I just bought these today. Really enjoyed using them and being able to use other manufacturers bits that I had.
The Klein Tool addiction thread! :)
- Thread starter Dennis Leigh Henry
- Start date
I just bought these today. Really enjoyed using them and being able to use other manufacturers bits that I had.
NoahG
Well-known member
redwrench60
Well-known member
Those must me brand damn new I haven’t seen those. Those look interesting. Let us know how they do once you get some mileage on them.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Recently I’ve picked up a couple smaller type Klein leather pouches for basic repairs and projects on the move. I really like the older Klein leather pouches but these new ones are pretty nice for the money.
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Dibiase77
Well-known member
Does Klein have a patent on that green with black grip style of screwdriver? Reason I ask is I have some laying around that don't have any markings on the rubber grip. Doesn't even look like there was printing on the handle.
Thanks in advance.
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Thanks in advance.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
Many different companies made copies and look alike tools, some of good quality and some not. Klein used to print in yellow on their drivers but switched to rubber over mold writing a few years ago.
Dibiase77
Well-known member
Thank you. I know some of the screwdrivers have patent numbers on the top of the handles and others do not. I know Stanley has a semi knockoff with the yellowish green handle and red rubber grip. Kind of figured there were knockoffs out there but wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming. I appreciate it.
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
OOH those new crimpers are cool! I have noticed that some items show up at HD first and then on Klein's site a month or so later.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
I like the insulated die being outboard but I'm not a fan of any working part of a tool inside the hinge. The big die of my go-to T&B 111 crimpers is 1/4" wide and the same on my Klein 1006 is 3/16" wide. How wide are these?
redwrench60
Well-known member
Graham7707
Member
Picked up a pair of old kleins at a garage sale today. Never seen chrome ones like this. Pretty cool 
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OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Just caught up on the thread. Lots of good discussions. Never installed the grips, but have considered it. The forged crimpers are neat but I dont need that level of "goodness' but again... the new tool itch is kicking in..... the grippers are really neat esp the hook holes. I'm amazed at the broad spectrum of tool pouches they have. I've run into screwdrivers that havent had markings on them but make me feel "these are Kleins"... too. Not founded in reality I suspect. The chrome linemens are cool.. and at yardsale prices.... Whow!
Good stuff..
Good stuff..
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Just picked up this beauty today, my wife found it at an estate sale we were at in the kitchen tool drawer...
Needle nose with flat tip / duck bill w/ smooth on inside. HI3290-7
Logo looks like a lineman with a beer belly, lol...
Date code is 1 sideways followed by ALNP
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Needle nose with flat tip / duck bill w/ smooth on inside. HI3290-7
Logo looks like a lineman with a beer belly, lol...
Date code is 1 sideways followed by ALNP
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Picked up their latest forged combo tool tonight at the HD. I like the new grips design, hope that transfers to the rest of the line.
Those are great for making up residential boxes.
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redwrench60
Well-known member
He’s gonna miss those. I’m not giving mine up. Too good for fine detail work and poking small wires around in a crowded box or terminal board.
davethorik
Well-known member
Hey red. I know you said the yellow printed Klein rubber grips are older. But here is a blurry picture of my 650DD, you can still see the yellow printing. I bought this...probably within past 2 years. (It says made in USA on the black grip nearest the blade). I was under the impression it was a newer design.
I've noticed inconsistencies in their grips before. Idk if they contract out that to injection mold shops or do it in-house. Or have different suppliers that mark them differently. Or like the last Klein screwdriver I bought, the tag says made in USA and it says that nowhere on the tool which I wasn't happy about.
I think my 2000 series h.d. rebar tying pliers (D2000-9ST) are my #1 fav Klein tool, followed by 2000 series ironworker-style pliers (D2000-7CST), and then this 650DD demo scratch awl. Lol.
Of course then would be their needle nose. I love Klein needle nose. I have an older 6" bent nose w/o cutter and they are bare polished steel and do not rust. I have newer 7" & 8" with cutters that are very much different pliers (the difference an inch makes!) but both good pliers. A head above Channellock needle nose.
I've noticed inconsistencies in their grips before. Idk if they contract out that to injection mold shops or do it in-house. Or have different suppliers that mark them differently. Or like the last Klein screwdriver I bought, the tag says made in USA and it says that nowhere on the tool which I wasn't happy about.
