Where to buy tools?

[dmtx]

I would like to get some new tools and just wondering where's the best place to get them. I am looking for an alligator jack (2 ton), set of wrenches, and suspension/spring clamp. If you guys recommend some stores (other than SEARS and Canadian tire), please let me know.... thx

[rc2002]

What's wrong with Canadian Tire? Most of their tools have lifetime warranty and they actually honour it. Not to mention that their tools are usually a good price in the first place.

Princess Auto, Auto Value, Part Source, NAPA - there's tons of other shops too.

[dmtx]

^ Nope, there's nothing wrong with Canadian Tire. It's just I'm already aware they sell tools and I would like to know if there are other options/stores other than them....

will check the other stores you mentioned....thx

[Raz]

Canadian tire if you like opening up your butt and trying to fit a furnace in it ...

Princess Auto, Liquidation places and Pawn shops, you can buy 12 times the tools for the same price as you would've paid at CanTire, yes, oh noes you broke a ratchet or a socket ... you've got 11 more!

- Rasmus

[megavolt]

Princess auto is fine if you're not going to be using your tools a lot... they are cheap for a reason. Not saying there's anything wrong with them it just realize that you're buying cheap tools. If you're going to be using them every day you'd probably want to spend more money. Most of my tools are from Canadian Tire or Princess Auto.

[megavolt]

House of Tools used to have a decent auto section... I don't think it's there anymore tho.

[dmtx]

Originally posted by Raz
Canadian tire if you like opening up your butt and trying to fit a furnace in it ...

- Rasmus

what?

[zhulander]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441901015&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517562&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517572&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517575&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669795&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669795&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1126648894505

These go on sale for $25 from time to time. You will not find a better set of wrenches at this price.

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by megavolt
Princess auto is fine if you're not going to be using your tools a lot... they are cheap for a reason.

Hear, hear :clap: Princess does have a good selection and the prices are on the low end of the scale but so is quality compared to professional or even semi-professional tools. Use Princess for larger items like spring compressors, jack stands, etc but I would stay away from their hand tools. I have found Craftsman and Crappy Tire Pro Series stuff is decent for the $$.

My goal is to only ever buy each tool once and that isn't the way it is with el-cheapo tools :(

Rob

[dmtx]

In Canadian tire, there's the "mastercraft maximum" for $90 and non-maximum (for lack of word to use) for $60. ...

ex: this tool is not one of those non-maximum but has lifetime warranty.... is it expected to be lower quality than the "maximum" set even though it has the same warranty? They have different material or something but I don't think it matters. Or is this one of those marketing gimmicks?


http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441901059&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517562&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517572&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517575&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396669796&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669796&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1126657399686

[Weapon_R]

Princess auto is cheap but SO ARE THE TOOLS THERE!

Please do not cheap out - even a weekend mechanic needs a good set of tools. Cheaper tools strip bolts more due to slippage, break more often, do not operate as smoothly and are poorly engineered.

Mastercraft and Craftsman are both excellent, and you can get their ratchet sets for under $70 on sale.

The Maximum line is better quality than the regular line. Although they both have lifetime warranty, its annoying to have to claim it. Maximum tools are better built so they don't break as often, but most mechanics I know are satisfied with their regular sets.

Remember, all brands have lifetime warranty, but the point is not having to go back every time you do a job.

[dmtx]

Originally posted by Weapon_R
Please do not cheap out - even a weekend mechanic needs a good set of tools.

I definitely agree... most of us just wanted to buy tools once.

I used to have some cheap tools and sold them when I moved to the new house... there were just some frustrating times using them. I will work on installing the lowering springs and can't wait to get the hands dirty again...

I'll keep my eyes open for those coming sales....

[adidas]

Originally posted by dmtx
I would like to get some new tools and just wondering where's the best place to get them. I am looking for an alligator jack (2 ton), set of wrenches, and suspension/spring clamp. If you guys recommend some stores (other than SEARS and Canadian tire), please let me know.... thx

i have a question why would u want tools if u have a g35? i hope it doesnt need repairing soon!

[dmtx]

No repairs yet... I would like to change the suspension just to drop it a bit... some shops would do it for $300 which not that bad but I just like doing it myself... I used to do it with my old car so shouldn't be that much different....

[e_racer]

Go to Ackalands Granger. They sell westward tools there which are pretty decent. Theres one near Blackfoot and one near deerfoot and 32 ave.

[spike98]

Westward is a good brand, thats were my shop gets all there tools.

But i picked up my spring compressors from house of tools and they are 100% better than anything i have looked at, ie crappy tire and the same

[dmtx]

Originally posted by e_racer
Go to Ackalands Granger. They sell westward tools there which are pretty decent. Theres one near Blackfoot and one near deerfoot and 32 ave.



Originally posted by spike98
Westward is a good brand, thats were my shop gets all there tools.

But i picked up my spring compressors from house of tools and they are 100% better than anything i have looked at, ie crappy tire and the same


I checked acklandsgrainger.com and saw they are have Westward. Do they go on sale or some promos at this store??

[hampstor]

if you're really into getting something at CT cheap, just ask for a manager and ask for last sale price. 90% of the time you'll get it (if there ever was a sale) or they'll tell you when it's going on sale next. Then you can ask for that price :D

[FiveFreshFish]

Bumping an old thread for some stuff I bought today at Canadian Tire. :D "Maximum" is their new brand name for what was their "Professional" series that has a lifetime warranty.

