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Old 01-04-2017, 07:40 AM   #21
Tm98
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I have this set for the lug nuts and it has done very well. http://m.harborfreight.com/automotiv...-pc-62491.html
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Old 01-04-2017, 09:02 AM   #22
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I still have a lot of my dad's tools from a long time ago. In those days you primarily saw Craftsman, Proto and SK. The Chinese stuff hadn't appeared yet.

Over the years I have added the roving truck brands and some select HF stuff that tends to not break with limited use. Have I broken SnapOn's? Yes. My abusive behavior was responsible, and SnapOn made it good with a free replacement.

If you do any work with a SnapOn, you'll quickly appreciate the enduring quality and the comfort of the using the tools for any period of time. Because I had a rare occasion to use an inch pound torque wrench, I finally violated my dad's preaching to buy quality tools once and bought a 1/4 drive, inch pound version from HF on sale for $9.95. Hard to resist. Paying more would have been a deal breaker for me. I haven't used it yet. Comparing it to my SnapOn's or Matco's is like comparing a HF generator to a Honda or a Yugo to a Mercedes or an old International Scout to a Toyota Land Cruiser. You get the idea. Will it work? I presume so for the limited purpose I bought it for, but somehow it violates an artful mechanical sensibility from the past working with my dad. There is form and there is function. Sometimes, I want it all.

I guess I'm trying to say that one should buy what is best for their needs and budget and see how it goes. Some folks like brand new trucks with warranties, while shopping at HF, and some like older trucks that they hang on to, while shopping at the roving tool trucks. Its a conundrum of the human psyche. Ain't freedom great!?
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Old 01-04-2017, 01:10 PM   #23
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Having been a mechanic all of my adult life I have amassed lots of tools. When we went full-time RVing I reduced my inventory down to what was a minimum for me. It included three full sets of socket wrenches in sizes ¼”, ½” and ¾”. The ¾” has a 2’ breaker bar (I‘ve found it best for removing the lug nuts. The ¼’ drive set is Craftsman, the other two are Snap-on. My foot pound torque wrench is 1/2” drive and the inch pound is 3/8” drive (both are Huskey). When installing the tire/rim assemblies to the hubs I use the torque values and procedures given in the Keystone owner’s manual.

Our truck has two - flush with the rails - tool boxes mounted in the bed. The one up against the cab in the picture in the link below holds all my tools. I can do that by keeping my tongue weight in the 2600# - 2700# range. The “V” box holds trailer set-up equipment.

http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=20679
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Old 01-04-2017, 05:28 PM   #24
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First liar ain't got a chance..
20+ years on my tools as a Refinery Millwright. The next 20 as Foreman, Inspector, then Specialist. Now just talking combo wrenches...you couldn't give me a Snap-On. I'd just as soon wrap my hands around a knife blade. Those things are sharp. Proto is some better, which is what we were provided (yeah they bought the tools!). Occasionally an Armstrong would find it's way in the plant and I kept a sharp eye out for them. I "borrowed" them from co-workers and always gave them a Proto in return. Loved that Armstrong open end and their offset double box ends. You can get down on those double box ends.
Now ratchets...you could give me a few of those Snap-Ons.
In my home tool box..90% Craftsman. As that famous orator AJ Foyt said: "you know where they come from". Well maybe you used to.
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Old 01-04-2017, 07:19 PM   #25
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Ahhh....Snap Ons, Matco, Proto, Craftsmen, S&K, etc. No one even mentioned the Alltrades my mom gave me 40 years ago!!
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Old 01-04-2017, 09:04 PM   #26
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Ahhh....Snap Ons, Matco, Proto, Craftsmen, S&K, etc. No one even mentioned the Alltrades my mom gave me 40 years ago!!
I had to Google that one.
My Dad was a structural Ironworker, all we had for tools was hammers, more hammers, bigger hammers, and spud wrenches.
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Old 01-05-2017, 03:52 AM   #27
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I love the feel of the + wrench for loosening lug bolts but I can fit the head of mine into the lug nut "well" on my aluminum wheels. The shoulders are just to wide.

Do they make them with thinner heads?

