Tools that you wish weren’t discontinued

[Rogers954]

So I was in need of a small flat head today and as always i grabbed the best screwdriver i have ever owned, this Wiha was given to me when i worked at a production plant years ago that produced jet walks for airports and its main purpose in that job was used to terminate wires into blocks at the main control panel for the cab section of the jet walk. In the years since i left that company (greatest decision I’ve ever made) I grab this screw driver for everything, disconnecting wire quick connects, any kind of fine work, removing c-clips from various projects, Hell I’ve even pried things with it, when i say everything i mean it, this old girls got some miles on her.

She’s never let me down through all the abuse i have put it through it doesn’t skip a beat. Not only that but i swear it was molded for my hand just love the way it feels and the length is supper helpful. So i jumped online to see if i could source a set of brothers and sisters to join the family. I already knew that Wiha discontinued these but i thought i had found and saved a site that had a 5 and 10 piece set......no such luck i missed the fine print where it said none in stock. Tried eBay....nothing. I will continue the search maybe one day I’ll get lucky on a used set or even some singles. I can’t for the life of me figure out why such an amazing tool would get discontinued. When i left that $hit company that driver went with me (i gave them a whole lot more work then they ever gave me pay for, no remorse on this one i feel i more than earned it)

So there it is maybe some of you guys would like to share some of your absolute favorite tools that for some reason the manufacture made the grave error in no longer producing and you never let them out of your sight for fear they will grow legs and be gone forever.

Cheers [emoji482]


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[tool_scrounge]

I think the real question is: "Tools that you wish weren’t discontinued and you already have a lifetime supply". After seeing how the Vise thread + google's search engine has increased the cost of vises over the years, it probably does not pay to publicize an awesome discontinued tool unless you will not need to get any more of them. This is especially true of neat tools that were never made in much volume. Sorry for being the pessimist, but I think that is the new reality.

 

[Rogers954]

I think the real question is: "Tools that you wish weren’t discontinued and you already have a lifetime supply". After seeing how the Vise thread + google's search engine has increased the cost of vises over the years, it probably does not pay to publicize an awesome discontinued tool unless you will not need to get any more of them. This is especially true of neat tools that were never made in much volume. Sorry for being the pessimist, but I think that is the new reality.

No need to apologize I totally understand where you are coming from if i had some really rare tools that where hard to find Id probably wouldn’t go throwing it out in public making it even harder to get.


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[vssjim]

Astro 4901 401 shank super duty 401 air hammer and if anybody has one they don’t want let me know


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[Rogers954]

Astro 4901 401 shank super duty 401 air hammer and if anybody has one they don’t want let me know


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Another good point, on here guys have such big collections you never know just putting it out there could possibly get you something you really desire that someone else had just siting around collecting dust. [emoji106]


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[Skeptic68W]

Craftsman professional screwdrivers. The Red handled Western Forge ones. So expensive on ebay.

 

[quadrcr87]

Craftsman professional screwdrivers. The Red handled Western Forge ones. So expensive on ebay.

I really like the set I have too. Im easy on them so I don't screw them up. I do like my Felo's more though.

 

[Ohmthis]

I’m going with the black hard handled Craftsman pro screwdrivers. I should have bought 5 sets of them. I only have a few left, which are the ones I use the least. SK has the red and black ones, I think they are called comfort grip.

 

[yrly]

Companion 22 piece wrench set in a plastic case. The wrenches are decent but the case was so nice and compact for 22 wrenches.

 

[JBH]

So I was in need of a small flat head today and as always i grabbed the best screwdriver i have ever owned, this Wiha was given to me when i worked at a production plant years ago that produced jet walks for airports and its main purpose in that job was used to terminate wires into blocks at the main control panel for the cab section of the jet walk.

