Alternatives Tool Brands to the Tool Trucks!

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[@Fedwrench]

If your shop uses NAPA, their Carlyle Brand is great and won't break the bank. easy warranty too.

[@kawiracer89]

I'm 18 and my dad has a set of the Popular Mechanics sockets that he got back in the 80's or 90's. We still use them every day on impacts and breaker bars. They're 12 point 1/2 drive. Great sockets

[@mr.mckinnon5680]

I have a scar on my hands from everytime I tried to use cheap tools. Especially Crapsman. Cheap tools cost so much more in the long run. When you have to take down time from work to have your hand sewn up. But the best tools I own, were usually found in the bottom of doors. Stuffed under aprons hovering underneath batteries . And my favorite... Still on the last nut they were used on. Free tools are obviously the best ones. And for that, I thank my fellow technicians. Thanks guys.

[@ironman1518.]

Tahnk you!! You took me back to 1970 working for US Steel as an electrician; everyone had Craftsman!!!! Yeah we "talked" about Snap-on.......BUT no one could afford them...

[@stefanczechorskidds8435]

Well done FRM. Your work and your character (as a mechanic) will speak for itself ; not what brand is in your box. Great advice.

[@honda_doc6826]

Great video as always. Also brought back a lot of good memories when I started out. I had husky (USA made), and popular mechanics sockets from Walmart back in 1995. I think I paid less than 10 bucks for the set and still have them.

[@hallow1621]

Proto is my go to. The quality is great and their warranty process is fantastic.

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

Great video thanks brother. I think you hit the nail on the head here. I have a mixture of tools and tool truck brands. I have some that will never be able to warranty because I beat them with a hammer or sledgehammer. I have heated and bent some good ones just for a specific fasteners. keep up the great work see you in the next video

[@markarmstrong3394]

I started buying John Deere wrenches 20yrs ago and now I'm a heavy equipment mechanic and their still going strong.

[@nicholaswalsh3016]

Here in canada, canadian tire sells brands called mastercraft and the higher end mastercraft maximum brand. Dewalt and stanly also have alot of stuff. I have alot of mastercraft stuff like long needlenose pliers and ratcheting wrenches. Also have a set of universal 3/8 impacts that i use everyday. Not as good as snap on but the lifetime warranty is good and they are no hassle, in canada everytown has atleast one canadian tire to ! They can be a hit or miss you tend to know what you need in the higher end snap on stuff and the stuff u can deal with in lower end name brand stuff.

[@nonolabs]

About 8 years ago I bought some MasterCraft tools and I was thinking what a bunch of cheap junk but I needed it. Well those tools have stood by my side and worked in bad situations and they are still in my big tool box.

[@MrAnonymousRandom]

Mastercraft stuff is generally made out of crappy steel. Maximum on the other hand is not that easy to break and I wouldn't be making fun of their basic hand tools. When I go to Canadian tire I generally buy Maximum branded stuff over Mastercraft.

[@nicholaswalsh3016]

CarEnthusiast i have broken lots of maximum stuff lol broke multiple universal impact sockets i broke 2 maximum impact guns and have switched to the ir2235 which blows maximum out of the water. Like i said its a hit or miss and as a certified mechanic i know what i need from the trucks and what i can deal with from crappy tire.

[@ironman1518.]

EXCELLENT video! Thank you! Very well said and to the point......one buys and uses what they can afford and like to use. Period> Respect the opinions and choices of others!

[@logantarr1522]

FRM great video, I'm just a trucker who works on my own trucks but I love your videos and have learned alot from them.

[@crazysvt03]

Great video, just to show others there's life outside of the tool trucks! Keep up the good work. I love the budget type videos for those of us just starting out.

[@jimzivny1554]

I still go to flea markets and automotive swap meets. I buy older Proto, great tools.

[@cozmicgames]

Even with all the snap on wrenches and everything else available, nothing feels quite right to me except my proto professional wrenches, I love the matte finish they come with and they kind of wear like blue jeans, the ones you use the most slowly become polished wrenches just from use lol.

