Cornwell Tools?
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krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
are they good? IMHO yes..............
are they worth the money? boy that will be a hot debate around here
are they worth the money? boy that will be a hot debate around here
Merkava_4
Banned
They're an excellent tool and worth the price as long as you get their core USA made tools.
dougcoug
Active member
My uncle owns a Cornwell truck and I've looked at every tool on it. Everything is excellent quality and he uses them all the time (7 cars, 2 trucks, boat, trailer, etc.) and swears by them.
Merkava_4
Banned
Bustawrench
Well-known member
Wish I could say that!second that.................their imports are mediocre though.
dfndr
Well-known member
Where are they mainly? Do they have trucks in California? Who makes their tool boxes?
seth_man
Well-known member
i have many cornwell tools, sockets, wrenches, ratchets, and a 58" box w/ canope, and i like them all. never have broken a socket or ratchet. i did break a 10mm ratcheting wrench once but it was quickly replaced. the box is nothing special. it was inexpensive and i havent really had any problems except for a broken lock once but that was also quickly taken care of.
kennedy used to make their tool boxes but i dont think they still do. i watched the tool box video on their website yesterday and all they said was this is the "facility" where their boxes are made. i tried to read the patches on the workers shirts and the logo somewhat looks like the waterloo logo but i cant be sure.
kennedy used to make their tool boxes but i dont think they still do. i watched the tool box video on their website yesterday and all they said was this is the "facility" where their boxes are made. i tried to read the patches on the workers shirts and the logo somewhat looks like the waterloo logo but i cant be sure.
TNToy
Well-known member
It is.
Their boxes are Waterloos. They apparently have a 'wing' of the Waterloo factory now. My truck guy has pictures from a company retreat they went to near the facility, and has a bunch of pics of them fabbing the boxes.
I will say that their current design of box is much closer in quality to Snappy and Matco's units. I've got one of the old ones, and it works just fine.
Their boxes are Waterloos. They apparently have a 'wing' of the Waterloo factory now. My truck guy has pictures from a company retreat they went to near the facility, and has a bunch of pics of them fabbing the boxes.
I will say that their current design of box is much closer in quality to Snappy and Matco's units. I've got one of the old ones, and it works just fine.
blue302stang
Well-known member
Everything i have from cornwell is top notch, and our tool truck guy is the best driver i have ever dealt with
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They have some of the finest ratchets made, the steel handle and action are the best feeling ratchet on the market.
nismomans13
Well-known member
I've been curious about the cornwell quality too. I don't have cornwell trucks around here and you can't order off their website so i never bought anything.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
All tool truck prices are insane. Cornwell tools offers a small hardline of wrenches, sockets (not bit or torx), and ratchets that they manufacture. Everything else, is rebadged from other domestic and foriegn suppliers. Their hardline hasn't changed for many years. Their all steel ratchets look basically the same today as they did 40 or more years ago and still have 30 teeth. Their sockets have a retainer hole on one side instead of the usual scalloped area on each side for the drive tool detent ball. They are a quality tool that will provide you with years of service but, don't expect anything fancy or cutting edge. Their selection is smaller than the other tool truck brands but, there designs have stood the test of time. They offer durable no frills tools that harken back to days gone by. As for their tool boxes, Waterloo is the current supplier but, they haved used Remline, Kennedy, and others in the past. I have had real good service from Cornwell dealers over the years. The only challenge is keeping one. Competition is pretty tough in the mobile tool business and sometimes they don't last.
Merkava_4
Banned
You must have some old Cornwell tools because starting about the year 2000, they've made some extensive improvements to their wrenches. I have a set of wrenches from the mid 1990's and then two single newer generation wrenches by themselves and I see vast improvements over the older wrenches.
Then there's the ball detent they've added to the flex joint of their flex head ratchets too.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You must have some old Cornwell tools because starting about the year 2000, they've made some extensive improvements to their wrenches. I have a set of wrenches from the mid 1990's and then two single newer generation wrenches by themselves and I see vast improvements over the older wrenches.
Then there's the ball detent they've added to the flex joint of their flex head ratchets too.
