TTT -- The Tool Thread (24 Viewers)

[mudgudgeon]

I'm relocating from Australia to NC sometime in the next 12 months

I'm weighing up the cost of shipping tools and stuff vs selling what I can to recoup some cash and buying replacements when I'm in USA.

I have a decent collection of good, middle of the road quality mechanics tools.
(Not snap-on, but certainly not Harbour Freight either).

Curious to know what brands of tools you like and why?

 

[gasman4u]

I'm relocating from Australia to NC sometime in the next 12 months

I'm weighing up the cost of shipping tools and stuff vs selling what I can to recoup some cash and buying replacements when I'm in USA.

I have a decent collection of good, middle of the road quality mechanics tools.
(Not snap-on, but certainly not Harbour Freight either).

Curious to know what brands of tools you like and why?

I'm a fan of anything domestically made for hand tools. I'm old fashioned that way. SK tools, Wright tools, Craftsman professional (idk if they're still around) to name a few brands.

Why? Because they (used to) have a lifetime warranty for when/if they'd break. The workers supported the tax base of whatever state they were in, and they supported an industry that adds to the tangible and intangible benefits of having a legitimate manufacturing capacity at home.

Unless you have a connex that's being shipped here without weight restrictions, I'd sell all but your favorites/rare things you can't easily replace. There are a LOT of cheap options you can come across here when you arrive. Some may even have a "lifetime" warranty (looking at you Lowe's "craftsman" and maybe husky at HD - I'm not sure). The lifetime warranty benefit only really helps if there's a physical store to go to in order to have an immediate replacement. Some of the tools above require shipping them back to get a replacement. Pros and Cons.

I'm sure there are others here who are more knowledgeable that would likely give better advice. This is my take.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Harbor freight has gotten a ton better in the past 10 years. Their icon line is actually legit, and not inexpensive either. Hf tool chests (us general) are genuinely awesome and that's what I've had for the past 5 years.

You'll be hard pressed to find any tool brand that's made in the US of A that's not one of the super premium, meaning ridiculously expensive, brands such as snap on or Matco.

As my old craftsman tools wear out I'm replacing with Harbor freight icon stuff, gear wrench, precision brand tools, and a few randos from Amazon that are good.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

Harbor freight has gotten a ton better in the past 10 years. Their icon line is actually legit, and not inexpensive either. Hf tool chests (us general) are genuinely awesome and that's what I've had for the past 5 years.

You'll be hard pressed to find any tool brand that's made in the US of A that's not one of the super premium, meaning ridiculously expensive, brands such as snap on or Matco.

Aa my old craftsman tools wear out I'm replacing with Harbor freight icon stuff, gear wrench, precision brand tools, and a few randos from Amazon that are good.

Gear Wrench 90T ratchets have beaten almost all the box truck brands as of late. Their ratchets are amazing and incredibly robust.

...but don't take my word for it

 

[jynx]

I'm a Tekton fan. To me they make great upper-mid range tools. They do make some of their tools in the USA but not all. Since we lost craftsman, I have been transitioning pretty much all my hand tools to Tekton.

My Tekton socket drawer

It's actually got a few more in it since this, but im very pleased with them so far.

I'll also second the gear wrench stuff. Very pleased with the ones I have.

 

[BMThiker]

I like GearWrench and Tekton stuff. I've got some HF-Pittsburg impact sockets that seem to be holding up well. I think you would be better off selling what you can @mudgudgeon and shop around on Craigslist, FB Marketplace for someone's grandfather's tool collection/estate sale type thing. Fill in what gaps you need to on Amazon/HF/Lowe's etc.

 

[gasman4u]

Solid rec by @BMThiker for bulk tool pickups on the cheap. I forgot about Tekton. I have some of their screwdrivers and have zero complaints. I also have some Vera/Wera wrenches with open and closed sides where the closed sides have the ratcheting head. They're nice for sure IMO.

 

[BMThiker]

Solid rec by @BMThiker for bulk tool pickups on the cheap. I forgot about Tekton. I have some of their screwdrivers and have zero complaints. I also have some Vera/Wera wrenches with open and closed sides where the closed sides have the ratcheting head. They're nice for sure IMO.

I like Wera and Vessel stuff for things like JIS screwdrivers, hex keys/allen wrenches, torx bits. . .

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I like Wera and Vessel stuff for things like JIS screwdrivers, hex keys/allen wrenches, torx bits. . .

X2 wera. I have some select wera tools and they do not disappoint.

 

[Shyrock]

I'm relocating from Australia to NC sometime in the next 12 months

I'm weighing up the cost of shipping tools and stuff vs selling what I can to recoup some cash and buying replacements when I'm in USA.

I have a decent collection of good, middle of the road quality mechanics tools.
(Not snap-on, but certainly not Harbour Freight either).

Curious to know what brands of tools you like and why?

Where in NC?

 

[sentient schmoo]

Where in NC?

Asheville.

 

[Malleus]

I'm considering selling my Thompson model D (6x18) surface grinder. I was looking for another grinder when I bought this one, and after five years of looking, couldn't find one. I walked into a garage yesterday to pick up a fire sale tool grab bag, and there sat exactly what I wanted, fully restored to boot.

