As the title, says, this post answers the question if I lost all of my tools, which brands would I pick for replacements?
(The list was compiled in the order my mind spit things out in.)
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Mechanics Tools
Wrenches: Proto
Ratcheting Wrenches: Gearwrench
Socket Set: Wera Zyklops
Ratchets: Armstrong and Gearwrench
Hammers
Ball Pein Hammers: Vaughan
Dead Blow: Nupla, Stanley
Claw Hammer: Dewalt, Vaughan
Screwdrivers
General Screwdrivers: Wiha, PB Swiss
Precision Screwdrivers: Wiha
T-Handle Ball Hex: Bondhus
L-Handle Ball Hex: Beta
Knives
Utility: Milwaukee, Stanley
Folding/Pocket: Zero Tolerance, Spyderco
Fixed Blade: ESEE
Multi-Tools
Leatherman
LED Flashlights
Pocket/Compact: FourSevens
Headlamp: Petzl
Flood: Zebralight
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Tool Storage
Ball Bearing: Beta bottom, Craftsman top
Power Tools: Bosch L-Boxx, Dewalt ToughSystem, Festool Systainers (in that order)
Small Parts: Akro Mils
Pliers & Similar
Pliers: NWS, Channellock, Knipex
Diagonal Cutters: NWS
Wire Strippers: Klein
Precision Pliers: Xuron, Lindstrom
Locking Pliers: Grip-On, Vise Grip to fill in sizes
Adjustable Wrench: Channellock
Workbench
Gladiator with maple top
Woodworking
Saws: Veritas
Chisels: Veritas
Hand Planes: Veritas
Layout: Woodpeckers
Power Tools
Track Saw: Festool
12V Class: Bosch
18V/20V Max Class: Milwaukee
Corded Jigsaw: Bosch
Hammer Drill: Bosch
Benchtop Tools: Craftsman & Ridgid
Miter Saw: Dewalt (10″), Bosch (10″ Axial or 8″ sliding)
Portable Table Saw: Bosch
Power Tool Accessories
Impact Bits: Irwin
Screwdriver Bits: Bosch or Wera
Drill Bits: USA-made Industrial Brands (whichever set is on sale)
General Drill Bits: Dewalt PilotPoint
Reciprocating Saw Blades: Milwaukee
Jigsaw Blades: Bosch
Masonry Bits: Bosch
Circular Saw Blades: Dewalt, Freud, Diablo
Safety
Boots: Keen
Goggles: Uvex, Radians (Dewalt)
Hearing: Peltor
Respiratory: 3M
Gloves: Mechanix, Kimberly Clark (nitrile)
Air Tools
Compressor: Rolair
Nailers: Ridgid
Hose: Tekton
Fittings: Legacy
Electronics
Soldering: Hakko
Multimeter: Agilent
Oscilloscope: Tektronix
Power Supply: NOT Extech
Measurements
Measuring Tape: Milwaukee
Micrometers: Mitutoyo
Calipers: Mitutoyo
Dial Indicator: Interapid
Any Other Categories?
Chalk Lines: ????
Chalk: Irwin/Strait Line
Squares: Woodpeckers (workshop), Swanson or Craftsman (field)
Tool Bag: Veto Pro Pac (lots of pockets), Husky (holiday special for budget)
Portable Tool Box: Keter/Husky
Corded Circular Saw: Festool (track saw), Milwaukee for worm or sidewinder
Tongue and Groove Pliers: Channellock or Knipex (Pliers Wrench)
Torque Wrenches: *unsure*
Portable Work Station: Black & Decker Workmate
Shop Vacuum: Craftsman
Bench Vise: Yost or Wilton USA
I’m sure I left out some categories, but I really wanted to offer my raw thoughts about which brands I would choose, with no debate, thinking, or conscious consideration. If you have any questions, additional category brand picks will be edited into this section.
Dazrin
Excellent reference!
How about: Chalk lines? Squares? Portable tool storage (bags or portable boxes)? Torque wrenches? Corded circular saw? Does your “adjustable wrench” category include both groove style and crescent style? Portable work station? Shop vacs? Vices?
Stuart
Chalk Lines: Errr…?
