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scooby074

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Oct 26, 2008
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Nova Scotia
Could you measure them (and the Hansens) if you get a chance? I'm toolbox shopping and my current racks won't fit in my ideal layout in a 44" box.
I got down to my shop today and I measured the 1/2" drive hansens and PAs. The 1/2" are the largest trays by far. Heres what I got.
Hansen: SAE 18 1/4"L x 3 7/8W ; Metric 20 3/8"L x 3 1/2"W
Princess : SAE 18 1/2"L x 4W ; Metric 20 1/4"L x 4"W

There is likely some errors in my exact measurements because I didnt take the trays out of the boxes, so lets just say the Hansens and the PAs are the same size. The Metric are larger than the SAE. My drawers are about 22" wide on the inside.

Hansen.jpg
Princess.jpg
 

lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
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Location
Toronto

daithi

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Canada
I got down to my shop today and I measured the 1/2" drive hansens and PAs. The 1/2" are the largest trays by far. Heres what I got.
Hansen: SAE 18 1/4"L x 3 7/8W ; Metric 20 3/8"L x 3 1/2"W
Princess : SAE 18 1/2"L x 4W ; Metric 20 1/4"L x 4"W

There is likely some errors in my exact measurements because I didnt take the trays out of the boxes, so lets just say the Hansens and the PAs are the same size. The Metric are larger than the SAE. My drawers are about 22" wide on the inside.
Thanks, they're very similar dimensions to what I have. Looking at this for a new toolbox. Was hoping to get my 1/2 racks side by side in a drawer but together they're 38" and change, I think that drawer comes in at 36.5".

Pretty sure this is the same box with a different badge:
 

rancherbill

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Foothills County, Alberta, Canada

daithi


Those look like nice boxes. I do not need a box, but about 10 years ago I was looking. I looked and could not find what I wanted.

I wanted two socket and wrench height drawers, one for metric and one for imperial. I ended up with several boxes and my wrenches and sockets are in several places. In a 36' you should be able to get shallow and deep sockets, crows feet, hex, Torx, and wrenches in one drawer. I would have been in hog heaven with a 42", I'd have the impact in there also.
 

daithi

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Canada

daithi


Those look like nice boxes. I do not need a box, but about 10 years ago I was looking. I looked and could not find what I wanted.

I wanted two socket and wrench height drawers, one for metric and one for imperial. I ended up with several boxes and my wrenches and sockets are in several places. In a 36' you should be able to get shallow and deep sockets, crows feet, hex, Torx, and wrenches in one drawer. I would have been in hog heaven with a 42", I'd have the impact in there also.
Yeah I can make it work for sure. I'm probably going to spring for it here soon, tax return just came in and my grant for 2nd year school should be in by the end of the month.
This is what my socket organization looks like in a 5-Drawer Mechanics cart. This is actually an old photo, I've filled it in a lot more (no skips as well as sizes that don't fit the rack up to 32mm). I can get a similar layout in those 36.5" wide drawers but it would have been nice to get them side by side. I might end up staggering them - metric 1/2" top left, sae 1/4 top right, metric 1/4 bottom left, sae 1/2 bottom right. It will fit that way for sure. It's all compromises at the end of the day

20221013_172803.jpg
 

AldeanFan

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Sep 9, 2014
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Location
Niagara on the Lake
Coming up in the April 20th Canadian Tire flyer, this looks like a pretty good deal:

Screenshot_20230418_111148_Canadian Tire.jpg

April 20th is also a bonus Canadian Tire Money day - spend $250, get $40 in CT money.
Got some oil this morning along with a bunch of other sale items.
This made my total over $250 so I get the bonus $40 CTC money on my triangle card.
I like it when the sales overlap by a day so I can get last weeks deals and next weeks deals lol
 

scooby074

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Oct 26, 2008
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Location
Nova Scotia
Princess Auto has Proto Duratek hard handle Made in USA screwdrivers in surplus $3.99-$4.99 ea, . Unfortunately they only have #3 Phillips, 1/4x10" flat and 3/16x3" flat.
These are top notch screwdrivers and their handles are comfortable. They created a bit of a stir a few years back when they were released. I didnt need more mis-matched screwdrivers but I picked them up, hoping that PA gets #1 & #2 Philips to go along with them.

