CAT tools

[four.cycle]

the Inspection Mirror came in Lisle packaging and was marked as Made in China

good grief.

American-made 2-1/4" diameter inspection mirror mounted on hexagonal shaft so it won't get knocked out of position when you bump it into the exhaust pipe

$6.00 from Cripe Distributing. Be sure to "sign in" as a member to take advantage of their discounts.
You will pay shipping from Cripe, so stock up on a bunch of "consumables" to offset your shipping costs.

 

[AJHD]

Zoro, Grainger and Amazon sell USA made mirrors too. Look for Proto and Ullman.

Not sure if all of them will be USA, but I know some of them are.

I frequently ordered replacements (Proto) on Grainger when I was running the tool cribs. Mirrors break.

 

[four.cycle]

^ That Armstrong model is the best one I've ever laid eyes on. Two and one-quarter inch diameter mirror. Hex shaft will not rotate and go out of adjustment. U.S. made. $6 bucks. Can't beat it with a stick.

 

[Steve_P]

I was a bit hesitant to say that, particularly in a thread dedicated to Cat tools, but I completely agree... Even the sockets, while decently priced, aren't that great of a deal to be worth it (to me) to give up the Snap-On name, ease of warranty, and even future resale value. Heck, if I just want to save a few bucks, I'll just buy some lifetime warranty Icon or Tekton sockets.

Mostly true, but there are some huge bargains. The Cat 1/4 spinner handle is less than half the SO price and identical other than the logo. Some sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers... are all a great deal thru Cat.

Like everything, do your research first before you dismiss the validity of the topic; there are some great deals if you do your homework.

 

[dcoleman88]

I skimmed this thread and made a list of what i was interested it. I made an account on parts.cat.com and placed a delivery order with credit card. I also got an email with a $50 off of a $100 order and it appears too have worked without issue. This $50 coupon may help push some of you other guys off the cliff. See you at the bottom!

 

[winlinmac]

Mostly true, but there are some huge bargains. The Cat 1/4 spinner handle is less than half the SO price and identical other than the logo. Some sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers... are all a great deal thru Cat.

Like everything, do your research first before you dismiss the validity of the topic; there are some great deals if you do your homework.

I just picked up a no-brand slip joint pliers from Catepillar falsely labelled as US on the clear plastic packing - returning this as well as the inspection mirror picked up the other day

 

[AJHD]

I just picked up a no-brand slip joint pliers from Catepillar falsely labelled as US on the clear plastic packing - returning this as well as the inspection mirror picked up the other day

Are you referencing these pliers?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/cat-tools.532655/post-11318308

 

[cody1325]

Are you referencing these pliers?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/cat-tools.532655/post-11318308

I'd assume.

Mine have "MADE IN USA" engraved on them.

To me, they appear to be a rebranded Channellock 526. Made in USA, but not worth $30 (best I can tell, they're $15-20 most places as Channellock).

526 6-inch Slip Joint Pliers - Channellock, Inc.

nan

www.channellock.com

 

[winlinmac]

Are you referencing these pliers?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/cat-tools.532655/post-11318308

Its a slip joint plier (instead of yellow-colored rubber, it is black in color; it does say USA on them, but they feel cheap, have slop, and appear to look similar as the Western Forge (Old Craftsman) without WF scribed into them)

 

[rust in the eye]

Browsing the catalog I do not see a set of SIX point 1/2" dr shallow chrome metric sockets.
Am I missing something or do really only have 12pt?
Hopefully someone here with experience ordering from them knows and could point it out.
I looked, I really did
Thanks in advance fellas

 

[WaveBlasterer]

Looked through the catalog and don't see any deep 1/2" chrome metric 6pts, not even individuals.

 

[terrific]

Looked through the catalog and don't see any deep 1/2" chrome metric 6pts, not even individuals.

That really is the most bizarre thing. None of Proto, Wright, Williams, or CAT seem to think that there's any need for deep metric sockets in that drive. If it were one company, sure, but practically all of the US manufacturing....? I'd love to get them all in a room and ask them what's going on.

Snap-on and Cornwell are US-made options if you can look past their insane pricing. SK set 1945 is made in the USA, but I have some qualms with the quality of their stamping, and SK's prices are significantly higher than Wright's.
If I were in need of a set today, I would look into Gray tools in Canada. Set 39218, though most of us can save a lot of money by buying singles and skipping the larger sizes we won't use.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Looked through the catalog and don't see any deep 1/2" chrome metric 6pts, not even individuals.

They probably assume most would just use their impact sockets on ratchets as needed. In my cart at work I only keep impacts in 1/2" drive.

