New Craftsman 7 pc. T-Handle Nut Driver Set!

[billymade]

I could be clueless but I believe these are new! I stocked these the other day when they came off the delivery truck at work; if interested, keep your eyes open for sales! I'm sure they will go 1/2 off at some point!

Craftsman 7 pc. T-Handle Nut Driver Set, In.
Sears item# 00934546000 Mfr. model# 34546 $39.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934546000P

Craftsman 7 pc. T-Handle Nut Driver Set, Metric
Sears item# 00934547000 Mfr. model# 34547 $39.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934547000P

Craftsman 14 pc.T-Handle Nut Driver Set Inch/Metric
Sears item# 00987648000 Mfr. model# 87648 $59.98
T-handle design provides additional leverage for greater torque strength. Ergonomic non-slip grip handle is color-coded for easy identification. Set includes 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2-in. and 5 thru 11 mm. Separate set pricestotal $79.98. Wt. 3.5 lbs.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00987648000P

 

[GearWrench Brand]

Yes, they are new. We launched this month.

Steve

 

[bchee]

you mean gearwrench has a line of t-handle drivers?

 

[Stuey]

Craftsman and Gearwrench are bought daughters of Danaher. If you check out Gearwrench's signature, you'd see that Steve is a product marketing director @ Danaher...

Hmm... These definitely look interesting. Does Danaher plan on releasing T-handled drivers with slotted or philips tips?

billymade, I wonder what else might be arriving in the next few months in anticipation of the winter holiday shopping season. Stores have carried Halloween merchandise since mid-August, so hopefully there might be a similar attempt to jump-start the shopping season early this year.

 

[bchee]

I guess I was thinking there would be a craftsman line, and also a gearwrench line. These must be made overseas then.

 

[Stuey]

I guess I was thinking there would be a craftsman line, and also a gearwrench line. These must be made overseas then.

Why would these be made overseas?

billymade? If nobody else can confirm the country of origin, would you be able to?

 

[billymade]

I work tomorrow, I'll look at the package to confirm; if/when I see new tools coming in at Sears, I will try to post the info!

 

[Crasen]

I am wondering if these have hollow shafts or if they are the normal partially hollow or solid shaft. I see no point in having nutdrivers that do not have a hollow shaft, just use a normal socket and a driver handle.

 

[hamburglar]

If you folks ever think to build the equivalent of this:

http://www.procarestores.com/product/general_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=009410006

I'll buy a set.

 

[billymade]

Thats a unique design, I don't think I have seen many other brands with the socket by the handle; have seen hex/torx but not a socket! Those look like high quality tools; so is a full set metric/standard $261.00?

 

[GearWrench Brand]

We make them here in the US - in Connecticut.

Steve

 

[Stuey]

Metric Set
SAE Set
Combo Set

$40 per individual set = a little steep for my budget. Combo set = $60 - MUCH better!

Hmm, $50 excluding shipping (after $10 off $50 current discount/sale) isn't too expensive at all!

I'll keep my eye out for these as the winter shopping/sale season approaches. I don't "need" them, but given the right price, I'm sure I can think of something.

 

[GearWrench Brand]

Metric Set
SAE Set
Combo Set

$40 per individual set = a little steep for my budget. Combo set = $60 - MUCH better!

Hmm, $50 excluding shipping (after $10 off $50 current discount/sale) isn't too expensive at all!

I'll keep my eye out for these as the winter shopping/sale season approaches. I don't "need" them, but given the right price, I'm sure I can think of something.

Keep watching the Sears deals - there might be something special coming up around Turkey Day.

 

[eschoendorff]

Those are neat new tools... I almost wish that I had more of a need for nut drivers.

As it is, my gearwrench ratcheting t handle and some sockets get teh job done for me.

 

[billymade]

Steve, how do you guys decide when to make something in the USA and when to use a oem manufacturing vendor overseas? Is it strictly a economic decision or a manufacturing capability one; or possibly a combination of both issues? You have to "make" the product, have production volume capability and make a profit; a marriage of all three would be a good decision/vendor, I would assume.

 

[bchee]

As it is, my gearwrench ratcheting t handle and some sockets get teh job done for me.

I agree, seems more versatile and you don't have so much tool clutter.

We make them here in the US - in Connecticut.

Steve

Craftsman and Gearwrench are bought daughters of Danaher. If you check out Gearwrench's signature, you'd see that Steve is a product marketing director @ Danaher...

I'm familiar with the gearwrench danaher matco armstrong craftsman kobalt relationship. I guess I was thinking he was representing the gearwrench brand only, not danaher in general. Is anything gearwrench branded made in the US?

 

[Frank Elson]

I wish they were available in the UK. I'd have them like a shot.

 

[eschoendorff]

I wish they were available in the UK. I'd have them like a shot.

You'd like them. Hell, the only thing I have a beef about with GearWrench is that they don't make stuff here in the states. Then again, if they did, we might see more QC problems....










It seems that most of the QC complaints around here lately have been from manufacturers that still make their tools in the USA... correlation??? Yes. Causation???? Not necessarily... but an interesting observation nonetheless.

