The Klein Tool addiction thread! :)

[KnurledNut]

Which Linesman is your favorite of the Linesmen?

Come on man, this is a Klein thread! At the sake of not getting flamed, KLEIN!
(Knipex)

 

[LXCam]

Just a friendly PSA

I’ve bought 4 of these POS’s over the last 6 months for a grand total of 6 over the last year+. Every damn one of them the switch has taken a dump working intermittently. The first two had plenty of falls so I’ll blame myself, that’s not the case with the most recent units.

The next time the Klein dude is at my wholesaler we’re going to have a discussion n show & tell.

 

[boom_bap]

The glow in the dark linesman are the bomb

 

[oldpliers1]

Which Linesman is your favorite of the Linesmen?

Klein j12098 and ins 12098 , followed by the 9 inch Klein with 89 grip

 

[ive]

Anyone have any personal exp with the 24” adjustable Klein wrench?

 

[decableguy2000]

Anyone have any personal exp with the 24” adjustable Klein wrench?

Can't help with a 24", but can vouch for the 4"- 18" USA made Kleins. Use them every day. The newer ones are made in Spain by Irega.

 

[ive]

Can't help with a 24", but can vouch for the 4"- 18" USA made Kleins. Use them every day. The newer ones are made in Spain by Irega.

Hi,

I read the are Irega. If I go this way I’ll let everyone know.

 

[decableguy2000]

Hi,

I read the are Irega. If I go this way I’ll let everyone know.

Not the orange handled ones at Lowes, IRRC. I do have a Ridgid 24" by Irega no complaints. So I guess I could vouch for the 24" Klein maybe.

 

[BrandonV]

Not the orange handled ones at Lowes, IRRC. I do have a Ridgid 24" by Irega no complaints. So I guess I could vouch for the 24" Klein maybe.

Yup. The orange handled Klein adjustable wrenches appear to be made in South Korea.

 

[Ton ton]

Had no idea this thread existed, then again no surprise here on GJ.

I don't have very many Klein tools..... just got this yesterday for work.


I have these in my hand carry tool box dedicated for electrical (automotive).


Filled in the bare backside with white paint.



And did the same today to my new GITD strippers.


Bought one of these receptacle testers one day at HD on a whim.


Then not long after I bought one of these breaker tracer things cause I sorta needed it. Then I happened to find this 3rd party case that conveniently fits them all.


Multi screwdriver that I use around the house. Replaced the torx with "ecx" bits.


At the bottom right are philips & flat stubbies that I really liked for some reason & had to have em. The big one is a flat head that I found in the middle of the street. When I saw it I made u-turn to go get it. Only tool I have ever found on the road worth stopping for.

Thank you for the wire stripper recommendation.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Yup. The orange handled Klein adjustable wrenches appear to be made in South Korea.

They are not that impressive to me. The movable jaw seems to have a lot of play. The Irega-made wrenches are superior, IMO.

 

[BrandonV]

They are not that impressive to me. The movable jaw seems to have a lot of play. The Irega-made wrenches are superior, IMO.

For sure. Klein has been very disappointing recently. They keep introducing cheaper and cheaper versions of existing tools. Not sure if they're targeting the Lowes crowd with these offerings or if it will find a path into the mainline professional distribution channels.

 

[Bubba Fett]

That's been my biggest fear with the Lowe's agreement. Generally, retailers want the tools to be sold at a certain price, and tool companies can't always offer it at that price and still make a profit. Pliers finished in Mexico, USA made (or assembled) screwdrivers replaced with Taiwan-made drivers, etc. I'm sure other reasons are at play: I've long suspected Best Way made the handles for the 5/10/11-in-1 drivers, but they got bought out by Mayhew. No doubt cost is a factor in some form. The Irega-made wrenches are expensive compared to most other brands on nearby pegs.

Plus with the Lowe's agreement, Klein seems to be aiming to be an "everything" brand and not just an Electrical/Telecom/HVAC brand. Maybe they are just offering a bunch of new stuff to see what sticks. I have been impressed with their modular toolkits though.

 

[onetonbb74]

Grabbed some Klein stuff at Lowes...

 

[jeffmoss26]

Finally got the 167th anniversary pliers!

 

[oldpliers1]

Finally got the 167th anniversary pliers!

What price do the various anniversary pliers fetch

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I dont own many Klein tools but whenever I see the logo of the little linesman on the pole, it makes me smile. I think that's my favorite tool company logo.

