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1. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2015 1:02 PM

   So my mechanic is leaving and there is going to be a period in between mechanics. I need to buy some tools for the shop. What do you guys recommend? Snap On, Matco, Mac, Craftsmen, etc?

   
   
   
   
2. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   2/18/2015 1:02 PM

   We just got a new toolbox and a generic brand tools from Menard's (although the tools carry a lifetime guarantee) tools will be locked up however we didn't spend a small fortune on it either. If you can swing the premium brands go for it, we will find out how the tools hold up (or walk off).

   
   
   
   
3. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   2/18/2015 1:02 PM

   Since they wont last, go to Home Depot and get the Husky stuff. It works fine and you wont cry when it walks out the door. I can't even begin to imagine how many screwdrivers I have bought in the last 10 years.

   
   
   
   
4. Brent Venenga

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2015 2:02 PM

   Craftsman has a lifetime warranty on tools. I bought a big set 15 years ago from Sears that is located 2 miles away. When a tool breaks just bring it in and they give you a new one no questions asked.

   
   
   
   
5. Tim Gravert

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2015 2:02 PM

   I second the Husky good quality and cheaper to replace when they disappear.

   
   
   
   
6. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2015 2:02 PM

   You guys know anything about Kobalt? We have an account with Lowes so it would be much easier then Home Depot? I also heard that to get new tools under the warranty you need the original receipt? Is this true? Who keeps the original receipt for tools?!

   
   
   
   
7. Brent Venenga

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2015 2:02 PM

   Not sure about Kobalt but with Sears as long as its a Craftsmen tool they just give me a new one I have never needed a receipt.

   
   
   
   
8. Roland McPhearson

   

   9 posts
   
   2/19/2015 6:02 AM

   Kimball Midwest and Lawson carry the Armstrong brand (same manufacturer as Matco). You can buy most of your hardware, electrical supplies, and tools from them and give them enough business so you might actually get good service. I have a set of Armstrong gear wrenches https://www2.kimballmidwest.com/All-Pro ... es/841280/ http://www.lawsonproducts.com/Armstrong ... 1232513.lp and a set of Armstrong combination wrenches, both of which I consider the best. KM's drills (bits) are very tough also.

   
   
   
   
9. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   2/19/2015 7:02 AM

   If they are going to be used by the crew, they are sure to get lost or misplaced. I would only by Snap-on, Mac, or Matco if they were for my use only. I agree with others here on the forum, go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick you up a set there and if they get lost then it doesn't cost you a ton to replace. Our crew has a box that they can use tools from for the courses. My shop staff has their own, snap-on, mac, and if the crew ask to barrow something we kindly tell them there is a hardware store down the street, buy it and you'll have it next time you need it. We've invested a small fortune in tools to be able to do our jobs properly, so loaning them out is a big no. Also in most cases if they're asking us, it's because they've lost the ones out of the shop box. Just my thoughts on it.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
10. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    2/19/2015 3:02 PM

    Kobalt from Lowes have been pretty good so far. The way tools walk, I wouldn't go head over heels on spending a lot of money. Only tool I don't like of Kobalt's is the channel lock pliers. Spend the extra $8 and get the actual ChannelLock brand.

    
    
    
    
11. Frank McQuiggan

    

    2 posts
    
    2/20/2015 6:02 AM

    Personally I won't buy anything other than craftsman for myself. I have 3 tool boxes that I work out of and they are all craftsman since we all know that tools do break and I can stop on the way home at sears and get a replacement with no problem. Now I don't let anyone touch my tools these were bought by me and if I leave here they will go with me. The shop has a box with mostly craftsman in it that was here when I started but if they lose something then it gets replaced with tools from Lowes. Screwdrivers are always getting lost along with some smaller wrenches so I would say for the general shop go with the husky brand from Lowes.
    
    If it is in the budget get the mechanic Craftsman since he will be using them more than the crew and if it breaks easy replacement. I generally add new tools to my boxes every other month, so I don't have to spend a fortune all at once. Also I have shop your way which I get points for and when they have coupons for tools I use them. All in all the shop your way program works for me since occasionally they have a $20 with purchase of $100 of tools, these build up quickly and then its almost like free tool time for me. Also $10 of purchase of $75 in tools so I use both the $10 off and the $20 in points coupons. Built a pretty good set of hand tools and some power tools this way, Spent about $3000 and have gotten about $600 in free tools from Craftsman.

    
    
    
    
12. Loughrey Dave K

    
    3/25/2015 8:03 PM

    Pawn shops.dont tell them it's for a golf course. They will just hear ,"deep pockets" .look for craftsmen. You can still walk into sears to exchange any broken hand tools.but my tools are snapon ,husky ,craftsmen.

    
    
    
    
13. Sean Donnelly

    

    8 posts
    
    10/25/2017 10:10 PM

    Dave Loughrey said: Pawn shops.dont tell them it's for a golf course. They will just hear ,"deep pockets" .look for craftsmen. You can still walk into sears to exchange any broken hand tools.but my tools are snapon ,husky ,craftsmen.

    
    
    I have to admit I have purchased quite a few craftsman tools at pawn shops, yard sales and swap meets. Can't pass up a screwdriver that costs a dollar that can be exchanged for a new one no questions asked.

    
    
    
    
14. Jefferson Lumaquin

    

    0 posts
    
    11/3/2017 1:11 PM

    While craftsman was a great bargain before that may not be the case now. With Sears closing stores yearly and the pending buyout of Craftsman you'd be better off with other bargain brands such as Gearwrench and Tekton.

    
    
    
    
15. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    11/19/2017 6:11 AM

    Ace hardware has picked up the Craftsman line of tools now. at least in my area.

    
    
    
    
16. Robert Hall

    

    0 posts
    
    12/16/2017 7:12 PM

    We have started to forge and mill 75% of our tools in-house these days screwdrivers, wrenches, punches, hammers, ect. However specialty tools we still purchase from local auto parts stores.

    
    
    
    
17. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    12/29/2017 10:12 AM

    Henry Heinz said: If they are going to be used by the crew, they are sure to get lost or misplaced. I would only by Snap-on, Mac, or Matco if they were for my use only. I agree with others here on the forum, go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick you up a set there and if they get lost then it doesn't cost you a ton to replace. Our crew has a box that they can use tools from for the courses. My shop staff has their own, snap-on, mac, and if the crew ask to barrow something we kindly tell them there is a hardware store down the street, buy it and you'll have it next time you need it. We've invested a small fortune in tools to be able to do our jobs properly, so loaning them out is a big no. Also in most cases if they're asking us, it's because they've lost the ones out of the shop box. Just my thoughts on it.
    
    Regards,

    
    I agree on crew tools and if you go to the box stores now they have great deals on sets you can get.
    
    I also agree on buying name brand tools for yourself but only if you do mechanic work daily! there not worth the extra money for the guy that only uses them once a month or so. if you use them day in and day out their worth their weight in gold.
    
    I use to be a daily mechanic and know about good tools. now I am a superintendent and know about crew losing tools on a daily basis. the screwdriver kits from HD at this time of the year makes a lot of sense but do not get caught up in the large sets that give you all the extra small bits just to make it a large kit. just buy multiple small sets to have extras.