Wright day?

[jakemac]

Good post NnB.
You should count yourself lucky that those kids are even bothering to buy tools at all, even cheap ones. I worked in Theater/Event/Exhibit installation for for nearly 25yrs and the kids that were hired didn't own any tools. Even when they were told that they were required to show up with a tape measure, hammer, and screwdriver, they'd come to work empty handed and expect the employers to supply the tools.

Cheap tools have their place when a kid is first starting out, but they need to learn that constantly replacing broken tools will cost them more over the years than upgrading to quality. They need to realize that it's an investment in their profession and a commitment to their future. There's a time for Harbor Freight and there's a time for the Tool Truck. As they gain experience they'll be better able to judge when they need to buy quality and when they can get away with cheaping out, in order to save money wisely.

I started with cheap imports and slowly built up my collection off the used market as my tools made me more money to spend. I'm no longer working, but I'm still looking to upgrade when I can. It's a life long pursuit.

 

[derosa]

Good post NnB.
You should count yourself lucky that those kids are even bothering to buy tools at all, even cheap ones. I worked in Theater/Event/Exhibit installation for for nearly 25yrs and the kids that were hired didn't own any tools. Even when they were told that they were required to show up with a tape measure, hammer, and screwdriver, they'd come to work empty handed and expect the employers to supply the tools.

Not to thread jack but why shouldn't the company be required to supply the tools. 5 summers working the maintenance crew at a Ren Faire and the fair supplied all tools needed. I brought my own hammer and belt when we built a building because I liked the feel and fit of them but they supplied the guns, tapes, screw guns and what not; there was stuff there if I wanted to use their hammer or belt.

That said, I'm up for a wright day, I'm sure I can find more then I can afford and can pick something out.

 

[John in OH]

I'm a Wright fan so I'm sure I could find a few goodies to put in a "Wright Day" order!

 

[DSM_PWR]

I would be interested in a Wright day as well.

 

[jakemac]

Not to thread jack but why shouldn't the company be required to supply the tools.

For one, it shows a professional ethic and attitude to show up with the basic tools to do your job. It demonstrates a dedication to ones work. A Professional carries the tools of their trade. A Day Laborer just shows up to get a paycheck. In addition, the more workers that are sharing tools, the less work gets done while others are waiting for tools to become available.

It's entirely appropriate to expect an employer to supply expensive or specialized tools like compressors and nail guns for carpenters, or lifts and wheel balancers for mechanics. But basic hand tools should be owned by the employee if they want to be paid as a Professional.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about Union-vs-Non Union workers (in my time I refused repeated offers from three different Unions to join, and saw my fair share of idiots waving their cards while turning out crappy work), I'm talking about the difference between being a Professional or being Hired Help. Many times the difference is only in the attitude and the commitment to the work.

Ok, enough of me showing my biases. Back to the topic.
I'm looking forward to finally doing a Wright Day after talking about it for the last few years. Let's hope that The-Powers-That-Be read this thread and can find a way to make it happen. If we're going to do an event this spring, the footwork needs to start soon.

P.S - I was able to make it out to the Sterling Ren-Fair once in the early 90's and thoroughly enjoyed my day.

 

[TheEuronater]

The younger guys are the opposite. Their tools are flashy. They are shiny and new, they look pretty and they come in perfect little sets. Underneath the pretty polish are cheap materials. They are not built to last, and the kids don't care. I hear them say it all the time..."Why would I spend good money on tools when I can just buy the cheap **** and take it back when I break it? They all have the same warranty." Probably once a week one of them gets to play show and tell with a crappy tool that failed him.

I don't really fit the mold. I am middle aged, and have a lot of admiration for the older guys...some of them are like the dad or the shop teacher I never had. I have taken to buying good American tools, a lot of them are vintage, and I spend more money on them than the rest of the crew combined I think. The cool thing is, at lunchtime the young guys see me looking at stuff on Ebay and they have started to come over and check out what I am buying, and asking questions. They always say the same thing, "Dude, I can't believe you are just shelling out that kind of money for tools!" And I always answer the same way, "Yeah, well, you never see me doing show and tell with my broken tools do you?"

The current young generation only knows disposable. We shake our heads because they don't get it...but it is all they know. They were not here to see when Grandpa was a young man and had a shop full of tools that would last a hundred years, when every boy took shop class and had basic mechanical skills, when you had to lube the chassis and oil came in steel cans and you actually fixed things rather than being a parts replacer. So they see no reason why their tools should be any different. That being said, I think anyone who is in a mechanical trade - automotive/industrial, etc - at some point will find value in having a great tool for the job. Me, I buy American when I can, and my tool is a good tool.

Because that's what the older generation gave to us. Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, and many more were all decent American made tools at one point that were outsourced, not by my generation, but yours. To blame a generation for buying what is given to them is ridiculous. Snap-On, and many other tool brands go up in price every year while tech wages go down. I made a thread on here asking what is the most affordable AMERICAN MADE torque wrench, I was told by many of the older guys on here to buy the HF for 10 bucks, or Tekton. When I go into Sears I see old guys all the time buying the new China Craftsman, they don't care because of the name. It's funny to complain about a problem your generation started.

