Wrenches and Screwdrivers?

[mwhafner]

I found a local snap on dealer who was around 30-40% less than the internet price.  they can sell them for what they feel comfortable at is what I thought he said.

JJ

I have always found that the local dealers would work with you on price, especially the independents.  I had heard that some areas are now covered by larger franchise holders that do not allow much discounting, but am not sure of the reliability of the source.  It has been a couple of years since I bought any Snap-On tools, so I don't have recent experience either way.

I think that you also have to include Klein in the screwdriver conversation.  While I wouldn't consider them a "fine tool", they do make a great screwdriver.  I imagine that the quality has strayed a little as they have pushed into the "big box" stores, but have a couple of sets that are about 20 years old, and still in great shape.  Even when I was younger, dumber, and more abusive to my gear, I never had a tip break.  A couple of the larger flat heads have been used more as a chisel or pry bar than a driver.

My opinion is get the best you can afford for what you are going to do with them

Amen.  It has been said on this forum many times, but I never regret paying for quality.  I have kicked myself more than once for going the cheap route. 

 

[Jimhart]

Keep in mind that the Craftsman Lifetime warranty now refers to Sears lifetime, not yours.

 

[sw1211]

This site carries a lot of higher end hand tools.  If you want to look at the catalogs listed, they're big and were easiest viewed after being downloaded to your pc instead of just opening from their web site.

http://chadstoolbox.com/

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Yeah, i agree.
You can go to www.tool-industry.com , there are various Wrench manufacturers and Screwdriver manufacturers there

I never before heard of any of the featured companies listed on this linked site which are

    *    Kingxxel Tools Co.,Ltd
    * CEIEC Jiangsu Corporation
    * JINLI INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.
    * Nanjing Extop Tools & Hardware Corp.Ltd.
    * Summit Pro Built Power
    * Nanjing Sulang Trading Co., Ltd.
    * Hua Ning International Technical & Tradi...
    * Nanjing Touch Industry Co., Ltd.

Dave R.

 

[jaegerhund]

This site carries a lot of higher end hand tools.  If you want to look at the catalogs listed, they're big and were easiest viewed after being downloaded to your pc instead of just opening from their web site.

http://chadstoolbox.com/

I've ordered from this place more than once. Nice selection of tools.

Justin

 

[jaredwayne]

wiha tools, top notch hand tools. kinda like the festool of hand tools

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Justin.  This site looks far more like what I am interested in.  I bought a set of Ruko metric HSS twist drills 1 to 10 mm in 1/2 mm steps in a metal index case when in Berlin Dec. 22, 2007.  They are well made and were moderately priced (about US$40) compared to some other brands at that dealer/builders' supply store which also carried a large line of Festool, Mafell, Makita and other tools.

Dave R.

 

[jaegerhund]

Cool Dave --- I don't want to take Steve-Co's credit , as I just seconded the site.  I've ordered Wiha, Felo, and Wera screwdrivers as well as Knipex pliers of all sorts from Chad's place.  I don't know the guy, but I think his store is a family owned joint, so I try to help him out when I can.

Justin

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Justin, thanks, again, to both you and Steve-CO.  I just finished downloading and perusing the Ruko PDF catalog.  I note in it that many items are sold in packs.  Some of their hack saw blades look very interesting.  Their blade heat treatment profile and set tooth designs make a lot of sense to my engineering background.  But these blades are listed as coming in 100 blade packs.  I could never use that many in my lifetime.  Does Chad's break such large packs and sell in lesser quantities to hobbyists like me?  Many of Ruko's assortment of jigsaw and reciprocating and hole saws also look very interesting.  And core drill bits for anyone dealing with boring flanges of steel I-beams.

I'm downloading some other catalogs while catching up on FOG posts.  I can think of several tool items I'd like to buy, but not in large quantities.

Dave R.

 

[jaegerhund]

Dave --- I've never ordered such items, but I'm thinking he would be fairly flexible (especially if these economic times are hurting him a bit).  They tend to respond fairly quickly to email, and I believe Chad is typically the guy to do the responding. 