Chalk: Irwin
Squares: Woodpeckers (workshop), Swanson or Craftsman (field)
Tool Bag: Veto Pro Pac (lots pockets), Husky (holiday special for budget)
Portable Tool Box: Keter/Husky
Corded Circular Saw: Festool (track saw), maybe Milwaukee for worm or sidewinder
Adjustable wrench is just for crescent-style wrench. For tongue and groove, Channellock or Knipex pliers wrench.
Torque Wrenches: *unsure* I have USA-made Park Tool beam-style wrenches and those are all I use regularly
Portable Work Station: Unsure, possibly Black & Decker Workmate
Shop Vacuum: Craftsman
Bench Vise: Yost or Wilton USA
Lenny
I’m very fond of the Stanley Fatmax and Dewalt chalklines which I beleive come out of the same factory. My crew uses both and they work great for us. We stopped using the Straightlines becasue the chalk gums up the gears.
James Staggs
Tajima chalk lines are the best.
Joseph in CA
Another vote for the Tajima!!!
Every time another tradesman sees mine, they ask where they can buy one.
The line is 0.5 mm braided cord, so it holds more tension and leaves a cleaner thinner line than anyone else. The geared winder and lock mechanism make it easy to use.
Dennis
Hey Stuart, why Bosch for 12v cordless? Is it quality, lineup, or bang for the buck? What would be 2nd place?
Stuart
General quality and bang for the buck. Bosch has a decent 12V lineup and is soon adding a compact circular saw and jigsaw as well, at least in Europe (hopefully at first and not exclusively). Milwaukee would be a very close 2nd place.
I tried to keep the list as natural and realistic as possible. Now, I’m second-guessing myself a little, as I do like the breadth and quality of Milwaukee’s M12 lineup.
With tool storage, I would ideally go with Lista or maybe Strictly Toolboxes. Maybe both. And for workbench – a nice Veritas or Lie Nielsen woodworking bench, a Gladiator workbench for general use, and Lista workbench for electronics and robotics projects. But these are not representative of the level of equipment I have now.
If this was an “upgrade” or “wishlist” list that I allowed myself to more thought into, Milwaukee M12 would probably be my choice of general 12V-class power tool platform.
jet_tech
My thoughts on Lista or Strictly Toolboxes: Go with Strictly Toolboxes if you want a quality box at a great price, but if you’re looking superior quality and have the money go with Lista. I bought a box from Strictly Toolboxes and I love it, if I had the money I would have bought a Lista from their site.
Chris
This is a great post…short and sweet…and to the point. This is a great starting point for someone that’s just starting to build their tool collection.
Stuart
Maybe not. For instance, right now I don’t have a Tektronix oscilloscope, I have an Instek. It’s actually pretty decent, and good enough that I won’t be upgrading anytime soon. I don’t regret my decision one bit. But if I had to replace it, I would go with a Tektronix.
Actually, a lot of these tools I wouldn’t recommend to beginners, as the price point is mid-to-high. Beginners can get greater bang for the buck if they stick to higher value options.
Right now I own a lot of Craftsman Pro wrenches, a lot of Gearwrench, 1 Armstrong, and 2 Proto. I would replace the Craftsman Pro with Proto, maybe Armstrong for the deep offsets Craftsman no longer makes in the USA, and fewer Gearwrench wrenches as a lot of them collect dust. Proto pricing is not exactly beginner-friendly.
Gregg
If all my tools were lost/stolen I would replace them with what I already had. I test quite a few brands of tools and have found Milwaukee M12/M18 to be my power tool of choice.
As for rotary tool plain and simple Bosch
Electrical Hand tools Klein
Plumbing Ridgid
Gas powered equipment Honda
fred
Informative – and not surprising for most items.
I think a few other brands are also worth a look:
Lie Nielsen Planes and Chisels
Two Cherries – gouges
Bessey Clamps and Plier Clamps
Wera Screwdrivers
Forrest and Tenryu woodworking circular saw blades
Fein Vacuums
Grex and Cadex Pinners
Wenzloff hand saws
Stablia levels
Waterloo toolboxes
Stutervant-Richmont torque wrenches
Sullair Compressors (not sure what size you were talking about)
Hitachi and Powernail pneumatic nailers
Tajima chalk lines
I was also surprised that nothing from Starrett (maybe combo squares?) showed up on your list. Have they fallen in past years? Since most of my precision tools are 40 or more year old Starrett (90%) or Brown & Sharpe (10%) – I’m no judge of what’s good today – but I’ve purchased Mitutoyo more recently and find them to be excellent. My old Starrett machinist vises (probably made by Yost) and Wilton woodworking vises – are also as good as they day they were bought.
