Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I just got back from the 2011 SEMA/AAPEX shows in Las Vegas. I didn't take any tool pictures but there was lots to do and see. If someone else has posted this info elsewhere, sorry.
Gearwrench had a large SEMA display. They will come out with 84 tooth ratchets next year. They will offer them in all current styles tool include flexhead. The Gearwrench ratchet will not have a screw on gear cover. Instead they will use the thin steel cover secured with a snap ring.
Gearwrench will also come out with ratcheting flare crowfeet and ratcheting flare wrenches. I liked the extra length of ratcheting flare wrenches but, the crowfeet lacked cutouts for extension or other drive tool retention ball. Hopefully they'll add them. The ratcheting action is basically the same as what's found on their current ratcheting open end wrenches in flare nut form. They worked well on the demo blocks they had.
Gearwrench also had a ******** digital device that would add torque angle capability to any regular micrometer style torque wrench.
Over at AAPEX, SK had a good sized display of their current line up. I complained about the screwdriver handles being too large, and more like pry bar handles and less like a screwdriver handle. They had a wide display of western forge made SK branded pliers. I also told them they need to bring back their semi deep sockets.
KOKEN was also set up at AAPEX. It was the first time I had seen Koken in the flesh and they are definitely a quality product. They had some very smooth 36 tooth ratchets and nice extensions. With Koken there's a high degree of attention to deatail in the way their tools are designed and finished. They will get some of my money in the near future.
Knipex had a new version of the Cobra plier. The new version has a blue button, and features fast adjustment by just sliding the handle upward to change sizes quickly. You have to push the button to move the handle down. It will initially come out in the 9.5 inch size.
There were other tool displays such as Schley tools, Channellock, Seattle Tools, Genius, King Tony, Lisle, Craftsman and others. So much to look at, things got blurry after awhile.
Gearwrench had a large SEMA display. They will come out with 84 tooth ratchets next year. They will offer them in all current styles tool include flexhead. The Gearwrench ratchet will not have a screw on gear cover. Instead they will use the thin steel cover secured with a snap ring.
Gearwrench will also come out with ratcheting flare crowfeet and ratcheting flare wrenches. I liked the extra length of ratcheting flare wrenches but, the crowfeet lacked cutouts for extension or other drive tool retention ball. Hopefully they'll add them. The ratcheting action is basically the same as what's found on their current ratcheting open end wrenches in flare nut form. They worked well on the demo blocks they had.
Gearwrench also had a ******** digital device that would add torque angle capability to any regular micrometer style torque wrench.
Over at AAPEX, SK had a good sized display of their current line up. I complained about the screwdriver handles being too large, and more like pry bar handles and less like a screwdriver handle. They had a wide display of western forge made SK branded pliers. I also told them they need to bring back their semi deep sockets.
KOKEN was also set up at AAPEX. It was the first time I had seen Koken in the flesh and they are definitely a quality product. They had some very smooth 36 tooth ratchets and nice extensions. With Koken there's a high degree of attention to deatail in the way their tools are designed and finished. They will get some of my money in the near future.
Knipex had a new version of the Cobra plier. The new version has a blue button, and features fast adjustment by just sliding the handle upward to change sizes quickly. You have to push the button to move the handle down. It will initially come out in the 9.5 inch size.
There were other tool displays such as Schley tools, Channellock, Seattle Tools, Genius, King Tony, Lisle, Craftsman and others. So much to look at, things got blurry after awhile.
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