What new tools have you got lately?

[bucket]

I would hope the handle is tougher since the handle accounts for 80% of the cost. You’ll be doing without the warranty too and you’re probably better off getting the whole tool if you have the tool guy visiting you anyway.

I've witnessed a few of those exact handles break with not much abuse.

Not to hurt anyone's feelings, but matco is just a tool distributor, they don't make ANY tools. They just markup for the name, and sell other companies stuff.

Yeah, but I'm sure Matco doesn't use those Pittsburgh handles. If they do, shame on them.

 

[TravisB]

I don't know who makes the ratchet heads for Matco but they feel better than the Tektons I have. Not by a huge margin or anything but some better. The Tekton flex head has a more positive flex joint than whatever you can scheme up with a hybrid like this. I only have a 1/4" snap-on to compare to them with a lot of age on it. I can't remember how it compared when it was new. We will see how they last. I just work on my own stuff so I can't justify paying the tool truck prices. I came across this hack on Garage Journal and later on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. Both the icon bar on the 3/8 and the Pittsburg bar needed a little modification to make them work. The Icon was the easier fit though. I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you just wanted a little project or something to talk about

 

[bucket]

I don't know who makes the ratchet heads for Matco but they feel better than the Tektons I have. Not by a huge margin or anything but some better. The Tekton flex head has a more positive flex joint than whatever you can scheme up with a hybrid like this. I only have a 1/4" snap-on to compare to them with a lot of age on it. I can't remember how it compared when it was new. We will see how they last. I just work on my own stuff so I can't justify paying the tool truck prices. I came across this hack on Garage Journal and later on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. Both the icon bar on the 3/8 and the Pittsburg bar needed a little modification to make them work. The Icon was the easier fit though. I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you just wanted a little project or something to talk about

So far everything Icon I've used has seemed really good. The wrenches are nearly a direct copy of Snap-On and seem just as strong. It's a shame they are only sold in sets though.

 

[justhorns]

Made this one myself. $6.79 in hardware at Ace. 4"X5/16 bolts, 2 nuts per bolt, 2 washers per bolt. Its a universal carburetor stand.

 

[squaredeal91]

In # torq wrench. Always wanted one! First time using it today on cam bearing caps.

 

[Radiohead]

The nice SnapOn man replaced the guts on my 1/4" ratchet today.

I guess I don't know my own strength. Or ignore load capacity at my knuckular peril.

 

[TotalyHucked]

In # torq wrench. Always wanted one! First time using it today on cam bearing caps.

I love mine, they're so handy for engine stuff

 

[squaredeal91]

Strapon rebuilt this one for me last month.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Strapon rebuilt this one for me last month.

1980 model. Nice.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

Some, if not most will scoff at me. But I enjoy high quality and I'm definitely a sentimental person. Sucker for heritage and lineage, and history/names. Was just gonna get the click style, as that's what I know and enjoy. But since I get into the higher torque ranges, I would have had to buy the smaller version AND the larger version, with this one I can almost do everything. For under 15 ft lbs I'll just feel it out like always with a regular ratchet, or the really light duty stuff I'll get like a torque screwdriver.

Buy once cry once, especially for precision work. I'm definitely not the "make sure you torque that" guy. Until it comes to engines, transmissions, axles. All the precision stuff anyways. I could probably count on two hands how many times I've used a torque wrench. So I'm not a torque preacher in the least.

Snapon techangle 1/2 drive 15-300 ft lbs. All black version. It even does nm, inch lbs and a couple other units. Also has a built in angle feature, so like for torque to yield bolts, like crank bolts and whatnot, you do your torque then switch it to angle and it'll calculate your degree of rotation and warn you just like torquing. That way you're super accurate. It has an lcd display and it can beep, vibrate, and has a little led ramp gauge when you get close to your value as well as it has real time torque output display.

So in theory you can use this like a beam style torque wrench as well, to measure drag in rotational force, seeing the real time amount of torque it takes to turn, as in like setting pinion preload on an axle.

Lifetime tools hold high value in my eyes. Especially these days in a throwaway society. "wEll iF It BrEAks JuST WarrANTY a nEw oNE". Trust me I understand that, but I can do the same thing? lol, and I'll still have a better tool. It may not be as fast as going to the store and getting a new one, but I also usually can't talk to a real person, as well as I don't have any harbor freight around here I don't even think within 300 miles. Edit: they just opened a harbor freight 100 miles from me lol. Still not worth it.

Quality feel in my hands is way more important than being able to go get a new one when it breaks. I also develop attachments to tools like trucks and anything else, so you'd just throw away your square for a different one that's not broken?

I love the thought that 100 years from now, someone will probably be buying my tools as vintage pieces. They'll still work and look great too. I'm just rambling now. Love the all black.

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I really need (want?) one these little jewels. I bought my first torque wrench (Craftsman) when I came back from SEA. Alas it has given up the ghost, and no spare parts are available to repair it. Anybody know what one of these jewels runs off the Snap-On truck? Maybe Santa will be good to me this upcoming Dec. I know, don't hold my breath waiting for that to happen, I've been the extended family's St. Nick for over 4 decades.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I really need (want?) one these little jewels. I bought my first torque wrench (Craftsman) when I came back from SEA. Alas it has given up the ghost, and no spare parts are available to repair it. Anybody know what one of these jewels runs off the Snap-On truck? Maybe Santa will be good to me this upcoming Dec. I know, don't hold my breath waiting for that to happen, I've been the extended family's St. Nick for over 4 decades.

If you know your Snap-on guy well, you should be able to get a little discount. Retail was $750 before tax.

 

[oldretiredafguy]

If you know your Snap-on guy well, you should be able to get a little discount. Retail was $750 before tax.

Thanks. I found several on FB Marketplace for $500 (1/2 inch). Not sure I want to buy used, don't know how many times it's been dropped, or how long since it was calibrated. OBTW, what does a calibration cost from a Snap-on mobile dealer?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Thanks. I found several on FB Marketplace for $500 (1/2 inch). Not sure I want to buy used, don't know how many times it's been dropped, or how long since it was calibrated. OBTW, what does a calibration cost from a Snap-on mobile dealer?

That's why I went new as well. I'm sure a good truck guy would have the calibration tester, and would do it for free. But to actually calibrate the tool, I'm sure it would have to get sent out, I don't think It's spendy. A good tool truck guy would also usually have a loaner tool while that takes place, for a shop guy anyways.

 

[SirRobyn0]

So far everything Icon I've used has seemed really good. The wrenches are nearly a direct copy of Snap-On and seem just as strong. It's a shame they are only sold in sets though.

Thanks for the tip. I'm at the point where I really hate buying any tools off of any of the tool trucks because I feel like they are very over priced. Especially for stuff used on the farm, where it's used outside, sometimes in the mud, sometimes someone else is using them and might get lost. We've got a bunch of Pittsburg sockets and wrenches on the farm and they have been great for what they are used for but the Pittsburg ratchets suck. So last year I bought a couple of Snap-on ratchets, just the basic 3/8" was $140! So it one of them disappears, or enough sockets disappear to warrant buying a new set I'd get the Icon.

 

[Camar068]

picked up a DA polisher from HF. Tried a spot on the eggshell on the passenger side.....gonna make things faster to repaint it.

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