Stuart
I left clamps out because it gets too complex. I like Bessey parallel clamps, but some of their smaller clamps are a little light.
There are some Lie Nielsen tools I have my eye on, but I have grown pretty fond of Veritas tools. I would make all the same choices again.
I haven’t tried any new Starrett instruments lately, but I bought a few tap wrenches and was appalled at the lousy quality. I have heard similar accounts of how their quality has been slipping in other areas. Not just one or two complaints – a lot of folks are increasingly disappointed in Starrett.
A lot of precision tool makers are slipping. I paid more for a Brown & Sharpe product – a small machinist jack – this year and it was unmarked and no different than the no-name import that costs 40% less.
fred
For a lot of the work we did – we used Bessey J24-12 and 2400s-18 clamps – probably having 50 of each of these – and found them to be very strong. I’ve also used CD-20-12’s.
Stuart
I was more referring to their KliKlamp and other inexpensive hand clamps. Some of their smaller clamps are a little light duty compared to other brands such as Irwin and Jorgensen.
I haven’t tried their industrial clamps yet, but haven’t really had the need.
Jerry
Can’t fault any of your recommendations. My personal collection of hand tools consists mostly of Craftsman, with some cheapo one time use tools, and some premium industrial tools thrown in, as I learned which tools I used the hardest. One thing I might add, would be HIT sockets, they work better than any others I have ever used. Their ratchets are very good, but the sockets are the BEST I have ever used, for both strength, and not slipping. The set I got are 6 point, and sized every 32nd of an inch, instead of every 16th. With rounded bolt heads, you often can hammer on the next size smaller socket onto it, and loosen it, when no other socket will do the job. Pricey, but worth every penny if you do maintanence on outdoor (farm) equipment.
Also, I would add some Estwing tools to your list. They make some nice US made hatchets, that I have yet to find the equal to, and at reasonable prices.
Stuart
A lot of my hand tools are Craftsman as well, mainly Craftsman Pro that I purchased in the last 8 years or so, and most have been discontinued and are no longer available.
I’m pretty fond of the Estwing striking and prying tools I’ve used, although I don’t have a hatchet to lose that I would replace.
HIT sockets? I’m not familiar with that brand.
Right now I have Craftsman sockets, but I don’t know if I would buy them again. I’m fond of Wera sockets; too bad they don’t make deep ones. Maybe I would keep a cheap set of import sockets to complement Zyklop sets. This is all hypothetical of course.
Jerry
HIT is a manufacturer of industrial quality tools. They used to be known for their bolt/cable cutters, and swage tools for industrial uses like overhead power line splices, PEX tubing, etc. I didn’t know they made sockets, until an industrial tool supplier I am acquainted with sold me a set of their new at the time sockets a couple years ago, swearing they would be the best chromed sockets I ever owned. He was right. Amazon sells a set similar to the one I got, if you are curious what it looks like.
Stuart
Ah, I found them using the model number of the socket set on Amazon. Thanks!
http://www.hittools.com/
I’ll keep an eye out for their tools in the wild.
Allen
You folks must have a better insurance policy than I do. My coverage wouldn’t cover the quality of tools mentioned.
$10,000 doesn’t go far in a well equipped metal, mechanic and wood shop. I might have to increase the coverage.
Marco
As far as 18V line, I’d have to go with Metabo 18v line. They’re pushing the envelope with battery amperage, have come out with very innovative features on their tools, and quality/power are tough to beat.
Anything from Wera is great too.
