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tube_guy

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Jan 21, 2009
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754
I've had that Pratt Reed set for about 9 months or so, and it's been pretty good so far. The picks themselves are very short and small which I find handy sometimes. If that's what you're looking for, I think that's a nice set of picks. In some cases, those picks will inevitably be too short for what you want to do. Ullman makes some nice, strong, longer picks like these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X26R7K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Eventually, all picks will get dull depending on what you use them for. I normally sharpen them up by hand on a sharpening stone when they get dull. Only takes a few minutes and they can be made like new again.
 
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Lotek

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So far I haven't found anything that beats my Snap On set for strength and utility, and if the blade breaks, Snappy will replace it.
 
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Trucky

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Apr 26, 2011
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So the set he was thinking of is around 10 bucks, and you're throwing 80 dollar sets at him? Sheesh! I thought I was a little out of range with the 20 some Mayhew set.

Just pickin on yall SO fans out there. Don't take me too seriously, it's a little early for that :D

A few of my buds up at school have the SO sets, and they haven't had to replace one yet, in about 2 yrs of use. They're not professionals (machine shop work, some auto), but it does speak for itself.
 
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Lotek

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Trucky said:
So the set he was thinking of is around 10 bucks, and you're throwing 80 dollar sets at him? Sheesh! I thought I was a little out of range with the 20 some Mayhew set.

Just pickin on yall SO fans out there. Don't take me too seriously, it's a little early for that :D

A few of my buds up at school have the SO sets, and they haven't had to replace one yet, in about 2 yrs of use. They're not professionals (machine shop work, some auto), but it does speak for itself.
Click to expand...

If you use them a lot, they pay for themselves, and it only takes one broken tip in the wrong place to really ruin your day. From my experience with cheapo picks, you would be as well off bending up a bit of coathanger.
 
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99LeCouch

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Apr 18, 2011
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Rochester, NY
The cheapy picks work for me, Mr. Weekender who might use them once every second blue moon. If you're using them weekly or daily, pony up for the good ones.
 
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powertrip

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Apr 29, 2010
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Columbus Ohio
Get the cman pro. Under $20 right now online and easy lifetime warranty. Also made in usa and proudly mark so. Dont drink the kool aid
 
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Hiball

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JayL said:
The Snap On set is the best I have tried so far. Very durable.

This looks like the newer version but what I have is an older set purchased slightly used or probably NOS and with black hard handles.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21406&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Click to expand...

Just so we are comparing apples to apples, the op's Pratt read kit is the miniature set and the $77 dollar set listed above is the full size picks. The snap on miniature set runs $42.50 shipped and normally it's better to buy online as they generally bring over msrp on eBay when you factor in shipping. Below is a link for snap on miniature set which are the holy Grail of picks. I do agree that if they are not gonna be used very often you can get away with a cheaper set, but the snappys are nice.

http://http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=72208&group_ID=13338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
 
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back2class

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Jan 7, 2009
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I have the snap-ons and they are great! I have seen the cheepies and pretty clear they would not offer the same performance. That said seems like a pretty simple tool and Craftsman for $20 shoud be able to produce something just about as good without the silly snap-on markup. Thats is what I would buy first if I did not already have the so ones. On I side note, i never had them untill a year or so ago. I now use them all the time and wonder how I got along without them as long a I did.
 
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JayL

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Hiball said:
Just so we are comparing apples to apples, the op's Pratt read kit is the miniature set and the $77 dollar set listed above is the full size picks. The snap on miniature set runs $42.50 shipped and normally it's better to buy online as they generally bring over msrp on eBay when you factor in shipping. Below is a link for snap on miniature set which are the holy Grail of picks. I do agree that if they are not gonna be used very often you can get away with a cheaper set, but the snappys are nice.

http://http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=72208&group_ID=13338&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing it out Hiball. Looks like I posted the wrong link. My bad.

The set I have is the same size as the one you linked.

Sorry for any confusion.
 
C

canuckian

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East coast of Canaaada
first Snap On tool I ever bought was a set of hard handle mini picks 15 or so years ago. I have used the hell out of them and haven't had one break on me. since then I picked up the long picks. Same story. tough as nails. the way I see it, whether you use them occasionally or every day, a broken off piece of a pick in the wrong place is a pain in the ****. That being said, I have heard good things about the Mayhew stuff.
 