The Thompson has a genuine Ex-Cell-O spindle and 3Ph240VAC motor. The motor could easily be run on a VFD or phase converter, as surface grinders don't have the torque requirements a mill or lathe has.

I currently have the bed off, for cleaning and adjusting, but all three axes are tight and smooth. I'm not looking to make money on it, if I sell it, I'll be in a position to make some lucky someone a good deal. @GLTHFJ60

I have a working 12" mag chuck that will go with it.

Apologies for the photo; it refuses to spin for me.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'm considering selling my Thompson model D (6x18) surface grinder. I was looking for another grinder when I bought this one, and after five years of looking, couldn't find one. I walked into a garage yesterday to pick up a fire sale tool grab bag, and there sat exactly what I wanted, fully restored to boot.

The Thompson has a genuine Ex-Cell-O spindle and 3Ph240VAC motor. The motor could easily be run on a VFD or phase converter, as surface grinders don't have the torque requirements a mill or lathe has.

I currently have the bed off, for cleaning and adjusting, but all three axes are tight and smooth. I'm not looking to make money on it, if I sell it, I'll be in a position to make some lucky someone a good deal. @GLTHFJ60

I have a working 12" mag chuck that will go with it.

View attachment 3328829
Apologies for the photo; it refuses to spin for me.

I hate you Fred. What are you asking for it?

 

[Malleus]

The upper limit on price is $1000; that's what I paid for it. Members will get the good guy discount. I hate to lose it, but I need to in order to replace it.

The base measures 30x30 inches x 28 inches tall.

The envelope measures (front to back) 35 inches for 5 inches above the base (the column is an inverted tee); the table measures 52 inches long and travel is 10 inches from the centered position to either side, 6 1/2 inches forward of the rearmost position (that's with the extra 5 inches hanging off the rear of the base). Overall height is 66 inches.

My guess on weight is 2000 lbs, but that's entirely a guess. The attached OEM operations and maintenance manual fails to list it.

 

[Malleus]

FWIW, I moved it from PA on a Sunbelt drop trailer (I love those things!) and moved it onto and off of the trailer with a pallet jack, by myself. So that gives some idea of weight.

 

[lt1fire]

Harbor freight has gotten a ton better in the past 10 years. Their icon line is actually legit, and not inexpensive either. Hf tool chests (us general) are genuinely awesome and that's what I've had for the past 5 years.

You'll be hard pressed to find any tool brand that's made in the US of A that's not one of the super premium, meaning ridiculously expensive, brands such as snap on or Matco.

As my old craftsman tools wear out I'm replacing with Harbor freight icon stuff, gear wrench, precision brand tools, and a few randos from Amazon that are good.

Does craftsman still not have a replacement policy as their tools fail? I used to love finding broken craftsman tools and getting a brand new one for free.
I agree the icon line is pretty good for the price.

 

[Malleus]

I tried to get a ratchet replaced when Lowes started selling Craftsman. They refused. I stopped shopping there and stopped buying new Craftsman tools that day.

 

[gasman4u]

I tried to get a ratchet replaced when Lowes started selling Craftsman. They refused. I stopped shopping there and stopped buying new Craftsman tools that day.

Disappointing for sure. Especially when it's insinuated they will maintain the established precedent by keeping the name and leaning heavily on the heritage. I've found myself trying to look for alternatives to Lowe's and HD has done ok with products offered, but anything beyond "where can i find X?" leaves employees looking at you like you're speaking another language.

 

[lt1fire]

I tried to get a ratchet replaced when Lowes started selling Craftsman. They refused. I stopped shopping there and stopped buying new Craftsman tools that day.

just had to look it up. Their tools are still covered under lifetime warranty and any store that carries it has to honor it. I've got one that needs replacing so I guess i'll be talking to the manager at the lowes and then their corporate number if they don't take it. Maybe I should go in with a Karen wig on to show I mean business.

 

[lt1fire]

Disappointing for sure. Especially when it's insinuated they will maintain the established precedent by keeping the name and leaning heavily on the heritage. I've found myself trying to look for alternatives to Lowe's and HD has done ok with products offered, but anything beyond "where can i find X?" leaves employees looking at you like you're speaking another language.

Let me tell you what my interview and training was like at home Depot when I applied worked there in my late teens.
Go in..... so what's is your experience.
Well I know hand tools and most power tools pretty well.
Ok you're hired.
Will I get training on the things I don't know about.
Oh sure
My training consited of a computer program where I had to identify a wrench, a sawzall and a drill from pictures.... that's it.

So I had to try and learn about the tools I didn't really know about by myself. The tool department also included the hardware isle and I really knew nothing about the overall strength of a bolt that people kept asking me about or what screw would be best used in this certain condition they had.
I was also expected to work in other departments if they were short or no one was there despite them knowing I had zero knowledge in anything at that point in my life.
The best was having to work in the floor and wall design department while not having a log in to their system and not knowing anything about it. I was literally the only person there to work in that department. Needless to say that was the only job I was in and out of in under a year. A big box store is not really where to go to get help in doing things only to buy things.... unless you find the older people... the ones that are only working there in their retirement years for the health coverage, another sad fact of our society but that another story.