Acquiring Tools

Step 4 Useful Links

Useful Links:

Suppliers
Lee Valley
Princess Auto
Home Depot
Lowes
Reno-D�pot
Canadian Tire
Preston Hardware
Home Hardware
Stanley tools
Dewalt Tools
Makita Tools
Millwaukee Tools

Instructables
Shop tools

Online Books
Setting Up Shop

A Field guide to tools

Comments

[boomsb]

Don't forget about Harbor Freight.

[toyotero]

Ditto on HF. Sign up for their mailings (USPA and email) and look for their 20% off coupons (pop mech mag, etc) or just print them online: http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/displayPage.do?pageFile=magurl1.html http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/tabviewer/start.do Be a smart shopper. The tools they sell vary in quality; for something you may use 3 or 4 times, it's worth the lower quality if you pay 10% of what a name brand would cost. - Toyotero.

[overblast]

Just be ***super*** careful in what you buy there.

I bought a small sledge hammer. The first time I used it, about the 5th hit, the handle broke and the head went flying down and hit where a friend had been standing a minute ago.

I do buy their stuff, just today I bought 2 of their 12" wood clamps. Hopefully they won't explode or anything........

[afreeland]

dang no love for Sears or Craftsman? ... I always recommend American made tools regardless of brand =)

[onlnagent]

Not all Craftsman tools are American made.

[afreeland]

I know...sadly most of the newer tools they come out with are Made in China...I tried out one set of wrenches that were made in China and they kept slipping off of rusty nuts on my truck, so I took them back and exchanged them for an American made set...Haven't had a chance to use the new set so hopefully they hold up better than the old ones. A lot of older Craftsman tools are Made in America and they seem to last forever..I know that my Grandfather has tools that his Father and Grandfather gave to him and they still work...of course they weigh a ton...but they still work perfectly.

[puma b32]

My construction teacher says the same thing. Old American or West German Tools are the best, at that time they took pride in their product. The best way to find them is to go to old garage sales and refurbish them

[pfred2]

A true craftsman never blames their tools :) I get adequate performance out of cheap Chinese wrenches.

[smallenginetech]

I have lost a lot of blood using cheap tools. I am not saying you need $100 set of open end wrenches but something of decent quality is worth the extra price. But then again I make a living with my tools so I expect more out of them then the average homeowner.

[pfred2]

I'm likely a better mechanic than you.

[smallenginetech]

First off I did not intend to imply you were a homeowner just that I expect more out of my tools then the average homeowner and am willing to pay a little more for them. I have no idea who you are or where you work. But how would you know how good of a mechanic I am, and why would it matter as to the decision of buying good tools.

[pfred2]

I don't think you really want to know how I know what I know. But if you really do want to know then I suggest you read everything you have posted and think what all of it may mean to someone else who actually is reading what you're posting. Because right now I'm not so sure you're reading your own words. OK Buster Knuckles? That is only one clue as you've made several telling statements that lead me to the conclusion I arrived at. In a word your entire premise is flawed. Which is to say I've run into your type all too often and here we meet yet again, though for you I'm sure it is the very first time.

So if you'll excuse me I must beg out of this tired matter.

[superridley]

All to true. keep track of your old craftsman tools.

[unaffiliatedperson]

from what ive heard craftsman quality is starting to go south. but the ones i got are pretty good, but then again theyre kinda old,

[afreeland]

That is very true, their new product does seem to lack some quality. I know I recently purchased a scroll saw but I didn't buy a brand new one...I purchased an older solid one and it works great.

[EyeRise]

I have found a great number of tools quite cheap at auctions. Just make sure you have a maximum bid in mind BEFORE the bids start heating up!