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JradM

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Yeah, I got one but only opened it up last week. Is it supposed to flash off and back on every few seconds to conserve battery or something? Or did I get a dud?
That's to let you know it isn't level. It self-adjusts within a certain range, but if you're outside that range it flashes so you know it's too far off level to compensate.
 
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Miss the Pontiacs

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Yeah, I got one but only opened it up last week. Is it supposed to flash off and back on every few seconds to conserve battery or something? Or did I get a dud?
Mine is doing the same thing and I got side tracked with a phone call and my neighbour needed a hand. Once I get back from the lake I’ll give it another try.
 

Relax

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Mine is doing the same thing and I got side tracked with a phone call and my neighbour needed a hand. Once I get back from the lake I’ll give it another try.
@JradM was right - when I put it right on a table flat, it was lit solid, no flashing. When I was testing, I mounted it on the back of a dining chair but pointed it up to get a higher level. I guess I need to mount it higher instead of angling it upwards.
 
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JradM

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I think a tripod is going to be invaluable for the Bosch laser pointer. I didn't realize you can't tip it either until I started using it.

The mount it comes with is pretty slick, but there's still occasions where it's tricky to find things to attach it to.
 

Rideless

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Curious how the thin compare to olsa.

Overall I'm pretty happy with mastercraft wrenches.
If Olsa states specs on their site I can measure my Maximum set I picked up a few weeks ago - These are pretty nice, not as thin as the stamped metal set I have from PA but a lot stronger as a result and much nicer on the hands.

I have the rest of the wrench sets in my cart - they are a good price for less often used wrenches, totally justifiable at that price for those random bolts that want to ruin your day.

EDIT* Found this info on the Maximum ones:

The thin profile wrenches are thinner (or less thick) than regular wrenches. Here are the thicknesses:
• 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 sizes are 5.05mm thickness
• 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8 sizes are 5.45mm thickness
• 10mm, 11mm sizes are 4.1mm thickness
• 13mm, 14mm sizes are 4.4mm thickness
• 16mm, 17mm sizes are 4.7 mm thickness
• 19mm, 22mm sizes are 5.2mm thickness

and the Olsa as listed on their site:

Metric Wrench Thickness:

6 & 7 mm = 2mm
8 & 9 mm = 2mm
10 & 11 mm = 2.5mm
12 & 13 mm = 3mm
14 & 15 mm = 3mm
16 & 17 mm = 4mm
18 & 19 mm = 4mm

SAE Wrench Thickness:

1/4 & 5/16 " = 2mm
3/8 & 7/16 " = 2mm
1/2 & 9/16 " = 3mm
5/8 & 3/4 " = 4mm
13/16 & 7/8 " = 4mm

Olsa definitely has the advantage but I'm gonna stick with the Maximum set until I curse not having a thinner wrench and I'll upgrade down the road (and spend a good chunk more).
 
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Rideless

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I think it might actually be Wiha. Sure looks like it minus some of the finer details.. If not, its a total rip off. Have to see it in person to find out COO

Captureklnlk.JPG
Captureegwge.JPG

I am deadly curious about this as there is some savings from the HomeDepot pricing of Wiha (about 62.98 + FS) but not enough unless it is in fact oem'd by Wiha in my mind.
Also at CT this week is this beastly adjustable prybar.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-bar-with-extendable-handle-0570547p.html#srp

It looks exactly like the gearwrench version(probably the OEM) for significantly less(and probably easier warranty)
Added this to the cart - great reviews on the gearwrench version as well.
 

Rideless

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I think it might actually be Wiha. Sure looks like it minus some of the finer details.. If not, its a total rip off. Have to see it in person to find out COO

Captureklnlk.JPG
Captureegwge.JPG
Just saw these in person, COO is Vietnam which I believe is the same as the Wiha

EDIT* On another note, all the new lineup Maximum wrenches appear to also be COO of Vietnam.
 
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Off_kilter

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Jan 5, 2021
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Location
Edmonton, Alberta
Noticed the maximum wrenches at Canadian Tire have a new style set of jaws.

Any experience with them?

Honestly been pretty happy with my 8+ year old mastercraft wrenches.


Getting errors trying to add pics :(
 

Rideless

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Jan 3, 2012
Messages
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Noticed the maximum wrenches at Canadian Tire have a new style set of jaws.

Any experience with them?

Honestly been pretty happy with my 8+ year old mastercraft wrenches.


Getting errors trying to add pics :(
Is this the adjustable wrenches you mean? or just the wrenches in general?
 
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JradM

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Is this the adjustable wrenches you mean? or just the wrenches in general?
I wasn't sure either - was going to check next time I was in the store.

The brand names attached to the wrenches changed recently - but I don't think there were changes to the combination wrenches themselves immediately pre and post-name change. E.g. all the ratcheting wrenches - and I think all the specialty wrenches - are now "Maximum", whereas the regular non-ratcheting wrenches are "Mastercraft".

There's still satin and polished finishes available, but the polished non-ratcheting used to be "Maximum" and are now "Mastercraft".

I own a set, but I don't like the satin Mastercraft combination wrenches. They seem thick to me - maybe not as thick as the Indian-made raised-panel Craftsman wrenches, but the polished wrenches are a lot nicer IMO. The satin finish itself seems rough too - like they were sandblasted to skip polishing. Very different than say, the satin finish on Toptul wrenches.
 