Chris
Mine, if money was no object
Mechanics Tools
Wrenches: Snap on
Ratcheting Wrenches: Gearwrench
Socket Set: Snap on
Ratchets: Snap on
Hammers
Ball Pein Hammers: Craftsman
Dead Blow: Stanley
Claw Hammer: Dewalt
Screwdrivers: PB Swiss or Snap On
Knives
Utility: Dewalt
Folding/Pocket:Buck
Tool Storage
Ball Bearing: Snap On
Power Tools: Dewalt ToughSystem and TStak
Pliers & Similar
Pliers: Channellock
Diagonal Cutters: Channellock
Wire Strippers: Klien, Greenlee
Locking Pliers: Vise Grip
Adjustable Wrench: Channellock
Power Tools
12V Class: Bosch
18V/20V Max Class: Dewalt
Benchtop Tools: Dewalt
Miter Saw: Dewalt DWS 780
Portable Table Saw: Dewalt
Power Tool Accessories
Impact Bits: Makita Gold or new Dewalt
Drill Bits: Cheap on sale bits
Steel Bits: Dewalt or something else decent
Masonry Bits: Bosch
Reciprocating Saw Blades: Diablo
Jigsaw Blades: Bosch
Circular Saw and Miter saw Blades: Diablo
Safety
Boots: Royer
Goggles:Radians (Dewalt)
Hearing: Peltor
Respiratory: 3M
Gloves: Mechanix
Air Tools
Mechanic style tools: Snap on, blue point, IR
Compressor: IR
Nailers: Dewalt new 20v framing nailer or paslode and bostitch for the rest
Electronics
Multimeter: Fluke
Measurements
Measuring Tape: Stanley
Cos
Exactly, I agree much more with this list
mike
mitutoyo calipers? ehh Browne and sharpe calipers are loads better and swiss made. just like their indicators.
Mitutoyo Micrometers on the other hand are awesome,and I have many types.
mike
Shoulda have mentioned unless you are talking about Digital calipers. Mitutoyo digital calipers are pretty good if your into those types of calipers.
Robert
From the standpoint of hand tools only and knowing what I know today, the first place I would look would be Channellock. I’d go for their all American tools to fill as many voids as possible. Once I exhausted that resource, then I’d begin looking at others.
Dan -
I wish I had Stuarts money to buy all those tools lol
Stuart
Me too.
Dave L
This may surprise people but I was never happy with the blade steel on Leatherman products-hard to sharpen and won’t hold an edge.
Rotary tools! Proxxon makes industrial quality ones: Definitely worth a look.
Stuart
One of these days I’ll give Proxxon a try, but I’ve felt my Dremels to be lacking. I have a Foredom for times I need more control and power.
You’re not the first to complain about Leatherman knife blades. They only use premium steels on their highest end tools, and even then I’ve heard of a few issues. Still, I heavily favor their multi-tools over other brands’ tools.
Dave L
I decided to buy a Proxxon because I’d heard poor reviews of the (at the time) top line Dremel. I’m not sorry I did. Cost a few more bucks but it’ll take a licking-looks like something you’d use on a production line. While I like the idea of the Foredom in a fixed location, I use a rotary tool A LOT at various sites other than a bench.
I just bought a Milwaukee cordless lithium tool by the way-it’s made like the Proxxon. Good and torquey!
I happen to have a Craftsman Multitool that’s the only one I know of with full-size slipjoint pliers. It’s a little bulky and heavy but I have no complaints about the function at all. I don’t think they sell it anymore, though-pity.
Hang Fire
I was faced with this question once, kind of- I lost/had stolen my primary automotive tool box. I replaced everything with S-K, for the simple reason that I was tired of sorting out my Craftsman from my brother’s Craftsman from his friend’s Craftsman at the end of a shared job.
The decision worked out well in terms of tool quality, but not for the long term- S-K evaporated from the market for several years, and for further purchases I was forced to look elsewhere. Now S-K is back, but local availability is still nil.
DanG
Love the list Stuart. I’ll have to book mark this page and use this as a handy dandy reference for new tools in the future. Right now I have a mixed bunch of tools from just about every manufacturer out there. I’m a hand tool nut and I will pick up anything good on sale. There is one brand that has not been mentioned in this whole list and even on the feedback side that was not brought up is S&K. I’m downright crazy about S&K tools. They are pricey but well worth the money. The S&K tools hold their own and are not overrated like Snap On. As far as the wrenches and the ratcheting wrenches my top pick would be S&K. The only downside to the S&K tools is that they have not developed a through hole ratchet like Gearwrench and Sears have. I’m chuckling to myself here. When I was younger I would always work on my sisters cars. I have two sisters, Susan and Karen. I would call my S&K tools my Susan and Karen tools. Oh the memories.
