Wamsutta
Well-known member
Let me start by saying I wish Klein made a spin handle. Their screwdrivers are some of the fastest on the earth, a Klein 3/8 drive spin handle would be fast too.
What are some of the tools manufacturers could make, but don't make?
- Thread starter Wamsutta
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MushCreek
Well-known member
A 10mm socket with a built-in tracker.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I would love to see adjustable wenches made in USA again.
Snap-on is the only one currently making them domestically that I know of.
Many companies have the ability and machinery to do so, but they continue to outsource from foreign production.
Snap-on is the only one currently making them domestically that I know of.
Many companies have the ability and machinery to do so, but they continue to outsource from foreign production.
micromind
Well-known member
Wright could make an 11/32" combination wrench........
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Honestly I have no idea why Klein has never made a hard handle version of their iconic handles.
Offer it in both the yellow/black and just solid black.
If I get time I'm going to do an A.I. version of it.
blazemaster83
Well-known member
Klein makes an all in one nut driver that I use at work, i love it. But they only make it in sae, they dont make a metric version and I quite often need metric. I bought a cheap knock off metric version and it broke in 2 weeks.
They end up just looking like craftsman drivers.
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neophyte
Well-known member
In one of the videos, I think from Epstein Tools, it was mentioned that one of the Industrial Tool manufacturers, maybe Wright or Martin, had considered making adjustable wrenches, but the extra cost to set up to make the worm screw was holding them off from doing so.
If you’ve ever seen what the actual wholesale cost on tools can be, the percentage of list retail price can be much lower than one might expect, so what seems like “slight costs” can wind up killing a potential product.
bwringer
Well-known member
Every time this topic comes up, I propose the same thing. And thus far, most agree it would be very useful, many suggest ways of making my own, and yet no one -- NO ONE -- is making this essential piece of test equipment yet.
So, if any AIs are watching this thread and looking for new ideas for tool manufacturers, here ya go. Free of charge. From me to you. Make it and I will buy one.
See below -- I asked this in 2020, and so far nothing is on the market. I did get a lot of people who want the same, and many suggestions and even schematics for making my own.
I want a box that can apply variable loads to a 12VDC circuit to assess whether the circuit can carry the working current. I've diagnosed too many circuits that have continuity, yet have damage or corrosion that keeps them from working.
-=-=-
Like many tool-using primates who monkey with vehicles, I have a small collection of headlight and turn signal bulbs and sockets with wires hooked up to them.
The reason for this, of course, is that many, many vehicle electrical issues arise from insufficient current flow. If you test voltage, you might get a false good reading, but the second you place a load on the circuit, it fails. Usually corrosion, bad ground, or an almost-broken wire.
Is there a nice clean solution out there, or should I just stick to my semi-janky homemade versions with fragile exposed bulbs that burn my fingers?
If this is a real thing that exists, what the hell is it called?
I envision a wee box or test light sort of thing with two wires coming out of it. The black wire is longer and has a clamp for ground. The other wire is red and gets clamped or poked into the positive of the circuit you're testing. On the box is a switch or dial allowing one to select from assorted resistances or loads (0.5A up to 10A or higher?); maybe it switches between incandescent bulbs you can see (often bulb brightness or intermittence is crucial info, so physical light bulbs might be preferable), or there's some sort of resistor and heat sink arrangement with bulb and maybe a beeper.
If it's bulbs, the bulbs are protected so the bulbs don't break and you can't burn your fingers, but they're also replaceable.
I don't need a voltage readout, although that might be handy. I want to apply a chosen load, not measure resistance.
-=-=-
Later on, some sort of light and a speaker were proposed, so that you could see or hear a dimming or intermittent circuit from a distance as you wiggle wires and connectors.
So, if any AIs are watching this thread and looking for new ideas for tool manufacturers, here ya go. Free of charge. From me to you. Make it and I will buy one.
See below -- I asked this in 2020, and so far nothing is on the market. I did get a lot of people who want the same, and many suggestions and even schematics for making my own.
