CAT tools

[mjdarg]

I picked up some more tools from the dealer recently. First is the 1/4” nut driver 9S-1722 posted in here. Having the ability to put a ratchet on the back end is something I didn’t have in a nut driver. I picked up two ratchet adapters as well. 1/4” female to 3/8” male is 213-4437 and 3/8” female to 1/2” male is 8H-8576. Lastly is a wrench set I’ve been eyeing, 567-6839. This is a short pattern metric combination wrench set, 10mm - 19mm. The wrenches have good chrome just like Snap-On and include the Snap-On date codes seen on many other CAT tools. The broaching on the open end is a little rougher than my SO wrenches so it looks like they are using different tooling at least, or are cutting out an additional step of polishing the jaws. The OD of the 12 point box end is slightly different than my SO wrenches too, but my SO wrenches are long pattern. Lastly, they do not mark the wrench on both sides, likely another cost savings measure. Overall they look great, and my current short pattern wrenches are a hodge podge of tools with some skips. The wrench holder is a sort of rubbery plastic that seems nicer than the classic injection molded cases.

 

[Zimbo]

I picked up some more tools from the dealer recently. First is the 1/4” nut driver 9S-1722 posted in here. Having the ability to put a ratchet on the back end is something I didn’t have in a nut driver. I picked up two ratchet adapters as well. 1/4” female to 3/8” male is 213-4437 and 3/8” female to 1/2” male is 8H-8576. Lastly is a wrench set I’ve been eyeing, 567-6839. This is a short pattern metric combination wrench set, 10mm - 19mm. The wrenches have good chrome just like Snap-On and include the Snap-On date codes seen on many other CAT tools. The broaching on the open end is a little rougher than my SO wrenches so it looks like they are using different tooling at least, or are cutting out an additional step of polishing the jaws. The OD of the 12 point box end is slightly different than my SO wrenches too, but my SO wrenches are long pattern. Lastly, they do not mark the wrench on both sides, likely another cost savings measure. Overall they look great, and my current short pattern wrenches are a hodge podge of tools with some skips. The wrench holder is a sort of rubbery plastic that seems nicer than the classic injection molded cases.

 

[Zimbo]

True they don’t stamp both sides of the wrench, I’ve worked at a Cat dealer now for 34 years and I can tell you straight up that the wrenches are not proper snap on , this will cause a few waves but it’s true.
They are a blue point wrench as you can see by the chrome finish, some of the wrenches have come close in finish but not the true snap on chrome, I can post various wrenches as I have had near on all of them, have a look at my 18mm blue point vs Cat vs SO. Still good tools but the chrome on the SO especially from the days of the underlined logo was mint.

 

[liliysdad]

True they don’t stamp both sides of the wrench, I’ve worked at a Cat dealer now for 34 years and I can tell you straight up that the wrenches are not proper snap on , this will cause a few waves but it’s true.
They are a blue point wrench as you can see by the chrome finish, some of the wrenches have come close in finish but not the true snap on chrome, I can post various wrenches as I have had near on all of them, have a look at my 18mm blue point vs Cat vs SO. Still good tools but the chrome on the SO especially from the days of the underlined logo was mint.

They are US made, therefore not Blue Point. The wrenches, as explained and shown earlier in the thread, are a mix of Williams USA and SnapOn pattern, depending on specific set.

 

[Zimbo]

They are US made, therefore not Blue Point. The wrenches, as explained and shown earlier in the thread, are a mix of Williams USA and SnapOn pattern, depending on

They are US made, therefore not Blue Point. The wrenches, as explained and shown earlier in the thread, are a mix of Williams USA and SnapOn pattern, depending on specific set.

 

[liliysdad]

How old are those wrenches? What happened twenty years ago has zero bearing on what is happening today.

 

[lugnut71]

i really like the old usa blue point wrenches. If you dont mind me asking, how much was the short set form CAT ?

 

[KnurledNut]

True they don’t stamp both sides of the wrench, I’ve worked at a Cat dealer now for 34 years and I can tell you straight up that the wrenches are not proper snap on , this will cause a few waves but it’s true.
They are a blue point wrench as you can see by the chrome finish, some of the wrenches have come close in finish but not the true snap on chrome, I can post various wrenches as I have had near on all of them, have a look at my 18mm blue point vs Cat vs SO. Still good tools but the chrome on the SO especially from the days of the underlined logo was mint.

