Some cool Tekton updates

[Hakeem]

Tekton was at my school yesterday and they had some interesting new offerings:


The angle wrenches used to have sharp edges on the side, a remnant of the laser cutting process. After getting feedback, they added a CNC machine step to knock down the sharp edges and leave a more comfortable handle.

Next up, these crows feet:





These are new, made in-house, and feature their new satin nickel finish. Machined out of billet. The rep told me that their domestic products will be made with this finish, so good news for fans of the satin finishes.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Hakeem
I picked up a single size I needed of those flare crows and was very impressed.
I’m glad they chamfered the corners on the angle wrenches. It was needed.
Thanks for posting pics!

 

[mikey03]

Never needed angle wrenches havent really worked on hydraulics and not sure if there useful for anything else. If I wanted to pick up some just in case I come across something what size ranges are most useful for regular people stuff not industrial oil pumps or farm equipment?

guessing in the 10 to 19 range but not sure if on the lower end or higher end. I could see myself getting 4 to 5 of most common sizes for the time it eventually comes up so I don’t got to wait to order them last minute. Local HF is only place that seems to sell this style and there kind of iffy on inventory for less common stuff like this only seen the icon set once or twice in stock

 

[FTWingRiders]

Been eyeballing those crows feet, might need to pull the trigger.

 

[Steve_P]

I do like that they actually machined the chamfer on the edge and not just gave it to Earl to go wild with it on the belt sander

I like the wrenches and the crowfeet. But I've never needed angle wrenches, and I already have crowfeet thru 3/4" and 19mm- and I've never needed anything larger. I'm kinda surprised that they didn't offer "expansion sets" with just the 20mm+ or 13/16"+ sizes.

 

[liliysdad]

Those crowsfeet are awfully thick!

 

[charbar]

Picked up both awhile back. No complaints with either so far.

Those crowsfeet are awfully thick!

Compared to something like a Snap on, Proto, Martin etc yes they are thicker but still quite a bit less meat on these than most of the cheaper alternatives. Just depends on usage. I haven't had to use mine in any super cramped areas yet so time will tell if they are too thick or not.

 

[mikey03]

Those crowsfeet are awfully thick!

I would guess they are thicker because there cnc machined removing material from a stock of metal compared to snap on that forges and smashes the metal down between two plates which compresses it down

I always figure a forged tool is stronger for the same thickness because the metal grains are mooshed together so you don’t need as thick a tool but I’m just a dummy who watches YouTube

 

[ZX3ST]

I would guess they are thicker because there cnc machined removing material from a stock of metal compared to snap on that forges and smashes the metal down between two plates which compresses it down

I always figure a forged tool is stronger for the same thickness because the metal grains are mooshed together so you don’t need as thick a tool but I’m just a dummy who watches YouTube

You're correct that forged steel is stronger than cast steel at the same thickness.

But a machined part can be made from either. As an example, the wheels on the race car are machined from a solid block of forged aluminum. They don't literally forge the wheel directly into the final shape.

 

[Dave.R]

You're correct that forged steel is stronger than cast steel at the same thickness.

But a machined part can be made from either. As an example, the wheels on the race car are machined from a solid block of forged aluminum. They don't literally forge the wheel directly into the final shape.

I would guess they are thicker because there cnc machined removing material from a stock of metal compared to snap on that forges and smashes the metal down between two plates which compresses it down

I always figure a forged tool is stronger for the same thickness because the metal grains are mooshed together so you don’t need as thick a tool but I’m just a dummy who watches YouTube

Hey Guys, Dave with Tekton.

These are machined down from cold rolled bar steel.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Those crowsfeet are awfully thick!

Kinda what I was thinking.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

They're really not that thick, the one in the OP looks like 27mm. In the "drive sized" pieces, like a 3/8 drive 8mm, they look kind of chunky and dumb but that's inherent to the design using 3/8 drive. I like them for fuel rail connections. The increased depth helps keep them straight on fasteners which I like as well.

 

[Steve_P]

I would guess they are thicker because there cnc machined removing material from a stock of metal compared to snap on that forges and smashes the metal down between two plates which compresses it down

I always figure a forged tool is stronger for the same thickness because the metal grains are mooshed together so you don’t need as thick a tool but I’m just a dummy who watches YouTube

I've said this before, as this has come up multiple times.

Forging is used as a cost savings on high production items. It's faster to forge something to near-shape and then machine, than it is to machine it from a bar. So, you do the cost analysis and figure we need to sell X a year to pay for the forging tooling, and if those numbers don't make sense, you machine from a bar.

