We have been contacted by Trusty-Cook and they would like to offer our forum members a 20% discount on on-line purchases.

A message from Trusty-Cook:

We have the discount code setup on our website for Smith & Wesson Forum members. The discount code is guns20. Your members will need to enter this code as the Coupon Code in the lower left hand corner of the cart page and then hit the gray “Apply” button to the right. This will take 20% off the list price of the order. It’s possible when building multipacks to receive up to 30% off list price on an order.

Those who have questions can send an email via the website. It would be great for me if they mention they belong to the Smith & Wesson Forum when they send the inquiry. If anybody gets in touch with you directly and wants to know who to speak with at Trusty-Cook, feel free to give them my email.

Original posts starts below:



I am sort of a Tool-Junkie and really appreciate high quality tools. You could certainly say I am NOT a Harbor Freight kind of guy. As most of us know, the Snap-on, Mac, Matco. Proto, SK etc. line of tools has gotten priced up the wazoo lately (although they have always been super expensive). Anyway, I was looking into some Dead-blow Ball Pein AND Rubber -faced hammers and did not want to spend the BIG BUCKS for the Snap-on's so I was persistent and discovered that the Snap-on, Proto, SK, etc. etc. brands are all made by a Company named Trusty-Cook Manufacturing. They are 100% made in the USA with all USA made materials and are exactly the same tools as the name brand ones - exact!

If anyone here uses or would like to use high quality Dead-blow hammers, you owe it to yourself to check them out. They are priced about 1/3 of what the Snap-on hammers are and around half of some of the other name branded ones are. They make ALL different sizes and weights and some can be used for gun-smithing.


https://trustycook.com/

While its hard to beat Snap-On stuff I'm always looking for less expensive, yet comparable quality tools.....

If you have a tool truck or two that you frequent, ask them if they have trade in stuff every time you see em!!!

I often get some FINE deals on used Mac and Snap-On tools this way.

I thank you for this post fine sir!! I'm spreading the word around the industry

If you look on their website, they even list the Snap-on Mac, Proto, Matco, SK, Stanley etc. SKU numbers!!!

THAT I did not see. I'll definitely look a little deeper. I have a few Snap-On and Mac deadblow hammers and really like them. BUT, Like you said, they're prices have skyrocketed!!!

Glad to have most of my stuff bought already, but you can never have too many different styles of hammers!!

Have you been hanging out on the Garage Journal?
Trusty Cook is a member and run specials on their hammers from time to time. A couple of the guys over there are total hammer junkies and have sets of different colored dead blow hammers.
Trusty Cook did in fact make Snap On's dead blows, but I am quite sure Snap On is making their own now.


Patrick

Equivalent Model Numbers:
Manufacturer Model Number
Armstrong 69-547
Cornwell CTH-TC-S4
MATCO DB32PH
SK Tools 9132
Snap-On HLE24

https://trustycook.com/product/sliml...mmer-model-s4/

After clicking on the link above, click on the EQUIVELENT MODELS

This is just one particular list Trusty-Cook lists for one of their hammers and each different model has a similar list of the different sku numbers Company's use for the same T-C hammer. Weather or not Snap-on has changed manufacturers or not at this point and how old the T/C website is, I do not know. All I can tell you is that my Mechanic that has the Snap-on branded hammers are are identical to the T-C's.

Being a 'tool junkie" myself, I can tell you today, Snap-on makes VERY LITTLE of their own tool line now. Many of their hand tools are now made in Spain and other Country's as well as from a few domestic vendors. Their quality, while still the best in the business, is not quite what it used to be and someone starting out as a Mechanic today had better have had a rather large inheritance in order to fill his Snap-on tool box with Snap-on tools.

NOT bad-mouthing Snap-on (I own plenty of their tools) just stating the facts as I see them. Someone who wants "Snap-on" tools who does not want to pay the Snap-on price and has the time and energy to do the research can many times get them directly from the manufacturer and other than have the Snap-on name on it, they can get the same tool at 1/3 the price. Just saying.......... Yes I know the convenience of the of the truck pulling up and I know Tool Guys LIKE to SEE that Snap-on Logo, but someone who just wants the quality and not the price can find alternatives on most tools if they wish. I know this effort is not for everyone, I just wanted to post this for the benefit of some who are tired of the Snap-on Mortgage" LOL!