FYI, Wiha still sells that handle for use with 6mm hex blades.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-10810-drive-loc-vi-fast-change-dynamic-handle/

Their 6mm blades:

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-drive-loc-vi-blades/

 

[Rogers954]

FYI, Wiha still sells that handle for use with 6mm hex blades.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-10810-drive-loc-vi-fast-change-dynamic-handle/

Their 6mm blades:

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-drive-loc-vi-blades/

I wasn’t aware of these thank you very much i will look into these for sure [emoji119]


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[JBH]

I wasn’t aware of these thank you very much i will look into these for sure [emoji119]

No problem! The one thing I don't like about it is that the blade does not go very far into the handle. I believe some people have drilled theirs out a bit to fit the blade deeper. I've meant to for a while but haven't yet.

Maybe the fixed blades are a little shorter than the 1/4" bitholder, which is the only blade I have.

 

[larry4406]

Craftsman Made in USA

Sorry - I had to throw this in to feed all the trolls and haters.

 

[Rogers954]

Craftsman Made in USA

Sorry - I had to throw this in to feed all the trolls and haters.

you aint lying sir, id be full support for this.

 

[Brunel]

Being a Brit, I have to say Stanley 5000 series screwdrivers...

 

[dr_clyde]

As far as hand tools go, I am pretty ok. I wish Armstrong was still around and escaped the greedy clutches of Apex. They made the best C clamps and BIG industrial wrenches.

I wish the USA machine tool market was still a market leader. Many, many machine tools just aren't made anymore, and if they are, they're a shadow of their former glory.

I wish Kearney and Trecker, Axleson, and Lodge and Shipley were still around.

LeBlond, Cincinnati, Hardinge, Monarch, and Pexto are shadows of their former selves.

I wish I could buy a brand new HLV-H, or a not reconditioned 10EE. I'd like a brand new K&T horizontal with all the trimmings. I'd like a Cincinnati flywheel shear, 12ft x 3/8" capacity.

I wish Miller still made the Aerowave and the Millermatic 200.

We've made a lot of progress, but we've forgotten a few greats.

 

[tanukiboy]

I really like these locking socket drivers by VIM, but after I recommended them in another thread, folks reported that they have been discontinued.

View media item 85868

 

[Fedwrench]

I wish the following were still around:

First Generation Craftsman Professional Screwdrivers: the ones with orange hard plastic handle and hex shaped blades. SK should make these with a bright green handle.

The Craftsman round head quick release fine tooth ratchet: yes, it's old school. yes, there are much better ratchets available today but, it's my wish.

MATCO Handled Tools: Hose picks and trim tools that were US made and had either a bright orange or green handle, kind of a flared rectangle shape.

Wiha Microfinish screwdrivers: not the **** that's sold today. The ones with hex shaped blade shafts,rectangular nonslip handles without the stupid striking cap, and German made.

PROTO XL Combination Wrenches: Those babies are sweet, that's all there is to it.

Facom 3/8 drive palm control ratchet: Just a neat ratchet unlike that telescoping, non serviceable piece of **** pear head ratchet they sell now.

that's it for now,

 

[sberry]

Lisle used to make a battery post cleaner that had a barbed spiral wire as the cleaner. I had a couple. But it's not a big deal, I can make it without them. My wish list is very low.

 

[PhysicsDude]

There was a Snap-on branded cord reel where the light part detached from the reel, so you could use it as a drop light, or take the light off and have a single locking plug. Conversely, you could use the light to turn any extension cord into a drop light. It was 30', 14AWG, mostly metal construction, and sold for ~$65 at Costco and Pep Boys. Really a nice multipurpose cord reel for an average home owner.

I bought one in ~2009, and then I wanted a 2nd one and found out they were discontinued in ~2012. Now used ones sell for $100+ on eBay because people assume that they must have been expensive because they're Snap-on branded, when really they were only $65 new and sold at Pep Boys.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Bonney Tools

 

[PhysicsDude]

I really like these locking socket drivers by VIM, but after I recommended them in another thread, folks reported that they have been discontinued.

View media item 85868

Those look pretty sweet! I would have definitely bought a set if they were still for sale.

I've always thought that there were not enough quality socket drivers in the market. Usually they're an afterthought and manufacturers assume that most users only care about ratchets. I know a few companies make good ones, Snap-on, Wera, etc., but they're few and far between.

 

[M6erfan]

PB Swiss T handle spinners...

