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Do they do anything better than anyone else? Something as good for cheaper?
Cornwell - any must haves?
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nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Short answer, nope.
Slightly longer answer, they rebrand a lot of their stuff at a stiff markup but some of it isn't highly marked up, especially if in the monthly flier.
Some of their hard-line (ratchets, sockets, wrenches, extensions) are still made in Ohio, but I wouldn't call them better or cheaper than the competition.
Slightly longer answer, they rebrand a lot of their stuff at a stiff markup but some of it isn't highly marked up, especially if in the monthly flier.
Some of their hard-line (ratchets, sockets, wrenches, extensions) are still made in Ohio, but I wouldn't call them better or cheaper than the competition.
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txvwnut
Well-known member
I don’t remember the last time I saw a Cornwell truck.
afazz
Well-known member
Unless I missed someone else releasing one, they are only tool company selling a 72” handled Prybar:
Beyond that, their combination wrenches are great and most of their ratchets are US-made and very good. Neither are cheaper than the other top brands. They do rebrand a lot of tools, but their markups aren’t nearly as bad as others and they have good flyer discounts. If you can find a truck!
Beyond that, their combination wrenches are great and most of their ratchets are US-made and very good. Neither are cheaper than the other top brands. They do rebrand a lot of tools, but their markups aren’t nearly as bad as others and they have good flyer discounts. If you can find a truck!
3/8 torque adapters for me. Nice size box ends and offsets. If only I could find some 1/2" stuff in similar quality/price range. Have bought a 1/2 drive 3/4 from Snapon but holy crapola I would hate to think what they want for a full set.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Buddy of mine loves their ratchets and wrenches, and he scored a deal on his box through them. But they don't have any one product that jumps out over another.
Ditchdigger
Well-known member
Not sure who makes their pneumatic tools, but their air die grinders and belt sanders are powerful, and relatively quiet for what they are. Every time I switch from my Cornwell 3/8 belt sander to the Astro I am shocked at how nice the Cornwell is to use.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Double flex wrenches are very nice, as are the double indexing pry bars. If you have their flier there will be deals on Lisle, Schley, etc which are similar to Amazon pricing. Gripedge seems to have MAP pricing and is about the same on the local truck versus Amazon, maybe $5-10 difference.
Remember, Cornwell only will deal with you via their dealer network. So if you have an issue, and your dealer is gone, ***** to be you. Be aware when buying high use items you expect to warranty.
Remember, Cornwell only will deal with you via their dealer network. So if you have an issue, and your dealer is gone, ***** to be you. Be aware when buying high use items you expect to warranty.
That looks like a Mayhew handle. Very nice.Unless I missed someone else releasing one, they are only tool company selling a 72” handled Prybar:
Beyond that, their combination wrenches are great and most of their ratchets are US-made and very good. Neither are cheaper than the other top brands. They do rebrand a lot of tools, but their markups aren’t nearly as bad as others and they have good flyer discounts. If you can find a truck!
Just my $0.02
The only tool that I have from Cornwell is a mid size ratchet and yes it is of good quality, handles well, etc. but to say that it is the best or better than any of the other top of the line tools from other manufacturers....No.
It's more like.....it ranks up there with a few of the best and that's it.
But then again it all just comes down to a matter of opinion.
Last.....I do agree though that their tools are a bit overpriced.
The only tool that I have from Cornwell is a mid size ratchet and yes it is of good quality, handles well, etc. but to say that it is the best or better than any of the other top of the line tools from other manufacturers....No.
It's more like.....it ranks up there with a few of the best and that's it.
But then again it all just comes down to a matter of opinion.
Last.....I do agree though that their tools are a bit overpriced.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I'm a fan for their ratchets. The 30t ratchets are strong and smooth as butter. The 72t ratchets are nice as well. Haven't had a dealer in ages. But nothing has broken.
Never handled a Cornwell tool personally but I’d love to own some just for the sake of the heritage. One of the last independent (privately owned?) tool company that’s still forging their own wrenches, ratchets, etc. I also think it’s cool—albeit inconvenient—that they don’t sell their stuff online. Adds to the exclusivity.
Be sure to share with us if you do pick some of their tools up!
Be sure to share with us if you do pick some of their tools up!
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
This! For low tooth count, they are my absolute favorite. Solid build quality and great handle shape.Shoreline_
Well-known member
All my cornwell tools have been sold shortly after buying except my super long 1/2" flex head ratchet I wouldnt buy again. The worst was this 3/8 air impact wrench where the trigger was on or off. I sent this nut flying so far once it took me 20 mins to find it. I dont have time for that. Sold it for an mg325.
Their low tooth count ratchets are built like an army tank. I'm amazed at how smooth they are also. I bought two of them used so I have no idea about their pricing. I don't use them much but they are pretty impressive.
I see one every Tuesday.
The 30t ratchets are extremely good. Super strong and smooth as mentioned above. Have an extra long 1/4" ratchet (sorry don't remember the part #) that got me out of a tight spot recently. Needed the length and thin head profile......nothing else I have would work.
