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Hyped Up Tools That Disappointed You

Handyandy23

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Then you aren’t the market for them.

The sweet spot for adjustable wrenches is when you are on a job away from most of your tools...

Say you are a couple floors up and a couple hundred yards away from your tools and you just have a few tools in a tool belt or on a Rubbermaid cart...

That is where an adjustable or a pliers-wrench shines.

It's still an odd tool to mention as something that is "hyped up". I don't think anyone has been hyped about an adjustable wrench in the last 100 years. Most people own them for their utility in situations like you are describing, but I've never been excited to use one.

I'd also argue nobody should be disappointed by an adjustable wrench. If you picked it up thinking it was going to give you great grip and replace your regular wrench set, then I'd say expectations should be adjusted.
 
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mr.lemons

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Oct 24, 2017
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UK
Snap on 1/4 quick release ratchet. Using with an extension causes the gear to bind.
Grip on and Milwaukee locking pliers made from soft metal.
Was a little disappointed with the less than perfect finish on a Hazet 600n wrench. (only had one so don't know if they are all the same).
Wera screwdrivers. Soft tips.
 
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65k10

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Jul 25, 2016
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somewhere
I guess I have two new tools to add since I posted here a while back.

Pliers wrenches. I actually like them and think they are a good tool, but I didn't think they lived up to the hype. They do some jobs well, like squeezing small roll pins into place vs hammering them in. Generally they work better than adjustable wrenches for their intended role, but sometimes the need to squeeze the handles to maintain grip is a detriment if you can't keep a tight grip. A good tool, but it hasn't become the "go to" tool that some people said they are.

Idk if this model was hyped a lot, but my Dewalt DCF897 has been underwhelming. Despite the claim of 1,200 ft/lbs of breakaway torque, I've had instances where it sure didn't act like it did. Just yesterday I was trying to remove two bolts with 30mm heads. The Dewalt with a partially charged (maybe that was the issue?) 6aH battery couldn't budge them. I didn't have any issue breaking the bolts loose with a Wright 6400 ratchet and I'm not a strong person. Part of me thinks maybe it's a bad tool, but my Dewalt 1/2 equivalent has been kind of a let down as well. Maybe I need to look at the Milwaukee equivalents?
 

Eric29

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Apr 18, 2008
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Western NY
Knipex pliers wrench. I bought a couple for myself and a couple for my son. We both think that they are a complete waste. My son does a lot of on set adjusting for film shoots. I thought they would be perfect for him. He said they are awkward and slow to use in an environment that requires quick adjustments.

For myself, I find that I'd rather use a crescent wrench for the work I have to do. I think they would be helpful to someone who just owns a couple of tools they keep in a kitchen drawer for miscellaneous work around the house. They strike me as more of a toy than a tool.
 

itylerstewart

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Jul 5, 2017
Messages
62
Snap on 1/4 quick release ratchet. Using with an extension causes the gear to bind.
.


Might wanna get that rebuilt, hoss. Mine has never done that.

Lots of hate for the pliers wrench huh? I guess its saving grace for me was putting a steering box brace on my cummins. I had to remove some 2 1/2" nut from the steering assembly before I had my 3/4 set. The pliers wrench was the only thing that would fit it lol
 

eschoendorff

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Feb 6, 2005
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Michigan
Knipex pliers wrench. I bought a couple for myself and a couple for my son. We both think that they are a complete waste. My son does a lot of on set adjusting for film shoots. I thought they would be perfect for him. He said they are awkward and slow to use in an environment that requires quick adjustments.

For myself, I find that I'd rather use a crescent wrench for the work I have to do. I think they would be helpful to someone who just owns a couple of tools they keep in a kitchen drawer for miscellaneous work around the house. They strike me as more of a toy than a tool.

Well that settles it. I’m not going to buy any pliers wrenches I have enough adjustable wrenches that I don’t think it would serve a purpose. Thank you for your insight.
 

davethorik

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Sep 14, 2013
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Norka, Ohio
It's still an odd tool to mention as something that is "hyped up". I don't think anyone has been hyped about an adjustable wrench in the last 100 years. Most people own them for their utility in situations like you are describing, but I've never been excited to use one.

I'd also argue nobody should be disappointed by an adjustable wrench. If you picked it up thinking it was going to give you great grip and replace your regular wrench set, then I'd say expectations should be adjusted.

Yeah this was what I was getting at lol. I actually do use them and collect them, I have around 40 from 4-24". I understand what you're saying ecotec. I also have 2 Knipex pliers wrenches and they can spin nuts but I haven't done that with mine. Fancy shiny plumbing fittings are about as close as I got.

