Stanley is better than Husky and Kobalt ?

Armed Bear · Dec 3, 2012

Well I do know for a fact that Stanley is better than Husky......I would just stay away from Husky for now on.... Kobalt is not bad for what it is, but I really think Stanley is making some interesting stuff and I have been hearing that their newer tools are getting better. I think they might be making a big comeback.

What do you guys think?

I also heard Stanley makes some Husky stuff, but it seems like the Husky ratchets are really bad and Husky is not entirely the same as Stanley tools.

Dieselbutterfly · Dec 3, 2012

im not sure on the quality of brand new offerings from stanley,but their customer service was perfect,imo.as far as husky i thought it was a hd brand,basically tools made by a manufacturer for hd.so if the tool hd sells is ok,then for me it is customer service,and on that score my experience has been different at every hd,based on the manager,some very good some very bad

kunkernator · Dec 3, 2012

Stanley does (or used to) make a lot of Husky stuff. In my opinion Stanley is an excellent brand, my first tool set was a 201 piece Stanley from Walmart and it is still going, never cracked a socket, never chipped chrome. Their ratchets are my favorite, being the cheapest most durable finer tooth pear handles out there. I have never skipped a tooth, and never broken one. Honestly I have abused them a bit, and they hold up way better than USA made Craftsman. I would never hesitate purchasing any Stanley products, I only buy other brands because of a more readily accessible full lineup.

AZ_Catskinner · Dec 3, 2012

The last time I looked, Husky ratchets were Stanley through and through.

Armed Bear · Dec 3, 2012

the new Stanley power tools look pretty reasonably priced.

otis66 · Dec 3, 2012

If you have to buy tools made in China/Taiwan buy GearWrench.

85camaro · Dec 3, 2012

Duralast is a quality tool for being made in Taiwan.

ihatelaramie · Dec 3, 2012

The Stanley stuff that I do have, I have no complaints whatsoever. They make a damn fine screwdriver for the price. Same with the sockets, never had an issue. Just my .02

thesilverone · Dec 3, 2012

Stanley ruined a lot of brands

GeneralDisorder · Dec 3, 2012

They *can* make decent stuff - they do still own Proto for example. But most of the stanley branded stuff is cheaply made junk in the opinion of this professional. On the Home Depot web site they are selling the Urrea tools which are made in Mexico and are basically Proto designs from the 80's. Solid and inexpensive. I've been very happy with the 16 piece screwdriver set I bought a few months back.

Bottom line - there's better for the same or less money.

GD

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2012

My brother bought some Stanley stuff awhile back and I was surprised at the quality. The screwdrivers were USA made and while I assume the socket set was at least partly Taiwan sourced, it had a good sturdy feel about it. Stanley still has a fair amount of USA sourced stuff. I have a buddy in Manchester, UK who says they just opened or are opening a production facility not far from his home to make the anti-vibe hammers.

Bull · Dec 3, 2012

I have a set of Stanley stubby SAE ratcheting wrenches. They are excellent.

I also have a set of basic SAE and metric combo wrenches in the satin finish. They are really nice pieces.

Armed Bear · Dec 3, 2012

It looks like the Stanley power tools are only in the UK and Canada and haven't released in the U.S. market yet.

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2012

I caught a promo for the Fatmax power tool line probably a year ago and there was a bit of debate on the TIA forum I frequent as to whether they'd ever be released here or not. Stanley/B&D already has Dewalt marketed toward pro's, B&D marketed toward homeowners, and now Porter Cable that they've reduced to a serious DIY/budget minded pro demographic, where does the Fatmax line fit into the market?

reyna14 · Dec 3, 2012

The Husky socket/ratchet sets are made by Stanley, same design/look/everything. My first set was a Husky. The 3/8 ratchet developed a habit of reversing itself just like a similar Stanley ratchet that my brother had. Tossed the POS in no time.

Super Scout · Dec 3, 2012

Stanley was a good tool, they ruined their name. The majority of their tools are junk.
And thats all I am going to say on the subject

matt1977 · Dec 3, 2012

I'd say the hardline kobalt stuff made in Taiwan is the highest quality diy "house brand" at the moment imo.

Spudland_Dave · Dec 3, 2012

Only issue I have with Stanley hand tools is the warranty aspect. Other then that, all their tools (Stanley/DeWalt/Bostitch/etc..) do seem to be all great tools. I know I complained about warranty before, but while I have looked at the stanley offerings at Walmart when I have to kill time and agree, they do look nice...the whole warranty thing/lack therof kills it for me.
I want to be able to walk into the store with the broken one and walk out with a new one..or at least be declined warranty. Mailing something in for evaluation isnt what I call customer service.