+ 1 on tool junkie......thanks for the information. One of the many reasons I hang on this forum.

Not my intent to get into a tool debate on a gun forum. But to say Snap On makes very little of their own tool line is incorrect. Not talking Blue Point or any of their other brands.
Their website lists country of origin for each of their tools. I look before I buy or order anything. Yes, some things are re branded and other things are in fact imported.
Local Snap On guy lives about 5 minutes from me. I am on the truck more then I should be. Some times buying tools, other times helping him out. I am always looking at country of origin.
They do in fact have 8 factories in the USA, making and or assembling tools and equipment. I am not blind to the fact some things are assembled with imported parts.
The 2015 catalog lists the Elkmont, Alabama facility for hammers. I am in no way saying TC makes junk. They are top notch tools.
Look at post 15 in the first link, from TC themselves. Second link is the truck tool equivalents.


Patrick


Trusty Cook Hammers - The Garage Journal Board

The Truck Tool Equivalents Thread - Gathering Data - The Garage Journal Board

I have a love/hate relationship with Snap On.
Love that their tools are fantastic.
Hate that some of them aren't, and that they snap it off in you.
Also hate their warranty on screwdrivers and prybars.
If I have a prybar or screwdriver shank break, I expect an entire new tool, NOT a new shank hammered into my old handle.
If the handle breaks, I expect them to give me a new tool, not SELL me a new handle.
You can never find their tool men when you need to warranty out a tool.
Or, if you do, they don't have it in stock.
BUT, they're Johnny on the spot if you owe them a buck.

I had a 10 oz Snap On soft faced dead blow hammer that I bought in 1995 that came apart with a quickness. They had a huge run of them that failed.
My replacement has been great, but I don't use it at work. I keep it at home for gun work.
Also have one of their bronze tipped dead blow hammers at home.

My best soft faced deadblow hammers have been the set I bought from Matco in 1997. The handles have a rough, stippled texture. They don't slip from your grip. They've been through Hell and have held up well.

Snap Off tools are great, but they are overpriced and overrated. Their business model is set up to keep mechanics in perpetual debt to Snap On.


Their sockets are the only sockets I've ever had that broke.
They won't get worn/wallowed out at the mouth but they will break.

Now, their O-ring picks are frigging fantastic. The only ones I've owned that didn't bend or break.

My bronze tipped deadblow hammer was almost free. A mechanic at a customer had thrown his ball pein deadblow hammer in the trash because it was one of the ones with the bad casting/bad batch of urethane.
Tool men weren't allowed on their property, so he threw it away.
I took it, with his permission, and turned it in for warranty credit with our Snap On man. He didn't have a ball pein in stock. So, I took the bronze and paid him the $14.00 difference.

Sears Craftsman hammers are/were made by Vaughan. I've had good luck with them. Only had one fail, and that was due to the epoxy having not cured. The head flew right off the fiberglass handle.

I own Snap On, Mac, Matco, SK, Proto, Wright, Husky, Craftsman, Northern, Kobalt, Harbor Freight, Bike Pro, Duralast, AC Delco (or is it Goodwrench?)-Wal Mart 1999, Makita, Alemite, DeWalt, Skil, and many other brands of tools.

I'm not loyal to any one brand.

If I worked in the shop, I'd mostly use my Snap On, Mac, and Matco tools.
But, I work on the road. When tools break, there is no tool truck to warrant them for me.
Tools also get stolen when you work on the road.
Two of my Snap On O-ring picks grew legs. Now, I have to mail order them.
My Blue Point 16 oz ball pein has escaped that fate, so far.

Their tool boxes are pretty sweet. My company issue box is a Blue Point.
Good thing it's bolted to the floor of the service van, or it would get stolen in some of the neighborhoods I work in. Emphasis on "hood".