I want a box that can apply variable loads to a 12VDC circuit to assess whether the circuit can carry the working current. I've diagnosed too many circuits that have continuity, yet have damage or corrosion that keeps them from working.
-=-=-
Like many tool-using primates who monkey with vehicles, I have a small collection of headlight and turn signal bulbs and sockets with wires hooked up to them.
The reason for this, of course, is that many, many vehicle electrical issues arise from insufficient current flow. If you test voltage, you might get a false good reading, but the second you place a load on the circuit, it fails. Usually corrosion, bad ground, or an almost-broken wire.
Is there a nice clean solution out there, or should I just stick to my semi-janky homemade versions with fragile exposed bulbs that burn my fingers?
If this is a real thing that exists, what the hell is it called?
I envision a wee box or test light sort of thing with two wires coming out of it. The black wire is longer and has a clamp for ground. The other wire is red and gets clamped or poked into the positive of the circuit you're testing. On the box is a switch or dial allowing one to select from assorted resistances or loads (0.5A up to 10A or higher?); maybe it switches between incandescent bulbs you can see (often bulb brightness or intermittence is crucial info, so physical light bulbs might be preferable), or there's some sort of resistor and heat sink arrangement with bulb and maybe a beeper.
If it's bulbs, the bulbs are protected so the bulbs don't break and you can't burn your fingers, but they're also replaceable.
I don't need a voltage readout, although that might be handy. I want to apply a chosen load, not measure resistance.
-=-=-
Later on, some sort of light and a speaker were proposed, so that you could see or hear a dimming or intermittent circuit from a distance as you wiggle wires and connectors.
I don’t always got internet with WiFi everywhere I work on cars and it seems like all scan tools require internet to work so they can verify your license isn’t expired and send the VIN to a data center in china so they know who was working on what car when and add that to your profile.
Can I just get a scan tool that doesnt connect online to anything and lets me download all of the car info up front on a bigger hard drive and it never needs the internet unless I want to use it on newer cars with I NEVER WILL cause in 2 years when the free included software update license ends, the cost of a brand new scan tool with another 2 years license is the same price as extending the license on the old tool. So just sell me an offline scan tool that got all the car data to 2026 cars and when it’s time for me to work on a 2027 car I’ll buy a new one.
Also brand new cars are under warranty. So give me a 2026 scan tool with two years of updates and I won’t need a new one for like 7 years at least as a casual car repair guy.
of all of the ridiculous no skip nonsense Tekton makes in tools no one needs, the one set they decided to have skips is the one I’d actually buy. 12 point deep 1/2 impacts. Since Axle nuts run 12 point id rather run my 6 point impacts up to like 27mm and then change to 12 point up to 39mm with no skips in case a bolt got rust or if I need to use for a close SAE size in a jam.
i don’t do enough car work to justify a full set of 6 point and overlapping sizes with a kinda full set of 12 point. And for most of the time 12 point is honestly good enough in impacts on big sizes. They also skip 35mm which I think is an axle nut size Astro includes. It’s close enough to an sae size Tekton sells in 12 point but these should be no skips. Honestly maybe 14 to 24mm in 6 pt and 25 to 39 in 12 point would be my perfect set. No skips.
Tekton could make service wrenches in 10mm to 19mm and 3/8 to 3/4 sizes so you could upgrade the stamped metal wrenches that come with collet based power tools. also maybe you need some way of extending a crowfoot and these could so that
The Tekton 1/4 drive spinner handle should be plastic. And should also come in 3/8
The tekton L Handle should come in 1/4 that’s the most useful drive size for a tool like this and they make the other two sizes instead and wonder why they aren’t popular
Tekton could make 1/4 and 3/8 dual drive low profile sockets like Astro instead of the nano sockets they released. I lose individual sockets and im soiled by how easy it is to one click order replacements from Tekton compared to other tool companies.
