As The Don Requested: Tool Discussion Moved - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #1 03-12-2015, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

Jeremy, love to find a swap meet, but I am clueless... Especially when it comes to quality and selection.

If you're confused by the terminology, a "swap meet" is the same as a "flea market." Different parts of the country use different names for the same thing and I'm sure there are local words in languages all over the world. In Algeria and Morocco we went to the "Souk," the Arabic word for "market" or "bazaar."

Picking the good stuff out of the trash at either one is like buying on eBay—it helps to know what you're doing. Like most of us, I learned the hard way, by experience. "Before you meet the handsome prince, you have to kiss a lot of frogs."

For tools, I looked for stuff marked "Made in USA" with a recognizable name brand like Thorsen, Proto, Craftsman, etc. In 1970, the "cheap" tools came from Japan and Taiwan; today it's China and other Asian countries. I spent a lot of time wandering the stalls, offering, bargaining, "I'm a poverty-stricken student" (true in 1970), occasionally spending a dollar or two. My prize was a set of ten (10) Bonney ignition wrenches for $2!

Jeremy

Adriel · #2 03-12-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

If you're confused by the terminology, a "swap meet" is the same as a "flea market." Different parts of the country use different names for the same thing and I'm sure there are local words in languages all over the world. In Algeria and Morocco we went to the "Souk," the Arabic word for "market" or "bazaar."

Picking the good stuff out of the trash at either one is like buying on eBay—it helps to know what you're doing. Like most of us, I learned the hard way, by experience. "Before you meet the handsome prince, you have to kiss a lot of frogs."

For tools, I looked for stuff marked "Made in USA" with a recognizable name brand like Thorsen, Proto, Craftsman, etc. In 1970, the "cheap" tools came from Japan and Taiwan; today it's China and other Asian countries. I spent a lot of time wandering the stalls, offering, bargaining, "I'm a poverty-stricken student" (true in 1970), occasionally spending a dollar or two. My prize was a set of ten (10) Bonney ignition wrenches for $2!

Jeremy

Jeremy, I know there used to be one back in El Cajon, but nothing here in Arizona. I just looked again, same as before.

Yes, made in U.S.A. is a good start. I have a pile of wrenches that came in the Squareback, and they are made in Japan I think, know maybe Taiwan, and one of my favorites due to weight and feel is India. They are from the 1970's to 1980's approximately, and bought by her and her bother when they were keeping up the Squareback.

That sounds like a deal! But, when do those actually become useful?

Jeremy5848 · #3 03-12-2015, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriel

That sounds like a deal! But, when do those actually become useful?

Ignition wrenches (SAE to boot, not Metric) are indeed useless on a Diesel! However, they are nice to have around the house and for electronic projects involving small hardware. The fractional SAE sizes do match some Metric sizes so I occasionally get to use them on a car, especially in tight areas where standard tools are too large.

Jeremy