For Jim Beam: Re Tools. Who Offers The Best Quality These Days ?

Depends on the tool and the application. As many others noted here, there are a range of good vendors with broad product lines.

Although we use a lot of SnapOn here we also have many specialty items and niche tools from literally around the world. For example Gordon British made wrenches for WW.

it's different for different things - i certainly don't stick to any one brand. i strongly favor made in usa, and look for things like flank drive - not everybody does that on 12-point sockets for example, or on impact sockets - and people that understand metric. snap-on do not understand metric, as discussed here not so long ago.

just shop around for good design like thin walls on sockets - it usually [but not exclusively] means quality material to take the load, wrenches that get thinner in their middle section, [example, NOT craftsman], and good tolerance.

tolerance can be very weird. there's a 12mm bolt on a honda distributor for example that is always "small", and with rounded hex points. with practically every traditional wrench, snap-on included, tolerance in the

12.2-12.3mm range is simply inviting head damage if you use a normal 12-point box end on it. the only one i know that's a good and reliable fit every time is stahlwille. but they're definitely in the "irrespective of price" category and tend to be too tight on any bolt that's got any prior damage.

for special stuff that simply can't be beat: long 3/4" breaker - snap-on. the flex head is indestructible - best design out there, with a good long bar option.

offset box end wrenches - stahlwille. absolutely hands down the best there is, both design and material - bar none. they make an excellent combination wrench too.

i have a "custom" long handle 1/2" drive ratchet - snap-on, but retrofitted with a quick-release.

vaughan hammers.

knipex pliers and soft wire cutters.

wiha and klein screw drivers.

felco hard wire cutters.

not true across the board, but there are growing sections of their product line that are disappointing. particularly so when you factor in price. their current ratchets completely suck donkey gonads. fortunately, you can still get parts for their older stuff, if you still have it.

I've had good luck with S-K and K-D, which are the only ones that I've purchased new recently.

I did purchase a Craftsman "mechanic's set" back when I was in college and the stuff they are selling today really doesn't compare to that (which was about the time that they'd recently introduced 6-point sockets copying Snap-On's "flank drive" profile) and certainly doesn't compare to the tools that they sold back when my grandfather bought them (and I do have some of his old wrenches and sockets.)

Now for reference, I have never bought any new Snap-On, Proto, or MAC tools, only the ones that I've scavenged from yard sales etc.

I used and loved Heyco wrenches, and wish there were an inexpensive source for them for the general consumer, but even that experience is about ten years out of date.

nate

Many kumbaya moments here today. We share many of those selections here, SnapOn, Knipex, Wiha, Felco

i'll bet you have something i don't - an eldi pedal wrench. would love to have one.

In stock; call our charming ladies and we'll ship you one.

outstanding - will do!

I've heard the name Stahlwille before but don't know that I've ever actually seen a single one of their tools in real life. Where are they traditionally sold and to whom are they marketed?

This thread prompted me to do a quick web search and I did find some web stores selling their stuff online, prices seem just about in line with Snap-On, that is, probably shouldn't be investigated by anyone with a heart condition or blood pressure issues...

nate

I've encountered no issues whatsoever regarding Snap-On other than their prices and reluctance to honor warranties.