As The Don Requested: Tool Discussion Moved

[jake12tech]

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Stay away from the HF "star" bits and sockets. This is a patented fastener, and the Chinese knock-offs sold at HF are not the actual Torx pattern, so they do not fit properly.

I would get a good set of both genders (e-sockets and bits) from a reputable manufacturer like Lisle or Snap-on.

The guy who pulled his OM642 oil coooler a few months back learned that the hard way.

I don't think anyone who buys quality tools or knows better buys from HF. Never have bought a tool from HF, never will. My box has a small amount of Craftsman, but mostly Snap-On & Mac.

[Adriel]

Hey, The Don! Congratulations! Really like the design of the back seat, especially innovativeness considering a sedan. Never getting another sedan, but as a designer, appreciate it. Also appreciate y'all going for CDI models, as should lower the price of IDI models, right?

Originally Posted by jake12tech

I don't think anyone who buys quality tools or knows better buys from HF. Never have bought a tool from HF, never will. My box has a small amount of Craftsman, but mostly Snap-On & Mac.

Jake, I have bought some stuff from Harbor Freight, but only because no other option. Good example is the torque wrench. Craftsman version is absolute junk! Not just by my standards, but also the old mechanic who gave the recommendation. Now that most, if not all, Craftsman is made in China or Twain, what is the difference from Harbor Freight?

Further, my now passed mechanic friend continually compared values to his Snap On, and was consistent and constant, not loosing adjustment if treated right. I didn't, and still don't have the bread, to pay at least $150 for a torque wrench.

However, except for a set of wrenches I got when I purchased the Squareback, the rest are made in Germany of Zelenda Tools (most of my wrenches, which are my favorite due to black oxide finish) or the U.S.A.. Since Craftsman is now junk, moved up to Wright Tools, and comparable price, especially considering the hex driver set which has all the right sizes unlike Snap On. I do have one Snap On tool, a dike cutter, that Vater got on discount. Better than my Craftsman that I replaced because the steel was brittle and broke corroded easy. Mac Tools I.I.R.C. is off the truck only, right? If I recall correctly, goes junk, Craftsman, Zelenda Tools, Wright Tools, Mac Tools, then Snap On, right?

If someone is starting out, look to Wright Tools or Zelenda Tools, and you will not regret. Yes, bit pricy, but what does it cost when you injure yourself because your Asian tool let go/broke?

[ROLLGUY]

My opinion on HF tools is that For the money, they can't be beat. I usually only buy wrenches and sockets. I am old and can't see the little engraving on even the best tools by Sn** *n or C*****m**. I buy the color coded tools, and have memorized the sizes. Also, I have not once broken a socket or wrench from HF, and I use them EVERY DAY! Even the gear wrenches are great. They have the smallest box end of any gear wrench I have seen. As far as their electric tools go, they are not worth the paper that the sales receipt is printed on. Just my .02.......Rich

[Adriel]

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

My opinion on HF tools is that For the money, they can't be beat. I usually only buy wrenches and sockets. I am old and can't see the little engraving on even the best tools by Sn** *n or C*****m**. I buy the color coded tools, and have memorized the sizes. Also, I have not once broken a socket or wrench from HF, and I use them EVERY DAY! Even the gear wrenches are great. They have the smallest box end of any gear wrench I have seen. As far as their electric tools go, they are not worth the paper that the sales receipt is printed on. Just my .02.......Rich

Rich, I have had both Craftsman and Harbor Freight ratchets round out!

I am 28 and have trouble! I just keep them in the packaging and know size by position and the size of the opening.

But, I do use a ratchet that showed up in my egg donors front yard. The mechanism is botched, but if you wiggle right, sets the desired direction.

When I get out of this mess, two things I am getting is paper manuals (CD is very limited) and 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets by Wright Tools.

I have a Harbor Freight buffer/sander that has been through heck and still going. I have had to stop when became too warm to be comfortable! But then sanding 1/2" joint compound... Some day when I can find a Made in USA or Europe DA polisher, will get one. But, so far, haven't found. Or Rich am I missing something?

[jake12tech]

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

My opinion on HF tools is that For the money, they can't be beat. I usually only buy wrenches and sockets. I am old and can't see the little engraving on even the best tools by Sn** *n or C*****m**. I buy the color coded tools, and have memorized the sizes. Also, I have not once broken a socket or wrench from HF, and I use them EVERY DAY! Even the gear wrenches are great. They have the smallest box end of any gear wrench I have seen. As far as their electric tools go, they are not worth the paper that the sales receipt is printed on. Just my .02.......Rich

I have a HF conveniently down the road. I might put some heavy torque on their sockets and see if they break. I've had a craftsman snap before (USA), but never a snap-on, yet.

