I will try and keep this short and simple. Has anyone purchased wrenches and sockets from Walmart? I have seen Stanley and a few other brands listed on their web site.I do not really care about the origin however being one step above the poverty line has it's limitations.I am now looking for a set of gear wrenches just to start, then a set of 6 point deep std/metric 3/8 sockets.Thanks for the help, Ken
Walmart Tools
- Thread starter Kenskip1
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RedneckWelder
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Honestly for those on a budget the Stanley or Bostich stuff available at WM is serviceable. Harbor Freight, if you have one in your town, is also good.
AceofSpad3s
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Stanley is fine, from my experience there is a certain point with sockets were as long as they are not really really really cheap then you will be OK. As long as they are not dollar store sockets or 12 point than anything is ok. I would avoid the combo wrenches from stanley, instead go to home depot and see if they got a 22 piece wrench set for $13 on sale and might go down more since it is a holiday item,I bought some at $15 a couple months ago and am mildly irritated they went down in price. They are nice and get the job done, finish is nice. For the deep well sockets I would go to harbor freight, the deep well sockets are really nice, I was going to get some but I do not really need them. You can always buy used as well.
PugetDude
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Subscribed, starting the popcorn now. 
sublime68charger
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Have you tried cl for your area?
Might find a deal there?
Just a thought
Might find a deal there?
Just a thought
sublime68charger
Well-known member
Subscribed, starting the popcorn now.
Since your cooking I'll have sea salt and extra butter
Thanks
AceofSpad3s
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How are we popping it? Are we using a plain old microwave or are we using a air popper?
wild cowboy
Banned
actually, funny you should ask, I have some Popular Mechanics 6 points from the 1990's from Wal-Mart that have held up in professional use as well as any sockets I own (including all 4 truck brands). - It must have been one of the original tool brands that made believers in COO of Taiwan out of me and several others!
clownbear69
Well-known member
Well last time I was at Wal-Mart they were selling some USA Stanley stuff (of course made with global components). Take for what it's worth. The screw drivers came to less than a $1 per screwdriver.
As for buying from Wal-Mart I have no issue with it.
As for buying from Wal-Mart I have no issue with it.
sublime68charger
Well-known member
What ever available at wal mart I suppose?
Better use microwave its a more universal tool and can make ramen noodles as well!
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AceofSpad3s
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For the love of god never mention those again, I got pstd from those ****** screwdrivers.
48RON54
Well-known member
i bought a small combination set for my wifes car from walmart. It was $20 or so I think. It works well enough for minor work, and I don't get all worked up if a socket comes up missing. I'll drag it with me if I'm doing minor work at someone elses house as well.
I couldn't imagine having to any terribly involved repairs with it though.
I couldn't imagine having to any terribly involved repairs with it though.
The boschit ratchet wrenches are nice, but over priced. Look for gearwrench on sale at advance auto or Napa. The 7 (8?) Piece frequently goes on sale for $29.99.
I love my stabely tool. Just bought their black Friday special. $50 for 252(?) Pieces. But no 1/2" drive.. A lot of fluff. But still for $50? Hell ya
I love my stabely tool. Just bought their black Friday special. $50 for 252(?) Pieces. But no 1/2" drive.. A lot of fluff. But still for $50? Hell ya
I bought a Stanley metric Allen key socket set in 3/8 drive for about 10 bucks. I use it a ton and haven't had any problems with them.. Cheap Allen keys are something I'm always wary about, but these have held up great.
Walmart/HF sockets are plenty strong.. I have broken a couple but it wasn't during what I would consider "normal" use. Harbor Freight hand tools carry a lifetime warranty, and my local store is great about honoring it. Their shipping is reasonable if you don't have a store close by. Just read the reviews either on their website or here before you buy, since some of their products are hit and miss.
Walmart/HF sockets are plenty strong.. I have broken a couple but it wasn't during what I would consider "normal" use. Harbor Freight hand tools carry a lifetime warranty, and my local store is great about honoring it. Their shipping is reasonable if you don't have a store close by. Just read the reviews either on their website or here before you buy, since some of their products are hit and miss.
VersionOne
Well-known member
What he said. Often times you'll be able to find used Craftsman and Stanley stuff for the same price if not cheaper than new from Walmart prices.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have the 1/4 drive 16pc set they sell. Use it in my road toll set. They have held up better than expected. They are exposed to all sorts of weather conditions and temp changes and not a hint of rust. Didn't want to spend a lot on tools that can easily be lost or stolen. I am really surprised at how decent they are. Would buy them again.
