Pittsburg Pick & Hook Set - Any good

[bob from indiana]

I have both the H.F. sets. They are handy for lots of jobs. I don't expect them to be much for the money so I consider them disposable. I also have a set of Husky pick and hooks that are a better quality but still low end tools.

 

[cheechi]

I have both USA made Cman sets that aren't the WF version. My Sears store still sells both, neither one says global components. They're on sale fairly regularly, I think I paid $15 total for both sets.

They don't get tons of use but they haven't failed me.

WF ones have the same handles as the Cman Pro screwdrivers. I haven't used those.

 

[Brownsfan]

I believe the pro handle craftsmans are made by Mayhew.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

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?

I have a Matco branded set of these I also have the unscrewing problem. If oil works down the handles the covers will slip and come off. I thought about putting loc tite on the threads for the handles but haven't tried it yet. Walmart has a set of Stanley picks for around 5 dollars. They look decent but I haven't tried them either.

 

[Jawn]

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.

These are great.

 

[itsvegas]

those craftsman clear one look neat, might have to snag a set!

 

[Exceller8]

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

I didn't buy mine from Amazon. I found them at a little hardware store in San Diego, CA.

 

[cburnscrx]

I have a Matco branded set of these I also have the unscrewing problem. If oil works down the handles the covers will slip and come off. I thought about putting loc tite on the threads for the handles but haven't tried it yet. Walmart has a set of Stanley picks for around 5 dollars. They look decent but I haven't tried them either.

I have an older Stanley pic set I got from Walmart and they're fine for what I am using them for. Then again I have no issues with the HF versions either, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[hofferwood]

It's a **** shoot-------the set I got for $0.99 a few years ago are not soft at all

Kinda like the 4-peice pry bar set from 4 yrs ago-----these guys have a good "spring" to them, no bend at all. And we have reefed on them HARD.
Other folks have said the bend like "Red-Vines"

I got lucky

 

[Skin]

I have Snap-Ons, nothing special about them in the least. Every brand will bend/break if you pry metal with them.

 

[ShaneMSnyder]

I sucked it up and got the SO just to match my screwdrivers. I have a Kobalt (imported I'm sure) set that are in my second tool set that are pretty good as well.

 

[3oheight]

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

Those are the ones I have and like a lot. Bought the harbour freight ones ad they just bent.

 

[Farmall450]

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

Which is why I'll get the Masterforce ones, and have a box full of all US tools...

Sold under the Trisonic brand at most $1.00 stores.

Dan

Never heard of 'em!

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

I think I'll just go w/ the nice US set.

 

[Farmall450]

I have both USA made Cman sets that aren't the WF version. My Sears store still sells both, neither one says global components. They're on sale fairly regularly, I think I paid $15 total for both sets.

They don't get tons of use but they haven't failed me.

WF ones have the same handles as the Cman Pro screwdrivers. I haven't used those.

I do like the ones with mini screwdriver handles over "surgical" ones.

 

[rusty65]

I do like the ones with mini screwdriver handles over "surgical" ones.

I think you will be happy with the Masterforce picks. I have a set and use them all the time and they hold up just fine for me and I have used some quite hard.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[MG44]

HF picks aren't bad if used for the right application.

I have a set of small black ones, two of the red radiator hose picks, and an orange flame radiator pick. They all work great.

I have Cornwell picks too. I a lot of times try to use my big cornwell set of micro picks in the wrong application, and they break a lot. I really need to buy the bigger set.

 

[jmm]

Lot of back and forth here, so I'll add my .02.

I think the HF set is great. But even if you don't, it pays to keep a set (or two) around. At that price, you can rig them up, customize them, or even trash them. They're cheap enough, and they're sturdy enough that they'll stand up to almost anything you throw at em. Win-win.

Me personally, I've got a nice set and two sets of the HF picks in my box at work. Same principle as having some cheap wrenches that can be cut or bent as need be.

