I was just wondering what most of you guys use for your generic, non-bike tools like wrenches and stuff. I'm kinda in need of a wrench set at the moment (would really like to stop using the adjustable all the time) and don't have too much to spend at the moment. Don't want to buy crap either. I've been reading a lot on the internet that Sears has been giving people more and more trouble the last few years when it comes to returning broken tools on their "no questions asked" warranty.

I'm willing to buy cheap so long as the tolerances are tight enough and the tools durable enough (the most strenuous thing I use tools for is working on bikes) to last me a decent amount of time. Maybe one day when I have more money I'll buy something I know will last a lot longer.

Well, I was going to suggest Craftsman because of their warranty.

I've never had any problems returning a broken tool. But then again it's been more than 10 years since I last broke a Craftsman tool.

Lowes Kobalt brand has replaced Sears in my book due to Sears crappy attitude. Same basic quality, same guarantee, better company. YMMV.

Buy decent tools. I would rather have fewer higher quality tools, than a box full of crap. And I often find high end tools at garage sales, cheap.

AVOID cheap tools ! ! There is no economy in paying twice, or in wasting your time and energy in doing shoddy work.

There is also increased risk of injury due to lack of tight quality controls.

Plus, you don't really need a warranty on US-made famous brands like Craftsman, S-K, Snap-on, Blackhawk, Crescent, Channelock, Klein, JHWilliams or Stanley, because they almost never break.

Snap-On are definitely quality tools.

I worked for 3-4 months at a radiator shop. The wrench we used most was a 1/2-inch. I wore out three Craftsmans in that time. My head mechanic had had his Snap-On for years and years.

I priced getting one of my own ... it was about $100 for just the one wrench!

Is there a problem with Park tools? They make wrenches and just about anyting else you need, right here in the US, and they are obviously bike friendly.

I have had only 2 problems exchanging Craftsman tools in 40 years - mostly salesman's attitude, but I got the tool straight away after saying I wanted to see the store manage NOW if they weren't going to stand by the lifetime warranty. I got the salesman's name in both cases and contacted Sears HQ. Not only did I get a personal letter of apology from Sears HQ and a second replacement tool, I was called by the manager of the Sears store AND the Tool Department at the store to apologize. I stand by Craftsman.

i've always bought craftsman. I have other tools that people have bought for me as gifts that bend or break and I should just throw them away actually.

the only craftsman product i've ever returned was a reel mower, maybe 8 years ago, and there were no questions.

Another Craftsman fan here, though I can't say I've ever broken a tool.

Cheers

Yes, they want a premium for basic hand tools. And I can go to my local Lowes and find just about any hand tool, which is more convenient to me.

I use Craftsman for anything that doesn't involve moving parts, and Mac, Snap-On, S-K (though I can't really recommend them), and Husky (Home Depot) for anything which does.

I spent nearly a decade working on classic cars and during that time I had to get my Craftsman ratchets replaced about every six months. When they started giving me replacements with PLASTIC flippy-levers (that's the technical term ) I gave up and bought some used ones from Mac. Five years so far and I haven't had to replace a single one. Now you can't even get proper Craftsman sockets since they've started laser-etching the size (which will wear smooth quickly if you use your tools) so I won't even be able to replace my sockets in the future. Luckily, I've only ever broken two of their sockets. And remember, Craftsman will only replace your tool if they still make something similar. I've had several Craftsman tools for which I couldn't get replacements because they hadn't been made in years.

There's this old saying which goes "if you buy good tools, you only cry once". I can't really recommend one good brand (though I can recommend against a few) beyond saying that tools are made and finished in roughly the same way as bike parts. You know what a cheap crankset looks like vs. a quality one, so apply that critical eye toward the tools you buy. If it looks like some effort was made to make it look nice than the effort was probably made to make it WORK well, too. Plastic flippy-levers? C'mon.

The one type of cheap tool that I think it's beneficial to have laying around is the lowly screwdriver. Get some good ones, yes, but also keep some junk ones in the box as well. You never know when you're going to need a special one-use poking, prying, cutting, twisting, or bludgeoning tool and junk screwdrivers usually fit the bill nicely.

