pittsburgh tools

[Cryptic1911]

Funny how very few seem to get mad about all the Craftsman bashing. I hear all types of stories about how bad they are and break all the time but never see any pictures. Many times I think the people bashing Craftsman don't even own them.

Yeah, people do bash Craftsman once in a while, but most of the time, it's unwarranted.. just like how you bash EVERYTHING that isn't stamped USA on it. I understand having pride in your country, but give it a goddamn break.. You rant and rave about how everything produced outside the country *****.. Have you personally owned or broken everything that someone posts that is offshore that you say ***** so badly? Talk about being a hypocrite. If you buy something and break it, ***** all you want. Until then, please keep your opinons to yourself because it's getting quite old reading a decent thread and then seeing you post and turn it into an argument about how much better everything you buy is.

For now, You're going on my ignore list. Getting tired of reading Mickey O shitfests everytime I click a thread.

 

[caper]

for you experts on either side, I have a question, please answer with your experience, or scientific facts.

for the last 10 years, are the Chinese/TW handtools getting better faster than the American tools progresses? someday, they will be the same.

or

the American tools are so far ahead, the Chinese will never be as good.

or

with more and more American tool makers shifting productions to China, the day of Micky has nothing to buy is approaching faster then most people thinks.

I have many manufacturers from Princess auto to Snap on and my opinion is that the domestic quality is going downhill as fast as the Asian quality is going up the hill.I have a 10mm socket I purchased from Snap on 3 mths ago that has had very little use but constantly slips and rounds off bolts.I have a 15/16" impact from Snap on,less than a year old, that the drive end is mushrooming twice as much as the 20 yr old ones in the rest of the set.The recent replacement tips for Snappy's screwdrivers are nowhere near the quality they used to be and Kleins drivers are pathetic in my opinion.On the other end of the spectrum I have Princess auto impact sockets that have been holding up extremely well for several years with no issues.I have a PA 1/4" flexhead ratchet that is my go to ratchet despite having about 25 American made 1/4" ratchetsThere are many things in Harbor freight/Princess Auto that have a ways to go but the trick is learning to judge quality when you see it and not just dismiss things out of hand as being junk.

 

[caper]

The ignore feature works pretty good, the only downside is when someone quotes the ignored post it shows up. I think that a certain member should be banned, he is very close minded and thinks we should change and adopt his tool buying requirements. Until that happens I will use the ignore feature and try to ignore the quoted posts as well.

Yep,after 4 yrs I finally pushed the button.Kind of have mixed feelings about it but I'm just tired of listening to it.

 

[autoace]

I have many manufacturers from Princess auto to Snap on and my opinion is that the domestic quality is going downhill as fast as the Asian quality is going up the hill.I have a 10mm socket I purchased from Snap on 3 mths ago that has had very little use but constantly slips and rounds off bolts.I have a 15/16" impact from Snap on,less than a year old, that the drive end is mushrooming twice as much as the 20 yr old ones in the rest of the set.The recent replacement tips for Snappy's screwdrivers are nowhere near the quality they used to be and Kleins drivers are pathetic in my opinion.On the other end of the spectrum I have Princess auto impact sockets that have been holding up extremely well for several years with no issues.I have a PA 1/4" flexhead ratchet that is my go to ratchet despite having about 25 American made 1/4" ratchetsThere are many things in Harbor freight/Princess Auto that have a ways to go but the trick is learning to judge quality when you see it and not just dismiss things out of hand as being junk.

LOL I have two old sets of HF 1/2 inch drive, deep impact sockets. They were about 16.99 a set, I used them for many years. I "upgraded" to SO and found the drive ends and fastener ends wore ALOT more than the old Taiwan HF ones. Talk about being disappointed, The 3 month old 19 mm SO looked 10x older than the HF 19mm that was almost a decade old.

Moral of the story, if it looks good, is made in Taiwan, it is probably a good tool.

Since then I sold all my SO impacts and bought Cornwell impact sockets, the Cornwell ones are excellent, but so were the cheap Taiwan/Pittsburgh ones.

 

[Merkava_4]

The ignore feature works pretty good, the only downside is when someone quotes the ignored post it shows up. I think that a certain member should be banned, he is very close minded and thinks we should change and adopt his tool buying requirements. Until that happens I will use the ignore feature and try to ignore the quoted posts as well.

