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BlakeTheCarGuy

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
9,371
Location
Roanoke Virginia
New die yesterday from the 50% off Ace Hardware sale. This was like $4 half off so not bad. This is the Toyota drain plug thread size. I needed the tap too but they didn’t have it. I need an M16x1.5 and a M14x1.5 but Ace Hardware barely has any metric taps and didn’t have any of those. I don’t really need this die but you know it is GJ and we should have it anyway haha. Planned on buying a new Razorback shovel too then I saw made in China I was like well that’s disappointing. I might go back today and get it because $22 for a shovel still isn’t bad and country of origin doesn’t matter to me I just thought Razorback was still USA made. Still seemed well made. There is also a lot of these old Irwin Hanson taps from the early 2000s when they were fully USA made too that I might pick up because I don’t have any SAE hardly and use SAE all the time on dads truck.
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M

mikeinri

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2019
Messages
8,240
Location
MA
Added a few pieces to my Stihl Kombi collection...

20250704_154610.jpg

HL-KM Adjustable hedge trimmer (next to my FH-KM Scythe for comparison). 20-inch bar vs 10-inch.

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FS-KM Brush Cutter (with stock grass blade under the cover). Also a Renegade Hawk 8-inch blade.

20250704_154900.jpg

I also picked up a Husky box to keep all of the manuals, tools, etc. in one place (I've been using an old cardboard box, probably since buying the Kombi in 2013, LOL).

The can is a spray for the hedge trimmers, labeled as a cleaner and resin remover. Also picked up a tube of grease.

The Hedge Trimmer and Scythe are functionally similar. EDIT: The rotational angle (twist) that the Hedge Trimmer is attached onto its shaft is adjustable. I tried using it as-is from the store, which was not an enjoyable experience (I need to bush-hog a bunch of overgrown wild blackberries). Need to use a Torx driver (I wish they'd have made it with a tool-less adjustment device).

20250704_155342.jpg

The Brush Cutter is a duplicate to the original that I bought with the power head (KM-130-R). I'll keep this new one dedicated to cutting brush (I've also ordered a used NLA bicycle handle from eBay). The Renegade Hawk blade was recommended by a friend.

I despise weed whacking, mostly because of how painful it is to stop and reload all the time. I'm still running the original Stihl C-25-2 (Autocut / EasySpool) head. I'm going to switch to an Echo Speed-Feed 400 head. Biggest problem is that most of the trimming that I need to do is along concrete (foundation) or asphalt (curbs), which absolutely eats Trimmer line.

Mike
 
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C

CHI_Tool&Die

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2021
Messages
1,386
Location
Chicago, IL
WWheeler said:
If none of them, not Snap-on Mac or Matco, will even add a stop at Eric O's shop on their routes anymore just because he will only pay full price right then and there instead of ever putting stuff on an account, it isn't about not wanting truck followers. It's that they literally don't need or even want the pennies they make on those type sales. They need that interest income. I wouldn't doubt if their corporate agreements incentivize their having to keep above X% of sales on an interest bearing account.
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If you catch a truck at their stop, the drivers are usually more receptive. That’s how I do it with Snap-on. It’s hard for them sometimes to cover all the shops on their daily route plus deal with other patrons and still end the day at a reasonable hour. A lot of drivers are giant d*cks though that have this superiority complex that absolutely makes me hate them.
 
S

stonesfan68

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
2,758
Location
Houston, TX
pfbz said:
I really like those, how much were they with the deal? One of my favorite Snap On tools is the now discontinued 1/4" handled extension, essentially the same as that M6EDLA but without the locking part.


WTF is wrong with these tool truck guys? Business can't possibly be that good with the increased competition from the likes of Tekton, Capri, Icon offering high quality, easy to warranty tools at a fraction of the tool truck prices... Not to mention incredible alternative tools offered Koken, Vessel, Knipex, etc.

I was trying to track down a local SO franchisee... Not for warranty purposes on my MANY current SO tools, but to buy more. It's like a secret society or something. **** 'em, I even tried buying some SO stuff at their online store, but they have FU shipping prices.

So Zoro/Tekton/Capri/Amazon/JBTools and a small handful of other online sources get me 95% of the tools I want, on my doorstep in a few days, and at great prices. Plus there are FIVE HF stores within a 20 minute drive if I absolutely positively need something TODAY, so I guess I'm OK with the tool truck business model going down in flames.
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NUTTSGT said:
I think the set was $138-140 and the 1/4" was free,..BOGO. I knew with tax, I had $150 in my pocket and would have walked off the truck if he had them.
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The receipt says $160. I called Mac Tools up and ordered them over the phone and they were glad to take my order. They shipped them for free since the order value was over $100. Snap-On shipping prices are ludicrous.
 
