taylorRichie
Adventurer
@TangoBlue - I think that's a good topic to debate...
I was recently reading a debate on winches, one person was talking about getting a cheaper Harbor Freight winch, and a 3 year warranty for substantially cheaper than a high end winch. The argument against this logic was, if it fails when you need it most, was it worth skimping?
Could tools be the same way? I have had several low end ratchets fail on me, a few higher end gear wrenches fail, only have broken harbor freight sockets, and had several other sockets chrome flake off, become sharp, and cause injury. But I've never had a box wrench break on me.
I was leaning toward a kobalt mechanics set on this kit, since Kobalt (as I understand it) is made side by side by the same company who makes craftsman tools. I was thinking Channel Lock Brand on most of the other components. (Made in USA) however it disappoints me that Channel Lock doesn't offer a lifetime guarantee, and all of the other peer brands do: Irwin, Kobalt, Crescent.
I guess another important factor is where you can get replacements. Another positive about Kobalt, is that lowes is treating the kobalt brand like sears treats craftsman. You walk in show them the broken tool, they replace it. No mail in, no waiting etc.
I'm also considering going to the local pawn shops, they tend to have a lot of high quality mis matched tools. Sometimes I think I get a little too OCD about having wrenches and sockets all match, at the end of the day it shouldn't matter, and if I can get High Quality tools on the cheap with a little bit of legwork, why not?
Stopped at lowes on the way home from work today, it was very tempting to get a Task Force full set and call it good, but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. I'd rather be patient.
Regarding theft, or 'accidental' swiping that's a good point. I did have an action packer full of tools taken out of the back of my truck 10 years ago. $200+ worth of goodies in one easy swipe. Was in a remote area, only saw a few vehicles in 24 hours, left the truck for a few hours... gone.
Of course the tools weren't the only thing missing. My battery, my sunroof, my headlights, my tires... Not fun.
I was recently reading a debate on winches, one person was talking about getting a cheaper Harbor Freight winch, and a 3 year warranty for substantially cheaper than a high end winch. The argument against this logic was, if it fails when you need it most, was it worth skimping?
Could tools be the same way? I have had several low end ratchets fail on me, a few higher end gear wrenches fail, only have broken harbor freight sockets, and had several other sockets chrome flake off, become sharp, and cause injury. But I've never had a box wrench break on me.
I was leaning toward a kobalt mechanics set on this kit, since Kobalt (as I understand it) is made side by side by the same company who makes craftsman tools. I was thinking Channel Lock Brand on most of the other components. (Made in USA) however it disappoints me that Channel Lock doesn't offer a lifetime guarantee, and all of the other peer brands do: Irwin, Kobalt, Crescent.
I guess another important factor is where you can get replacements. Another positive about Kobalt, is that lowes is treating the kobalt brand like sears treats craftsman. You walk in show them the broken tool, they replace it. No mail in, no waiting etc.
I'm also considering going to the local pawn shops, they tend to have a lot of high quality mis matched tools. Sometimes I think I get a little too OCD about having wrenches and sockets all match, at the end of the day it shouldn't matter, and if I can get High Quality tools on the cheap with a little bit of legwork, why not?
Stopped at lowes on the way home from work today, it was very tempting to get a Task Force full set and call it good, but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. I'd rather be patient.
Regarding theft, or 'accidental' swiping that's a good point. I did have an action packer full of tools taken out of the back of my truck 10 years ago. $200+ worth of goodies in one easy swipe. Was in a remote area, only saw a few vehicles in 24 hours, left the truck for a few hours... gone.
Of course the tools weren't the only thing missing. My battery, my sunroof, my headlights, my tires... Not fun.
