badmatt
Well-known member
Another consensual visit with the truck.
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Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
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I read that whole thread and the others I could find. I think I'm going to start a "Show Off Your V Series Craftsman" thread since the V series is now discontinued.
afazz
Well-known member
I finally picked up a Venom HP induction heater, on sale from Val Tools. The retaining ring pliers are from Snap-on, they were on sale and this completes my set.
four.cycle
Well-known member
You're not bothering me one little bit.
Unless I am mistaken, there are several here who are interested in some informed and objective hands on experience feedback on the product line (as opposed to the usual and customary bashing of Sears/Eddie Lampert/ad nauseam.)
It's unfortunate the thread got locked. Some people just cannot seem to help themselves when it comes to injecting political commentary into discussion threads about sockets and wrenches.
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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I love my Venom, almost wish I got to use it more but I really don't.I finally picked up a Venom HP induction heater, on sale from Val Tools. The retaining ring pliers are from Snap-on, they were on sale and this completes my set.
Helped me out of quite a few times, enjoy.
I finally picked up a Venom HP induction heater, on sale from Val Tools. The retaining ring pliers are from Snap-on, they were on sale and this completes my set.
badmatt
Well-known member
high leverage.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
I use craftsman sockets. Love the Vs.. it is always great to find “Moore.”
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Pretty productive visit with the Matco man. Grabbed a headlamp which was a product just flying off the truck as everyone seemed to want one. Also got my 17” 1/4” extension that was part of a flyer promo from a month ago. Snagged a scraper set too. I also decided to try out an air hose holder for work. Lastly, I grabbed an 11” fixed head 3/8” ratchet that was on a fantastic one day pre-black Friday deal. The only bummer is that I have to warranty out the ratchet. The guts are not seated properly (something wasn’t machined correctly cause the whole inside of the ratchet rattles) and the handle is crooked. Probably a Friday ratchet. 
Attachments
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Is this you? https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4ojKMWOluQ/?hl=enBrake clean
esben57
Well-known member
1x XZN tri-square M10 x75mm
Ordered four different sizes, I needed for a task. Other sizes on a 3 to 4 day wait, no bothers they will all arrived together.
No. This turns up less than 24hr on it's own, in all that packaging.
Cost to me total, £1.26
Bonkers!
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I mostly keep things in drawers since it helps to keep shop dust off them (I also do a lot of woodwork etc which can get dusty) and can help control corrosion (spray oil on them and use local rust inhibitor products in the drawers). I can find what I need pretty easily from the organization. But I do need to clean up after every project -- or it can become a mess and get progressively harder to locate needs.
I do not have too much trouble with my wife and family since when they learn how much things like say automotive repairs cost in shops, they realize that every weekend project is saving easily ~$1k to ~$2k and it would likely not be readily affordable without me doing it for ~10-20% of pro amounts for parts cost. Plus we get things done better since I am picky and not trying to make profit and will spend time as needed if anything does not go well at first.
The funny thing is to the untrained eye, what I have looks like a tool collection. But most everything is different and serves purpose and gets used some amount. I am not a collector type. I also do not understand motivations of people that collect tools. Tools for use. But to each their own. I do take care of things though, and almost never destroy or lose tools. Some do get wear deteriorated depending on what I am doing. I also will happily upgrade types I use a lot when opportunity presents (knowing I can give extras to my sons before long).
It is best not to plan ones own demise. But I would recommend eventually making contacts for things to find a useful home. It was a BIG mess dealing with stuff from my parents, including my father's shop tools, when they passed. I would not want to spring such on my own kids. So it is good to have some sort of plan with people who know what it is. I don't know what my siblings would have done with my fathers collection when he passed if I were not around. Probably a big lot dump to someone that sells stuff. I doubt that would generate much $ or good results on the end placements.
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My eyes do not feel good even watching that. Acetone fog in the eyes is not good.
For DC Amps on a clamp ammeter, it needs to use a hall effect sensor rather than a coil. This is somewhat less common and likely more expensive. I do not think Fluke (generally higher price, but qood quality and calibration) is the only one making such.
Ability to do both DC and AC Amps (with true rms) via Hall type sensors makes the device more flexible for sure. I would check the accuracy specs in ranges for whatever you want to measure before buying though.
Most older clamp meters are probably coil type measuring only AC amps.
And of course, because this is America in 2025:
How did the USA ever survive natural selection? Like everyone who buys tools or equipment has the urge to eat everything like an infant.
I work with a lot of internationals in the sciences and it gets embarrassing when we discuss the copious stupid warning labels for everything in the USA. Seems we are driven more by legal protections than most anywhere else. It does wonders for our reputation.
I accidentally had a can of Kroil do that this year, falling off a toolbox onto a sharp corner below. The good news is that after a couple of days, the smell was gone.
And of course, because this is America in 2025:
Well now I'm curious!
1. What is punch grease? And what is special punch grease?
2. How does it taste?
Skyman
Well-known member
Today's arrival. Vintage Utica 888 in pretty good condition. A little Tri-Flow on the pivot loosened up its action, which was pretty balky upon arrival.
