I am curious about Cornwell tools

[impactims]

As I understand it, they make their own wrenches, sockets, 30 tooth ratchets, extensions, breaker bars. Everything else is outsourced.

Now, in regards to the tools they make, how do they compare to the competition?

I understand that their presence in the industry is nill compared to snap on. For every one Cornwell dealer there are probably 40 snap on dealers. So service and purchasing is a bit restricted.

I have never owned or even used a Cornwell tool of any kind and I am intrigued a little.

Who are Cornwell tools aimed at? Automotive mechanics? Diesel mechanics? Industrial workers? Heavy equipment mechanics? Casual home owners?

Who owns Cornwell?

 

[woody 73]

Nothing but pure ****, if you ever run into any of their tools just send them to me to dispose of asap.

 

[Farmall450]

They're nice, but as you pointed out kinda pricey for such a limited product. It would fall inline with Martin tools (sprocket), etc to me. Rare but decent. Even less common than Wright and SK.

 

[impactims]

They're nice, but as you pointed out kinda pricey for such a limited product. It would fall inline with Martin tools (sprocket), etc to me. Rare but decent. Even less common than Wright and SK.

But, being a "truck tool" and all, how do they compare to other truck brands with regards to their ratchets, wrenches and sockets?

Aside from not having as many trucks out there...

 

[justtools]

It is like I informed my Cornwell rep. Snap on should buy them to add to their blue point line up.

 

[impactims]

It is like I informed my Cornwell rep. Snap on should buy them to add to their blue point line up.

Meaning what exactly?

 

[Snaparxon]

Older Cornwell tools are OK but not worth **** for re-sale generally speaking. I don't recall ever seeing a Cornwell collector or fanboy on this site or anywhere. Harbor freight and Tekton have a bigger fan club.

 

[davethorik]

I'm kinda a fanboy of their 30t ratchets. I'm at 7 now. They are super smooth, low backdrag, love the chrome grip. They do have a following, just nowhere that of dual 80 or matco 88.

The used Cornwell stuff I see is limited, generally std length ratchets, old mismatched wrenches and sockets. All of my Cornwell rats except 1 are long or extra long, which you just don't see on the used market.

 

[BarryWells]

******** is The Great Pumpkin/Unicorn of tools. If you spot a truck post to a UFO or Bigfoot site.

 

[impactims]

I'm kinda a fanboy of their 30t ratchets. I'm at 7 now. They are super smooth, low backdrag, love the chrome grip. They do have a following, just nowhere that of dual 80 or matco 88.

The used Cornwell stuff I see is limited, generally std length ratchets, old mismatched wrenches and sockets. All of my Cornwell rats except 1 are long or extra long, which you just don't see on the used market.

Does cornwell supply repair kits for their ratchets, the older 30 tooth ones?

Let's say you don't have a dealer that comes to you. Can you call or email them and request a kit and have them send it to you? Or do they not offer that service?

 

[BarryWells]

Does cornwell supply repair kits for their ratchets, the older 30 tooth ones?

Let's say you don't have a dealer that comes to you. Can you call or email them and request a kit and have them send it to you? Or do they not offer that service?

https://www.cornwelltools.com/Contact_Us/Contact_Us.php

 

[Fedwrench]

It is like I informed my Cornwell rep. Snap on should buy them to add to their blue point line up.

That statement is just fucked up beyond all recognition

Although the search function could be your friend is this situation, here goes:

Cornwell owns Cornwell. They are a family & employee owned company going back to 1919.

https://www.cornwelltools.com/about

Their hardline is as well made in the USA as any other tool truck brand. Yes, they only make most of their hardline (ratchets, sockets, & wrenches) in house. they also recently bought kennedy tool box company recently so, they also make most of their tool boxes now.
Many of their tool designs remain unchanged for 50 years or more. Take their 30 tooth coke bottle shaped handled ratchets for example. Although, they offer a 72 tooth version, the classic 30 tooth model is as smooth as butter but looks like your Grandfather's ratchet from his hot rodding days.
Their chrome sockets (not the asian made bluepower series) still feature a single hole on one side of the square drive end for the drive tool retention ball instead of having a cut out on each side of the square drive as most other manufactures do.
Cornwell uses other suppliers for the rest of their offerings. Most of their bit sockets are made by vim, ratcheting wrenches by Kabo, screwdriver by Witte or an asian supplier, pliers by Channellock, Knipex, or Asian made, etc.
This is no worse than Matco, or the cross branding that occurs within the huge MAC, FACOM, USAG, or Stanley empire.
Cornwell produces solid performing, no frills, durable tools but, some of their designs are a bit dated and they aren't a segment leader in anything. Some of the nicest tool dealers I have ever dealt with over the years were Cornwell dealers. Now Cornwell supports their dealer network so, they don't sell to just anyone with money online. Their target market is the professional Auto/Diesel/Auto Body tech.
That's my spin on Cornwell

 

[KnurledNut]

Fed, i believe they now have detents on the drive square.

