To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Show your new tool arrivals

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,955
Location
Valley of the sun
Swung by a Lowes by work and to my surprise, they had the Holiday Craftsman V Series tools on sale. :wtf:
I picked up the ratcheting screwdriver set with removable blades. It also comes with two sets of bits. the phillips and slotted bits are regular plain jane type bits. However, the Torx & SAE hex bits are the Xtract type. The screwdriver handle also has a hex cut out on one side so, you can use it as a fixed Tee Handle. The handle end cap is also a stubby magnetic bit driver.
Next up, is the made in France eight piece screwdriver set. You get Phillips 1, 2, 3, & 4. Slotted 1/8, 1/4, 5/16, & 3/8. P3, P4, SL 5/16 & 3/8 have hex bolsters. Beefy handles and satin finished blades with black tips. Lastly, I picked up the metric shallow 1/2 drive six point socket set. No skip Sizes 12 mm to 24 mm on a magnetic holder. Nicely finished.
Lowes had several other socket and ratchet sets including the compact 1/4 drive set on display. I couldn't find any of the ratcheting wrench sets other people have snagged. This stuff wasn't in the tool section but, in the holiday tool special section by the Christmas decorations in cardboard displays. They probably had maybe 10 or so of each item. SAE sizes were also available. Lowes had four piece flex head ratchet sets for like $59.97. Individual ratchet for $19.97. Socket sets with ratchet were $39.97. The sets I got were $19.97 a pop.
Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:
 

Attachments

  • P1010085.JPG
    P1010085.JPG
    149.1 KB · Views: 173
Last edited:

Andres26tnt

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2018
Messages
994
Swung by a Lowes by work and to my surprise, they had the Holiday Craftsman V Series tools on sale. :wtf:
I picked up the ratcheting screwdriver set with removable blades. It also comes with two sets of bits. the phillips and slotted bits are regular plain jane type bits. However, the Torx & SAE hex bits are the Xtract type. The screwdriver handle also has a hex cut out on one side so, you can use it as a fixed Tee Handle. The handle end cap is also a stubby magnetic bit driver.
Next up, is the made in France eight piece screwdriver set. You get Phillips 1, 2, 3, & 4. Slotted 1/8, 1/4, 5/16, & 3/8. P3, P4, SL 5/16 & 3/8 have hex bolsters. Beefy handles and satin finished blades with black tips. Lastly, I picked up the metric shallow 1/2 drive six point socket set. No skip Sizes 12 mm to 24 mm on a magnetic holder. Nicely finished.
Lowes had several other socket and ratchet sets including the compact 1/4 drive set on display. I couldn't find any of the ratcheting wrench sets other people have snagged. This stuff wasn't in the tool section but, in the holiday tool special section by the Christmas decorations in cardboard displays. They probably had maybe 10 or so of each item. SAE sizes were also available. Lowes had four piece flex head ratchet sets for like $59.97. Individual ratchet for $19.97. Socket sets with ratchet were $39.97. The sets I got were $19.97 a pop.
Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:

The prices on the lowes website are even better. Not sure what they are trying to do, maybe reduce unsold inventory? Regardless they excellent tools and a bargain at those prices, they most definitely flying off shelves. I bought the long flex head wrenches 6pt for 48$ if I remember correctly.
 

LeeG

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
1,526
Location
Phoenix, AZ
I saw this deal in the Milwaukee thread, so I ordered online and picked up. The person who pulled the order put in a 12ah HO instead of a Forge, so it took an hour at customer service to find someone who knew where the correct item was and get it exchanged.


IMG_2528.jpeg
 

tamaraw

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 6, 2022
Messages
842
Wright 32426, 1/4" ratchet

The handle looks funky but is actually really comfortable and easy to orientate with the square profile. It has some mass to it, so the balance point is about in the middle of the ratchet's overall length. The head is very small at ~21.5mm across and the handle is also on the shorter side at ~120mm overall or ~110mm from the center of the anvil. Finish and production is very good with no visible grinding marks despite this being the satin oxide version.

