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Best mini Hook and Pick set

vibblueser

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Mar 16, 2012
Messages
405
Was looking at the mayhew set but also the craftsman just because they are dirt cheap and usa made.
 
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PRH44

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Dec 25, 2009
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563
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Indiana
Masterforce at Menard's. USA made by Pratt Read and really cheap also I have a set they do well
 

smothers33

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Mar 16, 2012
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355
I have craftsman set. They work well for everything I've ever thrown at them. I can't see a reason to buy anything more expensive. The only complaint I've had with the craftsman is the grip for hook pulled off when I was pulling on it real hard. Other than that good enough for me plus warranty is easier than the mayhew unless you got a truckor store near you that warranty them
 
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vibblueser

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Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
405
yeah i have the craftsman pros which are large and I was looking at a mini hook and pick set, yeah thats the only bad thing i see about them is that cushion grip falling off as said.
 

pt109

Active member
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Aug 6, 2011
Messages
40
I've been happy with the Pratt-Read set. I haven't stressed them much, but how much stress should you put on a mini set?

-Ken
 

Skin

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Feb 24, 2010
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Boston
If you use them for prying they all break. If its just O-Ring removal and such then most anything will do. I believe the Cman have lifetime replacement policy so probably the easiest route. I own the snap-on ones, which i found rather unimpressive, and just got Matcos as well but they cost a damned fortune for what they are. I couldnt recommend them to someone who didnt get weekly stops by a tool truck.

Just epoxy the black cushion grips back on the Cman and they wont fall off again.

Craftsman professional.

Those are more like radiator hook/pick set. Much larger than a mini.
 
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Fedwrench

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Dec 9, 2007
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Valley of the sun
Best is relative to the person using it but, here's my spin.

The Ullman devices made rebadged by many, pick set is very handy and won't break the bank. It's probably the set I reach for first. You can get in short or long lengths. Yes the black heat shrinkish handle sleeve will distort with age and chemical exposure.

http://www.tooltopia.com/ullman-devices-chp4.aspx

http://www.tooltopia.com/ullman-devices-chp4-l.aspx

If you prefer something small but with a screwdriver type handle, Craftsman has set with clear handles made by western forge or pratt reed that is a great bang for the buck at $7 for a 4 piece set.

I really like this Gearwrench set too. It's durable, has a nice pouch, and the handles are more substanial than others.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-84040.aspx

I can't believe what small pick sets are going for new off a tool truck. It's either absurd or I've speent too much money on tools over the years.:beer:
 

chris6278

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May 14, 2012
Messages
458
Location
USA
If you use them for prying they all break. If its just O-Ring removal and such then most anything will do. I believe the Cman have lifetime replacement policy so probably the easiest route. I own the snap-on ones, which i found rather unimpressive, and just got Matcos as well but they cost a damned fortune for what they are. I couldnt recommend them to someone who didnt get weekly stops by a tool truck.

Just epoxy the black cushion grips back on the Cman and they wont fall off again.



Those are more like radiator hook/pick set. Much larger than a mini.

i only paid about $30 for my matco set off the truck
 

Skin

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Feb 24, 2010
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Boston
i only paid about $30 for my matco set off the truck

Matco sells a few different sets. The ones with the Witte handles retail for $48. Anyway all the truck brand sets are exhorbitant compared to the sub $10 sets you can get at sears.
 

compyello

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Joined
Dec 1, 2011
Messages
117
Location
Sioux City, Iowa
I have a Mac set which is nice if you have someone who stops often, I use mine for all sorts of things I shouldn't and they warranty them no problem
 

earlthegoat2

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Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
877
Location
SE GA
Ive got HF and CMan clear handle. They both work the same.

I like the looks of that GW set though.
 

JDS968

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Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
247
Location
Miami Beach, FL
I have the Craftsman 4-piece set. I kind of hated them because the handles were threaded and screwed onto the picks, and would always loosen and work their way off. Also this meant I couldn't apply any rotational force. A few drops of red Loctite on each one, problem solved! Now they're great. All I still need to address is the cushion grips slipping off when I pull on them. I'm thinking a little PC Superepoxy might be about right.
 

SMKS

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Feb 14, 2010
Messages
5,832
Location
USA, planet Earth
Was looking at the mayhew set but also the craftsman just because they are dirt cheap and usa made.

Some of the Craftsman mini picks are no longer made in the USA.

I looked at them recently in my local store. I actually bought them, but then returned them. The ones with the screwdriver style handle are now "assembled in the USA with global and domestic components" or something like that. They are not truly USA made. If you can find a store with old stock, perhaps you can get a USA made set, but newer stock won't be USA made.

Here's the set that is no longer USA made. You'll see this is an outdated photo with old packaging that still claims they're USA made.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941513000P?mv=rr
00941513000



These ones are still USA made. These are the ones that are made by Ullman Devices. I have this set, but I don't like this style very much. The handles are too long and skinny. I like the screwdriver style a lot more.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc...0941634000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=G11
9990000032692711



If you want USA made with the screwdriver type handles, Pratt-Read is a good bet. I have this set. Under $10 and actually USA made. I've been really happy with them. As others have said, these are also rebranded for Mendards and sold even cheaper there.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZZ33W/?tag=atomicindus08-20
41bzzb3CF%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg



EDIT - I just dug up some pics of the set I had.
attachment.php


attachment.php
 
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battlegraduate09

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Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
562
Location
abingdon va
I have several sets.
First the orange handle ones that sears sells- garbage. They bend and are very brittle, but of course, i paid 1.99 for them.

Next i got the matco Long hook and pick set. Really like these, never bent them, great reach length, handles not to bulky so it fits in a lot of places.

Next i got the snap on mini hook and pick, no complaints on these, certainly made better than the original orange handle **** i had bought a while back, but dont use them much.

Next i got the heavy duty pick set from matco, and i LOVE these. They have a striking cap on the end, and i use them for several different purposes, and confident they wont fail me anytime soon.
 

TOOLFREEQ

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Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
120
Location
Cincinnati, OH
most of the ones on tool trucks at least the bluepoint cornwell and I think the matco are made by ulliman u may find that brand somewhere online or in a catalog and save a little bit I have the xl long ones rebranded bluepoint made by ulliman and spent 40 on them then seen the same ones one the cornwell truck half the price
 
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