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Old 12-02-2018, 11:34   #31
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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. . . . Currently thanks to changes in the tool markets I'm amazed at how many pros I know who while still having mostly Snap on and Matco tools have started buying the Pittsuburgh pro series at Harbor freight. (yes the still sell junk but they have started selling middle quality stuff as well)

. . .
Indeed. The UK equivalent to Harbor Freight is Machine Mart, and they sell mid-grade Chinese stuff under the "Clarke" brand. There is a "professional" line which is a little more expensive, and it definitely not Snap-On quality, but is absolutely decent, and certainly good enough for pros to use for some purposes. I use a lot of it, and actually I have bought a lot of very satisfactory tools at Machine Mart. Even a lot of the cheap stuff is acceptable for some purposes. That which is simply carp is obviously so, and you just don't buy it.
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Old 12-02-2018, 12:04   #32
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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Indeed. The UK equivalent to Harbor Freight is Machine Mart, and they sell mid-grade Chinese stuff under the "Clarke" brand. There is a "professional" line which is a little more expensive, and it definitely not Snap-On quality, but is absolutely decent, and certainly good enough for pros to use for some purposes. I use a lot of it, and actually I have bought a lot of very satisfactory tools at Machine Mart. Even a lot of the cheap stuff is acceptable for some purposes. That which is simply carp is obviously so, and you just don't buy it.
You do realise that Snap-on are made in China as well. They used to have Made in the USA stamped everywhere, but not anymore.
As for screwdrivers Facom and Wera outlast snap on 10 to 1, Snap on screwdrivers are relegated to the bottom of the tool cabinet
And Facom ratchets are far superior to Snap-on
As an engineer I have thousands invested in hand tools, several thousand in Snap on alone, but there are much better alternatives out there now for a lot less money
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Old 12-02-2018, 12:10   #33
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

Sometimes more expensive isnt better too. I've run into issues with high end tools that were built "too strong".
For instance, that one rusty nut under the engine that a socket wont go on due to clearance and an open end only partially will go on can be a PITA. The old style Craftsman weren't too bulky built and would work. A Snap On was too bulky in the shoulder (red arrow). Any cheap Chinese open end will work in an easy to get to place. It's the challenging places that matter.
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Old 12-02-2018, 12:28   #34
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

I have a "go box" for smaller tools i am likeky to use frequently, and one of those handy open plastic bins, as my second "go box"
All other tools i keep in open bins (i have a wide shallow dry bilge) and i always put "occasionally used tools" back in the same place.
All my power tools I keep in their original boxes, and they get stored in the garage (3rd cabin)
I also try to separate electrical from wood working from socket tools. Its not a perfect system, buy it works for me - most of the time.
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Old 12-02-2018, 13:23   #35
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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You do realise that Snap-on are made in China as well. They used to have Made in the USA stamped everywhere, but not anymore.
As for screwdrivers Facom and Wera outlast snap on 10 to 1, Snap on screwdrivers are relegated to the bottom of the tool cabinet
And Facom ratchets are far superior to Snap-on
As an engineer I have thousands invested in hand tools, several thousand in Snap on alone, but there are much better alternatives out there now for a lot less money
Good to know. I haven't lived in the States for 27 years so all my Snap On tools are ancient.

I love my Wera screwdrivers. I splurged last year and bought a whole bag full of them.

Amazingly, not one has been lost or gone overboard yet, but I'm sure there's plenty of time for that
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Old 13-02-2018, 08:03   #36
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

Wow! What a great bunch of replies. You guys are awesome!
We will glean much from this thread. Thank you.
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Old 13-02-2018, 08:32   #37
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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Wow! What a great bunch of replies. You guys are awesome!
We will glean much from this thread. Thank you.
Yup dat's us. We bees 'awesome'.
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Old 13-02-2018, 09:04   #38
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

I’ve made the switch to ratching box end wrenches. I rarely need to use socket wrench’s now. There are three styles.

The cheapest are flat wrenches that you just flip over to change ratchet direction. The problem with these is that without a bend, they can have knuckle clearance problems.

The most expensive has a bend, like a regular box end wrench, and changes direction by flipping a little lever. This is what I have and I like them a lot.

The middle priced wrenches are like the cheap ones in that you flip them to change directions. They solve the clearance problem by putting a flexible joint near the box end.
These may be the best way to go.
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Old 13-02-2018, 15:45   #39
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

Not to offend any of the pros here, but I have been gradually getting rid of all those useless and misguided Philips screws (absolutely despise them) and replacing with Robertsons. A screw/driver that actually grips and never strips.
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Old 13-02-2018, 16:35   #40
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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Not to offend any of the pros here, but I have been gradually getting rid of all those useless and misguided Philips screws (absolutely despise them) and replacing with Robertsons. A screw/driver that actually grips and never strips.
Good for you. I dont have enough enough money to invest in screws when I can waste my money on beer and women.
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Old 13-02-2018, 17:16   #41
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

Tool kits are useless IMHO
Lots of stuff you'll never use and never the tool you actually need.
Better to buy what you actually need
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Old 13-02-2018, 17:53   #42
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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10 mm
This! You've got to be a yanmar guy....
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Old 13-02-2018, 17:57   #43
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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Not to offend any of the pros here, but I have been gradually getting rid of all those useless and misguided Philips screws (absolutely despise them) and replacing with Robertsons. A screw/driver that actually grips and never strips.
According to a forgotten internet source, the Philips head was actually intentionally designed so that if it was overtorqued, the screwdriver would pop out, instead of damaging the screw head. Of course that relies on the proper manufacture and use of the right size screw, the real Philips pattern, and the metal and shape of the screwdriver. There are any number of similar shapes (i.e. Reed-Prince on electronics, or the miniature "Philips don't fit" screws on lots of Japanese electronics and camera gear) but they aren't necessarily Philips.

Also oddly curiously coincidental...The Philips folks came out with the PoziDrive screw at the same time that their original patent for Philips was expiring. The PoziDrive is supposed to be different, in that it is supposed to simply get tighter as it is turned harder--not popping the screwdriver out, in direct contrast to Philips.

While the two are somewhat interchangeable, that's a crude kludge compared to using the right tool for a properly made screw.

Somehow, Robertson never made it big in the US market. The one time I needed one, I used a square cut nail instead.
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Old 13-02-2018, 17:58   #44
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

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Not to offend any of the pros here, but I have been gradually getting rid of all those useless and misguided Philips screws (absolutely despise them) and replacing with Robertsons. A screw/driver that actually grips and never strips.
.....and i'm doing the exact opposite
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Old 13-02-2018, 18:07   #45
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Re: Best self contained tool kit

In the spirit of buying what you actually need--we use three drawers near the companionway for the most commonly used tools (and quick access in an emergency, which we've already used!), but are gradually switching to Milwaukee Jobsite Organizers for the rest. Rarely used tools, connectors, etc rust, rot, and migrate--and you wind up on the spot when you need the damn things. The Jobsite Organizers are watertight and dustproof.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tools...-review/18309/
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