Canada Only Deals!

[JradM]

I had no idea MAPP was discontinued. I've never used or needed it, even on my rust belt Subaru ball joints. But I keep hearing people referring to MAPP for high heat, so what are they referring to if it's discontinued and not this?

It's a mix of MAPP and Propane (MAPP - Pro). Propane burns at a temperature a little below 2000 C, Mapp-Pro bumps it up a little (to like 2050). The old map was more like 2500 or higher if mixed with oxygen.

I've heard discussion that maybe Mapp-Pro is better than it sounds because of some heat-transfer quality, but I'm not qualified to speak about that. You can also mix oxygen with propane to increase it's temperature, so I suppose it all depends on what you're aiming to do.

I still use MAPP Pro occasionally, when I get a good price, but it also depends on whether you have a high-heat torch or a pencil flame.

 

[matthew]

I still use MAPP Pro occasionally, when I get a good price, but it also depends on whether you have a high-heat torch or a pencil flame.

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’ve wondered about getting a MAPP torch… not sure if I’m being stubborn or restrained…

 

[JradM]

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’ve wondered about getting a MAPP torch… not sure if I’m being stubborn or restrained…

Maybe I'm fooling myself, but I feel like the yellow bottles get things hotter just a little bit faster. I understand the peak temperatures aren't terribly far apart, but Mapp Pro is still a bit higher. If I'm heating a rusted fastener, I don't have to do it as long.

It's not a dramatic difference, but I still pick up the gas when I get it for a decent price. If I'm paying $14+/bottle, I just make do with propane.

 

[JradM]

Busy Bee tools is having a clearance event. Discounts on clearance and a stacking 15% off code.

Looks like there are some deals to me - I didn't bother curating a list since it depends on what you're looking for. There are power tools, accessories, consumables, machines, etc.

Need a tiny arbor press? This would be like $34:

 

[coldh2o]

My order arrived. Regretfully, it is not a shop crane.

I did not even open the box. I could tell right away it was much too small to be correct. It says "Engine Support" on the box.

Wayfair's customer support leaves much to be desired... First I tried logging into my account and choosing "Problem with order". That askes a series of questions, but then dead-ends with a broken link to contact customer support.

Then I tried the live chat option - which obviously isn't "live" at all, it's just a chat bot. I went through all the same steps only to have it tell me I could keep the item and it would give me 20% off. Ah, no thanks. When I asked for a refund it said basically: "sorry, I can't do that".

I explained that purchase agreements don't work that way. A company cannot offer a product for sale, accept my money, deliver something different and then require me to accept it. Also, that sort of activity is defined as a "unfair practice" under Alberta's Consumer Protection Act, exposing the company to legal liability beyond a simple civil action.

That's probably unnecessary, but I was getting annoyed. At that point the bot gave me an option to communicated with Customer Service via text.

The first agent again offered me a 20% discount to keep the item, which I declined.

By then it was bedtime, but when I reprised the conversation in the morning I spoke to a new agent - who was actually surprisingly helpful and agreed to a refund and a FedEx pickup.

Assuming you get the wrong item too, perhaps this tale will help you skip to the part where you get to speak to customer service. I think you could probably just ask the bot for that and skip all the nonsense in-between.

Same here.

Delivered today, went straight to customer service and got 100% refund and free return pickup.

 

[Relax]

EDIT: Beware: Most if not all who ordered received an engine support bar instead of the cherry picker:

Wayfair has a $125 cherry picker with free shipping:

https://www.wayfair.ca/storage-organization/pdp/trent-austin-design-2-tonne-folding-engine-hoist-hydraulic-shop-crane-lift-with-6-casters-telescopic-boom-4400-lb-foldable-mobile-cherry-picker-for-garage-workshop-factory-heavy-duty-c119386685.html?piid=1728236082

Also in blue for a little more:

https://www.wayfair.ca/storage-organization/pdp/trent-austin-design-2-tonne-folding-engine-hoist-hydraulic-shop-crane-lift-with-6-casters-telescopic-boom-4400-lb-foldable-mobile-cherry-picker-for-garage-workshop-factory-heavy-duty-c119386685.html

EDIT: unclear if leveler is included with black, but blue specifically states not included.]/s]

Apologies to everyone who ordered one. I saw it posted by a reputable member of a local motorcycle forum (GTAM), and if it's any consolation he and everyone there that ordered one also got the engine support bar. Hopefully everyone gets their refund without too much hassle.

