Socket wrenches

I have always used Craftsman tools, as long as I could afford them. Back in the day, my first set was made by Fingerhut industries out of a catalog - I think the whole set was like 29.99 - and they looked like it. Likely made in Taiwan or wherever - this was back in the 60's before their stuff got as good as it is now - they're even making engines for Harley and BMW now!

The only Craftsman stuff I have ever broken was through vicious abuse, such as hammering on a ratchet head to jolt a drain plug loose. I have gone to the Craftsman Professional wrenches, which try hard to look like Snap-on. They work well and look real purty in my drawer. And I wouldn't be without my GearWrenches. My ratchets are all Craftsman, mostly with fine tooth gears for that short throw. I have 1/2, 3/8, and 3/8 flexy - they all work great.

I also have to admit that I have a few odd tools from Harbor Freight. When it is an item that I am not going to use but once in a while, you can't beat the price. I often pit for my son's m/c races and made up a pit box with a bunch of their stuff. So far, so good, but I always have Craftsman backups for the critical stuff. I wouldn't touch their hand tools, though. While they have gotten better, they are still pretty much butter.

I have used Snap-On and the premium tools and have to agree that the quality is defiinitely there, and if I was making my living, I would probably go with their stuff or Cornwell, Mac, etc. But for what most of us do, a good set of Craftsman will do the job just fine.