Cornwell tools?

[iagsxr]

Never had a dealer or been around them. How does their quality compare to SO, Mac, Matco, etc? Customer service, warranty, whatnot?

Just curious, I always assumed they were just a packaging company. Just recently became aware they're an actual manufacturer.

 

[85camaro]

IMO, Cornwell tools are underrated. The quality is on par with all the other truck brands and they are a fraction less in price.

 

[Davefr]

Best ratchets made and their mail in warranty is as good as Snap Ons.

The problem is that they won't sell online and there are very few dealers.

 

[85camaro]

Best ratchets made and their mail in warranty is as good as Snap Ons.

The problem is that they won't sell online and there are very few dealers.

Yeah, agree on all points. I love my two cornwell ratchets but not having on-line sales is really frustrating. I haven't seen a Cornwell dealer around in this century and they wouldn't deal with me over the phone when I needed parts for my tool box.

On the flip side, My experiences with Matco and Snap On over the phone have been pleasant. Both have always been polite and helpful.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

the tools that cornwell builds themselves are of excellent quality and their service is very good too. the dealer in my area doesn't come to my current shop but is more than will to meet me somewhere if i call him up and need a tool warrentied or if i what to buy something from him.

 

[knocker]

IMO, Cornwell tools are underrated. The quality is on par with all the other truck brands and they are a fraction less in price.

I completely agree w/ you. I've been spending more and more of my money on the Cornwell truck lately, and my dealer being a really cool guy doesn't hurt either.

 

[otis66]

Cornwell hardline tools are great. I love there ratchets.

 

[lauver]

otis,

That's a nice herd of Cornwell ratchets.

 

[wafrederick]

I like most of their tool line.I don't like their 13mm impact swivels in 3/8 drive,just sent in a couple of them to get replaced.One was a brand new replacement and broke on the 3rd time I used it,on my 3/8 impact.Will warranty anything worn out and I sent in a couple sockets this way.Sent me replacements with no problems.

 

[marslawn]

Best ratchets made and their mail in warranty is as good as Snap Ons.

The problem is that they won't sell online and there are very few dealers.

So how do you go about a warranty on a cornwell ratchet. I have a 1/4 drive ratchet that was in my toolbox when I bought it. I have never used it because it has always been broken.

I dont know if there is a dealer in the area, but I would be up for mail in.

 

[wreckercologist]

In my experience, the tools are pretty solid, but the chrome likes to peel off the wrenches. They are usually priced under the three other trucks, but not always. It pays to shop around.

Their new line of toolboxes are pretty sweet too.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

I have always eyeballed Cornwell stuff...its tasty!

 

[Davefr]

So how do you go about a warranty on a cornwell ratchet. I have a 1/4 drive ratchet that was in my toolbox when I bought it. I have never used it because it has always been broken.

I dont know if there is a dealer in the area, but I would be up for mail in.

All you do is mail it to them along with your return address. You don't need to call them first.

Their address is on their website.

Turnaround time is about 2 weeks or so.

 

[redwrench60]

If you want to see a neat video of Cornwell tools being born, go to their website and click manufacturing.
P.S. the Cornwell dealer they show "in action" near the end is my dealer, we give him some **** for it! But he is a great tool man.

 

[Hammer1963]

Great tools. As stated from other members, very under-rated. Sockets are 2nd to none and the 72 tooth 3/8" ratchet is fantastic. As with the other major truck brands, some of their tools are imported, but are first rate as well. Highly recomended from this user

 

[toolmaker1]

 

[Fedwrench]

Cornwell tools is a very old school employee owned tool company. Why old school? Many of their hardline tools haven't changed in 50 years. We're talking 30 tooth ratchets, sockets that have a hole on one side of the female square drive versus, a cutout on each side for the detent ball (drives me crazy), and a limited range of metric sizes in some items. Don't get me wrong, they're great tools but, engine bays have changed over the last half century.
They only manufacture a fraction of what they sell. Hardline tools such as wrenches, most ratchets and sockets are cornwell made. Things like screwdrivers, pliers, anything hex or torx, specialty tools, and power tools are all rebadged. Their tool boxes have been made by waterloo, remline, and Kennedy over the years. Their current lineup is made by waterloo in their Mexico plant.
Cornwell Dealers have been some of the nicest tool dealers I've ever dealt with over the years. However, I haven't seen one last where I work. I wish they did online sales as I like some of the items listed in their monthly flyers on their website but, have no way of getting them.

 

[billymade]

I wonder if they will ever update their ratchets? I got a used ratchet; the chrome was peeling on the end of the handle... sent it in and got a new one in return. There is something special about the shape of the ratchets, especially the handle; now, if they would update the ratchet head to a higher tooth count, that would be great.

 

[Fedwrench]

I wonder if they will ever update their ratchets? I got a used ratchet; the chrome was peeling on the end of the handle... sent it in and got a new one in return. There is something special about the shape of the ratchets, especially the handle; now, if they would update the ratchet head to a higher tooth count, that would be great.

They've updated a couple of 3/8 drive models to 72 teeth but, no flex heads or other drive sizes yet. Besides, if you want a comfortable ratchet handle, buy Armstong.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a couple cornwell tools i've picked up at flea mkts.
seem to be of good quality, no issues or problems.

never seen a cornwell truck anywhere

 

[woody 73]

Cornwell is a great company (made in Ohio),but they do not sell on-line ,and their tool trucks are scarce; They also make fantastic ratchets that are easy on your hands...

