I often lurk in here and seldom post, but I wanted to throw my 2 cents
in.
I have been fixing cars for about 10 years now give or take. I have a
variety of brand names and I think the craftsman stuff is pretty good value
for the money. The best part about it, is that when you do need to exchange
stuff (mostly ratchets and flat screwdrivers that are used as pry bars) you
don't need to wait for the tool guy to show up that week or month or
whenever he does decide to show up. I don't even have access to a MAC guy
right now so I can't get some trinkety parts I need for my toolbox.
I own quite a few craftsman sockets and if I recall correctly, the only
ones I broke were either the chrome ones on an impact gun or when I reduced
to 1/4" from my 1/2" ratchet for that extra bit of leverage (which
apparently is too much). My biggest gripe is with craftsman ratchets... I
can't seem to keep a 1/4" in my box for more than a month without it
breaking... but on the other hand, they are cheap enough to have a spare or
two.
Thanks for listening and keep up the good conversation.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Keith Turk
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 4:32 PM
To: Randall Young; shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: measuring instruments/Tools
Interesting side light Randall...... YEP my Great grandfather left me his
L.S. Starrett machinist tools.... he worked on Jet engines in the early 50's
in other words he was one of the best machinist's in the country at the
time.... and in those days there were lots more to pick from....
Ole Gramps' couldn't pass up a file sale or a drill bit sale.... Damn I got
a Bazillion of them.....
All the old Starrett stuff is in Perfect condition... he used them but
didn't abuse them.... just really pretty stuff.... bout like the jewelry
drawers that I refer to when opening my Snap on wrench sets....
My take on Junk Tools.... is you get what you pay for... the real question
is exactly what do you require from them.... if your the average guy who
does his best on weekends to play with your car.... an average set of tools
are just fine... and I'm not going to say Craftsmen is junk..... cause I
have them too... but only for jobs that I don't do often.... if I'm going to
work with a tool a lot ... I always select the best quality I can afford....
Even when I was Poor I bought Snap on tools.... only in the early years... I
had to buy them in pawn shops.... but Snap on tools can't hear... or see....
so they don't know where you bought them.... LOL
I lived in Germany for 3 yrs and tried desperately to find some quality
tools to bring home with me.... ya know the deal.... German Mechanic's are
soooo picky and all that.... ( they are parts changers just like most here
in the states by the way ).... but.... They buy Snap on.... no kidding...
amazing....
I came home with Two Hammers... that was the extent of the quality available
there..
Amazing.... oh and buy the way... I have some lovely Mac and Kobalt stuff...
quality is quality.... I'm not married to the brand as much as the tool at
hand... What I hate about Snap on is the credit deal.... I have always paid
cash for my tools... and folks think I acquired them with the Snap On credit
plan... which I dang sure would NEVER do.... silly but it matters to me
personally...
Keith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Randall Young" <ryoung@navcomtech.com>
To: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 3:02 PM
Subject: RE: More questions about measuring instruments
>
> > Is there any reason to get a set of inside micrometers or a dial
> > bore gauge
> > instead of a set of telescoping hole gauges?
>
> I believe there is less potential for error using the more expensive
tools,
> but with care you can come darn close with telescoping hole gauges. The
> biggest problem is not moving the gauge in the bore while you tighten the
> knob that locks it, which means you want a very smooth and secure lock. I
> suspect this is the main difference between the $10 sets and the $100
sets.
>
> One potential advantage of the telescoping gauges (for those of us with
less
> precise measuring tools) is that they allow you to use the same tool to
> measure the bore and the piston. Thus, only relative accuracy is
important
> (which is usually better).
>
> > Also, since my 0-1" and my 2-3" are Starrett mics, I'm looking to
complete
> > the set. Should I stick with Starrett or is there any reason not
> > to go with
> > a cheaper brand, with similar accuracy, for the casual use my mics see?
>
> As long as the accuracy (not just the resolution) is what you need, I
don't
> see any problem with less expensive mics. Your grandchildren may wish
you'd
> bought the Starretts <g>
>
> Randall
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