I have developed quite a liking for German made hand tools over the past couple of years. The quality seems to be quite a bit better than the offerings from the American companies. Mainly because a lot of them are being manufactured in Taiwan. Anyway. So my brilliant idea. The wife and myself have a close friend that lives in München. I can get her to purchase said tools for me over there where it is substantially cheaper, then ship them to me over here. Even with the cost of the international shipping, plus the difference in value of currency it saves me money. Why I did not think of this sooner.

When I graduated from High School my parents gave me a set of Craftsman tools. It probably cost them at least a hundred bucks.  That was a lot of money back then for a working class family. I still have those tools, 48 years later.  My 1/2" ratchet is getting flaky, but I know I can still return it for a free replacement.

When I graduated from High School my parents gave me a set of Craftsman tools. It probably cost them at least a hundred bucks.  That was a lot of money back then for a working class family. I still have those tools, 48 years later.  My 1/2" ratchet is getting flaky, but I know I can still return it for a free replacement.

They cost dang near triple to quadruple that now. I use craftsman sockets and their small to medium size (3/8 to 1 1/2). impact sockets. I also use their box wrenches. Not really big on their other tools. They don't seem to hold up as well as say rigid and proto. Then again they are also being used day in and day out too. Word on the street is they are not doing the lifetime warranty on their stuff anymore.