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pipsters

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The regular length and long Craftsman non-pros are made by Ullman. In any case I find I use the smaller, more slender picks much more than the beefier pro version.
 
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Monte

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ooppoo028.jpg

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speed bump

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I have heard good things about the Wittes but I love my Snap-ons so much that if they disappeared tonight I would buy another set off the first truck I saw.
 
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earlthegoat2

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SE GA
I like to rip on the Snap On set because of its huge price disparity for such a simple tool but then things get quite virulent with the owners of said set.

Must be something there at least I would think.
 
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Hiball

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earlthegoat2 said:
I like to rip on the Snap On set because of its huge price disparity for such a simple tool but then things get quite virulent with the owners of said set.

Must be something there at least I would think.
Click to expand...

Tools dont show there true colors unless your using them daily, Ive got 20+ years in the Hydraulic business and have been using Snap on pics for the majority of it. Ill admit a cheap set will work for 98% of the GJ members without fail, but If your gonna be Hard on them you better buy a good set for be ready for Issues down the road that might end up costing your more money. Ive Owned the Matco set and didnt like the 45 degree Pic, I believe this was pre-witte days. Without a Doubt Snap On or Truck tools are High.. Period, Ive been lucky enough to fill some holes for a fraction of the cost New.
 
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speed bump

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earlthegoat2 said:
I like to rip on the Snap On set because of its huge price disparity for such a simple tool but then things get quite virulent with the owners of said set.

Must be something there at least I would think.
Click to expand...

So buy them used. My short picks were $10 for 5 and the longs $20 for the set in case. I have only used the longs about 3 times but I can't say I feel ripped off.

For what its worth I have a Stanley set in my trucks tool box that seems reasonable for the occasional out of the back of the truck repairs.
 
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tooth

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Apr 2, 2011
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99
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Iowa
I like the snap ons so much I bought a second set to keep on the workbench. The other set resides on the tool cart. I use then 10x a day. I've owned lots of crappier brands and the picks would break or worse, come out of the handle.
 
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Hiball

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tooth said:
I like the snap ons so much I bought a second set to keep on the workbench. The other set resides on the tool cart. I use then 10x a day. I've owned lots of crappier brands and the picks would break or worse, come out of the handle.
Click to expand...

I had to do the same thing, Although my problem was i would go from workbench to workbench and then at the end of the day i would play "Find the Pick Game". LOL
 
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Hiball

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stephen9666 said:
I just bought this Craftsman set of mini pics. Not made in the USA, but assembled in the USA with foreign and domestic components. Also, only $7.99.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941513000P

Also, Craftsman offers the Ullman Devices pick set rebranded as Craftsman.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947090000P
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I have issues with the 2nd set, The handles turn on the shaft and have since New. Maybe i got a bad batch, I should warranty them but just never think about it since they are hidden in a drawer.
 
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SMKS

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Feb 14, 2010
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To the OP-

Dang, I wish I would have seen the set you linked to before I bought the Craftsman set. If the Pratt-Reads are USA made, I would have paid a few dollars more for that.
 
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not-required

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Mar 6, 2011
Messages
545
Location
Maui, Hawaii
Hiball said:
I have issues with the 2nd set, The handles turn on the shaft and have since New. Maybe i got a bad batch, I should warranty them but just never think about it since they are hidden in a drawer.
Click to expand...

I had that same set (the one in the second link) and the same thing happened to me. The handle spun on the shaft on the first use. I figured no sense even warranty it because it will probably do the same thing, so I just ordered the Matco short and long pick sets and have been happy since.
 
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78Bird

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Apr 23, 2010
Messages
528
Location
Charlotte, NC
I use mine for PC and printer repair. I use small dental tool style ones, since I have to carry them around with me. They are good for fishing out small bits, popping loose hard to reach tabs, cleaning very tight areas, etc.

I have a really cheapie set now, and would like some better ones. These are soft...
 
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tube_guy

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Jan 21, 2009
Messages
754
For the Ullman made sets, the pick shafts screw into a threaded hole in the handle. I usually unscrew the shafts and add a little blue loctite before putting them back together.
 
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MrSnicks

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Feb 23, 2010
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Cameron, NC
I pulled the trigger on the Mayhew set before I saw this thread a few days ago. I'll let you know what I think when they get here.

Patrick
 
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