Vendor updates (Astro, Tekton, Trusty-Cook)

[Tallpilot]

Astro
Chris hooked me up today after my last post in the general Astro thread. He's a great guy and they have some excellent products. I personally have the under hood light, cable hose clamp pliers, 1/2" Nano impact, "Big nasty" air hammer, straight and right angle die grinder, carbide burrs, Cooling system tester, Automotive Tap and Drill set and ratcheting electrical crimper set. They have great products for good prices and they absolutely stand behind their stuff. Buy with confidence.

Tekton
I went to order a 1-1/2" combination wrench today as I work to expand my collection (especially before possible tariffs on imported steel) and discovered that Tekton now offers free shipping on any order as long as you have an account. You will enjoy having an account because you get 5% back in rewards. Dave is also quite active on this forum and will help you with any problems. He has helped me several times in the past as well as hooked me up with a better ratchet when I broke one through my own stupidity. They are the best value in combination wrenches and have large sizes up to 2" and 50mm. They also have 6 point ratcheting wrenches in several styles that are good for the price.

They sell a large variety of individual sockets both chrome and impact which many vendors do not. Now with free shipping the individuals sockets are an even better value.

They sell good products for great prices and have warranty support which rivals anyone.

Trusty-Cook
I am upgrading some of my tool collection to better items. I decided to upgrade a couple Chinese made Tekton hammers to USA awesomeness. Trusty-Cook just (literally the day before I ordered) changed their free shipping terms from $70 to $100. I can rave about the hammers but I cannot say anything positive about that change. I understand that shipping costs are rising and have sympathy but this is customer negative and they deserve to be called out for it.

My biggest complaint is they have sets that are under $100. If you are going to offer a "mechanic's set" then include free shipping for the set instead of pricing it $6.50 under the free shipping threshold. They have extended great discounts in the past for GJ members so kudos for that but I missed those so all they get from me is sour grapes. That may not be fair but I don't care because I feel slighted and that's my prerogative.

You can save money from buying direct but if you are planning on being hard on their stuff I recommend the rebrands instead. Trash a Trusty-Cook made Snap-On or even Napa Carlyle hammer and they will replace it. Trash the one you bought direct for much cheaper and it will not be replaced.

 

[CobraRed]

Both Tekton and AP have always taken care of me. I pretty much look at their offering whenever I need something before looking elsewhere. Its served me well so far.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have only had my air hammer out 3 or 4 times in the past 20 years ! If I used an air hammer a lot, I would get a "Big Nasty" !

 

[C.L S2000]

Both Tekton and AP have always taken care of me. I pretty much look at their offering whenever I need something before looking elsewhere. Its served me well so far.

I am new to GJ but after joining, I actually look at the Astro line for stuff I may need in the future or anything new/ground breaking. I just got the rivet drill adaptor from them and this thing is amazing!! Saves a lot of fatigue and frustration for sure.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have only had my air hammer out 3 or 4 times in the past 20 years ! If I used an air hammer a lot, I would get a "Big Nasty" !

Used it today. A friend needed a CV axle changed out. The pinch bolt on the lower control arm needed a little persuation and the rotor was really stuck to the hub. Beat on it for over a minute. (Of course I run 90psi at the tool, probably would have been 10 seconds at 150)

Yeah, a hammer would have worked but big nasty made for less sweating and swearing. It is expensive though so I understand why everyone doesn't run out and grab one.

 

[619DioFan]

The 8 piece astro burr set is great. going on 4 years now with this set and they still cut nicely. I use them weekly and am not easy on them.

 

[cm cm]

Trusty cook is legit, if you feel butthurt you missed a deal by 2 weeks, that’s your problem (and YOU deserve to be called out on it

Thrashing a dead blow mallet then getting it warrantied is immoral in my eyes, snap on will charge you twice what TC will, enjoy chasing warranties. Me, I know I’m gonna need a new dead blow in ~2 year because I use them to hit the face of ring gears. I’m an adult, I can afford a new one when that day comes.

 

[toolenthusiast]

enjoy chasing warranties

There's no "chasing" involved. A nice man comes to the shop every week with a truck full of tools. He will take your broken tools and give you new tools for free. If you don't want to talk to the nice man with the big truck full of tools, you can call the nice ladies in Kenosha at the warehouse full of tools. They will send you a new one.