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Old 01-05-2017, 06:03 AM   #28
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I use this Gorilla Wrench. Comes with 2 flip sockets so you have all 4 common sizes that would be on a 4 way. I can then use the same flip socket with a 6" extension on my toque wrench for the final step as well as checking lugs each day before hitting the road. BTW, I use a craftsman torque wrench mainly because I always found them to be fairly accurate for the cost and held their adjustment back when I used to calibrate torque wrenches. For the record, I never calibrated an HF torque wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Autom...la+tire+wrench
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Old 01-05-2017, 07:30 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
I use this Gorilla Wrench. Comes with 2 flip sockets so you have all 4 common sizes that would be on a 4 way. I can then use the same flip socket with a 6" extension on my toque wrench for the final step as well as checking lugs each day before hitting the road. BTW, I use a craftsman torque wrench mainly because I always found them to be fairly accurate for the cost and held their adjustment back when I used to calibrate torque wrenches. For the record, I never calibrated an HF torque wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Autom...la+tire+wrench
I'm a 189# gorilla with that wrench. Wish I had invented it.
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Old 01-05-2017, 08:47 AM   #30
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I had to Google that one.
My Dad was a structural Ironworker, all we had for tools was hammers, more hammers, bigger hammers, and spud wrenches.

I had never googled Alltrade and wow! I had no idea that Snap On fell under their umbrella.....from Taiwan?? I think something must have changed over the years because I don't think Snap On and Alltrade had anything to do with each other 40 years ago....and I doubt Alltrade is any better quality now due to the Snap On affiliation - just surprised by it. Sorry this is getting a little off topic - just seemed interesting.
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Old 01-05-2017, 09:46 AM   #31
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I can't for the life of figure out why families will spend 30K to 100K on a travel trailer/5'ver and shop for their repair/maintenance tools at Harbor Freight. Please, please tell me you can afford a real 4-way lug wrench not some POS from HF.
I agree to your statement to an extent. It amazes me that some folks will "cheap out" on tires, electrical components etc. But when it comes to tools I disagree if you can afford it you should go premium. If you can afford kobe beef should you never eat a hot dog? Emergency food packs do not contain Kobe beef because it's cost prohibitive. I see the tools in a camper as "emergency use" tools. If you want to have the best tools and work on the unit every time you go camping than what's the point in spending the time and money to move the unit just to work on it? I get that sometimes that may be the only time available to do the work but using that logic if you can afford the "30K to 100K" unit can you not also afford to pay someone to do repairs? Personally I store HF or other more economical brands in the unit for the emergency stuff and when I want to work on say an electrical project while camping then I take some Klien tools from the garage with me.

Just my 2cw.
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Old 01-05-2017, 01:45 PM   #32
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Hand tools

Used lots of different tools in my life, with company issued Proto, Snap-on, and Craftsman, and really all worked well. Only issue I remember is using the Snap-on, and one of the tools we were given had a tendency to break, so it quickly became know as the 'Snap-off'. Company informed them, and provided an improved version, so they were responsive to our needs.

My favorite tool use however, was doing my work as a Paramedic (yes, my user name), working in ER as Med-tech, and we had to remove a orthopedic device, called an external Fixator, which is used primarily for severely broken bones. As expected, everything in the hospital is sterilized, and wrapped in sterile packaging. They hand me a tray, and the Doc request I open the packages and lay out the surgical instruments. There in this very neat, sterile wrapping are Craftsman wrenches, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8. Some other items too, but everything is all metal, so it can be sterilized.
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Old 01-06-2017, 03:11 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by Pmedic4 View Post
Used lots of different tools in my life, with company issued Proto, Snap-on, and Craftsman, and really all worked well. Only issue I remember is using the Snap-on, and one of the tools we were given had a tendency to break, so it quickly became know as the 'Snap-off'. Company informed them, and provided an improved version, so they were responsive to our needs.

My favorite tool use however, was doing my work as a Paramedic (yes, my user name), working in ER as Med-tech, and we had to remove a orthopedic device, called an external Fixator, which is used primarily for severely broken bones. As expected, everything in the hospital is sterilized, and wrapped in sterile packaging. They hand me a tray, and the Doc request I open the packages and lay out the surgical instruments. There in this very neat, sterile wrapping are Craftsman wrenches, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8. Some other items too, but everything is all metal, so it can be sterilized.
You never want to need orthopedic surgery and watch a video of how they're going to do it. Sometimes it looks more like Tim the Tool Man Taylor instead of Dr. Bob. I wonder if those Craftsmen came with a lifetime warranty?

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Old 01-06-2017, 03:49 AM   #34
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You never want to need orthopedic surgery and watch a video of how they're going to do it. Sometimes it looks more like Tim the Tool Man Taylor instead of Dr. Bob. I wonder if those Craftsmen came with a lifetime warranty?

