Some tools don't feel good.

[chris142]

I have SO,Mac,Matco, Cornwell,SK etc at work.

At home I have whatever I had 2 of or what the pawn shop had for cheap. I just put some new belts on my pickup and I was expecting some ****** knuckles.

The 9/16 socket I used was an older Craftsman with lots of wear. It was made before they started adding those grooves in the corners that make the sockets grip the sides and not just the corners.

It did it's job though.

The ratchet. I have a SO ratchet but it's too short so I grabbed a longer Taiwan made flex head ratchet. This is also pretty old.

Man did it feel bad! I think it was bending or just about to snap when I was putting the torque to it. Just did not feel "good" like my stuff at work does.

Methinks that I need to start getting decient stuff for home projects. I'm sure that a imported ratchet made today would be much improved over a 20+yr old imported ratchet.

Osh has some USA made flex head Craftsman ratchets but the general conscensus is that those are not too great. Some of you guys like the Duralast ratchets. I'm gonna ck those out as I don't need a $100 ratchet to use once every 2 years.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I would try to find some USA craftsman for home, or SK. I cant stand working at friends houses with their crappy tools. My buddy has a Channellock ~150 piece set, (which we normally associate as being good tools), but those ratchets are GARBAGE! So, stay away from those.

 

[mdnelson86]

I'm the same way. I've got snap on, Mac, Matco and craftsman at the farm. I keep a duplicate set of almost everything in my work truck too. So I feel like I've got enough invested in good tools that I really don't want to have money ******* in another set.

I just went to harbor freight and bought cheap tools to keep at home for when I need them. They work alright and get the job done, but they just don't feel very good compared to the higher quality stuff I'm used too. If I've got a bigger job where I don't think the cheap stuff will get it done, I either take it over to my shop at the farm, or bring my service truck home.

 

[Fedwrench]

It's more to the point that, once you use professional grade tools, you don't want to go back to using lesser tools. It just doesn't feel right, especially if someone sees you doing it. Soon you will start to upgrade your work tools and bring the older but, better tools to your home kit until you have professional grade tools everywhere.

 

[chris142]

I don't usually work on my cars at home. I work at a shop with a lift that I can use anytime I'm not on the clock. But I figured that since I was just doing a few belts that there was no reason to drive to the shop.

The tools I have at home did the job. They Just didn't feel "good" doing it.

 

[BHH]

I don't like the feel of the craftsman hard handle drivers, the cut-ins on the handles made it uncomfortable.

I really like the feel of the Pratt-Read drivers though. They are an excellent set of USA drivers at a very reasonable price.

 

[woody 73]

Funny but for a long time I thought my Craftsman screwdrivers, the ones with the clear plastic handles were bending everytime I used them. Something about the newer ones that seem rather cheaply made or just a different process, but I switched over to using williams screwdrivers and they are very nice.

Not sure if this is just me or maybe it is happening to other people that are using the new craftsman screwdrivers?

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I cant stand the regular hard handle cmans but I love my cman pro's

 

[woody 73]

Another Tool that does not feel good are some of the orange handle HF pliers,for some reason the teeth just turn to mush asap (poor steel); so I use my older channellock pliers.

Klein new screwdrivers also feel like my new craftsman screwdrivers again this might just be me not sure about the other members?

 

[supersteve]

I don't like the feel of the craftsman hard handle drivers, the cut-ins on the handles made it uncomfortable.

I really like the feel of the Pratt-Read drivers though. They are an excellent set of USA drivers at a very reasonable price.

Where is a good place online to get some nice Pratt-Read screwdrivers? I don't think I've ever owned any, but I'm gettin' a hankerin'......

 

[BHH]

Where is a good place online to get some nice Pratt-Read screwdrivers? I don't think I've ever owned any, but I'm gettin' a hankerin'......

Here is the link to the bright green and orange ones. I am not sure if they make the same style in any other color.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-screwdrivers/=hqgopv

 

[sickboy motors inc.]

Thx BHH, those are pretty sweet looking screwdivers. Think i'll order a few of those for myself

 

[BHH]

Thx BHH, those are pretty sweet looking screwdivers. Think i'll order a few of those for myself

No problemo. Yeah they are pretty awesome, I sometimes grab them over the HH Snappy ones.

 

[Trucky]

I'll toss is a bit of a vote for PR as well.. they're good drivers. Not the best.

