[chevy302dz]

The Craftsman Pro Thin Profile Ratchets are the way to go. One of the best ratchets I have ever used

[hrodgmc]

Mac is owned by Stanley. They are two completely different product lines

[Mr.NutCase]

ok!

[iiibdsiil]

Most of my tools are snap on (thank you ebay) but I never purchased a normal length ratchet because I own this craftsman one. I don't use it a lot, but when I need a normal sized ratchet, it is great. Great design.

[matt167]

Craftsmen is good for me. In my auto class, the tools are probably about half and half between snap on and Craftsmen but there a very small amount of S&K in the mix too. Most of the sockets are snap on but all rachets and breaker bars are craftsmen or S&K, my teacher has had more than a few snap on rachets break and is not faund of them, they were breaking when he owned the 3 shops he had also.

[Mr.NutCase]

Originally Posted by Fresh469

what about the tools that autozone sales? duralast i beleive......they looked decent when i was in there looking around today.....

they look like crap, i saw them today, 10mm socket looks like joke!, Great Neck looks better!
What do you think of the Greak Neck (flex-head ratchet 11in long,) Imitation that looks like Snap-On one? is it good to keep on car?

[chevy302dz]

The only forigen tools that really seem to be worth the money are the stanley "professional grade" line of hand tools, husky hand tools are exactly the same just renamed. Duralast, Great Neck, Performance Tool, etc are junk especialy when it comes to something like a ratchet.

[1quiknova]

Ratchets I buy Craftsman, fairly cheap, fairly good quality. I also have a sears hardware 4 miles from my house so it's easy to exchange that's another thing that hurts some people is that sears is not so close to home for easy exchanges. I do buy snap-on torque wrenches though, to me I feel they are the best. I broke down and bought the digital snap-on 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches and love them. The digital ones are like two in one. You can use it like a dial torque wrench and a snap torque wrench, great for setting up gears etc.
My favorite ratchet is the craftsman 3/8 drive flex head. Nice long handle and mobility. and they're only 20 bucks

[oldred]

Ok I guess I will probably be told how wrong I am but my 2 cents anyway. I know Craftsman has a good following, brand loyalty I guess, but they are not even in the same class with Snap-On, Mac, Proto, etc. I work in the mining industry on some of the largest equipment in the world and have for the last 35 years and my welding and repair business depends on my tools, if they break I lose money no matter what kind of warranty because I can not stop and run to Sears to change a tool. I know and work with many other mechanics who would not even consider trying to use Craftsman or any other second rate tool because they will fail under the abuse we demand of them. Now after saying that I am not knocking Craftsman I think they can be a fine tool for most shops and average duty and for the price can be a good bargain but my point is comparing them to pro grade tools is a mistake. If you tried to use the Craftsman ratchet and sockets like we do the Proto, snap-On, etc, using "cheater pipes" and other abuses that they are not designed for the Craftsman would snap like toys but then NO tool should be expected to hold up under abuse such as that. In the real world However, when equipment sits idle for even a short time it can mean many$$$$$, we resort to whatever it takes and I have seen these pro tools take far more abuse than any tool ever should have to and I can tell you from experience they are light years ahead of Craftsman in durability. Now am I saying everyone should buy Snap-On? Not at all and in fact for most people it would be a waste of money since few will ever have the need to use their tools in conditions like I described but to say Craftsman is equal to or better than the pro tools is just plain ridiculous and if you ever have to maintain something like a D-11 bulldozer you will find out real quick what will break and what will not and that is why you do not see Craftsman on many service trucks or in many heavy equipment mechanics' tool boxes. Even though it cost them a hell of a lot more for "real" tools to outfit their rigs these guys know what quality means to their job and where to find tools that will not let them down when it counts and that is not at Sears!

[OneMoreTime]

Well to me there is no reason for any controversy over which tools to buy..At work we bought some of the best tools available..For ex: metabo grinders as they hold up very well but they are about 400 ea for a 9" grinder..At home Ihave some HF grinders which do just fine for the home shop..At home I use Craftsman and others some of which I have had for years.

OMT

[1931 steve]

oldred, Very nicely put, you are right on the money.

Steve