NitroExpress
Well-known member
I didn’t find this to be true with a 3/8” ratchet that I warrantied through them. In my quest to try ratchets from all quality makers and having no access to a Cornwell dealer, I ordered one from a jerk on eBay. Long story, but in the end I wound up with a ratchet that didn’t perform as designed. I figured I was out of luck and it sat for some time with no mechanism, just a handle. One day I decided to phone up Cornwell, got a human who gave me an address and said send it in. I did so and very quickly received it back in working order and I really like it after adding some Superlube.
If you are making money with your tools and are used to being serviced by a dealer you likely won’t want to fool with Cornwell if you don’t have access to one of their franchisee’s. However, if you do own a broken tool of theirs they do seem willing to take care of it if you are willing to send it to them.
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
Sure there are good things from Cornwell. Some of it is rebranded but, as said earlier get it from the flyers. Much cheaper that way. With the rebrands my driver warranties everything. So the little extra is worth it to me. They tend to be cheaper than say Snap On on most things.
My dealer comes to my shop every week (Snap On too) and I was just on the Cornwell truck today.
My dealer comes to my shop every week (Snap On too) and I was just on the Cornwell truck today.
Jweebothee
Well-known member
I like my Cornwell branded coolant filler, coolant pressure tester, and my 1/4 sockets, wrench extender, pick set, im sure they are all rebranded but, he shows up every week,
From what I've seen, Cornwell has some cool, unique things. But I don't really consider them "must haves". One thing that I think is pretty neat is their CBPEUP12MST, they're like the Astro extra long swivel sockets, but they also push down straight to lock and make just a straight extension. One must have for me is they are the only ones that have the Vessel Iridescent purple screwdrivers.
rsparks64
Well-known member
It is nice to have such a consensus!
xOccupantx
Well-known member
I’m a pretty big Snap On fan and I’ll say their USA made chrome and impact sockets are just as good if not better than Snap On. I really like them.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
The older high performance extra long zero offset DBE wrenches had a thick beam that resists flexing unlike most of the ones today. Not sure if they still offer that version, but they are the strongest I have used. Their flare nut wrenches are high quality too.
I’ve warrantied things though the mail with Cornwell with ease. Never an issue.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the best thing about Corwell are their dealers. I've met some of the best dealers hawking Cornwell. Sadly, many of them didn't last long but, they were great to deal with. 
I've had a couple ratchets for years that have passed the test of time. One of my favorite and a "must-have" imo is this one:
https://webcat.cornwelltools.com/TR...Cornwell-Classic™-30-Tooth-Ratchet-p371690788
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Extra-Long combination wrenches. Very comfy beam section.
Metal handle ratchets. Cornwell makes some of the most comfy metal handle ratchets.
Metal handle ratchets. Cornwell makes some of the most comfy metal handle ratchets.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I'd like to get the mini pocket scraper and pry tool set CTG3PKT:
The Iron Drivers MHC40180 are rebranded Mayhew but as a tool living a life of destruction it might be easier to warranty especially if you have tool truck service:
They have step point drill bits CTD29TMS. Not sure how the price compares to the other options, but they also sell them individually so might be good for some. Including large sizes. Made in USA w/ GC:
I also want the CTG70 CTG80 CTG85 combo pliers:
They offer a good selection of body hammers including some oddball ones like the compact FA171FG:
I have quite a few Cornwell tools and I can't think of anything that is really bad. As Fedwrench mentioned, my local driver is really a super nice guy to work with and has a newer truck that is clean, stocked and organized.
The Iron Drivers MHC40180 are rebranded Mayhew but as a tool living a life of destruction it might be easier to warranty especially if you have tool truck service:
They have step point drill bits CTD29TMS. Not sure how the price compares to the other options, but they also sell them individually so might be good for some. Including large sizes. Made in USA w/ GC:
I also want the CTG70 CTG80 CTG85 combo pliers:
They offer a good selection of body hammers including some oddball ones like the compact FA171FG:
I have quite a few Cornwell tools and I can't think of anything that is really bad. As Fedwrench mentioned, my local driver is really a super nice guy to work with and has a newer truck that is clean, stocked and organized.
Nick Rivers
Well-known member
Another fan of thier ratchets.
Got a bunch of them for free over 40 years ago before they got melted down. Was able to cannibalize them to make a nice set.
Very comfortable handles, all metal, solid ratchet selector that does not inadvertently switch direction.
They want at least 100 bucks each for these now...
Got a bunch of them for free over 40 years ago before they got melted down. Was able to cannibalize them to make a nice set.
Very comfortable handles, all metal, solid ratchet selector that does not inadvertently switch direction.
They want at least 100 bucks each for these now...
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
My driver still hasn't gotten them and he ordered when they first came out
leadfoot415
Well-known member
We haven't had a Cornwell guy in many years, and I only bought a few things from him when we did, but my favorite was definitely the forked pry bar kit. Very useful for cv axles, control arms, stuck things, etc.
CTGFPKIT
webcat.cornwelltools.com
CTGFPKIT
CTGFPKIT - 3 Piece Forked Adjustable Pry Bar Kit
Multi-angle adjustable head design provides greater versatility. Hot forged alloy steel for maximum strength. Comfortable bi-material handle for better grip. Hex Shank: 5/8". Overall length: 24". Includes: 1", 2" and 3/4" forked adjustable pry bars.
webcat.cornwelltools.com
driftpin
Well-known member
I have a set of extractors which has worked well for me.
