I just recieved a set of Cornwell pliers I ordered last week. And honestly they look like they could have come from Harbor Freight, made in China too. Any tools you got off the tool truck and thought "no way would I put my name on something like this and charge these prices with a straight face"? Looking for premium priced junk and the alternatives you got in their place. As example I am replacing my Snap On THLX72 with a Carlyle R14LFQR. I don't want this thread to turn into a tool truck brands are over priced just curious.
Tool truck tools that are terrible
- Thread starter Zewnten
- Start date
If those gray Snap On vise grips are anything like mine, they're rebranded Grip Ons made in Spain and some of the best around, even if the name wears off.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Some of the tool truck brands tools aren't what this used to be or as good. Don't get me wrong, a good tool truck dealer is worth their weight in gold, and you often can't beat the selection and service.
However, pliers are one area where many of the trucks aside from Snap on have tried to cut corners and boost the bottom line. Back in the day, the pliers were mostly US made aside from the German made Knipex rebadged pairs. Even the long nose pliers were US made by Kal. Alot of the basic pliers versions were channellock rebrands with red, orange, or green grips but, they were still a quality product.
Recently like within the last 10 years or so, some of the Tool Trucks (Cornwell, MATCO, and some MAC) have featured specials on sets with 10 pairs of pliers in a nylon bag for $99. In some of these sets, the black tool bag was the best part.
Some of the pliers are just pitifully finished and can probably make stanley fat max look good 
I think when you started seeing the 10 pairs for $99 specials is when a corporate bean counter said, we can sell chinese made pliers and make a killing. It's been downhill ever since. There are still great tools coming off most tool trucks but, you just have to look closely at each tool and not go by brand alone.
You know, those Wilde made Tekton pliers look pretty good now
However, pliers are one area where many of the trucks aside from Snap on have tried to cut corners and boost the bottom line. Back in the day, the pliers were mostly US made aside from the German made Knipex rebadged pairs. Even the long nose pliers were US made by Kal. Alot of the basic pliers versions were channellock rebrands with red, orange, or green grips but, they were still a quality product.
Recently like within the last 10 years or so, some of the Tool Trucks (Cornwell, MATCO, and some MAC) have featured specials on sets with 10 pairs of pliers in a nylon bag for $99. In some of these sets, the black tool bag was the best part.
Some of the pliers are just pitifully finished and can probably make stanley fat max look good I think when you started seeing the 10 pairs for $99 specials is when a corporate bean counter said, we can sell chinese made pliers and make a killing. It's been downhill ever since. There are still great tools coming off most tool trucks but, you just have to look closely at each tool and not go by brand alone.You know, those Wilde made Tekton pliers look pretty good now
davethorik
Well-known member
I used to work with a guy who had Matco 6" digital calipers and they were HF units with the Matco name on them, and the Matco price tag. They did not even try to re-style them, they were identical.
Ign
Well-known member
^^yeah, I wouldn’t buy anything “machinist-related” off a tool truck.
lbhsbz
Well-known member
the red handled ones? I had a set, they are fairly horrible...like what I'd expect from the dollar store. They went in the trash.
HanShotFirst
Well-known member
But when he sees the price of US made Starrett or Brown & Sharpe...that will certainly get his attention. But, buy once, cry once.
FWIW, I think Mitutoyo dial calipers are world class, and the Japanese made one's are quite reasonably priced.
Regarding the HF calipers and micrometers. They are WAY better than they have any right to be. I have checked both against gauges and they matched my Starrett stuff. Actually the HF digital 1" micrometer was just a smidge more accurate than my Starrett. If I were still machining at a shop, I would take my Starrett stuff home and just use the HF stuff because it's very good. (and I don't have to worry about anyone stealing HF equipment).
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Wondering about some of the tool trucks roaming the country.. Especially the ones that say potato chips on one side; and tools on the other.. For a respectable tool company to be pedaling some of this stuff is flat out disgusting. Buyers with blind faith and brand loyalty are apt to end up with a few duds from tool trucks as well as any other retailer.