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JradM

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Lee Valley has Ernst accessory holders on clearance. Just 1/4" and 3/8" left.

These are clips to hold ratchets, extensions, etc to your Ernst socket rails (i.e. you need to be using the socket rails to make use of these clips). Only mentioning this because they're a fraction of the price on Amazon (about $2.50).

These aren't labelled as Ernst on the website - but that's what they are. I bought a bunch since I have Ernst rails already.
 
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JradM

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Lee Valley has Ernst accessory holders on clearance. Just 1/4" and 3/8" left.

These are clips to hold ratchets, extensions, etc to your Ernst socket rails (i.e. you need to be using the socket rails to make use of these clips). Only mentioning this because they're a fraction of the price on Amazon (about $2.50).

These aren't labelled as Ernst on the website - but that's what they are. I bought a bunch since I have Ernst rails already.
BTW, I should mention - whether the clip size corresponds to the drive size of your ratchet size depends on the shape of your ratchet handle.

E.g. a 3/8" ratchet with a comfort grip handle might fit a 1/2" clip better (although you can just line the clips up to hold the shaft in that case). Alternately, a skinnier-gripped 1/2" ratchet might fit just fine on the 3/8" clips.

The clips can bend open quite a bit too, so it's not an exact science.
 
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Relax

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Nov 22, 2011
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Speaking of socket rails, these socket trays are on sale at Princess Auto for $30. I have a bunch of the older version side by side in my socket drawer (I think the only difference is the colour). You can remove the end cap and reorganize the individual socket holders. On mine, the individual bases of the 1/4 and 3/8 holders are the same size, and the 1/2" are another, so you could mix and match the 1/4 and 3/8 as you wish. For example, if you had 2 trays, you could set one up to be 1 row of 1/2, and 2 rows of 3/8, and the second with 1 row of 1/2 and 2 rows of 1/4. Not perfect, but still better than pre-fab trays where half the sockets are expected to be SAE (I only use metric). If this version has all the bases the same, that would give even more flexibility, but I haven't seen them in person.


1643297276121.png
 
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JradM

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Speaking of socket rails, these socket trays are on sale at Princess Auto for $30. I have a bunch of the older version side by side in my socket drawer (I think the only difference is the colour). You can remove the end cap and reorganize the individual socket holders. On mine, the individual bases of the 1/4 and 3/8 holders are the same size, and the 1/2" are another, so you could mix and match the 1/4 and 3/8 as you wish. For example, if you had 2 trays, you could set one up to be 1 row of 1/2, and 2 rows of 3/8, and the second with 1 row of 1/2 and 2 rows of 1/4. Not perfect, but still better than pre-fab trays where half the sockets are expected to be SAE (I only use metric). If this version has all the bases the same, that would give even more flexibility, but I haven't seen them in person.


1643297276121.png
Doesn't look half bad! I'm decked out in Ernst personally, but this one looks good too.

I was using these socket organizers from PA before I switched to Ernst - actually I still have these too, but not on my "best" socket sets anymore (I switched to Ernst in part because I could use clips to hold my ratchets too).

8002252_A0CG_00_01.jpg

I was quite infatuated for awhile (you may notice a "JRad M"- authored review on the Princess Auto page offering some praise). It is easy to customize with cheap extra metal clips and allows for very high storage density. There's also a handle built-in (not shown in the picture - it's folded underneath) making it easy to remove from your toolbox and carry to your project.

These are not on sale at the moment - but when they are, they can store a lot of sockets for the money.
 
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JradM

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By the way, was anyone else severely disappointed in Princes Auto for only releasing two flyers this month?!

As far as I remember there is always the main flyer, a "Price Wrecker" and a "Surplus Savings" - and usually even a mid-month switch for at least one of them.

This time a whole month went by and I barely had anything to buy!
 

Rideless

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Jan 3, 2012
Messages
38
By the way, was anyone else severely disappointed in Princes Auto for only releasing two flyers this month?!

As far as I remember there is always the main flyer, a "Price Wrecker" and a "Surplus Savings" - and usually even a mid-month switch for at least one of them.

This time a whole month went by and I barely had anything to buy!
Haha, Yea I thought there was something missing but boy is it a good thing that princess auto is an hour away from me otherwise I'd be in trouble. I did however pick up a transmission jack and 8 drawer tool chest I hard ordered earlier this month yesterday. I'll hopefully get around to looking at the chest to see if it is worth keeping for the $178 they wanted for it.
 
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JradM

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One piece steel scratch awl on clearance at Princess Auto for $7.

9047358_A0CG_00_01.jpg

I recognize this awl as the one I have made by Dasco Pro - painted orange instead of blue. I really like mine. It's like a heavy duty awl. The coating is nice too.

This is only a couple bucks cheaper than the Dasco from Grainger - but its harder to find if you don't have an account and way more expensive from places like Lowes.

Dasco: (~$10)
24A882_AS01?$zmmain$.jpg
 
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OP
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JradM

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I consider it my 'going to town' multiple, haha.
I know exactly what you mean!

On the opposite side of the spectrum, I feel odd sometimes pulling out my Leatherman Skeletool in polite company. These multitools all serve similar functions, but the Skeletool's looks are apt to raise a few eyebrows.

I snapped up the Swisstool in hopes that I won't have to speak to HR if someone sees me with it in the office.
 
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