Underrated tools

[Scooterfish]

Mickey,
I have heard Penney`s will refund the price of the tool based on a price list they have. I have a Penncraft set,(late 1960s)1/4,3/8,1/2 all rarchets are 60 tooth by NB. I have a 3/8 ratchet marked JC Penny (probably late 70s, 45 tooth looks like SK to me.

 

[Mickey O]

Good luck with that... I don't think Penney's has sold tools for about 20 years.

Doesn't matter, a lifetime warranty is a lifetime warranty and they are still in business, they have an obligation. They may already have something in place like Monkey Wards did with Sears, but I really don't want a craftsman ratchet to replace my Penncraft.

 

[Mickey O]

Mickey,
I have heard Penney`s will refund the price of the tool based on a price list they have. I have a Penncraft set,(late 1960s)1/4,3/8,1/2 all rarchets are 60 tooth by NB. I have a 3/8 ratchet marked JC Penny (probably late 70s, 45 tooth looks like SK to me.

I don't think so, I think you just made that up.

 

[woody 73]

I agree with Rickster but I would add that Kraeuter & Company pliers are very very underrated...At one time they were like the snap-on's of today ; I see people giving them away shame I would kill for them!

 

[Scooterfish]

Mickey,I didn`t say I had done it or it was fact. Only I had heard it. Maybe you should take a Cman catalog to Penneys to help them price your tool.

 

[KenS]

I have some Popular Mechanic combo wrenches that are almost as thin as tappet wrenches and feel very good in the hand.

 

[Mickey O]

Mickey,I didn`t say I had done it or it was fact. Only I had heard it. Maybe you should take a Cman catalog to Penneys to help them price your tool.

You may be right I read your post too quickly, I did read here that they pay out for broken tools, for some reason I thought you were saying they pay out the original price.

 

[Kev442]

Easco
Benchtop Pro

 

[sporkedtospec]

Benchtop. The ratchet I have has coarse action, but solid and well built.
The screwdrivers have very nice tips. These reside in my portable box.

 

[Jay H 237]

Benchtop Pro

You know, I didn't even think of that one.......and I own a few Benchtop Pro tools I've used heavily and haven't let me down yet! Back when I was in high school (91-95) I wasn't really into buying tools but would when I needed to do something and there's a Kmart right here in town that was easy to run too when needed. I have a set of Benchtop Pro 1/2" drive deep sockets that I've used heavily, many suspension parts, and they have held up. I have two sets of 1/2" drive extensions too from them. I wish the Kmart by me would still carry that line instead of Evolve but I also don't know if the Benchtop Pro tools are still around or even the same quality they were years ago.


I will add NAPA Pro tools and also ACE hardware for some screwdrivers and wrenches. I'm just a weekend mechanic and before I collected a decent tool collection there were many times I was into a project and had to stop to buy something to finish the job. Many times this forced me go to the nearest open store to get what I needed. I still use these tools today, they have served me well.

 

[Coach James]

I agree with Rickster but I would add that Kraeuter & Company pliers are very very underrated...At one time they were like the snap-on's of today ; I see people giving them away shame I would kill for them!

I have a pair of Krauter linesman and a pair of needle nose pliers that my dad gave me. Both are 40+ years old and work great. I love the pair of linesman.

I also have a pair of Stanley needlenose made in Japan that are 40+ years old and work fine.

Coach

 

[Bull]

I'm going to throw Titan into the mix. I have a set of gearless micro ratchets and a folding Torx bit set and all pieces are very, very nice.

 

[pipehack]

RIDGID!!!!! Plumbing tools that is. These tools take a beating. ---- Tri stands, pipe machines , pipe freezers, wrenches, tubing and pipe cutters, etc.

 

[gonzoengineer]

I love SK and Sunex sockets, I hope to expand my collection in the near future and retire my current mixture of Stanley and Craftsman tools to the non-garage home kit. The Sunex wobblers are especially nice and are tough enough for repeated use with an impact/air-ratchet without fail.

 

[GDA]

Here's a few that come to mind...

