Long Mini Pick Set with Chromed Shafts & Small Handles

[A&P mechanic]

Hi GJ,

I want to upgrade my Craftsman long mini pick set. My first choice would be picks with chrome shafts, 2nd choice would be painted shafts. I am good with any COO except China (Taiwan is fine). I am not looking at the best like Snap On or Matco but a middle of the road priced set.

I noticed the Matco’s are made in Germany. I did a search for who actually makes them and it’s Witte. However, Witte does not make mini long picks anymore. I do like the Ullman’s with the plastic handle but am skipping buying these since they are made in China. I may end up getting the Mayhew set but I do not really like full size screwdriver handles on the mini picks. I took my truck door apart yesterday to replace an actuator and used my Craftsman (rebranded Ullman) picks on those plastic clips holding the rods. I stuck the entire pick inside the door to get all the clips, so I would prefer not to get the full size handles. The Craftsman are starting to corrode, so I will wipe them down with oil. I took a picture of a painted shaft Snap On pick shaft that also has surface corrosion, I will wipe that off with oil also. Anyway, I say this because chrome shafts would be my first choice over painted and bare steel shafts.

Are there any other middle of the road mini picks I should look at? What is everyone’s favorite?
I like the Witte/Matco and Snap Ons the best but am looking for alternatives and may settle for the Mayhew.

Thanks!

 

[Fedwrench]

Have you considered Gearwrench? I believe these are still made in Taiwan. The handles aren't full sized. I have the older set with red/black handles.

Gearwrench 84010 8 Piece Long Hook & Pick Set

Buy Gearwrench 84010 8 Piece Long Hook & Pick Set with an everyday low price and fast shipping! JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I have the Channelock mini picks which are nice, have chrome shafts, and are made in USA. They're a little small, and the handle isn't my favorite.

I really like the Tekton, mostly because I like the handles. They're also USA made (at least the handles, the pick part might be Taiwan) but they're black oxide, which aren't going to be as moisture resistant as chrome, but will be better than bare metal.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I own a set of those Craftsman black-handled picks in the OP's first set of photos, and a set of Wilde's skinny-handled models (which wer actually manufactured by Ullman), and if I was to do it over again, I'd most likely go with Tekton.

 

[Steve_P]

Picks don't typically have chromed shafts- that's begging for a flake to come off and end up inside a hydraulic cylinder, etc. Not sure if any of the above assumed chrome actually are, or are just polished steel. Maybe PB Swiss?

 

[four.cycle]

^ ahhh good point... would be an invitation to disaster to drop a chip of chrome into a hole.

 

[A&P mechanic]

I looked at Tekton and they are made in Michigan, however, they are not long like the GW and Craftsman/Ullman picks. I looked at the PB Swiss website and those picks are short also. I already have a short set of Mayhew picks. That is a good warning about chrome potentially peeling off in a hydraulic cylinder. At this time, I do not have anything hydraulic at home, so I do not have to be concerned with that scenario.

On the Amazon page, it shows the GW picks are indeed made in Taiwan and have chrome shafts. I will most likely get the GW but I will keep an eye on if anything else is posted in the thread. Great feedback guys!

 

[four.cycle]

^ After giving that some thought, I don't think you're going to find "chrome". Perhaps shiny polished steel.

 

[A&P mechanic]

^ After giving that some thought, I don't think you're going to find "chrome". Perhaps shiny polished steel.

Good observation, it does not say chrome on the JB tools website so I went to the manufacturers website to check. The GW website in the description at the bottom shows “finish full polish chrome”.
It may say this in the picture on the back of the box also but the fonts to small to read on the GW website.

 

[gungatim]

I looked at Tekton and they are made in Michigan, however, they are not long like the GW and Craftsman/Ullman picks. I looked at the PB Swiss website and those picks are short also. I already have a short set of Mayhew picks. That is a good warning about chrome potentially peeling off in a hydraulic cylinder. At this time, I do not have anything hydraulic at home, so I do not have to be concerned with that scenario.

On the Amazon page, it shows the GW picks are indeed made in Taiwan and have chrome shafts. I will most likely get the GW but I will keep an eye on if anything else is posted in the thread. Great feedback guys!

Tekton is by GRIPS, which is based here in West Michigan. They are an importer. Pretty sure they're not mfg'd here in Michigan.

 

[Jeff]

I have Ullman for my long picks

 

[GeoBruin]

Tekton is by GRIPS, which is based here in West Michigan. They are an importer. Pretty sure they're not mfg'd here in Michigan.

?

 

[Fedwrench]

Tekton is by GRIPS, which is based here in West Michigan. They are an importer. Pretty sure they're not mfg'd here in Michigan.

My Tekton Picks have USA stamped on the handle.

 

[four.cycle]

@Jeff - Ullman is the OEM manufacturer on those black-handled "Craftsman" branded units in the OP's first post (fourth image.)
They also made those skinny aluminum-handled "Wilde" models in my post #4 above.
Ullman has been OEM for dozens of other outfits for decades.

