Recent content by Under_Pressure

Yeah, online auctions really ****. There was an estate of a guy that had a machine shop in his garage around here earlier this fall, had some stuff that I was interested in, but people would just go nuts. He had some Harbor Freight equipment- if there was something that you could go buy brand...

Modern inverter machines aren't the transformers of 30 years ago either, from any brand. It's a whole different level of complexity and proprietary electronics that weren't a factor before. So it's hard to say what the practical longevity (i.e. including parts availability and cost) for the name...

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Not to be too nit-picky, but that's not a suitcase "welder" either- it's a suitcase wire feeder, which needs to be connected to a welding power source (a Miller XMT for example, or an engine drive unit) to do any welding. All it has inside is a place for a wire spool, drive rolls, etc. And that...

Influencer culture is ruining everything. Including/especially mechanical and trades-related stuff. I'm a welding engineer and inspector by background, currently in the nuclear industry, sit on AWS committees, etc., and I can hardly stand to follow welding industry companies (including AWS) on...

I forgot about the vacuums, that was another big one. I think there was a particular focus on woodworking at that time (not to say they weren't also active in other markets in America) because they weren't a widely recognized name and decided to focus on some markets where they thought a...

This is certainly one area where HF is 180° from the Sears/Craftsman model. At some point, Sears decided that Craftsman was their brand for anything tool related that wasn't extremely cheap/entry level (i.e. Companion). Hand tools, hand-held power tools, stationary power tools, shovels...

HF has shifted its position in the market for sure. 30 years ago, there wasn't really a need for another place selling "prosumer" tools with a good warranty in physical stores around the country. Now there is, and HF is doing a good job of filling it. Not only have their hard line hand tools...

When I was a kid I remember them being known for what we now call the "oscillating multi-tool." Marketed in woodworking magazines mostly as a close-quarters sander. As far as I knew they invented it and it was all they made. I think maybe the plunge router was around also as a premium "euro"...

I'd say that's kind of Lisle's MO- they make tools in the US, but they don't try to make them look high-end. In fact a lot of them look pretty crude, even (especially?) compared to the low-end imports. If it isn't required for the function of the tool, they don't do it. To me though, that's...

This style is my number one ratchet. The first "good" set of ratchets I bought (i.e. better than RP Craftsman) when I was in college was a 1/4-3/8-1/2 set of SK Palm Control ratchets. This was when it was still SK-Facom, and these were truly Facom Palm Control style, not the Tuff1 as mentioned...

This is my biggest thing across all businesses (and many consumers) since covid- the acceptance of failure at their core responsibilities. Failure to have products available, failure to provide good service, failure to control prices. Before 2020, businesses would at least be ashamed of stuff...

The correct answer to this question- the one type that will probably get you through almost any situation- is the traditional L. Probably ball end, as you can usually use the non-ball L side to loosen a tight fastener without stripping. You mentioned you don't like the folding ones, which is...

When I removed an oxygen sensor on my (2004) truck a few years ago, nothing would work. O2 sensor socket would just spread. Looking at my options, my SK X-Frame ratcheting wrenches were super beefy and have a very aggressive gripping open end. So I put that on there, grabbed a hold of a...

Today most tools like wrenches, sockets, etc. from a seller that makes any sort of effort to source a quality product are good to very good. It's pretty hard to distinguish yourself in the mid/upper-mid range of hand tools in terms of product. Everyone is working with the same pool of Taiwanese...