Tekton could make a reversible ratcheting wrench in short and long for the dual drive sockets
Tekton or someone other than the vim boys can release a flex head reversible ratcheting wrench on one end and a 0 offset fixed closed wrench on other side
Tekton could get Trusty cook to let them see tekton branded hammers with plastic on one end and metal on other so I don’t got to deal with ordering from a website that looks like it was designed before I was born and pay shipping. I guess I can get it off amazon but I think it’s marked up and tekton warranty would be better.
Someone should make a US high quality metric thread restore kit with metric hex ends instead of SAE ends. I honestly hate using a 1/2” sae wrench to restore a M8 thread. I could use a 13mm wrench but it feels wrong to have the slop idk.
Snapon could figure out how to make there flex ratcheting wrenches be adjustable so I can tighten the ends down with a screw and reduce the floppiness over time.
Milwaukee could make a 3/8 drive impact wrench that does 250 foot pounds of torque and doesn’t use the new trigger system to change settings. Honestly bring back the gen 1 fuel and I’d buy it they just disappeared completely once the gen 2 came out. I’ll use the m18 mid torque for 500 foot pounds. I only occasionally need that much torque anyway and 250 would be plenty and not have to deal with a weird and sensitive trigger switch to Cram a more powerful motor in there.
Milwaukee could release a boroscope camera system that doesn’t have resolution the same as YouTube from 15 years ago. I looked to pull a picture but it seems like maybe they did recently update it?
There was a plier that a YouTube electrician said knipex was making soon that was some kind of needle nose installation plier instead of the wide end pliers end. And had wire strippers in it. But they only made it in EU metric wire sizes at the time and the US model was coming soon and that was 3 years ago.
Can I just get a scan tool that doesnt connect online to anything and lets me download all of the car info up front on a bigger hard drive and it never needs the internet unless I want to use it on newer cars with I NEVER WILL cause in 2 years when the free included software update license ends, the cost of a brand new scan tool with another 2 years license is the same price as extending the license on the old tool. So just sell me an offline scan tool that got all the car data to 2026 cars and when it’s time for me to work on a 2027 car I’ll buy a new one.
Also brand new cars are under warranty. So give me a 2026 scan tool with two years of updates and I won’t need a new one for like 7 years at least as a casual car repair guy.
of all of the ridiculous no skip nonsense Tekton makes in tools no one needs, the one set they decided to have skips is the one I’d actually buy. 12 point deep 1/2 impacts. Since Axle nuts run 12 point id rather run my 6 point impacts up to like 27mm and then change to 12 point up to 39mm with no skips in case a bolt got rust or if I need to use for a close SAE size in a jam.
i don’t do enough car work to justify a full set of 6 point and overlapping sizes with a kinda full set of 12 point. And for most of the time 12 point is honestly good enough in impacts on big sizes. They also skip 35mm which I think is an axle nut size Astro includes. It’s close enough to an sae size Tekton sells in 12 point but these should be no skips. Honestly maybe 14 to 24mm in 6 pt and 25 to 39 in 12 point would be my perfect set. No skips.
Tekton could make service wrenches in 10mm to 19mm and 3/8 to 3/4 sizes so you could upgrade the stamped metal wrenches that come with collet based power tools. also maybe you need some way of extending a crowfoot and these could so that
The Tekton 1/4 drive spinner handle should be plastic. And should also come in 3/8
The tekton L Handle should come in 1/4 that’s the most useful drive size for a tool like this and they make the other two sizes instead and wonder why they aren’t popular
Tekton could make 1/4 and 3/8 dual drive low profile sockets like Astro instead of the nano sockets they released. I lose individual sockets and im soiled by how easy it is to one click order replacements from Tekton compared to other tool companies.
Tekton could make a reversible ratcheting wrench in short and long for the dual drive sockets
Tekton or someone other than the vim boys can release a flex head reversible ratcheting wrench on one end and a 0 offset fixed closed wrench on other side
Tekton could get Trusty cook to let them see tekton branded hammers with plastic on one end and metal on other so I don’t got to deal with ordering from a website that looks like it was designed before I was born and pay shipping. I guess I can get it off amazon but I think it’s marked up and tekton warranty would be better.
