Tool Advice
- Thread starter bricker
- Start date
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bricker
Member
I have the socket adapters, just needed to get into a tight space where a regular allen wrench won't reach, like set screws on blower wheels.I ordered a set of Bondhus wrenches. Should be here Thursday.Thanks for all the information, this forum is the best.
Klein is the best. I used a Kobalt the other day in a 100amp
Disconnect Box(new) and the thing twisted like a drill bit. I was lucky it didn't strip out the plug screw. I only buy Klien tools
when possible. Their screw drivers are hard to beat. I do have a set of Futurmill T- handles that I got in Machinist tool box that
I got at sale. Never herd of that brand, probably from the 1950s.
They are machinist grade, have red plastic handles with size on them. I have seen hi quality German made but don't know the
name brand, they ain't cheap.
Disconnect Box(new) and the thing twisted like a drill bit. I was lucky it didn't strip out the plug screw. I only buy Klien tools
when possible. Their screw drivers are hard to beat. I do have a set of Futurmill T- handles that I got in Machinist tool box that
I got at sale. Never herd of that brand, probably from the 1950s.
They are machinist grade, have red plastic handles with size on them. I have seen hi quality German made but don't know the
name brand, they ain't cheap.
I don't use T handles. I use the L shaped ones and have have made a bunch of handles. I use different sizes of aluminum rod with a hole drilled through it and a groove milled in the length. Slide the wrench you need through the hole and the L piece goes into the slot. I have thought about adding a retainer but you only need the handle to break loose or tighten. Anything of any size I go to the type that have use sockets.
quneur
Member
Most of Craftsman tools are now sourced from China.
- handles are good for benchwork and esp. on MC's. I used the socket driven, hex bit holders (Hansen?) when a pro wrench. Those bits are far beyond the normal high quality "black" hex allen wrench but somewhat clutzy for small entry areas.
and for many of us they've gone from being in a box store 1.5 hrs away to no place to be found. I have no idea where you'd buy that brand anywhere near me, other than a non stocking Sears home store. Do the home stores do exchanges?
FWIW, when you make a living with tools(I'm now retired) you don't have time to fool with chasing lifetime warranties.
I do like the few Kobalt tools I've bought at Lowe's. Mostly now days I shop on eBay and web, like Amazon and can get it to my door for less than chasing a box store which has poor price points anyway.
I wonder how Amazon fares in polls about who ruined the local economy-Amazon or Wally world?
Either way, price & quality are the name of the game.
Mainsail
Member
You might find this article interesting; it discusses galling with stainless steel bicycle couplings. It's amusing that while we all argue over the "best" gun lube, they're all pretty much the same with only two exceptions, and some are even worse than no lube at all. It makes me want to switch to Krytox, but it ain't cheap.Or stainless steel galling. We're encouraged to use stainless fasteners in our panel builds, but I've cursed and screamed at more than my fair share of 1/4-20 nylocks. They seem to seize up on me every. Single. Time.I don't know if we got a bad lot of them or what, but since these enclosures aren't being placed in especially corrosive enviornments, I "cheat" and use plated nylocks instead to save myself wasted time and frustration. Haven't had one seize yet since I started doing that.
Why use only DuPont Teflon Bearing Grease?
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Bkreutz
US Veteran
If you buy quality tools, you only buy them once (unless you lose them, and that's not the tools fault). I still have Snap On tools that I bought in the '60s. The two hex head sets pictured below handle most of my needs, but if needs be, I can always go to the tool box for hex drive sockets.
Attachments
J. R. WEEMS
Member
ALLENS
Have a set with plastic handles--- for the most part they are junk-- they were free, but even then not worth it. Every time I have had to remove a stuck allen screw the handle will twist, and NOT the wrench. I have an assortment of fixed wrenchs with the 'bent' end for important work, such as for dies and trimmers. I really fail to see the reason for making the screws so small the wrench to fit them is really just wire----
Have a set with plastic handles--- for the most part they are junk-- they were free, but even then not worth it. Every time I have had to remove a stuck allen screw the handle will twist, and NOT the wrench. I have an assortment of fixed wrenchs with the 'bent' end for important work, such as for dies and trimmers. I really fail to see the reason for making the screws so small the wrench to fit them is really just wire----
