2 answers
Karyme
Student
Birmingham, Alabama
1
Question
Updated
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What brand of tools is the most affordable and long-lasting, even with every-day use in the automotive industry?
For jobs past entry-level technicians.
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2 answers
Joseph Smith
Accountant / Auditor
4
Answers
Newport Beach, California
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
If you're just starting out and on a budget, get basic tools from Harbor Freight. I have a Snap-on hammer that cost $90 and a similar one from Harbor Freight for $9, and there's no difference. As you earn more, look for brands with lifetime warranties. Only buying tools from the tool truck is too expensive for beginners. Brands like Craftsman and Husky usually work fine. Sometimes you'll need special tools for certain vehicles, and if you choose a specific brand for that, that's okay. Be flexible when buying tools, and try to buy complete socket sets used. Also, invest in good impact and power tools.
Thank you very much!
Karyme
Patrick Carnahan
Battery Electric Vehicle Service Engineer
3
Answers
Escondido, California
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
It would be amazing if there was one brand of tools that remains affordable, yet durable throughout their product line. Unfortunately, it's been my experience that brands fit the bill for some tools in their product line, but others are either too expensive or not of high enough quality for use in an automotive environment. Here are some brands I've had success with.
Harbor Freight: This brand is known for being inexpensive and it is. If you need an inexpensive set of sockets larger than 1", this is your brand. If you need a 1/4" ratchet wrench, a pilot bearing puller or a set of snap ring pliers that can hold up to everyday use, I don't think you'll be happy. This brand suffers from quality control issues quite often and while they do have "premium" offerings, I would stay away from them for specialized tools. If you need an inexpensive set of shorty wrenches or deep 12-point sockets you don't plan to use often, you'll probably be fine, but I wouldn't depend on anything with intricate parts from this brand.
Craftsman: This brand used to be awesome with its 'Professional' line, when it was sold at Sears and had a lifetime warranty. Nowadays, it's still out there and remains a decent brand but people have reported difficulty getting things replaced through warranty. This brand is readily available at Lowes, and they still sell automotive focused tools at reasonable prices.
Husky: This brand is readily available at Home Depot and while a lot of it is made in China and Taiwan, it's a pretty durable brand. I think their toolboxes are pretty impressive units for the price.
Klein: Another brand that can be easily found at Home Depot. This brand's product line is more focused on professional tradesmen, but they still have a lot of offerings that overlap with automotive at great prices, especially for electrical work (meters, crimpers, strippers).
TEKTON: This brand is readily available on Amazon. Not the cheapest, but their sockets and wrenches seem to be of pretty high quality and finish. Can't say the same for their screwdrivers. I would say this brand is especially good for filling in gaps/holes in your current socket sets (either from breakage or loss). Supposedly USA made in Michigan, their warranty is reportedly pretty good too.
Used BluePoint/Snap-On and their rebrands: These are quality tools that you can always find used on eBay and Offer-up. Buying new doesn't make sense anymore due to how inflated their prices are. You are paying for the truck service and the warranty but mostly the name. Many of their tools are also rebrands of other good tool manufacturers under their umbrella (like Williams, Bahco and Caterpillar). It might be worth it to seek out the same tools from those other brands. I've seen a Williams branded screwdriver set selling for $80, when the comparable Snap-On set was selling for over $200. This probably goes for other rebranding tool manufacturers like Mac and Cornwell as well, I just don't have enough experience with them to say. That said, there is nothing quite like a genuine Snap-On 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet wrench as an everyday tool.
In the end, your toolbox is likely to be a hodgepodge of items, accumulated over the course of years, from different manufacturers, based on what you were willing to spend at the time. There are items that you may want to spend good money on, like ratchet wrenches or multimeters, considering they are tools you use often or need to have good resolution/accuracy. For everything else, just shop around and see what deals you can find.
Harbor Freight: This brand is known for being inexpensive and it is. If you need an inexpensive set of sockets larger than 1", this is your brand. If you need a 1/4" ratchet wrench, a pilot bearing puller or a set of snap ring pliers that can hold up to everyday use, I don't think you'll be happy. This brand suffers from quality control issues quite often and while they do have "premium" offerings, I would stay away from them for specialized tools. If you need an inexpensive set of shorty wrenches or deep 12-point sockets you don't plan to use often, you'll probably be fine, but I wouldn't depend on anything with intricate parts from this brand.
Craftsman: This brand used to be awesome with its 'Professional' line, when it was sold at Sears and had a lifetime warranty. Nowadays, it's still out there and remains a decent brand but people have reported difficulty getting things replaced through warranty. This brand is readily available at Lowes, and they still sell automotive focused tools at reasonable prices.
Husky: This brand is readily available at Home Depot and while a lot of it is made in China and Taiwan, it's a pretty durable brand. I think their toolboxes are pretty impressive units for the price.
Klein: Another brand that can be easily found at Home Depot. This brand's product line is more focused on professional tradesmen, but they still have a lot of offerings that overlap with automotive at great prices, especially for electrical work (meters, crimpers, strippers).
TEKTON: This brand is readily available on Amazon. Not the cheapest, but their sockets and wrenches seem to be of pretty high quality and finish. Can't say the same for their screwdrivers. I would say this brand is especially good for filling in gaps/holes in your current socket sets (either from breakage or loss). Supposedly USA made in Michigan, their warranty is reportedly pretty good too.
Used BluePoint/Snap-On and their rebrands: These are quality tools that you can always find used on eBay and Offer-up. Buying new doesn't make sense anymore due to how inflated their prices are. You are paying for the truck service and the warranty but mostly the name. Many of their tools are also rebrands of other good tool manufacturers under their umbrella (like Williams, Bahco and Caterpillar). It might be worth it to seek out the same tools from those other brands. I've seen a Williams branded screwdriver set selling for $80, when the comparable Snap-On set was selling for over $200. This probably goes for other rebranding tool manufacturers like Mac and Cornwell as well, I just don't have enough experience with them to say. That said, there is nothing quite like a genuine Snap-On 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet wrench as an everyday tool.
In the end, your toolbox is likely to be a hodgepodge of items, accumulated over the course of years, from different manufacturers, based on what you were willing to spend at the time. There are items that you may want to spend good money on, like ratchet wrenches or multimeters, considering they are tools you use often or need to have good resolution/accuracy. For everything else, just shop around and see what deals you can find.