Those short pattern wrenches most definitely are Snap-on. As noted, they are not finished to the same spec.
The old Blue-Point USA wrenches you posted were good stuff, but are now are made in China and have no relation to the USA CAT wrenches.

 

[alinc100]

i really like the old usa blue point wrenches. If you dont mind me asking, how much was the short set form CAT ?

Here in Michigan at the local CAT dealer that set comes up to $205 plus 6% sales tax. As with other CAT tools prices vary regionally.

 

[ecotec]

Here in Michigan at the local CAT dealer that set comes up to $205 plus 6% sales tax. As with other CAT tools prices vary regionally.

The one on Novi Road?

 

[alinc100]

The one on Novi Road?

Dix-Toledo in Southgate

 

[JMP]

I just scored this CAT ratcheting screwdriver #9U-7291 and a few other hand tools all for $20 on Facebook Marketplace. Just missing some bits. These are now over $50 not counting sales tax and this was on my list of tools from CAT to buy.

 

[JMP]

Also in other news the 2024 catalog was recently uploaded here in a separate post:

Cat Dealers Service Tools Catalog 2024 PDF

 

[mreisner]

I picked up some more tools from the dealer recently. First is the 1/4” nut driver 9S-1722 posted in here. Having the ability to put a ratchet on the back end is something I didn’t have in a nut driver. I picked up two ratchet adapters as well. 1/4” female to 3/8” male is 213-4437 and 3/8” female to 1/2” male is 8H-8576. Lastly is a wrench set I’ve been eyeing, 567-6839. This is a short pattern metric combination wrench set, 10mm - 19mm. The wrenches have good chrome just like Snap-On and include the Snap-On date codes seen on many other CAT tools. The broaching on the open end is a little rougher than my SO wrenches so it looks like they are using different tooling at least, or are cutting out an additional step of polishing the jaws. The OD of the 12 point box end is slightly different than my SO wrenches too, but my SO wrenches are long pattern. Lastly, they do not mark the wrench on both sides, likely another cost savings measure. Overall they look great, and my current short pattern wrenches are a hodge podge of tools with some skips. The wrench holder is a sort of rubbery plastic that seems nicer than the classic injection molded cases.

A bit hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that the open end is not Flank Drive?

As a side note, not all Blue Point products that Snap on sells are made offshore, some are made in the US. Generally the Blue Point stuff is something they buy from a vendor although they do make a few items and put that brand on it themselves.

 

[ecotec]

A bit hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that the open end is not Flank Drive?

As a side note, not all Blue Point products that Snap on sells are made offshore, some are made in the US. Generally the Blue Point stuff is something they buy from a vendor although they do make a few items and put that brand on it themselves.

True. The CAT short pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (not Flank Drive Plus on open end) and the CAT regular pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The CAT regular pattern ratcheting wrenches look like Williams… but, I believe, like Williams do not say USA on them because the wrench is forged in USA and the ratcheting parts are imported.

The 22mm CAT ratcheting wrench looks like Blue-Point and is laser etched Taiwan (not Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The prices, while higher than before Covid, are still a good deal. If I was in the market for a lot of hardline tools, I would order them before the prices go up again.

 

[mreisner]

True. The CAT short pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (not Flank Drive Plus on open end) and the CAT regular pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The CAT regular pattern ratcheting wrenches look like Williams… but, I believe, like Williams do not say USA on them because the wrench is forged in USA and the ratcheting parts are imported.

The 22mm CAT ratcheting wrench looks like Blue-Point and is laser etched Taiwan (not Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The prices, while higher than before Covid, are still a good deal. If I was in the market for a lot of hardline tools, I would order them before the prices go up again.

They definitely are a great value although occasionally I have found the Williams stuff if I have a 20% off floral coupon to be cheaper and they make it a little easier to discern whether it's us or import stuff from the serial number or should say the model number of the tool. I know I've been really happy with the Snap on made cat sockets and the larger angle wrenches

 

[mjdarg]

A bit hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that the open end is not Flank Drive?