N

NUTTSGT

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 14, 2009
Messages
50,965
Location
Northern Central Ohio
stonesfan68 said:
The receipt says $160. I called Mac Tools up and ordered them over the phone and they were glad to take my order. They shipped them for free since the order value was over $100. Snap-On shipping prices are ludicrous.
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Could have been $148 plus tax. It's been a few months... I should have just called MAC and asked about a will call pick up and made a road trip out of it.
 
P

pfbz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
957
rword said:
15% off through tomorrowIMG_9080.jpeg
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I thought about picking up another G2 ratchet @ 15% off today, but decided to grab another of the Icon D2 steel pocket knives instead, $36. I bought one some months ago and have been using the hell out of it, really like it as my toolbox knife. Wanted a second one to keep in the house. Great edge, perfect blade shape for what I need, easy opening, looks good, and yes, lifetime warranty.

Alas, no pictures today...
 
L

L.Cheapo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
5,935
PelicanPines said:
He didn't want a truck follower customer... He wanted to devote his time to ONLY his scheduled customers. Spoke to a former truck dealer and he said ... Yea... Some dealers are short sighted that way.
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Funny. I had this conversation with my dealer recently. His words: "Some guys are jerks, but if your money's green I'll happily take it. Someone stops me at a gas station or wherever, I'll let them spend a few minutes. I'll even warranty a tool for them. Not a bucket of rusty tools, but one is fine, even if they're not a regular. You never know what could come of it."

Maybe that's why he's been at it almost 20 years and is quite successful.

I'm not a pro. I don't work in a shop. He used to visit my previous employer, but I don't work there anymore. Now I meet him in a Costco parking lot when I need to. He eats his lunch, I pet his dog, we make small talk and I trade cash for new stuff like this:

thumbnail_IMG_1817.jpg
 
R

rword

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2025
Messages
426
15% off through tomorrow
pfbz said:
I thought about picking up another G2 ratchet @ 15% off today, but decided to grab another of the Icon D2 steel pocket knives instead, $36. I bought one some months ago and have been using the hell out of it, really like it as my toolbox knife. Wanted a second one to keep in the house. Great edge, perfect blade shape for what I need, easy opening, looks good, and yes, lifetime warranty.

Alas, no pictures today...
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have you used your g2s yet? What you think?
 
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1

1320

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2018
Messages
900
Location
Arizona
Got the 65" long handle for the Snap-on 1" drive ratchet. I don't have the Snap-on L873 head, but the CAT one is the same.

20250706_124257.jpg

Here it is on top with the Snap-on 40" 3/4" drive and 24" 1/2" drive ratchet below.

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Snap-on 3/4" drive and 1" drive ratchet and breaker bar comparison.
 
B

BlakeTheCarGuy

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
9,371
Location
Roanoke Virginia
I went to the orange store of parts again. Used my $20 credit. These are the only two tools then got some fuel tank sealer for dads fuel tank on his truck. $8 out the door with my coupon. Don’t have a mechanics stethoscope so decided to get one. Then got a replacement 12mm for the SK one I cracked. I did a warranty claim with SK and they are sending one but they are sending a 1/4 drive. Not a big deal I wanted an excuse to buy a new socket anyway haha. IMG_2317.jpeg
IMG_2316.jpeg
 
S

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
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S

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
KnurledNut said:
Grabbed this new set for $20. Been wanting these locking extensions and can’t buy just them alone for any less.

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Just for hilarity's sake, here are some FACOM equivalents:

www.ultimategarage.com

(J.360DBOX1) -3/8" Drive 6pt Metric DBOX Set (8-22mm) (w/J.360 ratchet)

Facom 3/8" Drive 6pt Metric Tool Set with Rotator Ratchet & Detection Box (J.360DBOX1) - Facom's tool sets have always been nicely packaged and the company has avoided using the typical "blow-mold" cases found among most of the import brands. Their new "Detection...
www.ultimategarage.com www.ultimategarage.com

That's the neato twisty ratchet, which is either a regular ratchet, or you spin the handle or crank it back and forth and just spin it one direction, either ratcheting direction of the handle results in forward progress.

