Cornwell tools....

[MarkH]

That has been a good thing about Cornwell. We expand and move as part of the business. If we do not have something local, we have just sent the brokens in to the company and they send the replacements back. Something we have not had success with with all of the companies that we have purchased from.

Our strategy for the shops has been go with the truck cores at the best price we can get them for, figure out who makes most of the specialty tools and get them in another flavor since we can do a significant savings that way. The specialty tools off trucks are very limited to what we cannot get any other way.

Kinda backwards from some of the other statements but we have more dollars in specialty tools than the core wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers. That is even at the lower priced OEM costs. It did not start that way but has grown over the last 25 years. For example used to be one socket one ratchet to change plugs, just ran a set in on a newer Camaro I have today. Used a different combination of ratchet, extensions, and sockets to get to each hole and that did not include which ones you got from the top vs the bottom.

 

[HandyManny]

I am a new mechanic.... and am starting to build my tool collection. I have pretty much set my eyes on cornwell, due to cost effectivness and the eagerness of the Tool truck driver to work with my budget.

BUT, there arent any people in my shop who use Cornwell...
SO, i need to know... is it any good? Or am i wasting my money...

For all the rave that Cornwell gets, I've never seen a Cornwell truck, nor do I know too many mechanics who use them. They are, at least in my area pretty rare. I've come across a very few older tools at garage sales and flea markets, but they are rare, and none of the one I've seen were in very grood condition. My advise is to purchase tools that are easier to obtain locally and get warranty service on if needed. Tools like Snap-On, MAC, S-K. Even Lisle, Craftsman, and KD stuff. Industrial suppliers are also good sources and sell very good quality professional grade tools often for less money than the tool trucks. Places like Grainger, MSC Industrial Supply, and Fastenal. They will ship next day air as well.

 

[Derek1387]

I think he might be talking about their 700 series carts which have 8 drawers and are 38w x 20 deep and about 40 in high. That ranks up there with moderate sized rollcabs from some vendors.

OP - which one did you get?

I got the 700 series. So, NO, didnt fall on deaf ears. Just havent ebeen on in a few days.

FOR NOW, they will be in there till i buuld my setup, then i buy a stand alone box.

 

[Snap on]

Cornwell makes a good tool, you will not have any trouble with Cornwell hand tools.

I have mostly Snap On tools, some MAC and MATCO as well as some Cornwell. I even have a set of SK wrenches in both SAE and Metric. I also have Gear wrenches. Sockets are mostly Snap On with some MAC, impact are all Snap On except for one set of Deep Well Matco SAE sockets.

In my home box I have Craftsman Professional wrenches along with Gear Wrenches. Sockets at home are Ingersoll Rand impacts and just because they were cheap Northern Tool chrome sockets and ratchets.

If you are depending on making your living with your tools spend the extra and buy the good stuff, be it from Snap On, MAC, Matco or Cornwell. At home you can get by with Craftsman, Northern and a few others.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I don't know if Cornwell tools are under rated anymore. 2+ years ago you could get them for a fraction of the cost new on EBAY. Nowadays, not so much........

I have always liked Cornwell tools. A couple of years ago I even posted a thread here asking why people did not like them. ANTI-CORNWELL, WHY? Times have changed......

The weird thing is that the Cornwell guy around here is known as the best tool truck dealer. However, of all my Pawn shopping, Flea Marketing, and overall scrounging, I have probably found less that $200 worth of Cornwell tools on "the open market".

I really do wonder why. It is much easier for me to find Snap on and MATCO than Cornwell in the secondary market. (I find very little MAC)

-BWP

 

[fourfeathers]

I actually like my Cornwell gearless die grinder kit, but just buy the equivelant air tools from CP instead.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm thinking some of you guys might be a little overly concerned about warranty service. Cornwell tools are tough tools and they can hold there own - as long as they're used properly and used within their designed capabilities. I don't see how anyone could break a Cornwell wrench unless they slide a 10 ft. cheater pipe over it; and in which case you're not using the right tool anyway.

