Hand tool line for store

[dink]

Lets say your opening up a tool store....and you want a lower end wrench socket line....you already have your higher end line...whatever it would be......what product line would you have that would capture that lower spot??? And why???

 

[ChucksCrib]

Ronco...............and I'd throw in a Ginsu knife as an added bonus.

 

[dink]

Never heard of Ronco

 

[Brian]

Ronco Wrench it and forget it.

 

[eschoendorff]

Allen.

 

[Luckydevil]

My parents bought me one of those Allied sets in the plastic fold out cases 8 years ago. I still have nearly everything from it and use it quite often. It was fairly inexpensive from what I remember and has held up fine. It is obviously not the greatest quality though and definitely not made in the USA.

 

[dink]

What about MIT or something like that.....also I thought about Allen as the lower end but they compete directly with Craftsmen....and Sears uses Craftsmen for there higher end tool then has Companion for there lower end

 

[eschoendorff]

What about MIT or something like that.....also I thought about Allen as the lower end but they compete directly with Craftsmen....and Sears uses Craftsmen for there higher end tool then has Companion for there lower end

I have had very good luck with MIT tools... Now IIT or any of the other ones.. Buyer Beware!

 

[kartracer55]

Id offer SK, Black hawk, Wright, or Allen as a higher line, and propably some cheap taiwan line like master mechanic fr a lower end line. Actually, Id sell SK as my higher end line and maybe blackhawk as my lowerend line.

Jim

 

[79rallysport]

Id offer SK, Black hawk, Wright, or Allen as a higher line, and propably some cheap taiwan line like master mechanic fr a lower end line. Actually, Id sell SK as my higher end line and maybe blackhawk as my lowerend line.

Jim

Whoa, you're suggesting offering Blackhawk? They are a division of Stanley. You're the one that is always anti-stan-ree.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, I know, but its the only cheap USA made brand out there, besides craftsman that is. I also dont plan on opening up astore, so I guess it doesnt really count.

Jim

 

[dink]

Whoa, you're suggesting offering Blackhawk? They are a division of Stanley. You're the one that is always anti-stan-ree.

Hahaahaa tou shea to Jim hahahaha

I am not to keen on Black Hawk anyways....I would probably go like MIT or Master Mechanic...

 

[kartracer55]

I kinda like blackhawks wrenches.... they are moderatly comfortable. I only own 2 though.

Jim

 

[dink]

Yea but there metal is too soft on there sockets

 

[kartracer55]

I think alot of thier stuff is modeled after husky, at least thier extensions are. Thier ratchets look to be cunstructed in the same way, with the spring ring around the head, and I wouldn tbe surprised if they shared the same guts

 

[dink]

As for other hand tools that I would carry in the store

Pratt-Read for standard screwdrivers...and Wera for my higher end screwdrivers
IR if I was carring air tools
Estwing for the Hammers with Ivy Classic bringing the lower end....but there isnt much quality difference

I would go Midwestern Fastener for the nuts and bolts
I would carry probably Clarke for my standard tool chests...and carry SK as the premium but keep an account open with Lista if a customer wants them

For my high end wrenches and sockets I would go either SK or Beta...actually I just got off the phone with them a few minutes ago concerning that

I would carry Knipex for the assortment of pliers

And who knows what else

 

[79rallysport]

Personally I like Nupla for hammers.
Edit: Don't forget Mayhew for punches, chisels and prybars.

 

[dink]

Personally I like Nupla for hammers.
Edit: Don't forget Mayhew for punches, chisels and prybars.

Yes I enjoyed reping Mayhew....Mayhew is a great quality line to have....I would have it in my store over Enderes or Dasco

 

[kartracer55]

Are all mayhex products made in USA? Or at least thier hook and pick set?

Jim

 

[dink]

Almost all made here in USA....a few things are made in Europe...I cant remember what ones though.....None made in China or India or Pakistan or Taiwan...

 

[kartracer55]

Sweet. I want the hooka nd pick set they have... I finally figured out that its easier to remove seals with a hook than a screwdriver lol


Jim

 

[79rallysport]

You're not kidding. Have you seen their hook and pick set? Is it HQ like the rest of their stuff?

 

[kartracer55]

No, I havent in person, but Ive seen the one they make for griots... looks ot be really nice. The only ones Ive used were made by astro pnuematic and the handles kept comming of. Their set is $7 the mayhew is like $30.

Jim

 

[dink]

You're not kidding. Have you seen their hook and pick set? Is it HQ like the rest of their stuff?

And it comes with the Dominator handles....thats killer right there...I cut my finger once showing it to a customer on the hook tool....the thing is sharp

 

[Jared]

i dont no bout the lower end but id definitly sell sk and proto.

 

[dink]

I guess you could go 3 brands best better and good.....but thats alot of the same thing and I wouldnt want to clutter that much

 

[kartracer55]

i dont no bout the lower end but id definitly sell sk and proto.

Some proto stuff isnt all that great, not like it used to be. Back in the 50's and 60's Proto was the tool to have... snap on was in its shadow.

Proto series 500 full polish wrenches are my favorite wrenches of all time. I like them more than SK, but I dont own them because they are stanley and really $$$$$

Jim

 

[dink]

Im not a big fan of Proto....nothing special about them....they're just there...I dont get that warm and fuzzy feeling about them like I do with other brands like SK, BETA, Allen

 

[kartracer55]

Trust me... if youve ever used these wrenches, youd see what I mean. Aside from the wrenches, nothing else about proto impresses me. Nothing special about thier ratchets. Not recessed corners etc.

Jim

 

[dink]

I have used the wrenches....I didnt think anything good about them....

 

[Jared]

Some proto stuff isnt all that great, not like it used to be. Back in the 50's and 60's Proto was the tool to have... snap on was in its shadow.

Proto series 500 full polish wrenches are my favorite wrenches of all time. I like them more than SK, but I dont own them because they are stanley and really $$$$$

Jim

Ya i definitly agree I got some old proto wrenchs and they are by far my favorit wrench, I hardly ever buy new tools so I wouldn't no what the new ones are like.

 

[dink]

SK makes some nice wrenches....look into those if you ever need new ones

 

[kartracer55]

yup Sk full polish are my second favorite wrench. Really thick handle, yet the head is as thick as craftsman and a bit thicker than snap on. You can pick up a 1/4-1 inch set for about 140

Jim

 

[chevy302dz]

SK, Wright, Armstrong, J.H. Williams for a upper line
Blackhawk, Cougar for a mid line
Stanley for a low line

 

[dink]

SK, Wright, Armstrong, J.H. Williams for a upper line
Blackhawk, Cougar for a mid line
Stanley for a low line

Not Stanley....I think Cresent would be good for the lower line

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah cresent is pretty impressive for an import brand. They claim to meet all ansi specs and meet other federal specs as well, but I probably wouldnt buy them out of principal.

Jim

 

[dwayne]

low line

How about KD tools

 

[dink]

How about KD tools

Possibility....but alot of auto stores like Autozone..Pep Boys carry this line...

 

[chevy302dz]

KD deals more in special purpose tools than in reg hand tools

 

[kartracer55]

I have A, yes 1 kd socket lol, but I imagine they make a pretty decent line of hand tools. The socket looks Identical to a craftsman, just with the name KD on it instead.

Jim