 

[Jeff]

@Jeff - Ullman is the OEM manufacturer on those black-handled "Craftsman" branded units in the OP's first post (fourth image.)
They also made those skinny aluminum-handled "Wilde" models in my post #4 above.
Ullman has been OEM for dozens of other outfits for decades.

I was merely show off my picks. I apologize for not following the OP's lead.

 

[four.cycle]

^ no no no no... no apology necessary, man. just pointing out that Ullman is the actual MAKER for all kinds of brands of picks.
and to make it crazy: in some cases, other brands will be less money than the "Ullman" brand.

I bought those Wilde picks because the Craftsman picks come unscrewed from the handles.
Somebody told me to just glue them back in, which I did, and it fixed the problem.
I've never used the Wilde units because the handles are so damn skinny - I have gigantic hands.
That's why I mentioned the Tekton - looks like they put a real handle on it.
But from the comment above, sounds like Tekton outsources theirs too!

 

[Rabid Badger]

If your only problem with the Ullman picks is corrosion you could cold blue them.

This is the stuff I use:

Amazon.com

 

[mikeinri]

Just stumbled upon this thread, while looking for a better pick set...

I've destroyed a few (pulled hooks open), and had a set of the skinny-handled Craftsmans in the first post that pulled the picks out of the handles.

What I'd be willing to pay good money for is a pick set built like the through-cap pry bars. In other words, have the tool shaft run all the way through to an anchor plate on the opposite end of the handle, so I can't pull it out.

Does anyone make anything like that? I've looked at all sorts of brands, "up to" Snap-On, but haven't found that. I do see a lot of complaints about people breaking and bending tips.

Mike

 

[nicks78camaro]

Can't complain about my Snap On (USA) or Cornwell (Taiwan) picks

 

[Steve_P]

Mayhew makes large pics with a striking cap. Tips are going to break if you abuse them regardless of the brand.

 

[Dave455]

Just stumbled upon this thread, while looking for a better pick set...

I've destroyed a few (pulled hooks open), and had a set of the skinny-handled Craftsmans in the first post that pulled the picks out of the handles.

What I'd be willing to pay good money for is a pick set built like the through-cap pry bars. In other words, have the tool shaft run all the way through to an anchor plate on the opposite end of the handle, so I can't pull it out.

Does anyone make anything like that? I've looked at all sorts of brands, "up to" Snap-On, but haven't found that. I do see a lot of complaints about people breaking and bending tips.

Mike

You don’t necessarily need the shaft all the way through, just have it properly anchored.

A “hard” handle material is a good start.

These Facom picks have “wings” forged into the shafts, which can be seen through the handles.

I doubt these will pull out.


Resisting the hooks being pulled open just comes down to design, quality, and metallurgy.

Sadly, making a good pick set doesn’t seem to be as easy as some manufacturers think. I have the Snap On (older hard handles) and while I’d agree that they are probably too expensive right now, I have found them faultless.

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks @Dave455. Can you post a pic of your Snap-Ons?

Mike

 

[gahrajmahal]

The last long pick I needed I just went through my selection of ex-political sign frames and cut off a 24” or so section of bar. They are all around 1/8” diameter. I then chucked it into my cordless drill and ground one end to a point. I then clamped it into my vise where I heated it with my mapp torch until it was red, then put the bend onto it. I quenched it in some water to make it a bit harder. A little wire wheel work and it did the trick nicely

 

[Dave455]

Thanks @Dave455. Can you post a pic of your Snap-Ons?

Mike

They are just the regular “mini picks”, but they are nicely finished, the blades seem to be strong, and they clean up like new.

Handles are exactly the right size - not so small, you can’t grip, but not so big you can’t hold with a finger and thumb, or insert into an awkward location.

I like these so much I actually have two sets. My older set has black handles. Bright colours are better.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Tekton is by GRIPS, which is based here in West Michigan. They are an importer. Pretty sure they're not mfg'd here in Michigan.

Pick, Hook, Probe, and Mini Pry Bar Set (27-Piece) | TEKTON

27-piece set includes five pointed picks, four pointed hooks, five blunt picks, four blunt hooks, three probes, and six mini pry bars. LVR10006.

www.tekton.com

Tekton says they are

 

[A&P mechanic]

Old thread, hard to believe I forgot to respond. Doh!

I ended up buying the Snap On long handled pick set many months after posting this thread.
The website advertises high polish, so the shafts will rust living near the ocean with the salt air.
I sprayed them with Eezox.

I like the picks and use them periodically.
I gave my original Ullman set to a parent.
I planned on only buying only the 2 sizes I need.. but splurged and bought the 4 pack.
This is GJ after all haha

 

[mikeinri]

They are just the regular “mini picks”, but they are nicely finished, the blades seem to be strong, and they clean up like new.

Handles are exactly the right size - not so small, you can’t grip, but not so big you can’t hold with a finger and thumb, or insert into an awkward location.

I like these so much I actually have two sets. My older set has black handles. Bright colours are better.

Thanks again, @Dave455. Those do look tempting...

Mike