If anyone actually has any REAL statistical data, from a real engineering analysis, showing that a forged and machined widget is stronger than an identical one that's solely machined from a bar, identical material, identical machining, identical geometry, identical heat treat.... I'd love to see it. I do feel that forging has to give at least some minor advantages- but again have never seen any real data proving it. Just conjecture, primarily from people in the forging industry. "Well, forging compresses and alters the grain structure, so it should....." Sure. But data, please. And not two completely different wrenches tested on YouTube like the SO and Tekton angle wrenches- apples and oranges.

Real data, from a real statistical engineering testing analysis.

 

[seber]

You're correct that forged steel is stronger than cast steel at the same thickness.

But a machined part can be made from either. As an example, the wheels on the race car are machined from a solid block of forged aluminum. They don't literally forge the wheel directly into the final shape.

All steel is forged. That is the process of rolling. However, that does not make it stronger. Forging does make for a stronger part pre-heat treat but the process of heat treating is by definition reworking the molecular structure. Completely negating any change due to forging.

 

[mikey03]

The angle wrenches used to have sharp edges on the side, a remnant of the laser cutting process. After getting feedback, they added a CNC machine step to knock down the sharp edges and leave a more comfortable handle.

hey @Dave.R how long before all of your inventory has the new chamfer angle wrenches like this? I figure during the switch there’s going to be old stock floating around a while?

 

[charbar]

hey @Dave.R how long before all of your inventory has the new chamfer angle wrenches like this? I figure during the switch there’s going to be old stock floating around a while?

I ordered a set of the 10-27mm plus single 7 and 8mm back in August and I'm pretty sure all mine have the chamfered edges.

 

[AJHD]

I ordered a set of the 10-27mm plus single 7 and 8mm back in August and I'm pretty sure all mine have the chamfered edges.

hey @Dave.R how long before all of your inventory has the new chamfer angle wrenches like this? I figure during the switch there’s going to be old stock floating around a while?

Unless I'm mistaken, if they are satin finish, they have chamfered edges. The chrome version has square edges.

 

[steve855]

@Hakeem
I picked up a single size I needed of those flare crows and was very impressed.
I’m glad they chamfered the corners on the angle wrenches. It was needed.
Thanks for posting pics!

Flare crows foot sockets- I bought a 10mm and 12mm for a brake job recently. Now I want the whole set, they're quite good. The extra thickness is a nice feature in my opinion.

 

[Dave.R]

hey @Dave.R how long before all of your inventory has the new chamfer angle wrenches like this? I figure during the switch there’s going to be old stock floating around a while?

It really depends on the sell-through, but the new finish will have those chamfers.

 

[IRQVET]

Only tools I've ever gotten from Tekton I didn't like was their spanners and their pipe wrenches. All of their other stuff I have are really great.

 

[Snapped-off]

Did they bring the van? I saw it last Thursday heading home from work.

 

[mikey03]

It really depends on the sell-through, but the new finish will have those chamfers.

What’s the new finish? I thought the 4 way angle wrenches always had satin finish from the day they came out

 

[SRSemenza]

What’s the new finish? I thought the 4 way angle wrenches always had satin finish from the day they came out

No, they were polished / shiny chrome first.

Seth

 

[rust in the eye]

You're correct that forged steel is stronger than cast steel at the same thickness.

But a machined part can be made from either. As an example, the wheels on the race car are machined from a solid block of forged aluminum. They don't literally forge the wheel directly into the final shape.

Most, including my Reynard's race wheels are forged. Certainly machined to final dimensions but a forging to begin with

 

[AEAdam]

I've said this before, as this has come up multiple times.

Forging is used as a cost savings on high production items. It's faster to forge something to near-shape and then machine, than it is to machine it from a bar. So, you do the cost analysis and figure we need to sell X a year to pay for the forging tooling, and if those numbers don't make sense, you machine from a bar.

If anyone actually has any REAL statistical data, from a real engineering analysis, showing that a forged and machined widget is stronger than an identical one that's solely machined from a bar, identical material, identical machining, identical geometry, identical heat treat.... I'd love to see it. I do feel that forging has to give at least some minor advantages- but again have never seen any real data proving it. Just conjecture, primarily from people in the forging industry. "Well, forging compresses and alters the grain structure, so it should....." Sure. But data, please. And not two completely different wrenches tested on YouTube like the SO and Tekton angle wrenches- apples and oranges.

Real data, from a real statistical engineering testing analysis.

Forging dies can be super expensive. You are right about production rates, but size is also a factor.

I think the confusion may be, we sometimes forge shapes like the cruciform shape of a landing gear. In that case, the L grain direction runs axially in both parts of the cross, resulting in a stronger part.

So it’s not so much that a custom forging is stronger than a forged plate. It’s that a forging can have L direction grain in multiple orientations. I think if you were forging an S shaped wrench, the L grain direction would follow the S shape. For a normal wrench, I think the forging just saves on material.