 

[94EG8]

Snap-On XS series double box end 6 point wrenches, they're short with much more of an offset than what's currently available. The 7/16 x 1/2 version was especially useful doing carburetors on small engines for removing the fuel bowl.

 

[bonneyman]

Craftsman professional screwdrivers. The Red handled Western Forge ones. So expensive on ebay.

The two-tone red/black handles? WF is still making those for S-K, though in green.
https://sktools.com/shop/86336-6-piece-cushiongrip-automotive-screwdriver-set.html

I think I need to grab a few more EASYDRIVER ratcheting balls....

 

[Ike4160]

Craftsman premium 84t ratchets.

 

[Super Mech]

Not so much a hand tool but there was a company some years back called Pivot light I think. They made one of the best drop lights around IMHO. It had a ball and socket pivot between the handle and head and strong magnet on the bottom of the handle. A cool HD toggle switch also. I think there were red in color. Wish I had one today.

 

[Moparman390]

 

[Negen]

Proto big dawgs with the soft knurling.

Armstrong maxx access 88t ratchets.

Armstrong 90t round head ratchets.


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[Fly YX]

I had the red and black one it fell and the plastic broke only used it a few times.

 

[Tuc04]

Those look pretty sweet! I would have definitely bought a set if they were still for sale.

I've always thought that there were not enough quality socket drivers in the market. Usually they're an afterthought and manufacturers assume that most users only care about ratchets. I know a few companies make good ones, Snap-on, Wera, etc., but they're few and far between.

Mac makes something similar.

https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratc...9-4e4b-9d6e-a2fb0185d9fc/Specialty-Extensions

 

[may0naise]

the irwin 6lc visegrips. they were easily my favorite jaw style.



they still make the bigger version, but I really liked the 6 inch version. I have a couple pairs but wish they were not discontinued.

 

[M6erfan]

Sk 3870

 

[Rogers954]

Sk 3870

Now that looks sweet

 

[shanny19]

Ridgid screwdrivers with red rubber handles.

Napa screwdrivers with blue plastic handles.

 

[Mridolfo]

Those look pretty sweet! I would have definitely bought a set if they were still for sale.

I've always thought that there were not enough quality socket drivers in the market. Usually they're an afterthought and manufacturers assume that most users only care about ratchets. I know a few companies make good ones, Snap-on, Wera, etc., but they're few and far between.

You can still get the 1/2 one

https://cloud1.shopsite.com/donofish/product49.html

 

[Skin]

Craftsman Cross-Force. I know GW and 1 or 2 other obscure Taiwan brands still has something similar but the USA made Cross-Force had an all too short life. Pretty much got introduced and died in a matter of a year or two when Sears shipped Cman overseas. Ended up selling my ratcheting sets for a small premium but I still have a complete set of combos.

The entire Craftsman Professional line. High(er) end USA made tools at very affordable prices including a line of very nice tool boxes. Great idea, poorly executed and then taken out to pasture.

Guess i'll second the 84T ratchets as well although I blame Bain Capital for gutting Armstrongs ability to manufacture anything causing these to die prematurely.


Speaking of which i'll add-on Armstrong made Matco XL combos too. Pretty much my favorite basic combo wrench.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Snap On deep offset double box end 12 point short SAE wrench sets. That is my go to wrench set that I use every day at work. Snap On makes the same set currently but not a deep offset (a shallow offset is currently made) which imo is useless for most tasks compared to the deep offsets they used to make years ago. You can find metric all day long that is made by other US companies but you can not find American/SAE. Lots of companies make this is long length such as sears but short is used way more. Example-removing a generator or apu etc the correct wrench to use would be half moon wrenches, however, deep offset 12 point SAE short wrenches would be quicker and they would fit. I have not seen any that are new and US made. It would be good is deep offset double box end wrenches 12 point short wrenches in SAE were still made by any US manufacturer.

 

[bfayer]

Ridgid screwdrivers with red rubber handles.

Napa screwdrivers with blue plastic handles.

Agree on the Ridgid screwdrivers. I have regretted not getting more of them when I had the chance.

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[lowendrider]

First gen Kobalt wrenches,ratchets, and sockets