Good buys list

[La Bestia]

I thought we should make a list of good buys for new tool whores or those looking to add to the collection. If your only input is snapon feel free to give that advice in another thread. If you have a specific snapon tool that has done great service for a reasonable price feel free to post it. This thread isn't looking for the best tool for a specific purpose, it's looking for the best value. 9 times out of 10 the more you spend the better the tool will be but for the average home hobbyist what offers the best quality/price ratio.


I will start with a welder since it's one of my favorite hobbies.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332691_200332691

The northern industrial 135A Mig is a pretty good welder as long as you remember different sizes and processes for different uses. Runs on standard household current and pretty much maxes out how many amps you can get out of 110 from a welder. I got an opportunity to try one out at my local welding store the other day (it was rebranded but same welder) and for the price it really performed better than expected. We didn't try the wire that the machine comes with but loaded with quality wire it exceeded my expectations for the 299.99 price tag. It was difficult to nearly impossible to get it dialed in exactly right to get that real sizzling, bacon frying sound but you could get it close enough to make quality welds. I would consider this a great value to anyone in the market for a 110V wirefeed welder. Like I mentioned at the beginning know the limitations of a 110V and don't expect to be able to push them and it will serve you well.

 

[Bigredmariner]

I'll throw a few out there.

Stanley hand tools, the ones from WalMart. I got on a ship and didn't have any tools with me, so I went down to the local WalMart and picked up a bunch of the Stanley hand tools. That was almost 10 years ago and I have yet to break any of them. Pretty good quality for the price, the wrenches have been tough and I've yet to spread any of them out from pulling too hard. The only complaint is that some of the chrome plating has lifted on a couple of them. But the steel used is pretty good. The adjustable (crescent) wrenches are very good and have a better fitting thimble than most Crescent brand adjustable's that I've used.

 

[La Bestia]

I'll throw a few out there.

Stanley hand tools, the ones from WalMart. I got on a ship and didn't have any tools with me, so I went down to the local WalMart and picked up a bunch of the Stanley hand tools. That was almost 10 years ago and I have yet to break any of them. Pretty good quality for the price, the wrenches have been tough and I've yet to spread any of them out from pulling too hard. The only complaint is that some of the chrome plating has lifted on a couple of them. But the steel used is pretty good. The adjustable (crescent) wrenches are very good and have a better fitting thimble than most Crescent brand adjustable's that I've used.

That's not the first time I've heard that about Stanley. Completely different animal but we use almost 100% Proto (top of the line stanley brand) at work and even union ironworkers can't break them.

 

[Bigredmariner]

Proto tools are great, like you said they are almost unbreakable. We have used tons of them on the ships and I never worry about the tool letting me down.

 

[La Bestia]

Proto tools are great, like you said they are almost unbreakable. We have used tons of them on the ships and I never worry about the tool letting me down.

Wish I could afford them at home but at $8 for a single socket I will have to pass for now.

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Proto tools are great, like you said they are almost unbreakable. We have used tons of them on the ships and I never worry about the tool letting me down.

By bigger 3/4" and 1" drive sockets are Proto. Not only are you limited on brands in that size, but the price of Proto is good, too. Good stuff.