Show your new tool arrivals

[SouthernIllinois]

Is Tekton starting to sell tools in Menards?

That would be a good addition if they broadly stocked Tekton tools over their prior, low-grade big-box tool lines of recent years. Their MasterForce brand had some OK stuff mixed in it years ago (including some usa made stuff), but in recent years became more bottom of the barrel Chinese production.

My retirement gig is working 4 days a week, 4 hours a day as a stocker at Menards.
The store I work at does not sell Tekton. Just this morning I re-stocked the hand tools. No Tekton.

 

[dscheidt]

Yes, they have some Wilde stuff at Menards... I was actually shocked at the Tekton adjustable wrench... searching on the website, it appears to be the only Tekton product.

that wrench doesn't show up on tekton's website, except as the picture for a different size of discontinued (in 2020...) adjustable. Menards probably bought the stock of them to sell in their special deals end caps. Those sometimes have good stuff in them, but they're mostly junk. I bought a thousand or so made-in-England Stanley snap-off knife blades a few years ago for $1 a pack of 100. they were pretty great, according to landscaper I gave most of them to.

 

[Squankum]

OK, better pics of recent tool arrivals:

Grip On 7" 91207 and FACOM RL.Nano1 :









The Grip On, made in Spain, $45.01.

The FACOM, to my knowledge, all Taiwanese, alas, $99.50 on Amazon. But the box and ratchet are really nice. It's all quite nice, of course - Taiwan!

Some gloves and a box-o-gloves holder for Ms. Squankum's van:




Brand of box holder is "CASOMAN", there are many brands on Amazon and I suspect they're all coming from the same Chinese factory. $14.97, just like HF. Those are the gloves I settled on as just right for me, years back. I might save money at HF but I like gloves that aren't black, so I know just how dirty my gloves are before I go touching things! (Also, last time I tried to make sense of the glove display at HF I just about went blind with the tiny print on the shelf labels, things were not at all clear what was what and how much, and I wandered off.)

My gloves are surprisingly durable for how not-thick they are.

 

[Squankum]

The Grip Ons in closed and open positions. Other than release trigger, the rear half is very Vise Grip like. (Grip On also makes good "Vise Grip" style pliers, I hear.)






The jaws have no teeth or serrations. I get the impression this is popular with sheet metal/bodywork folks.

The pry bar: I went looking for another Metal Magery trim pry bar for my road tool bag, stumbled across this off-brand item which is almost twice the size and almost half the price. "auomii" brand, COO unknown (I think we all know at $9.99.) Looks like it could be handy!



Hyde razor scraper (China), Stanley utility knives (Oops! I bought a two pack?!) $9.99 Amazon, USA.

Catnip banana gets high reviews from every cat I've ever given one to or cat(s) of a friend I've mailed them to! I don't know why their 'nip is more potent, but they love them. One friend of mine went to his door to get his Amazon package that I'd sent him and found a neighborhood cat chewing its way into the mailer envelope. Another friend received a mis-picked bag of 10 from the Amazon warehouse and one of the cats yanked it out of his hands and ran off with the whole bag as soon as it was unboxed.

Link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AUJFHE

 

[Squankum]

Here's the website: https://terminalgravitybrewing.com/

But the pictures don't seem to be there--I think they're on the Terminal Gravity Brewing FB page--the damned kids who do the IT stuff don't believe there's anyone without an FB account.

Anyhow, here's this week's special:



I'm in love with "cold" "hot lights"! With true, old-school incandescent 'hot lights", you have less than a minute before things like lettuce start to wilt and the room can quickly get murderously hot. With flash/strobes, heat isn't a problem, but it requires a lot of work to get the lighting just right. With this LED set up, heat is negligible and WYSIWYG!

The menu pics will be for some sort of hard-copy menu with QR codes for each item--whatever those are.

I'm afraid it'll turn out looking like a Denny's menu....

Neat! I should learn this stuff someday, for a food business in the Squankumworld. I'll have more spare time in the coming years.