I think my 2000 series h.d. rebar tying pliers (D2000-9ST) are my #1 fav Klein tool, followed by 2000 series ironworker-style pliers (D2000-7CST), and then this 650DD demo scratch awl. Lol.
Of course then would be their needle nose. I love Klein needle nose. I have an older 6" bent nose w/o cutter and they are bare polished steel and do not rust. I have newer 7" & 8" with cutters that are very much different pliers (the difference an inch makes!) but both good pliers. A head above Channellock needle nose.
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davethorik
Well-known member
jimmyin3D
Banned
I love the Klein grip it? Rubber strap wrench thing. It’s super light and grabs tiiighhttt. What’s the part number on the greenish smaller needle nose pliers you have there. I have a similar pair in yellow that I’ve had forever.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Those 2000 series rodbuster pliers are a beast! I’ve got several pairs scattered around for the ugly work. Love the demolition driver series. I have both flat tip DD sizes at work and home. I’d like to end up with that awl at some point.
I’m not sure when Klein began phasing out the printed yellow handles but it seems little by little they’ve been doing it across all the different lines of driver handles. You can still occasionally find a yellow print handle amongst items that move stock at a slower rate but I’ve seen the change move throughout the whole line over several years. Started with the common drivers and moved to the specialty ones. Any time I hit my favorite electrical supply house I browse their extensive Klein display and I’ve seen the new driver handles slowly take over the pegs. I think it’s just taken a while to deplete all the older yellow print stock but the last demo driver I bought was a month ago and it has the new handle while the Klein bottle cap tool I just bought from Amazon has the old printed handle even though the picture on Kleins site shows the new handle.
I think the new handle may actually be an improvement. It seems to fit tighter and have deeper grooves for better grip not to mention the old yellow letters rubbed off pretty quickly on the old ones. I haven’t seen any that don’t say made in the USA on them around the rubber collar near the base of the metal shank. I’ll get some current pics tomorrow from the shop.
davethorik
Well-known member
Greenish?
I like the strap wrench but it's usually too big. Last time I recall using it was to hump around some 2" pipe. They offer a smaller size, I think it would be handier.
davethorik
Well-known member
Here's a closeup of the grips.
Top right is the big flathead screwdriver. It said made in USA on the hang tag, but not anywhere on this grip or the tool I can see. The front band of the grip is blank. I ordered online from HD w/ free ship to local store.
Next is the Switch Drive (hex impact chuck handle) says MADE IN USA in the front band of the grip.
HD issue 11 in 1 "made in USA of us and foreign components". I think proof Klein catered a cheaper product specifically for HD. I have one, I forget what part isn't USA made. But online the all USA version is only slightly more expensive. On the front band it says US PAT and 2 patent #s.
650DD demo scratch awl. Yellow letters, MADE IN USA on band.
Left side is the 4 pc mini screwdriver set. They all say MADE IN USA on the band.
Top right is the big flathead screwdriver. It said made in USA on the hang tag, but not anywhere on this grip or the tool I can see. The front band of the grip is blank. I ordered online from HD w/ free ship to local store.
Next is the Switch Drive (hex impact chuck handle) says MADE IN USA in the front band of the grip.
HD issue 11 in 1 "made in USA of us and foreign components". I think proof Klein catered a cheaper product specifically for HD. I have one, I forget what part isn't USA made. But online the all USA version is only slightly more expensive. On the front band it says US PAT and 2 patent #s.
650DD demo scratch awl. Yellow letters, MADE IN USA on band.
Left side is the 4 pc mini screwdriver set. They all say MADE IN USA on the band.
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DSLTRK
Well-known member
Picked up a pair of old kleins at a garage sale today. Never seen chrome ones like this. Pretty cool
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Now THAT is an OLD Klein Tool
redwrench60
Well-known member
Yeah come to think of it all my 5-in-1 and 11-in-1 drivers don’t have made in USA on the front grip band I assume due to the made in USA with global components disclaimer.
Here’s a 6024DD demo driver I purchased as a spare a month ago at the supply house. It has the new grip and I selected it even though there were a couple of the old style yellow letter grips on the peg but they had looser rubber overmolded grips which kind of bugs me. Upon close inspection though low and behold no USA on the front band even though I know the package said made in USA. No mention of global materials. Fit and finish is flawless but I wish they’d put the USA back on the band. They may just get an email from me.