 

[Jeeper99]

That really is the most bizarre thing. None of Proto, Wright, Williams, or CAT seem to think that there's any need for deep metric sockets in that drive. If it were one company, sure, but practically all of the US manufacturing....? I'd love to get them all in a room and ask them what's going on.

Snap-on and Cornwell are US-made options if you can look past their insane pricing. SK set 1945 is made in the USA, but I have some qualms with the quality of their stamping, and SK's prices are significantly higher than Wright's.
If I were in need of a set today, I would look into Gray tools in Canada. Set 39218, though most of us can save a lot of money by buying singles and skipping the larger sizes we won't use.

How many times have you NEEDED a 1/2" drive deep 6 point chrome socket? What have you run into where a 1/2" deep impact socket wouldn't have done the job?

The garage journal is great for selling sockets and wrenches that never get used.

 

[terrific]

How many times have you NEEDED a 1/2" drive deep 6 point chrome socket? What have you run into where a 1/2" deep impact socket wouldn't have done the job?

The garage journal is great for selling sockets and wrenches that never get used.

I definitely agree with the bolded statement. I've never considered using impacts with hand tools, so I guess I couldn't say for certain. The impacts I have are really heavy, though. And I know for certain it wouldn't work with my car's lug nuts because the walls are too thick.

I only have a small range of impact sockets (15-19 +21), and only in 1/2" deep. If I ever need a standard length impact socket or a really huge socket, I'll buy a single.

 

[four.cycle]

Oh... Lug Nut socket just get a Tekton 1/2" drive 6-point deep-well... that's what I'm using. Works fine. Cheap.

You're not finding 1/2" drive, metric, 6 point sockets in everybody's catalogs because .... 12-points outsell 6 points by a significant ratio, notwithstanding all of the comments on this website about "You can't work with 12-point sockets."
Add to that equation vehicle manufacturers who have employed 12-point metric fasteners on their vehicles from the factory, which is something of a disincentive for the tool makers in respect to tooling up a production line to produce 6-point sockets in every shape and size.

As noted, impacts will work in most cases, although generally they're thicker-walled than their standard chrome counterparts, but they can be had cheap. (I think I paid HarborFreight all of $25 bucks for a whole rack of 1/2" drive metric deep-wells to do a brake job on a truck - was less than buying the two singles I needed to do the job.)

 

[AJHD]

Keep in mind that the tools offered by CAT are largely aimed at CAT techs working on heavy equipment (mostly CAT) and customers doing the same.

They don't offer everything you might find in the Snap On catalog or even from other brands.

 

[pfbz]

How many times have you NEEDED a 1/2" drive deep 6 point chrome socket?

If I only used tools that I definitively "need", my toolbox would still look like this:
instead of this:

 

[ChevyEFI]

Browsing the catalog I do not see a set of SIX point 1/2" dr shallow chrome metric sockets.
Am I missing something or do really only have 12pt?
Hopefully someone here with experience ordering from them knows and could point it out.
I looked, I really did
Thanks in advance fellas

How to live a better life:

Admit you don't need it. Or:

Order a no skips Ko-Ken array.

You're welcome.

 

[winlinmac]

I purchased just about everything I wanted from CAT, I am still waiting for my Pick though which happens to be backordered strangely

 

[dcg1]

Cross-posting this from the current thread in hot deals; thought these part numbers might be helpful:

213-4443 - 1/4" standard SAE 12pt set with ratchet/extensions/u-joint/adapters/socket driver (6pt doesn't exist in standard SAE 1/4")
213-9965 - 1/4" deep SAE 6pt socket set
200-8413 - 1/4" standard metric 6pt socket set
194-3578 - 1/4" deep metric 6pt socket set

214-1143 - 3/8" standard SAE 6pt socket set
214-1151 - 3/8" deep SAE 6 pt socket set
214-6620 - 3/8" standard metric 6pt socket set
553-1198 - 3/8" deep metric 6 pt socket set

214-6498 - 1/2" standard SAE 6pt socket set
2P-5490 - 1/2" deep SAE 6 pt socket set
199-6156 - 1/2" standard metric 12pt socket set (6pt doesn't exist in standard metric 1/2")
194-3576 - 1/2" deep metric 12 pt socket set (6pt doesn't exist in deep metric 1/2")

213-3086 - 1/2" standard SAE 6pt impact socket set
213-3515 - 1/2" deep SAE 6pt impact socket set
213-6923 - 1/2" standard metric 6ph impact socket set
214-6643 - 1/2" deep metric 6pt impact socket set

194-3584 - torx socket set
214-6142 - SAE hex socket set
194-3585 - metric hex socket set - the CAT listing does not indicate that it comes with a 6mm so I ordered a single, but my set did come with the 6mm

233-1639 - 3-piece snap on plier set
233-1640 - 5-piece hard handle screwdriver set
6v-9124 - hard handle pocket screwdriver
195-4609 - snap on seal pick - EDIT - this is no longer snap on; CAT branded made in Germany
9s-1722 - 1/4" driver socket (accepts 1/4" ratchet on rear)

 

[413dan]

how about wrench set, anyone have the part # for metric combination wrench set that is the snap on equivalent? ty in advance!