 

[Shoreline_]

It took a while but I picked up this light after my snappy one went berserk on me.

 

[bugnut]

Was recently scouring HD for metric fasteners and a short length of black poly tubing, tripped across this on clearance, $70. Been thinking it might be a good add so into the cart it went!
And a part on the baja project needed a different socket that I didn't have so I ordered these, the new SBD socket sets.

 

[NUTTSGT]

that wrench doesn't show up on tekton's website, except as the picture for a different size of discontinued (in 2020...) adjustable. Menards probably bought the stock of them to sell in their special deals end caps. Those sometimes have good stuff in them, but they're mostly junk. I bought a thousand or so made-in-England Stanley snap-off knife blades a few years ago for $1 a pack of 100. they were pretty great, according to landscaper I gave most of them to.

Actually, it does show up on their website. . . kind of.

4 Inch Adjustable Wrench | TEKTON | 23001

Precision-machined slide jaw and worm gear for exact fit. Quick fit jaw opening guide with laser-etched size markings. 23001.

www.tekton.com

TEKTON 6" Adjustable Wrench

Designed for hard-to-reach spaces, the TEKTON 4" adjustable wrench can take on bicycle repair and furniture assembly. TEKTON adjustable wrenches are designed to be versatile enough to tighten and loosen fasteners of various sizes without needing to grab other tools. Precision-machined for a...

www.menards.com

One lists it as 4" and the other as 6". Same deal as part number, Tekton states #23001 and Menards states #23002. Yet bot show a 6" wrench and same part number on tool.

However, Tekton does show other pictures that it is 4" model.



All that being said, my local store has 2 of them left in stock. If I get back over there, for less than $3 each, I'm going to buy the other two.

 

[Snapped-off]

Actually, it does show up on their website. . . kind of.

4 Inch Adjustable Wrench | TEKTON | 23001

Precision-machined slide jaw and worm gear for exact fit. Quick fit jaw opening guide with laser-etched size markings. 23001.

www.tekton.com

TEKTON 6" Adjustable Wrench

Designed for hard-to-reach spaces, the TEKTON 4" adjustable wrench can take on bicycle repair and furniture assembly. TEKTON adjustable wrenches are designed to be versatile enough to tighten and loosen fasteners of various sizes without needing to grab other tools. Precision-machined for a...

www.menards.com

One lists it as 4" and the other as 6". Same deal as part number, Tekton states #23001 and Menards states #23002. Yet bot show a 6" wrench and same part number on tool.

However, Tekton does show other pictures that it is 4" model.



All that being said, my local store has 2 of them left in stock. If I get back over there, for less than $3 each, I'm going to buy the other two.

My Menards has 19 in stock. I'll have to see if they carry anything else next time I'm in.

 

[nathanOH]

Is Tekton starting to sell tools in Menards?

That would be a good addition if they broadly stocked Tekton tools over their prior, low-grade big-box tool lines of recent years. Their MasterForce brand had some OK stuff mixed in it years ago (including some usa made stuff), but in recent years became more bottom of the barrel Chinese production.

I got one of those wrenches the other day. They were on the the clearance end caps by the tools where odds and ends show up. I doubt they will be a regular stock item.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The wife had an appointment this morning and Menards was too close not to stop by.



The last two in stock at 44906.

 

[Beerhippie]

Damn I'm glad there's not a Harbor Fright, Home Despot, Menard's, Tractor Supply, etc within two hour's drive of here!

 

[slik560]

I am often thankful that the nearest Menards is 20 miles.

 

[ecotec]

I have a Home Depot and a Lowe’s within two miles, and a Menards about 4 miles away. Harbor Freight is about a mile away.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Damn I'm glad there's not a Harbor Fright, Home Despot, Menard's, Tractor Supply, etc within two hour's drive of here!

"Middle of Nowhere, Center of the Universe"

 

[Etchase]

Some Epstein’s goodies



And a Makita XAD02

 

[Beerhippie]

"Middle of Nowhere, Center of the Universe"

In reality, the entire world is one click away.