Justin

 

[Dave Ronyak]

My tools budget is in greater trouble now.  ;D   I spent a good part of this evening downloading and perusing some of the tool catalog's linked at Chads Tool Box, and I am wanting some of those many items.  I hate tools that don't properly engage their complementary fasteners, and as the size of each goes down, the importance of a proper fitment increases.  Otherwise, slipping and rounding off will occur.  And before the link to Chad's was posted here on FOG, I did not even know of some of these quality hand tool brands.  TiN and diamond coated bit tips, anyone? 

Dave R.

 

[jaegerhund]

Dave, those Wiha, Wera, Knipex, etc.. catalogs are dangerous -------- hide your credit card  ;D.  They really are high quality tools Dave, and like Lays Chips,  you can't just eat (buy) one.  The driver bits are high quality --- as well as the bit holders --- and I mean just the plain old mom and pop, steel bits.

Justin

 

[tom.smith]

I am just now entering the world of Festool drilling. Have a T15+3 arriving tomorrow and wanted to buy some Wera diamond BiTorsion bits for it. As I understand it, that might be a problem.

I won't be able to use the Centrotec chuck with the Weras since they are a standard 1/4" drive. I've got three questions:
    1) Is the Centrotec chuck so great that replacing it with a Rapidaptor is a dumb idea?
    2) If the Centrotec really is that good, how do the Centrotec bits compare in quality to the Weras?
    3) Is there any other Wera-comparable bit out there that is Centrotec-compaitble?

I'm moving towards a metric-only solution, but I still have old projects with imperial fasteners. Having an imperial set for backup would be really handy. Interested in the full range of stuff, from driver bits to drill bits to nut setters to countersinks and counterbores. You can never have too many. ;D

 

[mwhafner]

You can probably use the Wera bits in the Centrotec bit holders and extension.  They accept standard 1/4" hex bits.

 

[tbellemare]

The only advantage I see to the Rapidaptor (if I understand it correctly) is that it has some sort of bit "eject" mechanism. It would have to mount in the Jacobs style chuck, a Centrotec bit holder, or the output shaft of the drill.

The Festool 492540 - Centrotec Locking Bit Extension, BV 150 CE, grabs 1/4" hex bits, has a strong magnet to "suck in" the bits, and can be used one-handed.

The Festool Centrotec bits are really high quality and 100 mm long. As an alternate, the 1/4" hex, 25 mm long bits come in two qualities and the ZrN coated HiQ bits are premium quality also.

This reference has 4 parts and explains the Festool chucks, drill bits, and common driver bits.

Tom

 

[tom.smith]

Thanks for the clarification.

The Rapidaptor with the ring magnet is the cool one. Yes, it would go straight into the drill's output shaft, obviating the need for the Centrotec, thereby making the T15 a straight 1/4" drive drill.

I think I can't really decide this until I get hands-on with the drill tomorrow. I like the Centrotec idea, just not sure if it's workable for me without an additional three figure investment.

The Weras are part of a system, much like Festool, where you mix and match parts to do what you need. Need a torque screwdriver? No problemo. Need stainless steel bits? Got you covered there as well. You use the same bits everywhere with every tool, so you only need to buy them once, and they last forever. Very "Festool-ish" philosophy.

 

[tom.smith]

The T15+3 came today...

Ohmygawd! From the time I turned this on at 2 RPM (yes, I timed it at 1 revolution every thirty seconds) and heard that sweet purring, I knew I was in for a treat. After I drove a 2 1/2" screw all the way into solid oak at that same 2 RPM, I was dumbstruck. This is like nothing I've ever used before. Full torque at any speed. The weight is almost the same as the little 10.8 V Bosch I always used to reach for first. Until now, that is. The Bosch is going into the garage sale. The T15 is one seriously sweet drill.

As you know, I worried about bits a lot. The Centrotec bit selection was extremely limited and regular 1/4" drive bits seemed like a cob job. Let me report, the included bit holder is first rate. All my 1/4" bits work like they were made for it, although the longer ones (like pocket hole bits) work better plugged right into the output shaft on the motor. Weras and other 1/4" bits work fine with nothing else to buy. The 25 mm long ones are better than the 50 mm ones. The longer they are, the more they can wobble. The locking bit holder is probably a wise decision if you have a lot of 2" long bits. Double-ended bits don't work too well, though.

Great feel, light, balanced, quiet, you can make music on it at the slowest speeds.  ;D  I love this drill already.