[@BattleDroid134]

i go to the pawn shop and find alot of snap on even if it is broke i get it anyway and just warrentee it out with my snapon guy. best way to own awesome tools

[@randyd3044]

Yeah man those popular mechanics sockets are tough as nails my set has survived farm life for 20 + years. Great video

[@blakewaddell451]

I collect Popular Mechanics tools I bought a crap ton at all my pawn shops and they are still getting more in. Actually they are still made but they are not by Walmart it is now The Hearst Corporation that makes them. I buy the vintage ones in the pawn shops they also have great screwdrivers as a professional mechanic their screwdrivers are great.

[@ChrisMYouTube]

I actually have a set of the popular mechanics sockets. Not even sure how old they are. My dad gave them to me when I first started out working on cars. And he had them for years. Have yet to break one yet. I’ve wore out some of the craftsman sockets before the popular mechanics. Good info too for those who may not want to buy tool trucks or may not have that option. 👍🏻

[@hometowngarage2060]

great vid, I also have a set of pm sockets from walmart and have owned them for about at least 19 years and sometimes I will use them more than my snap on ones been wrenching for about 26 years now

[@madmack7501]

Excellent advice for a new tech, thank you bubba

[@shawnz241]

Great video! I started back when tools via internet weren’t a viable proposition and moved on to Gearwrench before I decided to buy SO. The biggest letdown in tool trucks is walking onto Matco and realizing half of it is / was GW

[@wyattoneable]

You mentioned some good tools. I've been learning about alternatives as well because as a DIY'er I just don't need the top end tools. Not that I wouldn't love them! :)

[@spitsomefire]

When i first started out i started buying Snap on at first and recently started buying tools off amazon Tekton has some really good impact sockets

[@HuckBowlt]

Good advice I must say you covered the alternative well and without the credit program snap on would have never succeeded!

[@chrischiampo8106]

Great Subject FRM 😀😊👍🏼 PS. Got the FRM Stickers That Thomas Made You Thanks Guys I Proudly Put Them On My Top Box Cabinet 😀😀👍🏼

[@DOYLECLEVERLOBE1]

It's all about ROI, love my Tekton, got a set of Popular Mechanics too, real solid. If you've never tried them I'd recommend Klutch brand sockets from Northern Tool, price is hard to beat for the quality.

[@mikeswindell4917]

Ive still got some popular mechanics wrenches and a few sockets, they have been great...i believe i bought them a wal mart years ago!

[@EXOVCDS]

Variety is the spice of life!

[@traviskinney9988]

I recently switched from craftsman to tekton d/t their warranty process. Both of my local sears dont have a good inventory and require you to give them your socket, fill out a form with your information and wait for the socket in the mail. This takes roughly 1.5-2 weeks.

[@KCDW83]

I can vouch for the sunex. I got the ADV rebranded 3/8" impact sockets in metric 7mm to 19 mm with no skips from matco. Well worth the money.

[@Dcc357]

I like Made in USA so I went with Wrightgrip wrenches on Amazon. They have an 18 piece set with gripping teeth on the open end. Can't wait for the delievery date!

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

Crescent brand sockets and ratchets. Bought them for my son at a farm & fleet store and am really impressed!

[@gregoryfairchild2460]

130 pc set like $79... 1/4 and 3/8... Stanley pliers and wrenches. Just saw a set of Popular Mechanics 40 pc set at an Ollies store for $24.95!

[@richardolsen6476]

Great socket set for 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 is the dewalt 192 piece set. Made in Taiwan which is near USA quality with closer to Chinese price. Each set comes with extensions, ratchets, and skips no sizes except 23mm. Great buy and can be found for around $150 at certain stores if you search.

[@blazebox71]

I will say sunex makes some good stuff for the price in my opinion, as well as gearwrench is always a safe option as you mentioned. Now this is just my opinion but when you think about it yes in the long run you pay out more on the trucks but for me alot of times its more affordable and easier to budget paying 50 bucks a week on the truck istead of psying 300 or 400 dollars all at once. Love the video really good topic and i look forward to the next one as always

[@everydayfleettech2286]

Top 3 alternatives. S&K Proto Gearwrench

[@88FCRX7]

I used to sell S-K and love them I have a set of S-K locking extentions 1/4 and 3/8s and the X-frame wrenches are kick ass

[@MiguelGarcia-nl3ci]

There just as expensive

[@andybub45]

Tekton is ok too

[@desertratedc9596]

@@andybub45 tekton was just starting to get good when the original comment was made, but I agree that tekton now belongs on that list

[@dickysnader3264]

thank you for the stickers they came today

[@Zib187]

My old made in the USA Husky long wrenches have held up great for me.