Considering the likelihood of tools being stolen at work, I mostly carry Craftsman or cheaper.
My air and cordless power tools are Ingersoll Rand, CP, and Makita.
My pry bars are Matco and Mayhew.
Some tools have no inexpensive substitute that will do the job just as well as the expensive ones.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

Patrick,

While we are on the Snap-on subject and you seem to know Snap-on well, I wanted to ask you a question regarding Screwdrivers. I have a set of black handled Snap-on screwdrivers that outright "stink" (smelly odor). I asked the Snap-on guy about this a few months ago and he just looked at me like I was nuts (he is a young new guy). One other Snap-on owner told me his smell too - know anything about this? Will Snap-on replace them??

Quite honestly, I almost never use the Snap-on screwdrivers anyway, my go-to screwdrivers are almost always the Brownell's Hollow Ground Magna bits and LE handle (far superior design IMHO). I would however like to get these stinky screwdrivers out of my shop and at least get them replaced if possible. Every heard of this phenomenon??

I have a Chapman gun screwdriver set that smells as well. These have the black plastic handles.
Smells just as bad now as it did when I bought it in 1982. I find this kind of incredible.

I use Wrights , Snap On are to expensive, haha.

Think this subject has been recently discussed over there, something to do with the handle material.

I will see if I can find it.

And the ironic part is that Snap-on only guarantees the blade itself and NOT the handle!

It has something to do with the plastic handle material.
I've had screwdriver handles that stunk like that.
I've had plastic tool boxes/tackle boxes that stunk like that.
I've had screwdriver handles that smelled sweet.

I have an old nylon bristled shaving brush that stinks.
Not sure if it's the handle or the brush.
Nothing I do gets rid of the smell.
It smells like the other stinky plastic items.

I do think it's weird that a lot of plastic items have an almost fecal smell to them.

I don't know if it's a matter or using recycled plastic, or if it's just something that happens sometimes with some of the softer plastics.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

Oh, my Chapman is fowl smelling. I keep the kit in my range bag.

If you google smelly screw drivers you will find a lot of stuff.

Here is the one I was thinking about. Plus one you posted in on this forum.

Patrick


Any tricks on keeping screwdrivers from stinking? - Page 2 - The Garage Journal Board

stinkin' screwdriver handles

That post (2012) was just BEFORE I inherited my Dad's Stinky Snap-ons. He had died just prior to that and I had not yet split-up my dad's tools with my brother. I should have taken the metal tools and left him with the Screwdrivers - LOL! Never knew about the problem before that because the ones I owned prior do not smell. As you can see, two different era Snap-on sets. My Dad was a HUGE Snap-on "Junkie" and I inherited many of his collection. I also have aSnap-on too box that dates back to the late 30's or early 40's. Look in Lounge - posted some pics.

Attached Images

IMG_0675.jpg (96.4 KB, 2 views)

They are actually two handle designs past the newer one you have posted there!!!!!

They don't smell anymore LOL

As far as the guys with the "too expensive" opinions, The REAL mark up on their tools is having a dealer come by your location EVERY week, warranty, repair, and finance the tools and boxes...

Don't get me wrong, I think Snap-On is the best tools you can buy PERIOD, closely followed by Mac. Cornwell and Matco battle for third. I own all four brands, but mostly Snap-On, I think the pricing on all of them are starting to get a little ridiculous.

If your not in a position where you see a dealer often enough, find one locally and get his phone number. When you need something, give him a call and meet him.

I know plenty of dealers that do it for people.

Snap-on has a lifetime warranty on those screwdrivers. If you can find a truck (without a bad attitude) they can cover it for you.

Those older handles were known for outgassing (?) Snap-on can't replace the handles exactly because they are no longer made, but they normally will provide the newer style.
FInd a dealer as mention elsewhere here, preferrably one without an attitude

Not sure how I missed this really interesting thread Chief but I did and my shop depends on dead-blows a lot. I may try one to see how they handle but our needs can be a bit different. Talking raw furniture assembly work where these tools are used to bump and drive home mortise and tenon joints, splines or any assembly work. The hammer face cannot be too grabby since assemblers need to be able to bump a glancing blow frequently. The face certainly must not mar raw hardwood surfaces since it will print on the finish end and it must be light and comfortable enough for my women assemblers. Our current hammers are English made non marring whitish barrel heads but apparently no longer imported so I will be shopping. Thanks

Regards

[QUOTE=chief38;138787469]Patrick,

..... a set of black handled Snap-on screwdrivers that outright "stink" (smelly odor). I asked the Snap-on guy about this a few months ago and he just looked at me like I was nuts (he is a young new guy). ...