That "certain member" makes an excellent counterweight to all the Chinese/Taiwanese tool lovers. I'm thinking we need more guys like him in this country, not less.

 

[stock z/28]

On the matter of torque wrenches I have seen some imports that are ok when checked and some not.

The same applies to a lot of American ones as well.


I have an electronic torque wrench tester with a digital read out. Its nothing trick but its fairly accurate, and I check the calibration on various torque wrenches a lot.

One of my favorite torque wrenches is the Snap On/ Precision instruments split beam model, but its also one of the worst (in my opinion). The early ones that would ratchet in either direction were very easy to ruin the calibration if they were ever loaded in a "reverse" direction.

They started adding labels as to the direction of torque and the newer models would only allow torquing in a clockwise direction.

I have seen a lot of critical fasteners improperly torqued or even ruined with these and other wrenches that were either out of calibration on defective.

In my opinion torque wrenches are precision instruments and even "high end" brands can be way off.


It does seem this site is getting very bad about the "automatic" bashing of some products.


And as far as using a Cadillac as a comparison of quality, all I can say is that there are a few "design" issues in the engines on some models that just about "total" a car if they need repaired. I know of some people who are not impressed with their quality. Maybe image isn't everything.

 

[Hiball]

That "certain member" makes an excellent counterweight to all the Chinese/Taiwanese tool lovers. I'm thinking we need more guys like him in this country, not less.

Its not the tool lovers that are ruining this country, its the Ceo's of companies outsourcing Jobs that are forcing people who are barely scraping by to use what means they have to get the job done. Jesus... China/Taiwanese tool lovers are to blame now, LMAO Big Picture MERK

 

[baucom]

The bashing does get old, whether it's bashing Chinese ****, HF, Craftsman, Knipex @ Lowes, SK, or other forum members. I don't think there's anyone on here who doesn't prefer buying U.S. or European tools above Chinese or Taiwanese tools. For most of us, I'd bet that the majority of our tools are U.S. made because we're willing to pay a premium for domestically produced tools, and the PRC/ROC tools that we do own were bought because we also have to look out for our wallet and couldn't justify spending 10-20x the price for the U.S. made version.

 

[t100]

they don't build new caddy's like your dad's.

Dec. 16 2009

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-i465-fatal-accident-pictures-121609,0,6429574.photogallery

 

[Bull]

I think that those of you using the ignore feature are doing the right thing. Why would we consider banning someone who has a passionate belief and shares it here, on a discussion forum? Should we ban the expression of certain beliefs? Are forum rules being violated? If you don't like it, then that is what the ignore feature is for.

If you guys want to debate the issue, that's ok, just don't get personal/rude.

Banning someone for expressing their opinion...sounds pretty American, right?

 

[Cryptic1911]

That "certain member" makes an excellent counterweight to all the Chinese/Taiwanese tool lovers. I'm thinking we need more guys like him in this country, not less.

excellent counterweight? I don't think so. Its all one sided according to him. The outright bashing of anything foreign that he's never even seen or touched is just rediculous. If he bought something and tested it and posted results, that would be awesome.. until then, the "It came off a boat? Then it *****" comments are useless and do nothing but ruin good threads. Just look where this one has gone. I know I'm not really helping here at the moment, but its gotta be said

 

[caper]

I don't think anyone should be banned,but I'm just tired of listening to the same statement,over and over,in every thread I open.I now officially after 4yrs have someone on ignore for the first time.

 

[Merkava_4]

Its not the tool lovers that are ruining this country, its the Ceo's of companies outsourcing Jobs that are forcing people who are barely scraping by to use what means they have to get the job done. Jesus... China/Taiwanese tool lovers are to blame now, LMAO Big Picture MERK

If there weren't such relaxed trade laws, and if Harbor Freight didn't exist, I imagine some of you guys would be up a creek without a paddle.

 

[Hiball]

If there weren't such relaxed trade laws, and if Harbor Freight didn't exist, I imagine some of you guys would be up a creek without a paddle.

Your up the same creek, In the same boat. I would venture to say 75% of the stuff in your house and on your back is produced outside America. When you look at the Grand scheme of things, Tools are such a Minor part of the Import game. Do i think our trade laws are Right? Fair to American Families and Workers? Without a Doubt NO...