Capture3.JPGCapture4.JPG

Complete sets are selling for $195-ish so here's hoping PA brings in more sizes.
Capture7.JPG
 
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JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
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Alberta
Princess Auto has Proto Duratek hard handle Made in USA screwdrivers in surplus $3.99-$4.99 ea, . Unfortunately they only have #3 Phillips, 1/4x10" flat and 3/16x3" flat.
These are top notch screwdrivers and their handles are comfortable. They created a bit of a stir a few years back when they were released. I didnt need more mis-matched screwdrivers but I picked them up, hoping that PA gets #1 & #2 Philips to go along with them.

Capture3.JPGCapture4.JPG

Complete sets are selling for $195-ish so here's hoping PA brings in more sizes.
Capture7.JPG
Nylon handles, chemical resistant grips and vapour-blasted tips.
 
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JradM

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Alberta
I really don’t need more screwdrivers. Why do I seem to want to have every (quality) screwdriver that is made, in triplicate???
Don't look now, but there are some dirt cheap insulated Facom screwdrivers at PA too.

20230506_105507.jpg

Are these ECX tips? They appear to be Phillips and flat combined. I thought ECX also integrated Robertson.

20230507_145241.jpg
Well two are phillips/flat and the other two are posidriv/flat.
20230507_145252.jpg

~$10
 

rancherbill

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Oct 18, 2007
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Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
Are these ECX tips? They appear to be Phillips and flat combined. I thought ECX also integrated Robertson.
I believe they are. ECX is a camel - it was a horse designed by a committee. Instead of just designing a Robertson they designed the ECX joke. It will probably drive people to drink after it fails and buggers the screw.

Combination-screws-on-a-circuit-breaker[1].jpg
Combination-screws-on-outlet-terminals[1].jpg
 
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Relax

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Nov 22, 2011
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GTA, Ontario
I have a couple of the 1/4 and 3/8 ones and they are great I have never broke one.
they are the same as the Tone ratchets and I actually used the Tone 3/8 compact rebuild kit in the princess auto 1/4 ratchet to make a long, locking flex head 1/4 body 3/8 drive ratchet. check my post history for photos!

I actually just broke my 1/2" and PA doesn't have them listed any more to do an exchange. Do you know if there is a 1/2" rebuild kit that would fit this one? When you took your 1/4" apart, were there any plastic parts inside? I need to take some time to disassemble mine to see what happened, but it just spins without clicking. I was applying heat to back out a frozen pinch bolt, and it just gave out. Wondering if I melted something, but seems unlikely they'd use plastic parts in a 1/2" ratchet.
 

Relax

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Nov 22, 2011
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GTA, Ontario
I took the plunge on this ultrasonic cleaner from the Mega Smasher flyer:

8905523_A1C0_00_01.jpg

$98.88 (reg $169.99)

2.5l capacity. I mostly want to clean motorcycle carburetors, so I expect this ought to be sufficient.

It bears a VERY strong resemblance to the 2.5L ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. Since that one is $85 USD, we Canadians can't even say we are getting ripped off - especially considering PA's very generous return policy.

63256_zzz_500_1.jpg

@JradM and @Two Speed - how has the performance been, and any comments on the size? It's on sale again and I'm thinking of getting one.
 

scooby074

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Oct 26, 2008
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Nova Scotia
@JradM and @Two Speed - how has the performance been, and any comments on the size? It's on sale again and I'm thinking of getting one.
Ive had one for a few months now. For the price its pretty decent. Its not a high powered machine, but you can see in the video below that it does input a fair bit of energy into the solution (you can see the dirt spining around). The heater is weak. The controls are pretty much garbage IMHO, but at sale price its servicable. No way Id pay the full $170 it usually is. At that price, Id buy one of the bigger Chinese imports such as the Vevor off Amazon. Something larger than 6L. The below pic has a small mason jar in it for scale. Its a fine size for chainsaw carbs, maybe motorcycle carbs and small parts too, but thats about it. The tank is pretty small.