Eschoendorff - I would suggest looking at maybe the 2 smallest sizes. I have the 5" and it's jaws are like 3/16" wide I've successfully used it on jam nuts in a tight spot (tappet wrench might have worked but a regular one wouldn't). It is also my go to tool for replacing air fittings on air tools. They don't really advertise that but the slimness is handy.
 

nbpt100

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Oct 19, 2016
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Massachusetts
Bob Villa does not have a good track record.

I know a mechanic that likes using Robogrips or similar when doing front end alignments.
 

gregpack

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Feb 1, 2015
Messages
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I'm still on the fence about Knipex pliers wrench, but I'm growing to really like them. I put a pair in my tool pouch and removed my adjustable wrench to force myself to use them for a couple of weeks. They are indeed good for tightening brass fittings and if the clearance is there (and the fastener not frozen) they're handy and indeed quicker than an adjustable wrench. But I don't think they will replace an adjustable wrench in my pouch, mainly due to the clearance issues in tight spots. The 7" length is what I find handy, the 10" is just too big.

Just bought the self adjusting Knipex cobras (Knipex 8501250) a couple of days ago, and these may indeed fall into this thread. Again, I force myself to work with them a week or two before I make my decision. I like the simplicity of the alligators, which I can operate with one hand while on a ladder.

Guys that slam adjustable wrenches don't work out of tool pouches. :)
 

Snaparxon

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Eastor
Snap on's newer snap ring pliers. The ends are so thick that the snap ring just gets onto the shaft and the square edge under the tips of the pliers hits the shaft preventing the pliers from pushing the ring on any farther. The largest pliers in the set also at times require a wider grip than my hand can physically do to expand larger external snap rings.
 
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dr_clyde

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Jan 7, 2009
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Holland, MI
I am also in the "dissapointed" camp with the Knipex pliers wrench.

I think it has a few very unique features and uses, but its not a replacement for an adjustable wrench or some good pliers.

I have used it primarily for tweaking and straightening sheet metal, as the parallel jaws with no teeth are perfect for adjusting things you can't scratch.


I have yet to use a "dry cut" chop saw that isn't a hot pile of garbage. They're all the rage for the hobby homeowner, but can't hold a candle to a real cold saw or bandsaw. I requisitioned one at a shop I used to work at to try it out based on reviews I had read on TGJ. We only had one cold saw, and it would have been handy to have a spare saw for the times we needed 2 guys cutting something at once. That thing was straight up dangerous, as it would very easily jam, **** the part out of the vise, and break off the teeth. Within a few days, the other employees had managed to destroy 2 blades and bent the vise screw from attempting to keep it tight. It was LOUD, shot hot chips all over the shop, and the blades cost more than the real cold saw. We bought a good one, too, MK Morse. We went back to using the Bewo cold saw that was 50 years old and hucked the dry saw in the dumpster.

Plasma cutters are handy, but not the godsend some make them out to be. There's only a few situations where I use my plasma, and its very rare. There's almost always a better way to cut metal. I find a cutoff wheel is a much cleaner cut with no smoke or dross on thinner stuff, oxy-acetylene is way nicer on thicker steel, sheet metal is cut on the laser or shear whenever possible, and a vertical bandsaw handles most everything else. I really only use the plasma on stainless curves that I can't fit in the vertical bandsaw or onsite somewhere.
 

tonyciambrone

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Nov 4, 2015
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Northern Illinois
I love the Plierswrench. I can't believe people think it's slower to adjust or more clumsy than an adjustable. You close the handles and slide the jaws until it is the perfect size for the nut/bolt or slightly smaller. There's no way and adjustable going from 15/16 to 3/8 is faster.

I use mine daily at work...I even bought the 16" pair. I also own the 22" Cobras. I wish they made a model with 4" capacity and 30" handles. I work with stainless and PVC a lot, and having a wrench that doesn't leave jaw marks all over my work is really nice to me. I like sending customers a product that doesn't look all chewed up from being put together.
 

CoogarXR

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Jan 11, 2016
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LOL RoboGrips. I still have a couple of those around somewhere. I have yet to find a good use for them, other than creating black fingernails. The weak-*** jaws always slip off, and the grips slam together crushing my fingers in the middle.
 

shanny19

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May 24, 2014
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Yeah it blows my mind that some of the folks who don’t like the pliers wrench have actually tried it, used it......and don’t love it

But then, that’s exactly what happened to me with the SO ratcheting screwdriver....hate that thing, and it has a boatload of fans
 

M_George

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Sep 25, 2016
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Eastern Pa.
LOL RoboGrips. I still have a couple of those around somewhere. I have yet to find a good use for them, other than creating black fingernails. The weak-*** jaws always slip off, and the grips slam together crushing my fingers in the middle.