As a side note, not all Blue Point products that Snap on sells are made offshore, some are made in the US. Generally the Blue Point stuff is something they buy from a vendor although they do make a few items and put that brand on it themselves.

True. The CAT short pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (not Flank Drive Plus on open end) and the CAT regular pattern combination wrenches look like Williams USA (Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The CAT regular pattern ratcheting wrenches look like Williams… but, I believe, like Williams do not say USA on them because the wrench is forged in USA and the ratcheting parts are imported.

The 22mm CAT ratcheting wrench looks like Blue-Point and is laser etched Taiwan (not Flank Drive Plus on open end).

The prices, while higher than before Covid, are still a good deal. If I was in the market for a lot of hardline tools, I would order them before the prices go up again.

Snap-On short pattern wrenches are not flank drive plus, but yes these are likely the same forging as the Williams wrenches LINK. That set is a bit different that its 8mm - 19mm but skips 16mm and 18mm. Those are common sizes on CAT machines for M10 and M12 bolts since they use ISO bolt head standard sizes.

 

[DarryT]

Looking for a set of high quality reversible ratcheting wrenches. This CAT set caught my eye, who makes it? Is it much better than ICON, Tekton, Craftsman V series or Blackhawk?

248-8819

 

[AJHD]

Looking for a set of high quality reversible ratcheting wrenches. This CAT set caught my eye, who makes it? Is it much better than ICON, Tekton, Craftsman V series or Blackhawk?

248-8819

Those are Williams. Rebrand as BluePoint on the Snap On truck. You can buy them on Amazon as Williams.

These are NOT made in USA, just in case that question gets asked.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

https://a.co/d/fLLJ7C4

 

[KnurledNut]

Looking for a set of high quality reversible ratcheting wrenches. This CAT set caught my eye, who makes it? Is it much better than ICON, Tekton, Craftsman V series or Blackhawk?

248-8819

They are made in Taiwan by Cendai. The Williams Supercombos that are forged/assembled in USA use the same Taiwanese mechanism. Same for Williams Taiwan. Same for CAT. Same for Bluepoint.
These are not made by Williams as implied above, but rather sourced similarly with them all being proprietary to Snap-on Inc.

Tekton changed suppliers recently and were completely redesigned. I haven’t used them nor seen much feedback from those who have. I haven’t used the Craftsman V either. ICON are coming from quality manufacturers. I believe the Blackhawk are now discontinued, but were also good quality.

There are a lot of dependable ratcheting wrench options coming from Taiwan and they dominate the market.

My personal opinion? Find something that is easy to warranty. Ratcheting wrenches by nature have a higher failure rate than their non-ratcheting counterparts.

 

[Banjorear]

You need to search for and download a copy of the “Hand Tools and Shop Supplies” catalog. The CAT online parts catalog is atrocious for finding stuff like the tools

Almost all the hand tools are made by Snap On. Often Snap On’s William’s industrial line.

Sockets are identical to Snap On. Typical combo Wrenches are Williams Super Combos. Specialty wrenches tend to be Snap On. Screwdrivers are the old style square handles.

Nothing too wild in it but for the basic tools it’s a lot cheaper than buying off the truck for the most part.

Agreed. One of the most difficult to use websites I've ever encountered.

 

[AJHD]

They are made in Taiwan by Cendai. The Williams Supercombos that are forged/assembled in USA use the same Taiwanese mechanism. Same for Williams Taiwan. Same for CAT. Same for Bluepoint.
These are not made by Williams as implied above, but rather sourced similarly with them all being proprietary to Snap-on Inc.

Hmm... I find it interesting that Williams would outsource wrench manufacturing to a 3rd party, and then Snap On (Williams parent company) would further rebrand them under BluePoint and CAT, and whoever else might also be using them.

I've never heard of Cendai.

 

[ecotec]

When you get the SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches, they have a little American flag paper hang tag on each one… but they are not stamped USA.

 

[AJHD]

When you get the SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches, they have a little American flag paper hang tag on each one… but they are not stamped USA.

I don't have a picture of it, but I had one of the CAT reversible ratcheting wrenches and they are NOT the SuperCombo variety. We used them to remove some of the excavator buckets.

They are identical to the BluePoint and Amazon Williams I posted earlier, only they say CAT.