For the racers, my understanding is that race wheels are forged in a hoop, so the grain runs around it. If you machined a wheel using a big forged block, the mech properties would be different between 12 and 6 o’clock and 9 and 3.

My guess is, we would define the wheel’s section properties using the weaker LT properties (LT is only marginally weaker than L in some materials). So a forged race wheel should be lighter than a machined wheel for this reason.

Hand forging is sometimes discussed regarding knives & chisels etc. I don’t know the science, but cold working steel can reduce grain size when forging. A drop forged knife blade can have much bigger grain size. Bigger grains arent always a problem, but they can result in larger pockets of impurities at the grain boundaries that weaken the steel. This is particularly an issue with dirtier steels.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Only tools I've ever gotten from Tekton I didn't like was their spanners and their pipe wrenches. All of their other stuff I have are really great.

What was it about the spanners didn't you like? fit/finish?

I just picked up a 19mm combo for the truck kit and although
I haven't leaned into it proper yet, it seems ok enough for $10

 

[Hakeem]

Did they bring the van? I saw it last Thursday heading home from work.

Yes, they had the van! They even parked it inside for us to come aboard and see all the latest stuff. Very impressive display.

Meanwhile Matco & Snapon had to peddle their wares from folding tables like they were at the swap meet

 

[AEAdam]

Yes, they had the van! They even parked it inside for us to come aboard and see all the latest stuff. Very impressive display.

Meanwhile Matco & Snapon had to peddle their wares from folding tables like they were at the swap meet

So envious. I think it’s really cool that the tool companies are coming to you. Especially Tekton. Was there anything that surprised you? I haven’t held all these tools in my grubby hands. Sometimes I’m surprised by stuff. Any reactions to share?

And is Snap On offering you the student discounts?

 

[AEAdam]

Tekton was at my school yesterday and they had some interesting new offerings:


The angle wrenches used to have sharp edges on the side, a remnant of the laser cutting process. After getting feedback, they added a CNC machine step to knock down the sharp edges and leave a more comfortable handle.

Next up, these crows feet:





These are new, made in-house, and feature their new satin nickel finish. Machined out of billet. The rep told me that their domestic products will be made with this finish, so good news for fans of the satin finishes.

I really like satin chrome. Almost has a titanium look. Also nice to be able discern the difference between imports and domestic at a glance.

 

[IRQVET]

What was it about the spanners didn't you like? fit/finish?

I just picked up a 19mm combo for the truck kit and although
I haven't leaned into it proper yet, it seems ok enough for $10

Tekton spanners lower jaw and upper jar are the exact same size. Compared to my older Craftsman spanners that have a slightly thinner/ angled lower jar. What I found was my Tekton didn't have a good slip in angle for working in tight spaces. So I've found myself using my Craftsman more than my Tekton when working on cars.

Plus there is just something I personally like about raised panel wrenches. Craftsman, SK, whatever the brand. I just like using them better and I can't explain why. But like I said, the killer for me was mostly the slip in angle cause that Tekton lower jaw is just too fat for my liking.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Tekton spanners lower jaw and upper jar are the exact same size. Compared to my older Craftsman spanners that have a slightly thinner/ angled lower jar. What I found was my Tekton didn't have a good slip in angle for working in tight spaces. So I've found myself using my Craftsman more than my Tekton when working on cars.

Plus there is just something I personally like about raised panel wrenches. Craftsman, SK, whatever the brand. I just like using them better and I can't explain why. But like I said, the killer for me was mostly the slip in angle cause that Tekton lower jaw is just too fat for my liking

Interesting, I'll have to check them out side-by-side. Thanks for the insight!

Funny, I too have a soft spot for the Craftsman RPs. In fact, the Tekton 19mm was to tide me over
until I found a reasonable replacement C-man to re-complete my set that I've used forever.

 

[Hakeem]

So envious. I think it’s really cool that the tool companies are coming to you. Especially Tekton. Was there anything that surprised you? I haven’t held all these tools in my grubby hands. Sometimes I’m surprised by stuff. Any reactions to share?

And is Snap On offering you the student discounts?

Well, I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings from Tekton. The angle wrenches seem like a good thing to have. I’m glad to see theyre innovating and upgrading their products, and that more and more of their products are made in US.

There wasn’t a whole lot of product out on display. I think this initial tool day was just to get us all signed up for the student discounts (and yes, I am the beneficiary of a ~50% discount with both Snapon and Matco). I did make sure to handle some of the deadblow hammers to feel the vaunted handle design you have often raved about, and yes it is pretty sweet.

The standout items for me were the 12” 1/4 ratchets from Matco and these odd actuator ratchet wrenches from Snapon. The Matco ratchets were so slim and delicate looking, it’s hard to believe that they can withstand the forces that they regularly see. The actuator wrenches were just so bizarre looking, like this:


But with a ratchet wrench end on it. You can slide it in a thin crevice and quickly ratchet off fasteners with it by moving the stick end in and out. Can’t say I have a need for it but a super cool design regardless.