Even stupider on pricing, this one has the sealed head ratchet that I'm pretty sure is also FACOM:

Ebay link:
 
S

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
LeeG said:
Not sure when I’ll need it, but picked this up for cheap.
IMG_2885.jpeg

Dumont “D” broach set, up to 1/2” wide. Also included two 5/8” “E” broaches. The case was pretty beat up, but some epoxy got it usable again. Not bad for $200.

Lee
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I hear there are some modern engine crankshaft noses that need your assistance!
 
P

pfbz

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
957
Todays tool haul was pretty minimal...

A handful of small Koken Zeal 1/4" drive sockets to fill out a set i'm assembling. But their arrival and a few questions/comments from a car buddy earlier today motivated me to make another quick video comparing the super compact Z-eal sockets with a few other 10mm options. Not really geared towards tool experts, so apologies in advance if I dumb. it down too much.

 
R

rword

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2025
Messages
426
Squankum said:
Prices appear to be all over the map. Here's a fair price at Lowe's:

I smell FACOM! Not sure about the ratchet, but that whole case design is FACOM's thing, and I assume it's all Taiwanese-made but FACOM design. And I see it at Ace Hardware (internet) for double the price and more. And I see a metric one one ebay for $46ish, free shipping.
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I got a lead on the metric and sae sets for $70 for both shipped… going to jump on them
 
A

AJHD

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,025
Location
AZ
Squankum said:
Prices appear to be all over the map. Here's a fair price at Lowe's:

I smell FACOM! Not sure about the ratchet, but that whole case design is FACOM's thing, and I assume it's all Taiwanese-made but FACOM design. And I see it at Ace Hardware (internet) for double the price and more. And I see a metric one one ebay for $46ish, free shipping.
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You need to double check that link. Those have been out of stock since around late 2024/early 2025 when they had the holiday sales at Lowes. Same with the wrenches.

Unfortunately there are only a few websites that seems to have any V-Series stuff still available, but despite being no longer in production, they are not clearance type pricing you might expect.
 
R

rword

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2025
Messages
426
Squankum said:
Prices appear to be all over the map. Here's a fair price at Lowe's:

I smell FACOM! Not sure about the ratchet, but that whole case design is FACOM's thing, and I assume it's all Taiwanese-made but FACOM design. And I see it at Ace Hardware (internet) for double the price and more. And I see a metric one one ebay for $46ish, free shipping.
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On second glance, I may hold off. I see the ratchets are not serviceable. That’s a bunmer :(
 
R

rword

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2025
Messages
426
AJHD said:
You need to double check that link. Those have been out of stock since around late 2024/early 2025 when they had the holiday sales at Lowes. Same with the wrenches.

Unfortunately there are only a few websites that seems to have any V-Series stuff still available, but despite being no longer in production, they are not clearance type pricing you might expect.
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You can find good deals on the v series stuff on eBay. Do you have any v series ratchets ? I just realized none of them look to be serviceable.
 
S

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
AJHD said:
You need to double check that link. Those have been out of stock since around late 2024/early 2025 when they had the holiday sales at Lowes. Same with the wrenches.

Unfortunately there are only a few websites that seems to have any V-Series stuff still available, but despite being no longer in production, they are not clearance type pricing you might expect.
Click to expand...

D'oh! I'm sorry. You'd think they'd take them off the website by this point. 1,000+ views in the past week!
 
S

Squankum

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7,719
Location
Southeast
rword said:
You can find good deals on the v series stuff on eBay. Do you have any v series ratchets ? I just realized none of them look to be serviceable.
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I have many, many ratchets, but none of those. I finally found the used SO Dual 80 of my dreams (3/8", comfort grip, quick release button) and now I am done.* I have at least one real deal Frenchy FACOM ratchet that is impressive in various ways, but low backdrag and quick release button gets my attention most of the time.

_________
* For GJ purposes of "done buying ratchets."
 
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A

AJHD

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,025
Location
AZ
rword said:
You can find good deals on the v series stuff on eBay. Do you have any v series ratchets ? I just realized none of them look to be serviceable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have the SAE and Metric 3/8" kits in the case. Got them on close out sale at Lowes.

I think the sockets are good, the locking extensions are fine, but the ratchets are terrible. The tooth count ***** and the heads are like 2" thick. I didn't pay attention to the serviceable part of it. I can look at them later. But they work. I used one to change a battery.

I'd like the buy the 1/2" kits too, but haven't found a deal too good to pass on yet. There are a few on eBay. I don't need them, just like the idea of small self contained kits with a good size range of sockets.
 
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