I just had a bad ratchet replaced ,they have a fantastic service on par with snap-on; like the others have said they make very nice tools that are a tad cheaper then snap on.

 

[csargents1546]

The few times that I have used another techs Cornwell tools they are very nice. Definatley on par with the other three. However, up here in the middle of the oil patch, never seen a Cornwell truck.

 

[redwrench60]

Cornwell makes my favorite course tooth ratchets. I've been expanding my fleet for home use I use mainly dual 80s at work but there's something about a Cornwell ratchet that I like.

 

[jtfc]

I really like cornwell tools. Lately I've been splitting my tool purchases between snap on and cornwell. My dealer is awesome his truck is loaded every time I see him. He carries other brands as well so that's cool. I just bought a streamlight stylus pro (thing is awesome don't know how I've gone so long without one) im gonna get a streamligjt stinger to replace my maglite and I really want to get the 60+torx/hex master socket set to finally unite/consolidate/replace my mismatched hodgepodge assortment of torx hex sockets. Their ratchets are second only to snap on in my book. If you have a dealer I recommend giving them a try their prices are lower than the other trucks (most of the time).

Oh btw I guess the jerky is pretty good and they also sell some goofy **** like ninja swords and tactical type knives...don't eat much jerky and gave up moonlighting as a ninja years ago so can't speak from experience on that stuff.

 

[Skin]

They definetly have some good deals on wrenches in their monthly fliers. They make really nice ratchets as well but most of the members here are so cought up in tooth count its a hard sell to pass them off as being right up there with a dual 80 or matco 88. I personally am not a fan of metal handles but the Cornwell get a pass from me. I own half a dozen ratchets or so and a few other odds and ends. Some of the brightest chrome in the industry too.

 

[oldtools]

Visually Cornwell wrench seem to be of lower quality than SO. Material strength wise, they may be the same. Their box wrench wall seem kind of thick.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Their new line of toolboxes are pretty sweet too.

Their new boxes are SWEET! And a steal if you ask me. $3600 with a stainless top

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Found these pictures on Google:

 

[Skin]

Visually Cornwell wrench seem to be of lower quality than SO. Material strength wise, they may be the same. Their box wrench wall seem kind of thick.

I'd have to disagree there, cosmetically speaking Cornwell is fantastic. As far as thickness, remember Snap-On wrenches have been progressively getting thinner for decades to get to the state they're in now. Cornwell on the other hand is probably still using the same measurements they had 25 years ago.

 

[Roots]

Oh btw I guess the jerky is pretty good and they also sell some goofy **** like ninja swords and tactical type knives...don't eat much jerky and gave up moonlighting as a ninja years ago so can't speak from experience on that stuff.

I've never been on a Cornwell truck, but every time I scan their monthly brochure online and see stuff like that... I'm just bewildered. I would think carrying goofy stuff like that would limit them from visiting a lot of companies.

 

[capnrob97]

I am surprised they can stay in business with what seems to be a limited # of trucks selling for them.

You can find a lot of Cornwell on eBay though, that is where I have bought some of their stuff.

 

[RRmech]

I have 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive Cornwell ratchets at home.

Virtually Bulletproof


Steve

 

[moronmountain]

I have 4 of their course tooth ratchets, and both sets of their extra long combo wrenches. Unless I need a fine tooth ratchet, I always grab a cornwell. Even though they aren't fine tooth, they are still very smooth. I love my Snap on wrenches and ratchets as well, but the Cornwell tools get used more for some reason. I wish they made more of their own tools, because I would buy them. As it stands now, I have just about all the Cornwell stuff I want/need.

 

[canuckian]

Have 4 or 5 Cornwell ratchets and love em. The 72 tooth ones have Smoother ratcheting than any of my 80 or 88 tooth ratchets. Even the coarse tooth ones are smooth.

 

[moronmountain]

If anyone ever questions why brands like Cornwell and Snap-on are so expensive, they just need to watch this video.

 

[Davefr]

Have 4 or 5 Cornwell ratchets and love em. The 72 tooth ones have Smoother ratcheting than any of my 80 or 88 tooth ratchets. Even the coarse tooth ones are smooth.

I agree. The Cornwell JR72 is the absolute finest std. 3/8" ratchet ever made IMHO.

The problem is it's nearly "unobtanium".

 

[redwrench60]

I have been pretty lucky to have access to all the trucks except for Mac (another story) My dealer is a weekly visitor to the shop and is a long time Cornwell man. He has the best stocked truck I've ever seen and always has screamin' deals on everything. He says "if it's on the truck it's on sale"!

 

[moronmountain]

I have been pretty lucky to have access to all the trucks except for Mac (another story) My dealer is a weekly visitor to the shop and is a long time Cornwell man. He has the best stocked truck I've ever seen and always has screamin' deals on everything. He says "if it's on the truck it's on sale"!

Yeah we have all but Matco here. I can pretty much always get Cornwell 10% off, but they have a ton of stuff on sale better than that every month anyway. I just don't need much more of their stuff which is kinda sad, 'cause I love it.

 

[Ratchet.]

look like nice tools not seen them over here (for obvious reasons)... which means i HAVE to get some like the look of there 72 tooth ratchets (you can never have to many ratchets imho)

 

[jethro29]

they are awesome i would put them in second behind s.o. and above matco and mac.i love there tools.jmho