OT Tool Question - Has anyone ever seen an open-faced...
04-10-2003, 12:08 PM
#16
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Chuck,
Thank you for the equation. I think I'll eventually ask for the $500 open-wrench torque tool for Christmas, since I'll be tinkering with cars for the next 30 years, God willing.
Here are some articles about tool quality. One suggests that the manufacture of Craftsman tools went downhill when Stanley moved production overseas. They both state that Danaher took over production from Stanley in 1994. However, the third article disputes the facts above.
I'm not sure who makes Craftsman tools now, but I know that their products are pretty good at stripping nuts and breaking in my hands.
<a href="http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html</a>
<a href="http://www.spanishtrailrovers.com/Tech/Tools/Vendors/vendors.html" target="_blank">http://www.spanishtrailrovers.com/Tech/Tools/Vendors/vendors.html</a>
<a href="http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/morewhotools.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/morewhotools.html</a>
Thank you for the equation. I think I'll eventually ask for the $500 open-wrench torque tool for Christmas, since I'll be tinkering with cars for the next 30 years, God willing.
Here are some articles about tool quality. One suggests that the manufacture of Craftsman tools went downhill when Stanley moved production overseas. They both state that Danaher took over production from Stanley in 1994. However, the third article disputes the facts above.
I'm not sure who makes Craftsman tools now, but I know that their products are pretty good at stripping nuts and breaking in my hands.
<a href="http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html</a>
<a href="http://www.spanishtrailrovers.com/Tech/Tools/Vendors/vendors.html" target="_blank">http://www.spanishtrailrovers.com/Tech/Tools/Vendors/vendors.html</a>
<a href="http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/morewhotools.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/morewhotools.html</a>
04-10-2003, 01:15 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PeachState Region, GA
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anir,
Discussing tool quality can get pretty messy, like discussing politics or religion. I've been an aircraft mechanic for over 18 years if that gives any background for my opinions.
Snap-On is undoubtedly the best overall tool manufacturer and their prices reflect that reputation. I buy Snap-On, but only when I have to, I use their sockets and my smaller size wrenches are Snap-On too. Also I have a few wrenches and other tools from them that nobody else seems to make.
For the bigger size wrenches I have Craftsman, Mac, and check out Gear Wrenches, they are fantastic (and affordable)! For square drive ratcheting wrenches look for a brand called MicroTough, really nice, and not very expensive, I got 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" wrenches for around $80.
What I'm trying to say is sometimes you have to spend more for that Snap-On 1/4" or 5/16" socket that will not round off a nut, but for a 1/2" or 9/16" nut just about any socket will work well (Metric is the same story). Experience leads you to know when you have to buy a premium brand for a particular tool (I'm cheap). Or, you can just buy all Snap-On.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm going to argue against your $500 decision for the open ended torque wrench. You can actually get more versatility out of a regular ratcheting square drive torque wrench, and a high quality set of crowsfoot wrenches, because you can use them at any angle, not just straight in line with the torque handle. Plus since they are square drive so you can use a crowsfoot with a regular ratchet wrench or breaker bar, its like having another set of angle wrenches. You can get flare nut crowsfoot wrenches too, very handy.
In my opinion, for crowsfoot wrenches Snap-On and Bonney are very good, Craftsman a step down, and Mac at the bottom of the heap.
I'm not trying to tell you how to spend your money, I just want you to get the most bang for your buck.
Cheers,
Discussing tool quality can get pretty messy, like discussing politics or religion. I've been an aircraft mechanic for over 18 years if that gives any background for my opinions.
Snap-On is undoubtedly the best overall tool manufacturer and their prices reflect that reputation. I buy Snap-On, but only when I have to, I use their sockets and my smaller size wrenches are Snap-On too. Also I have a few wrenches and other tools from them that nobody else seems to make.
For the bigger size wrenches I have Craftsman, Mac, and check out Gear Wrenches, they are fantastic (and affordable)! For square drive ratcheting wrenches look for a brand called MicroTough, really nice, and not very expensive, I got 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" wrenches for around $80.
What I'm trying to say is sometimes you have to spend more for that Snap-On 1/4" or 5/16" socket that will not round off a nut, but for a 1/2" or 9/16" nut just about any socket will work well (Metric is the same story). Experience leads you to know when you have to buy a premium brand for a particular tool (I'm cheap). Or, you can just buy all Snap-On.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm going to argue against your $500 decision for the open ended torque wrench. You can actually get more versatility out of a regular ratcheting square drive torque wrench, and a high quality set of crowsfoot wrenches, because you can use them at any angle, not just straight in line with the torque handle. Plus since they are square drive so you can use a crowsfoot with a regular ratchet wrench or breaker bar, its like having another set of angle wrenches. You can get flare nut crowsfoot wrenches too, very handy.
In my opinion, for crowsfoot wrenches Snap-On and Bonney are very good, Craftsman a step down, and Mac at the bottom of the heap.
I'm not trying to tell you how to spend your money, I just want you to get the most bang for your buck.
Cheers,