 

[JradM]

Apologies to everyone who ordered one. I saw it posted by a reputable member of a local motorcycle forum (GTAM), and if it's any consolation he and everyone there that ordered one also got the engine support bar. Hopefully everyone gets their refund without too much hassle.

Certainly not your fault! That looked like the hoist-deal-of-a-lifetime!

 

[Two Speed]

I wouldn't call it a hot deal, or a good hefty piece of rail at 44lbs for 24 inches (real light duty at 66lbs/yd), but one of those 'I never knew they carried this'. Railroad "anvil" at PA;




I did pick one of these up, also on clearance, little hand vice;

Hand Vise with Wooden Handle

This hand vise clamp is great for securing materials for various work surfaces. It features a screw wing-nut and a sleek wooden handle.

www.princessauto.com

44 lb Rail Anvil

This railroad anvil is perfect for metal hammering, shaping, forming and cutting, especially for small- to medium-sized projects. It features railroad-track steel and a large 23-5/8 x 2-3/8 in. face size.

www.princessauto.com

 

[JradM]

Princess Auto put the "other" Osca ball peins on sale. The 32 oz has often been on sale, but this is the first I've seen the others.

 

[matthew]

Princess Auto put the "other" Osca ball peins on sale. The 32 oz has often been on sale, but this is the first I've seen the others.

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

 

[Two Speed]

I got a feeling they have a new supplier. They clearanced pro-point locking pliers a couple months back, and a few weeks ago a new pro-point locking pliers showed up. No visible difference between the working bits. Looks like they've revamped the logo and rubber grips on whatever has them.
Also noticed the sweedish pattern wrench has a new curved jaw design.

 

[JradM]

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

I hope not, but maybe. I like Osca.

 

[matthew]

I hope not, but maybe. I like Osca.

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’ deals on a rotation of less common items. I can dream…

That said, I have I think 7 Osca hammers. And I’ve bought several more to give to my brother. There’s a limit to how many more I can use. That is the nature of selling non-disposable things.

 

[Two Speed]

I'd be curious to know the sell rate on the Osca hammers, you'll have folks like us who look at quality first, price second. Then you got everybody else just buying on price.
Yes, I realize the hypocracy of that considering we're all going to PA to get a deal on something. =-)

 

[matthew]

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 have bad tools. But while I have reached a point where I can afford good ones, I still only buy great tools if they are a good price, - not just buy them regardless.

Selling something to me at a 50% to 75% premium over commodity is possible. What products can they find where the cost of the product allows that? Osca was one. Bondhus is pushing that limit. Wera, selected items yes, some no. Bahco files at Lee Valley. There’s others, but can be a thin field.

 

[JradM]

I'd be curious to know the sell rate on the Osca hammers, you'll have folks like us who look at quality first, price second. Then you got everybody else just buying on price.
Yes, I realize the hypocracy of that considering we're all going to PA to get a deal on something. =-)

A good deal on a quality tool though. Princess Auto is just arguably the most consistent place where you can find that magic recipe.

I don't think that's hypocritical. My concern is just that it won't last - that maybe PA will "learn" their customers want lower prices and phase out of the random high-end items scattered amongst the rest. I don't think that's a risk, provided enough of their customers go there for the good stuff, but you never know.

P.S. there's a Proto Duratek extra-long slotted screwdriver on sale for ~$8 right now. They also have a slotted Proto screwdriver socket bit. That's really the only Proto in the surplus section from my visit the other day - except for some tether accessories.

 

[matthew]

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 does a great job of that.

I don’t totally love that idea, because accessibility of something decent becomes an issue.

Speaking of which, I notice the NWS stuff is not at Lee Valley anymore. A shame.

 

[JradM]

I notice the NWS stuff is not at Lee Valley anymore. A shame.

Oh no! Their prices were reasonable for NWS too. That brand should be more well known than it is.

I have only a couple genuine NWS pliers, but I picked up a big set of the NWS-made Irwin pliers (remember that weird collaboration?) from Cardon tools.