Also pictured is the bottle opener I just got off Amazon because of the bottle opener thread lol. Pic on Amazon and Klein website show the new handle but I got the old handle shipped. There even is a few Amazon reviews complaining about the difference with reviewers wanting one or the other. I’m kind of indifferent but I want the USA on them for sure.
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OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Ditto for USA.. even if Klein.. made in China means "back on the store shelf" to me......
Graham7707
Member
How old do you think they are? They look like they could have been new from the store last week
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lincwelder225
Well-known member
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
lincwelder225
Well-known member
Thank you sir! Insulated Phillips and flathead, strap wrench, 11 in 1 screwdriver, linesman pliers and journeyman offset dikes.
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Son gave me this from the pawn shop scrap bin... cleaned it up, sharpened and now back in service....
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
DSLTRK
Well-known member
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Are those the leather coasters? I like...
Yeah! I really like them.
AngryBeaver
Well-known member
OP
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
picked these two New styles up at home depot last week.
9" HD diagonal cutters are the size of linesmans, and the new forged Crimpers/stripers 2005 series
Those are beaut's...
kctyphoon
Banned
Yea those cutters are like $50.. they have “use me as a hammer” written all over them.
They basically are Klein’s lineman pliers with a diagonal cutter formed at the head.
They basically are Klein’s lineman pliers with a diagonal cutter formed at the head.
kctyphoon
Banned
I like those thin handled versions way better than others with a chunky wide grips. I’m surprised the tip isnt broken off yet with all that use.
picked these two New styles up at home depot last week.
9" HD diagonal cutters are the size of linesmans, and the new forged Crimpers/stripers 2005 series
I love the crumpets but I bought he cutters and hardly if ever use them. They are to big and heavy to carry them daily on me and most of the time I reach for my mini band saw when I need to cut something where they would come handy. Maybe one day I will find a good use for them.
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AngryBeaver
Well-known member
Not very enthused with the forged crimpers.
bought them because I had a job this week that would need a lot of control panel wiring and wouldn't be close to my service truck so wanted to minimize the tools I had to carry into a refinery... this one in tool would replace a pair of dykes, crimpers and strippers... sounds like a great idea.....
First time using them....VERY FIRST cut on 14gauge.....
The last two years the quality keeps going downhill. Klein won't warranty things they used to. I buy two pairs of cable shears a year at 45 bucks a pop.. My old ones would last 10+ years before getting slop in the pins to make fine strands fold over. I wish my service truck hadn't been broken into, because the ones they make now don't last 6 months. Now, a pair of 40 dollar crimpers won't even cut 14 gauge? This might be the straw that breaks the camels back and makes me switch everything over to Knipex.
And before anyone says just sharpen them... uhm no here's my 6 month old cutters compared to a brand new pair. yes they have service rust. they live on a service truck. but look at the cutting edges.... identical to the brand new ones.. as they should be, they don't get used a ton and aren't abused.
bought them because I had a job this week that would need a lot of control panel wiring and wouldn't be close to my service truck so wanted to minimize the tools I had to carry into a refinery... this one in tool would replace a pair of dykes, crimpers and strippers... sounds like a great idea.....
First time using them....VERY FIRST cut on 14gauge.....
The last two years the quality keeps going downhill. Klein won't warranty things they used to. I buy two pairs of cable shears a year at 45 bucks a pop.. My old ones would last 10+ years before getting slop in the pins to make fine strands fold over. I wish my service truck hadn't been broken into, because the ones they make now don't last 6 months. Now, a pair of 40 dollar crimpers won't even cut 14 gauge? This might be the straw that breaks the camels back and makes me switch everything over to Knipex.
And before anyone says just sharpen them... uhm no here's my 6 month old cutters compared to a brand new pair. yes they have service rust. they live on a service truck. but look at the cutting edges.... identical to the brand new ones.. as they should be, they don't get used a ton and aren't abused.
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Maybe try buying the Klein Tools from an electrical supply house. Maybe Klein sells their rejects to Home Depot.
I don't have any issues when I buy Klein Tools from the supply house.
I try not buying any tools from the box stores unless I'm in a bind or need to "modify" a tool as I believe the manufacturers that sell to the big box stores are extorted by them and make cheaper tools.
Billy T.
[email protected]
I don't have any issues when I buy Klein Tools from the supply house.
I try not buying any tools from the box stores unless I'm in a bind or need to "modify" a tool as I believe the manufacturers that sell to the big box stores are extorted by them and make cheaper tools.
Billy T.
[email protected]
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