 

[BarryWells]

Fed, i believe they now have detents on the drive square.

Their Taiwan 72 does !It's a great ratchet !

 

[KnurledNut]

Their Taiwan 72 does !It's a great ratchet !

Nice ratchet.
But we were talking about the detents/pin hole on the sockets.

 

[BarryWells]

Nice ratchet.
But we were talking about the detents/pin hole on the sockets.

OOPS. Dunno. Never will.

 

[Dieselhammer]

Honestly Cornwell's Hardline is fantastic USA tooling, and even though they rebrand the other stuff, they sell it at fair prices unlike alot of other truck brands that double the price on rebranded stuff. I wish I could get the local dealer to stop at our shop but he is just stretched too thin, he's the only dealer for what seems like half a state. I have a bunch of their bigger wrenches and they're no nonsense type of ******** tools, I like them very much. As mentioned their 30tooth ratchets are also slick as hell!

 

[NUTTSGT]

What member was a dealer for a short time ? Softail maybe ? I'm sure he'll chime in and link you to his thread.

 

[Wamsutta]

Eugene Cornwell was a blacksmith in 1919. Somebody came to his shop asking him to make a chisel. He told them to bring him a horse and buggy carriage axle and he'll make the chisel. That's how the company got started.

Today, Cornwell is still a family owned and operated company in Mogadore, Ohio. They manufacture a core set of tools and the rest are farmed out to other manufacturers. I believe they do this in order to stay safe financially during uncertain economic times. Spreading your wings too fast can cause you to go belly up during a financial meltdown. Cornwell has weathered some tough economic times over the past century by sticking to this business model.

 

[davethorik]

The manufacturing is done in Mogadore. HQ and warehouse are in Wadsworth.

 

[KEH]

30 tooth ratchets use a minimum of parts and a maximum of machineing. The quality of the machine work is very smooth and you don't always notice the smaller number of teeth. Finish is first class. I buy used tools and have only rarely found a broken Cornwell ratchet.

KEH

 

[impactims]

Spreading your wings too fast can cause you to go belly up during a financial meltdown.

So far it's been 100 years and they still have not spread their wings into, let's say, screwdriver manufacturing. You can safely say that is not expanding too quickly there...

 

[Lisamelting]

We've had the same Cornwell dealer in my area at least since 1985. Back then I was working at a full service gas station and he stopped by every week. He was/is a super nice guy, the mechanics looked forward to having him stop by to shoot the bull. In comparison, they didn't care for both the Mac and Snap-on guys, to the point where the service station manager told them not to bother stopping by.
I don't remember ever hearing someone complain about either the quality of the tools or service they were getting. I still see the truck with the driver's name on the door and figure he must be doing something right to survive in the business for so long.

 

[BiggityBen]

i have never, ever seen a Cornwell dealer or know of anyone who owns any of their tools here in the tri-state area. I have one coworker who hates them from his experience with their equipment at a dealership in Elizabeth, NJ he used to work at and no longer owns any of their tools. i'd say the market speaks for itself here.

 

[coljar]

What member was a dealer for a short time ? Softail maybe ? I'm sure he'll chime in and link you to his thread.

Yep, it was Softail, and wow, what a story. I'll just leave it at that and anyone interested can read about member Softailgarage and his thread about the venture into the tool truck business.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217037

I do own a few, but the dealers are less seen than D.B.Cooper. I will add that I think they make a fine product, just hard to get.

 

[Wamsutta]

Cornwell makes a very nice wrench. They round off the edges on the beam similar to what Wright does. The open ends are smooth without any gimmicky teeth. They come in extra long lengths which I prefer.