Backdrag is fairly low which is good because the mechanism unfortunately appears to be non-serviceable. It is secured with a spiral snap ring on the bottom and uses a rocking pawl design but I couldn't disassemble it any further. Interestingly, it uses two tiny parallel ball bearings under the pawl rather than just one.

The corners of the selector switch were pretty sharp, so I rounded them off and then ended up stripping the rest of the finish to make it one uniform color. I could still polish it a little better, but I think the two tone contrasts nicely.

1000011245.jpg1000011244.jpg
 

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
Found a metric set of NOS Craftsman raised panel wrenches (Made in Japan) still in the original packaging from the 1970's/ 1980's.

7mm to 18mm with no skips for $35.00

Score!


Japan Craftsman1.jpegJapan Craftsman3.jpegJapan Craftsman2.jpg
Interesting! I recently discovered a smaller set of Sears, non-Cman combo made-in-Japan wrenches I bought in the 80's, and looking at them now, I must say, they're nicely made. Those look even nicer.

I had totally forgotten about them. I know the 7mm went for a wild ride for a few years in the late 80's -- brake bleeder screw... dust cap installed.
 

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
Swung by a Lowes by work and to my surprise, they had the Holiday Craftsman V Series tools on sale. :wtf:
I picked up the ratcheting screwdriver set with removable blades. It also comes with two sets of bits. the phillips and slotted bits are regular plain jane type bits. However, the Torx & SAE hex bits are the Xtract type. The screwdriver handle also has a hex cut out on one side so, you can use it as a fixed Tee Handle. The handle end cap is also a stubby magnetic bit driver.
Next up, is the made in France eight piece screwdriver set. You get Phillips 1, 2, 3, & 4. Slotted 1/8, 1/4, 5/16, & 3/8. P3, P4, SL 5/16 & 3/8 have hex bolsters. Beefy handles and satin finished blades with black tips. Lastly, I picked up the metric shallow 1/2 drive six point socket set. No skip Sizes 12 mm to 24 mm on a magnetic holder. Nicely finished.
Lowes had several other socket and ratchet sets including the compact 1/4 drive set on display. I couldn't find any of the ratcheting wrench sets other people have snagged. This stuff wasn't in the tool section but, in the holiday tool special section by the Christmas decorations in cardboard displays. They probably had maybe 10 or so of each item. SAE sizes were also available. Lowes had four piece flex head ratchet sets for like $59.97. Individual ratchet for $19.97. Socket sets with ratchet were $39.97. The sets I got were $19.97 a pop.
Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:

I have tuned out Craftsman after Sears withered. Are those screwdrivers FACOM ergo-twists?!
 

Etchase

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2017
Messages
2,001
Location
Hawaii
The 8 peice
I have tuned out Craftsman after Sears withered. Are those screwdrivers FACOM ergo-twists?!

The 8-piece screwdriver set is at least very similar to the FACOM, with the round cross sections of the grip at the shank and **** ends, and a rounded square cross section in the middle of the grip. They are a bargain if you can find them. I personally like the grip.
 
Last edited:

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
How the heck does a spark plug get blown out while driving?!? Put in cross threaded earlier?

In terms of repairing, how do you keep metal shavings out of the cylinder when using a time-sert or heli-coil type repair? I would think the only safe way is to remove the cylinder head and clean it well. A magnet would not pick up aluminum shavings and the oil film will collect shavings if you try to vacuum it out.

I would be worried the shavings would get stuck in the piston rings and do damage to the cylinder surface and/or rings as they grind away.

There's a whole generation of Ford mechanics who became wizards are fixing goofed up spark plug threads, installing repair inserts. They put their faith in lots of compressed air delivered by curved pipe or hose to blow any chips out of the cylinder and back out the spark plug hole. Around the 10 minute mark here:


I used to watch a YouTube mechanic named Ray, in FL, who put huge amounts of faith in compressed air, when he had an intake manifold off a V engine. With enough nagging, he started stuffing paper towels into intake ports but he never really got religion on the matter. (When you think of the efforts automakers and race engine builders make to keep engine building rooms clean...) But it generally works out for them. And I'd feel better about doing it with one cylinder through a plug hole than every cylinder through the intake port in a hurry while previously blown ports have their paper towel plug removed (OK, OK, I'm griping about Ray here...)
 