1960-70s vintage Cman ratchets and sockets - my dad's mid 60s stuff is awesome
Hazet wrenches
Ecodiesel deadblow hammers
Blue Point wood handled ball pein hammers
Snap On 24 and 36" pry bars
Milwaukee SuperSawzalls

 

[HankMurphy]

It Depends Upon Where You Are...

I think there are a lot of bygone tool makes we all regard highly which the average user (pro or weekend) would completely ignore. Bonney, for example.

Other tools which I think aren't regarded well enough:

SK 45170 ratchet. The first one I bought is still going strong. Of course, I'm more of a weekend guy.

Easco wrenches (pre Danaher). I used some of their metrics for years on my motorcycles.

KAL tools (USA made).

Thorsen (USA made). Although I think these probably have a better reputation in this forum than in the general outside world.

P&C.

Outside this forum, I think industrial tool makers in general and Wright in particular don't have the recognition they should.

And inside this forum, I don't think Craftsman tools have as good a reputation as they should overall. While the current products may have shortcomings, they had pretty good stuff and some are still a good value for the money if you shop carefully.

Of all the ones Ive listed, SK and Wright are probably the only ones I'd buy today.

 

[Bull]

Re: It Depends Upon Where You Are...

Of all the ones Ive listed, SK and Wright are probably the only ones I'd buy today.

Why is that? I really like the emphasis that Wright puts on trying to make every part of their line come from US origins. If I could afford to buy new tools all the time, they'd be my company.

 

[senlow]

RIDGID!!!!! Plumbing tools that is. These tools take a beating. ---- Tri stands, pipe machines , pipe freezers, wrenches, tubing and pipe cutters, etc.

I'm not sure that I would consider Ridgid tools underrated. Every plumber that I know owns Ridgid tools. Reed plumbing tools are certainly underrated. Their pipe wrenches are every bit as good as Ridgid, but few even know that Reed exists. Of course Ridgid is ahead of Reed in calenders.

 

[SO/PW newbie]

no one has mentioned Powerbuilt?

 

[superautobacs]

With the exception of over-rated tools that cost an arm and leg, almost everything.

 

[sanddrag]

I've used some Harbor Freight ratchets that are actually quite good; contrary to what one would expect. Also, for $8 or $10, their 1/2" drive breaker bars are great. I like that it's not stamped with any brand or country either. Before I had the breaker bar, I used pipes on the ratchets and only skipped on a couple occasions. They feel very sturdy and rugged.

 

[oldtools]

Pittsburg Professional

 

[quattrojon]

NWS pliers have always lived in the shadow of Knipex. Top quality and German made.

 

[quattrojon]

For me the most underrated tools (until someone talks about them here) are KD full polished combination wrenches. They are strong, durable, well balanced, and US made. They are the same as the Napa professional series wrenches but, can usually be found fairly cheap. You get alot of bang for little bucks with these wrenches. The early versions are't as nice as the newer ones.

I would have to agree with you on that one.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

NWS pliers have always lived in the shadow of Knipex. Top quality and German made.

NWS are awesome. I have some of their side cutters and end cutters. Incredibly strong and sharp, and the fit and finish is second to none.

 

[rjohnson]

Truecraft- my dad has some old ones and they've held up very well!

 

[quattrojon]

NWS are awesome. I have some of their side cutters and end cutters. Incredibly strong and sharp, and the fit and finish is second to none.

I have their titanium finish combination pliers in my own box, and they rock!
I'm hoping to add NWS to my van inventory real soon.

 

[tj90]

How about Midwest snips - aviation and specialty!?! http://midwestsnips.com/products.php

I bought somce cable cutters and they are by far the best performing cutters Ive used and they are USA made! I see that the P6300 cutters I have are out of stock - probably because they rock!

 

[ajm859830]

Small vice grips from walmart...usually on the bottom shelf in a cardboard box and cost 1.99 a pair. Ive got a whole drawer full of these things. Have used them on a near daily basis for the last 1.5 years and have yet for one pair to break. Theyre cheap, work great, and if they do indeed break I can just throw them away and go buy another pair. When I need 10+ pairs to do a panel im not about to go invest that much in some vice grip or similar brand ones when these work just as great. Ive also had better luck with the older kobalt than I have mac. Everything ive had from mac besides a ball peen hammer, 2" mini grinder, pliers, and 1/4 ratchet has broken on me in one way or the other.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have their titanium finish combination pliers in my own box, and they rock!
I'm hoping to add NWS to my van inventory real soon.

