--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Motorcycle_Dan"
wrote:
> > Does Anyone have any suggestions for a good set of metric
tools?
> Justin,
> Good as in best bang for the buck? Go to any K-Mart and look
at
> the "Benchtop" brand of tools. Wal-Mart carries either "Popular
> Mechanics" or "Stanley" brand. All good working tools. If you
have
> way more money than brains or mechanical aptitude, consider
these:
> Snap on, Mack, Mat-Co, Craftsman.
> IMHO,
> Dan /|\
There does seem to be a wide availability of good -quality,
inexpensive tools around, unlike, say twenty years ago. However,
if you are using them every day, there are still a number of good
reasons to prefer Snap-on, cost notwithstanding:
1. fit. These wrenches fit the fasteners they are supposed to fit,
very well. Only an issue when you have a nut corroded on a stud,
in a barely acccessible location.
2. flank drive. snap-ons bear on the center of the flat instead of
on the corners. I have seen Snap-ons break loose fasteners that
have already been rounded off by cheap (Craftsman) wrenches..
There may be an expired patent here, as I have seen this design
feature on some off-brand wrenches lately. If so, this is worth
looking for on cheaper wrench sets.
3.size. Snap-on is typically constructed with better material, so
the sockets and the rings on the box-ends are slimmer, go into
closer quarters. Often a Snap-on will go into a space where a
cheaper tool needs to be ground to fit.
4. Finish. Polished finish is a lot easier on the hands day in and
day out than the rough-cast finish often found on cheaper tools.
5. The Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver, is one of the slickest,
handiest tools you could ever use. I have tried plenty of other
ratcheting drivers; Snap-on is simply the best, easiest,
smoothest and fastest to use.
6. you know what you are getting. Not always the case with other
tools. Craftsman is coasting on its reputation. They have some
good stuff, but also a lot of crap, especially wrenches.
In short, there is a difference. Whether it justifies the price, you
decide.
What I really wanna know is where do all my 10mm sockets go? They are
like socks! I have like 2-3 sets of sockets and I'd bet I'm missing
the 10mm out of all of em!
jim