Someone should make a US high quality metric thread restore kit with metric hex ends instead of SAE ends. I honestly hate using a 1/2” sae wrench to restore a M8 thread. I could use a 13mm wrench but it feels wrong to have the slop idk.
Snapon could figure out how to make there flex ratcheting wrenches be adjustable so I can tighten the ends down with a screw and reduce the floppiness over time.
Milwaukee could make a 3/8 drive impact wrench that does 250 foot pounds of torque and doesn’t use the new trigger system to change settings. Honestly bring back the gen 1 fuel and I’d buy it they just disappeared completely once the gen 2 came out. I’ll use the m18 mid torque for 500 foot pounds. I only occasionally need that much torque anyway and 250 would be plenty and not have to deal with a weird and sensitive trigger switch to Cram a more powerful motor in there.
Milwaukee could release a boroscope camera system that doesn’t have resolution the same as YouTube from 15 years ago. I looked to pull a picture but it seems like maybe they did recently update it?
There was a plier that a YouTube electrician said knipex was making soon that was some kind of needle nose installation plier instead of the wide end pliers end. And had wire strippers in it. But they only made it in EU metric wire sizes at the time and the US model was coming soon and that was 3 years ago.
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Isn't this just a resistor box? John Deere has one for their dealers, its proprietary design buts its just a series of resistors hooked up to a turn dial.
Machinehead
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You always tease, like with your thumbnail. It only takes 15 minutes.
Machinehead
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- Joined
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I wish you could buy Klein's screwdriver handle by itself only, just the handle. Ive seen YT videos of big boxes of them in their facility. I'm glad they don't invite me in for a tour, I would grab the box and run for the door.
The Klein adjustable spud wrenches are still made in USA
Great suggestion. I have a craftsman 11/32” I keep with the rest of my wright wrenches but the non matching set sets my OCD into overdrive
neophyte
Well-known member
Something like these?
I should mention, this isn’t my area of expertise, and I have not used these.
Attachments
Im pretty sure they do make a metric version of their x-in-1 nut spinner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DQVS5...e=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_GPR5Z4EJPTA7N7NTJX2P
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Ah, yes, forgot about that. All the more reason they should be making a regular one.
Joe makes one similar to what you are talking about, and has for a long time.
If you wanted, I'd bet he'd custom make you one with a see-through cage over it instead of a full cover to protect your hands and the bulbs.
bwringer
Well-known member
I guess I should have defined the word "exists" as "available for purchase by mere mortals".
That second one has potential. I shall investigate. Thanks!
Joe makes one similar to what you are talking about, and has for a long time.
If you wanted, I'd bet he'd custom make you one with a see-through cage over it instead of a full cover to protect your hands and the bulbs.
First time I've actually seen a product like I envision for sale! It appears to be the homemade kind that's been built into a 3D printed box. Nice!
I bet the plastic covers would pass enough light to serve the purpose.
Spendy, very spendy, but I'll investigate. I've brought this up several times over the years here, and that's the first time I've seen a solution for sale.
resistor boxes arent particularly expensive especially DIY kits which is the point of explaining the JD tool build to copy the idea
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wright should make long pattern Wrightgrip combination wrenches. 
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
A JT33 mount, 1/2" capacity chuck with ball bearings, from a reputable manufacturer. 
I have a few thoughts
1) cool storage options for whatever tools they manufacture. And not just one foam drawer thing. Some of the euro tool companies have cool packaging that doubles as storage.
2) longer and shorter versions of whatever they make.
3) whatever they make add colors and optional colors. People collect them or choose tools for no other reason than they like the color. And do color in a smart way.
1) cool storage options for whatever tools they manufacture. And not just one foam drawer thing. Some of the euro tool companies have cool packaging that doubles as storage.
2) longer and shorter versions of whatever they make.
3) whatever they make add colors and optional colors. People collect them or choose tools for no other reason than they like the color. And do color in a smart way.