I need more combo pliers, i might just have to get me some of those titanium finish ones.

 

[DSKA Tools]

I agree Genius is under rated. We have been selling them for years. We supply a number of colleges and the guys love them. The heavy equipment guys love the 1" impact sockets. I think Grey Pneumatic manufacturers a nice line of tools as well.

 

[BobbyIII]

I love my old raised panel Craftsman stuff. What I don't like are any round polished (slippery when oily) handled ratchets or wrenches of any brand or rubber or plastic handles. It is easy to feel and position the Craftsman raised panel when working by feel where you can't see.

 

[davethorik]

I love my old raised panel Craftsman stuff. What I don't like are any round polished (slippery when oily) handled ratchets or wrenches of any brand or rubber or plastic handles. It is easy to feel and position the Craftsman raised panel when working by feel where you can't see.

Craftsman stuff is the opposite of underrated. It's overrated. But great idea to dredge up a 10 year old thread to let us all know.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I love my old raised panel Craftsman stuff. What I don't like are any round polished (slippery when oily) handled ratchets or wrenches of any brand or rubber or plastic handles. It is easy to feel and position the Craftsman raised panel when working by feel where you can't see.

Craftsman raised panel are great I have a standard set of them and working on imports unfortunately I never get to use those. I do have a few metric ones too as backup in case something happens to my main ones.


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[Iowafox]

For my opinion I would say Pittsburgh Pro Cr-mo shallow impact sockets, impact extensions and Oriley's Performance tools 3/8 Impact swivel. There budget stuff that is pro grade I would say. I also have to highly recommend the Napa Carlyle the 3/8 dr all chrome regular ratchet that is about $20. I have 2 of them and there amazing. Fine tooth, rebuild able and they are my go to ratchets. I think those have to be the biggest underrated thing on my list!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

For my opinion I would say Pittsburgh Pro Cr-mo shallow impact sockets, impact extensions and Oriley's Performance tools 3/8 Impact swivel. There budget stuff that is pro grade I would say. I also have to highly recommend the Napa Carlyle the 3/8 dr all chrome regular ratchet that is about $20. I have 2 of them and there amazing. Fine tooth, rebuild able and they are my go to ratchets. I think those have to be the biggest underrated thing on my list!

You said it just right man. Also the GM Performance brand that is sold at O’Rileys is nice too I have some of those from the pawn shops and O’Rileys so I am assuming that’s the only retailer of them. It is the only place I have found them new at. I bought some less used sockets that didn’t come with my set in that brand and a few common sizes for back up too they are great even used a chrome 19 on impact well I didn’t the guy who I let use did he didn’t tell me he was going too use it on that lol but it held up and didn’t get any runout at the bottom around the drive like some of the cheap ones do.


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[Fialaja]

Danaher era Napa, Kobalt, KD, Allen And Armstrong are all roughly equal in quality and finish but can be found NOS on eBay through sellers like cripe distributing for a fraction of craftsman. A great solution to filling in holes in sets or building a set of something.

 

[sberry]

I use Sears, most of it. It works, does what it's sposed to but I agree about over rated.

 

[Gurp]

Highly underrates is Tekton Wrenches.
Used and Highly abused have held up with little to no damage for half a decade or better for me. When I bought my metric set they where still 45 bucks.

Old proto 1/2 ratchets. I've used mine with a large cheater bar several times.


HF angle grinders. the ones that go on sale for 9.99 from time to time. regular like 15 bucks. i have one I've beem using regularly for 6 years now. got my 9.99 out of it. I actually have 4 of them.

 

[Wakefield]

Craftsman stuff is the opposite of underrated. It's overrated. But great idea to dredge up a 10 year old thread to let us all know.

Ain't what it used to be-even just 10 years ago? Wasn't some of it made in an Armstrong factory now closed?

Is a gigantic 40" long "Titian" breaker bar in 3/4" drive underrated? Certainly for making people gasp at seeing the thing-might scare the bolt off