 

[Derek1387]

well, looks like i should buy craftsman sockets, etc etc, and tool truck specialty tools, and a GOOD set of ratchets... ***** that good ratchets are EXPENSIVE@!!!!

 

[forceyoda]

You can get a good ratchet on ebay alot cheaper than the trucks, at least 50% less for most brands.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

I am a new mechanic.... and am starting to build my tool collection. I have pretty much set my eyes on cornwell, due to cost effectivness and the eagerness of the Tool truck driver to work with my budget.

BUT, there arent any people in my shop who use Cornwell...
SO, i need to know... is it any good? Or am i wasting my money...

good luck with your career as mechanic as it is both frustrating yet rewarding at times.

I like Cornwell and buy alot of offbrand stuff from my dealer. Two of my main ratchets at work are Cornwells.

I dont like there air tools however and belive most are imports go with Ingersol Rand for all your air tools and you cant go wrong

I put Cornwell a tier below Snap On tho all my heavy use sockets and wrenches are snappy

 

[autoace]

You can get a good ratchet on ebay alot cheaper than the trucks, at least 50% less for most brands.

That is only because I needed to fix my roof in a hurry! Otherwise my few Cornwells were keepers.

 

[FiftyCalAl]

are the flex head ratcheting wrenches US made? look just like GEARWRENCH design

 

[Merkava_4]

are the flex head ratcheting wrenches US made? look just like GEARWRENCH design

No, Cornwell doesn't make the ratcheting wrenches, they farm those out and have their name put on them. Cornwell makes their own NON-ratcheting wrenches.

 

[otherphone]

Most my cornwell stuff is Mint , the price for sockets is around same price as snap on,,,, most are good , the chrome just falls off some of their sockets & my breaker bar ,,,,, i wonder if they will warranty it,, i asked them in a email and tgey said , "if i ever find a cornwell truck, it will be up to the driver" ,,,, its been years , no trucks in sight...... for the price , i will never buy cornwell sockets again

 

[d.mcfarland]

Old thread REVIVED!!!

 

[vssjim]

Why not just send them to them in a flat rate priced USPS envelope, just a few dollars and new tools will show up.

 

[vssjim]

Most my cornwell stuff is Mint , the price for sockets is around same price as snap on,,,, most are good , the chrome just falls off some of their sockets & my breaker bar ,,,,, i wonder if they will warranty it,, i asked them in a email and tgey said , "if i ever find a cornwell truck, it will be up to the driver" ,,,, its been years , no trucks in sight...... for the price , i will never buy cornwell sockets again[/QUOTe

Why not just mail them in and they will be replaced for just a few dollars for a USPS flat rate envelope

 

[mudflap]

well, looks like i should buy craftsman sockets, etc etc, and tool truck specialty tools, and a GOOD set of ratchets... ***** that good ratchets are EXPENSIVE@!!!!

Yes they are.....some good advice here...cover your bases with craftsman..then upgrading to some fancy stuff as you can afford will be fun...i tell the new Techs coming in to the county Garage.... own your tools / toolbox....it's no fun when your tools / toolbox ....own YOU...... Where does your shop get parts..? NAPA Carlyle Tools are very good for the money...we are buying almost exclusively from them now... They have proven to be just as good as any truck brand..Friday,,i busted my Snap-On Torx T-50, and a co workers Cman T-50 trying to get the seat off a Bobcat...Had the Napa guy bring a Carlyle T-50 on his afternoon run....it twisted a little..but held up and got the job done.....

 

[Strouty]

I remember 2009.

 

[mudflap]

I remember 2009.

Me too..... Thats the year i bought my street Glide......and rode all Summer..

 

[Apache3057]

I don't have a lot of Cornwell in my box but you can see a big difference in the quality. The wrenches are sweet. I ve dealt with the company directly for a couple of returns. No questions asked. Wish I had more of their wrenches!! Lol!!

 

[pawnworld007]

I remember 2009.

Me too..... Thats the year i bought my street Glide......and rode all Summer..

I remember my first beer too