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The Klein Tool addiction thread! :)

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four.cycle

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^ That's curious: Klein and AMP stamped on the same pair of wire strippers? They are two entirely separate businesses, aren't they?

Aircraft / Aircraft Marine Products (AMP), PO Box 3608, Harrisburg, PA (2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA) / est. 1941 / acquired by Tyco International 1999 name changed to TE Connectivity 2011 / patent 2668464 Feb 9 1954 Lemon B. Paules & 3157075 Nov 17 1964 George J. Filia / electrical tools crimpers / http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/amp-incorporated-history/ / https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/amp-inc / https://www.ydr.com/story/news/hist...igar-factory-into-electronics-plant/31772247/ / https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4t...t-1-The-History-of-AMPA-Timeline-of-Progress/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478805 / see also TE Connectivity /

Klein / Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, IL / https://www.kleintools.com/ / formerly Mathias Klein & Sons Inc., 7200 McCormick Rd, Skokie, Chicago, IL 60645 / est. 1857 / http://alloy-artifacts.org/klein-tools.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-klein-tool-addiction-thread.368079/ https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/m-klein-sons.406740/

:headscrat
 
L

LXCam

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jeffmoss26 said:
Is it too late for you to be my secret Santa lol
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/me makes note….make sure to find out what Jeff wants next year before placing an order 😂

What I did this year is get pricing on several different items from Klein and Milwaukee and gave the guys a budget of $300. That worked out really well for everyone. And I did a bit more for my sup’s with Milwaukee since I knew what they needed or wanted.
 
K

KnurledNut

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four.cycle said:
^ That's curious: Klein and AMP stamped on the same pair of wire strippers? They are two entirely separate businesses, aren't they?

Aircraft / Aircraft Marine Products (AMP), PO Box 3608, Harrisburg, PA (2100 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA) / est. 1941 / acquired by Tyco International 1999 name changed to TE Connectivity 2011 / patent 2668464 Feb 9 1954 Lemon B. Paules & 3157075 Nov 17 1964 George J. Filia / electrical tools crimpers / http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/amp-incorporated-history/ / https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/amp-inc / https://www.ydr.com/story/news/hist...igar-factory-into-electronics-plant/31772247/ / https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4t...t-1-The-History-of-AMPA-Timeline-of-Progress/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478805 / see also TE Connectivity /

Klein / Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, IL / https://www.kleintools.com/ / formerly Mathias Klein & Sons Inc., 7200 McCormick Rd, Skokie, Chicago, IL 60645 / est. 1857 / http://alloy-artifacts.org/klein-tools.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-klein-tool-addiction-thread.368079/ https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/m-klein-sons.406740/

:headscrat
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AMP rebranded for many other companies.
 
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LXCam

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I just got a chance to really check out the bench and see if that tool pouch bag fit - which it barely does.

One thing that I think is kinda cool is the two pockets are spring loaded. So they stay open or closed under pressure. Guess we’ll see how that works out.

IMG_6397.jpegIMG_6398.jpeg
 
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four.cycle

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^ The Sears kit is no surprise - Sears didn't make anything. It was just surprising to see AMP's name on a pair of Klein strippers.
I think I own that same set of strippers - branded "Klein". (Not sure where they are.)
 
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jeffmoss26

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Took advantage of a 15 percent off sale at the electrical supply house today (they also had breakfast). Also got some shots of a bunch of new Klein items!
 

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LXCam

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jeffmoss26 said:
Took advantage of a 15 percent off sale at the electrical supply house today (they also had breakfast). Also got some shots of a bunch of new Klein items!
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I’m forced into used graybar. Mind you, I’ve been a loyal graybar customer for over forty years until their corporate change last year. They no longer have anything out front at our hub location so impulse purchases don’t happen nor do they do manufacturer days like this.
 
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jeffmoss26

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LXCam said:
I’m forced into used graybar. Mind you, I’ve been a loyal graybar customer for over forty years until their corporate change last year. They no longer have anything out front at our hub location so impulse purchases don’t happen nor do they do manufacturer days like this.
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Yeah, they closed their counter here a few years ago. They always had a great display of stuff AND free popcorn.
 
