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channellock at walmart

csmitty

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I'll be sure to check out the channel locks sometime this week. I've always enjoyed using them and don't think i've ever broken any. I just usually wait till the home stores have them on sale or I have a coupon or something.
 
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Borrego

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Well, I went to Walmart's web site and the only Channel Locks they have listed can only be ordered on line through third party companies.......Nothing listed is available in stores......What I was hopeful for was a listing of what they had available in stock locally with prices...........Just my .02 worth.
 

ryan_289

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Nice to see channellock has been able to branch out on distribution, hopefully walmart does not force them to cheapen the product or otherwise cave to certain demands.

X2. It seems Walmart is good about squeezing a supplier untill they have no choice but to lower price/quality.
 

diesel research

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Well, I went to Walmart's web site and the only Channel Locks they have listed can only be ordered on line through third party companies.......Nothing listed is available in stores......What I was hopeful for was a listing of what they had available in stock locally with prices...........Just my .02 worth.

I saw 2 sizes of standard "channellocks" aka slip joint pliers. Not a big selection like you might find at tool stores with cutters and oil filter wrenches and needlenose and crimpers ect ect, but it's a start...
 

Tom2

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Something that always comes to my mind, when people say how they break the Craftsman standard ratchets (or any of their Craftsman tools) left and right, is they know there is a free replacement coming and tend to abuse the **** out of them. Furthermore, if you honestly have broken 5 or 6 ratchets you are using them wrong. I can understand one or two that were bad out of the box, however if you aren't fibbing or exaggerating I really have to question what you are doing with them! I have two friends who are/were professional mechanics at dealerships who used Craftsman standard ratchets and never have broken one or worn one out. Their experiences were the majority of the reason I went with Sears for my tools vs. the higher priced companies.

I did break a new 3/8" Craftsman ratchet, I was using a 4' pipe with it. I mean really, it is hardly unexpected that I broke it when I was putting what amounted to in the neighborhood of 500 ft-lbs of torque on the thing.

I've probably broke 15 Craftsman raised panel in the past 10 years. I have yet to break my Taiwan Stanley which I have used for the past 4 years, and I use it every bit as hard as the Craftsmans. Yes, the Craftsmans will break from abuse (very easily) - but I've had new ones sieze up as I'm walking out of the mall with it turning it. Most just wear out and stop working correctly after a few months. It's not just a matter of applying way too much torque to it.
But I'll stop the conversation there..It's not worth getting into a big thing about it. That's just my experience and opinion on it. Just been disapointed with C-man lately and am happy to see more US competition at major retailers.

I look forward to using the Channellock ratchet though..See how much use/abuse it takes.
 

sk farmer

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I've probably broke 15 Craftsman raised panel in the past 10 years. I have yet to break my Taiwan Stanley which I have used for the past 4 years, and I use it every bit as hard as the Craftsmans. Yes, the Craftsmans will break from abuse (very easily) - but I've had new ones sieze up as I'm walking out of the mall with it turning it. Most just wear out and stop working correctly after a few months. It's not just a matter of applying way too much torque to it.
But I'll stop the conversation there..It's not worth getting into a big thing about it. That's just my experience and opinion on it. Just been disapointed with C-man lately and am happy to see more US competition at major retailers.

I look forward to using the Channellock ratchet though..See how much use/abuse it takes.

can we see pics of said ratchet. if i recall it may have been made by sk. if it is i may make on offer or trade for an sk branded ratchet. none the less i hope it gives you good service.
 

PaulR

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Kind of amazing I think:

The big Orange and Blue stores recently dump all their USA made hand tools for chinese ones, and Wal-Mart invests in selling USA made hand tools.

:eyecrazy:

I've bought some USA made Stanley tools in Walmart in the past as well. :thumbup:
 

Tom2

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can we see pics of said ratchet. if i recall it may have been made by sk. if it is i may make on offer or trade for an sk branded ratchet. none the less i hope it gives you good service.

It's possible.. I have an SK laying around too which was another garage sale find..I'll try to get a pic of both later. I plan on keeping both (probably not of much value anyways).

Thanks
 

lbgradwell

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...I just picked up a $1 Channellock 3/8 ratchet from a garage sale. Looks like new. Not a high tooth count, but feels very strong/heavy duty. Has USA marked on it, and looks great.

I'd like to see a picture too; can't recall an USA Channellock ratchet.

Ryan, can you tell us what time frame this would be?
 

Tom2

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Different from the SK I have. Guessing the Channellock is much newer.

rat.jpg



ratc.jpg
 

Trucky

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I saw 2 sizes of standard "channellocks" aka slip joint pliers. Not a big selection like you might find at tool stores with cutters and oil filter wrenches and needlenose and crimpers ect ect, but it's a start...

Do you mean tongue and groove pliers? I've never seen two sizes of slip-joints before from the Channellock brand.
 

lbgradwell

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Guessing the Channellock is much newer.

Actually, I have seen those before...

Back in the late 80s, Channellock marketed a somewhat gimmicky adjustable socket & that is the ratchet that was included in the "kit" (which comprised the socket, ratchet & a belt holster).

