What type of tools do you use?

[budgetracing]

If anyone is working on old rusty pieces of **** it's me. Trust me i know my stuff when it comes to tools. Why do people buy a pair of $700 jeans when you can get a pair that fits just as well for $100? You don't have the cool name on it.

Are you telling me that a $4000 Snap on box is $2000 BETTER than a really good $2000 box? or a single $40 Snap on impact socket is better than the $40 impact SET i use every day?

I do agree for power/air tools it's a completely different story. If you're breaking ratchets/wrenches/sockets then it's time to invest in a torch.

 

[backmarkerducati]

So it seems like as long as your not a mechanic or working on old rusty cars then the maatercraft maximum series is tue best bang for buck when the go on sale.

With that being said has any one used the warranty. Do you need to keep your receipts? Or can you just bring them in any CT and they replace it? Or do you have to send it in somewhere?

Usually with the hand tools they just replace it (no receipt), if the store sees you there often (replacing tools) they may give you a hard time. To be fair if the snap-on guy sees that you are breaking lots of tools he will also give you a hard time, they just don't break as often.

Although I have seen some exceptions:

-A friend bought one of those 50 or whatever screwdriver sets, one broke, first use (handle spinning on the shaft) the store insisted he bring in the entire set! They would not replace the one driver, a different store did (the one off driver was slightly different than the one in the set).
-If you notice the screw drivers have lettering printed on that wears off easy, I have had them refuse to warranty a lifetime guarantee because it no longer said MC on it (and it was an older model, the new ones are a different style). No luck with any store.
-For the power tools, some of the maximum ones say lifetime on the box some not. My experience here was quite bad. Had to have the box to prove the model was lifetime (I just happened to, total fluke). They would not replace or repair it because they changed manufacturer (and the new one was different). I did not have the receipt so they gave me a refund for the cheapest price they ever sold that model, which was the final clearance price, a good $100 below what I paid on sale. Same at every store I tried.

 

[rafiki911]

I guess I'm safe then, I took a pic of the box with all the labeling on it with pictures of the included tools on the label.

Usually with the hand tools they just replace it (no receipt), if the store sees you there often (replacing tools) they may give you a hard time. To be fair if the snap-on guy sees that you are breaking lots of tools he will also give you a hard time, they just don't break as often.

Although I have seen some exceptions:

-A friend bought one of those 50 or whatever screwdriver sets, one broke, first use (handle spinning on the shaft) the store insisted he bring in the entire set! They would not replace the one driver, a different store did (the one off driver was slightly different than the one in the set).
-If you notice the screw drivers have lettering printed on that wears off easy, I have had them refuse to warranty a lifetime guarantee because it no longer said MC on it (and it was an older model, the new ones are a different style). No luck with any store.
-For the power tools, some of the maximum ones say lifetime on the box some not. My experience here was quite bad. Had to have the box to prove the model was lifetime (I just happened to, total fluke). They would not replace or repair it because they changed manufacturer (and the new one was different). I did not have the receipt so they gave me a refund for the cheapest price they ever sold that model, which was the final clearance price, a good $100 below what I paid on sale. Same at every store I tried.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Mastercraft Maximum, when available. Their Mastercraft stuff has always been and always will be crap; the lifetime warranty on it does not indicate quality, it's just banking on that most people won't be bothered to try and get anything replaced. Also, never buy any tools there when they're not on sale. If you really need it, don't pay CT regular price, go somewhere else and get a better tool for the same money.

I keep receipts for all of it, though, and I know all the ways they may try to get out of replacing stuff (I worked in parts for a few years) so I'm pretty confident in being able to actually collect on the lifetime warranty. Not too long ago I got a torque wrench replaced; it still worked, but the spring on the sliding handle lock was starting to poke out. I was happy with that as it was just about time to get it calibrated again anyway.

 

[backmarkerducati]

If anyone is working on old rusty pieces of **** it's me. Trust me i know my stuff when it comes to tools. Why do people buy a pair of $700 jeans when you can get a pair that fits just as well for $100? You don't have the cool name on it.

Are you telling me that a $4000 Snap on box is $2000 BETTER than a really good $2000 box? or a single $40 Snap on impact socket is better than the $40 impact SET i use every day?

I do agree for power/air tools it's a completely different story. If you're breaking ratchets/wrenches/sockets then it's time to invest in a torch.

The high end tool boxes are hard to justify, they will last longer but is it worth it.

As for a torch I guess you only work on cars that don't have wiring, gas lines, rubber bushings, and plastic parts. A torch is not always an option.

 

[AGAVE]

I think i have tools from every brand mentioned in this thread.
The only time i pay for the best quality, is if i break a tool more than once.
Generally i keep an eye open for sales or lightly used tools online if i really need something.

On a side note, i inherited some hand tools from my Uncle, most is Craftsman from Sears.
I broke a ratchet handle, socket and wrench, Sears replaced them all with no hassle at all, i was kind of surprised in fact.

I have a Mastercrap floor nailer, some idiot stepped on it and broke the plastic housing for the nail feed, no parts are available for repairs.
I couldn't find the receipt for it, so they wouldn't replace it, even though its still like new.

My next investment will be another one of those vibrating multi tools, allready killed a mastercrap one, this time i will splurge for a good unit, made by Fein, german i believe.
http://v1.fein.de/fein-multimaster/ca/en/products/multimaster_top.html

One thing i would never buy new is a huge expensive tool box, there are plenty of them for sale half price, because the first guy shouldn't have spent 10k on it new in the first place.

And i just bought my biggest, most expensive and oldest tool. A 1963 Boxford lathe.

I hope i'm invited over to use your new toy?