Not Harbor Freight tools thread

Zoro.com

Online purveyor of all sorts of stuff. Tons of stuff.

I got on their mailing list and got the 20% off. Folks here have said they used to go up to 30% but haven’t lately.

 

A quick look tells me Gearwrench tools are made in Chine & Taiwan.

 

life time warranty on most of the tools tho. Used it already on a socket that broke... that wasn't supposed to be in an impact wrench...

 

I like this thread!

 

Thanks. It's a solid idea, but not as popular as the Harbor Freight thread.

 

The other thread is heavily weighted towards the financial aspects of purchasing/owning tools.
I would bet serious monies that most folks who work with hand tools to make a living lean towards a quality tool. I do.

 

I'm somewhere in the middle. I certainly have Harbor Freight tools. But it's not the primary place I purchase from. I also don't consider a lifetime replacement warranty a selling point. When I buy a tool, I don't want to have to return it because it broke. That's a pain in the ass to me. If I'm working on the truck and my only wrench breaks, it doesn't matter that they will replace it for free when my only ride there is currently in pieces. Or worse, my jack stand drops the truck on me.

I know some people really take care of their tools. Right tool for the right job and all that. I abuse my tools. If I need to hammer something, the biggest heaviest thing I can reach is now a hammer. All of my screwdriver pull triple duty as chisels and pry bars. Power tools are hammers and wheel chocks. Chrome sockets frequently get used on the impact gun. Doesn't matter to me what tool gets the job done. Also doesn't matter to me if it would get replaced if it broke. I'll likely to find something different that I think might handle the abuse when I replace it.

 

Sounds like your application would make for a great testbed for tools.
I like your "get it done" attitude! Sounds like you most certainly turn a wrench (among other things) for a living.

 

They are nicely made and you might have heard of some other companies who have rebranded Gearwrench tools, like Snap On, Matco, and MAC.

 

For sure. That is part of what this thread does, educate. I've had my eyes opened.

 

Not high end, but better than HF.
3/8" and 1/2" drive. $50 each at Lowes.

 

Waited 7 months for this to come in..

Split Beam torque wrench with a range of 10-50lbs. Made in the USA.. Found a deal for $120 online.. These are great torque wrenches. I have the 1/2" also which covers from 50-250lbs.

For $120 it was worth the wait.

 

I worked for nearly 40 years as aircraft mechanic with AA. We used a bunch of torque wrenches and I became familiar with the brands they used which coincided with what the Federal Govt uses. So it’s not real hard to find these used, check the calibration and they will last you your working life. We can find used 3/8 drive for 50 bucks or less. Why buy new?

 

So what would be some good torque wrenches you guys used that we should look out for?? Dont leave me in suspense

 

Same here. Sometimes you just need a cheap tool for a one and done type job, or its a low risk commodity item like a creeper that HF makes a sufficient product. Other times you are buying a lifetime tool, and that's not the time to cheap out.

 

Napa has their 10 piece 10mm socket set on sale, not a huge discount, but a handy set.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTSS1438010M

 

Nice! All domestic steel used to forge those. I work at a distributor but can't afford most of their stuff. All domestic production aside from their adjustable wrenches AFAIK, which Rigid used to forge in PA for them I believe. Something happened and now everyone is selling a Spanish version (Proto, Wright, Ridge).

Do yourself a favor and get their small ratchet with the 3/8" drive on it. It's my favorite that I own. Super handy.
https://www.ohiopowertool.com/brand...-ratchets-and-chrome-sockets/wright-tool-3490

Also a fan of Bahco Tools.

Edit: Need to add about Wright. Been here 21 years. Their tools can break. Most common that I've seen are pawls of ratchets. Second would be the 1/2" breaker bar...the ears break where the pin is captured. After that it's mainly sockets...well used sockets. Seen maybe 3 dozen open end wrenches in all this time. All covered by warranty. Torque wrenches, step adapters, rust and universal sockets not covered. Otherwise no questions asked.

 

Cool. Thanks for the link and recommendation

All my older ratchets are starting to slip and Craftsman doesn’t offer their rebuild kits anymore.

 

Makita > Milwaukee