Opinions on Summit tools and equipment?

[Predator86]

Originally Posted by Ian

yeah, it really depends on the dealer. ours is a great guy. we had a mac man for a little bit, but he stopped showing up.

our snap-on dealer is a great guy but the matco dealer is a bit of a jerk....and if craftsman had vendors i would stick with them for sure but thats not really the case....snap-on is cool but there prices just insult me....there stuff is not worth that much and i can buy the same tool from craftsman for roughly half the price and it works out great....of course this is IMO

[BonzoHansen]

Problem with tool trucks is they don't show up at my house, LOL. Getting stuff warrantied can be a PITA.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Predator86

our snap-on dealer is a great guy but the matco dealer is a bit of a jerk....and if craftsman had vendors i would stick with them for sure but thats not really the case....snap-on is cool but there prices just insult me....there stuff is not worth that much and i can buy the same tool from craftsman for roughly half the price and it works out great....of course this is IMO

thats not really the case. while it is the same type of tool and it is cheaper, its not made from the same grade of metal and the finish isn't as nice.

I've broken at least 3 craftsman ratchets, I have yet to break any of my snap on ones. I've only broken one snap on socket, and that was because I abused the ever loving crap out of it. I've broken more craftsman impact sockets (3) than I have snap on non impact sockets. and I do sometimes use non impact sockets on the gun. in my experience, craftsman just doesn't work out for me. if it works for you, great. I'm sure you'll save a ton of money on tools over what I spend. but after three years of doing this I cant tell you how many times I've been grateful to be rid of a lot of my craftsman stuff.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Problem with tool trucks is they don't show up at my house, LOL. Getting stuff warrantied can be a PITA.

yeah, no doubt about that

again, if your dealer is a nice guy, he will stop by your house if you want him to. but for working at home, craftsman will get it done. its once you start using the stuff every day for years at a time that the difference is noticeable.

[Fast92RS]

Originally Posted by Ian

thats not really the case. while it is the same type of tool and it is cheaper, its not made from the same grade of metal and the finish isn't as nice.

I've broken at least 3 craftsman ratchets, I have yet to break any of my snap on ones. I've only broken one snap on socket, and that was because I abused the ever loving crap out of it. I've broken more craftsman impact sockets (3) than I have snap on non impact sockets. and I do sometimes use non impact sockets on the gun. in my experience, craftsman just doesn't work out for me. if it works for you, great. I'm sure you'll save a ton of money on tools over what I spend. but after three years of doing this I cant tell you how many times I've been grateful to be rid of a lot of my craftsman stuff.

The Craftsman pro series with the higly polished wrenches and a few other pro series items i think are on par with snap on.

[heavy_chevy29]

you should give S&K a try. i think that they have the best bang for the buck. i have a mix of alot of different tools in my box. i have everything from mac to S&K to craftsman to sunex. generally you want to stay away from the really cheap tools when you are buying impact tools and sockets(ever see a cheep impact socket explode. not fun), torque wreches and stuff like that.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/
http://www.eppys.com/

[Predator86]

Originally Posted by Ian

thats not really the case. while it is the same type of tool and it is cheaper, its not made from the same grade of metal and the finish isn't as nice.

I've broken at least 3 craftsman ratchets, I have yet to break any of my snap on ones. I've only broken one snap on socket, and that was because I abused the ever loving crap out of it. I've broken more craftsman impact sockets (3) than I have snap on non impact sockets. and I do sometimes use non impact sockets on the gun. in my experience, craftsman just doesn't work out for me. if it works for you, great. I'm sure you'll save a ton of money on tools over what I spend. but after three years of doing this I cant tell you how many times I've been grateful to be rid of a lot of my craftsman stuff.

Well you do have me there in the fact that i have not been doing this for as long as you have so maybe i will see the durability issues...so who knows maybe my perceptions will change after a few years but as for now i am content with my set...

that truck is convenient though so im sure i'll have a nice snap-on bill in no time

Originally Posted by Fast92RS

The Craftsman pro series with the higly polished wrenches and a few other pro series items i think are on par with snap on.

also a point i was gonna bring up..

[Predator86]

Originally Posted by heavy_chevy29

generally you want to stay away from the really cheap tools when you are buying impact tools and sockets(ever see a cheep impact socket explode. not fun), torque wreches and stuff like that.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/
http://www.eppys.com/

ya i just bought the new ingersol rand TI max (awesome gun) and used a stanley socket (not so good) and ya that was shocking...

and another thing people dont think about is the air line....make sure there secure...the one i was using had a band clamp holding it, the damn thing broke as i was impacting and hit me right in my you know what...still havent heard the end of that one

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Predator86

ya i just bought the new ingersol rand TI max (awesome gun) and used a stanley socket (not so good) and ya that was shocking...

and another thing people dont think about is the air line....make sure there secure...the one i was using had a band clamp holding it, the damn thing broke as i was impacting and hit me right in my you know what...still havent heard the end of that one

blame someone else when something goes wrong, thats what I do

and as far as impact guns go, IR is the best out there. dont bother buying snap on or mac or matco, they're not as good.

[Predator86]

Originally Posted by Ian

and as far as impact guns go, IR is the best out there. dont bother buying snap on or mac or matco, they're not as good.

i agree with that

with proper care they will last