I have a set of Craftsman tools I've had for 40+ years, all have given excellent service, all in a big Craftsmen toolbox with drawers.
I have blade screwdrivers in one drawer, Philips in another, and nut drivers in another. The handles look pretty much alike, clear plastic with a bit of color on the surface of the handle, but open the nut driver drawer and the old gym sock stink will knock your head off. I've tried washing them, putting desiccant in the drawer, wiping them with alcohol, but no matter what, about a week or more in the drawer and the big stink is back.
I really think it's the handle material. Sears doesn't make their own tools, so I'll betcha Snap-On made the nut drivers.
Funny, I thought I was nuts, but I guess not. Thanks for clearing up a mystery!

I picked up a set of three deadblow hammers from a local guy that has a pawnshop/tool store. They are all made in China and I picked up all three for what I'd have paid for one "quality" deadblow. The only downside I have found is that the plastic side plate with the name stamped on it will loosen and fall out, I remedied that problem with a heavy dose of industrial grade super glue gel...they don't fall out now. I use one where I do all my bullet casting, its perfect for smacking the sprue clear in one shot. Another stays with my car and is primarily when I pound my cross-sticks into the ground when shooting. The middle weight is on a hook in the shop.

I am a "sometime" artilary or naval gun case collector. By sometime I mean when one comes my way if I don't have that particular item I'll try to buy it. My favorite tool for correcting bent necks and trying toremove dents is a dead blow hammer. I keep a few large aluminum bars in the garage that can be placed into my vise and use that as a mandrel over which the casing is placed and use the deadblow hammer to remove the dents as best as I can. My oldest casing is from Germany WWI and my newest one is a vietnam era 105mm that was marked air force only. Probably for the ac-130 spector gun ship. Frank

Nuplaflex hammers. Have used them for years to fine tune run-outs to 0.0002" or less, such as with the bore of this compressor hub:



The hammer faces come in differ hardnesses, and there's a size for most any application.


Bottom is an SPS-305SG (5 lb. 15.5" handle.) Top is one of my old hammers, which probably is discontinued, although there's still tips made for it.

I had a set of those stinky screwdrivers, and in addition to the stink, a thin layer of some kind of clear oily liquid has developed on the surface of the handles as well. The smell is so acrid, like vinegar (acetic acid), that it concerned me that it might be on the corrosive side, so I tossed the whole set and bought a set of the Professional grade Craftsman screwdrivers which has served me will for over 15 years.

My other Snap-on, Proto and Bonney wrenches, sockets and tools are still going strong, you do get what you pay for when it comes to those.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I too own a Craftsman set (set of 3 Philipps) of professional Craftsman screwdrivers as well and I agree with you that at least in this case the Craftsman Pro's are better than the Snap-on's.

The funny thing is that I have two different era Snap-on sets of screwdrivers and the older version handles seem to be made of different material and do not smell as bad. The ones I inherited from by Dad are the ones that smell. I do not know exactly when he bought them but I'd guess around the early 1980's. Since I only brought those to my home relatively recently I am new to this stinky scenario.

I am now told by friends that other brands of screwdriver and nut driver handles made of similar materials also stink so I suppose this is not isolated to Snap-on.

I do not know if Craftsman still makes the USA Pro line of screwdrivers but they are good.

The BEST BEST screwdrivers (and my go-to's) are the Hollow Ground Brownells Magna-bits OR their fixed blade versions. The Magna-bits are made by a bit company called Apex and they are simply the BEST I have ever used! At this point I rarely use standard configuration screwdrivers anymore.

Apex also makes their Phillips bits with serrations on the side to better grasp Phillips Head Screws. I purchased those direct from Apex years ago and do not know of that version is available from Brownells - but definitely worth asking.

The guy on the truck likes those big dealerships where there is a crew of guys vying to have the most impressive toolbox. Work at a small country airport and they quit coming after a few weeks, UNLESS, you keep a small balance.