They do have:

-Wonderful ergonomics (And I'm not talking cheaply made rubberized grips)
-Strong materials
-style! (The most important factor )
-Good ID system. and when you use 50 screwdrivers, it's nice to just look at the handle and know what's there. Not sure if this is on all of them though.

They don't feature:
-Super precision ground to 2 tenths parallel tip design that adds 5$ to the price
-some crazy coating on the end that adds 5$ to the price

Basically, they're a good US made screwdriver available in all kinds of styles, and they feel great in your hands. Pretty cheap too.. I've used Proto, SK, Snap On, Craftsman, Wiha, Wera, and many others... but in all seriousness, the Pratt-Read ones just feel the best to me.

 

[BuckHenry]

I'll toss is a bit of a vote for PR as well.. they're good drivers. Not the best.

They do have:

-Wonderful ergonomics (And I'm not talking cheaply made rubberized grips)
-Strong materials
-style! (The most important factor )
-Good ID system. and when you use 50 screwdrivers, it's nice to just look at the handle and know what's there. Not sure if this is on all of them though.

They don't feature:
-Super precision ground to 2 tenths parallel tip design that adds 5$ to the price
-some crazy coating on the end that adds 5$ to the price

Basically, they're a good US made screwdriver available in all kinds of styles, and they feel great in your hands. Pretty cheap too.. I've used Proto, SK, Snap On, Craftsman, Wiha, Wera, and many others... but in all seriousness, the Pratt-Read ones just feel the best to me.

Thanks for the opinion, Trucky. I've been thinhaking about picking up some Pratt-Read drivers, but haven't had any experience with them.

 

[magova1104]

No problemo. Yeah they are pretty awesome, I sometimes grab them over the HH Snappy ones.

Awesome screwdrivers! I didn't know that P&R have those. Do they have them in orange? Lets keep buying USA tools.

 

[BHH]

Awesome screwdrivers! I didn't know that P&R have those. Do they have them in orange? Lets keep buying USA tools.

Yup same link I provided they are in bright orange

 

[geologist]

Tools are like women - some are cheap, some are expensive, it's getting harder and harder to find a good one that's American made. As for the handles, it's much the same. Some feel great, some are a bit too boney, and others are too squishy. There is no "one-handle-fits-all" approach, you've just got to find what works for you.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

While I can't vouch for tools at work compared to one at home (all my tools are at home), I can definitely identify with how different tools feel. I just don't like the feel of the Kobalt tools. They feel light in my hand, and I wish I did like them because I can get them at a steep discount. But I'd rather spend the money on other brands. Most of my tools are a combination of vintage Proto and US made Craftsman of various years, old to new.

 

[chris142]

I used my $20 Autozone gift card and nabbed a Flex head Duralast ratchet. It only cost me about $3 with my card.

Looks well built. The cover plate resembles a well known made in USA brand right down to the words "replace worn parts".

Took it apart and found no lube at all.

Trimmed the spring, oiled it with 3n1 oil and put it back together.The gears look well made.......Of course I'm no metallurgist so it could look good but be made with soft metal.

I have not used it yet but my first impression is that it will be fine for my little home projects.

 

[Big Johnson]

Tools are like women - some are cheap, some are expensive, it's getting harder and harder to find a good one that's American made. As for the handles, it's much the same. Some feel great, some are a bit too boney, and others are too squishy. There is no "one-handle-fits-all" approach, you've just got to find what works for you.

Exactly, what would you rather have. An expensive, overpriced, implants(Made In Spain, perhaps) cheating-with-other-countries-so-she-gets-what-she-wants American women, or a fair priced, home-cooked-meal-every-night, good looking foreign girl.

 

[plinker]

Of all my tool's, I have some I prefer over other's. But then I still have certain use's for the one's I may not always use. Maybe a different shape length or what have you.


The tool's I hate using are anybody else's tool's, be them pro grade or junk.
Mostly a mental thing I guess. Even if they are mostly the same tool's as mine, they dont feel quite right.

 

[Outlawmws]

I find the "feel" of a tool generally falls into one of three categories.

"Junk": - Fit and finish look bad, feel bad and you can tell by picking it up and handling it that it was cheaply made and of poor steel.


Regular tools: - Everyday working tools adequate for almost anything including pro use. Decent to great fit and finish, don't hurt you when using. (ever bruised your fingers or hand pulling or pushing on a wrench? It's hard to do but I've done it... And of course almost everyone had had a blood blister from a pinch.)