I need to learn never to watch The Last Best Tool while having a beers--that and get a breathalyzer interlock on my debit card.

Accidentally bought myself a birthday present last night--that I don't really need.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Damn I'm glad there's not a Harbor Fright, Home Despot, Menard's, Tractor Supply, etc within two hour's drive of here!

You have my condolences.

 

[NUTTSGT]

In reality, the entire world is one click away.

I need to learn never to watch The Last Best Tool while having a beers--that and get a breathalyzer interlock on my debit card.

Accidentally bought myself a birthday present last night--that I don't really need.

Yes, you really do need it. If you didn't, you wouldn't be a member here.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Picked up a like new Hobart 210 MVP that came on an undersized, rickety Chicago Electric (HF) cart.

Replaced it today with the 350 lbs Vulcan HF cart. Couldn’t be happier. A lot sturdier, welder fits with room to open the door and it lowers the center of gravity which I like. Not as top heavy and less likely to tip over.

Laying out all the parts ahead of time made assembly a breeze.



I like keeping spot weld cutters, certain die grinder and Dremel tool bits handy but hate the rolling around loose in the drawer. Some plastic tubes from Amazon solved that.

 

[Outlier]

My tool purchases for the week from Amazon.

I may never use the timing light but I have one now, just in case.

https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-5568-Pro-Timing-Light-Tool/dp/B000EVU8J8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I didn't know Knipex made hog ring pliers until recently, so I picked up a pair.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LCJOQW0?tag=atomicindus08-20

I needed a brake bleeder to use at work and this came with more accessories than the Capri version for not much more.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HGQO3SK?tag=atomicindus08-20

I wanted something smaller to uses on gland nuts but I found out today that the 12-inch model isn't large enough for what I want to use it for at work so it will be going to the home tool box.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009W2T4E?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rockinacummins]

Never seen one of those before.

My favorite tool for tree removal. From saplings all the way up to 3-4’ diameter I haven’t failed to get one out yet.

 

[rockinacummins]

Long trip to town today.

Atwood’s first, picked up a rake and a jar of MIG nozzle gel. Then went to Harbor Freight for the spring Black Friday event. I needed some 0.035 MiG tips for 50% off but they were sold out. Still grabbed a few odds and ends. Icon “pliers wrench” and pistol-grip flat-nose pliers for 35% off. Everything else was about 50% off except the jumper cables. Needed a set to keep in the other truck. Oh, and the boy was with me and wanted the long-reach grabber thing. He’s played with it all afternoon.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Almost forgot, the USA Craftsman line wrenches came in today. $35 on eBay. I never find these sorts of deals but got lucky with these.

 

[Beerhippie]

@SouthernIllinois :

Is that the manual I see there? You're actually reading and following instructions?

You must surrender your man card immediately!

 

[WWheeler]

Is that the manual I see there? You're actually reading and following instructions?

You must surrender your man card immediately!

 

[mikeinri]

I think he's multi-tasking and trying to learn several new languages while he builds it!

Mike

 

[ecotec]

Two Astro Nano wrenches (1/4” and 1/2”).

 

[LeeG]

that whole line of goofy locking pliers is pretty cool. At least in pictures, never seen one in person, nor heard much about them.

I think I have all of the Grip-On speciality pliers. I got them after doing a bunch of sheet metal work, and thought they’d have been useful, but haven’t done any sheet metal work since.

Lee

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is that the manual I see there? You're actually reading and following instructions?

You must surrender your man card immediately!

"Surrender your man card" coming from a guy that says this ?

Damn I'm glad there's not a Harbor Fright, Home Despot, Menard's, Tractor Supply, etc within two hour's drive of here!

 

[Prospecter]

@SouthernIllinois :

Is that the manual I see there? You're actually reading and following instructions?

You must surrender your man card immediately!

Ahh. No worries. HF manuals are useless.

 

[Beerhippie]

"Surrender your man card" coming from a guy that says this ?

What can I say? I have poor impulse control and a debit card. Dangerous combination there.