With the Kobalt, I get a nice tool, good price and in store service.

shoturtle · Dec 3, 2012

Armed Bear said:
It lools like the Stanley power tools are only in the UK and Canada and haven't released in the U.S. market yet.

The US power tool market is already super saturated with brands. Stanley has Black and Decker and Dewalt. Do not really think they need a rebranded stanley faxmax in the US.

kippieland · Dec 3, 2012

matt1977 said:
I'd say the hardline kobalt stuff made in Taiwan is the highest quality diy "house brand" at the moment imo.

Agreed....Unfortunately, I find them a bit over priced compared to other brands that sell the exact same products. But if you need it now, at least you know its there.

shoturtle · Dec 3, 2012

kolbalt are on par with the nape carlyle at around the same price. But the higher price taiwan tools are slightly better then their cheap cousin. They do not rivet their ratchets. And use better selector switches then their HF cousins.

Brownsfan · Dec 3, 2012

I agree on the Kobalt being the best house brand store tool line right now. They can be had at GREAT prices when on sale. I have a bunch and have never had to warranty a single socket or any tool. I will say that the Kobalt pliers are complete garbage. There are much better alternatives for those. Even C-man pliers are better. But wrenches sockets and ratchets the Kobalt is way better then it's comp.

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2012

Cheap tools in general are simply better quality than they used to be. Used to be Chinese and Taiwan tools were just awful. Ratchets would strip out in no time, wrenches would bend at the slightest provocation, the fit on the fastener was awful, and they even looked like ****. Everything about them screamed *************. These days the quality of imports like Gearwrench, Kobalt, etc. makes it hard for many people to justify paying more money simply because it says USA on it. Though most import tools are not leaders in quality in any particular category, they are in most cases decent quality and sufficient for their intended purpose where as 20 years ago that was not the case. I'm a COO guy and always will be, but would cheaper tools work for my needs? Probably so.

sberry · Dec 3, 2012

Mailing something in for evaluation isnt what I call customer service.

I think some truck brands want to do it,, especially if you would.

Though most import tools are not leaders in quality in any particular category, they are in most cases decent quality and sufficient for their intended purpose where as 20 years ago that was not the case. I'm a COO guy and always will be, but would cheaper tools work for my needs? Probably so.

I like this statement because it is reasonable and likely acurate. But as you can see from some testimonial I just am not concerned about warranty on a 2 dollar item. if it was a piece that left me in a pinch would simply source another. At one time the Olympia in singles at TSC, 1.50 for 9/16. It aint a snapon and of a dozen in service busted about one in 20 yrs doing something to it with a hammer or impact.

Over the years bought a couple dozen for that price in small sizes, some of those MIT too for a dollar, its not a gut wrenching desision to put them where needed. Couple in a truck or tractor. I bought a 10, 13 and 15 I think the other day, mabey Kobalt or Husky, USA, full polish and 3$ and 5 for the big one as I recall. Bought a 9 pc Allen set in metric a while back, it was not bad, 26$ and Menards had junk imports, 4$ stamped or something, maybe 8, I cant recall but the difference for a decent set wasnt huge, USA too.

justanengineer · Dec 3, 2012

IMO new hand tool quality is only getting worse as time goes on, esp the Asian brands. Ive got a bunch of older Japanese, Taiwanese, and eastern Soviet bloc hand tools from the 70s and 80s when they were supposedly at their worst, but despite the piss poor "chrome," theyre pretty solid and fit my hand just as well as the higher priced domestic brands. Nowadays, it seems to me that the actual metal quality is ****, everybody's interested in making wrenches too thin, too square, too awkward, too gimmicky, or too plastic to really use.

Before I bought pry bars ~12 years ago, my Stanley screwdrivers were my pry bars and I never (even to this day) bent or broke one. I bought a new set of Stanley screwdrivers a few months ago bc they were on sale and my Cman ones were getting old, and Ive twisted the tip on at least half of them already just from standard use (no more prying).

Disclaimer: While Asian hand tools are getting worse, Asian machine tools are getting much better. I will grudgingly concede this, even tho I have all US made machine tools, bc I have helped setup and run quite a few Asian machines in recent years.

Armed Bear · Dec 3, 2012

Conductor562 said:
I caught a promo for the Fatmax power tool line probably a year ago and there was a bit of debate on the TIA forum I frequent as to whether they'd ever be released here or not. Stanley/B&D already has Dewalt marketed toward pro's, B&D marketed toward homeowners, and now Porter Cable that they've reduced to a serious DIY/budget minded pro demographic, where does the Fatmax line fit into the market?

shoturtle said:
The US power tool market is already super saturated with brands. Stanley has Black and Decker and Dewalt. Do not really think they need a rebranded stanley faxmax in the US.

I just got back from Walmart and they already have the Stanley Hammer Drill. it looked good, only 1 was left so I guess they're selling it fast.