Superlative tools: The tool you will reach for before almost any other even if it may not be the exact right tool for the job. Fit is perfect, the finish, whether plated or not, is incredible, it "feels right" in your hand and you can tel when using it that the steel is higher grade than the ordinary tool. A short list here, and you can't pick a maker and be assured that a tool fits this category IMO. I have plenty of Snap-On, MAC, Proto, and only a few of them fit this top category. Most are in the middle category.

Oddly it is in pliers where I'm seeing more of the last category since starting to buy more older tools. Some made in the 20's and 30's are SO much nicer to use, and the feel when using them is shockingly different than the middle ground most of the tools I have are in. Specifically the Early Kraeuter and Klien Lineman's pliers, a pair of E. A. Berg Swedish nippers (These are finished **** a highly polished and blued gun...), and an older unplated pair of Blackhawk ignition pliers.

Other tools land here too, certain Protp ratchets, my flex heat SO rat. My favorite hammer (a light cross peen), The list goes on....

But the fact remains that the majority of tools fall in the middle category, even when they edge close to the top...

 

[NUTTSGT]

I havea short Cmanflex-head short (stubby) ratchet. It is my go to ratchet 85% of the time. It fits good in my hand.

 

[drabe7]

you guys would laugh but out of my cheap set of tools i always grab my pear head stanley 3/8" drive ratchet. i like because of the handle on it.

 

[Hootbro]

Funny but for a long time I thought my Craftsman screwdrivers, the ones with the clear plastic handles were bending everytime I used them. Something about the newer ones that seem rather cheaply made or just a different process, but I switched over to using williams screwdrivers and they are very nice.

Not sure if this is just me or maybe it is happening to other people that are using the new craftsman screwdrivers?

The newer Craftsman screwdriver blades are cold forged.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Reading the title of this thread made me think it was some sort of woman tv show topic from oprah or the view.

 

[Gregster]

I don't like the feel of Snap On airtools or Makita tools.

 

[concealer404]

I can't seem to get the McMaster Carr link to work for the Pratt Reed drivers.

 

[shurik06_83]

you guys would laugh but out of my cheap set of tools i always grab my pear head stanley 3/8" drive ratchet. i like because of the handle on it.

I know what u mean I have a Taiwan C-man set the ratchets have the same handle profile as the Stanly and it just feel so good the 3/8 flex ratchet i have sees the most use out of all my ratchet collection and i have old USA V and VN series raised panel ratchet they are nice but i don't like the feel of them

 

[BHH]

I can't seem to get the McMaster Carr link to work for the Pratt Reed drivers.

go here http://www.mcmaster.com/ and just click hand tools (left side of page) then click Screwdrivers and then click High-Visibility Colored-Handle Screwdrivers.

 

[vga]

I find that the feel of craftsman RP ratchets when using then is a show stopper for me. Im not sure why but I cant stand the way my hand grips/ feels when holding it so I dont own one. I am told that these are not bad ratchets but !!!!!!!!!
My go to ratchet is my 3/8- 32 teeth flex head long handle Williams followed by any (7) of the Matco 72 & 88 teeth ratchets i have/ need. Love them

 

[Maexle]

same here, i always grab my WERA Kraftform screwdrivers, my Powerbuilt stubby ratchet and my Craftsman (made in the USA) 3/8 ratchet, they just feel good.

 

[tjmonsen5]

same here, i always grab my WERA Kraftform screwdrivers, my Powerbuilt stubby ratchet and my Craftsman (made in the USA) 3/8 ratchet, they just feel good.

Have you ever held an SK, Snap-on or Mac ratchet? They make a craftsman feel like its from the stone age.

 

[Trucky]

^I wouldn't jump on his opinion so quick. some of the Cman designs are very comfortable.. especially the 84T ones. He didn't specify, so I see no reason to put down his ratchet.

 

[tjmonsen5]

^I wouldn't jump on his opinion so quick. some of the Cman designs are very comfortable.. especially the 84T ones. He didn't specify, so I see no reason to put down his ratchet.

I used craftsman for about 10 years, i thought they were great. The raised panels would start to hurt when putting a lot of torque on them.

I picked up a SK 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet and they became favorites instantly.
Saving up for Snap-ons now.