 

[Pinne]

4C-9600 - Fractional Combination Wrench Set 11pc 3/8 to 1"
4C-9610 - Fractional Short Length Combination Wrench Set (9-pc) 1/4" to 3/4"

1U-5545 - Metric Combination Wrench Set (14-pc) 6-19mm
567-6839 - Metric Short Wrench Set 10-19mm

I believe these are all the Williams Supercombo style wrenches.

 

[413dan]

4C-9600 - Fractional Combination Wrench Set 11pc 3/8 to 1"
4C-9610 - Fractional Short Length Combination Wrench Set (9-pc) 1/4" to 3/4"

1U-5545 - Metric Combination Wrench Set (14-pc) 6-19mm
567-6839 - Metric Short Wrench Set 10-19mm

I believe these are all the Williams Supercombo style wrenches.

thanks, I wasn't sure if there are any snap-on equivalents. I'll have to google if the Williams are cheaper than the CAT branded. Ive been on the lookout for a new set of wrenches in MM's made in the USA. Ive never heard a super combo, which from reading here are a little stouter. Not sure if thats helpful or a hinderance more or less.

 

[dcg1]

I referenced the 1/4" standard 12pt set in my previous post. There's no socket-only set for that combo, but if people don't want the ratchet/case/attachments, you can also piece together the individual sockets; parts numbers are 9S-1711 through 9S-1719.

thanks, I wasn't sure if there are any snap-on equivalents. I'll have to google if the Williams are cheaper than the CAT branded. Ive been on the lookout for a new set of wrenches in MM's made in the USA. Ive never heard a super combo, which from reading here are a little stouter. Not sure if thats helpful or a hinderance more or less.

I did a fair bit of research on the CAT options over the weekend, and it seems like the best values are the snap-on stuff (sockets, 3-piece pliers set, seal pick). There is also a ratcheting screwdriver that the catalog shows as snap-on, but recent posts suggest they are currently sending the Williams model, and the pricing on it isn't the best available.

Some of the Williams stuff (5-piece hard handle screwdriver set and pocket screwdriver) still seems like a great deal. I did not run across any wrenches that were direct snap-on (maybe the double end flare nut set 214-7335?). The supercombo pricing seems good if you need a set, but maybe not "drop everything and buy this now" level - though I haven't looked into that too deeply.

Happy to be corrected if I'm off the mark on any of the above.

 

[JMP]

I referenced the 1/4" standard 12pt set in my previous post. There's no socket-only set for that combo, but if people don't want the ratchet/case/attachments, you can also piece together the individual sockets; parts numbers are 9S-1711 through 9S-1719.



I did a fair bit of research on the CAT options over the weekend, and it seems like the best values are the snap-on stuff (sockets, 3-piece pliers set, seal pick). There is also a ratcheting screwdriver that the catalog shows as snap-on, but recent posts suggest they are currently sending the Williams model, and the pricing on it isn't the best available.

Some of the Williams stuff (5-piece hard handle screwdriver set and pocket screwdriver) still seems like a great deal. I did not run across any wrenches that were direct snap-on (maybe the double end flare nut set 214-7335?). The supercombo pricing seems good if you need a set, but maybe not "drop everything and buy this now" level - though I haven't looked into that too deeply.

Happy to be corrected if I'm off the mark on any of the above.

Pretty spot on here. The 4 way angle head wrenches are Snap On and are an excellent value.

 

[Steve_P]

The angle wrenches are on page 4 and the stubby combos on page 5 if you want to add those to the list.

 

[wbclassics]

I did not run across any wrenches that were direct snap-on (maybe the double end flare nut set 214-7335?).

The CAT 214-7335 flare nut wrench set is CAT branded, including on each wrench in the set. The product image CAT uses that shows the wrenches with Snap-on logos is out of date. Do an image search to see the CAT units or check eBay.