Givl Reggin
Banned
Microwave? Air Popper?
No. We use the proper equipment... a cast iron skillet.
Air Popped popcorn tastes like Styrofoam.
Microwave popcorn is rubbery.
Once you use cast iron you will never go back!
AceofSpad3s
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Microwave? Air Popper?
No. We use the proper equipment... a cast iron skillet.
Air Popped popcorn tastes like Styrofoam.
Microwave popcorn is rubbery.
Once you use cast iron you will never go back!
If I can use a oxy torch to heat up the skillet than I am in.
panknuckshovel
Well-known member
Microwave? Air Popper?
No. We use the proper equipment... a cast iron skillet.
Air Popped popcorn tastes like Styrofoam.
Microwave popcorn is rubbery.
Once you use cast iron you will never go back!
Or that jiffy pop expanding foil setup gizmo thing in a pinch. Not as good as your idea but better than the other options
I was just looking at tools there yesterday. They have ratcheting wrenches there that look like an exact copy of gearwrench. Evan the same plastic packing and they are made in Taiwan. I didn't see a price but I'm sure they are cheap
sublime68charger
Well-known member
Don't you know any better you put that up high on the wall for the fire alarm!
Agree skillet popcorn is pretty good!
How about kettle corn? Any takers on that?
Man this thread has went off the rails
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I picked up Stanley 3/8 rotator ratchet which is the cousin of the Facom online for less than $20 but I see it went up in price. Deals like that are good buys, here is a link.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Rotator-Ratchet-3-8/14146071
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Rotator-Ratchet-3-8/14146071
kctyphoon
Banned
Buy whatever you like.. I'm 90% sure the black stanley sets are identical to the black husky sets HD sells/use to sell.. Just realize at least with a HF set you get a lifetime warranty and stores willing to replace anything you break, no questions asked.. If you use them correctly, they will be able to do whatever u need..
kctyphoon
Banned
99 piece stanley - identical to the husky set I bought from HD to use around the house.. I keep this set clean and don't use them on anything with grease.
pendragon1998
Well-known member
If I was looking for extreme budget sockets I would be considering HF or Chinese Craftsman. Kobalt too, if on sale, especially for the ratchet, although I think Kobalt is all 12 pt.
Eta, I think I recall reading here that the HF ratchets (some anyway) are the same as kobalt...(?) Also, consider going to a pawn shop or two and sorting through their socket bucket for USA made sockets.
Eta, I think I recall reading here that the HF ratchets (some anyway) are the same as kobalt...(?) Also, consider going to a pawn shop or two and sorting through their socket bucket for USA made sockets.
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Stanley has a decent wrench set there --not the cheapest one though. They also have vaugn hammers and vice grip pliers. The bostick ratchetin stuff also lookspassable in the socket sets (I think it was a pass thur?). Always take a bolt and test fitment and hardness of the actual set you pick to make sure the QC is ok. Alot of the cheap stuff is often OK if you get the best one on the shelf. I would stay away from their cheapest stuff...that...is get what you pay for.
John in OH
Well-known member
I've noticed that Walmart carries several kinds of tools that are made in USA. My local Walmart has Channellock pliers, Vaugn (i think) hammers, Dasco punches and chisels, and several other US tool lines. Never tried any Bostick tools.
Yikes!! I see the Walmart on-line price for this Stanley ratchet is $45!! I bought one a month ago at Walmart and paid $22 + change. I used to think these Stanley rotator ratchets were a gimmick, but I bought one for a friend as a stocking-stuffer several years ago. Earlier this summer he told me he was working on a Jaguar Type E and that ratchet was the only tool that would work on some inaccessible fastener and it saved his ****. So, I decided I "needed" one for myself! FYI, Stanley sells a Blackhawk version of this same rotator ratchet for 2x the dollars.
Microwave? Air Popper?
No. We use the proper equipment... a cast iron skillet.
Air Popped popcorn tastes like Styrofoam.
Microwave popcorn is rubbery.
Once you use cast iron you will never go back!
Yes but a Dutch Oven with bacon drippings will complete your cardiac ventricular irregularities, but the pop corn will be very tasty.