 

[Parrothead]

For me, I have been aiming for Tekton if they make it and it gets decent reviews. I think their combo wrenches are great, especially for the money.

I have yet to try Astro P, but I need a set of hose clamp pliers so I might give them a shot.

Ironically, I have yet to try Trusty Cook and they're less than 5 miles from my house. Might have to stop in and check them out.

 

[Tallpilot]

For me, I have been aiming for Tekton if they make it and it gets decent reviews. I think their combo wrenches are great, especially for the money.

I have yet to try Astro P, but I need a set of hose clamp pliers so I might give them a shot.

Ironically, I have yet to try Trusty Cook and they're less than 5 miles from my house. Might have to stop in and check them out.

I agree. They have the best deal out there on plain open end combination wrenches. I see they finally released the long rumored reversible ratcheting versions. They are pretty expensive though. I got tired of waiting and picked up a Carlyle set for about what Tekton is offering theirs.

 

[Shootinok]

Trusty cook is legit,...
I use them ...I can afford a new one when that day comes.

I have to get behind cm cm on this.
(Hope you don’t mind if I paraphrased your quote)
I’m a big fan of Trusty Cook. Have several of their hammers and have turned on a few folks to them for the quality. I’ve had excellent experiences dealing with them both via email and on the phone.
When I need a new one because I’ve used it to it’s service life. I’ll buy another and know I got my money’s worth - and I’ll pay shipping to get it brought to me.





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[Empty Pockets]

I have recently needed to purchase some wrenches, for a particular job. SK and Wright were unavailable and were special order. I ordered a set of Tekton based on reviews here. I'm well pleased and have since bought a couple of their ratchets for the box in the wife's car

 

[mikegt4]

Trusty cook is legit, if you feel butthurt you missed a deal by 2 weeks, that’s your problem (and YOU deserve to be called out on it

Thrashing a dead blow mallet then getting it warrantied is immoral in my eyes, snap on will charge you twice what TC will, enjoy chasing warranties. Me, I know I’m gonna need a new dead blow in ~2 year because I use them to hit the face of ring gears. I’m an adult, I can afford a new one when that day comes.

The Snap-on costs twice as much because you are "pre-paying" for the replacement that you are getting "free" through the warranty.

 

[Tallpilot]

The Snap-on costs twice as much because you are "pre-paying" for the replacement that you are getting "free" through the warranty.

That's correct. Or 3-4 times as much if you pay for it weekly.

 

[L.Cheapo]

The Snap-on costs twice as much because you are "pre-paying" for the replacement that you are getting "free" through the warranty.

The Snap Ons also have much better handles, IMO. I own both SO and TC, and there is no comparison to the feel in your hand, especially when your hands are dirty/greasy/slippery. I like the TC hammers, and the quality is very good, but ergonomically, the SOs win hands down. The only question one must ask themselves is if the improved ergonomics and warranty are worth the increase in price.

 

[cliftonbros89]

As far as TC comparing to SO goes I wouldn’t compare. I have both. I like both. But the only TC makes anymore for them (lately) is a sledge under Blue Point. They’re made totally different. I honestly like both of them. I just have more TC cuz they’re cheaper. Plus I got them for less through discounts on here. I even won 2 of them for free.

But as I recall I didn’t think TC’s warranty was lifetime. Unless they changed that.

They both have their pros and cons. But they’re still both quality American made hammers

 

[cliftonbros89]

That's correct. Or 3-4 times as much if you pay for it weekly.

Why would it be 3-4 times if you pay weekly?

 

[potato]

Why would it be 3-4 times if you pay weekly?

on a credit account it would be a little more but on a truck account there is no interest.

 

[cliftonbros89]

on a credit account it would be a little more but on a truck account there is no interest.

I was going to say. None of my truck accounts have ever had any interest added on to them.

 

[Tallpilot]

I was going to say. None of my truck accounts have ever had any interest added on to them.

That’s good. When I see the weekly payments on boxes and scan tools in the flyer it makes me cringe. $15,000 for a $10,000 Epiq.

If you need something and that is the only way to get it you do what you must but I feel bad for kids doing that. It’s usurious.