New Tool Day
- Thread starter WVJeep304
- Start date
I have no issue with the brand or the quality, but I also found no reason to pay the premium for the name, in most cases. As well, I already had an investment in SK Wayne and a bit of MAC by the late 80s and early 90s, saw no need to change up. That said, this is now over 35 years old, still going strong and one of the best hand tools I own, the Snap-On SSDMR4A ratcheting screwdriver.
We all have an assortment of tools. I have Craftsman, Snap On and S&K and can't tell the difference.
I cannot say the same, particularly for the first one on the list. I've broken way too many of their tools in my time, and a few of my knuckles as a result of those failures. They all might carry a lifetime warranty, the difference being that I've rarely if ever had to take advantage of that with the last two. Not as big of an issue now that I don't make my living with those tools, but I suspect what I have in the tool chest now will see me out at this point.
All that said, for most folks who need a tool set for typical around the house work, Craftsman would probably do the same (see them out), and for substantially less financial investment.
My grandpa's craftsman ratchet makes recent craftsman ratchets look like harbor freight ratchets from 20 years ago. I won't buy craftsman because they went to shit.
Unfortunately, this is true of other brands as well. I won't buy new SK now, only the older, used stuff in good shape. A few years back, I had purchased two newer metric SK combo wrenches to fill two size voids in a set, the tolerances on the wrench sizes was pretty loose and the metal seemed a bit soft. I found some older replacements that matched my set and sold the new ones on. Never again.
How old is your grandpa's craftsman ratchet? I have one that was my dad's that I'm pretty sure is from the 1930s.
I don't know. I just know when we took it in (early 90s, was 12 or so) they couldn't fix it and gave us a new one. It took me a bit to realize the depth of their betrayal.
All this talk about where shit is made has reminded me of something. About 10-15 years ago, the plant that I worked at had a contract with a customer that wanted everything they were buying manufactured overseas, as they felt that would get them a better price. They absolutely insisted on it. Sooo...
We manufactured all of their products in our Seattle plant, shipped it to our Singapore plant, where they then repackaged everything and shipped it to the customer from Singapore.
We manufactured all of their products in our Seattle plant, shipped it to our Singapore plant, where they then repackaged everything and shipped it to the customer from Singapore.
All this talk about where shit is made has reminded me of something. About 10-15 years ago, the plant that I worked at had a contract with a customer that wanted everything they were buying manufactured overseas, as they felt that would get them a better price. They absolutely insisted on it. Sooo...
We manufactured all of their products in our Seattle plant, shipped it to our Singapore plant, where they then repackaged everything and shipped it to the customer from Singapore.
View attachment 700533
So many products today are labeled "Assembled in USA". It probably saves the company a few dimes on shipping from Asia to have the parts assembled into a sellable product in this country by an H1B scammer. That's why I don't get all hung up on where something is made anymore.
I still value stuff being made here, but it's one of many considerations. Quality and price still matter, too. Things quickly get complicated.
I worked for a company that had plants in China as well as in the US. The China plants would buy PPE (gloves, etc) that was made in China, but only through US-market channels. The Chinese-market products were lower quality, even though they were produced at the same plants. Quality expectations were much higher in the US market so they did a much better job than on product offer for sale in China.
I worked for a company that had plants in China as well as in the US. The China plants would buy PPE (gloves, etc) that was made in China, but only through US-market channels. The Chinese-market products were lower quality, even though they were produced at the same plants. Quality expectations were much higher in the US market so they did a much better job than on product offer for sale in China.
I inadvertently fact checked this....and for the sake of factual reporting, it would seem it is not banned in China. Africa and the Middle East, however, a very different story...
With the international legal status of buggery addressed, back to new tools!
I've got a couple of punch sets I use exclusively for gunsmithing work, but my numerous CZ handguns require some sizes and types not necessarily common in typical sets. After deep servicing and modifying a number of my Czech ladies recently, I noted some of the punches were getting a bit ratty from use, so order up some fresh Mayhew replacements. Only took about 1.5 weeks, what with Amz doing their usual missed deliveries and delivering the wrong items, but all good now.
I inadvertently fact checked this....and for the sake of factual reporting, it would seem it is not banned in China. Africa and the Middle East, however, a very different story...
View attachment 700621
View attachment 700622
With the international legal status of buggery addressed, back to new tools!
I've got a couple of punch sets I use exclusively for gunsmithing work, but my numerous CZ handguns require some sizes and types not necessarily common in typical sets. After deep servicing and modifying a number of my Czech ladies recently, I noted some of the punches were getting a bit ratty from use, so order up some fresh Mayhew replacements. Only took about 1.5 weeks, what with Amz doing their usual missed deliveries and delivering the wrong items, but all good now.
View attachment 700628
Mostly Mooslim countries I see.
In other news, my shitty snap ring pliers snapped when doing my SYE. What are y'alls recommendations for a good set that won't break or break the bank?
The knipex snapring pliers are the best I've used. I have the full set but you could get by with just one (I'd look at the size but I'm not home for another week to look).
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