Surprise at Lowes

[MoparTrucks]

I had to get some electrical supplies for a project at the Fire Station and took a stroll through the tool aisles and discovered they are now selling the following -

Channel Locks
Gedore
Sunnex
KD Tools
Teckton (including some decently priced torque wrenches)
Stanley
Bostitch (the cold chisels caught my eye in particular)
K-Tool
Irwin
Crescent (nice 12" black phosphate adjustable wrenches for $24 or so)
Bluehawk
Morris Products (never heard of them but their pliers looked pretty nice)
Work Pro
Torrin (tool box organizers)

I new about the Channel Locks, Torrin and Irwin but they seem to really be expanding their hand tool lines beyond Kobalt and the over all selection was greatly increased at my local store.

You guys may already know about this but it surprised me so I thought I would pass it on. I was looking for some metric crowsfeet line wrenches and found the Sunnex in SAE but the metric are coming and I'm picking up a set when they get to the store next week.

 

[dede2897234]

MoparTrucks,

Which mechanic's hand tools did your local Lowes stock from Gedore?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[Strouty]

I am torn, because I feel the "big box" stores are the decline of good products. They have to meet a certain demand, no matter what and there is a definite quality decrease to meet that demand.

 

[dede2897234]

I am torn, because I feel the "big box" stores are the decline of good products. They have to meet a certain demand, no matter what and there is a definite quality decrease to meet that demand.

Strouty,

I am in total agreement with you. When I view the pictures that "Monty" and "Superautobacs" post of the big box stores in Germany and Japan of the quality and amount of hand and power tools that nearly don't exist in the U.S., it is a damn shame. If you want to check out those overseas tool stores, check out the Tools from the old world and Tools of Japan threads.


WARNING: As a fellow tool fanatic, if you know your tool brands, when you view these tool store pictures, they're guaranteed to take your breath away and make your heart race!


Dave

 

[Strouty]

Strouty,

I am in total agreement with you. When I view the pictures that "Monty" and "Superautobacs" post of the big box stores in Germany and Japan of the quality and amount of hand and power tools that nearly don't exist in the U.S., it is a damn shame. If you want to check out those overseas tool stores, check out the Tools from the old world and Tools of Japan threads.


Dave

Thanks for the links Dave. I just wish people didn't want everything so cheap and disposable. I like to buy things that will last forever. I figure if I take care of them, in some cases they appreciate in value and at a minimum they are always worth something.

 

[MoparTrucks]

MoparTrucks,

Which mechanic's hand tools did your local Lowes stock from Gedore?


Thanks,

Dave

I didnt see them all Dave but I saw screw drivers, socket sets, pliers, wrenches of all kinds, hex and torx sets and I think I remember some specialty tools but I wasn't really looking at those so not sure. The wrenches were really nice but out of my price range.

 

[MoparTrucks]

I am torn, because I feel the "big box" stores are the decline of good products. They have to meet a certain demand, no matter what and there is a definite quality decrease to meet that demand.

I agree to a certain extent Strouty but at the same time for guys who are not pros or who are on a budget the intro of these nicer tools at the BBSs may be their first exposure higher end tools and it can lead to a desire for more quality.

I am not really interested in tool truck brands unless I find them used but the various quality of tools now at Lowes really makes some of the differences stand out and I am slowly replacing some of my lesser quality stuff with higher end tools.

 

[dede2897234]

I didnt see them all Dave but I saw screw drivers, socket sets, pliers, wrenches of all kinds, hex and torx sets and I think I remember some specialty tools but I wasn't really looking at those so not sure. The wrenches were really nice but out of my price range.

MoparTrucks,

It's cool that Gedore hand tools are available at your local Lowe's. At my Lowe's, Gedore and Sunex hand tools are not stocked on the shelves. However, you can purchase your desired hand tool(s) on Lowes.com and have it delivered for free to your local Lowe's for pickup.


Dave