What ever ratchets you get open them up and pump them full of light grease. It helps them all I think.
Cheap tool set, I think I would look at Sears too, they always have some great Christmas deals. In retrospect I wish I would have started out with them, I started out with $800 worth of Blackhawk, Most of which I have lost.
My 3 favorite options in your shoes, watch for deals on Craftsman, Kobalt and Gearwrench. At least if you lose one you can find them everywhere individually. Gearwrench 120xp's are incredible.
Cheap tool set, I think I would look at Sears too, they always have some great Christmas deals. In retrospect I wish I would have started out with them, I started out with $800 worth of Blackhawk, Most of which I have lost.
My 3 favorite options in your shoes, watch for deals on Craftsman, Kobalt and Gearwrench. At least if you lose one you can find them everywhere individually. Gearwrench 120xp's are incredible.
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They're the exact same thing. And Stanley has a lifetime warranty to. Used it a few times on ratchets that seizes up before I knew how to take one apart and re love the insides.
I have love for stanley, so im a little biased.
Have stanley wrenches from when i was 15, still work great. Never spread any of the open ends, or broke any of them.
Same for sockets, just love the action of the ratchets i have from when i was 15, still work great to.
Warranty is the same as gearwrench. Mail it in, or don't.... Up to the rep on the phone. Same for the trucks, if you have no driver.
But i see no real issue with you buying any brand, if it will suit your needs.
Have stanley wrenches from when i was 15, still work great. Never spread any of the open ends, or broke any of them.
Same for sockets, just love the action of the ratchets i have from when i was 15, still work great to.
Warranty is the same as gearwrench. Mail it in, or don't.... Up to the rep on the phone. Same for the trucks, if you have no driver.
But i see no real issue with you buying any brand, if it will suit your needs.
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nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Bostitch line is good in my opinion. But too expensive for what you're getting.
I'll use walmart tools in an emergency, have done it enough to know the benefits of 24 hours outweigh the risk.
You can get "gear wrenches" (ratcheting wrenches) from sears for 20 bucks in a bigger set or 13 bucks (now) from home depot but the coo is china. I don't know how good the walmart store brand stuff is (ultra steel or whatever). I have used some of it and it's actually not bad but it's not top shelf stuff either. Drilling hammer they sell is definitely okay.
I would say stanley chinese sockets are going to be okay as long as they're not a glovebox kit but you can buy decent taiwanese kobalt socket sets for 14 bucks a pop (3/8; 1/4 is 10, 1/2 is 17 (I think)) which is a decent alternative to harbor freight's higher quality sets. Bang for the buck those might be the better option. Best cheap ratchet will probably be harbor freight or even possibly something from the craftsman evolv line (I think they got a taiwanese extender for like 14 bucks). Kobalt ratchets aren't cheap, husky ratchets look like rat turds, and the regular craftsman ratchets leave much to be desired. Pittsburgh pro (harbor freight) ratchets (composite or otherwise) are the best sub 15 dollar ratchets (regular price) on the market but essentially any taiwanese ratchet will be similar and there are a lot of them floating around with various names on them.
Problem with stanley is that they're mail in warranty, kobalt husky craftsman harbor freight are walk in warranty so maybe go with one of those.
mopwered
Well-known member
I have a stanley set of sockets i bought 10 yrs ago use them all the time sears has a 20 piece gear wrench set sae/metric for 49.99 i just bought better than the advanced auto deal.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
I think they have different sets actually (didn't know this). I recently saw a black nickel stanley set at TJMAXX for 25 bucks that was china coo and it looked like liquid squirrel turds. The taiwanese (rebrands) sets are real nice in my opinion; though my mind might be slipping. I know the performance tool black nickel sockets I got have coo taiwan and some of the husky/stanley sets have coo taiwan listed on ebay and amazon. Those are the good sets.
Don't really need to worry about the warranty on those sockets either because they're tough as hell. I just mention those sets because they're my favorite sockets; extremely consistent (if such a thing exists in sockets) and cheap.
I broke a socket late one night and really needed it, and couldn't wait until morning. No other stores were open except for Wal-Mart and I wound up buying a pretty complete metric set of Stanley's for about $20.
Its has become a throw down set for travel or for friends/family to borrow. I don't really have any complaints about it, and the socket did its job.
Its has become a throw down set for travel or for friends/family to borrow. I don't really have any complaints about it, and the socket did its job.
