Originally Posted By Quintin:
Most of the tools I had to warranty or replace were normal wear and tear type things.  I've had a couple of hand ratchets rebuilt, broke things like screwdrivers and picks, and had many air tools overhauled.  Nothing really crazy or out of the ordinary.  I own a mix of everything, from Pittsburgh to Snap-On/Matco/Mac/Cornwell.

Edit - I've broken my share of sockets, usually chrome sockets using them on a cordless impact.  All brands.  Never had any issues getting any of them replaced.

Originally Posted By Spaceboy:
What you have described comes with age and with age wisdom.  

The younger guys are impatient and ham fisted.  They don't understand the limitations of the different drive sizes and equate cost with quality.  They will occasionally put too much torque on a 3/8s drive instead of stepping up to the needed 1/2 or even 3/4 drive and complain about tool quality when it breaks.  They do not realize that quick release is a weaker anvil than ball detent anvils and over torque the tool until failure.

This is a blanket statement with a broad brush and all that.

Originally Posted By Bunnysriflestock:
Not a professional but I raced cars at English town and Atco a lot so I was working with my tools a lot.

Only ever broke one Snap On impact socket that was a constantly used size. Snap On guy replaced.
3/8 Dual 80 Long handle ratchet broke the ratcheting mechanism which was my mostly used ratchet. Snap On guy replaced it by handing me a new one.
1/4 Dual 80 Small hard handle broke the ratcheting mechanism after 20 years of owning. Took pictures emailed Snap On and they sent me a rebuild kit.

Cracked a Williams USA Chrome Deep socket. Emailed Williams and they sent me a replacement.
Broke a lot of of those Lisle Black oxide Hex and Torque socket bits back in the day before I switched to the Snap On Gold socket bits.
Broke quit a few of the old Red Hard handle Craftsman USA Ratcheting screw drivers before I switched to Snap On Ratcheting screw drivers.

Originally Posted By Bob243:
Broken some bits ( like torx bits, etc ) and the occasional drill bit or screwdriver ( I have ripped the tips off a flat blade screwdriver a couple times )   but otherwise one or two cracked sockets over the years, nothing significant.

Originally Posted By batmanacw:
I'm probably going to buy this set to see if the great steel and hard chrome will wear as well as my Hazet tin coated hex bits.

https://tbgarizona.com/ols/products/83sb-s5

They have the torx bits on the website but I didn't see a set.

Originally Posted By batmanacw:
I turn wrenches for a living in an industrial application.  I also work on my own rust belt cars. In my past I have worked at a farm and worked on plenty of farm equipment. I've also worked in an automotive repair shop when I was a younger man.

I rarely break my tools. Very rarely. I seem to be able to sense that a tool is in danger of breakage and step up to a tool that will accomplish the task.

I've got 1/2" ratchets that can handle near 1000 nm or 737.5 ft lbs. Beyond that I've got a 3/4" ratchet and breaker bar.

There have been times I've chosen to sacrifice a tool. Doesn't happen often. I can see breaking a ratchet or specialized tool occasionally as they wear.  


Do you break your tools often? Why? Do you ever question yourself or just rely on the tool manufacturers to continually replace your shit?