Own less. Own better. Know the difference. What to buy, where to find it, what it should cost, and when it makes more sense to just hire someone.
The home improvement industry is built on making you feel under-equipped. The truth is a $100 investment in the right tools covers 80% of what any homeowner will ever need. The other 20% is usually cheaper to hire out than to tool up for.
HIL Supply is about making intentional decisions — not impulse buys at the hardware store, not a garage full of things you used once. Know what you need before you need it. Know where to find it cheaply. Know when to stop.
There is a right order to look. Start at the top. Only move down when the top tier doesn't have what you need.
American tool manufacturing peaked in quality roughly between 1940 and 1975. Chrome vanadium steel, thicker walls, tighter tolerances, lifetime warranties that meant something. A restored pre-1970 Craftsman socket set will outlast most new import sets at twice the price.
This isn't nostalgia. It's metallurgy. Post-1990 offshoring changed the steel composition on most mass-market tools. The handle looks the same. The steel isn't.
| Era / Brand | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1975 Craftsman (USA) | Best | Buy every piece you find. Restore and keep forever. |
| Snap-On (any era) | Best | Still trade-grade. Buy used to save 50–60%. |
| Stanley / Proto (pre-1985) | Best | Especially hand planes, chisels, layout tools. |
| Estwing (any era) | Best | Made in USA, still excellent. Hammers and hatchets. |
| DeWalt / Milwaukee (current) | Good | Power tools only. Hand tools not worth the premium. |
| Harbor Freight (current) | OK | Occasional use only. Fine for homeowner tasks. |
| Post-2000 big box hand tools | Avoid | Soft steel, loose tolerances. Pay more for less. |
Being a capable DIYer doesn't mean doing everything yourself. The honest calculation is: time + learning cost + risk cost vs. what a pro charges. Sometimes hiring is the smarter move, even if you could technically do it yourself.
Tell us what you're trying to accomplish and your budget. We'll tell you exactly what to buy, where to find it, and whether it's worth your time to DIY at all. Intentional acquisition, not impulse buying.