 

[1950mercury]

I'd love a full set of long polished wright grip wrenches in MM and SAE.

Not going to happen they don't make long wrenches

 

[Askme42]

Sorry guys I should of set up a poll. The next step would obviously be contacting Jori and deciding on a date.

 

[mowersplus84]

id be in for all 3

 

[Fedwrench]

Sorry guys I should of set up a poll. The next step would obviously be contacting Jori and deciding on a date.

Absolutely!! If you guys want to do a Wright Day, ask Ryan if it's ok to publicize through the forum, take a vote to count heads that want it, and run with it. Otherwise, it will just drag on and turn into another bitchfest where no one is happy.

 

[Yv.]

I'd be in for a Wright day. I could use a new set of wrenches and their Wrightgrip wrenches are awesome.

 

[shamrock12]

The next step would obviously be contacting Jori and deciding on a date.

Have you contacted Jori yet and if so, what did he have to say?

 

[Coach James]

I would be in for a Wright day. My favorite ratchet is my 3/8 Cornwell so I would be in for a Cornwell day too.

Coach

 

[jakemac]

Sorry guys I should of set up a poll. The next step would obviously be contacting Jori and deciding on a date.

Have you contacted Jori yet and if so, what did he have to say?

I think it would be more appropriate to contact the Moderators and ask them to contact Jori, or authorize you to do it. While we, as members, can discuss events like this, only the Moderators can give permission for the use of the Garage Journal name for official use. (Unless you're offering to organize a group buy under your own name, without officially involving the GJ website)

Without the Moderators involvement (specifically Ryan, I believe), the discussion in this thread is only academic.

 

[LB-1911]

Sorry guys I should of set up a poll. The next step would obviously be contacting Jori and deciding on a date.

Have you contacted Jori yet and if so, what did he have to say?

I think it would be more appropriate to contact the Moderators and ask them to contact Jori, or authorize you to do it. While we, as members, can discuss events like this, only the Moderators can give permission for the use of the Garage Journal name for official use. (Unless you're offering to organize a group buy under your own name, without officially involving the GJ website)

Without the Moderators involvement (specifically Ryan, I believe), the discussion in this thread is only academic.

Just do it over the 4th of July weekend as part of Epstein's Day 2016.

 

[1982fxr]

Just do it over the 4th of July weekend as part of Epstein's Day 2016.

this

 

[anndel]

If so perfect timing, I need a 32mm wrench and a 28mm for he otc hub grappler.

 

[nutsnbolts]

Because that's what the older generation gave to us. Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, and many more were all decent American made tools at one point that were outsourced, not by my generation, but yours. To blame a generation for buying what is given to them is ridiculous. Snap-On, and many other tool brands go up in price every year while tech wages go down. I made a thread on here asking what is the most affordable AMERICAN MADE torque wrench, I was told by many of the older guys on here to buy the HF for 10 bucks, or Tekton. When I go into Sears I see old guys all the time buying the new China Craftsman, they don't care because of the name. It's funny to complain about a problem your generation started.

This wasn't meant to be an insult, and I agree with you. I think in a lot of ways, America has let the next generation down. We traded in good solid industry for a fast buck. I for one am hoping that we can get back to the place where America has pride in itself.

But, just FWIW, Snap On tools were not cheap in your father's day or your grandfather's day. I remember buying a Craftsman 302 piece set on sale for $19 back in the day. At the same time, my friend had lost his 11 mm Snap On wrench and replacing it was $11...the same cost as the entire metric wrench set in the Craftsman set. He was working at a dealer and made $13 an hour. It was no easier for us to build a tool set back in the day than it is today.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

I would be in for a wright day, but not from HJE. It seems like they are shipping a lot of old stock, i.e. plain wrenches vs wrightgrips

 

[LB-1911]

I would be in for a wright day, but not from HJE.

It seems like they are shipping a lot of old stock, i.e. plain wrenches vs wrightgrips

Care to share any proof of this?

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Care to share any proof of this?

maybe I am mistaken, but I believe their was a thread here of someone ordering a set, and getting non wrightgrips....though I could be wrong.

 

[48548]

I am up for a wright purchase my first, but want to buy a cornwell ratchet as I don't own one and like the way the handles look. Also a proto and cornwell day work for me!!!!

 

[firworks]

I am up for a wright purchase my first, but want to buy a cornwell ratchet as I don't own one and like the way the handles look. Also a proto and cornwell day work for me!!!!

The contour chrome handles?

I've got a lot of ratchets and the SR50 is pretty much always the one I grab. I don't know why but it just feels so right.

 

[48548]

The contour chrome handles?

I've got a lot of ratchets and the SR50 is pretty much always the one I grab. I don't know why but it just feels so right.

Yes that reminds me of the older snapon handles from the 40-50's. I really want to get one because of the handle.