[@jeremybaughman1912]

National tool warehouse is where i had to go during Covid, when no tool trucks were allowed on site.

[@jonyoung6405]

Thanks, also give Carlyle hand tools a try. I’m impressed with there screwdrivers and wrenches.

[@zombiehunter5923]

I got two friends that know mechanic work and they fix my truck almost for free just beers food or some tools And just bring a bucket with harbor freight tools and they know a lot and do great work

[@melsmobileservices4223]

I started with HF impact sockets & never broke 1 but was missing sizes.. I upgraded to Sunex impact kits (1/2 & 3/8 master kits) (never broke for the lifetime warranty) & love them. I own snap-on chrome sockets. My mid-lengths are Sunex. My axle sockets 6 pionts are Matco & 12 points are ATD from Tooltopia.

[@melsmobileservices4223]

For me it all about quality vs price! I currently don't have any trunk accounts cause i love my 1st born😂😂😂😂. For me, the turning point was Milwaukee vs Matco power tools & finding out about the tool websites by accident.

[@joshuaodowd9107]

Can’t go wrong with Carlyle. I have some Carlyle sockets and wrenches and they are awesome especially for the price

[@nordicpride9708]

Yeah but who sells them besides Napa? Napa is a rip off for tools. Kinda nuts

[@vfrrida]

I've had since great luck with the new kobalt and husky tools

[@Ken-wu6hr]

My First Box was a Craftsman. I Feel Bad Ordering off line. I've Had the same Matco Man since 1992.

[@pnolz3471]

Good vid. The only problem is warranty with broken off brands. It gets tough. I will say i have had my daily 1/2 in standard and metric sockets from grey pnuematic for 15 years with no problems. Gear wrench is really good also

[@mattmcmillan8920]

The Auto zone Duralast sockets are a damn good socket plus the Harbor freight Pittsburgh Pro Impact sockets are damn good for the money.

[@lovemym16]

I've had some very good luck with the gearwrench wrenches in rear world vs the Flank Drives plus on tie-rod jam nuts

[@pospc2]

I use gear wrench at work. The 90 tooth ratchet kinda disappoints but sockets fit amazing. Also the Pittsburgh pro ratchets and impact sockets seem to be good. I also have used a lot of Kobalt sockets, ratchets and cordless impacts. If you are in a pinch and just starting out I can personally recommend and have used in a shop daily Gear wrench sockets and ratchets Pittsburgh pro impact sockets, adapters and ratchets. Earthquake xt impact(surprisingly good) Kobalt cordless impacts(the compact and large one,get a couple 4ah batteries) Kobalt ratchets and a few sockets Have a few Husky sockets(fit great and haven't broken yet) For what it's worth I work only about 5 miles from lowes and harbor freight so if I have a problem with the sockets,ratchets or anything under warranty I can easily go and get it replaced during lunch. Also I highly recommend you have a spare ratchet and common socket sizes. You don't want to get stuck in the middle of a job because of a broken tool.

[@Toolaholic7]

The Channellock V groove wrenches are great for the money,I have these and holding up well.If I break one,trip to my local HWI Do It Best hardware store to get it replaced.I started with some Craftsman,used the well known raised panel wrenches at first and then upgraded from them

[@anandarochisha]

Pretty good talk. I have a lot of Snap On, Mac, S-K, Craftsman and others. There is a brand that is the only Industrial Hand tool Manufacturer in Canada that is called Gray Tools. My 3/4 Drive Stuff is from them. Great Rollers and Chests too. Lifetime Warranty. These folks are Good.

[@Longtrailside]

I can atest to those old walmart impact sockets. I have used mine for over 20+ years and beat the pizz willy out of them and they still come back for more. Also i'm the type that has almost every brand name in my toolbox, so i don't really hate on any brand as long as it gets the job done and doesn't damage or round off any fasteners, the old chineesium wrenches were famous for that.