Stuart
I really have no experience with SK tools, which is why they’re often far from the front of my mind.
I did receive a set of Wright wrenches as a Secret Santa gift from someone at the GarageGazette forum a while back, and really like them a lot too.
I could probably be described as a hand tool nut as well. =)
Toolfreak
>The only downside to the S&K tools is that they have not developed a through hole ratchet like Gearwrench and Sears have
The Sears/Craftsman through-ratchets are just Gearwrench ratchets with a design Sears picked for them. The mechanism is all Gearwrench, and the sockets are just Gearwrench sockets with the Craftsman name on them. Even if SK “made” a through-ratchet, it’d just be one made by Gearwrench and labelled as SK. You may as well get the Craftsman, they are very inexpensive on sale with coupons, and Sears stocks them in-store, including the ratchets and sockets individually in open stock, for warranty replacements. I have a set and the sockets are thin and seem fragile, but they are ok for what they are when you need them.
Bob Dobalina
Wiha screwdrivers but Wera bits? I think you got that backwards. And aren’t most Bosch bits Chinese now? All the ones I find certainly are.
Stuart
It’s the first thing that came to my head. If I had to put thought into it, I might go with Felo for general screwdrivers (Ergonic series).
I have some Bosch bits from Germany, and some from Asia, and I haven’t been disappointed with any of them.
Mac
Very cool post Stuart.
Love my Snap On torque wrenches. Surprisingly use the 1/4″ drive one (on motorbikes) more than the others. And, love my Snap On Impact Driver about as much. Rarely fails me when needed. All acquired at a steep discount at a fire sale auction of a shop going out of business. Lucky day for me.
Larson
Great list, LOVE my Keen. Great customer service too, had a pair with bad glue or something after about 4 months after I contacted them they sent me a credit for a new pair!
Matthew Sumner
Great list.
I love my wiha screwdrivers. I also would go with some wright wrenches. Armstrong has great ratchets. Hard to beat knipex pliers but I have a wide range channellock pliers too.
Mr Michael L. Veach
I sure miss the days when you could buy a good American made tool for a fair price. not cheep but affordable. We still could except for greed.
Stuart
What does that have to do with this?
In some cases I *could* buy USA-made tools, but *wouldn’t*, e.g. Wiha precision screwdrivers, which I prefer over American brands’ drivers.
Toolfreak
If I “lost” my tools I would find them.
If they were stolen, I would track them down, put out a large cash reward for infomation leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person who stole them.
Of course, I like to think most people would have a little more sense, or would at least be scared about how badly it would hurt to get hit with a long, solid piece of steel rod, or get shot in the leg or butt.
If they were “lost” as in destroyed beyond all recognition in a nuclear blast, or sucked into some interdimensional vortex that opened up in the garage, I guess I would just be doing the same thing I did for the last decade, buying new tools as I find them for great prices, since every insurance company I’ve ever dealt with or heard about would do what they are well known for – telling you that you’re SOL and your insurance doesn’t cover the loss.
Jon
Chalk line: Tajima Chalk-Rite II. I will not go back to any other, older style. I would only consider something else if someone comes up with a major innovation that I can’t even imagine.
Matt
Somethings not yet mentioned that are must haves that I use daily.
