Snap On, Proto, and Gear Wrench ratchets over the years that are nicer than the Craftsman ratchets. For most homeowners and DIYers the Craftsman ratchets are fine.
 
Originally Posted By: Leo99
A lot of Tekton and HF are the same.


Definitely.

The composite ratchet for example.

I use that one religiously when installing/ uninstalling batteries. Not very demanding tasks though IMO.
 
I have lots of Craftsman sockets and some ratchets, but they're in my tool box at home. I bought the Stanley set to keep in my trunk since it's nice and portable and I can work on the other cars I maintain without having to drive the other cars across town to where I live.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Have you ever been exposed to some high end tools Nick ?
Yes, I have. My dad does auto repair for a living and I often help him in his shop. He has easily $50,000 in tools. A mixture of Snap On, Matco, and Mac. They're great tools but I don't work on cars for a living, so high end tools aren't necessary for me. I just wanted something decent but obviously Stanley can't do that.

I bought a 14 pack of Craftsman ratcheting wrenches too.
 
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Cant really go wrong with this for the price IMO.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-6-pt-3-8-in-dr/p-00934554000P

I believe it is a discontinued item because it is not longer online, but for $25, they had a 20 pc (I think) metric set. US made too. They might have a few in your local store yet. Came with a blow mold case too.


Either Sears or Ace run that same (or similar) set for that price at least once every six to eight weeks.
Lots of bang for the buck there.
Take one of those and pair it with a decent ratchet of your choosing.
I bought a similar 1/4" set at Sears Hardware for $.67, after a $10. coupon spit out @ the register.
Picked up a fairly nice Carlisle ratchet @ NAPA for about $12. at one of their 20% sales.
Makes a nice small set that I keep in my truck.
 
I have older Craftsman and like them pretty well, so used is the best bet there. I have some of the new HF sockets and composite ratchets and like them a lot too. The ratchets have held up well to heavy use, with my only complaint being that they get roughed up on concrete when drug around, but it doesn't affect the performance any. I like SO, but just can't bring myself to pay so much for a set, when I honestly can't see any huge difference. I use mine nearly every day, and I even have a few SO tools and they really just don't turn me on. I'm not a cheap tool buff, as for electrical work I use mostly Klein, and like them, so it's not like I won't go expensive when it makes sense to.
I haven't returned a Craftsman tool for a while, but someone told me it's not the easy peasy replacement it used to be. I hear HF will just hand you a new tool, but I've yet to break one.
 
I hear HF will just hand you a new tool, but I've yet to break one. [/quote

In my experience, HF does not just hand you a new tool. They have demanded a receipt from me , even though it was clear it was their stuff. Who can find a three year old receipt anyway?
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Yes, I have. My dad does auto repair for a living and I often help him in his shop. He has easily $50,000 in tools. A mixture of Snap On, Matco, and Mac. They're great tools but I don't work on cars for a living, so high end tools aren't necessary for me. I just wanted something decent but obviously Stanley can't do that.

I bought a 14 pack of Craftsman ratcheting wrenches too.


I took a class in aircraft maintenance back in 1990-1992. The 3rd and 4th semester students were allowed to use the class's Snap-on tools. That was my first exposure to high end tools. Ever since then, I never wanted to use cheap tools ever again.
 
How much do you want to spend. Some of the better HF ratches are around 10$ and quite decent.

I have an all metal Kobalt set I use for maintenance.. ie oil wipes right off

Going on 5 years and I'm not exactly gentle on them. I so use a breaker bar so the most the ratchet gets is a few taps when working on something with bad leverage/location.
 
Can you provide the url for the bad Stanley? I have seen some Stanlye set which looks good and has been used professionally my mechanic.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Can you provide the url for the bad Stanley? I have seen some Stanlye set which looks good and has been used professionally my mechanic.
This is the set. I bought it on Amazon. Walmart also sells it.

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-STMT71654-...rds=Stanley+201


Wow, >600 reviews and 4.5 stars. That's usually pretty reliable, from my experience.
 
A lot of HF stuff is okay for the price. It's not high-end by any means. 72-tooth SK round-headed ratchet compared to a 72-tooth HF composite ratchet is night and day. Both have their place. The SK in the garage, the HF for special tasks or working out in the yard.
 
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