I don't believe that's SK-sourced, Harlan. Maybe Wright or Giller?

EDIT: Oops. I meant Thorsen, not Giller...
 
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zer0cell

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I was also surprised to see channel lock at Walmart - it was a good surprise.
 

Lightfoot

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It's nice to know that their are tool manufacturers out their who might be reading what we have to say. (It's a shame they have to read some of the rubbish written above) Thank you for correcting the ignorance. :bounce:


i agree

nice to see some folks taken off that un-informed high horse occasionally. It's pretty easy to be a keyboard cowboy as long as nobody brings facts to the table.
 

jeffmoss26

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I was brought up using Channellock pliers. My uncle has been a plumber for almost 40 years. There is a reason they take up half of my plier drawer. I am proud to use tools that are still made here in the USA and by a family owned company!
 

Borrego

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Wonder if Channel Lock has ever toyed with the idea of putting blue handles on their ratchets like they do with their pliers. All the big ratchet makers have some kind of ergonimic handles on their ratchets, so it not a reinvent the wheel type idea.
I know their niche marketing is in pliers. If the blue handles helped raise the profile and recognition of their pliers, it might do the same for their ratchets.
Then again, ever see a Channel Lock ratchet sold separately without being part of a socket set?
 

Notwerk

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Pretty sure Channellock hasn't made ratchets in years, so there wouldn't be any ratchets to put blue handles on.

Edited to correct: I meant to say that Channellock hasn't made ratchets in years. Apologies.
 
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greasemonkey44

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Kind of amazing I think:

The big Orange and Blue stores recently dump all their USA made hand tools for chinese ones, and Wal-Mart invests in selling USA made hand tools.

:eyecrazy:

I've bought some USA made Stanley tools in Walmart in the past as well. :thumbup:

heh me too, found some screwdrivers 5$ for 4 USA made; doing good so far its been a month
 
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lbgradwell

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So who makes all the Channellock pliers I see in the store?

Coach

Pretty sure he must have meant they haven't made ratchets in years, but I doubt Channellock actually manufactured that 906R anyway.

Of course, you can presently buy Channellock-branded ratchets included in their imported mechanic sets...
 

W650Mike

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I sure would like to stumble across one of those C-Lock ratchets. Looks like a nice fit and finish.

Hey Tom2 – what is the tooth count on that rat? Just curious.
 

Notwerk

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Though, I didn't know they'd sold mechanic's sets. Never seen one in a store, and they don't list them online, so I guess those are either NOS or something they don't really publicize?

Imported tools aren't really something I look at, and whenever I do have need for one, I'd rather just go to HF and pay Chinese prices for Chinese tools, so I suppose those never made my radar. Interesting...
 

Notwerk

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I sure would like to stumble across one of those C-Lock ratchets. Looks like a nice fit and finish.

Hey Tom2 – what is the tooth count on that rat? Just curious.

Now that I look at it closely, that looks a lot like the new design Williams M-52a. Not the same drive size, but the style and shape are very similar.
 
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gabeancounter

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I had to go by and see the new channellock display. I think walmart just added this to offset the new HF line they are carrying. That new chicom stuff is hanging out in the aisles with these big buckets of $1-3 items.

IMAG0266.jpg

IMAG0270.jpg

IMAG0268.jpg
 

Kirbot

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I have two friends who are/were professional mechanics at dealerships who used Craftsman standard ratchets and never have broken one or worn one out.

What year was this?
It's no secret that the quality of the standard raised panel ratchets has gone down the turd flusher in the last ten or so years.

The old -V- series raised panel ratchets were fantastic.


As for channellock...
I was at a walmart today.
They had three different sizes of channellock tongue and groove pliers.

They were like a beacon of hope in a sea of chinese **** from what was once a great company (Stanley)
 
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Trucky

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Aha. Very surprising indeed, I had only ever seen or known about the more "standard variety" slip joint pliers. I might have a buy a few of those now... thanks :D
 

greasemonkey44

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went today, they had several pairs in stock, bought one for myself.
they also had linemans and some other stuff, priced right too
they had vaughn hammers as well, a rack of them
nice to see decent stuff, did see the ultra steel stuff, 2.50 for a slim pry bar was hard to resist tho, they make good drywall kickers
 

Trucky

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Bought some diags, 15$ not too shabby, just as use as beaters instead of my Knipex. Saw a bunch of stuff on clearance (~50% off), got some punches, a screwdriver, and one of those Gator-grip sockets (Just to have it!), all made in USA for cheap.

I don't mind having the HF stuff there as long as the US-made hammers and Channellock stays there.
 

pipsters

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What year was this?
It's no secret that the quality of the standard raised panel ratchets has gone down the turd flusher in the last ten or so years.

The old -V- series raised panel ratchets were fantastic.


I own a 1/2 V series raised panel w/ metal selector (and oil hole) I bought at an estate sale. I also own a set (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) of the plastic selector ones. I feel the plastic selector ones are just as good. More refined inside, and smoother. There is a certain "exclusivity" you find on here about tools, as you can't just go to the store to buy some of them, like that RP metal selector ratchet.

The ones my buddies used were the plastic selector ones as well.
 
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