SouthernIllinois
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- Jan 14, 2024
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Menards for socket rails. Set of three 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" for $8 and a pack of AAA Batteries.
I received a coupon from Harbor Freight for 15% off anything. Decided it was time to ditch the rickety, old Craftsman roller cabinet I had the coffee maker on for a 27" US General cabinet.
At the register I spotted a set of cheap-o jumper wires for $2 so I grabbed them as well.
I received a coupon from Harbor Freight for 15% off anything. Decided it was time to ditch the rickety, old Craftsman roller cabinet I had the coffee maker on for a 27" US General cabinet.
At the register I spotted a set of cheap-o jumper wires for $2 so I grabbed them as well.
1. It came in the Lisle kit for flaring brake lines. It's used on the die that makes the flares when you shove it into the tube.
2. The thought of tasting it would have never entered my mind if I hadn't seen the "DO NOT EAT" printed on the lid so prominently.
But since you asked, like cheap ketchup. Think Hunt's or that no name stuff on the bottom shelf at the store.
(I didn't really taste it)
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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Bosch 12v Flexiclick:
Milwaukee pry bar set that came with the screwdrivers and pick set for $70:
Various Milwaukee tools I got for a deal as a set:
Milwaukee wrenches, $100 bucks for the pair:
Yikes! Did Home Depot have a huge sale on Milwaukee???
Those pry bars look good. What's your opinion of the handle material?
Jeffrey D
Well-known member
Picked up a HF tire bead breaker. I'm going to break the beads just enough to replace my TPMS sensors tomorrow. I figured the price of the tool is worth it instead of going to a tire shop. Plus I have the tool for "next time".
Any comparison to the Solary from Amazon? The one I have works great but I like that these are pistol grip style and Made in USA even though they are much more money.I finally picked up a Venom HP induction heater, on sale from Val Tools. The retaining ring pliers are from Snap-on, they were on sale and this completes my set.
Steel_Rain
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- Apr 23, 2024
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I know….damnit!
There was a crazy Home Depot “glitch” and I got the packout tote bag and a ton of hand tools for $90 bucks shipped:
They took this deal off the website quick, sold out almost immediately.
Then I got this deal on the prybar set with the drivers and picks for $70 bucks (sold out now):
Im not crazy into Milwaukee handtools, but these were good deals.
Pry bars are decent. The grip is tight and feels solid, but I want to see how it holds up to coolant / oil / grease over the next several months. Bars are definitely HD though.
They're lurking in that group:
Others lurk in the garage, along with that second set of superb diagonals:
Hi, my name's Skyman, and I have no self-control...
You, my friend, are the target customer for this shirt...
M.Jay
Well-known member
That's a lot of red right there. Didn't knew Milwaukee had electrician shears in their line-up.
You just made my day! Had to laugh really hard!
So I've been on a bit of a combination wrench kick lately, partly because there are some good sales out there and partly because some of my channel viewers have asked to take a look at some specific brands. I've recently picked up the following sets...
All prices are the discounted sale prices I picked them up for, for some the list prices are higher. All non-ratcheting, non-specialty metric combination wrench sets.
- Craftsman Overdrive (10 pc, $50, Taiwan)
- Milwaukee Max Bite (11 pc, $50, Taiwan)
- Wright WrightGrip 2.0 (10 pc, $120, USA)
And already have:
- USAG 285X RBRT (12 pc, $150, Taiwan)
- Icon anti-slip (14 pc, $75, Taiwan)
- Matco (12 pc, vintage, USA)
I'm going to go into more details in a later post and likely video, but here is my quick take...
USAG. My favorites... Great length, great anti-slip (RBRT), no skips (8-19), best feel in hand (subjective I know), best looking. The extended reach of the box-end also gives it capabilities that the other wrenches don't have, similar to how a Mountain wrench can grab on a bolt in a lower clearance situation. But most expensive as well. Loses a few points because they likely will be a bit of a hassle if I ever need to warranty them?
Icon. At the $75 sale pric, a great deal. And no skip 14-pc (6-19) set means you're not ever searching for that missing size. Easiest to warranty. Handles are nice, very Snap-On like (no surprise there)
Wright. Also a top pick. Arguably the highest quality and best anti-slip, best functionality, but loses a few points for being a smaller set (10-19), shorter length, and fairly pricey.
Craftsman. Actually, I really like these! Very similar to the USAG, but not quite as nice. Great looking, nice in hand, but it drives me freaking crazy that they skip sizes... (8,10,12-19).
Matco. My OG wrench set. No anti-slip, no fancy handle design, Just really nice to use US made wrenches that have never failed me.
Milwaukee. Wah-wah-wah... My dislike for Milwaukee hand tools continues (love I love there M12 and M18 lineup. Great price at the $50 price point, really well marked, and they even look kind of pretty, but the handles are just funky. Hard to describe, but sort of like standing on uneven ground with holes in it.. Always feels off balance. Too bulky as well. The only set I will not be keeping.
Of course there is a lot more that goes into what is the "best" wrench, and torque test channel can tell us which open end wrench slips first if I put a two foot cheater bar on it (not likely), but thought I'd share some of my initial and usage impressions...
