Hello Steve,
I'll reply with my opinions on your questions. I don't profess to be a
professional mechanic, but I've seen and worked with a bit.
> 1.From what I have been told, 6 point wrenchs and sockets offer more
> strength and have less chance to strip a bolt. My question is, then
> why
> would you want to buy 12 point?
>
12 pt. allows you to flip the wrench over using less room in tight
spots. For most torque specs 12 pt. will be able to handle it. Be sure
to get both std and metric.
> 2.Most big tool comapnies offer both sockets for impact tools and for
> regular tools. You want to have a different set for the impact
> wrench
> because of the force put on them, right? If so, why would you even
> bother to buy a set of regular sockets? Couldn't you just use the
> impact socket set you bought for all applications?
>
Yes. You could get by with just the impact sockets, but sometimes you
need the thinner walls of the regular ones for clearance.
> 3.If you had the money to buy good tools, what company would you buy
> from? I myself have been an SK fan, becasue whenever I was young and
> helped my dad work on cars, I would always grab that green medal box,
> and it has just kinda stuck with me ever since. I know that there are
> other good companies as well, Snap-on (considered by many to be the
> best), Mac, etc.. Is there any reason that you would want to buy from
> one comapny over another this high up on the ladder? Are there any
> shortcomings to any of these more expensive brands?
>
It's your choice. I go with Craftsman because I can just go to Sears to
get a replacement if needed. Snap-On and Matco are more expensive, and
you need to find a distributor. The current Craftsman stuff has gone
down in finish quality (cheap outer plating, rough insides) from 10
years and older stuff, but I did get them to replace a 17 year old
excellent condition Digitork wrench (currently warranted 90 days) that
stopped tightening, ie., it broke as opposed to going out of spec. Lost
the knurled spinner and quick release though.
Craftsman has a new style wrench that is a variation of the Metrinch
which looks like a cross between a box end and a flare end. Seemed to
work fine on their display.
Gary
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