Klein 11 in 1 is a must
Toughbuilt tool pouches
Stiletto Hammers
Dewalt cats paw with dimpler
Dewalt non folding razer
Milwaukee Wire stripper/pliers
Dewalt and Klein tape measures
Fusion 48 LED bulb for 18volt lights
Stanley molding and wonder bar
Purdy paint supplies
Lenox hole saws
Dewalt saw horses
Werner and Little giant ladders
Milwaukee right angle drill
Hitachi Miter saw
Good List I agree with most everything
David
My tool brand choices:
Hammers: Estwing, Vaughan, Hardcore
Hand Sledgehammer: Estwing, Proto
Screwdrivers: Klein, Craftsman (USA made)
Nutdrivers: Proto, Klein, Craftsman (T handle)
Sockets/Ratchets: S & K Handtool, Proto
Wrenches(combination, adjustable, box, torque): Proto, Armstrong, S & K, Wright
Pliers: Channellock
Breaker bar: Snap-on
Pipe Wrenches: Craftsman, Wilde Tool
Power Tools: Milwaukee, Hitachi, DeWalt, Dremel, Shop Vac
Ladders: Bauer
Files: Simonds, Nicholson (new old stock USA made on ebay)
Locking Pliers: Petersen Vise-Grip (new old stock USA made on ebay, NOT Irwin)
Folding Rule: Lufkin (new old stock USA made on ebay)
Wood Chisels: Buck Bros. (if USA made)
Measuring Tape: Stanley FatMax, U.S. Tape Company
Trowels: Marshalltown Premier Line, Rose Trowel
C-Clamps: Armstrong, Proto
Spring Clamps: Pony
Cold Chisels: Dasco Pro, Mayhew
Hex Keys, Hex drivers, Torx tools: Eklind, Bondhus
Levels: Sands, Empire (if USA made), Johnson Level (if USA made)
Torpedo Level: Empire
Hand Pruners, Pruning Saws: Florian
Yard Tools: Bully Tool
Prybars: Wilde Tool
Toolbox: Proto
Planes, Drawknives: Lie-Nielsen
Precision knives: Excel
Aviation Snips, Tin Snips: Midwest
Small Ball Pein Hammers: Commando
Pick and Hook Set: Wilde Tool, Grace USA
Coping Saw: Craftsman
Hacksaw: Klein
Bolt cutters: Klein
Squares: Swanson, Empire (if USA made)
Straight Edge: Chappell
Plumb Bob: Starrett (if USA made)
Electrical tools: Channellock, Klein
Wrecking Bar: Dasco Pro, Estwing
Hatchet: Estwing
*I only buy American made hand tools.
Mike
Good man. Many guys are quick to purchase their favorite brand or cheapest deal/sale even when that means supporting china. Support our economy, our troops, and our future. You can’t say you do either if you willingly support communism. Haha.
EBay has many American made brands, new and new old stock.
Bikerdad
Hmmmm….
Pistol Grip Clamps: Jorgensen for full size, Quick-Grip for mini & micro sized.
Dead Blow Hammers: Nupla. Nuff said.
Block Plane: Veritas NX60, Lie-Nielsen
Wood Chisels: Veritas, Blue Spruce, Sorby & Ray Iles
Sanding Blocks: Preppin’ Weapons
12v Cordless Drills/Drivers/Impacts: Bosch, possibly DeWalt
Screwdrivers: sadness and woe… the ones I would want are no more… ended up here because I was looking for perspective on new ones.
Pliers/Cutters: Channelock, Klein, Xuron (gotta try me some Knipex…)
Random Orbit Sander: Festool or Merka
Cordless 18v+ Drill/Driver/Impact: undecided, but brushless.
Other handplanes: Veritas & Lie-Nielsen.
Wood Rasps: Liogier
Jigsaw: Festool or Bosch
Router: Bosch
Soldering Gun: Would have to do my research again…
The simple fact is that no one company is “tops” even across it’s own general realm. No, not even Festool, Lie-Nielsen or Snap-On. And setting aside straight issues of quality and value, the sad reality is that the widely acknowledged “best” may not work for somebody for pure ergonomic reasons. Fat handled tools aren’t a small handed person’s best option, a consideration that’s just as true in the reverse.
Brian
If you had an extra $500 to spend, which categories would you upgrade, and to what?
Stuart
I’d finally try out some Nepros Japanese-made ratchets and other mechanics tools.
Brian
Thanks! I was in the market for a new ratchet, I’ll give Nepros a try.
There’s not really any solid reviews on their ratchets not in Japanese.
Brian
I gave the Nepros a shot and I love them. I went with the leather handle, I’m not sure I’d do that again, but they’re absolutely unique, and seem to have all the fit & finish of SnapOn ratchets.
Have you considered any other updates to this list since 2014?
Gary
Stuart, I would LOVE to see an update of this post … there have been a lot of additions and changes over the last 4-5 years.
Stuart
Looking things over, there are only a few different recommendations, but I’ll add it to my to-do list.
Gary
Thanks Stuart!