IMHO, if you are going to get tools that you have to REALLY rely upon and plan to go away for any length of time. Replacement warranty really means....
F^$K All
While in the Aust. Army, o'notsolongago....I found that Snapp-Off are absolute CRAP...I really do mean CRAP. Sure they'd replace broken stuff, (days, weeks or months later), but, when you can only take 1 set of tools with you, definitely CANNOT be relied upon.
I will probably get flamed by Snapp-Off fanbois (I don't care), but I would never ....ever....personally buy Snapp-Off.
They have let me and many of my mates down in so many ways.
It's probably a bit different for yanks or a mech workshop that have a Snapp-Off van or rep lurking nearby or can borrow a tool from someone else.
What pissed us off so much (my workshop/section etc anyway) was that a lot of their tools would not always fit properly and would just strip stuff or break. These tools left us in a really bad pinch way too many times.
IMHO they are way, way over-rated, much too expensive and simply among the worst I've ever used.
I'd prefer tools that bend rather than snap and/or strip stuff due to bad fit.
At least with bent tools, you can heat (even over decent coals in an open fire) and smash back into some sort of shape...then do some sort of a re-temper (water or oil quench), try something to loosen what you wanna undo (heat, anti-sieze, swear at, lube or bash with something) in the middle of nowhere and then try again.
Even if they could bend rather than shatter or snap, their tolerances are appalling. (and yes we supposedly had the right rated tools for the job for the Snapp-off fanbois out there.....this is really middle of nowhere (read real time out bush with nothing other than what you carry in a pack....3 packs to a rover). We had their most complete set at our loc (~1500km away) and carried a fly-set with us for our task.
The current generation of Sidchrome is nearly as bad (over priced and crap).
Sidchrome at least fit what you want do or undo fairly nicely, but can't be relied upon to undo seized stuff or anything torqued too much beyond recommended for size.
One thing we'd do, was to buy the older (original Aus made) Sidchrome spanners and ratchet drivers from auctions, deceased estates and ebay. To us, they were the only ones to depend upon (although would prefer Stahlwille for weight, if we could get them)
Bear in mind, both old and new Sidchrome thin-wall sockets crack relatively easily.
The ones to get are the old thick-wall sockets (although they won't necessarily squeeze into spaces available on modern vehicles)...these will last forever....did i say old ratchet drivers are a worthwhile investment.
Kinchrome are way over-priced for what they are these days. Despite this, are probably not too bad for the the "average Joe-Blow" and/or odd job in the garage, maybe even take away for that Gunbarrel or caravan round Aus trek.....and in its current generation, may well last a lot of people a lifetime when not used in anger.
The old Kinchrome's were cheap, tough and really gave the old Sidchromes a run for their money (but definitely corrode a bit more easily than you would expect). This is probably how they initially got their reputation. There wasn't much else out there at the time. It was either way too expensive or really bad Chinese sets. It really is these old, very very shite Chinese sets that gave any Chinese made ones now a bad rep. These days, people should really understand that things have changed a lot.
Even though it probably doesn't sound right to a lot of people here, I really would prefer a decent made Chinese tool to an equivalent and much overpriced US one these days....the quality is simply that much better now and so much cheaper.
Old Kinchrome thin-wall sockets were definitely better than any Sidchrome ones....period.
Their screwdrivers were not too bad, still effective and ok for general use.
Any other Kinchrome tools...not really any better than a generic hardware -auto chain premium brand.
To shorten this post................
Stahwille.... Spanners...THE BEST (i've ever used anyway)...just very damn expensive. Light....and very very strong. I don't have experience in many of their other tools, but will when I win lotto. (these are THE ones we'd try to take bush and would try get them anyway possible).
In the 90's, my panel beater and mechanic mates would almost take a 2nd mortgage to buy sets, but we would all laugh at the others in the factory unit complex lined up behind the Snapp-Off van to replace stuff.
Sidchrome.....the old ratchet drivers and breaker bars....THE BEST (we would really only take these bush) ...bar none ... If you can get them, their old Aus made spanners and thick wall sockets are heavy (compared to Stahlwille), but will outlast your great-great-great grand-kids.
Kinchrome....not too bad thin wall sockets and comfortable, reasonably good modern screwdrivers. Like with Sidchrome, the older stuff is better.....(just forget about taking them sea-ward too much). These days just too damn expensive for what they are. Better off with a auto-haus premium set...way cheaper and probably better.
Good for the lazy Gen Y who knows FA, will pay $$$$ for a mediocre but flash looking over-rated tool set. Will probably last their lifetime and maybe Gen Z's as well (but doubt after that).
If you buy a full set (full chest), you probably just want to impress your friend or neighbor that really don't care anyway.
Maybe good for a Pajero owner
However, having said that, I carry their Hex-Allen key set. Thats all I'd get.
Crescent and also Bahco......Great portable sets for general use, just sometimes not the sizes you want or need......can be expensive for what they are. Very typical US set and probably not too bad for a pleb set. Do their job well when needed. Good in a general occasional use workshop as well. You might be a bit pissed about not having the exact size you need unless you own a US manufactured car. Not really meant to be professional tools.
Stanley....From my experience, great screwdrivers...even the cheaper ones. Not everyone will necessarily prefer them, I've been using them for 20 odd years and have never really wanted or needed any others. Their sets are available nearly anywhere and just seem to always fit just right. I always have and probably always will carry a set in car (like extinguisher and 1st aid kit).
I carry cheap, Australian owned, Chinese made full Fragram sets of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets, complete rollup spanner set, punch set, hammers, circlip set, plier and vice grip set, Stanley screwdriver set, Kinchrome Hex set etc etc. This all fits in an easily carry-able builders bag. They have been used many many times.
At home, I have a heap of different tools, no one brand....no Snapp-Off obviously. The home set has lasted 20+ years and continues to grow. A lot is 2nd hand. I don't think there has been many days gone by when not used for something.
I don't think I've spent more than $1000 for all the tools I own.
(where my dads dad set) probably should sort it all out and them buy whats missing
) with a 1m bar on the end, and bent that without any real effort.