Their ratchets probably have the most comfortable solid steel handle in the industry. Their ratchet mechanism is a smooth operator with a very faint, almost imperceptible click. You want low backdrag? With Cornwell ratchets, there is no backdrag; none.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought an unused set of Cornwell sockets from an eBay party, and have been pleased with them. So????? How about buying some additional NEW sockets? I have never in My lifetime seen a Cornwell truck in this area. Should be no problem ordering online???? Has anyone had any luck in doing this??

 

[Farmall450]

I think a good marketing team and they could really have some potential. Someone has to fill the old Apex gov't contracts

 

[KnurledNut]

I bought an unused set of Cornwell sockets from an eBay party, and have been pleased with them. So????? How about buying some additional NEW sockets? I have never in My lifetime seen a Cornwell truck in this area. Should be no problem ordering online???? Has anyone had any luck in doing this??

They dont sell online.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think a good marketing team and they could really have some potential. Someone has to fill the old Apex gov't contracts

I think Proto is doing that despite Apex trying to substitute Gearwrench.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

They dont sell online.

This is where things can go sour..
What if someone makes primary tool purchases thru a local Cornwell Dealer; and then moves to an area outside the Dealer's service area; or the Dealer retired, died, or moved? Now Dealer and online service would be lacking for further needs.

 

[Coach James]

I have a Cornwell 3/8 ratchet I found in the road years ago. The plastic grip was scuffed up, but the ratchet works fine. It has a smaller head than my other ratchets so it's my go to for confined spaces.

Coach

 

[mikehaugen]

I don't know a whole lot about them, the only tool I have from them is a set of metric hex bit sockets that I love... smaller sizes are 1/4" and larger sizes are 3/8" (why is this not more common?). Anyway, I have been very pleased with their performance and prefer them to the snap-on set that I have... unfortunately they are made in Taiwan.

Another thing to note, though I know videos are not much to base anything off of, but years ago I had a discussion with my father about snap-on tools and his response (based off of videos of factory tours of both snap-on and cornwell that were on tv) was that he was far more impressed with cornwell's manufacturing process). This coming from probably the most **** person I know about attention to detail- he was a machinist for a government laboratory for close to 30 years.

 

[346ci]

I have a family member that is a dealer, the tools they make are great. I'd take their ratchets, wrenches and sockets any day over the others.

Been turning wrenches for 19 years..

 

[twertsy]

That statement is just fucked up beyond all recognition

Although the search function could be your friend is this situation, here goes:

Cornwell owns Cornwell. They are a family & employee owned company going back to 1919.

https://www.cornwelltools.com/about

Their hardline is as well made in the USA as any other tool truck brand. Yes, they only make most of their hardline (ratchets, sockets, & wrenches) in house. they also recently bought kennedy tool box company recently so, they also make most of their tool boxes now.
Many of their tool designs remain unchanged for 50 years or more. Take their 30 tooth coke bottle shaped handled ratchets for example. Although, they offer a 72 tooth version, the classic 30 tooth model is as smooth as butter but looks like your Grandfather's ratchet from his hot rodding days.
Their chrome sockets (not the asian made bluepower series) still feature a single hole on one side of the square drive end for the drive tool retention ball instead of having a cut out on each side of the square drive as most other manufactures do.
Cornwell uses other suppliers for the rest of their offerings. Most of their bit sockets are made by vim, ratcheting wrenches by Kabo, screwdriver by Witte or an asian supplier, pliers by Channellock, Knipex, or Asian made, etc.
This is no worse than Matco, or the cross branding that occurs within the huge MAC, FACOM, USAG, or Stanley empire.
Cornwell produces solid performing, no frills, durable tools but, some of their designs are a bit dated and they aren't a segment leader in anything. Some of the nicest tool dealers I have ever dealt with over the years were Cornwell dealers. Now Cornwell supports their dealer network so, they don't sell to just anyone with money online. Their target market is the professional Auto/Diesel/Auto Body tech.
That's my spin on Cornwell

Eugene Cornwell was a blacksmith in 1919. Somebody came to his shop asking him to make a chisel. He told them to bring him a horse and buggy carriage axle and he'll make the chisel. That's how the company got started.

Today, Cornwell is still a family owned and operated company in Mogadore, Ohio. They manufacture a core set of tools and the rest are farmed out to other manufacturers. I believe they do this in order to stay safe financially durning uncertain economic times. Spreading your wings too fast can cause you to go belly up during a financial meltdown. Cornwell has weathered some tough economic times over the past century by sticking to this business model.

Um.......no, No, and HELL NO. That story is complete and utter BS.