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,955
Location
Valley of the sun
On the road for work so I had to find a Lowe’s with the V’s in stock. 40 miles from the hotel in Huntsville had a good supply. I don’t need any of it but I’m powerless to not buy into a good tool deal. All this for around $190.IMG_8083.jpeg
Great haul!!! That compact 1/4 drive socket set is one of my favorites. Great find on the long flex head ratcheting wrenches. :thumbup:
 

Madjik Man

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2015
Messages
1,523
Swung by a Lowes by work and to my surprise, they had the Holiday Craftsman V Series tools on sale. :wtf:
I picked up the ratcheting screwdriver set with removable blades. It also comes with two sets of bits. the phillips and slotted bits are regular plain jane type bits. However, the Torx & SAE hex bits are the Xtract type. The screwdriver handle also has a hex cut out on one side so, you can use it as a fixed Tee Handle. The handle end cap is also a stubby magnetic bit driver.
Next up, is the made in France eight piece screwdriver set. You get Phillips 1, 2, 3, & 4. Slotted 1/8, 1/4, 5/16, & 3/8. P3, P4, SL 5/16 & 3/8 have hex bolsters. Beefy handles and satin finished blades with black tips. Lastly, I picked up the metric shallow 1/2 drive six point socket set. No skip Sizes 12 mm to 24 mm on a magnetic holder. Nicely finished.
Lowes had several other socket and ratchet sets including the compact 1/4 drive set on display. I couldn't find any of the ratcheting wrench sets other people have snagged. This stuff wasn't in the tool section but, in the holiday tool special section by the Christmas decorations in cardboard displays. They probably had maybe 10 or so of each item. SAE sizes were also available. Lowes had four piece flex head ratchet sets for like $59.97. Individual ratchet for $19.97. Socket sets with ratchet were $39.97. The sets I got were $19.97 a pop.
Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:

Not a single Lowes in my state carries V Series.

And the double box 6pt ratcheting wrenches are $49 on Lowes.com but it's $79 shipping. lol
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

terrific

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2021
Messages
329
Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:
That does not bode well for a lifetime warranty.
New Hyper Tough mini pry bars and bit adaptor from Walmart:
I checked the Wilde site. Part #2-SQ.B It would be nice if companies stopped using dashes and periods in their part numbers because it makes searching for them really unreliable on a lot of stores.
No striking cap!:( (I'm sure it's not needed at that size)
 

bugnut

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Jul 14, 2012
Messages
3,902
Location
Central Ohio
Ok,long answer to question. Moneypit baja VW project needs door panels. I plan on using the aluminum ones as shown below. Was brainstorming attaching them but did not want to drill door, So I thought rivnuts, then thought some more, measured holes, they are 7.8mm/5/16 diameter. I then realized maybe a christmas tree fastener would work. Tested the idea with a quick piece of this cardboard and it looks like a winner. So now I need a template for the hole pattern. Using an old hardboard door panel as a template and punching out a new cardboard template that is exact as the hardboard template hole pattern is spaced correctly but not on the edge. Will take pictures and post.

All images stolen without permission

What are you making that requires precision holes in cardboard?

Mike
 

Attachments

  • aluminum door panel.jpg
    aluminum door panel.jpg
    224.3 KB · Views: 90
  • door panel holes.jpg
    door panel holes.jpg
    75 KB · Views: 59
  • Screenshot 2024-10-27 at 06-21-40 PAIR OF BEETLE CABRIO & SALOON 67-79 FRONT DOOR PANEL MEMBRA...png
    Screenshot 2024-10-27 at 06-21-40 PAIR OF BEETLE CABRIO & SALOON 67-79 FRONT DOOR PANEL MEMBRA...png
    310.4 KB · Views: 147

richfinn

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
4,815
Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
There's a whole generation of Ford mechanics who became wizards are fixing goofed up spark plug threads, installing repair inserts. They put their faith in lots of compressed air delivered by curved pipe or hose to blow any chips out of the cylinder and back out the spark plug hole. Around the 10 minute mark here:


I used to watch a YouTube mechanic named Ray, in FL, who put huge amounts of faith in compressed air, when he had an intake manifold off a V engine. With enough nagging, he started stuffing paper towels into intake ports but he never really got religion on the matter. (When you think of the efforts automakers and race engine builders make to keep engine building rooms clean...) But it generally works out for them. And I'd feel better about doing it with one cylinder through a plug hole than every cylinder through the intake port in a hurry while previously blown ports have their paper towel plug removed (OK, OK, I'm griping about Ray here...)

Shaving Foam 🤐
 

Fedwrench

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
14,955
Location
Valley of the sun
While searching for Crafsman V Series sale items the other day, I stumbled upon this 50 piece Kobalt compact 1/4 drive set for $19.98. Item # 5996331. It's probably one of the less expensive sets I've seen but, very complete. In a case measuring roughly 4.5 X 6.5 inches, you get a 90 tooth quick release ratchet, a short spinner handle, a 2 & 4 inch extension, universal joint, bit holder, 22 S2 bits including T6-T27, PH1-3, hex 3-8mm, slotted 4.5, 6.5 & 8, along M5, M6, & M8 triple square, and a 1/4 X 1/4 square adapter bit. One of the better bit selections I've seen. 22 six point sockets in sizes 1/8-1/2 and 4-14mm (no 4.5 or 5.5mm). The sockets have nice chrome, nice drive tool ball cutouts on the square drive end, and large size markings and you get metric & SAE sockets. The ratchet measures roughly 5 7/8 inches long overall. It has a nice feel to me but, I'm on the fence about its torpedo handle shape. :dunno: The ratchet gear cover is secured by two T6 screws and the ratchet isn't sealed. Apply some 3 in 1 oil, and it oozes out. I was surprised to see the set made in Taiwan. The box holds everything well. In fact, you may want a pocket pry bar/screwdriver or small pliers on hand to separate the tools from the box. It's been a long time since I bought anything Kobalt other a penlight or utility knife. For $20 plus tax, it's a winner-winner-chicken dinner to me. :beer:
 

Attachments

  • P1010087.JPG
    P1010087.JPG
    151.4 KB · Views: 122
  • P1010086.JPG
    P1010086.JPG
    158.8 KB · Views: 80

ThePostman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2020
Messages
410
Location
Virginia
The Icon hammer works great, I have it, beat the snot out of things with it, just wish they sold it in green ^. Slowly been adding 3/4" sockets as "needed" when I get to Front Royal and/or the Shenandoah valley where the Rural Kings are. On average $15ea.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20241027_175546176.jpg
    IMG_20241027_175546176.jpg
    608.4 KB · Views: 68

Ohio Andy

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2024
Messages
2,300
Location
Columbus, Ohio

I had to enlarge some holes in some relatively thin metal, these made it very easy to keep them centered.... And for my application I wanted to keep them centered.

Little fluid, a little drilling, and I was good to go and back into business.
 

lund

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 2, 2019
Messages
780
Location
Michigan
There's a whole generation of Ford mechanics who became wizards are fixing goofed up spark plug threads, installing repair inserts. They put their faith in lots of compressed air delivered by curved pipe or hose to blow any chips out of the cylinder and back out the spark plug hole. Around the 10 minute mark here:


I used to watch a YouTube mechanic named Ray, in FL, who put huge amounts of faith in compressed air, when he had an intake manifold off a V engine. With enough nagging, he started stuffing paper towels into intake ports but he never really got religion on the matter. (When you think of the efforts automakers and race engine builders make to keep engine building rooms clean...) But it generally works out for them. And I'd feel better about doing it with one cylinder through a plug hole than every cylinder through the intake port in a hurry while previously blown ports have their paper towel plug removed (OK, OK, I'm griping about Ray here...)
Thanks. I will keep this in mind if I need to so something like that. It can be a big job to remove the heads on a car. It is surprising what can work!