I actually found a use for RoboGrips. They work for holding small parts while wire wheeling rust off without damaging the part.
 

driftpin

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Dec 22, 2016
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Miami-Dade/Broward Co. Florida
Quote:
Originally Posted by tarbellb View Post
Weller SP80 soldering irons- had 5 out of 8 burn out on me.
- Then the Customer Service treated me like I was the bad guy.

Milwaukee M12 drill/driver combo- glitchy electronics, super slow rpms, weak, heavy.

CH Hanson Auto Lock pliers 3pc set - they open so wide its a two handed operation + if not perfectly static, they dont grip.

M18 Fuel 7 1/4" Circ Saw - handy sure, but definitely seems underpowered compared to my corded models. I might have a dud, bought refurb'd?

HF 13" Bench Drill Press - 38142 - I put it through some serious work but I have had two fail on me. One burned up the belts then locked up a pulley. The other mysteriously got a bent quill. That and overall lack of performance, build quality. Oh and you can see the head flex away from the table in heavy jobs!

There may be more but those are on my sh*tlist right now. I did have a lot of winners this year as well.

QUOTE=6PTsocket;6211575]Some guy posted " Never buy anything at HF that plugs in". I guess he was right.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

I like my HFT corded hammer drill/demo hammer. Much less-expensive than a Bosch, Milwaukee, or Hilti, and it's done everything I asked of it. I used it to demo two bathroooms to the stud walls/CBS walls/floor joists/slab, saving me about $1650 for several days' work I did myself when the GC doing our whole-house renovation budgeted $1800 for demoing the two baths.

The Roto-Zip showed-up a few times, in peoples' comments; I like mine, they're good for doing the trim for high-hats and electrical boxes.Just another design of router. I also have the 90-ddegree attachment, and it worked in a couple instances where nothing else I had would fit & do the cut, not-even a Dremel could do it.

I haven't been able to think of a really-useless tool I've purchased.
 

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ex-x-fire

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Nov 10, 2012
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Sheboygan Falls Wi.
The early head design contains a pin which likes to fall out of alignment. It's like a Rube Goldberg machine in there. I never had any problems with the electronics except the battery was zip tied to the ratchet.
 

bpankratz

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Dec 14, 2012
Messages
271
Ill take all of your pliers wrenches from you guys that hate them. That's a load of ****, it's an amazing plier. That being said, Snap On ratcheting Screwdriver, I just flat out don't use it. Also hard handled screwdrivers, can't get on board. Snap on, Mac, SK, Williams, none of them.
 

snooter

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Feb 7, 2013
Messages
100
Snap on screwdrivers...not just no but church no......never could get use to them......my ronco pocket fisherman disappointed me as much in 1974
 

javajaws

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Jan 4, 2014
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Wrightgrips are a giant pile of MEH......The box end offset on my set looks like it was done by eye by an 8 year old with a cheaterpipe, they’re so inconsistent.......Supercombos are miles better for a USA industrial wrench

Interesting...I recently received 2 full sets. 1 in chrome - everything was perfect, impeccable finish, quality, etc. The other set was in satin and 2 of the box ends are off center...1 so much so that I want to get it replaced. I had never read of any complaints on these until I saw your post.
 

CR888

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Feb 19, 2017
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I have the 180mm (7"?) Knipex pliers wrench. I am not overly impressed with them either I use them when I want to grab minimal tools to tackle unknown fastener sizes. They grab the hex flats well but its very difficult to put any decent torque through them. As soon as you push hard the handles want too open up. Just yesterday the mechanism slipped when I was trying to rebuild an outdoor tap sending my knuckles into the brick wall the tap was mounted too. A standard open end or box if it permits is a far better option. I do however like them when pushing in pins etc.
 

anndel

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Oct 28, 2015
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3,270
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Hawaii, USA
Knipex pliers wrench. I bought a couple for myself and a couple for my son. We both think that they are a complete waste. My son does a lot of on set adjusting for film shoots. I thought they would be perfect for him. He said they are awkward and slow to use in an environment that requires quick adjustments.

For myself, I find that I'd rather use a crescent wrench for the work I have to do. I think they would be helpful to someone who just owns a couple of tools they keep in a kitchen drawer for miscellaneous work around the house. They strike me as more of a toy than a tool.