 

[Provincial]

I have had this Ullman set for over 30 years and it has been really good. The only drawback is that the picks screw into the handle (I bought it because it was very compact and I was travelling with my tools a lot) and they unscrew if you apply force in that direction. For most work it doesn't matter, and the o-ring pick applies torque that tightens if used properly.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00820KUX2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

KD tools offers one that looks identical. Ullman has a set with permanent plastic handles.

 

[genevabuck]

IMO, this pick set is the worst thing that HF sells. Someone stole my snap on set, so I gave these a try. I broke two shortly after buying them. I bought a set of Stanley picks at WalMart for like $7.00. They are real good quality.

 

[Farmall450]

Lot of back and forth here, so I'll add my .02.

I think the HF set is great. But even if you don't, it pays to keep a set (or two) around. At that price, you can rig them up, customize them, or even trash them. They're cheap enough, and they're sturdy enough that they'll stand up to almost anything you throw at em. Win-win.

Me personally, I've got a nice set and two sets of the HF picks in my box at work. Same principle as having some cheap wrenches that can be cut or bent as need be.

That is true, if you know you're gonna ruin it.

 

[Hiball]

My PicK sets..







You can actually see on the bottom pick where the handle is twisted around... GRRR..



My Matco Set, A handful of them have broken tips.



Comparison picture for the 45 degree pick, I prefer the Snap on profile versus the Fatty Matco.

I use Picks just about everyday when im working in the Shop, Mainly for removing Seals etc.. I have the Snap on Seal picks you can see in the First picture but vary seldom grab them unless im going to save the seal and want to minimize damage etc.. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion, but based off my experiences.. Nothing holds up like the Snap on sets. That Picture of the 3 piece Black handled Snap on's haven't been serviced for probably 5 years, And outside of the Hook one being bent, they still function and occasionally get abused.

 

[basspro]

At work I have the Snap-On mini instincts (4pc) in red, the Cman (Ullman) in extra long and the heavy duty Cman. I had the Masterforce but my dad needed picks at work so I gave them to him, all have been excellent. I have replaced the Snappys enough times to justify the cost I think though. I have the HF picks in my truck box, used them not to long ago to change o rings on my injectors on my truck, worked fine for that, I got em for a dollar.

 

[basspro]

I thought about buying those Snappy seal picks, but mehh, I just made my own on a bench grinder out of old screwdrivers, love my regular picks though.

 

[Farmall450]

SO is nice but pricey.

 

[Hiball]

SO is nice but pricey.

Indeed, Especially when compared to the set you can get for Free at HF or $2 bucks and even Pratt Read version. Please don't take my Posts as its Snap or Nothing, Its obvious by my Pictures that I have other options, But for everyday use, Its a No brainer for me based off actual Tool Use experience, And Nothing has ever came close to holding up like the Snap On's.

 

[Farmall450]

Indeed, Especially when compared to the set you can get for Free at HF or $2 bucks and even Pratt Read version. Please don't take my Posts as its Snap or Nothing, Its obvious by my Pictures that I have other options, But for everyday use, Its a No brainer for me based off actual Tool Use experience, And Nothing has ever came close to holding up like the Snap On's.

I use them more for picking off crud, or moving/holding small stuff vs gaskets, prying, etc etc so I think the Pratt Reads will serve just fine!

 

[basspro]

Pratt Reads will be great, I like the little screwdriver handles on them, break one, go to Menards and get another. A bit off topic, I seen a post someone claiming Menards has a bad warranty, I have never had a hassle with the masterforce stuff, Id buy those picks or any USA tools again in a heartbeat!

 

[crewchief888]

i've had mixed results with them, one set is fine, the next set seems to fall apart at the 1st use.

i buy them cuz they're cheap, and i have a tendency to loose them working out in the field...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

No experience with the HF's...but I am not impressed with the Craftsman "Pencil Grip" style ones pictured in this thread. IMO those aren't worth the cardboard package it comes shrink wrapped to.
Only ones I've got which I like and have stood the test of time are SO's and MAC's.