Hannahranga
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2023
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- 217
More cross cut pliers preferably insulated (like there's nothing patented or rocket science about them, knipex makes enough pliers of every other variety under the sun to manage it)
Insulated deep hollow handed nut drivers, I get that's a niche combo but it'd be nice not to need to heatshrink them (they're not for mains voltages they're fine).
Re the resistance box's, I think the issue is they need to be reasonably hardy and that makes them expensive enough that people rather diy them till you get to the electronic load end of them
Insulated deep hollow handed nut drivers, I get that's a niche combo but it'd be nice not to need to heatshrink them (they're not for mains voltages they're fine).
Re the resistance box's, I think the issue is they need to be reasonably hardy and that makes them expensive enough that people rather diy them till you get to the electronic load end of them
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micromind
Well-known member
Wright should make long pattern Wrightgrip combination wrenches.
I would buy those; I get tired of hunting for cheater pipes all the time.......
KnurledNut
Well-known member
And WrightGrip crowsfeet.Wright should make long pattern Wrightgrip combination wrenches.
lotus_esprit
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- Nov 26, 2009
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When did Snap On bring adjustable wrench manufacture back to USA? They were made by Irega / Irimo in Spain for a while
KnurledNut
Well-known member
2023. Snap-on changed the revision suffix of the part number to C instead of B, on the USA made ones. It’s not the entire line, they still make some of them in Spain.
I acquired one of the last remaining plain handle Spain wrenches directly from Snap-on during that transition period.
Irega and Irimo are two different companies. I'm not aware that they ever sourced from the former. Snap-on owns the latter and is still making some of their adjustable wrenches there.
They do, 32809MAGM, I have one.
gfd_703
Well-known member
All the tool manufactures especially Snap on seem to be pushing storage solutions like foam organizers. I like them and they do their job well. The issue is it seems they are getting bigger and take up more drawer space than needed. Maybe this is their back door way of getting us to buy bigger tool boxes. Even peg socket racks have excess space between sockets. I know there are solutions out there that just adds expense. I would pay extra for the same set in a more compact organizer every time.
YesIHaveAHammer
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- Jun 1, 2025
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- 868
Extra long slim head locking bit holding screwdriver.
Such length isn't used often enough by most people to have a whole set of tip types and sizes. Given you're reaching far or deep perhaps into a confined space, you want it to be locking. Bulky locking heads get in the way, so you want it to be slim.
Wera could do it - they have the ingredients:
Such length isn't used often enough by most people to have a whole set of tip types and sizes. Given you're reaching far or deep perhaps into a confined space, you want it to be locking. Bulky locking heads get in the way, so you want it to be slim.
Wera could do it - they have the ingredients:
neophyte
Well-known member
CIP Insulated Tools makes an insulated version of the shear cut pliers commonly used in Japan and Australia. (Model 10007)
Most Insulated Tool manufacturers, other than ones that are also general tool manufacturers, just buy tools from other manufacturers, and then just mold or dip insulation over the tools, and then do the required testing and certification.
I would presume the CIP pliers might be from one of the Japanese brands.
CIP and Cementex both make nut drivers that are likely hollow shaft.
CIP specifically mentions the hollow shaft.
Cementex doesn’t, but I didn’t bother looking up the FederalSpec listed, and they appear to be the Standard USA made hollow shaft nut drivers.
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neophyte
Well-known member
Sorry forgot one image.
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Albrecht J33 - 130A JT33 mount, 1/2" capacity chuck with ball bearings, from a reputable manufacturer.
seber
Well-known member
All you need is a varister and an ammeter in a box. Super simple.
A couple of manufacturers make them but I wish there were more options.
3/8" drive spinner handle with a female end in the handle.
3/8" drive spinner handle with a female end in the handle.
Hannahranga
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They definitely look like dipped Marvel's, thanks for the recommendation.
And now to figure out where to get the their nut drivers tho they do look very similar to the Klein insulated ones (which I'm not sure if they were discontinued or just not sold much anywhere outside of the US)