I can't get that excited over Cornwell adding a detent ball to their 3/8 and 1/2 flex head ratchets when they're still 30 tooth. Their wrenches have improved slightly. They've also added knurled extensions. My point is that they really haven't expanded their core hardline in many years. Compare what Cornwell offers to the selection offered by other tool truck brands or even SK. I'm not saying that Cornwell's quality isn't top notch, it is. I'm saying that they haven't really come out with anything new that they manufacture in awhile that leads the auto repair industry. I like their tools but, they're limited in scope.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The body on their inch series wrenches are wide and smooth and are very easy on your hands, a very good product. The long double box end wrenches are longest in the industry and onch again are wide and don't shock your hand when breaking loose fasteners. I used to have S-O long double boxes but they were so thin they would shock your hand when a tight fastener cracked loose you had to hold them with a rag, just too thin and now they are gone.
Merkava_4
Banned
I'm saying that they haven't really come out with anything new that they manufacture in awhile that leads the auto repair industry. I like their tools but, they're limited in scope.
They're keeping their line lean and mean. That to me is a lot better than having a bunch of **** nobody wants ... like magnetic extensions or stupid idiotic wrenches that have their beams twisted!!
I might get in trouble for that one.
Gregster
Well-known member
They're keeping their line lean and mean. That to me is a lot better than having a bunch of **** nobody wants ... like magnetic extensions or stupid idiotic wrenches that have their beams twisted!!
I might get in trouble for that one.
They keep what sells... Core products is what brings any tool company their real money.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They're keeping their line lean and mean. That to me is a lot better than having a bunch of **** nobody wants ... like magnetic extensions or stupid idiotic wrenches that have their beams twisted!!
I might get in trouble for that one.
Yeah, I'm thinking you'll be off of someone's Christmas card list for comments like that.
My favorite drain plug wrench is a Craftsman reversible ratcheting Crossforce wrench. It's the most comfortable wrench for repetitive type work.
As always, your results may vary.
I can't get that excited over Cornwell adding a detent ball to their 3/8 and 1/2 flex head ratchets when they're still 30 tooth. Their wrenches have improved slightly. They've also added knurled extensions. My point is that they really haven't expanded their core hardline in many years. Compare what Cornwell offers to the selection offered by other tool truck brands or even SK. I'm not saying that Cornwell's quality isn't top notch, it is. I'm saying that they haven't really come out with anything new that they manufacture in awhile that leads the auto repair industry. I like their tools but, they're limited in scope.
They really should expand their damn hardline, and not with the mediocre **** they re-label. The good thing is they will HAPPILY sell you Hazet, Knipex,etc.. I heard rumor from a district rep, Hazet may become their bit socket/etc.. manufacturer, in the near future. Witte makes their screwdrivers, so the Hazet thing could hold some weight. Cornwell has the full Hazet line, and warranty for EVERY Hazet tool available. Cornwell Tech Credit will also finance all Hazet tools, as well as Cornwell. Cornwell classic USA, combined with Hazet would create a tool truck, that would put the lead in the pipe, Ultimate tool addict arousal.
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
A Hazet stocked Cornwell truck would be amazing and extremely hard on the wallet lol.
They're keeping their line lean and mean. That to me is a lot better than having a bunch of **** nobody wants ... like magnetic extensions or stupid idiotic wrenches that have their beams twisted!!
I might get in trouble for that one.
For the most part, I have to agree with you. The damn twisted wrenches don't fit and swing well in most places.
They market those to the mocha latte guys, who whine about their hands hurting, from the big bad regular wrenches.
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Cornwell makes twisted beam wrenches....they are just adjustable, they seem nice just too cumbersome to use effectivly.
Their getting alot of complaints about their lackluster re-labels. Hazet tool sales are way up on the Cornwell trucks(for the dealers that want to play).
Hazet tools may make SO prices look cheap, but I have never had a Hazet tool disappoint PERIOD. They are tough MF's. You can feel the quality, and they lack the over done chrome job. Once you start using them, they really get addictive, no holds barred quality. Cornwell's original hardline is not far behind.