20230407_183259 (Large).jpg

 
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JradM

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Alberta
@JradM and @Two Speed - how has the performance been, and any comments on the size? It's on sale again and I'm thinking of getting one.

Mine broke about a month ago. It seemed like a seal broke between the tub and the housing and allowed moisture to condensate in the electronics. It kept tripping the breaker.

I took it apart to see if I could fix it. I saw a video where someone took apart a Harbor Freight unit - so I can confirm they are exactly the same if you want to see more reviews.

I used it quite a bit before it busted. It cleaned carbs from tractors, motorcycles, trimmers, etc. It was also handy for pocket knives and tools. Cleaning a swiss army knife is tricky for example, since you cant take it apart. It comes out squeaky clean from the ultrasonic machine though. Plus, Princess Auto took it back and gave me a new one, so I'm not mad.

I'd say it isn't super powerful. Sometimes I run parts through multiple cycles to get the results I'm looking for. However, stuff does get clean - it just might take a bit. Using the right soap or solvent makes a big difference - Simple Green is my go-to.

I agree with Scooby's comments too. The heater can get the solution hot, but it's slow. I often just use hot water from my tap. Also, leaving the heater on will overheat the unit after a couple cycles. Then you have to wait for it to cool before continuing.

I don't regret the purchase. I use it a lot. I might spend more and get something larger if I were doing it over again. It's awesome to have an ultrasonic cleaner though. It does stuff I couldn't do by hand without it.
 
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JradM

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Alberta
This 8 piece 12mm socket set is down to $3.11 now.

9055641_A1C0_00_01.jpg

The brand is Power Torque, model number GM4442 if you're trying to look it up. Odd note - there's no rail clip for the extra-extra deep socket. I assumed it would be in the package and just wasn't pictured, but what you see is what you get.

Why do you need 8 different 12mm sockets? Because it's $3.11, that's why.

A 10mm set would be even nicer - or I had similar sets for 8mm, 10mm and 13mm - but alas.
 

Two Speed

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Sep 20, 2014
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Ontario Canada
I'll echo the above comments. You definately want to put the kettle on to make hot water to fill it. That said, I did end up with a Vevor 30L monster (local auction, was wrongly described as a 15L so got ignored by everybody, and scored it for a ridiculous price). But the vevor is noticably more "vibratory" than the PA one. If its small, I'm using the PA one just because I don't want to spend time dealing with 30L.
 

lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
Messages
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Toronto
My PAL order arrived today with those 12MM sockets.......good deal.

In addition you might want to look at these too:

Scoutcrafter red paint in water base (Testors) SKU: 9080953 $2.01
Ten pack handles with screws SKU: 9079294 $2.91
Twelve pack slim three corner files, Nicholson - Mexico SKU: 9092123 $3.61
SS adj. BBQ burner SKU: 9088030 $4.01.
GLOVE 12PR MD REUSABLE NITRILE SKU: 9091307 $4.01
 

LNKMK8

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Feb 6, 2013
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Location
Overland Park, KS
I'll be visiting Canada next month, flying into Vancouver then driving east through Kamloops to Golden. Are there any good tools stores or places that I should plan to stop by?
 
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JradM

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I'll be visiting Canada next month, flying into Vancouver then driving east through Kamloops to Golden. Are there any good tools stores or places that I should plan to stop by?
Check out a Princess Auto. Yes, it's most similar analogue in the USA is Harbor Freight (and I know that doesn't give everyone warm fuzzy feelings). However, what's different about our version is that it also carries pro brands alongside the direct-from-China house-branded tools.

Another major difference is the return policy - not that you'll likely be able to benefit if you live stateside. It's basically: "If you're unhappy, bring it back. Anytime." I think its part of the reason Canadians are much happier with PA than Americans seems to be with HF.

There can be some screaming deals in the surplus section in particular (some past examples are detailed in this thread).