[@mikebotkin2008]

I’m a tool snob! - but gave a 👍🏼. 😳🥺🤣 Good info, thank you! I was fortunate enough to have a RailRoad machinist father from whom I inherited all his Snap-On and Proto tools from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. When I started wrenching on airplanes in the 80’s, I just went into Snap-On tool truck debt for the smaller sized and specialized tools required for aviation. NOT the way to go with all the choices today.

[@Dansyoung]

Grey pneumatic is really good. I really like OTC, lisle, knipex, Milwaukee and mityvac

[@kcle7293]

Carlyle has great tools with lifetime warranty and there is a napa in most towns. No waiting on truck

[@colinwahl2509]

Kc Edwards love em!

[@intillzah6160]

Whenever I go to a pawn shop or swap meet or flea market. I make it a point to look for Popular Mechanics tools.. Dang good tools..

[@chraleple9476]

How I built my collection. Even my socket sets are mis matching brands. Brand loyalists are the type of people that would eat their own shit if Fox News told them it would prevent cancer.

[@pablopopovich1762]

Mmm my own shit

[@ronbaynes2755]

I'm an S&K guy myself but you would see some snap-on, mac, matco, craftsman, gearwrench in my box as well. Even have a set of Penncraft (JC Penney USA Made) 3/8 sockets from 1970. Still use them.

[@jordanheeney2377]

I have been slowly cycling out my cheap tools for Mac (and some snap on). So far the only times i've thought "Man thank god i didn't cheap out on this" is my 3/8 ratchet from snap on i can jump on it and it wont even slip a tooth. That ratchet is almost always the first tool i grab when doing a repair. The other thing is my 1/2 impact sockets that have multiple teeth and many times grabbed stripped bolts/nuts that the cheap sockets won't (very good if you have customers who are youtube mechanics).

[@matnicrenovation]

Hey...love your channel, keep it up. I live up in Canada and another excellent tool company, if you can get it in the USA is GRAY Tools Canada, and they are made in Canada...no overseas...but pricey as well but not as bad and Snappy. I liked what you said about the Walmart brand, Popular Mechanics. I bought a crapload of those sockets from Walmart and back in the 90s and still going strong. If you look at the part number of the socket it will match the NAPA part number. Back then they were made by Danaher, which made Napa, Popular Mechanics and I think also Stanley....just wanted to let you know.

[@lukereinhardt4638]

I can say I have a set of advice matco shallow half inch impact sockets and I love them. About 3 years ago Mac had a deal on their expert series impact sockets. So I bought them. Wayyyyyy cheaper. Haven't broken one and if for some reason I ever do and I don't think that will happen it's still warrantied on the truck. For ease of replacement of tools the tool trucks cheaper options aren't bad

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

Carlyle are great wrenches,craftsman makes a great amp clamp Dvm, harbor freight sells a great test light.

[@gregblau8082]

Great video. I love my 3/8 sunex master impact set. $125 for 7-22 in shallow, deep and swivel. I know, why would you need a 22mm 3/8 universal? First day I had them I needed to put a camber bolt in a civic. Without that socket I would have had to take the alignment head off, remove the wheel, put it back together and recompensate.

[@johngibson3594]

Tekton is not a bad option with good warranty. I have sk that is over 30 years old never broke one. Sunex is also good. My choices were snap on Mac and Sears there were no other choices. We used to get the big truck come to town with cheap tools. Great vid

[@juansimon5802]

i have a set of 1/4 drive metric popular mechanic sockets i bought at walmart when i was 14 and i still have and use them and im 39 now. tech makes the tools not the other way around

[@tracydiller4492]

Just remember any brand tool that gets the job done right and efficiently is the right tool to buy. Great video Flat Rate Master. Keep them coming.

[@ashtonnuckols2663]

Grey pneumatic are pretty good impact sockets .

[@rustybrowneye]

ashton nuckols iv had real good luck with my gp duo sockets

[@mcmahon1130]

@@rustybrowneye Have you had any issues with rust?

[@rustybrowneye]

@@mcmahon1130 yea a lil bit. When seasons change everything in my garage gets that coating a water on it. The sizes that I never use they got a little light rust on them. They don't perform any better or any worse in the toolbox as compared with any of my other tools that get that dew on them

[@donaldglenndekle635]

I'll probably get laughed at, but I have been getting pretty good use out of Autozone's Duralast tools. Served me well so far.

