Pittsburg Pick & Hook Set - Any good

[Farmall450]

They have decent reviews, and cost like $2.

I don't want to PO my dad too much by always borrowing his SO's.

Thanks.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html

 

[cburnscrx]

They're great! One of the best things at HF. Sometimes you can even get them for free.

 

[Exceller8]

I just bought this Pratt-Read set for under $8:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZZ33W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's American made and the price is right. The HF is pretty bad but will get you by especially if you're on a very tight budget.

 

[Farmall450]

They're great! One of the best things at HF. Sometimes you can even get them for free.

Sweet! I'll have to grab them next time I go there...unless I pick up a US set for a similar amount

I just bought this Pratt-Read set for under $8:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZZ33W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's American made and the price is right. The HF is pretty bad but will get you buy especially if you're on a very tight budget.

I'll have to look for some deals.
Why are the HF ones bad?

 

[Exceller8]

Sweet! I'll have to grab them next time I go there...unless I pick up a US set for a similar amount



I'll have to look for some deals.
Why are the HF ones bad?

The steel is a little soft. Overall build quality is poor, even at $1.99. I own a set because I wanted to try them out. Like I said, if I were on a very tight budget I'd make them work.

 

[allinon72]

I don't see a reason to pinch pennies with picks when a quality set can be had for under $20

 

[Hiball]

The steel is a little soft. Overall build quality is poor, even at $1.99. I own a set because I wanted to try them out. Like I said, if I were on a very tight budget I'd make them work.

Agreed... For the occasional oring removal they will sufice, don't expect to do much prying, the tips on the straight and angled will bend fairly easily. I spend a lot of time using my picks so I Soley own Snap on is standard and long lengths and have for 20 years.

 

[Exceller8]

I don't see a reason to pinch pennies with picks when a quality set can be had for under $20

Or under $10 for that matter.

 

[Brownsfan]

I bought them once for my road box. Never again. Yes they were cheap but I broke 2 peeling back tape in a wire bundle under the dash. I have the snap on set and also the Pratt Reed set(Masterforce) and they have been solid. I use the Masterforce set On the road and SO in the shop. For $6 more the Pratt reed is a better tool. I consider the HF set a throw away tool. If you will use them with any sort of regularity they will not hold up. Mine didn't bend like someone said above mine snapped. I'm sure the HF fan boys and Snap On haters will say I'm crazy and I was abusing them but whatever. Spend the extra couple bucks and get a quality set. Especially since you have been using Snap On from you dads tools.

 

[Farmall450]

I bought them once for my road box. Never again. Yes they were cheap but I broke 2 peeling back tape in a wire bundle under the dash. I have the snap on set and also the Pratt Reed set(Masterforce) and they have been solid. I use the Masterforce set I the road and SO in the shop. For $6 more the Pratt reed is a better tool. I consider the HF set a throw away tool. If you will use them with any sort of regularity they will not hold up.

Masterforce is the same? Might be cheaper at Menards since I wouldn't have to pay shipping or anything...

Agreed... For the occasional oring removal they will sufice, don't expect to do much prying, the tips on the straight and angled will bend fairly easily. I spend a lot of time using my picks so I Soley own Snap on is standard and long lengths and have for 20 years.

I don't even want to know what a green pick set would cost to match my instincts. I can get a pratt read for $10 on eBay

 

[Farmall450]

I bought them once for my road box. Never again. Yes they were cheap but I broke 2 peeling back tape in a wire bundle under the dash. I have the snap on set and also the Pratt Reed set(Masterforce) and they have been solid. I use the Masterforce set On the road and SO in the shop. For $6 more the Pratt reed is a better tool. I consider the HF set a throw away tool. If you will use them with any sort of regularity they will not hold up. Mine didn't bend like someone said above mine snapped. I'm sure the HF fan boys and Snap On haters will say I'm crazy and I was abusing them but whatever. Spend the extra couple bucks and get a quality set. Especially since you have been using Snap On from you dads tools.

This set I believe?

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-precision-hook-pick-set/p-1502767-c-9158.htm

 

[woody 73]

I was in a bind because I needed something asap, not the best HF tool out there. Any chemical will take the letters off so that even a wise HF employee will never take them back and the metal is soft like others have said.

 

[Brownsfan]

Yes the Masterforce is the same. They are not by the screwdrivers. They are near the knives and other "specialty" tools. Opposite the plier wall.

 

[ThisGuy310]

I just bought this Pratt-Read set for under $8:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BZZ33W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's American made and the price is right. The HF is pretty bad but will get you by especially if you're on a very tight budget.

Those look good, but they are showing up as $10 and change on my end.

 

[Brownsfan]

This set I believe?

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-precision-hook-pick-set/p-1502767-c-9158.htm

That's it. Get them. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Farmall450]

Yes the Masterforce is the same. They are not by the screwdrivers. They are near the knives and other "specialty" tools. Opposite the plier wall.

That's why I never see them, the baby blue channellocks distract me...

 

[Farmall450]

Those look good, but they are showing up as $10 and change on my end.

Same w/ me, I think prices have changed. Menards is our best bet since they're the same!