 

[Bull]

They're opinions...on the internet...can't get much more harmless in life than that.

excellent counterweight? I don't think so. Its all one sided according to him. The outright bashing of anything foreign that he's never even seen or touched is just rediculous. If he bought something and tested it and posted results, that would be awesome.. until then, the "It came off a boat? Then it *****" comments are useless and do nothing but ruin good threads. Just look where this one has gone. I know I'm not really helping here at the moment, but its gotta be said

 

[nissan_crawler]

What hiball said...

I have a harbor freight torque wrench that I paid like $20 for. It has worked fine for me.

It's funny that aviation was brought up, I have seen an guy that repairs large business jets use a torque wrench for his job that looks absolutely identical to my HF one. It must be calibrated and certified at specific intervals so stay within some kind of guidelines or regs. I don't know where he bought it but is an identical looking tool to the one that is sold at HF.

I can attest to many of them working on business jets, that regularly pass cal. I can't attest to the same for my snap-on ones, or a few other people's. Our tools are calibrated every 6 months. I can also attest to my $9 cummins tool truck torque wrench that's over 10 years old, still passing cal. The hf ones actually seem to pass cal better, and the bonus is, if they don't, you buy another one for $15. If the snap-on doesn't pass, then what? sell it, or drop $65 on a calibration?

Yep,after 4 yrs I finally pushed the button.Kind of have mixed feelings about it but I'm just tired of listening to it.

x2 After putting 6-7 people on ignore, this place became much more enjoyable.

 

[Merkava_4]

excellent counterweight? I don't think so. Its all one sided according to him. The outright bashing of anything foreign that he's never even seen or touched is just rediculous. If he bought something and tested it and posted results, that would be awesome.. until then, the "It came off a boat? Then it *****" comments are useless and do nothing but ruin good threads.Just look where this one has gone. I know I'm not really helping here at the moment, but its gotta be said

This thread is titled "Pittsburgh Tools," what did you expect?

 

[Bull]

The OP had decided by post #4 that the tools were garbage anyway, so we don't need to worry about his thread going in any particular direction.

 

[Merkava_4]

Your up the same creek, In the same boat. I would venture to say 75% of the stuff in your house and on your back is produced outside America. When you look at the Grand scheme of things, Tools are such a Minor part of the Import game. Do i think our trade laws are Right? Fair to American Families and Workers? Without a Doubt NO...

Tools in my opinion are some of the last things produced in this country that we should surrender to the Chinese. Tools and nuclear weapons.

 

[Hiball]

Tools in my opinion are some of the last things produced in this country that we should surrender to the Chinese. Tools and nuclear weapons.

I guess thats were we differ, Im more worried about my friends and neighbors having a job where they can make enough money to provide food, clothes and shelter. I could give a **** if he has to swing a harbor freight ratchet to provide for his family, as long as he is doing his part to make america a better place. We really didnt surrender, We gave them the Front door key. It will beyond my lifetime im afraid before America is once again a proud about manufacturing goods. Greed is in full effect and these beloved tool companies that made America Great are starting to see the Big Profit margins from Importing tools and slapping there name on them. Im done talking politics.

 

[Merkava_4]

I guess thats were we differ, Im more worried about my friends and neighbors having a job where they can make enough money to provide food, clothes and shelter. I could give a **** if he has to swing a harbor freight ratchet to provide for his family, as long as he is doing his part to make america a better place. We really didnt surrender, We gave them the Front door key. It will beyond my lifetime im afraid before America is once again a proud about manufacturing goods. Greed is in full effect and these beloved tool companies that made America Great are starting to see the Big Profit margins from Importing tools and slapping there name on them. Im done talking politics.

If the guy swings an American made ratchet, he's helping his family AND the families of all the guys who made that ratchet.

 

[Hiball]

If the guy swings an American made ratchet, he's helping his family AND the families of all the guys who made that ratchet.

Im not arguing that we would be better off if everyone bought american products, Im simply stating its not always feasible to buy american and its getting harder everyday. It may be miniscule to you, but that minninum of 30 dollars means alot to some people. It could be the difference between paying there heating bill or being shut off. All im saying is its the "Hate on Import tools" is getting old, Everyone is entitled to there opinion. Its what makes america great, Sadly some people try to belittle people for forging there own opinion and doing what they have to. I would also guess there are people in this world who have never owned a Snap on, Mac, Matco, Craftsman or any other Truck brand, and i bet they would laugh at some of these statements. My Grandfather is a prime example, Just about every tool he owns is second hand and has served him well. He Swears by Buffalo tools from back in the 80's, He used to buy them by the truck load and sell them just as fast. He grew up saving every nickel he could because he knew tough times. I would venture to bet there are thousands of people sitting on Truck brand tools right now and are having a tough time making payments and i can gurantee this thought has crossed there mind a few times. "Man if wish i wouldnt have spend 6K on a Tool box and another 5k on tools" Im not saying there not quality tools but sometimes you just have to get the job done the most effiecient way you can. There are things more important that tools and there COO. Peace...