[@dajuanpollard2685]

Donald Glenn Dekle naw brother no laughs here duralast was some of the first sockets I got when I became a mechanic I still have them never broke 1 I love em

[@floppycoc1046]

I bought a Duralast O2 sensor socket and a 14mm spark plug socket for half the price as any online deal. Work great! Autozone is in the parts sales business. Not tool sales!

[@chrischiampo8106]

No Laughing there Really Good Tools 😎👍🏼

[@killahjeep]

Duralaat makes some good stuff, and you can take them back for warranty if you break it.

[@nonolabs]

Donald Glenn Dekle I've used Duralast for the past 6 years without an issue. I don't care for their ratchets and for what they don't carry I go to Carlyle.

[@Badgertronix]

Teng and Powerbuilt work for me

[@Cervontais]

used blue point plumb proto and wright are awsome

[@billbeckett1021]

I am in my early 50s and we had a mobile PBE jobber who doubled as a tool truck in the 70s & 80s. My first tools were SK and I will most likely be using them today. I still have them on my cart that I use for tear downs.

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

bill beckett hi sir I'm in my upper 50s and still collecting tools

[@anthonygm85]

I'm gonna be getting a bunch of grey pneumatic sockets soon for a heavy equipment job im trying to get price is great and all positive reviews. You didnt mention Armstrong tools there nice to

[@93sundance]

I have a set of Harbor Freight deep sockets. With the exception of the 19mm they have yet to fail. Paid about $18 12 years ago. Also 1/2 swivel socket set has yet to break, cant say that about some of my 3/8 Matco swivels.

[@anthonygm85]

Big sk fan here on amazon you can get a sk 1/2 impact set 8-36mm for like 180. Like proto, huskey,wera (from Germany),williams.almost for OTC Can we get a full video for electric tools dvoms scopes, an other odd testers.

[@8power0]

Milwaukee and snap on and you can't go wrong . GREAT GREAT GREAT VIDEO AND YES I KNOW A COUPLE OF TOOL SNOBS .

[@greygoosemafia]

Can you do a video on pinch off pliers?

[@garybuelow5362]

Great video , 30 years ago I bought some CA ,Continental American sockets they have held up to a lot of abuse ,never broke one, wonder what became of the company, Also I started out with SK Tools, they were great.

[@forrestkimball6477]

On amazon you can find great deals on ingersoll rand. Not the high end titanium but decent tools that will get you by.

[@Legoguy1979]

If you can find them indestro and duro sockets are one of the strongest sockets I've used, they may not be shiny but they are strong and have a really good bite. If you are looking for craftsman find a sears hometown store they get nos of made in USA sockets, wrenches, ratchets, professional series stuff for like a dollar. But a great alternative is Menards masterforce which is made in USA, by apex.

[@stevebanda8776]

I bought a 21 and 22 sunex to go with my grey pneumatic 3/8 impacts. They look identical. I have a little bit of everything. The only truck that comes around is snap on.

[@user-nv1xs2lt7e]

Gearwrench, knipex, proto, tekton, sunex. Also research a lot and get the brands that the big names rebrand as their own, and buy them for a fraction of the price.

[@wagstag89]

If you were to open my tool box you'd see maybe 5 tool truck tools and some of those were from pawn shops. The rest is an endless mix of brands like SK, Tekton, Gear Wrench, Williams, Channel Lock, and many others. Everyone else in my shop is strictly Matco or Snap On. But guess who's entire box is paid for and who usually has the highest efficiency rating every week? Me. With a tiny fraction of the money invested and I can't remember the last time I broke a tool.

[@willgeorgiadis6472]

Astro pneumatic has some great stuff too.

[@frugalprepper]

I've been loving my NAPA Carlisle Ratchets. Remember Sears has Layaway, so if they don't need it right away they can make payments on it. Also Sears offers credit cards to just about anyone. They are high interest, but even at 29% APR compounded daily it would be cheaper than the Snap On tax.

[@killahjeep]

Look into th he Milwaukee line of tools. Their stuff is top notch now... maybe not the warranty, but good stuff.

