I've been a mechanic for 20 years. I've worked on everything from school buses to MPFFV(Multi Purpose Fire Fighting Vehicle) for the army. I currently work 2 jobs a day, turning wrenches on fire trucks and ambulances in the morning and. I work for a fleet in the afternoon. On the weekends I run my own business from home where I work in anything from boats to cars to firetrucks. I feel I'm pretty qualified to answer this question about tools.
I have two 56 inch tool boxes from Harbor Freight and in my research, that lasted about a month of looking and reviewing, I found that you can not get a better deal from any manufacturers out there. In pretty rough with my boxes, they go from one end of the shop to the other several times a week and I've yet had anything fail on them. I can also attest that the slides can hold well over the rated limit as all of my drawers are overloaded. In not saying a Snap-On or Mac won't do the job, I'm just saying, the larger,industrial series boxes from Harbor Freight an outstanding deal and very well made.
Now, tool wise, like others have said, some of the stuff from there is junk. Stay away from the screwdrivers and Allen keys. The sockets are pretty good but don't get the tool kits they sell(ones with sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers...) I have a set if thin wall impact sockets I use probably once a week to remove wheels and have yet to break one. I bought the master balljoint press kit for the adapters and have yet to bend one of those. I bought a vacuum pump 5 years ago and its still going strong after working on probably 200 cars and trucks. The hammers? I have the dead blow that I use weekly to remove valve caps and discharges, after 2 years the face started to peel, I took it back and they gave me a free one. The Snap-On one I have is sitting in a drawer at home because the same thing happened and Snap-On will not replace it.
Don't get me wrong, I have thousands of dollars in Snap-On tools as well as Matco and a few Mac items. They are(were) a good quality item but Snap -On tools are not made in America anymore, its all Taiwan now. I just have not seen the quality from Snap On for quite a few years so my tool purchases are spread out to other vendors. Carlysle from Napa is one I've grown to like. As well as Gearwrench, absolutely love Gearwrench!
Bottom line, do a little bit of research. Look at the reviews for the tools you're looking to purchase and don't worry about the name, if it works, its good to go in my box.
Brian
I have two 56 inch tool boxes from Harbor Freight and in my research, that lasted about a month of looking and reviewing, I found that you can not get a better deal from any manufacturers out there. In pretty rough with my boxes, they go from one end of the shop to the other several times a week and I've yet had anything fail on them. I can also attest that the slides can hold well over the rated limit as all of my drawers are overloaded. In not saying a Snap-On or Mac won't do the job, I'm just saying, the larger,industrial series boxes from Harbor Freight an outstanding deal and very well made.
Now, tool wise, like others have said, some of the stuff from there is junk. Stay away from the screwdrivers and Allen keys. The sockets are pretty good but don't get the tool kits they sell(ones with sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers...) I have a set if thin wall impact sockets I use probably once a week to remove wheels and have yet to break one. I bought the master balljoint press kit for the adapters and have yet to bend one of those. I bought a vacuum pump 5 years ago and its still going strong after working on probably 200 cars and trucks. The hammers? I have the dead blow that I use weekly to remove valve caps and discharges, after 2 years the face started to peel, I took it back and they gave me a free one. The Snap-On one I have is sitting in a drawer at home because the same thing happened and Snap-On will not replace it.
Don't get me wrong, I have thousands of dollars in Snap-On tools as well as Matco and a few Mac items. They are(were) a good quality item but Snap -On tools are not made in America anymore, its all Taiwan now. I just have not seen the quality from Snap On for quite a few years so my tool purchases are spread out to other vendors. Carlysle from Napa is one I've grown to like. As well as Gearwrench, absolutely love Gearwrench!
Bottom line, do a little bit of research. Look at the reviews for the tools you're looking to purchase and don't worry about the name, if it works, its good to go in my box.
Brian