My absolute worst was a SnapOn pneumatic gasket scraper. After adding an air regulator to tame it down; the case broke when it was slightly over a year old.
Thinking back; I remember one dealer that said My three year old ratchet was not repairable, and I would have to pay to upgrade to a new one. Rotten egg in the driver's seat??
My absolute worst was a SnapOn pneumatic gasket scraper. After adding an air regulator to tame it down; the case broke when it was slightly over a year old.
Thinking back; I remember one dealer that said My three year old ratchet was not repairable, and I would have to pay to upgrade to a new one. Rotten egg in the driver's seat??
mbshop
Well-known member
As a buyer and dealer I don't remember much bad stuff. My biggest issue was complaints about tools that after looking at them were clearly abused. Some folks are just ham fisted. But if I sold a tool and was clearly not up to the job I either got a better one or I refunded the buyer. And I can tell you that yes, there are mac and so stuff rebranded. This is a standard practice. If I found a tool not up to the job that was branded, I no longer carried it. I had other ways of getting my customers tools that they needed. So if your dealer gives you no service, don't deal with them.
ca90ss
Well-known member
The snap on precision screwdrivers are pretty bad, twisted two of them first time I used them. The Wera and Excelite were equally bad but the Wiha ones have been excellent.
My Snap On dealer has been great about any concerns I have. I'm thinking I can't be the only person who has run into a name brand producing an inferior product but still charging a premium for their lemon and wanted to hear about others experiences.
That’s quite a shame really. My buddy picked up a 4 Pc. Cornwell plier set for me off the truck a couple years back when he worked for Ford. They have orange handles and came in the blue plastic tray. Made In USA and look exactly like Channellocks. Price wasn’t too bad iirc. I wonder what the reasoning was for dumping quality pliers in favor of lesser quality imports?
maxcarp709
Well-known member
Cornwell flare nut wrenches. I got a 4pc set in the 90s and the jaws have spread on most of the wrenches.Junk!
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
The early LED Flashlights are the only item I ever really regretting wasting money on. They never lasted long enough (not talking about battery life, but failing to operate or poor materials) to be worth the premium price...I've ended up using cheapo 7 dollar lights a lot more.....
The current HF calipers are cheap but really poor in terms of fit and finish. The ones from perhaps 10 years back were surprisingly good other than eating batteries. The new ones are poor in all regards other than price.
buffalobill
Well-known member
Have you tried a steam light microstream? Mine goes everywhere in my pocket, and the clip works on the bill of your hat as well. It's pretty bright for 1 aaa battery, and I usually get 4 or 5 days per battery, since I killed my aaa rechargeables. Great light, gets pulled out at the shop almost hourly.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I had a Cornwell voltmeter that was a *************. I bought it off ebay, so it went I to the trash after it fell apart.
97nismo
Well-known member
Most of the blue point stuff I have is kinda crappy IMO
For me if a Blue point tool turned out not to be of good quality, I wouldn't be as dissapointed as if I had bought Snap On. If I'm planning on spending tool truck prices I'd rather US made but sometimes one can't find the tool made in the US. Like hose grip pliers, only made in china is available on the tool trucks so I might as well shop around and see who has the best bang for the buck.
tonyciambrone
Well-known member
Lots of stuff off the Matco and Mac trucks ****, particularly the rebadged items. They wouldn't be so offensive if you paid the Lisle price or OEM price but at tool truck level it's just wrong. If you stick to mainline stuff like Matco USA stuff, or MAC stuff made by Proto etc you'll be fine. Everything specialty or similar don't waste your time imo
main thing is look at tools in hand before buy them to access design usefulness and quality level, especially truck tools which high cost. some cheaper lines can be worth a gamble to test tools before committing to more purchases but as so much sourced and oems constantly changing anyone shortsighted by loyalty will get hit hard with bad purchases either in design and/or quality to cost . Snapon may seem amazing but if you try some ranges from stahlwille, facom toptul knipex premier it starts looking not always the best tool available even when always the highest priced .
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Temporarily... Look how that worked out for Craftsman.
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