Recent content by matthew

My favourite long nose pliers are my NWS set. If I had known they were being discontinued by LV, I’d have gotten another set, but they weren’t urgent since I had a pair…. If they had sold the duckbills of the same, I’d absolutely have bought them. If anyone comes across a good Canadian source...

I think part of the trick in selling ‘forever tools’, at least for a place that doesn’t solely specialize in it, is doing so as a special buy. A rotating selection keeps people who bought the last item coming back, and gives a sense of urgency to not wait forever. Arguably the surplus section...

That is a good question. I can say it wasn’t dead stock. The production date on the 1000g hammer I bought was fairly new. And same when I’ve looked at other items. But that doesn’t tell what the margin on those were. I’d like to claim I look for quality first. I have never been willing to...

I am a huge fan of Osca, too. The nylon handle machinist hammers especially. I can understand that people probably differentiate on quality less with hammers than other items. In an ideal world, they’d have Osca private labelled as ProPoint. And do one or two annual limited run ‘special buy’...

There must be a complete refresh of the hammer offering coming. Even the Powerfist stuff has cleared out a lot recently.

For speed? Or for a particular application? I have managed to stick with propane for now. But I haven’t had to solder anything bigger than 1/2”, and no massive brass fittings. I’ll admit that there was one pipe where I struggled because of a small leak dripping water into the heat zone...

I consider this a must-have item. Osca 1000g machinist hammer. On clearance for $24.03. I know most people are less fussy about hammers than I am, and that's the challenge in selling better hammers, but I really like this hammer. Get one while you can...

I didn’t need this 9/16” combo wrench, but thought it needed a home. Pictured with a 11/16” I already had. Always funny to me how much D-I changed but only slightly. “Made In” vs “Forged In”, the part number stamping location and style

Interesting and inexpensive enough that it followed me home. Whitworth 3/8x7/16 DBE. Not totally sure what size range would be considered a set complete enough for general auto/bike use, but I think I’m getting close to half a mismatched Whit doe/dbe/socket set.

FWIW, I’d put Cobras and pliers wrench in different categories. Both are excellent, but don’t judge the Cobras based on the pliers wrench. In my opinion the pliers wrench is sort of a specialty tool. It can be used in a lot of places. But specialty tool in the sense that it shines for...

My set has both the etchings and stamped sizes. If/when the etchings wear off, I’ll probably try to fill the stamped numbers with a little paint for contrast. They’re about typical of the font size on older sockets. Agreed, I also prefer stamped. I have some dual marked sockets, but I won’t...

Also, my dad had bought a set of the Powerfist water pump pliers back when they were on sale last. I handled them a bit. Put a piece of round bar in the vise, and gave to a turn with the pliers. Plenty of gription. I'm impressed. I won't say they're 100% as good as Knipex, but they are...

Most of the regulars here probably don't need it, but if it is of any use to anyone, I noticed CanTire has the 1/2" deep metric impact set on sale for $45 this week. 10mm-24mm with no skips. I'm still very very happy with mine. I don't think you could find a better set, at least for DIY or...

one store I had shopped in carried Royer. They said that at least some models were assembled rather than made in Canada. Some local contend is better than none, but I didn’t find any I liked. Haven’t seen Tatra. Will have to keep an eye out.

I’ll try to report back after a little use. I have worn Justin cowboy boots for years. And my work boots have been Red Wing 3507’s for the last couple of pairs. Really like them. Not cheap, but fit my feet, lasted well. I wear them in a plant environment or occasionally on jobsites. I’m...