1982fxr · Dec 3, 2012

The imported Stanley tools I have had my hands on we're as bad as anything I have seen. Comparable to hf

slob · Dec 3, 2012

I have a small socket set made by Stanley under the Technician brand name that I purchased in the mid-90's. USA made. Very nice quality.

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2012

Armed Bear said:
I just got back from Walmart and they already have the Stanley Hammer Drill. it looked good, only 1 was left so I guess they're selling it fast.

Reckon they'll be a Wally World exclusive?

autoace · Dec 3, 2012

otis66 said:
If you have to buy tools made in China/Taiwan buy GearWrench.

GearWrench is excellent, but so is Stanley... Husky is Stanley.......... I would buy the Stanley name over Husky also, why get a re-label if the real vendor is available.

robe5000 · Dec 3, 2012

I use husky wrenches daily repairing heavy equipment, had em for 4-5 years, no complaints
As for gearwrench, it's my new brand of choice, I can't get over the quality of their tools for the price
#nothappywithmysnap-ondealer(s)

autoace · Dec 3, 2012

Stanley is MAC tools and Proto's "Blue Point" brand..............they are just sold in stores, lol.....

CWP1616L · Dec 3, 2012

- I could live with Kobalt Taiwanese made sockets because they're pretty good. I suspect they're made by the same Taiwanese dudes that make GearWrench and TopTul because they all look similar to each other in shape and finish.

- I don't want anything from Husky.

- The only thing from Stanley I'd buy is a tape measure and maybe a rubber mallet.

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2012

The Kobalt sockets, ratchets, etc., (best we can figure) are made by Rotar who does make Toptul and Titan as well. I believe they make some Neiko as well. Gearwrench is a Danaher brand I believe. That doesn't mean they aren't making some gearwrench stuff under contract though.

Hammell · Dec 3, 2012

The older Husky USA sockets I have are great, good as anything. Thou I don;t know about now.

85camaro · Dec 3, 2012

Went to Lowes today and was salavating all over myself looking at the Kobalt tools. Pretty nice.

Hank McMauser · Dec 4, 2012

slob said:
I have a small socket set made by Stanley under the Technician brand name that I purchased in the mid-90's. USA made. Very nice quality.

well given Stanley's reputation at about that time they may, or may not be US made
seems they had a hard time telling the truth about COO for a while

Spudland_Dave · Dec 4, 2012

sberry said:
I think some truck brands want to do it,, especially if you would.

I like this statement because it is reasonable and likely acurate. But as you can see from some testimonial I just am not concerned about warranty on a 2 dollar item. if it was a piece that left me in a pinch would simply source another. At one time the Olympia in singles at TSC, 1.50 for 9/16. It aint a snapon and of a dozen in service busted about one in 20 yrs doing something to it with a hammer or impact.

I cant honestly say that warranty on a 2.00 item or 10.00 item is NOT a make or break item, I can swing buying a new 3.00 socket...but when you ADVERTISE & brag about a warranty, follow it up. For example Bostitch has a 100 year warranty on its hand tools...broke a utility knife within hours of opening it up, Clearly a MFG problem, I was only cutting insulation with it. Contacted Bostitch/Stanley and the canned response I got was "Mail it to us at....and we will evaluate it, if we determine it to be MFG problem, we will mail new one, if not, tough poopies"..
So 6 bucks to mail a 10.00 knife in HOPES i'd get a new one. At least I could have somewhat justified it if I knew I was getting a new one back. As you said, I've already got a bunch of utlity knives so no problem there, but I just bought a replacement the next time I saw the specials display at Home Depot...2 Dewalt versions for 12.99.
Dont even get me started on my Bostitch 25' Tape Measure...I LOVED That tape, but it developed a crack on the tape...no prob I figured, I'll order a new insert...nope, no dice...no replacement tape available. Apparently none of the 1.25" Stanley tapes have replacements available.... Sad.
Where I'm going with all of this is...while yes, Stanley may have nice quality tools, the warranty is absouletly ZERO. At least Harbor Freight has a decent warranty replacement policy...For that reason alone, I wouldnt buy Stanley.

Would you guys spend $6.00 to mail a $34.00 Socket to Snap On for evaluation? With the potential that the person on the other end says nope...not our problem...and just chucks your socket in the garbage? At least the guy on the truck can give you a reason, or if your a good customer, exchange it with a "Thanks for your business" handshake...THATS Customer Service.

Since they've closed my local sears, I've converted to a Kobalt guy myself now.

IngyHere · Dec 4, 2012

That's like asking is diarrhea better than constipation.

Burtonrider10022 · Dec 5, 2012

IngyHere said:
That's like asking is diarrhea better than constipation.

Not if you sneeze...

Stanley is better than Husky and Kobalt ?

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