 

[Squankum]

Proto makes fantastic stuff. My all-time favorite ratchets are the Italian-made round head ratchets. A tad bit annoying to service and the flex joints get pretty floppy but they are just sooooo smooth. And the knurling is nirvana for my palm.

The other brands to look for these ratchets would be FACOM ("Palm Control" series) and USAG.

I've got one 3/8" dr. FACOM palm control and I never thought my ratchets were flexing until that thick rectangular beam of a handle showed up. Strong!

 

[rword]

Finally upgraded from cheap HF meter and more Icon 35% off

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Went to an estate sale today and then to AutoZone and then to Napa. At the estate sale I got an old Irwin flat head screwdriver. Didn’t need it just I like old screwdrivers and you always need a big flat head for prying or I mean collecting lol.

AutoZone I got a 19mm ratcheting wrench because long ago someone got sticky fingers with mine and I never had it returned and well I could of really used one at work the last few weeks so I needed another one. And I love Duralast Tools. Also got a magnetic spark plug socket with the built in extension on it too for trying out. And a spray bottle because the ones at work **** and I do a lot of flat repairs.

Then at Napa got a set of pliers and a long 6mm hex for the Toyota transmission pans. They were both just wants but I’ll show you why I decided to go ahead and get them.




It looks like Napa has changed suppliers for their hand tools. Still called Carlyle but look much cheaper now especially things like pliers. I’m not a fan of the feel or look of the new tools at all. Guess I won’t be buying any Carlyle anymore after all these old ones are gone.

 

[rword]

Went to an estate sale today and then to AutoZone and then to Napa. At the estate sale I got an old Irwin flat head screwdriver. Didn’t need it just I like old screwdrivers and you always need a big flat head for prying or I mean collecting lol.

AutoZone I got a 19mm ratcheting wrench because long ago someone got sticky fingers with mine and I never had it returned and well I could of really used one at work the last few weeks so I needed another one. And I love Duralast Tools. Also got a magnetic spark plug socket with the built in extension on it too for trying out. And a spray bottle because the ones at work **** and I do a lot of flat repairs.

Then at Napa got a set of pliers and a long 6mm hex for the Toyota transmission pans. They were both just wants but I’ll show you why I decided to go ahead and get them.




It looks like Napa has changed suppliers for their hand tools. Still called Carlyle but look much cheaper now especially things like pliers. I’m not a fan of the feel or look of the new tools at all. Guess I won’t be buying any Carlyle anymore after all these old ones are gone.

Did you notice if the green Carlyle still says Taiwan ?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Did you notice if the green Carlyle still says Taiwan ?

Yes it does. I looked at that. That part is good at least.

 

[Fedwrench]

Did you notice if the green Carlyle still says Taiwan ?

I think it depends on the tool. At my servicing NAPA they had individual 3/8 drive six point sockets with new green/black hang tags that read made in Cambodia on the tag. The prices in the current Real Deals flyer for the new Carlye tools are crazy!!!!

 

[KYToolz]

My wife wanted me to go with her to the big indoor flea market about 20 miles from here this morning and I agreed if we could stop at Lowe’s and pick up something I special ordered about 2 weeks ago for an upcoming job.

I found these at the flea market and got everything for $15. I already had a Porter-Cable corner chisel, but it’s about 25 years old and is in need of replacement.


After the flea market, we stopped at Lowe’s and I picked up a case of OSI Quad Max caulk in a custom color that I ordered for a job. I’ve used this caulk for years and didn’t know that they had a color match system where they offer several thousand custom colors that are matched to colors used by various paint manufacturers, siding manufacturers and others. While there, I also decided that I needed a new caulking gun!



I also picked up a few other items I’ve been wanting to get. I actually got the Klein tape measure holder to clip my drills to my belt with. I find that the clips go on it easier that they go on my belt, due to the fact that my belt is padded and very thick.


I’ve been meaning to start taking better care of my paint brushes, so I also picked up a can of cleaner and a brush spinner.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

More gap filling in my Gedore 1B set , 21mm and 25mm. I got them for $11 and $16 from amazon.