Originally Posted by rob300SD

Snap on tools are over priced for rich snobs or those who work with tools for a living. Regular tools from taiwan will always do the same job for 1/10 the price. Maybe you'll have to replace them after 20 years. Big deal. They're be even cheaper the second time.

Was associated with the business through family, anything less than the best was not an option. I have some old taiwan tools in a tool box for breakdowns that I throw in the trunk. I've had to use them before and so far so good. They would never make anything besides my roadside box, I don't think they'd hold up as good.

Originally Posted by Adriel

Jake, I have bought some stuff from Harbor Freight, but only because no other option. Good example is the torque wrench. Craftsman version is absolute junk! Not just by my standards, but also the old mechanic who gave the recommendation. Now that most, if not all, Craftsman is made in China or Twain, what is the difference from Harbor Freight?

Further, my now passed mechanic friend continually compared values to his Snap On, and was consistent and constant, not loosing adjustment if treated right. I didn't, and still don't have the bread, to pay at least $150 for a torque wrench.

Snap-On tools are awesome, high quality and last. The old Craftsman was awesome when it was USA, but now it's trash. Wright and SK are the only good ones that I would buy now.

I have a Craftsman torque wrench I used on a tire change. It was a USA one, but it was great. Was yours chinese?

[TheDon]

The harbor freight composite ratchets and their new flex head ratchets are pretty good. I've beaten them, used the 3/8th with a 3' cheater bar on a frozen lug bolt just to see if I could break if and the bolt broke free it hour the ratchet failing. Harbor freight has it's gems and it's turds.

Hazet is my dream tool. I had an old tool caddy that I should have kept.hazet tools are incredibly German, the sets you buy are made to fit exactly in it's foam tray in a drawer in one of their tool chests. " Alles in ordnung" at it's finest. Tempted to buy this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JP-Hazet-Assistent-tool-cart-177-6-with-217-professional-tools-NO-IMPORT-DUTY-/261785309929?hash=item3cf39ed2e9&item=261785309929&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

So everything I have matches and it has pretty much every tool you need to work on a W211 short of a torque wrench and the odd specialty tool.

The 163 piece Torx set is like $1300.... Dang

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hazet-1557-29-29-part-TORX-set-wrenches-sockets-and-bits-/261778369247?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf334eadf
I could do this for $300 shipped.

[Adriel]

Originally Posted by TheDon

The harbor freight composite ratchets and their new flex head ratchets are pretty good. I've beaten them, used the 3/8th with a 3' cheater bar on a frozen lug bolt just to see if I could break if and the bolt broke free it hour the ratchet failing. Harbor freight has it's gems and it's turds.

Hazet is my dream tool. I had an old tool caddy that I should have kept.hazet tools are incredibly German, the sets you buy are made to fit exactly in it's foam tray in a drawer in one of their tool chests. " Alles in ordnung" at it's finest. Tempted to buy this

JP Hazet Assistent Tool Cart 177 6 with 217 Professional Tools No Import Duty | eBay

So everything I have matches and it has pretty much every tool you need to work on a W211 short of a torque wrench and the odd specialty tool.

The 163 piece Torx set is like $1300.... Dang

Hazet 1557 29 29 Part Torx Set with Wrenches Sockets and Bits | eBay
I could do this for $300 shipped.

TheDon, good to see you join us!

Yes, I remember seeing at least something similar to the Hazet set. Man, so expensive, but still can admire!

The Torx bit set does look nice! Seems a little on the high end, but I am sure not as much as Snap-On, if they actually had it. Seems special fasteners are/where more European. The Volvo I had thankfully still had the tool kit, as had a lot of Torx and was kind of annoying. Like really, why not just keep the cross heads?

Edit: Just looked, and the American companies don't have a set, especially with the socket heads and handle. Wright does have both bit and socket head, but no handle, and about the same or more in cost.

[mytmousemalibu]

As for hollow grinding, you would just need to look, ask, or check the packaging but it should be visually obvious. The majority of my drivers are not hollow ground, most of the time thats fine and has been on cars but once in a while a bugger of a screw pops up, I have a bit set with HG bits I can use. All my gun work I use HG tipped drivers. Grace USA makes some good ones and not terribly expensive and can be used on about anything.