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S-O hooks and picks, hard-handle model

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Vinko

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Does S-O still make the hard-handled version of the the hook and pick set? I'm looking for the regular sized one. Or at least the size under extra-long.

I want to get one off the truck on Weds. or Fri. but the catalog doesn't have them anymore (at least the on-line catalog doesn't -- my paper catalog is at the shop.

I assume that Matco and Mac make good sets as well, no? Both of those trucks are in my area, though I only run into them (or drive past them) by chance. But I usually see them around town once or twice a week.

PS. I should add that I'll be using this set mainly for gently working on the interior of two cars. One that I am restoring (a 78 Mercedes), and the other which I'm replacing the speakers on (and older BMW that's cherry, so I want to use the right tools to pry off panels).
 
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CAT_serviceman927

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nissan_crawler said:
I think it's only the instink handles now.
Click to expand...

I just checked the catalog 1000, and all it shows is the instinct handles. As for the MAC picks, they are imports now. The Matco's are made by Witte. I have the Matco's and they get the job done. Also, anytime I break one, my Matco dealer has warrantied them no questions asked.

Edit: thought you were talking about the mini's.
 
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CAT_serviceman927

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nissan_crawler

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The hard handles (and I mean just the handles) are still available, as I buy them from my Snap-On lady and drill them out to make my own tools. I'm sure you could get them and the shafts and make your pick set. I get the handles with the larger inner diameter (screwdriver ones) so there's less to drill, but I bet the pick ones still exist.
 
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olds88

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nissan_crawler said:
The hard handles (and I mean just the handles) are still available, as I buy them from my Snap-On lady and drill them out to make my own tools.
Click to expand...

I wish I'd have known that when my Snap-on dealer warrantied a screwdriver by exchanging the whole thing for an Instinct... just the handle was shot.
 
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nissan_crawler

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The small handles, yes. I don't think you can get the big ones.

I've purchased the green hard handles at the back within the last few months. They may not be in current production, my dealer also will get stuff through "e-deals" or something like that, which is dealer only, and basically stuff no longer carried. I got some of my soft grips through there, also. I stocked up on spare handles for the soft grips.:thumbup:

DSC00846.jpg


The handles were $4 each, IIRC.
 
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speed bump

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That makes me a feel alittle better about finding the SO guy and warrenting my little complex pick. I'm not a fan of the instinct handles on the new SO picks so ive been hunting a US made MAC set on ebay.
 
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84TurboBuick

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I ordered the Snap-On pick - awl set a while back. Still showing the Soft-Grip handles as in stock....


Waited and waited....finally they sent them to me....


001.jpg



****!!! I hate these handles :mad:


Anyone got a brand new set of the old handles they wanna trade? :drool:
 
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nissan_crawler

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84TurboBuick said:
I ordered the Snap-On pick - awl set a while back. Still showing the Soft-Grip handles as in stock....


Waited and waited....finally they sent them to me....

****!!! I hate these handles :mad:


Anyone got a brand new set of the old handles they wanna trade? :drool:
Click to expand...

Snap-On didn't change the part number on the small stuff when they switched to the Instink handle. Ask me how I know. My dealer ended up with about 10 sets of the new stuff trying to get me the soft grip stuff. It's all gone, at least from Snap-On. I agree with you, I freaking HATE the new handles. I bought up all the old green soft grip handles I could find so I have spares if one goes bad.
 
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billymade

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So, 84TurboBuick.... the verdict from you is the new Instinct handles, ****? These in the pic are the Instinct hard handle right? Give us the details on why you don't like them.....
 
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84TurboBuick

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billymade said:
So, 84TurboBuick.... the verdict from you is the new Instinct handles, ****? These in the pic are the Instinct hard handle right? Give us the details on why you don't like them.....
Click to expand...


I think the biggest reason is the fact that the damn things are almost like holding a triangle in your hand... there always seems to be an edge digging into your hand.

Maybe my hands are an odd size but they just don't seem to fit right!
 
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nissan_crawler

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84TurboBuick said:
I think the biggest reason is the fact that the damn things are almost like holding a triangle in your hand... there always seems to be an edge digging into your hand.

Maybe my hands are an odd size but they just don't seem to fit right!
Click to expand...

100% accurate, IMHO. The things are f'in awful.

I broke a tip on my cotter pin puller (water pump hose tool, really), and all she had was the new style shanks for the instinct handles. The old soft grips use two flutes that stuck out to hold them in (think end of beaters on a mixer). The Instints use a splined end. I really didn't want to go to the instinct handle at all, and was thinking of getting my money bank. Then it hit me.

