

Looked at those, but most of my plugs are 13/16" so went with this one instead.Proto Spark Plug socket set is ~$87 on Amazon.
For context this set is about $240 at Grainger - but was hovering around $150-170 on Amazon. I wanted it, but I was hoping for a price drop. Lucky me.
My one quibble is that I wish they were magnetic instead of rubber insert - but hopefully Proto got it right. Knurling won me over.
and definitely missed this - damn. Had 2 in my cart and gone - link doesn't even work now it looks likeOK on line now, if you want one.
I'll be honest - this scares me a little, haha.
Ended up buying this as I am also a sucker for Proto - interesting that it says that COO is US, but a review said it came as Taiwan - I'll have to have a look when they arrive.Proto Spark Plug socket set is ~$87 on Amazon.
For context this set is about $240 at Grainger - but was hovering around $150-170 on Amazon. I wanted it, but I was hoping for a price drop. Lucky me.
My one quibble is that I wish they were magnetic instead of rubber insert - but hopefully Proto got it right. Knurling won me over.
If you want a quality chuck for those, look at this one, it is an ACE,I picked up the countersink set myself, no intention of using anytime soon but one day.
Ha! I bought the cutting torch on a whim. We shall see when it arrives. That is definitely "scary" cheap.I'll be honest - this scares me a little, haha.
Ended up buying this as I am also a sucker for Proto - interesting that it says that COO is US, but a review said it came as Taiwan - I'll have to have a look when they arrive.


Follow-up: COO is Taiwan, will be discussing with Amazon (also about some damage to case).Ha! I bought the cutting torch on a whim. We shall see when it arrives. That is definitely "scary" cheap.
Proto does make some stuff in Taiwan, so that wouldn't surprise me - I've yet to have a low quality piece regardless. Lots is still made in the USA, but they also have some French and German items.
Ha! I thought the same thing. I have other spark plug sockets - but I've never felt sockets this heavy....and ridiculous heft.

