Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
Many tools are pretty simple and just need to be well made with good materials. Yes, wrench and ratchet patterns get a little better. But I do not think upper end USA wrenches and ratchets from the 90s forward are really much worse than slightly reconfigured grip wrenches or very high tooth count ratchets etc. The real trouble is USA companies just stopped producing since they cannot make as much profit to compete with Taiwan, China, etc. There is only a very limited amount produced in the USA now and it tends to be very high cost and profit stuff like Snap-On. The reason for this is two-fold: American consumers will mostly buy what is cheapest and mostly discount quality, and businesses here want high profit so they will import for less $ and sell with a higher mark up.
Japan is an unusual place. They culture worships quality and they have very picky consumers. Companies will sacrifice profit to make things better and it is unthinkable to do something badly and besmirch your reputation. So when Japan became more wealthy, quality and attention to detail became high. But globalization has hurt them too and Japanese consumers are starting to buy more cheap Chinese type junk like in the USA ... though the transition has been much more gradual than in the USA. So slowly what happened in the USA from the 70s - 90s seems to be happening there too. But you can still easily find Japan produced products at high quality and reasonable price points. That is much more difficult with domestic USA production at present times.
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those are really great looking. The round beams look really comfortable.Vintage SO round handles from eBay.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
AutoZone is doing just fine, thanks to @BlakeTheCarGuy. He's like an Angel Investor.
Snap-on 3/8 impact extensions from my recent visit to see my Snap-on dealer. I ordered two more items, but they will arrive later.
From and made in Japan. Shinano 10-12mm air belt sander and 20mm air belt sander. These were clearance in one shop. With shipping and tax. They were slightly cheaper than the cheaper one of two here locally.
And few deals I got from former display items from overseas Snap-on dealer.
I would not pay 549 dollars for Snap-on welding mask, but for roughly 150 euros including shipping and tax I think it's worth it.
And a TLLF72 with one small scratch and a FHLLF80 with slightly dirty handle. 1/4" one for 60 euros and 3/8" for 54 euros including tax and shipping.
From and made in Japan. Shinano 10-12mm air belt sander and 20mm air belt sander. These were clearance in one shop. With shipping and tax. They were slightly cheaper than the cheaper one of two here locally.
And few deals I got from former display items from overseas Snap-on dealer.
I would not pay 549 dollars for Snap-on welding mask, but for roughly 150 euros including shipping and tax I think it's worth it.
And a TLLF72 with one small scratch and a FHLLF80 with slightly dirty handle. 1/4" one for 60 euros and 3/8" for 54 euros including tax and shipping.
alex71
Well-known member
the best. plugs last forever too. I have used plugs that have sat for over 10 years with no issues. tires are still in service years later.safety seal tire repair kit
safety seal tire repair kit
I've had my set for almost 10 and it goes everywhere I go, its a great set and the plugs are still good to go.
I got a couple things from SK today. A 3/8” thumbwheel ratchet and a 1/2” dual pawl kit. I put the kit in my nicest 1/2” SK.
I don’t think that I have ever paid more than $5 for an SK ratchet in my life… so, I never thought I would buy one of these kits. If you follow this thread consistently, you know that I put one in a 3/8” two or three weeks ago.
Maybe, at some point, I will buy another 1/2” kit for one of my 15” 1/2” ratchets.
I don’t think that I have ever paid more than $5 for an SK ratchet in my life… so, I never thought I would buy one of these kits. If you follow this thread consistently, you know that I put one in a 3/8” two or three weeks ago.
Maybe, at some point, I will buy another 1/2” kit for one of my 15” 1/2” ratchets.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Have a couple of their thumbnail ratchets. I love them. They're amazingI got a couple things from SK today. A 3/8” thumbwheel ratchet and a 1/2” dual pawl kit. I put the kit in my nicest 1/2” SK.
I don’t think that I have ever paid more than $5 for an SK ratchet in my life… so, I never thought I would buy one of these kits. If you follow this thread consistently, you know that I put one in a 3/8” two or three weeks ago.
Maybe, at some point, I will buy another 1/2” kit for one of my 15” 1/2” ratchets.
Arrived today from Amazon. SOLAR PL2320 Pro-Logix battery charger and Astro Tools 78113 1/4" low pro nano impact socket set. I've heard good things about the Pro Logix charger and need it cause I ran the battery low on my car during an ABS bleed. Seems like the same manufacturer makes this battery charger for MAC Tools and Snap-On. Also, the Astro nano sockets are awesome and super low profile, shout out to mreisner for recommending them to me.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Bought a 3/8-3/4” combo wrench set for work. My intention was to have this Proto set replace my Heyco combo wrenches, but the Heyco wrenches are thinner and actually fit the fasteners a bit better. The Protos will stay at work too but I’ll probably use them more if I need the length or if I have to give something the beans.
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LWB
Well-known member
A couple of American made products to add. I love these Dubuque clamps. Pricey but I will add them slowly. I have 6 - 24" clamps now. I would like to add some longer clamps next.
10 degree offset wrenches.
10 degree offset wrenches.