Do not buy cheap tools! They break! I have many scarred and broken knuckles to prove it. I have mainly Craftsman tools except for their ratchets, I constantly broke them working on cars. For bikes and "light" auto work they are fine but for heavier auto work (engine mounting bolts, trans bolts etc) I have 2 or 3 different Snap-On and MAC ratchets (1 was found in a junkyard, another at a flea market and the 3rd was a goof up from the Snap On guy). The OLD Craftsman ratchets are great, the new ones not so hot.

I tend to be the contrarian. If I am buying a tool I know I will be using a lot, I will buy a good one, usually Park, Craftsman or Kobalt. However, for tools that I am going to use very infrequently, I will usually go to Harbor Freight.
Expensive tools are an absolute necessity for a professional. However, I only spend about 100 hours a year working on my bikes. For most things, Spin Doctor and Harbor Freight are just fine. I have never had a Harbor Freight tool break or wear out on me. I can't say the same for Spin Doctor. Do not ever buy a Spin Doctor work stand. If I had done a little bit of research, I would have known better. On the other hand I have a set of Spin Doctor cone wrenches that I only use once or twice a year that work fine.

Thanks for the suggestions! Craftsman was sorta on my radar because that's what my dad always had. I was also thinking a bit about Husky or Kobalt. I had also looked into the Harbor Freight stuff but wasn't so sure at $20 for a set of wrenches.

I bought a no-name-but-not-bad wrench set when I was a teenager (this was ummmm 30 years ago), and still have it, and I've never broken a wrench. You're not likely to, working on bikes. Maybe if you're working in a bike shop... though these days, you'd mostly be stripping allen keys, I guess.

If you also work on "heavier" stuff like cars, then yes, maybe you want to worry about what to do when you break wrenches. But I've never broken a wrench working on my car, either, though I know it's not unusual.

I bought a full socket wrench set at Harbor Freight, shortly after they opened here. I can't remember when that was, but it was well over 10 years ago. I haven't had any problems with them.

I picked my cone wrenches up at a big auto/outdoor supply chain store in Canada, I forget the name. They're made my Lifu, who makes most of the Spin Doctor/Nashbar/house-labeled tools. I've heard people say they're too flexy, but I've overhauled alot of hubs without a problem. I swear by my 8-9-10 socket Y wrench I got at the flea market. For non-bike specific tools, I recommend going to the flea market or a big pawn shop and look for older tools still in usable shape.

+1. The park metric open end wrenches are junk. I use them everyday at work and hate them. I am so happy I have a set of Craftsman and metric gear wrenches at home when working on my own bikes. For bike specific tools yes then Park. But, for most everything else it is Craftsman and some Harbor Frieght cheapies for pliers, cresent wrench, screw drivers, etc.

I've had good luck with Craftsmen but only ever had to exchange 1 piece. I'd consider Kobalt at Lowe's also. If money were no object I might go to Snap On but stick with the other two for value.

I use a lot of allen wrenches, abrasives and cutting tools. I buy the best that is made and run it till the bitter end.

Screwdrivers wear out. Maybe it pays to buy good ones, but for me, it doesn't pay to buy the best.

I bought a combination wrench set from Harbor Freight. No problem with the quality, but they're too short. The 15mm wrench, for example, is about an inch shorter than the Craftsman 15mm wrench. I get by, but this is annoying.

I think I'm done buying from Harbor Freight. I think I learned my lesson. A cable cutter I got there was softer than the cables I was cutting.

I wish these companies had warranties against loss. I lose tools a lot.

you know i like craftsman and snap-on myself and really have been wanting to buy some of my own.

My dad was a car mechanic all his life and he used snap on and craftsman himself, he would say its better to buy a expensive tool rather than a cheap on. I have a bag full of his wrenches that was considered his everyday, junky tools and i use them for my bikes, and i have really grown to appreciate the snap-on stuff the most. But it's so darn expensive.

Indeed - with ONE exception: I own two Snap-On distributor adjustment wrenches. So far, I've used one myself.

They are finished worse than Craftsman's bottom-end wrenches, and on a Ford 400 block (same as a 351M), they hardly fit the cranny they were specifically designed for.

I was quite surprised when I found the "Snap-On" stamping on them; I didn't expect this from them.

-Kurt

Snap-on really earns their reputation. I don't think there's anything as good, but I just can't bring myself to pay the money for them. It's tempting to buy their screwdrivers, though. Damn, are they tough!

Good thing I don't have a salesman coming to call on me.

look on craigslist.
I have been tempted to call on some of the stuff i see.