I was taught, and practiced always buy the best tool you can afford-- I must take exception to the Harbor Freight comment. At my age I just buy what I need. These days I do not give a whole lot of thought as to where it comes from, although I DO think about it. If HF has what I can use then most of the time they will get the nod. Out here where you can hardly ever find what you you need, I buy it any where I can. Recent example-- when I got my Sinclair Wilson trimmer I figured out right away I didn't want to be knocking brass in an out with a hammer--- strolling thought HF I saw a couple arbor presses. the smaller one would suit my needs just fine. Yes, made in China, and a bit on the rough side as far as finish goes but a few minutes with some wet dry paper and it was great. At 40 bucks, for the intended use it was perfect. Home it went-- some time later when I got a new Sinclair catalog I noticed they had their version of such a press, at 3 times my cost-- and, it did not look like it was as sturdy as would be needed. Be that as it may a couple modifications and mine was set to go-- severalhundereds of rounds later I feel it is very successful for my needs-- the new HF store here is great. They were around for just years as a catalog only store, for most of us so they must be doing something right. Here is that arbor press with a few Mods-- Since this photo I added a piece of .380 brass to the hole I drilled for the small brass rod and it works much better--

Thanks! This is good info and a good recommendation.

What models do you recommend for gun-smithing?

https://trustycook.com/product/sliml...mmer-model-s0/


https://trustycook.com/product/ball-...mmer-model-16/

Good info to have. Thanks.

Harbor Freight tools DO have their place. For someone who needs a specific tool for a single task and will more than likely never repeat that task with said tool again, than a HF "single use" tool would be fine if it is capable in the first place. If you are an occasional user who is only doing something as a Hobby and does not rely of tools for his paycheck, HF might be a viable solution. They obviously have their following!

I use tools on a daily basis indoors and out, at home and at other locations and I would not want to rely on HF tools when I need to know that a tool must work, maintain trueness and take some sort of unintentional abuse. While I never purposely abuse tools, I will not say that I have never dropped them from ladders, trees, roofs, etc. When on a specific job stuff happens and you can't always run out to the nearest HF to replace it.

HF does carry different lines and different levels of stuff. The stuff from Taiwan does seem a bit better than the stuff from China but again, IMHO does not compare to professional grade tools. I do also get that not everyone uses tools as I do and a screwdriver to put in a couple of screws a year might be lost before it even fails - got it.

I have no intentions of judging people by what brand their tools are and because there is not a day that goes bye that I don't have a tool in my hand I sometimes forget not everyone is like me.

I take pride in my work, have a very high work ethic and unless I have no choice I usually buy the best tools I can afford. There have been very few failures in the tools I have owned for decades but will sadly admit that high quality tools are getting way too expensive and much harder to find since the "Chinese invasion". Many of the tried and true trusted brands of yesteryear are just names now on Chinese imported tools so I sometimes look for old stock - NIB tools when buying new ones that are not what they use to be. I have a very high success rate in getting what I want but have to pony up more than I'd like most of the time.

I have purchased a few non-tool items from HF such as work gloves, Teflon Tape, blades and have NEVER been happy with those purchases. Cheap is the initial cost and I find that in the long run higher quality supplies actually cost less, go much farther and work much better in the long run. Haven't been back to HF in 2 years and now buy stuff mostly on-line because it is getting harder and harder to find a brick & mortar store that actually carries what I want. YMMV

We have been contacted by Trusty-Cook and they would like to offer our forum members a 20% discount on on-line purchases.

A message from Trusty-Cook:

We have the discount code setup on our website for Smith & Wesson Forum members. The discount code is guns20. Your members will need to enter this code as the Coupon Code in the lower left hand corner of the cart page and then hit the gray “Apply” button to the right. This will take 20% off the list price of the order. It’s possible when building multipacks to receive up to 30% off list price on an order.

Those who have questions can send an email via the website. It would be great for me if they mention they belong to the Smith & Wesson Forum when they send the inquiry. If anybody gets in touch with you directly and wants to know who to speak with at Trusty-Cook, feel free to give them my email.

__________________
Dave

EXCELLENT! Hope some here take advantage of the discount - I know I will