$120 here and the MTL store I checked out.This deal is pretty location specific. Canadian Tire on Southland in Calgary has an in store special $75 for all 3 (fixed head) 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 90T ratchets. These are made by Gearwrench. Screamin deal!
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-90-tooth-ratchet-set-3-pc-3996730p.html#srp
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Picked these up last year, and they are a great deal for sure. CDN Tire @ the time had them @ $50 as I think a new product intro type thing. They went off sale and on sale again 1 more time and then haven't seen them near as low until you pointed them out. I think Reg Price (at that time was about 149.99)This deal is pretty location specific. Canadian Tire on Southland in Calgary has an in store special $75 for all 3 (fixed head) 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 90T ratchets. These are made by Gearwrench. Screamin deal!
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-90-tooth-ratchet-set-3-pc-3996730p.html#srp
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This deal is pretty location specific. Canadian Tire on Southland in Calgary has an in store special $75 for all 3 (fixed head) 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 90T ratchets. These are made by Gearwrench. Screamin deal!
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-90-tooth-ratchet-set-3-pc-3996730p.html#srp
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In my experience it is mostly just a matter of careful scrutiny. It's not always 100% though. Sometimes there are other clues such as the packaging, selector switches, ratchet internals, unique designs etc.These appear to be the same ones included in this all-metric set that regularly goes on sale for about $200, and is what I usually recommend to anyone starting to build up a tool collection:
General PDP Template
www.canadiantire.ca
How can you tell who the OEM is, other than just the similarity in looks?
This.it might be best to judge the tool on its own merit.
Good call. Was for sure a generalization that they were Apex. Going to pick up a Gearwrench 3/8” 90T rebuild kit for future proofing and will do a test fit to verify. Will report back!In my experience it is mostly just a matter of careful scrutiny. It's not always 100% though. Sometimes there are other clues such as the packaging, selector switches, ratchet internals, unique designs etc.
The other thing to keep in mind is that it may not always be possible to confirm something is identical - e.g. Canadian Tire might contract with Apex, but spec a different grade of material, finish or QC than another Apex brand.
Sometimes it is obvious it is a clone, othertimes it might be best to judge the tool on its own merit.
One I'm wondering about right now is the Maximum tap and die sets. The blow mounded cases are obvious Gearwrench clones, but the sets don't always match up. There's no easy way to tell if they are just rebranded (making them a steal at sale prices), or just look-alikes that might be a lower grade of steel or heat treatment.
At the moment though (and Canadian Tire has a history of switching OEMs), the majority of the Maximum line looks like Apex production (aka the Gearwrench parent company) and the Mastercraft line appears to be largely Stanley.
In my experience it is mostly just a matter of careful scrutiny. It's not always 100% though. Sometimes there are other clues such as the packaging, selector switches, ratchet internals, unique designs etc.
The other thing to keep in mind is that it may not always be possible to confirm something is identical - e.g. Canadian Tire might contract with Apex, but spec a different grade of material, finish or QC than another Apex brand.
Sometimes it is obvious it is a clone, othertimes it might be best to judge the tool on its own merit.
One I'm wondering about right now is the Maximum tap and die sets. The blow mounded cases are obvious Gearwrench clones, but the sets don't always match up. There's no easy way to tell if they are just rebranded (making them a steal at sale prices), or just look-alikes that might be a lower grade of steel or heat treatment.
At the moment though (and Canadian Tire has a history of switching OEMs), the majority of the Maximum line looks like Apex production (aka the Gearwrench parent company) and the Mastercraft line appears to be largely Stanley.
I was more curious than anything. I can't even remember a time when I've been disappointed in a Maximum-branded tool. As long as they keep offering and honouring their lifetime warranty, I'll keep buying.
| Williams MSB-20HRC | 3/8" Drive Shallow Socket Set 6 Pt 20 Pc - 5 1/2 - 24mm | 1 | $74.40 |
Just another option for those of you looking for sockets: Williams sockets aren't THAT much more expensive than Mastercraft. They come in Taiwan and USA flavors - USA tools have letters in the part numbers.
I'm not suggesting they are a better deal than the aforementioned Maximum set, but if you have a larger budget, I think Williams is the next step up. I.e. for ~$300 I bet you could get pretty much the same sizes and varieties of 1/4", 3/8" and a 1/2" sockets (not including ratchets, wrenches or hex-keys like the Maximum set though).
The best pricing I've found is from Cryer tool. They only sell the USA production tools (I have mixed feelings because Taiwan Williams tools are also good). Their email communication is spotty and I can't get my online account to work - but they answer the phone, ship parcels quickly and are cheap.
Just for example, I bought this set:
Williams MSB-20HRC | 3/8" Drive Shallow Socket Set 6 Pt 20 Pc - 5 1/2 - 24mm 1 $74.40
That's a 20 piece set of just 3/8" drive. I can't tell what sizes are included in the Maximum set, but I doubt the 3/8" sizes are that comprehensive. Usually large kits like that try to avoid overlap.
Last I checked this set was ~$160 on Amazon.
Just another option for those of you looking for sockets: Williams sockets aren't THAT much more expensive than Mastercraft. They come in Taiwan and USA flavors - USA tools have letters in the part numbers.
I'm not suggesting they are a better deal than the aforementioned Maximum set, but if you have a larger budget, I think Williams is the next step up. I.e. for ~$300 I bet you could get pretty much the same sizes and varieties of 1/4", 3/8" and a 1/2" sockets (not including ratchets, wrenches or hex-keys like the Maximum set though).
The best pricing I've found is from Cryer tool. They only sell the USA production tools (I have mixed feelings because Taiwan Williams tools are also good). Their email communication is spotty and I can't get my online account to work - but they answer the phone, ship parcels quickly and are cheap.
Just for example, I bought this set:
Williams MSB-20HRC | 3/8" Drive Shallow Socket Set 6 Pt 20 Pc - 5 1/2 - 24mm 1 $74.40
That's a 20 piece set of just 3/8" drive. I can't tell what sizes are included in the Maximum set, but I doubt the 3/8" sizes are that comprehensive. Usually large kits like that try to avoid overlap.
Last I checked this set was ~$160 on Amazon.
I’d stumbled across Cryer and have been tempted to make an order. Is it primarily the length that’s the benefit on those?If you do make an order be sure to order a few of their extra long 10mm combination wrenches


How does it compare to the former old faithful Makita? Paper loading ease, noise level, speed, trigger, things of that nature.Princess Auto Black and Decker 3x21 Belt sander. Walked out the door for a few cents over $40.
Last night my 3x21 Makita bit the dust.