As tempting as it is to “invest” a bunch of money in tools, I want to hold off until I find a job in the field this summer and I get a better sense of what I’ll need. That said, I am saving up for:

-41” split top snapon cart
-Snapon torqueangle electronic torque wrenches
-Snapon flare nut wrenches

On a side note, we were learning how to use a torque wrench the other day and i had to think of you when I saw some of the other students clicking the wrench 3-4 times. “Just to make sure,” they said…..

 

[Outlier]

That actuator ratchet wrench is a Lisle tool. I never got the chance to try it out and use it as the car I had was rear-ended and totaled.

Lisle Actuator Motor Wrench Set (64100)

Lisle Actuator Motor Wrench Set is a specialized tool designed to remove and replace fasteners on small electric HVAC motors, commonly found in confined areas under the vehicle dash. Buy today!

www.jbtools.com

 

[seber]

Tekton spanners lower jaw and upper jar are the exact same size. Compared to my older Craftsman spanners that have a slightly thinner/ angled lower jar. What I found was my Tekton didn't have a good slip in angle for working in tight spaces. So I've found myself using my Craftsman more than my Tekton when working on cars.

Plus there is just something I personally like about raised panel wrenches. Craftsman, SK, whatever the brand. I just like using them better and I can't explain why. But like I said, the killer for me was mostly the slip in angle cause that Tekton lower jaw is just too fat for my liking.

I'm trying to figure out what kind wrench you are talking about. When I google spanner I get a dozen different types of wrenches. I know the British use that term for open end wrenches but If I use that definition, then your complaint makes no sense.

 

[AEAdam]

Well, I was pleasantly surprised by the offerings from Tekton. The angle wrenches seem like a good thing to have. I’m glad to see theyre innovating and upgrading their products, and that more and more of their products are made in US.

There wasn’t a whole lot of product out on display. I think this initial tool day was just to get us all signed up for the student discounts (and yes, I am the beneficiary of a ~50% discount with both Snapon and Matco). I did make sure to handle some of the deadblow hammers to feel the vaunted handle design you have often raved about, and yes it is pretty sweet.

Yeah those hammers are amazingly attractive at 50% off. I bought mine for around that on some special. Do over? I’d start with 32oz soft face and ball peen. The smaller ones are now with my mill.

The standout items for me were the 12” 1/4 ratchets from Matco and these odd actuator ratchet wrenches from Snapon. The Matco ratchets were so slim and delicate looking, it’s hard to believe that they can withstand the forces that they regularly see. The actuator wrenches were just so bizarre looking, like this:



But with a ratchet wrench end on it. You can slide it in a thin crevice and quickly ratchet off fasteners with it by moving the stick end in and out. Can’t say I have a need for it but a super cool design regardless.

As tempting as it is to “invest” a bunch of money in tools, I want to hold off until I find a job in the field this summer and I get a better sense of what I’ll need. That said, I am saving up for:

-41” split top snapon cart
-Snapon torqueangle electronic torque wrenches
-Snapon flare nut wrenches

Good list. Split top boxes are a marmite thing. (Is that a common expression?)

On a side note, we were learning how to use a torque wrench the other day and i had to think of you when I saw some of the other students clicking the wrench 3-4 times. “Just to make sure,” they said…..

What did the teacher say about it? Was he or she aware of the issue?

 

[Jeeper99]

That's cool they have broken into the student discount/ trade school game. They give you a much better bang for the buck than sanpon when starting out. The tekton stuff has become pretty popular at the mine I work at. It's good enough, cheap enough, and warranty doesn't require wasting time outside of the work day besides sending a quick e-mail. If I was just starting out I would fill my box with Tekton and slowly upgrade with better quality stuff as a felt the need brining my Tekton stuff to grow my collection at home.

 

[nicks78camaro]

New snap ring pliers (with more sizes to come)

7 Inch Retaining Ring Pliers Set with Roll (0.070 in. Tips) | TEKTON

4-piece set includes straight and 90-degree retaining ring (snap ring/circlip pliers) in internal and external ring styles with roll. 0.070 inch tips. PRR91005.

www.tekton.com

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

New snap ring pliers (with more sizes to come)

7 Inch Retaining Ring Pliers Set with Roll (0.070 in. Tips) | TEKTON

4-piece set includes straight and 90-degree retaining ring (snap ring/circlip pliers) in internal and external ring styles with roll. 0.070 inch tips. PRR91005.

www.tekton.com

Cool design!

 

[AJHD]

Reminds me of the Knipex design.

 

[KnurledNut]

My thoughts on the snap ring pliers from a previous thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tekton-news-to-me.542358/#post-11023749