Chip Bruce, RPh
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This is off topic from the op but I call my ortho surgeon a carpenter with a doctorate. Years ago I had my Oral and maxillofacial surgeon install an implant and on the tray was 1/4" craftsman ratchet and what looked like a drywall screw. Very odd to see.
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Old 01-06-2017, 03:56 AM   #35
ctbruce
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Originally Posted by flybouy View Post
This is off topic from the op but I call my ortho surgeon a carpenter with a doctorate. Years ago I had my Oral and maxillofacial surgeon install an implant and on the tray was 1/4" craftsman ratchet and what looked like a drywall screw. Very odd to see.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Back to topic at hand......[emoji41]

On another note, HF stock is up 2 points due this thread....

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Old 01-06-2017, 04:00 AM   #36
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My father always told me, buy the best tools that you can afford. I remember buying a set of Snap On screwdrivers (Philips head), back in 1972 when I was just out of high school and working as a PDI/setup guy at a motorcycle shop. The 5 piece set cost me $15. Guess how much I made an hour...... $2/hour...so basically, I spent a days wages on a screwdriver set......and yes, I still have every single one of the screwdrivers in that set and they are all in good condition.

I went on to serve an apprenticeship and become a Journeyman Maint. Electrician and believe in buying top quality tools for my job. When you use tools everyday, they get a workout and to me, it's better to buy top quality. I have however realized that some tools, the ones that only used occasionally, such as the tools that we are talking about in this discussion, don't have to be the best that money can buy. I won't totally cheap out on tools that see occasional use, but I still try to buy at least good/decent quality stuff. Just my
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Old 01-06-2017, 07:04 AM   #37
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It appears many tools are now made in China. Most likely in the same factories Harbor Freight gets their tools from? Craftsman wrenches ratchets and sockets are made in China, Snap-on makes 80% of their tools in the US, I wonder where the other 20% are made????

http://www.usalovelist.com/

"Snap-on Tools is a franchise tool company that sells directly to professional technicians and manufactures 80% of its tools in US plants."


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crafts...Legal_disputes

"Beginning in 2010, hand tools manufactured for Craftsman by Apex Tool Group such as ratchets, sockets, and wrenches began being produced overseas (mainly in China although some are produced in Taiwan), while tools produced for Craftsman by Western Forge such as adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and larger mechanic tool sets remain made in the United States."
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Old 01-06-2017, 08:53 AM   #38
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I'll be very interested to see if my new Craftsman-Made-in China deep 3/8" and 1/4" drive sockets hold up vs the many years older sets of USA made Craftsman, Snap-on, MAC and S-K that I have in my 'big' toolbox. These Craftsman sockets will be in my traveling tool kit so (hopefully) wont see as much use. First appearances is that they are poorly plated/polished and the brand name info is poorly rolled in the surface, making them not as nice looking. The current Craftsman combo hand wrenches aren't finished as well as a set of Harbor Freight metric wrenches in my traveling kit - and neither compare to my Snap-on home shop tools. I sure hope that Stanley takes a good look at the current Craftsman tool quality and think about bringing that manufacturing back to the US.
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Old 01-06-2017, 08:55 AM   #39
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You never want to need orthopedic surgery and watch a video of how they're going to do it. Sometimes it looks more like Tim the Tool Man Taylor instead of Dr. Bob. I wonder if those Craftsmen came with a lifetime warranty?

Chip Bruce, RPh
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WELL....THAT WAS FUN!
Sorry to veer off topic one more time but had to recount an experience similar to yours.

Going into surgery for my 1st knee replacement they came in and gave me the sedative to put me pretty much out before they completely knock you out. I have a high tolerance for stuff like that so it didn't do anything to me. They wheeled me into the surgery section under all the bright lights and proceeded to do "their thing". I was wide awake so sat up on the gurney to look around; I was shocked. I don't know what I expected to see (I suppose I didn't expect to see anything) but there were saws; big saws, and all kinds of shiny, heavy duty tools. I turned to one of the folks typing on a computer and did my best Joker imitation and said "Where do you get all of these wonderful toys?" They all looked at me and a guy came up and told me that I wasn't supposed to be up looking around and put me back down. Another came over and told me it was time to go to sleep....which I promptly did!

Now, back to our regular program
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Old 01-06-2017, 03:09 PM   #40
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It seems like we have exhausted the discussion of tire wrenches. While it's been interesting to see members opinions on tools, we are not really furthering the tire wrench discussion, so this thread is now closed
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