Cummins Industrial Tools- Socket Sets

[NKlamerus]

I recently recieved 4 sets of Cummins Industrial Tool Socket Sets, all sets have their Green Cases, Plastic Trays, are complete, and the Labels are in Okay shape for the most part. (Sockets are as well)

However I can not find ANY info on them. I thought someone bought out the company?

Even google images doesn't really bring any results.

Does anyone have any info on the company or the sets? Each socket us chrome and says made in Taiwan.

As for not being so common, I have no clue what they are worth because I can't find any market comparisons.

Set #s.

DWSS-938M
DWSS-912
DWSS-912M
DWSS-938

Thanks everyone.

 

[NKlamerus]

I also noticed 2 of them are 1/2" Drive and the other are 3/8"

 

[LXCam]

Those things scream vintage sk all day. Sk probably private labeled for them.

 

[racinfarmer]

Those things scream vintage sk all day. Sk probably private labeled for them.

Except for the part of the sockets stamped Taiwan.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I can't speak to the quality of the tools, but, Cummins Industrial Tools are sold by a company that operates (or did) traveling tool trucks. They often set up at the VFW or American Legion, paying them a percentage of their sales. The tools are inexpensive, and almost always imported from the far east.

They stop by my local VFW a couple of times a year.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Cummins used to come around with semi trucks, doing parking lot sale type shows, traveling through the Midwest. Maybe elsewhere too. Stuff ran the gamut from serviceable to total ****.
I think Harbor Freight kinda killed their business plan.

 

[1950mercury]

They are poor quality sockets...not worth buying imho

 

[davethorik]

Those things scream vintage sk all day. Sk probably private labeled for them.

Why do you say that, because their boxes are close in color to SK's older metal boxes? Because aside from that there is nothing that screams SK about these. And I mean nothing.

Looks like cheap **** sockets to me.

 

[fatfillup]

Yep, typical Chicrap

 

[rednotch]

Cheap tools, cummins was harbor freight set up out of a big rig before harbor freight came to the east cost.

 

[woody 73]

Cummins used to come around with semi trucks, doing parking lot sale type shows, traveling through the Midwest. Maybe elsewhere too. Stuff ran the gamut from serviceable to total ****.
I think Harbor Freight kinda killed their business plan.

Same here in the Midwest that stuff was on the very low end ,but it still sold well to the guys that needed it fast and cheap. I swear every tool box that I hunt through I still find their tools here in the Midwest.

 

[kiatech]

Never seen a Cummins tool...

 

[Davefr]

Cummins tools are even worse then HF if you can imagine that.

They came to town like a traveling circus and set up tent sales.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I have a set of Cummins Pry Bars and they have held up great. Maybe I got luck, or maybe that is one of their better tools, but I use them all the time. I also have a framing hammer and impact driver, and they seem to be ok.

 

[jn503084]

Yep, I'm from Michigan and remember these. They would set up at flea markets too I believe. I remember as a little boy going with my dad and getting my first whiffs of Chinesium and plastic!

 

[joe_padavano]

Yup, Chinesium. I've got a Cummins air compressor that has been working fine for over 10 years not, but I don't really stress it. Good enough for the impact wrench and tire inflation. Some of their stuff was OK, like the dead blow hammers, but other stuff was ****. As noted, since HF came to the east coast, I haven't seen a Cummins sale.

 

[ttpete]

I have a Cummins drill press that I got from a friend when he moved about 30 years ago. Never had a minute's trouble with it aside from changing the chuck to a 5/8" Jacobs.

 

[Ign]

Cummins became RAM Tools. They still travel to small towns in semi's. Probably a small notch below HF, some of it is decent. The last impact sockets I looked at about 3 years ago, they really didn't try 'cause things like 19mm/ 3/4" or 13mm 1/2" were just stamped with both (deliberately) to save costs.

The WORST I ever saw come through town was Homier - holy **** some of their stuff was several levels below HF, even 12 years ago.

 

[bigjeff94]

Cummins trucks used to come to my area in upstate New York I remember going to a show as a kid. Real popular with guys who worked up the road with a bring your own tools but the company replaces whats broken policy. Gett the required tools for real cheap, and when they broke they were replaced with name brand stuff from the tool crib.

 

[bobcatdan]

As others have said, Cummins was sold in parking lot sales. I think at one time, they sold some pretty good import stuff. I have seen the full range of what looks pretty good to total **** under the Cummins name. I think the stuff in the semi may have been capitalizing on a once decent company name. I have seen very old USA made Cummins power tools.

 

[LXCam]

So check out the pictures in this link, these were what I had in mind but now looking at them both, it's close but no cigar.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4695176&postcount=28

 

[Mechanical Noise]

One easy tip-off is the appearance of the stamping. Cheap sockets have raised metal around the letters and numbers. Probably soft steel.

Never saw that on decent sockets, even the Pittsburgh Pros.

 

[Zrexxer]

And this was before Taiwan became the "good" Asian tools...

The outside packaging always had something on it like "Retail Price $379.99" but guess what... the tool gypsies would sell it to you for six bucks.

 

[wasfuzz]

It has been several years since they came around here, but the last time they were here I was in early on opening day. Shooting the breeze with the "show" manager. he asked if I knew where he could get rid of his cardboard when they were all done for the weekend. I said sure let me bring up my trailer and park it here and you throw you cardboard into it, I will haul it away for nothing - just give me a deal on the shop press. He said for that kinda service "take the shop press for free". I picked up the trailer on Sunday when they were done and started burning cardboard. 2nd box felt heavy opened it up and it was full of tool sets that were missing tools, broken cases, etc. next box had 3 doz bungie cords in it. It was like an Easter egg hunt, each box had some kind of junk in it. Lots of cheap **** but it was all free. Took what I wanted and called my buddies to come on over and get to picking. Shop press is still in service.

 

[stage20]

cal-van is also another brand that is similar to cummins. all of it looks like harbor freights rejects.....

 

[Ign]

cal-van is also another brand that is similar to cummins. all of it looks like harbor freights rejects.....

Hmm, I've never once thought that about Cal-Van....

 

[NKlamerus]

Thanks everyone. I'll be getting rid of these now at a lower price then ever lol

 

[AmishFury]

sounds like something that used to be a yearly thing in this area... only it wasn't cummins it was someone else... they would set up at the 4H usually in august or september and the items ranged from tools that looked like HF rejects to dollar store grade gifty **** for the extended family who you simply feel obligated to buy christmas gifts for

i don't know if they even do them anymore...

 

[stage20]

Hmm, I've never once thought that about Cal-Van....

Not vintage cal van. Their new stuff. Guy sets up at sales and has 4 big tables. Everything is orange like old harbor freight items.

 

[leg17]

Traveling gypsies sold this brand as described above.
Only stayed 3 days max as the **** would start coming back by the fourth day.
JUNK

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Those things scream vintage sk all day. Sk probably private labeled for them.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Gypsy version of HF

Not so sure that semi had a Cummins engine.
Didn't notice a harbor in back of Harbor Freight, either.

Both sold what appears to be the same 20 gallon parts washer.. stamped China on the lid.
My Gypsy parts washer has a blue and red paint job. Are the HF parts washers solid red?
My Gypsy 12 speed drill press is labeled Chicago Power Tools, made in Taiwan..
I bought a set of hammers for the handles.. one of the heads fell off by itself; I called them smashmasters after the toughest one took three taps to dislodge the head on a set of five hammers... Co-workers an I got a good laugh; so the hammer handle purchase yielded five good handles and some shared amusement..
The parts washer and drill press have been ok machines for the price.. I have no complaints..