[@leelavinder2231]

Good video! I have some Pittsburg but just discovered I can buy Tekton for the same price online with Home Depot.

[@radman999]

Usually the shittiest techs have the flashiest tools (Snap On)

[@latauricewalker]

121212 I ran into that slot myself

[@flatratemaster]

LMFAO!

[@chrischiampo8106]

Or the Cleanest Tools And Toolbox

[@bobneuman8124]

I have a set of deep sae and metric Sunex impact sockets I bought from Cornwell in 93 and till this day I have not cracked not one of them. I don't know if the quality is still as good today as it was back then , but I have had great success with them all these years.

[@nordicpride9708]

@@bobneuman8124 They absolutely are!

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

Hi sir fine post. The last two individual sockets I bought, one I bought at advanced auto for 17.98 a great looking socket big impact 1/2 drive deep 1 and 1/8 for a great price, and I needed 1 and 1/4 advanced didn't have it so I went to a place that you might think would be more pricey but he was able to get a Carlyle 1 1/4 deep for 14.50 even better price than advanced, just goes to show you never know, the second place sells kabota tractors and their other store is a napa

[@killerkyle96]

I have to, what would you, or others in the comments use for impact sockets? Grey pneumatic or sunex? I'm looking between these two right now...

[@flatratemaster]

Either will do great, i have many GP and they have been very good

[@raywilliams3745]

I have been a tech. For close to 20yrs I got everything from harbor freight to Snapon. All my impact sockets are sunex except my 3/8 shallow are Snapon. I would say the sunex is as good as my Snapon.

[@baddecisionsoff-roading3243]

I absolutely love my adv sockets. 1/4” drive and 3/8” drive. Use them daily. 1/2” drive I have kobalt. 17 19 21 22 3/4 and 7/8. Year later there still going strong. Kobalt isn’t snap on grade by any means but it’s a cheap alternative that has worked out great. A lot of my snap on tools are used. Now and again the hub has a massive sale. Snappy tried to sell me there new air hammer for 550 bucks or so. I waited. Picked up an older model for 100 dollars instead and ya know what, it works great. Shop smart everyone. Shop s mart. Hail to the king baby. Anyone know that quote? Lol.

[@davidslone7368]

Sunex is one of the best overseas brands for the price as far as impact sockets etc are concerned , also grey pneumatic 👌,

[@datstankdough1793]

We don’t have the best tool trucks but Napa and Home Depot share the same parking lot as us so I use a lot of there brands haven’t been disappointed yet

[@colinwahl2509]

I really like the new napa Carlyle stuff

[@toddvance1979]

I have a whole set of popular mechanics sockets that were made in the US

[@jimrosson5697]

I'm a d wire and I'm buy a lot of stuff at Harbor Freight and I'm not a professional I only use it once or twice you know every 6-7 months of whatever but they've been very good to me and I got complete tool set it does everything I've ever asked to use like I said I'm a DIY wire I'm not a professional but I've had very good luck with Harbor Freight

[@josephcastile5551]

enjoy your videos

[@danielwallace3565]

Im new to the field and i need to buy some impact sockets im choosing either gearwrench or grey pneumatic they are what is in my price range im looking for longevity they both seem to have good reviews any thoughts?

[@gregengland7183]

Gp are awesome for impact sockets that all I use

[@anthonyanderson7315]

My Ollie's has popular mechanics socket sets and wrenches I think some miscellaneous other pm things too

[@nonolabs]

I would recommend getting the biggest package of Harbor Freight mechanics set that you can afford. Then replace it with the brands that he mentions. So many mechanics use Harbor Freight and they continue to do so.

[@hotdogs5265]

HF Pittsburg Pro line is very good. Especially for the money.

[@oscarloyola4473]

Look up Klutch tools good stuff especially the impact sockets

[@embreesmith7613]

I have 50 years old Husky and Crapsman sockets the old Craftsman are very well heat treated, they ring like my Proto stuff don't forget some less well known American brands like EASCO I have lotsa Easco (who made Craftsman)

[@anandarochisha]

I have an Easco ratchet..1/2 drive and it has received a LOT of punishment. I am actually amazed. I busted 1/2 drive Mac breaker awhile ago. Not the best design. The Craftsman breakers that I have are better designed imho