A couple of other wrenches (Icon stubby ratcheting, Astro ratcheting, gearwrench zero offset XL ratcheting, Wurth zero offset XL double box) shown in some of the pictures as well.
All prices are the discounted sale prices I picked them up for, for some the list prices are higher. All non-ratcheting, non-specialty metric combination wrench sets.
- Craftsman Overdrive (10 pc, $50, Taiwan)
- Milwaukee Max Bite (11 pc, $50, Taiwan)
- Wright WrightGrip 2.0 (10 pc, $120, USA)
And already have:
- USAG 285X RBRT (12 pc, $150, Taiwan)
- Icon anti-slip (14 pc, $75, Taiwan)
- Matco (12 pc, vintage, USA)
I'm going to go into more details in a later post and likely video, but here is my quick take...
USAG. My favorites... Great length, great anti-slip (RBRT), no skips (8-19), best feel in hand (subjective I know), best looking. The extended reach of the box-end also gives it capabilities that the other wrenches don't have, similar to how a Mountain wrench can grab on a bolt in a lower clearance situation. But most expensive as well. Loses a few points because they likely will be a bit of a hassle if I ever need to warranty them?
Icon. At the $75 sale pric, a great deal. And no skip 14-pc (6-19) set means you're not ever searching for that missing size. Easiest to warranty. Handles are nice, very Snap-On like (no surprise there)
Wright. Also a top pick. Arguably the highest quality and best anti-slip, best functionality, but loses a few points for being a smaller set (10-19), shorter length, and fairly pricey.
Craftsman. Actually, I really like these! Very similar to the USAG, but not quite as nice. Great looking, nice in hand, but it drives me freaking crazy that they skip sizes... (8,10,12-19).
Matco. My OG wrench set. No anti-slip, no fancy handle design, Just really nice to use US made wrenches that have never failed me.
Milwaukee. Wah-wah-wah... My dislike for Milwaukee hand tools continues (love I love there M12 and M18 lineup. Great price at the $50 price point, really well marked, and they even look kind of pretty, but the handles are just funky. Hard to describe, but sort of like standing on uneven ground with holes in it.. Always feels off balance. Too bulky as well. The only set I will not be keeping.
Of course there is a lot more that goes into what is the "best" wrench, and torque test channel can tell us which open end wrench slips first if I put a two foot cheater bar on it (not likely), but thought I'd share some of my initial and usage impressions...
A couple of other wrenches (Icon stubby ratcheting, Astro ratcheting, gearwrench zero offset XL ratcheting, Wurth zero offset XL double box) shown in some of the pictures as well.
So I didn't just get this one but it brings joy every time I use it
Some how I dropped the one socket behind the washing machine when I was changing out the tankless water heater. I know where it is but I will have to move the machine to get it back!
I also have swapped out the normal extensions for wobble + and put on a quick release head.on the long ratchet.
Some how I dropped the one socket behind the washing machine when I was changing out the tankless water heater. I know where it is but I will have to move the machine to get it back!
I also have swapped out the normal extensions for wobble + and put on a quick release head.on the long ratchet.
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RangerChief
Well-known member
If Klein's main customer is the electrician trade, I wish they would make that collapsible work table without holes. I need something where I can put lights and parts together without screws, wire nuts, etc. falling through all the holes.And I just had to see this setup and if it made sense. I’m kinda digging it. We’ll be putting a couple of these into action the first week of February on a large controls cutover with not much room to work in.
I’m with you there or at least provided a couple recessed areas for sorting.
there is there is a fairly large, recessed area with a divider in the middle on the opposite end as the handle.
is it big enough, should there be multiples or no holes in the top at all? that i don't know but there is definitely a spot for small objects to be contained.
in all transparency, i have the dewalt version. it has a long narrow recess in the same area.if it is as sturdy and well built as the dewalt it is a good solid table.
when my son stole mine i replaced it as soon as it went on sale again.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Klein provides no solution I see for that issue. For the same exact issue on a craftman folding table, I got something similar to these
that worked out great.Two examples; look for “flush,” instead of those furniture ones that are slightly “domed.”
So I didn't just get this one but it brings joy every time I use it
Some how I dropped the one socket behind the washing machine when I was changing out the tankless water heater. I know where it is but I will have to move the machine to get it back!
I also have swapped out the normal extensions for wobble + and put on a quick release head.on the long ratchet.
100th anniversary or 100-payment payment plan? Nyuck nyuck nyuck. I'm sure that's nice stuff.
Appliance rollers might be something to consider. I have an upright freezer downstairs on them. (It needs to go out to the driveway every couple of years for a thaw.) Also have the dryer on them, no problems. Haven't put the washer on a set yet, that might be interesting when a load is imbalanced. Anyway, handy for cleaning, maintenance, finding flying parts or tools, checking for 20 foot pythons.
They only roll back and forth, very simple.
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And the only set made in America! OK, your MATCO's, but you had them since back when, right?
It would take a natural disaster or burglary or Powerball lottery win to get me to buy a new set of combo wrenches, but if I did, hoo boy, FACOM and Wright tempt me sorely. Until then, I'm very happy with ye olde Craftsman Professional.