You might also connect small and fairly rigid tube to a vacuum and vacuum it heavily. That might, if dipped in enough, get out the bigger chips. I guess the oil filtration might take out some of the small stuff too and you could replace the oil soon after.
 

sweet victory

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Messages
1,263
Location
USA
I saw this deal in the Milwaukee thread, so I ordered online and picked up. The person who pulled the order put in a 12ah HO instead of a Forge, so it took an hour at customer service to find someone who knew where the correct item was and get it exchanged.

Thanks for sharing the deal. Ordered online, and will probably return the 8.0 forge
 

four.cycle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
28,941
Location
Tacoma, Washington
In terms of repairing, how do you keep metal shavings out of the cylinder when using a time-sert or heli-coil type repair? I would think the only safe way is to remove the cylinder head and clean it well. A magnet would not pick up aluminum shavings and the oil film will collect shavings if you try to vacuum it out.
Remove the cylinder head? Are you kidding?
Put the air nozzle on it, give it a couple blasts, and drive it.
It's a Ford. You'd be amazed what you can get away with.

Time will tell if this is Lowes dumping the Craftsman V series or just reducing inventory with holiday specials. One things for sure, it will sell out quickly. :dunno:
It's SBD saturating the market. This is not accidental. There's a method to this madness. They are going to have "V series" under every Christmas tree in America. Selling price isn't relevant at the moment.

I have tuned out Craftsman after Sears withered.
I'm not too sure that's a good idea.
You know the old "Watch this Space?"
Watch SBD's space.

There's a whole generation of Ford mechanics who became wizards are fixing goofed up spark plug threads, installing repair inserts. They put their faith in lots of compressed air delivered by curved pipe or hose to blow any chips out of the cylinder and back out the spark plug hole.

John Cummins, the lead guy in the tear-down department, came through the swinging doors into the office one morning holding a piston out of a Ford V8 in his hand.
The piston had a 3/8-16 x 1-1/4" USS cap screw pounded into the top of it.
John felt it appropriate to bring it up and show it to Art and Mike and Tom and me and a couple other guys who were up on the front counter.
You'd be amazed what you can jam down through those intake runners and still have a perfectly running engine.

Just sayin'....
 

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
Thanks. I will keep this in mind if I need to so something like that. It can be a big job to remove the heads on a car. It is surprising what can work!

You might also connect small and fairly rigid tube to a vacuum and vacuum it heavily. That might, if dipped in enough, get out the bigger chips. I guess the oil filtration might take out some of the small stuff too and you could replace the oil soon after.

Between the filter and those chips is a screen (yay!) but also a pump (boo!) but I'd be most concerned about how in the world those bits get past the piston rings, the damage, if any, happens up in there.

I'm a nerd who removes plug wire/COP then blasts air before removing a spark plug!

If you want to vacuum in close quarters, I'm a big fan of the Vaccuflex kit.



The concentric grooves in the red bits -- that's soft plastic that fits over a male end of a vacuum hose and the grooves help it fit various sizes.

1730090870009.png

My favorite use for these is removing small, pesky leaves from drains/crevices/cowl/underhood area. Can be used for retrieving small things, too.

1730090962738.png
 
Last edited:

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
Ok,long answer to question. Moneypit baja VW project needs door panels. I plan on using the aluminum ones as shown below. Was brainstorming attaching them but did not want to drill door, So I thought rivnuts, then thought some more, measured holes, they are 7.8mm/5/16 diameter. I then realized maybe a christmas tree fastener would work. Tested the idea with a quick piece of this cardboard and it looks like a winner. So now I need a template for the hole pattern. Using an old hardboard door panel as a template and punching out a new cardboard template that is exact as the hardboard template hole pattern is spaced correctly but not on the edge. Will take pictures and post.

All images stolen without permission

I'll tell ya one thing, that kind of punch isn't very good for sheet metal at all. I proved that again today!

I do look forward to the day I can use them on leather or cardboard, that'll be awesome.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom