Greenlee tools

[arkangel06]

Hi all!

Recently through some shopping around I came upon a tool brand ''Greenlee'' and wondered if anyone had any experience with their line of hand tools like plyers or screwdrivers that sort of stuff.

They present themselves as very high quality tools (ive never held any) and just wanted to know what you though of them.

Thanks in advance

Jacob

 

[Elroy]

Greenlee has displaced Klein at the local electrical supply houses. They're about the same quality but have a long ways to go in proving them selves.
As far as hand tools are concerned, Klien is an old proven line where Greenlee is a "Johnnie come lately".

You can have them.

 

[petty4243]

I do not know much about there hand tools, but they are known for their knock out punches.... have been around for a very long time ... belive they may have a better reputation for their specialty equipment they have made over the years

 

[walrus]

I think the question should be asked, what are doing with them?
If its electrical work, they're fine.

 

[Elroy]

By the way.

Their side cutters are a joke. They are crudely forged and poorly finished all covered up with some kind of "dippy grip". They're a joke.

Their screw drivers look OK. Can't speak for their performance. Their handles are identical to Klein's.

Like Elroy said, you can have them but then again that's Elroy opinion. And you know what opinions are like.....

 

[PatDoody]

I have a greenlee bx splitter/stripper thing. it works well. Havent really used anything of the other stuff tho, my kline stuff is still holding up.

 

[isr2kba]

Interestingly I met with an electrician two days ago using a greenlee flatblade. I asked him if he was aware that snap-on made a better screwdriver. He told me that the greenlee is relieved a bit so it doesn't take the paint off of the screws they use to secure the cover plates.

Sure enough, the snapon I had in my bag gripped the painted screw REAL tight, while the greenlee fit the painted screw like a glove. I would not use greeenlee flatblades in my garage, but I might just buy one if I need to replace a bunch of painted screws.

 

[Elroy]

Did you ever consider using a smaller screw driver. Something that didn't wedge in so tight as to chip the paint?? How tight does a cover screw need to be.

Elroy's opinion: Piss on Textron / Greenlee hand tools.

 

[Thedroid]

There specialty electrical tools are nice, the standard handtools are toys. If it's made in China don't buy it.

 

[Elroy]

By the way.

Their side cutters are a joke. They are crudely forged and poorly finished all covered up with some kind of "dippy grip". They're a joke.

Here is a nice set of side cutters:

Greenlee won't even come close.

 

[isr2kba]

Did you ever consider using a smaller screw driver. Something that didn't wedge in so tight as to chip the paint?? How tight does a cover screw need to be.

Elroy's opinion: Piss on Textron / Greenlee hand tools.

Isr2kba thinks Elroy is a tough customer but respects his opinion and finds his jokes very entertaining.

 

[wyndycity]

I'd rather stick with my Klein tools for electrical work. For me, it's extra special when I have tools that originate from Chicago.

I do have a set of insulated German made Wiha screwdrivers that are excellent. They are a great quality at a great price.

As for Greenlee, I can't vouch for the hand tools but the only Greenlee item I do own is a basic multimeter I bought a few years back. I have no complaints about it other than the fact that it is made in China. I hadn't thought to look where it was made until after I already bought it. But as I said, it has served me well nonetheless.

 

[Fast Orange]

I've got to agree with Elroy-Greenlee blew it with the handtool line.Everything was made in Tiawan,and the quality just wasn't there.The screwdrivers weren't even up to the quality of the old multi-colored Craftsman line,the pliers were poorly made-and the grips loosened up and rotated around the handles after some hard use.The best part of the whole line was the pricing-but the tools weren't even worth it.

 

[crashbumper]

I used to work for a division of Greenlee here in Phoenix. We made all the tone/probe locators and other electrical tracing equipment. I remember when we first started getting the "Greenlee" tools everyone loved them.

Everyone but me.

They were made overseas, and not the good overseas like TopTul. Most are popped out of the same molds as other overseas brands, just a different color scheme and name. I never bought any, even though we were offered a great employee discount program.

I would shy away from their hand tools, but all other Greenlee products are top notch.

 

[Elroy]

Isr2kba thinks Elroy is a tough customer

Elroy knows a good hand tool and Greenlee aint it. This is a good comment:

There specialty electrical tools are nice, the standard hand tools are toys. If it's made in China don't buy it.

Elroy will take his chances with a properly fitting Klein or Snappy. Hell even a Craftsman will work.

We understand that Greenlee displaced Klein because of the warranty issues Klein experienced by retailing through places like Lowes and Home depot. They got burnt and had to raise their prices because the returns were killing them. Too many week end warriors using their screw drivers for paint scrapers and can openers.

As far as Greenlee's speciality tools are concerned, that's a different story:

These are real tools. Their hand tools and especially their pliers are a joke.

 

[jumpyg]

Greenlee has displaced Klein at the local electrical supply houses. They're about the same quality but have a long ways to go in proving them selves.
As far as hand tools are concerned, Klien is an old proven line where Greenlee is a "Johnnie come lately".

You can have them.

Agreed, Klein is the standard.

 

[isr2kba]

Elroy knows a good hand tool and Greenlee aint it. This is a good comment:



Elroy will take his chances with a properly fitting Klein or Snappy. Hell even a Craftsman will work.
....

These are real tools. Their hand tools and especially their pliers are a joke.

Isr2kba will capitulate and concede Elroy's statements are probably correct since isr2kba primarily only uses snapon tools and doesn't own any greenlee -- only saw them in action by a licensed electrician for 15 minutes once.

 

[Elroy]

A licensed electrician on a budget. Don't roll over and play dead. We're all men here.

 

[isr2kba]

A licensed electrician on a budget. Don't roll over and play dead. We're all men here.

Isr2kba ever would, but if he doesn't use the tool, he won't stand behind it too firmly. If he used it daily and loved it, he'd go to the mat -- even against Elroy.

 

[wyndycity]

I always see Greenlee "value packs" at Home Depot with a variety of tools thrown together in a nylon tool bag.

They try to make it look pretty and tempting value-wise, but I've always reminded myself how dirty I'd probably feel buying a value pack of tools at a big box store.

I got my Kleins because I knew they are generally held in high regard and I have not had any complaints!

 

[lbgradwell]

I have exactly 4 Greenlee products - a fish tape, a Glo-Stix fish rod, a Quick-Cutter Hole Saw and a step bit.

The fish tape & fish rod work just fine, the "quick-cutter hole saw" works about as well as you'd expect an adjustable hole saw to work (i.e., not really well), and I've never used the step bit...

 

[arkangel06]

Thanks for the replys I was thinking of buying a pair of their offset sidecutters but im not going to anymore!