I took the splined replacement shank, and the old one home. I sanded down the part that goes in the handle, ran a bead of weld down both sides of the shank, and filed it to match the old shank, then returned the old one to her next week.:thumbup:
 
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eschoendorff

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nissan_crawler said:
100% accurate, IMHO. The things are f'in awful.

I broke a tip on my cotter pin puller (water pump hose tool, really), and all she had was the new style shanks for the instinct handles. The old soft grips use two flutes that stuck out to hold them in (think end of beaters on a mixer). The Instints use a splined end. I really didn't want to go to the instinct handle at all, and was thinking of getting my money bank. Then it hit me.

I took the splined replacement shank, and the old one home. I sanded down the part that goes in the handle, ran a bead of weld down both sides of the shank, and filed it to match the old shank, then returned the old one to her next week.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

A+ for effort! :beer::lol_hitti
 
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nissan_crawler

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Last week I went in the truck and she said "hey, I found #3 and #4 phillips green soft grips and grabbed them, I figured you would probably want them." "Thanks ann.":bounce:

I hadn't been in the truck for a few weeks, but she remembered that I left my receipt in there the last time and kept it for me.
 
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Moose-LandTran

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nissan_crawler said:
She thinks I'm crazy, but my dealer supports my green soft grip addiction.:spit:

If I ask for a new ratchet, she already knows to order a green grip for it.:thumbup:
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My mate who i work with knows my tool addiction so well, he'll go on eBay and come across something i'll like and the next day he comes into work and says "I've found a Snap-on ratchet i want you to buy!" He's found me some great deals. :beer:
 
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billymade

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If Snap-On corporate only knew how much people hate these thing and to know what great lengths people like nissan_crawler are going to keep the older styles working! I thought someone here mentioned the issue to the Snap-On regional manager and he admitted, was aware of the overall dissatisfaction with the new drivers...... who was that and can you relate to us the story again? Where they going to do anything about it?
Ann, sounds like a awesome dealer; I can only dream about getting that kind of service and kindness!
 
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kwhitelaw

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billymade said:
If Snap-On corporate only knew how much people hate these thing and to know what great lengths people like nissan_crawler are going to keep the older styles working! I thought someone here mentioned the issue to the Snap-On regional manager and he admitted, was aware of the overall dissatisfaction with the new drivers...... who was that and can you relate to us the story again? Where they going to do anything about it?
Ann, sounds like a awesome dealer; I can only dream about getting that kind of service and kindness!
Click to expand...


that was me. the regional guy came for a ridealong with my dealer when he found out me and my other guy were looking to spend a grip on some new boxes. got to talking and he admitted that SO knows how popular the hard handles are. I pressured him to see about getting a line going again and he just looked at me.... didnt say no, didnt say hell no. had a smirky look on his face and wouldnt give a solid stance on the topic. just said that SO knows the demand is there. I told him right there I would place an order for anything and everything with a black handle, and I was/is dead serious. I hate this soft grip instinct bs.
 
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billymade

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00947194000

I don't like the Craftsman Pro handles but I have small hands; maybe if I had bitter mits they would fit better.... as it is, I don't think their comfortable! I guess, this is another case where a design doesn't fit everyone the same and personal preference is a real issue!
 
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nissan_crawler

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billymade said:
If Snap-On corporate only knew how much people hate these thing and to know what great lengths people like nissan_crawler are going to keep the older styles working! I thought someone here mentioned the issue to the Snap-On regional manager and he admitted, was aware of the overall dissatisfaction with the new drivers...... who was that and can you relate to us the story again? Where they going to do anything about it?
Ann, sounds like a awesome dealer; I can only dream about getting that kind of service and kindness!
Click to expand...

Like buying a set of torx screwdrivers you have no need for, just so you have spare handles?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160283203468

Yes, Ann is an awesome dealer. Our old one was awful. From what Ann has said...the damn Instincts are here to stay for a while, until Snap-On gets their money back from them. They know many aren't happy with them.
 
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Vinko

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CAT_serviceman927 said:
When it comes to trim removal, this was my go to tool when I was working on cars:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1793&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Click to expand...


I wish I knew about this one when I was restoring an older 1950's Buick.

Do you think I can use this tool for German cars (I haven't dug into the guts of the Mercedes or BMW interior). Or is another tool suitable.

I won't use it much, but I've found that the cost of the tool is worth it if you do the job more than once or twice.
 
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