I have that CAT set, they're made in the USA, probably still by Snap-on... but finish quality isn't up to usual Snap-on standards. On my 5/8 - 11/16 CAT flare nut wrench, the stamped sizes and CAT logo are not aligned with wrench, they're visibly askew. I'd say overall chrome quality leaves some thing to be desired as well, with the notable thing I recall being poor chroming in one hex end of each of the wrenches, presumably from how the wrench was held or secured when going through the plating tanks.

 

[dcg1]

The CAT 214-7335 flare nut wrench set is CAT branded, including on each wrench in the set. The product image CAT uses that shows the wrenches with Snap-on logos is out of date. Do an image search to see the CAT units or check eBay.

I have that CAT set, they're made in the USA, probably still by Snap-on... but finish quality isn't up to usual Snap-on standards. On my 5/8 - 11/16 CAT flare nut wrench, the stamped sizes and CAT logo are not aligned with wrench, they're visibly askew. I'd say overall chrome quality leaves some thing to be desired as well, with the notable thing I recall being poor chroming in one hex end of each of the wrenches, presumably from how the wrench was held or secured when going through the plating tanks.

Thanks, yes, I should have clarified Snap-On branded vs Snap-on equivalent but CAT branded. The only item I saw that was just a straight-up Snap-on branded item was the seal pick (I think I also ran across a single slotted Instinct screwdriver in the catalog that might be Snap-on, but haven't seen that confirmed).

 

[TheToolEnthusiast]

The CAT 214-7335 flare nut wrench set is CAT branded, including on each wrench in the set. The product image CAT uses that shows the wrenches with Snap-on logos is out of date. Do an image search to see the CAT units or check eBay.

I have that CAT set, they're made in the USA, probably still by Snap-on... but finish quality isn't up to usual Snap-on standards. On my 5/8 - 11/16 CAT flare nut wrench, the stamped sizes and CAT logo are not aligned with wrench, they're visibly askew. I'd say overall chrome quality leaves some thing to be desired as well, with the notable thing I recall being poor chroming in one hex end of each of the wrenches, presumably from how the wrench was held or secured when going through the plating tanks.

Are the CAT flare nut wrenches as tight on tolerance as the Snap-On? I’m not sure the finish would bother me if they perform as well as the Snap-On equivalent.

 

[Banjorear]

The angle wrenches are on page 4 and the stubby combos on page 5 if you want to add those to the list.

Would it be possible for you to list the part #'s? I find CAT's website to be extremely difficult to navigate.

 

[Nekit]

Thanks, yes, I should have clarified Snap-On branded vs Snap-on equivalent but CAT branded. The only item I saw that was just a straight-up Snap-on branded item was the seal pick (I think I also ran across a single slotted Instinct screwdriver in the catalog that might be Snap-on, but haven't seen that confirmed).

I saw on another thread that the hose pick is now coming with a non Snap On handle(looks completely different). It used to come with a Snap On labeled handle.

 

[mngundog]

Are the CAT flare nut wrenches as tight on tolerance as the Snap-On? I’m not sure the finish would bother me if they perform as well as the Snap-On equivalent.

I'm pretty sure that Snap-on retooled, in order to make the rebranded wrenches out of spec.

 

[dcg1]

I saw on another thread that the hose pick is now coming with a non Snap On handle(looks completely different). It used to come with a Snap On labeled handle.

That's too bad, but thank you for the heads up. I did order one of those, so I'll confirm the latest once my order ships.

 

[mreisner]

I had suspected earlier that the Snap-on and Williams and cap were all the same flare wrench but looking at a set of Williams compared to a set of Snap-on they are slightly different, sizes are a little bit different and also which dimensions are on which wrench are a little bit different. I'm assuming that the Snap-on is standalone and the Williams and Cat Flare wrenches are the same. This is a little bit older sets of Snap-on that I was comparing to and the Williams are excellent wrenches but you can see that they aren't finished to as high of a level.

 

[mreisner]

Once again I'm having problems attaching files I'll try to get the pictures to upload

 

[mreisner]

Anybody else having the problems where you can bring up the box for attached files but then when you click on it it doesn't give you the option to put thumbnail or full size it just disappears?

 

[Ohio Andy]

Anybody else having the problems where you can bring up the box for attached files but then when you click on it it doesn't give you the option to put thumbnail or full size it just disappears?

I was last night and I think this morning.

If I remember correctly, it was mostly related to cloudfare.

 

[AJHD]

I'm pretty sure that Snap-on retooled, in order to make the rebranded wrenches out of spec.

You might be onto something there....

 

[51dueller]

Figured I might as well join the club with some swivel metric 1/2 impact sockets (10mm to 19mm). I know I was never going to pay Snap On's price for these which would be about $1275. It was $557 Canadian including $10 shipping as I didn't feel like picking them up from the dealer.