 

[Stuey]

I'm familiar with the gearwrench danaher matco armstrong craftsman kobalt relationship. I guess I was thinking he was representing the gearwrench brand only, not danaher in general. Is anything gearwrench branded made in the US?

I figured as much, but at the same time I had assumed that at least one GJ member or forum lurker wouldn't be as informed.

GW does make a few things in the US, for example - their torque wrenches.

 

[Valsmere]

I want that Beta set they look real nice!

 

[GearWrench Brand]

Steve, how do you guys decide when to make something in the USA and when to use a oem manufacturing vendor overseas? Is it strictly a economic decision or a manufacturing capability one; or possibly a combination of both issues? You have to "make" the product, have production volume capability and make a profit; a marriage of all three would be a good decision/vendor, I would assume.

We have our own (very large) facilities overseas. We use OEMs for some components.

It usually comes down to manufacturing capability (process competence, available capacity) and cost considerations. In the case of private label customers (e.g. Sears) - those decisions are heavily influenced by the buyer.

Steve

 

[GearWrench Brand]

I agree, seems more versatile and you don't have so much tool clutter.





I'm familiar with the gearwrench danaher matco armstrong craftsman kobalt relationship. I guess I was thinking he was representing the gearwrench brand only, not danaher in general. Is anything gearwrench branded made in the US?

Yes, we make GearWrench torque wrenches and a select few other products here in the US.

With GearWrench we try to take Country of Origin out of the equation. We will produce at the best plant for the job regardless of where it resides.

Steve

 

[66HertzClone]

Those are a very nice looking tool. I question if I would reach for it or a standard nut driver first, no doubt these would provide additional leverage beyond what one could apply with a standard nut driver. But, once the fastener is loose, the speed advantage the nut driver has is just not there.

 

[speed bump]

Those are neat new tools... I almost wish that I had more of a need for nut drivers.

As it is, my gearwrench ratcheting t handle and some sockets get teh job done for me.

If you get used to using nut drivers you will almost never use a 1/4" ratchet unless you can't get a nut driver in there. I was replacing a mirror in my sisters blazer the other day and I had to get out the nut drivers becuse the ratchet was just so darn slow.

 

[hamburglar]

With GearWrench we try to take Country of Origin out of the equation. We will produce at the best plant for the job regardless of where it resides.

Steve

I'll translate: 'best plant for the job' = 'least expensive cost of goods'.

It does sound more favorable put your way, I admit.

 

[billymade]

T HANDLE UPDATE:
At work today I looked at the drivers' in the package: they are "made in usa" (as mentioned earlier), "guaranteed forever" and it looks like the the shafts are hollow, there is a little "hole" after the socket/hex part of the tools ends. Whether or not this provides enough clearance for a stud that goes beyond a nut; I don't know for sure. Looks like someone who buys these is going to have to do a "real world usage" test one these to see for sure.

 

[WSMC633]

T-Handle Nut drivers are standard fare in almost every Sportbike/and Dirt bike mechanics toolbox. It is very fast to remove nuts and bolts with them. Especially when you're at the track making a last second repair. I have been using these for awhile and have been happy with them.

If the C-man's went to 14mm I would pick up a set for sure. I use. 8,10,12,13,14 the most.

 

[bchee]

T HANDLE UPDATE:
At work today I looked at the drivers' in the package: they are "made in usa" (as mentioned earlier), "guaranteed forever" and it looks like the the shafts are hollow, there is a little "hole" after the socket/hex part of the tools ends. Whether or not this provides enough clearance for a stud that goes beyond a nut; I don't know for sure. Looks like someone who buys these is going to have to do a "real world usage" test one these to see for sure.

Thanks for the update.

 

[billymade]

WSMC633, could you tell us who makes the set you posted a pic of and a part # or a link to the vendor?

 

[WSMC633]

WSMC633, could you tell us who makes the set you posted a pic of and a part # or a link to the vendor?

No Problemo:

http://www.pitposse.com/noname91.html

I have the rack to hold them also
http://www.pitposse.com/potho.html

 

[billymade]

I was looking through the new snapon tools catalog and noticed T-Handle, Turbo Speed wrenches with the ability to change sockets, kind of like a speeder wrench without the u shaped bend; this reminded me of the early snapon handles that people show from their vintage sets. Anyone have these and are they useful?

Set, T-Handle, Turbo Speed, 3 pcs.
Stock#: TURBOT103 $139.95
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20299&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Individual drive sizes:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=77935&group_ID=20298
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=77936&group_ID=20298
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=77937&group_ID=20299

Fig. 28. Snap-On 1/2-Drive Standard Tee-Handle, Catalog Model No. 3, ca. 1923-1925.
http://alloy-artifacts.com/so-early-sockets-p3.html

 

[Moose-LandTran]

The old Snap-on tee handles are nice, but the one i really want is a Frank Mossberg #331. Elroy has a fine example of one, i've been searching for one ever since and have yet to find one.

I've never found t-handle nutdrivers and hex wrenches very comfortable. I much prefer my speedbraces (all 5 of them..) and use them all the time.