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willf650

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Ok here's a word of warning. Don't buy these because they truly ****. When these are some of your main usage tools it doesn't take long to notice there is a difference.
IMG_1920.jpeg
I lost my a pair of channellocks about 28 years and bought a matching set of Klein pump pliers at the supply house. They are physically heavier than an equivalent pair of channellocks, the jaws don't open as wide and they are stiff in comparison.

They sucked so bad within 2 weeks of buying them I gave them to my retired father. At the time it was a fair chunk of change to me to just eat and have to replace two pairs of them for a second time.

My father passed away in 2012 and they have made their way back to me. I used a pair of them the other day in my septic tank because I didn't want to take a decent pair of pliers down there with me. They still **** and I hate to say it but both pairs are probably destined for the trash or possibly given away at work to someone.
 
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KnurledNut

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After some research, I decided to grab the tamperproof bit set in the mini mod box.
I was looking for a decent set of SAE/MM pin hex and pin torx to go in my insulated tool set for dedicated use with my ratcheting screwdriver. Impressed with initial cosmetic quality and hole centering. Well designed case and bit retention. VetoPP friendly. Made in Taiwan. Lots of minute details all the YouTube reviewers missed because they were in a competition to get their videos out first as usual. :rolleyes2

55006965558_357b97c79e_b.jpg
 
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BigSteve63

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just bought the CL45 HVAC tech meter and love it! Also bought the 50900R offset locknut wrench set - haven't tried yet, but have to be better than what I have.

Steve
 
S

sparky 1971

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willf650 said:
Ok here's a word of warning. Don't buy these because they truly ****. When these are some of your main usage tools it doesn't take long to notice there is a difference.
IMG_1920.jpeg
I lost my a pair of channellocks about 28 years and bought a matching set of Klein pump pliers at the supply house. They are physically heavier than an equivalent pair of channellocks, the jaws don't open as wide and they are stiff in comparison.

They sucked so bad within 2 weeks of buying them I gave them to my retired father. At the time it was a fair chunk of change to me to just eat and have to replace two pairs of them for a second time.

My father passed away in 2012 and they have made their way back to me. I used a pair of them the other day in my septic tank because I didn't want to take a decent pair of pliers down there with me. They still **** and I hate to say it but both pairs are probably destined for the trash or possibly given away at work to someone.
Click to expand...
As far as I'm concerned, those are the worst tool to ever carry the Klein name. The first contractor I worked for provided the newbies with a basic set of tools that included two sets of those. On the way home after my first day, I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought two pairs of Channellock's.
 
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redwrench60

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sparky 1971 said:
As far as I'm concerned, those are the worst tool to ever carry the Klein name. The first contractor I worked for provided the newbies with a basic set of tools that included two sets of those. On the way home after my first day, I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought two pairs of Channellock's.
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The one thing the Klein “Channellocks” have going for them is the thin jaw width. They can get on thin fittings and grab things in tighter areas that the fatter jaw modern Channellocks have a harder time with.

Channellocks used to have similar thin jaws but got thicker several years ago about the time they got the laser etching and hot rivet in place of the bolt and nut.

But otherwise, I agree with you both. They’re not my favorite either.
 
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sparky 1971

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redwrench60 said:
The one thing the Klein “Channellocks” have going for them is the thin jaw width. They can get on thin fittings and grab things in tighter areas that the fatter jaw modern Channellocks have a harder time with.
Click to expand...
I don't know about now, but 31+ years ago when I had Klein pump pliers for a day, they were thicker than the 430's I replaced them with. They may have lost some weight that Channellock has found since then.
redwrench60 said:
Channellocks used to have similar thin jaws but got thicker several years ago about the time they got the laser etching and hot rivet in place of the bolt and nut.
Click to expand...
I replaced the 430's with 420's for everyday carry, the 420's were both thin and have the rivet (there is a photo of one of those below). This would have been around 1995. Somewhere along the line they got fat but it was some time after the rivet was put in place; I can't say that I've ever held a pair of bolt and nut Channies, but it's very possible. I bought another pair of 420's about 2005ish to replace a pair that got dropped down a chase wall and was disappointed in how thick they had become.
redwrench60 said:
But otherwise, I agree with you both. They’re not my favorite either.
Click to expand...
I'm also going to add that I have a pair of ancient Klein pliers that could very easily be a rebranded pair of Channellock 420's. Those have a bolt and nut. In fact, for the longest time, I though they were 420's. Then one day I was doing something with them in my basement and had to put my glasses on to see WTF I was doing, which led me to be able to read the writing on the pliers.
 