Mastercraft Maximum 32-piece Wrench Set
Regular price $150 marked down to $60
http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/MechanicsTools/Wrenches/ProffesionalWrenches/0589153_450_CC_281a5.jpg


Mastercraft Maximum 109-piece Socket Set
Regular price $200 marked down to $100
http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/Workshop/MechanicsTools/Sockets/ProfessionalSeriesSets/0589125_450_CC_1f326.jpg


Mastercraft Maximum 7-piece Stubby Gear Wrench Set
Regular price $80 marked down to $40
http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/Workshop/MechanicsTools/Wrenches/ProfessionalSeriesWrenches/0588580_450_CC_1f678.jpg

[Weapon_R]

The 153 piece regular Mastercraft socket set (includes almost everything you'd ever want) is only $70 right now, reg. 210.00

[lastprodigy]

they had a 400+ piece tool set which had sockets and everythign you could htink of for 40 dollars a few weeks ago...only had one there ...

[Euro_Trash]

Yay for Mastercraft... there is no reason to pay less for tools, and with a lifetime warranty you buy them once and dont worry about them again
And there is always the Canadian Tire money as well

[turbo'dGSR]

Originally posted by Weapon_R
The 153 piece regular Mastercraft socket set (includes almost everything you'd ever want) is only $70 right now, reg. 210.00

Even better i got a 205 peice socket set there a couple weeks back from $289 down to $99. Should still be some left.

[AllGoNoShow]

Yah I like my mastercraft and craftsman tools. Used other cheapo brands and im not even that old and been breaking shit, not good.

Just lke my SnapOn prybars, lifetime warrenty, I knwo a guyw ho has been using them for 20 years, nearly every weekday, his are still strong and helll, never broke one.

[FiveFreshFish]

My only Snap-On tool. :cry:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/Misc/SnapOn1.jpg

[spike98]

Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
My only Snap-On tool. :cry:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/Misc/SnapOn1.jpg


Wow sexy wrench. I bet your ass must have hurt after looking at the bill though. How much that baby cost....$400-$500 bones?

[FiveFreshFish]

Just $150 USD through eBay and it slipped through customs without any GST or brokerage! This looks like it was barely used. :D

[hampstor]

Originally posted by spike98



Wow sexy wrench. I bet your ass must have hurt after looking at the bill though. How much that baby cost....$400-$500 bones?

my dad's shop pretty much only uses snap on... i dont think he's ever had to replace anything. He does throw a fit if you missplace something... one day i'll probably hear the 'that socket was older then you!' line :rofl:

Having never really compared snap on vs mastercraft/maximum, is there any reason why someone would want to pay that much more? or is it just blind brand loyalty?

[AllGoNoShow]

I dunno, I'd rather pay more.

I have mastercraft shit which I can see breaking and I've used SnapOn stuff which seems to be indestructable.

If your a backyard, weekend mechanic, DIY or whatever, then just stick with Mastercraft/Craftsmen.

but if your looking for a career, Auto service tech, heavy duty mechanic, diesel, airplane, blah blah, buy the GOOD shit the first time. You will regret it later. When mechanics are spending 40,000 on tools, the last thing you want is to be replacing a $100 tool alll the time when u coul dhave bought the $250 one form the beginning and never have to replace it again.

[AllGoNoShow]

Not to mention, my preybars are coating in black paint or black something or other. I'm even having a hard time scratching the paint off! Thats quality when the paint is harder then some of the other companies handles out there...

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Snap-on has absolutely Nazi-ish quality control. A friend of my father's toured the Snap-on factory in the States and he showed me a picture of a barrel of "rejected" socket wrenches. You seriously couldn't tell that there was a single thing wrong with them or point out how they were different from a "good" unit. I guess they have a testing process that determines if there are hidden flaws in the metalworking process that could lead to breakage. It's pretty amazing stuff, but you do pay a lot for it!

[sputnik]

I would recommend getting a 3T floor jack instead of a 2 or 2.25 ton one.

A 2 ton will lift your car but 3 will do it SO much easier.

[Boostn]

I've always wondered who makes the Mastercraft tools for Crappy Tire. They normally don't manufacture their own products, just slap their label on it. For example Stanley makes the Proto line of tools.

[Zero102]

If you ask me, snap-on if you're serious, mastercraft maximum if you're not, plan ol' mastercraft if you're cheap.
princess auto for 1-time use items (like big prybars for lifting a motor up off the crossmember, huge c-clamps, picks and files, etc.)

I have a big collection of mastercraft maximum stuff, a few normal mastercraft pieces, and a couple snap-on pieces. As for my snap-on stuff, I bought all of it used. I can't afford their new prices, and it's all lifetime warranty :D

[Seanith]

I've bought pretty much all my tools on sale at Canadian Tire. Depending on your needs it may be the way to go. Everything i've gotten has been like 50% or damn near close to it. It is convenient because i'll buy shit when its on sale and when i actually need it, i don't have to rush out and spend 2x the price.

[Supa Dexta]

Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
My only Snap-On tool. :cry:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/Misc/SnapOn1.jpg

haha, I found a 9/16's spanner on the side of the road, it's my only snap on, and the majority of my work is metric...

:(

I'll agree with mastercraft sets though, jsut don't fall for the million and 4 piece sets that have a bag of misc. screws and nails that add to that total, buy the actual wrench and socket sets, and a good assortment of screw drivers as well, not all in one kits...