MWEric
Well-known member
Big Gator was(is) having a sale. I D&T a shitload of holes at work and these things are awesome. 
shoggoth80
Well-known member
Looked at it long enough. Picked it up. Gonna put it to work this weekend.
Looked at it long enough. Picked it up. Gonna put it to work this weekend.
I recently bought this one, the throw back stamp is a nice touch on a great ratchet.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I'm more concerned with a lower profile head and higher tooth count in tight places, but I do like the look of the vintage scroll mark.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
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Balog
Well-known member
Got a Proto 5868 1” drive breaker bar off eBay. For comparison I have it next to my 1/2” drive Harbor Freight breaker. 
I stopped at a different Ace hardware than my usual store so I could grab the 7-piece Craftsman Overdrive set that was on sale for $35. The 11-piece set looked nice but I didn’t really want to spend the $60 and the 7-piece would have been adequate. Alas, their website didn’t accurately reflect stock and so I had to “settle” for the 11-piece. I’m stoked for the inclusion of the 1/4” but the additional other sizes aren’t very useful to me. I’ll probably roll with 1/4”-9/16” in my work box just to save weight:
While I was there I noticed the 6-piece USA Milwaukee screwdriver set was $30, $15 less than the 4-piece set. That can’t be, I thought, but I checked the UPCs and they matched. I even asked an employee if this was the right price, and they confirmed it. Well, I couldn’t pass a deal like that up so I grabbed a set to go (ignore the torn packaging - i wanted to hold one for the drive back):
They feel very nice. The handle is similar to the Klein comfort grip, with maybe a little less “give”. The extra details in the handle design make it very grippy. I just played around with a few random screws but fitment seems good. My only gripe is the big Philips screwdriver is a #3 and not a #2. A long, beefy PH2 is very useful - a big PH3 is basically a beater driver for me.
While I was there I noticed the 6-piece USA Milwaukee screwdriver set was $30, $15 less than the 4-piece set. That can’t be, I thought, but I checked the UPCs and they matched. I even asked an employee if this was the right price, and they confirmed it. Well, I couldn’t pass a deal like that up so I grabbed a set to go (ignore the torn packaging - i wanted to hold one for the drive back):
They feel very nice. The handle is similar to the Klein comfort grip, with maybe a little less “give”. The extra details in the handle design make it very grippy. I just played around with a few random screws but fitment seems good. My only gripe is the big Philips screwdriver is a #3 and not a #2. A long, beefy PH2 is very useful - a big PH3 is basically a beater driver for me.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
Man that's a monster. Awesome.Got a Proto 5868 1” drive breaker bar off eBay. For comparison I have it next to my 1/2” drive Harbor Freight breaker.
Balog
Well-known member
The pictures on the listing really don’t prepare you for the reality. I love my beefy boi
Meursault74
Well-known member
That's what she said.
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
LWB
Well-known member
The best style of bar clamp. In the millwork shop where I used to work, in the 1970s - 1980s, we must have had at least 75 of them, from 2' to 6'. I forget the maker from back them, but Milton has bought them out and continues to make them in the USA.
I've used that style clamp before and they are nice. Quick too. I like the butterfly style screw and these are all aluminum except for the screw. They weigh nothing. Setting myself up for the "Golden years"
stevobeavo
Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2024
- Messages
- 16
Picked up my first set of snap on pliers today. Got the grey grip, helps hide dirty hand marks.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Is that the igan? A very good friend liked mine so much he took them (with my blessing) and I have two (or is that 3) of them.Saw this on Last Best Tools. It’s very good so far, but I’ve only cut copper and safety wire to date. For $7 it’s a bargain.
I can believe the price. Love these
IGAN-P6 6-inch Ultra Sharp & Powerful Side Cutter Clippers with Longer Flush Cutting Edge, Ideal Wire Snips for Crafting, Floral, Electrical & Any Clean Cut Needs
Beerhippie
Well-known member
$7?!! Maybe I should have ordered two!
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I bought this last month
JACO FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge - 200 PSI
Replaces a non digital until I have been using for years. That one is falling apart but still works. The new one is nicer in every way except that ... (1) It needs batteries and (2) it was difficult to read the units in bright sunlight while setting the desire units.
It was a recommended brand here in some thread
JACO FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge - 200 PSI
Replaces a non digital until I have been using for years. That one is falling apart but still works. The new one is nicer in every way except that ... (1) It needs batteries and (2) it was difficult to read the units in bright sunlight while setting the desire units.
It was a recommended brand here in some thread
Meursault74
Well-known member
If it doesn't work that well as a caulking gun, I'm sure it could be used as part of a "Star Wars" themed costume for Halloween
Happy birthday, many more are in line.
wrong thread,lol.Cornwell TR4, long 1/4" ratchet
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Got a hf 25% off anything coupon. I’ve been wanting these metric flex head ling wrenches for a while but haven’t pulled the trigger. With the coupon it pushed me over the edge! Also got the icon light since it was on sale for $30. And the plug kit because you just never know when you might need it.
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Snakevz
Well-known member
TheRealBastard
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 5, 2024
- Messages
- 257
Been finding good stuff at Ross
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