Let's talk tools and boxes
Discussion
No Snap On here. Most of it is Craftsman USA brought back years ago, no garage or shed at the mo so some lives in the car, and the bulk of it lives indoors and semi-portable- I can just about lift the cantilever box! Main cab and topbox is a random mix of the less-used/more specialist stuff... from Halfords to Lidl/Aldi 
kambites said:
I've got one of these for storing my hand-tools:
Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage. Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st December 10:53
kambites said:
I've got one of these for storing my hand-tools:
Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage. Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st December 10:53
normalbloke said:
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage.
What's the hangman's noose for?!normalbloke said:
kambites said:
I've got one of these for storing my hand-tools:
Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage. Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st December 10:53
I'm another one who used to buy exclusively Snap-On as a hangover from when I served my time, but these days I just don't see the money in them. 30 years ago cheap tools were horrible things indeed, but these days tools by Bergen, Teng, Beta, Nielson etc. are all a really good standard for the money and show just how much the gap has reduced between them and the 'premium' makes.
It's the same with the tool boxes. I still have my roll cab and top box from back in the day, but they are getting sold when the new chest turns up.
Hainey said:
normalbloke said:
kambites said:
I've got one of these for storing my hand-tools:
Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage. Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st December 10:53
I'm another one who used to buy exclusively Snap-On as a hangover from when I served my time, but these days I just don't see the money in them. 30 years ago cheap tools were horrible things indeed, but these days tools by Bergen, Teng, Beta, Nielson etc. are all a really good standard for the money and show just how much the gap has reduced between them and the 'premium' makes.
It's the same with the tool boxes. I still have my roll cab and top box from back in the day, but they are getting sold when the new chest turns up.
I have 2 of these from Costco
£350 each IIRC
Almost full as well.
It seems a bit OCD to make sure everything is straight and neat in the drawers, but being able to just place your fingers on it saves so much time.
I like the idea of non-black matting for the drawers so parts stand out more.
(Goes to Google "matting in bright colours")
£350 each IIRC
Almost full as well.
It seems a bit OCD to make sure everything is straight and neat in the drawers, but being able to just place your fingers on it saves so much time.
I like the idea of non-black matting for the drawers so parts stand out more.
(Goes to Google "matting in bright colours")
Ilovejapcrap said:
Hainey said:
normalbloke said:
kambites said:
I've got one of these for storing my hand-tools:
Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
I too bought one of these. Stainless steel, and far better build quality than it ought to be for the price. I don't think I'll break it. I'm just a hobbyist, so Snap on is just not worth it, plus I don't see the value in them to be honest, especially their recent stuff. Mine is a mix of Halfrauds pro, Draper,Beta etc. I've recently been bringing in some specialist tools,from the States,which given the shipping rates from the likes of Jegs and Summit,works out well. I've just found out they do a matching 120" bench, so that might be this years treat for the garage. Build quality isn't perfect but it's solid enough that it'll last longer than me with the amount of use it gets.
The quality of my tools varies enormously depending on how much use I expect them to get. My ratchets, etc. are mid range stuff - are mostly Halfords Pro which again, whilst not perfect, will probably out-last me. My air tools vary from dirt cheap air-lances, etc. to a decent mid-priced Sealey impact wrench; the compressor itself is branded "Wolf" but it's clearly a cheap Chinese made one but since it probably only runs a couple of hours a week on average I suspect it'll last OK.
I don't really see the point in buying "professional quality" tools if they're not going to get professional levels of use.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 31st December 10:53
I'm another one who used to buy exclusively Snap-On as a hangover from when I served my time, but these days I just don't see the money in them. 30 years ago cheap tools were horrible things indeed, but these days tools by Bergen, Teng, Beta, Nielson etc. are all a really good standard for the money and show just how much the gap has reduced between them and the 'premium' makes.
It's the same with the tool boxes. I still have my roll cab and top box from back in the day, but they are getting sold when the new chest turns up.
In short I'd recommend it to anyone. It's a great box at a cheap price. It's not by any measure a cheap box.
Big difference!
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