A friend of mine has that ratchet in 1/4" and that thing is the shiet!!! I need to go get me one of those.

 

When I was a tech full time, most of my stuff was SnapOn, with some Mac and Matco thrown in...I like different things from each. I was throwing my SnapOn dealer about $100 a week between tools and toolbox payments. Now that my wrenching has been scaled back to mostly diagnostics, roadside, and customer concerns, I buy less and find that for home needs, the Craftsman Professional line is pretty decent. I still buy a few things from SnapOn when he comes around, but not as much. The SnapOn stuff has held up well.

For air tools, (impact guns mainly) I really like Ingersoll Rand...they have a better feel and longevity than SnapOn IMO, and are usually about half the price. Last I checked, IR made Mac's air tools anyway. My 1/4" and 3/8" air rachets, drill, and air chisel are SnapOn though...if and when they break I'll probably replace them with IR's just for cost effectiveness.

SAE stuff is becoming more and more obsolete, but it still pops up from time to time...mostly with aftermarket stuff. For the SAE, I'd suggest the less expensive Craftsman items since you probably won't be using them as much

 

craftsman are great for weekend worriers like myself,I have some wrenches and sockets that are over 25 years old and still work great.

 

I like very few snap-on air tools, like there air hammers and such, but there inpacts suck imo.

I love my IR Thunder gun there isn't anything louder.

 

Make sure you pick up a dammit tool.


You know, the tool you throw across the garage while screaming "Dammit!" after cracking your knuckles for the 12th time.

 

I have a mix of Snap-On, Mac and Matco, they're all great tools. However, I'm working on cars some days for 10+ hours, so having the tool thats a bit lighter, a bit tighter makes all the difference. For the bread and butter stuff for a weekender, I'd have no problem recommending Craftsman, their less expensive, still have very good quality, and exchangeing is much easier- as the tool man usually only comes once a week, and he ain't gonna stop at your house For air tools, IR is very good. I personally have Mac 1/2 impact, 1/4 and 3/8 air ratchets (sealed head- lever is lower on the body so its easier to reach when you back the think into a tight spot), drill and dir grinder and Matco 3"cutoff wheel and air hammer, and all are very good. IMO the only good craftsman air tools are the impact (FWIW, both IR and my old craftsman gun were made in Ohio...) so it may be worth your while to spend some extra there. Also for drill bits, don't skimp, get some quality pieces.

 

Everybody above have pretty much summed it up. I have to used my tools for 11 hours a day, 5 days a week, so I will gladly pay a little extra for a tool that I know will not let me down. My Tool box at work consists of Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell, and Craftsman. The higher end tools just feel better, and dont hurt my hands as much as craftsman rachets.
As for Impacts, I couldnt live without my 3/8" IR Titanium. I havent found anything reasonable that it couldnt get off.

 

So it looks like if I'm getting into the field it would be better to spend the money on quality tools. As for air tools go I agree that IR is the best choise, the thunder gun is the Chit.

 

Well dont jump the gun just yet. You sound like you are just getting into the trade. Are you sure you are going to be doing this for a long time? I jumped feet first into the motorsports field and was sure that I was going to stick with it. Snap On truck was there every two weeks to take my money and hand me a shiny new expensive tool. Well things change and I have alot of money invested in a hobby tool set. I personally would start out with Craftsman hand tools and IR air tools. After you have all of what you need start replacing what you want or what you need with Snap On. Just my opinion.

 

i use mostly snap on but thats my dads collection of tools.

i started my own and figured out the best way to do it is to hit the pawn shops once every month or so. buy every broken craftman tool you can get your hands on and take it all back to sears. they will swap them out no questions asked. i broke one of my dads snap on ratchets and it costed me $60!!