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Where do you buy your tools?

17 years ago

Hey Gang,

I've always heard that a tool you buy at Home Depot isn't the same as the same tool you could buy elsewhere. For example, a DeWalt drill from HD is not the same quality as a DeWalt from, say, a Sears hardware store. Some stoutly maintain the HD varietys are made to a lesser grade?

Any truth to that?

Also, what do you guys prefer for hand tools: Husky, Kobalt, or Craftsman?

Thanks !!!

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Comments (6)

aesanders
17 years ago
I don't know for sure, but I seriously doubt that their are any differences to the tool you get at HD than at Sears.

Of the Husky, Kobalt and Craftsman tools I'd take Craftsman hands down.
DrynDusty
17 years ago
I buy a lot of them from yard sales. Also reconditioned tools, if available.
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blacknumber1
17 years ago
I think theres no difference in quality for name-brand tools. The only exception I can think of is B&D tools sold at Walmart, B&D has an eatra cheap line of tools made just for Walmart to sell at Walmart prices. I bought a cordless tool set there that had no display model and I was shocked with how cheap and plasticy the tools were.

Craftsman still owns the hand tool market. Theyre power tools are allright but you can usually get similar quality (Skil, Ryobi) at the orange box for less money.
canguy
17 years ago
I purchased a 1/2" Craftsman air impact gun and was very disappointed. It is heavy, poorly balanced and lacks power. I lost the receipt so still have it wasting space in the toolbox. The CP works a lot better.
adkinsca
17 years ago
There isn't any difference in an item of the same model number no matter where you purchase it.

As far as hand tools, alot of what I own are Craftsman. If you look closely, some of Kobalt and Craftsman hand tools (ratchets, sockets, etc.) are very similar. I believe the same company (Danaher) makes the current lineup for both. The internal ratchet mechanisms now look identical for Kobalt and Craftsman. (I also have an Allen brand socket set that I bought on clearance a few years ago that is internally identical to the current Craftsman ratchets.) Snap-on used to make the Kobalt line of tools, but that changed maybe 4-5 years ago.

Most Husky stuff is now made in Taiwan. Not necessarily a deal-breaker for me, but I prefer to get US made tools.

Some of my pliers, clamps, etc are cheaper brands, like Stanley or even no-name made-in-china.
the_0utsider
17 years ago
adkinsca: Sears took Emerson (maker of sears power tools) to court for sharing sears designs with HD. That would explain any similarity in Husky power tools.

I like sears stuff, but as always not as good as the old stuff- cast iron drills kinda thing vs plastic today.

Also, US made tools don't shatter like the chinese screwdrivers ive seen.

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