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redwrench60

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sparky 1971 said:
I don't know about now, but 31+ years ago when I had Klein pump pliers for a day, they were thicker than the 430's I replaced them with. They may have lost some weight that Channellock has found since then.

I replaced the 430's with 420's for everyday carry, the 420's were both thin and have the rivet (there is a photo of one of those below). This would have been around 1995. Somewhere along the line they got fat but it was some time after the rivet was put in place; I can't say that I've ever held a pair of bolt and nut Channies, but it's very possible. I bought another pair of 420's about 2005ish to replace a pair that got dropped down a chase wall and was disappointed in how thick they had become.

I'm also going to add that I have a pair of ancient Klein pliers that could very easily be a rebranded pair of Channellock 420's. Those have a bolt and nut. In fact, for the longest time, I though they were 420's. Then one day I was doing something with them in my basement and had to put my glasses on to see WTF I was doing, which led me to be able to read the writing on the pliers.
Click to expand...
I swear, Klein keeps making them things just to keep a complete catalog of pliers. Unless you start talking about the fancy offerings from all the Germanic plier tribes it’s pretty hard to beat a plain old pair of Channellock 440’s or 430’s if your pouch is getting heavy. I do prefer the thinner jaw width of the old ones though. Just me being picky.
 
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willf650

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redwrench60 said:
I swear, Klein keeps making them things just to keep a complete catalog of pliers. Unless you start talking about the fancy offerings from all the Germanic plier tribes it’s pretty hard to beat a plain old pair of Channellock 440’s or 430’s if your pouch is getting heavy. I do prefer the thinner jaw width of the old ones though. Just me being picky.
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I looked at a Klein catalog that was posted online from the 60s. I honestly think their pliers inventory has shrunk in comparison to back then.

As far as rebranding German pliers Klein did that for a bit and in typical fashion for them now a days they swapped their vendor to China.

I thought I had a set of Channellock 420s of recent production but can't find them to compare to the Kleins. Now you're gonna make me run and pick up a combo pack to compare.


Here are 420s with a bolt, Kleins and a set of 440s with a rivet but they aren't laser etched. They’re still roll stamped.
IMG_1933.jpeg


Here are the Kleins compared to the older 420s. The Kleins are thicker and way more ungainly to handle.

IMG_1935.jpeg


Here are the Kleins compared to the 440s. The jaws are same thickness but the 440s are a way larger plier than the Kleins.
IMG_1934.jpeg


I have some sets of Channellocks some where from my father that are old. They predate plastic dipped handles and may also predate the “Channellock” name.

Shoot, the 420s pictured above are probably 50 years old and were my fathers. I notice their classic blue handles are a different shade than current production.

I'm still of the opinion Klein Pump pliers are horrible.
 
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D

decableguy2000

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Nov 4, 2012
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Klein pump pliers ****, especially smaller ones. 10 and 12 are just okay, Channellock s are better. I thrown more than out into the right of way. Never had issues with other Kleins.
 
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JerseyBoatBuilder

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LXCam said:
A little Klein **** for @jeffmoss26 😉

Most of this is Christmas presents for the guys. A couple things for me and the large carts for general company purposes.

IMG_6373.jpegIMG_6372.jpegIMG_6371.jpegIMG_6374.jpegIMG_6375.jpegIMG_6379.jpeg
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I have 3 of those coolers no other Modbox stuff but I really like the coolers. They are going to be discontinued which is why Lowes is blasting them out at $49.99 instead of $79.99
 
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