Tool recommendations

Looking to start adding/upgrading some tools. I'm a weekend warrior so I'd like the quality to be in between SnapOn & Craftman. Don't like craftman any longer. Looks and feels like cheap garbage. SnapOn is just wayyyy too much for me and will never see the kind of abuse they are built for. These are what I am thinking.

Hand tools- Gear wrench??
Air tools- Ingersoll Rand has very reasonable prices for some sweet tools. Seem like quality tools
Power tools- Milwaukee/Dewalt

Also looking for a nice jack.

Northern tool is Harbor freight quality tools? Just got a catalog. They have a lot of stuff.

I'm a professional and use my tools everyday. I started out with basically everything Craftsman. As I break things or don't like things I upgrade to Snap On. Most Craftsman stuff is just as good as the big names.

This is basically what I have now
Sockets - Craftsman
Ratchets - Snap On
Power Tools - Snap On/Dewalt
Hammers - Blue Point
Screwdrivers - Snap On
Impact Sockets - Harbor Freight (never broke one yet)
Specialty tools - Snap On
Toolbox - I had the biggest Craftsman they make and ran out of room so upgraded to a Snap On. No complaints at all about the Craftsman box
Air Tools - Aircat, Ingersoll Rand

Run a service truck.
I use craftsman. IMO can't beat price and durability for a wrench. Plus if I loose or have to make a short wrench (have had too) cutting a $4 one not so bad.

Have some harbor sockets.

Have dewalt everything power tool.

After I used a buddies Bosch Jigsaw many years ago, I've purchased Bosch Power Tools exclusively.
Power, balance, feel of quality, ease of adjustments, etc. made me a lifetime Customer.
Never had a single issue with any of these Bosch tools, love’m all:
- 1/2" Hammer Drill
- 1/2" Drill Cordless 18V
- 3/8" Drill Cordless 18V
- PS41 Impact Driver Cordless 12V
- 5" Rat Tail Grinder
- 10” Miter Saw
- Jigsaw
- Reciprocating Saw

BTW: Don’t count out Craftsman Torque Wrenches.
There's a recent thread on how “good” they are, even today…

I’ve also found that most of the Craftsman Screwdrivers I’ve seen are made in USA.

Good Luck!

You can also look into Williams brand sockets/ratchets/wrenches. They are close to Snap-On quality at a fraction of the price. Otherwise, the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro Taiwan made hand tools are pretty good for the price.

I have 30 years worth of primarily Craftsman tools. I also have my fair share of Harbor Freight, Northern, Lowes and other generic tools. I'd just look for the best deal on tools, as long as they are lifetime and can be exchanged at your place of purchase then I don't think you can go wrong.

I have a lot of SnapOn tools but I got them all over 40 years ago.
The only newish tool purchases have been Matco. Well made tools, expensive, but not as expensive as SnapOn.

I myself have about 40 years of Craftsman with some off brands like SK, etc.
I also have some specialty stuff too.

Most of my tools at home are Craftsman- no problems whatsoever.

I keep a small bag of HF tools at work in case they get crapped up- entire investment ran me a whopping $30 or so.

My father has a mix of Snap-on, SK, and Craftsman. If/when I upgrade, I'll probably run mostly SK.

Look for old Craftsman stuff on CL.

SK makes some nice stuff. I'm absolutely in love with their ratcheting wrenches.

I'm a Ridgid fan for impacts, drills and bits. I've run their stuff pretty damn hard and been satisfied with it.

Snap on and Milwaukee all the way
my box has had everything in it over the years but i always end up with snap on. Especially ratchets and wrenches, engines are cheese graters for hands.

Milwaukee makes amazing cordless tools. Specifically their M12 impact and cordless ratchet. The impact will top or match anything on the market.

I'm not a professional mechanic but I like to think I can find my way around a shop pretty well. No complaints with Craftsman stuff here, even their newer "lesser" tools. They've always served me well. Couldn't tell you the last time I broke a ratchet or socket and I'm hard on stuff (Like, "breaking loose Powerstroke head bolts with a jack handle on a 1/2 breaker bar" hard on stuff). Call me crazy but I don't use power tools either, I don't even own an impact gun. It might save time but I prefer the feel and dexterity of using hand tools, same reason I never wear gloves while wrenching - so all of my tools get plenty of use and abuse.

I've used plenty of Matco, Snap On, and Mac tools..... they are certainly worth the money if you do this for a living. The step up in feel and quality is definitely there.

Porto tools have always been high quality, I ended up with a lot of them when my company closed down. Not sure about today's Proto.

SnapOn is just overkill for me. To spend that kind of money to just occasionally use it is not for me. I loved craftman. I have an older set from many years back. Outstanding quality for the price! New pieces seem a little ehh.. Measurements aren't even stamped on the sockets straight. Some barely have the measurement on them. Plus, my buy "USA" ego plays a large part lol. Never heard of SK. On the website now and the ratcheting wrenches look really sweet. Going to shop around and compare pricing.

There's no doubt older American made Craftsman tools are better than some of the newer ones. It's unfortunate today's retail environment forces companies to find cheaper suppliers in order to compete. I'd check some flea markets or Craigslist for some for good used sets.

I sell tools and I have all the brands that you listed in my box.
You can not go wrong with SK. They were a strong company a few years back but ran into trouble when they tried to get into the air tool business. They have been trying to make a comeback but it has been slow. The issue with them will be getting replacement tools when they break.
Gear Wrench makes a good low to med wrench which it sounds like what you are looking for and can be found everywhere.
As others have said, Milwakee for electric tools.

Matco. Just as good as Snap on with 95% of thier tools, about 30% less cost.

The quality of a tool doesn't depend on the soil it's made on. Keep that in mind when shopping. I think there are better bangs for your buck than Snap-on but you'll find with the better brands that their tolerances are tighter which prevents a lot of damage to the parts you're working on.