 

[X1 Mike]

Tools in my opinion are some of the last things produced in this country that we should surrender to the Chinese. Tools and nuclear weapons.

I say we need to export more items, nuclear weapons to China would be a great start.

It was a joke I am not in favor of nuking China back I mean forward into the stone age.......

 

[t100]

It may be miniscule to you, but that minninum of 30 dollars means alot to some people..

well said. in August, we canceled our satellite TV after 6 years, so I have that part of the money goes to my tool budget every month. still, that's less then $30/week.

if I were in the situation to choose between:
buying more truck tools, put less food on the table, or buying HF tools, put more food on the table.

I'd pick the second one. someone can argue if you buy better tools you can make more money, well, in this economy, things don't always happen according to the rules.

 

[jpoe]

they don't build new caddy's like your dad's.

Dec. 16 2009

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-i465-fatal-accident-pictures-121609,0,6429574.photogallery

Newer cars are designed to absorb/tranfer impact away from the passenger compartment. I would feel safer in a brand new kia/focus/etc... than a 70's caddy. Before you laugh, keep in mind, I respond to these accidents all of the time. People from the older, "stouter", and heavier cars don't fair well.

 

[jpoe]

I will agree that we have strayed WAY OFF TOPIC. One question that does seem to persist: what about all of the dock workers who unload the tools from the ships? Are they not "Americans"?

 

[autoace]

What alot of guys miss, is alot of us need multiple tool sets. I buy tons of USA made tools, by various manufacturers, they stay in my garage.

What do I use in the middle of a Maine salvage yard in mid April? I don't bring my high dollar tools to the trenches, I bring Harbor Freight type tools to the trenches. I get to test these tools first hand, alot of them are very good, especially for the money.

I prefer my premium tools, but alot of us need tools for all occasions, sometimes the low buck tools are just right for the intended purpose.

It seems most Taiwan made tools are getting real good, while the US brands are sliding.

When money is tight, buy the best tool you can afford for the job to be done.

No one is helping the USA is your car gets repo'd because you owe the tool truck 200 bucks a week. LOL

If you can afford Snap-on/Cornwell etc... tools, and want them, by all means get them, they are some of the best.

I respect peoples' opinions, but there is no need to tell people certain brands are complete junk, just because they are not USA sourced. Some imports are junk, and some are respectable tools.

 

[Merkava_4]

What do I use in the middle of a Maine salvage yard in mid April?

I've taken my Snap-on tools to the salvage yard, but they are insight and within arms reach AT ALL TIMES.

 

[TireTracks]

I've taken my Snap-on tools to the salvage yard, but they are insight and within arms reach AT ALL TIMES.

wow, your junkyard tools cost more than my good ones.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I think that those of you using the ignore feature are doing the right thing. Why would we consider banning someone who has a passionate belief and shares it here, on a discussion forum? Should we ban the expression of certain beliefs? Are forum rules being violated? If you don't like it, then that is what the ignore feature is for.

If you guys want to debate the issue, that's ok, just don't get personal/rude.

Banning someone for expressing their opinion...sounds pretty American, right?

agreed. this is not china.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I've taken my Snap-on tools to the salvage yard, but they are insight and within arms reach WITH LOADED GUN.

Fixed,

 

[t100]

If you guys want to debate the issue, that's ok, just don't get personal/rude.

I have never felt offended by someone over the internet, I found it amusing. If you point your fingers at my nose in front of me, I would. But, I can't go to my mom in tears telling her I was CYBER BULLIED by some dude over the INTERLAND.

for those who do feel that way, there are plenty of medications and professionals to help. you need to get your life back.

 

[baucom]

I don't think it's about someone getting their feelings hurt (sure hope it ain't) but rather the fact that personal attacks take away from the discussion at hand and from the GJ community. We don't want to have to wade through a bunch of personal attacks when reading a thread any more than we want to have to tune out any other kind of bashing.

