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Performance tools

monster1

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
704
Does performance tools make decent stuff for serious diy'ers and weekend mechanics? I got my summit racing tool catalog today and they have some stuff I could use. I have a pass through socket set that i've used a few times and it's done its job.
 
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countryroad82

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
3,447
Location
Kentucky
I use thier ratchets every day at work. They hold up great and I have never had a problem with them. I also have a few hammers and they are on par with any good hammer.... smacking the living snot out of junk!! The sockets are okay but I think they are a little chunky imo. The wrenches to me are good especially the stubbys. All areound they are a good lesser priced tool line imo. I definitely reccomend the small head ratchets like this http://www.wilmarcorp.com/item.aspx?cid=286&iid=3444 I love the small head and fine tooth count.
 

tube_guy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
749
Somebody gave me a pair of their slip-joint pliers, made in China. They are very nicely finished. After using them a few times to squeeze some hose clamps, the teeth on the pliers have mostly bent up and flattened out. It's pretty obvious that either the steel or the heat treatment is pretty poor.
 

Bull

Super Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
16,189
Location
MA
Maybe fifteen years ago, I bought a PT engine stand from a local auto parts store. It was actually a pretty nice stand. Had I think two Pontiac engines that I rebuilt using it. Way better than the one legged 750lb cheapie I had prior to it.

Around 5-8 years ago, I bought a PT engine lift (cherry picker) from the same local store. It is still the only engine lift I have. It's also pretty nice quality, and has pulled several engines for me.

I am sure there are much better tools, but PT makes decent stuff, or at least they did at the time I purchased the above items.
 

jontar

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
199
I have their combination wrenches, in my at home tool box, and they seem to be good enough for around the house.

In june I had to change my lawnmower blade, held on by a single 3/8 bolt, so a 9/16 wrench size, grabbed an older craftsman from my box, tried losing the bolt, very very tight. Next grabbed a hammer and smacked the open end and the box end broke apart, next grabbed the cheap performance tool wrench hit it with the hammer several times, bolt lossened, removed and replaced mower blade, so either the c-man somewhat lossened the bolt or it may have been cracked before who knows, the only bad part is the performance wrench's open end now has a flat spot on it where hammer flattened it.

Sometimes you have to factor the cost of tools into the repair, so sometimes having cheap tool is a benefit if you have to cut, bent, break, modify to save time and/or money.

The wrenches I have btw are made in India
 

kippieland

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2011
Messages
1,123
Location
Western Washington
I have one of there 1/2 torque wrenches for over 10 years. Its nothing great but has stayed accurate from massive abuse.....It was only $25 when I got it from an auto parts store. I can't ask for anything more.
 
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byoungblood

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
2,590
Location
Berryville, VA
I have a set of their deep impact sockets, and they have held up OK thus far. I think they were made in Taiwan. I bought them when I needed some deep metric sockets in hurry, as such they are some of the last Asian made tools in my box.
 

Jim85IROC

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
333
I have their combination wrenches, in my at home tool box, and they seem to be good enough for around the house.

In june I had to change my lawnmower blade, held on by a single 3/8 bolt, so a 9/16 wrench size, grabbed an older craftsman from my box, tried losing the bolt, very very tight. Next grabbed a hammer and smacked the open end and the box end broke apart, next grabbed the cheap performance tool wrench hit it with the hammer several times, bolt lossened, removed and replaced mower blade, so either the c-man somewhat lossened the bolt or it may have been cracked before who knows, the only bad part is the performance wrench's open end now has a flat spot on it where hammer flattened it.

Sometimes you have to factor the cost of tools into the repair, so sometimes having cheap tool is a benefit if you have to cut, bent, break, modify to save time and/or money.

The wrenches I have btw are made in India
My guess? The craftsman wrench was much harder, due either to a better alloy or superior heat treating (or both), and the PT was softer. That explains why it didn't crack, and why it has a flat spot. As you've found, sometimes this can be a benefit. I like to keep "cheap" wrenches around incase I need to bend one up to fit a specific application. Usually I can just toss them in a vice and smash them with a hammer to bend them. With better quality tools, you need to heat them to do it.
 

jontar

Well-known member
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
199
its quite possible that the c-man was harder, it just made me mad as it is a old 6 point box end combination wrench made in USA, they aren't availible to buy in Canada anymore
 

Mavawreck

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
1,835
Location
Durham NC
Pair of snap ring pliers just arrived today from Summit, was pleasantly surprised by their heft and feel for a $10.00 price tag. COO is Taiwan. For what I had to invest, I am more than satisfied. Free shipping when tacked onto my much more expensive parts order...
 

AZ_Catskinner

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
1,354
Location
Morenci, AZ
Some of their stuff (ratchets, sockets, wrenches) is really good for the money, some (screwdrivers, pliers, hammers) is absolute ****.
 

V70R

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 17, 2011
Messages
347
Location
Portland, OR
I bought their engine stand/hoist kit, has lasted about 4 years longer than the HF it replaced, still going strong. Local Worldpac Import parts supplier has brought in their oil wrench sockets and few tools for the DIY'er, good value for the owner doing maintenance on their car.
 

unslow1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
7,880
Location
Illinois
I have their serpentine belt tool kit. I really like it. Advance Auto stocks a lot of their job kits.
 
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