Eugene graduated from Cornell University in 1915 and promptly went to work for Daddy at Keystone Forging Works as a "Master Mechanic" in Northumberland, PA.(see Pic 1)

By 1917, His father (Isaac) and he were also managing a Band (Calhoun's Band).......sound like a Blacksmith?

During 1918-1919 timeframe he did actually spend a little time in Ohio in a WWI Rifle Plant, but by April of 1919, he had returned home working for Daddy again. (see pic 2)

He appears to have been a fairly skilled metallurgist and was promoted by Daddy to Super of Keystone Forging Works by 1919.

See pic 3......Still working for Daddy, still living NEXT DOOR to Daddy in Northumberland, PA.....in November of 1921, 2 years after the Incorporation of Cornwell Quality Tools.

I could go on and on, but their entire storyline is complete ********. The major player in the Cornwell company was Frank Kemmerline from day 1.

Here's what I believe happened: Eugene, while in Ohio ca. 1918 met Mr. Kemmerline. Mr. Kemmerline and his entire family were very successful farmers and Frank was looking for investments. Eugene (while working for Daddy back in PA) had come up with "The Cornwell Process" for making a special hard steel alloy. I believe this is where the Cornwell name on the company letterhead comes from. After all, Kemmerline Quality Tool Co. doesn't really roll off the tongue.

Also, Cornwell Quality Tools was NEVER owned by a Cornwell family member. Financial records in 1921 show Frank Kemmerline and his brother are the majority owners. In 1958 the Cromwell Group purchased Cornwell Quality Tools from the Kemmerline family.

Ultimately, Eugene retired just about 15 miles from where I live in Fredericksburg, VA, having retired as Chief Engineer of FMC Avisco, where he worked since 1930. I've been to his grave. Obituary attached as well.

 

[sz0k30]

The only time & place I have ever heard of Cornwell Tools is on Stacey David's car show "Gearz".

 

[Wamsutta]

Um.......no, No, and HELL NO. That story is complete and utter BS.

Eugene graduated from Cornell University in 1915 and promptly went to work for Daddy at Keystone Forging Works as a "Master Mechanic" in Northumberland, PA.(see Pic 1)

By 1917, His father (Isaac) and he were also managing a Band (Calhoun's Band).......sound like a Blacksmith?

During 1918-1919 timeframe he did actually spend a little time in Ohio in a WWI Rifle Plant, but by April of 1919, he had returned home working for Daddy again. (see pic 2)

He appears to have been a fairly skilled metallurgist and was promoted by Daddy to Super of Keystone Forging Works by 1919.

See pic 3......Still working for Daddy, still living NEXT DOOR to Daddy in Northumberland, PA.....in November of 1921, 2 years after the Incorporation of Cornwell Quality Tools.

I could go on and on, but their entire storyline is complete ********. The major player in the Cornwell company was Frank Kemmerline from day 1.

Here's what I believe happened: Eugene, while in Ohio ca. 1918 met Mr. Kemmerline. Mr. Kemmerline and his entire family were very successful farmers and Frank was looking for investments. Eugene (while working for Daddy back in PA) had come up with "The Cornwell Process" for making a special hard steel alloy. I believe this is where the Cornwell name on the company letterhead comes from. After all, Kemmerline Quality Tool Co. doesn't really roll off the tongue.

Also, Cornwell Quality Tools was NEVER owned by a Cornwell family member. Financial records in 1921 show Frank Kemmerline and his brother are the majority owners. In 1958 the Cromwell Group purchased Cornwell Quality Tools from the Kemmerline family.

Ultimately, Eugene retired just about 15 miles from where I live in Fredericksburg, VA, having retired as Chief Engineer of FMC Avisco, where he worked since 1930. I've been to his grave. Obituary attached as well.

Did you think I made the whole story up?

There's something out there called YouTube.

 

[pete379]

besides softail, there was a member from Mt. Vernon, wa that was a cornwell truck guy- don't remember his name though

 

[bimmer630]

All of the Cornwell stuff I have is great. I do like their 30 tooth ratchets. We had a dealer in the Solon/Cleveland Ohio area for a while, Who I bought stuff here and there from. He was gone for years and I actually moved on to a different job, But they recently have a new Cornwell truck coming around..
They arent THAT rare to see.. But It would be nice if they sold them online

 

[twertsy]

Did you think I made the whole story up?

There's something out there called YouTube.

I didn't say you made it up, but they certainly did.....

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