Ditto. Too bad the Knipex Pliers Wrench can't lock.
 

rustbucket5

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Apr 22, 2015
Messages
252
I have the 180mm (7"?) Knipex pliers wrench. I am not overly impressed with them either I use them when I want to grab minimal tools to tackle unknown fastener sizes. They grab the hex flats well but its very difficult to put any decent torque through them. As soon as you push hard the handles want too open up. Just yesterday the mechanism slipped when I was trying to rebuild an outdoor tap sending my knuckles into the brick wall the tap was mounted too. A standard open end or box if it permits is a far better option. I do however like them when pushing in pins etc.


your going in the wrong direction, they can only really be used in one direction. put a nut and bolt in a vise and test it. if you go the opposite direction is causes them to open up. cobras are one way only as well. of course both of those can be used in the opposite direction in low torque situations only
 

rustbucket5

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Apr 22, 2015
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252
overhyped- old snap on ratchets-what a joke, my cheap taiwan stuff is better. craftsman ratchets are the worst ive ever used even the usa made ones
 

shanny19

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May 24, 2014
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PNW
By now, I can’t imagine a task around the house, cars, tractor, yard, or metalshop for which i would prefer a Crescent wrench over a Knipex Pliers Wrench.
I guess maybe, just maybe if i thought the tool would take damage from a grinder or some welding spatter.....i’d sacrifice an old adjustable.
 

bsaint

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Apr 26, 2010
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5,109
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Manchester, CT
Most Knipex pliers except the mini bolt cutter ones, Snap-on side cutters, Instinct handle screwdrivers, mostly every Lisle product, Cornwell blue power 3/8 impact, to name a few. Im sure a bunch of others

what about a thread about tools and equipment that exceeding your expectations. I have more of those
 

Tonyuk

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Jun 9, 2017
Messages
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Scotland
Snap on spanners,

Snap on electrical tools,

Branded sockets

Gas powered soldering irons

Milwaukee ratchets (any electric ratchet really)

And many, many more
 

bsaint

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Apr 26, 2010
Messages
5,109
Location
Manchester, CT
Snap on spanners,

Snap on electrical tools,

Branded sockets

Gas powered soldering irons

Milwaukee ratchets (any electric ratchet really)

And many, many more

For a moment I was thinking you had a soldering iron with a small engine attached to it. :lol_hitti

I too am not overly thrilled with the shape of Snappy wrenches. They are too sharp. I love my Wright chrome Wright Grip 2.0's
 

'52Chevy

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May 31, 2013
Messages
438
Location
SW Idaho
overhyped- old snap on ratchets-what a joke, my cheap taiwan stuff is better. craftsman ratchets are the worst ive ever used even the usa made ones

All of our tools at work(US Air Force) are SO. Most of them do well. I cannot believe that we are still using the garbage old ratchets with like 8 teeth(at least that's what it feels like compared to my 72 tooth ratchets at home).

Another one that we have that ***** are the double box end ratcheting wrenches from SO "dogbones" is what we call them(not sure if that's a common name for them or not). Old open ratchet mechanisms, straight garbage. I wish I was in charge of buying our tools.


The biggest one (hyped up by the Air Force at least) electronic tool boxes. Everyone was supposed to have a card to unlock the box and it scans which tools you take. Tool crib can see on their computer if you still have any tools out and what box they belong to. Well we've had them for about 6 years and only have 2 that we can use. They don't get used the way they were meant to, you check out "keys" which is a key card, and at the end of the day someone has to go out and check the box over. Something about them not being secure enough over our network. I don't fully understand the whole thing. We all thought they were gonna be amazing, and they have way more tools than our old boxes have(28 boxes spread out over a 2 mile span). Each spot has a box, just can't use them.

Here is 5 min video explaining them for those that don't know about them.
Electronic Tool Box
 

2ndGearRubber

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Mar 24, 2014
Messages
14,185
Location
Pittsburgh
Texas twister air hammer kit ***** ***.

PB swiss: their picks snapped on their first uses, resharpened ends then also snapped off. The punches while nice to look at were no better than the usual suspects, and much more expensive.

Power probe: Good tool, I just can't ever find reason to choose it over a test light or fused jump wire. I have 30ft retractable test leads for remote access to the battery.

Carlyle toothed open ends just chew up fasteners, don't seem to grip that great. The boxed ends are just okay in grip and show wear after limited use.


The list goes on.
 

Tonyuk

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Jun 9, 2017
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1,539
Location
Scotland
I too am not overly thrilled with the shape of Snappy wrenches. They are too sharp. I love my Wright chrome Wright Grip 2.0's

It's not the shape for me, its the price to quality ratio.

They don't fit any better than my cheaper (pro) sets, and dont seem any more durable.

I've also had to warranty a 3/8 ratchet last year that the chrome started peeling on, it was less than 8 months old. My 13mm fd+ also has the chrome peeling on it now around the jaw.
 

Qualitytools

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Apr 30, 2014
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Location
SOCAL
RoboGrip pliers. Bought my dad a set for Christmas 20 years ago because they were the must-have tool from Sears that year. Bought him a Knipex Pliers Wrench for Christmas this year and I think they are way better than the RoboGrips.

I have a set of Craftsman Robo Grip, still new as they are "Not what they are hipped to be" I may have tried them a couple of times and every time i do they disappoint
 
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