I pretty much have all MAC and Snap-On with a few other odd and ends in the tool box at work but I can't afford the good stuff for home use also. Had a reputable brand 1/2" breaker bar break on me this morning. Nice clean fracture on the bar which resulted in 5 stitches in my finger. Now I'm not saying don't buy the cheaper stuff but maybe think about the use of the tool and the results if it did break while in use. If it can cause injury or damage maybe it's better to pony up a few dollars more.

I, also, have had enough cheap tools break on me while trying to do something; that is why I have Craftsman tools for auto repair (and other things). I did have a problem once with a Snap-on impact socket shattering on a spring shackle nut; after that I wear safety glasses and gloves when using powered tools to remove nuts.

I've had so many smashed fingers I try not to use my hands when really yanking on a tool, I use my feet whenever possible. Had too many sockets slip/extensions break/bend over the years.

you dont pay...they dont pay. :D

I've twisted off the square drive shaft on two Craftsman break-over bars. Shattered the "ear" on some off brand bar first. Of course I was using a 6 foot cheater every time and standing on it with my dad. We probably should have been wearing leather tarps or some other hideous contraption. Finally had someone break the nut free with an impact wrench.

I fully expect some tools to give out. I usually ask at the counter when I buy those tools what the return policy is.

I try to get name brand tools, but sometimes i do get the cheap junk.
When looking at cheap junk, my rule is... low stress tools.
Harbor Freight pry bars? NO
Harbor Freight Steering column lock plate depressor.... right on.

If something is so tight that I think I would need a 6 foot cheater bar............I get out the 3/4 drive sockets. Even a cheapie set is far stronger than 1/2 drive.

use what you can afford

craftsmam all the way for me,less chance of barking a knuckle. i reather pay more for a tool then for stitches.

I still use many of the craftsman tools that my dad bought in 1946.

I have names for cheap imitations:SnapOff,CrapMan,S u K,and MicTool(as in MickeyMouse)

I try to get name brand tools, but sometimes i do get the cheap junk.
When looking at cheap junk, my rule is... low stress tools.
Harbor Freight pry bars? NO
Harbor Freight Steering column lock plate depressor.... right on.
I totally agree with ya on this one.

New good tools are a must. They save you a hassle because they are better quality and are usually backed by a lifetime warranty. All I buy is Craftsman because their handtools have a no questions asked warranty and are very durable.

I'll agree with that, except I'll say Craftman is FAIRLY durable.

I say you can break any tool if you try hard enough:sexy:

I personally have never had anything but trouble with Craftsman. Especially if it has any moving parts (ratchets, vise-grips, etc). My 15 year old Proto 3/8" drive ratchet on the other hand....

I've used and abused that thing WAY beyond what it was ever expected. The "grip knurling" is long gone after using the ratchet as an impact wrench with the assistance of a 16 oz sledge hammer. Quite a bit of the chrome around the shank is gone from various pieces of pipe used as "torque multipliers". Etc, etc, etc.

I also went with Proto when I bought my ratchet wrenches. And I used them for assembling busses when I worked at New Flyer. Again with the pieces of pipe used as cheater bars. And the generous offering of good, hard smacks with various industrial strength (and sized) hammers. Even though we had air-impacts at our disposal....... ;)

yeah it also helps to make sure your using the right tool for the job one of the mechnaics in the shop i work in called me over to grap the end of the six foot cheater pipe to tighten up this rearend seal head been having hell with well i was busy trying to replace a clockspring in the streering wheel of some peice of crap car so i was more concerned about that i grabed on to the bar and procceded to push now im pretty big 6'3 250lbs and it aint' fat nether and the other guy was average size and this seal was tight so were giving it pretty much everything we got so between the both of us were bushing about 300 llbs of force on this seal now times that buy 6 for the cheater pipe well the idiot decided it would be a good idea to use 1/2 inch craftsman ratchet instead of just getting out the 1 inch and plaing it safe well needless to say the rathet broke came flying out of the pipe and hit me in the head a few curse words me getting out from underneath the rack and looking for somebody to fight all i needed was a big bandaid and six stitches but about 3 inches lower id be the proud owner of only one eyeball moral of the story use the right tools

cheap tools hurt! I've had to buy junk before. Long ways from home, need a quick repair. Bought a $10 socket set at a gas station to change alternator 1,500 miles away.I always garage sale the trash as soon as I get home.

I agree with the right tool for the job. I've been a mechanic for 14 years and have a pretty large range of brands of tools from Craftsman, Snap-on, Mac, Matco, and a few off brands. I have broke something in every brand over the years. But I am hard on tools, I expect them to do the job and then some. :) Cheaper made tools are good for household use and light mechanical, but not for use with air tools. :) JMO.

I'll agree with that, except I'll say Craftman is FAIRLY durable.

x2

i have mostly craftsman stuff at home, some snap on and cornwell stuff too, but dont use much craftsman stuff at work... i get tired of going to sears all the time to warranty stuff. and my sears store doesnt always have everything in stock.