That's it. Get them. You won't be disappointed.

Will do!

 

[Hiball]

I don't even want to know what a green pick set would cost to match my instincts. I can get a pratt read for $10 on eBay

If you want to play (<--- color match your tools) your gonna have to pay, if your not particular on color, they sell on ebay for $25-35 quite often. I suspect you can't go wrong with the Pratt read, even if they are complete junk the $2 and $7 price tag shouldn't hurt too bad.

 

[Farmall450]

If you want to play (<--- color match your tools) your gonna have to pay, if your not particular on color, they sell on ebay for $25-35 quite often. I suspect you can't go wrong with the Pratt read, even if they are complete junk the $2 and $7 price tag shouldn't hurt too bad.

Tell me about it!

 

[RECox286]

I give the HF pick set a standing ovation. Price is right, and

I haven't had any complaints using them in the last 4 or 5 years.

If someone raided my tool kit b/c they needed the picks more

than I do, I'd replace them PDQ [from HF] b/c I use them frequently.

Uncle Bob

 

[SMKS]

I have the Pratt Read pick set in both the PR version and the Masterforce version.

They've worked really well for me. They're better than than the HF picks, which I also used to have.

The shafts are no longer knurled, but that doesn't matter to me.

 

[thesilverone]

Pratt Read and Craftsman are both made in USA options

 

[Farmall450]

I give the HF pick set a standing ovation. Price is right, and

I haven't had any complaints using them in the last 4 or 5 years.

If someone raided my tool kit b/c they needed the picks more

than I do, I'd replace them PDQ [from HF] b/c I use them frequently.

Uncle Bob

It is handy to use those nice SOs in the box right next to mine!

 

[Farmall450]

Pratt Read and Craftsman are both made in USA options

Who makes Cman?
Wilde?

 

[SMKS]

Pratt Read and Craftsman are both made in USA options

The Craftsman ones are no longer "made in the USA." They're "assembled in the USA of imported and domestic components."

The Pratt Read picks are still a real USA made item.

 

[SMKS]

Who makes Cman?
Wilde?

I would guess WF, as they make most of the screwdrivers and related stuff. But that's just a guess.

 

[Farmall450]

I would guess WF, as they make most of the screwdrivers and related stuff. But that's just a guess.

That's true!

 

[Brownsfan]

I noticed the assembled in USA thing on the tack puller and cotter pin puller as well. I have older USA made versions and was going to pick up back ups but decided against it

 

[Evan(CA)]

I bought a set, complete junk!

 

[Farmall450]

I bought a set, complete junk!

It's weird, online reviews didn't look all that bad!
I'll go with the US ones for a few dollars more

 

[fourtythree]

There's a couple different versions of the craftsman. There's also an $8 set with black handles that is "made" in the usa, iirc. They look to be better quality than the clear handled set.

 

[Hiball]

It's weird, online reviews didn't look all that bad!
I'll go with the US ones for a few dollars more

Take all reviews with a grain of salt, including GJ reviews IMO.. Most will be biased and in the case of the HF pick set, they cost $2 bucks or less. Step outside of the box and forge your own opinion, again its $2. How good do they have to be? Or how many times do they have to work to pay for themselves?

There's a couple different versions of the craftsman. There's also an $8 set with black handles that is "made" in the usa, iirc. They look to be better quality than the clear handled set.

Probably the ullman sourced pics, I have the long set and can't keep the handles on them.

 

[Farmall450]

Take all reviews with a grain of salt, including GJ reviews IMO.. Most will be biased and in the case of the HF pick set, they cost $2 bucks or less. Step outside of the box and forge your own opinion, again its $2. How good do they have to be? Or how many times do they have to work to pay for themselves?

In theory, they have to work every time!

 

[Hiball]

In theory, they have to work every time!

Well unfortunately you sometimes get what you pay for in life.

 

[jd_1138]

I keep one of the 4 HF ones in the silverware drawer. Comes in handy to open packages, clean out the hooks on the bread machine, and to get the plastic garbage disposal cover off when it gets turned upside down.

 

[SMKS]

There's a couple different versions of the craftsman. There's also an $8 set with black handles that is "made" in the usa, iirc. They look to be better quality than the clear handled set.

Yes, those are made by Ullman devices. But they're different than the style the OP is considering.

I prefer picks with the mini-screwdriver-style handle. I have the Ullman Devices-made picks. They're fine. There's also an XL version.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc...p-00941634000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[SMKS]

Probably the ullman sourced pics, I have the long set and can't keep the handles on them.

I have two sets of the Ullman Devices picks and I haven't had this problem. Are you referring to the black sleeve coming off the handle or the shaft coming out of the handle?

 

[DanCo]

Sold under the Trisonic brand at most $1.00 stores.

Dan

 

[Hiball]

I have two sets of the Ullman Devices picks and I haven't had this problem. Are you referring to the black sleeve coming off the handle or the shaft coming out of the handle?

Shaft unscrews from the handle, I tried using some super glue and it worked for awhile but then broke again.

 

[oldtools]

The HF look/feel cheap. I only use it for light duty stuff and it seem ok.