I assume the set DarryT is asking about above, are also not SuperCombo's.

 

[AJHD]

This is the best picture I can find of the wrench I had when I worked at the CAT dealership. I think it's a 19mm.

Anyway, **** picture but obviously not a SuperCombo.

 

[ecotec]

I don't have a picture of it, but I had one of the CAT reversible ratcheting wrenches and they are NOT the SuperCombo variety. We used them to remove some of the excavator buckets.

They are identical to the BluePoint and Amazon Williams I posted earlier, only they say CAT.

I assume the set DarryT is asking about above, are also not SuperCombo's.

I have the SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches, not the CAT ones. Someone was referencing that the SuperCombos were not “made in America”. They are forged in America, and made in Taiwan mechanisms are installed.

I only have one CAT ratcheting wrench, and it is the BluePoint design. It is laser etched Taiwan on the other side… as are the BluePoint ones.

 

[Rilakkuma]

I had the snap-on gen 1 version of those reversible. they were just okay. Much better wrench set elsewhere. The current gen of reversible are amazing. I remember the website said they were USA but this was in the era of Snap-on with no country of origin stamped on some of their tools.

 

[DarryT]

Ordering Cat 6 point metric sockets (shallow) along with an extension.

Since Cat does not sell 6 point sockets in the deep variety, should I buy Cat 12 point deep or Icon 6 points? I'm in the PNW - rust is not an issue here....

Any advice would be helpful...

 

[DarryT]

Is there a 6 point deep set of the Cat 3/8 sockets? I am finding Induvidual 6 point deeps on the (terrible) web catalog.

 

[JMP]

Ordering Cat 6 point metric sockets (shallow) along with an extension.

Since Cat does not sell 6 point sockets in the deep variety, should I buy Cat 12 point deep or Icon 6 points? I'm in the PNW - rust is not an issue here....

Any advice would be helpful...

I'd go with ICON or Tekton. Both have good warranties so hard to go wrong. If you get CAT 12 point just make sure the set has all the sizes you need otherwise you can buy singles from Tekton.

 

[DarryT]

I'd go with ICON or Tekton. Both have good warranties so hard to go wrong. If you get CAT 12 point just make sure the set has all the sizes you need otherwise you can buy singles from Tekton.

I just gave away my Tekton set to our kid. Was hoping to upgrade something different, perfectly CAT.

 

[Rilakkuma]

Is there a 6 point deep set of the Cat 3/8 sockets? I am finding Induvidual 6 point deeps on the (terrible) web catalog.

553-1198 = six point metric chrome
214-1151 = six point inch chrome

 

[DarryT]

553-1198 = six point metric chrome
214-1151 = six point inch chrome

553-1198 comes up with zero results on the Cat website

 

[JMP]

I made some additions to my little 1/4 toolkit. I of course added a Snap On 9/16 socket which is missing from this set for some reason. I can tell that there is a difference between the CAT and the Snap On sockets now that I have sets of both. Not so much a functional difference but the Snap On sockets are finished a bit nicer and polished up to perfection. Definitely don't need to get too fancy while working on heavy equipment but for wrenching on something shiny like a nice show car I can maybe see the appeal.

 

[Pinne]

553-1198 comes up with zero results on the Cat website

Something is up with their web catalog as it's not displaying anything for a variety of sets currently but does show all the individual parts. Your dealer should be able to order the 553-1198 set which is 10pcs of 3/8dr in deep 6pt. Individual part numbers on the page below:

 

[ecotec]

Is there a 6 point deep set of the Cat 3/8 sockets? I am finding Induvidual 6 point deeps on the (terrible) web catalog.

They have 6pt deep 1/4” and 3/8” sets.

 

[DarryT]

They have 6pt deep 1/4” and 3/8” sets.

Would you consider them an upgrade from Tekton or Icon?

 

[AJHD]

Would you consider them an upgrade from Tekton or Icon?

They are USA made, if that matters to you.

 

[liliysdad]

Would you consider them an upgrade from Tekton or Icon?

They are USA made, if that matters to you.

Asked and answered.

 

[ecotec]

Would you consider them an upgrade from Tekton or Icon?

What AJHD said, plus they are just like Snap-on with different stamping.