Where do we buy good tools now?

Because of this thread I was thinking today- where do we buy decent tools now? I'm not a mechanic, so it's not likely that I'll have a snap on, mac or gear wrench truck driving by my shop, and I'm not likely to make that investment anyway.  Craftsman tools were my go to for most of my life, but I've heard they're not the same anymore. Harbor Freight is great for things that are not mission critical or you only need once or twice.  But what about those times when you want to buy something quality? Say I want to buy a new ratchet or a breaker bar, or something else that I want to have forever, where do we do that now? 

I like kobalt. Held up very well, as good as my old craftsman stuff (made in usa craftsman, not the cheapened new stuff)

I've had pretty good luck with buying "forever" tools used on eBay - essentially, but a used Snap-On piece on eBay instead of a new something-or-other.

Comb through garage and estate sales in your area.

Hit up the local pawn shops.

Buy all the good quality tools you find and need.

Otherwise, I've had no problems with HF tools and I use them quite often, even for "mission critical" work.

You can buy snap on online now if you want to spend the money for the best. 

Now that craftsman got bought (by stanley I think) their future is uncertain. They will probably still be a decent mid range tool I would think. There is also blue point, which is snap ons cheaper line, that is decent stuff. 

There are some people on online forums for whom bashing Craftsman tools is a full time occupation.  I understand they have moved production of a lot of their tools overseas, but I don't know if the quality has suffered that much or if it's just mob mentality.

One source for good quality tools that are made in the US is SK:  https://sktools.com  Also, as mentioned above, used tools are a viable option as well - I have a small Snap-On roller chest that I bought complete with tools for probably half price of new. 

Good Question.

Ive got a Harbor freight 128 piece kit and a few ratchets from there. They work pretty damn good, the case sucks monkey testes fir the kit since none of the sockets lock in though

I like SK tools, their x-frame wrenches are great

By the way, Craftsman is coming to Lowes soon... internet is buzzing with speculation that Stanley will be bringing production back to the US too.

mikeatrpi said:

I like SK tools, their x-frame wrenches are great

By the way, Craftsman is coming to Lowes soon... internet is buzzing with speculation that Stanley will be bringing production back to the US too.

Really? Awesome

In reply to stuart in mn :

I've got a garage full of Craftsmen tools that I've bought and or inherited.  The ones I've gotten in the last few years have almost all been of lower quality.  Ratchets wear out almost instantly, chrome plating on sockets that peels off and leaves sharp edges, and wrenches that have some rust coming out of the box.  It's been disappointing enough that I have pretty much stopped buying Craftsmen for anything.  

In reply to Wally :

my experience is similar.  It could just be my own bias, but the ones that I have that are stamped with a serial number are much higher quality.  

In reply to stuart in mn :

I've never bought sk tools but I'll have to look into them.  I'm also looking at used tools sets on craigslist, seems like a viable option. 

Dusterbd13 said:

I like kobalt. Held up very well, as good as my old craftsman stuff (made in usa craftsman, not the cheapened new stuff)

I use Kobalt. The Lowes hand tools are very good quality and I have yet to break one.

where do we buy good tools?

estate sales, mostly

Hazet, Beta, Stahlwille, Sidchrome.

My absolute favorite hand tools are the Stahlwille combo wrenches. Over 30 years old, and never an issue. They make Snap On feel clunky

But I only bought a metric set back then. I have an Ace hdware branded Imperial set, and it's surprisingly good quality.  I also have old Craftsman ratchets and sockets, along with a collection of garage sale purchases.

It's been a couple years but I was buying SK stuff via Amazon.  All of it seems nice.  

I’ve had really good luck with HF hand tools. 

I use thetoolwarehouse.net for most stuff these days - pretty much anything where I want a better grade than H-F or if I need some obscure automotive specialty tool. They sell SK as well as GearWrench brands.