 

[jeffmoss26]

What price do the various anniversary pliers fetch

These cost 45 bucks, over the years some of the more rare pliers can go for 4-500 bucks

 

[four.cycle]

There are a number of threads on this website started by members asking "Who made this Klein ratchet?" or "Who made these Klein sockets?"
If any of you out there OWN any Klein CHROME sockets or ratchets, would you mind posting a photo or two showing the markings on the tools?

There is something of a "theory" that they were outsourcing from XXXXX but thus far there really hasn't been any sort of definitive evidence provided that might lead to at least a reasonable guess as to who was actually the OEM manufacturer.

NOT interested or concerned with later-production laser-engraved impact sockets - only interested in chrome.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I was able to order these from CES (City Electric Supply) they showed up in 2 days! We don’t have any branches here but their website works great.

 

[oldpliers1]

I was able to order these from CES (City Electric Supply) they showed up in 2 days! We don’t have any branches here but their website works great.

I bought the yellow handle Klein openers for gifts ( everybody loves them ) a nice item like a coke wall Mount opener Cheers!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Found at the pawn shop today, $1

 

[ChevyEFI]

I was able to order these from CES (City Electric Supply) they showed up in 2 days! We don’t have any branches here but their website works great.

That branding is very cool.

 

[oldpliers1]

Hi these arrived today $30 usd delivered I have not seen this pattern in the head. is it a limited design, Jeff what’s your opinion regards from the deepest south.

 

[jeffmoss26]

they have been laser etching the American flag on all of the linesman pliers for the past year or so.

 

[oldpliers1]

they have been laser etching the American flag on all of the linesman pliers for the past year or so.

Thanks Jeff the first pair I have seen with the etching like that. It is a nice touch it’s a product worthy of displaying its country of origin .regards A

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone have a KNECT pass through socket set? What size is the hex on the ratchet drive?

 

[600ejones]

Klein Knect M system 65400 has a 16mm drive. Knect S system 65300 has a 13mm drive.

 

[MR.X]

So this isn't a Klein but I thought I might get some old Lineman on here to maybe ID the use. So the platform is an old 40s era 3/4" ratchet. It has a fixed socket with an odd opening. It's about 3/4" but the cut off corners would not allow a perfectly square fitting to enter. It's marked PGE so I figured that's maybe the local Portland General Electric or possibly Pacific Gas & Electric. Did there used to be some need for a tool like this where it was used often enough to warrant a ratchet with a fixed "socket"? Thanks.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I bought a Klein 8" adjustable wrench. Although I had stated that I initially wasn't all that impressed, I decided to get one because it was on sale, and I only have about a dozen adjustable wrenches, so I figured why not.

I dig it. It's comfortable, well machined, and the adjustment is super-smooth and fast. Might be my favorite one now.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Couple new acquisitions

 

[Meursault74]

Couple new acquisitions

"Electricians Scissors with striping notches"

That sounds like an exotic dancing maneuver on a modified pole. Where's @PelicanPines for a ruling

 

[Ton ton]

"Electricians Scissors with striping notches"

That sounds like an exotic dancing maneuver on a modified pole. Where's @PelicanPines for a ruling

All joking aside, how well do these scissors work?

 

[oldpliers1]

All joking aside, how well do these scissors?

I had the same thought , and the application they were designed for, I carry scissors in my kit for cutting heat shrink. And wire strippers. I have admired the Klein scissor, are the notches for fibre optic work? Regards

 

[jeffmoss26]

they are a mainstay in low voltage work, I probably have a dozen pairs. They are great for stripping the jacket on cat 5e/cat 6 cable but also cut the cable itself with ease!

 

[oldpliers1]

they are a mainstay in low voltage work, I probably have a dozen pairs. They are great for stripping the jacket on cat 5e/cat 6 cable but also cut the cable itself with ease!

I do cat 5 and 6 , I carry my lindstroms and a ringing tool ,my 7 inch Kleins and punch down. I have never physically seen the scissors, But if you rate them that’s a good recommendation cheers .

 

[Ton ton]

they are a mainstay in low voltage work, I probably have a dozen pairs. They are great for stripping the jacket on cat 5e/cat 6 cable but also cut the cable itself with ease!

Thank you!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein CES linesman pliers I got this past week, along with a pair of diagonal cutters.

 

[oldpliers1]

Klein CES linesman pliers I got this past week, along with a pair of diagonal cutters.

They look good

 

[mooman]

Where did you score the Red, White and Blue ones? My son would love those!