KMS tools and BC Fasteners are other good Western-Canada retailers.
 

rancherbill

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Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
I'll be visiting Canada next month, flying into Vancouver then driving east through Kamloops to Golden. Are there any good tools stores or places that I should plan to stop by?
Princess Auto and KMS Tools

Always a ton of good products at great prices. Browse their flyers before you go
https://www.princessauto.com/en/home

Good Brand fair prices
https://www.kmstools.com/

I was at a couple of Vancouver ones but I can't remember their names. Ask whoever you are there to see.
 

matthew

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Dec 4, 2009
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Depends on what you’re looking for…

Not sure if you can go in bricks and mortar, but Cryer Tool is in Pitt Meadows and has Williams and Toptul.

It is not boutique tools, but Canadian Tire can be very competitive. The item you want kind of needs to be on sale that week, but it’s a good replacement for the Sears tool section of the past.

I don’t know who carries Gray locally, and industrial suppliers can be a pain to deal with, but it’s good old-school stuff.

If you have anything on your wish list also look at Amazon.ca to get from a pickup locker. It can be surprising - although we are a smaller market, often do not have as much variety,, and sometimes stuff is sold as ‘premium’ here when it isn’t in the US, but sometimes on the right day you can find stuff for less than in the US.
 
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RyanE

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Feb 4, 2013
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201
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Golden, BC
Whatcha doing in Golden? I live there btw - grab a brew at Whitetooth Brewery. I'll join ya!

Kamloops has both KMS and Princess Auto. Both right off the highway and not busy and crowded like those down near Vancouver. I'm in Kamloops a lot and I hate crowds so it suits me better.

If you like waterfalls and cool mountain stuff, let me know I've got lots of suggestions. Same deal if you like historical sites - lots of railway stuff to see between Kamloops and Golden.

Safe travels!
 

samdemo

Member
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Dec 22, 2011
Messages
9
I'll be visiting Canada next month, flying into Vancouver then driving east through Kamloops to Golden. Are there any good tools stores or places that I should plan to stop by?
Summit tools usually has some great pricing on Milwaukee, dewalt, etc when they have a sale on. Sadly online pricing can be hard to find so you pretty much have to drop in or need to know what you want and call for a price check. Their sales often run for the whole month.
 

Miss the Pontiacs

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Nov 7, 2016
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Saskatchewan Canada
Haven’t been on this thread for awhile. Seems like my wallet gets lighter every time I visit here. 😂
Here a couple fliers I received over the net.
 

matthew

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Dec 4, 2009
Messages
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Yeah, I'd be interested in some feedback on this as well. I recently found a need for a clamp type DC ammeter and bought a Uni T 210E (haven't received it yet) but may have got this one instead since the clamp is separate and it's easier to read the display when it's not jammed up under a dash or something.
I’m curious - any use of the 210E? How is it?
 
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JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
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Location
Alberta
Anything exciting for Amazon Prime Days? I see lots of stuff from major brands on sale (Dewalt, Gearwrench, Crescent, etc), but I don't need anything in particular. Thus far nothing has been temping enough for a pure impulse-buy.

I noticed Cabelas has the Kershaw Leek on sale for $89 with free shipping (with code: PRIMAL). The Leek doesn't really appeal to me because I don't like assisted-opening knives or non-deep carry pocket clips, but I know it's one of the all-time best sellers, so it must appeal to some. 14C28N is basically my favorite sub-$100 blade steel, so that's a plus.

Typical prices are around $125, so it's a reasonably healthy discount.

304022-268780.jpg

As an aside, I don't understand why assisted-opening is necessary anymore. The rationale used to be that it made sure the blade always opened, even with a weak flick or while wearing gloves. These days pocket knife tuning and ceramic bearings makes that pretty much a non-issue with most knives - and if your blade is assisted, then you have to overcome the spring effect to close it. I'd rather have a well-tuned knife I can open and close one-handed.

Also, Blades Canada is having a Spyderco sale. Pretty attractive prices in my opinion.
 
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