I have never felt offended by someone over the internet, I found it amusing. If you point your fingers at my nose in front of me, I would. But, I can't go to my mom in tears telling her I was CYBER BULLIED by some dude over the INTERLAND.

for those who do feel that way, there are plenty of medications and professionals to help. you need to get your life back.

 

[T56 Impala]

Too be honest with you guys... The "Overseas" tool bashing is getting really old fast. It seems to be the same people over and over who continually just sit at there computer and get off bashing the cheap tools. NEWS FLASH.... NOT everyone can afford the Higher end tools, Some people have to make do with the lower-end stuff. Having to Make due with what you have is part of Life, Its not all Good times in this world. YES... you can rebuild a motor/ Maintain your car with a Pittsburgh Proffesional set.. Will they last a lifetime? Who Knows? Seriously last time i checked this was a General Tool discussion not a "Truck Tool Discussion only, Everything else is Junk" To the Regular Bashers, We get it.. You dont like Imported Tools, We understand... I choose to buy American Made tools, Its my choice. But im not gonna bust anyones balls over what tool they buy or use. Frankly its none of my business. Regardless of how many posts you make, Harbor Freight is gonna open there doors in the morning, Blue Point is still gonna Produce tools. Im sure im not alone when say "Find a New Hobby". I swear this site used to be something i could spend hours reading and listening to other peoples experiences, Anymore its "My tools is better than yours".

Well said. Its a broken record. I have all kinds of tools. Got them for various reasons and use them in various projects. All have served me well. From the HF stubbies, to the MIT TQ wrench, to the various Danaher products, Wright, Plomb, Bonney, Mac and SO. Big Deal. I'm just about sick of hearing about how good "YOUR" tools are and why MY tools ****.

BTW, the crappiest tools in my box are Made in the USA. They are Snap On and all have rust, chipped chrome and fail to fit the fastener they were designed to fit. Meanwhile, my cheap (insert you favorite whipping brand here) still performs as designed. Okay.

(I don't dislike SO, it just happens I have a few bad ones.)

 

[ATTappman]

Why would we consider banning someone who has a passionate belief and shares it here, on a discussion forum?

Because there's a difference between sharing a passionate belief, and being a troll.

Example: Say you run an astronomy forum, and a crank shows up who says he's never looked through a telescope, but he passionately believes that everything you see through a telescope is ****. He jumps into every post where someone wants to talk about a celestial object, and denounces it as ****. He implies that people who look through telescopes are fools or saboteurs of the economy. He posts that he keeps a box of astronomy photos he found beside the road, but claims they're only good for wiping his rear.

Would you want your users to put up with that?

A good-hearted person who's not trying to be a troll, but is just passionate about something and doesn't realize he's being annoying, would agree to behave better when confronted by "community policing." Moderators are necessary because most trolls really are trolls - they don't have a good heart.

 

[Bull]

Let's not debate the debate. Ignore those whom you don't want to interact with, either through the ignore feature or through your own selective reading.

That's it.

 

[Miter Wrench]

How many of you guys have heard of Pittsburgh pro series clicker type ratcheting torque wrench? and if so what do you thing about them

Sorry I can't help on torque wrench question. Mine's an old Craftsman. I have a Snap On ratchet, Craftsman ratchet and a Pittsburgh ratchet occupying the same tool chest (although in different drawers ). They all work well for my non-professional home mechanic duties. I'm pretty sure they'll last me for years. So far so good. I have no problems with the other Pittsburgh stuff that I own either.

I like the Turbo Buick on your avatar

 

[j-easy]

I used my HF Pittsburgh tools torque wrench to torque down some lug nuts today, it still works great.

 

[Cameronl]

My Pittsburgh wrench slept with my neighbor's wife AND ate all the Cracklin' Oat Bran!

No more HF tools for me!

 

[baucom]

I picked up one of the 1/2" Pittsburgh torque wrenches last weekend with a $9.99 coupon based on the positive reviews it's received here. It will predominantly see lug nut duty at home and $10 isn't much of a gamble. I guess I'll find out how it holds up.

I'm typically very selective about what I decide to purchase at HF. I always hunt for the best looking one on the rack when I do buy something there. Most of their stuff is decent for DIY/hobby use if it's made in Taiwan.