Where is everyone #5

It was on the downhill anyways. I remember when they had good tools. Now, I wouldn't even bother. I remember when you could snap a ratchet, then just pick out a new one and exchange. Last time I was with a buddy, the gal behind the counter just handed him a baggy with new guts in it. He had to go home and change out the guts in his ratchet himself. That was years ago now. Besides, a warranty isn't worth crap, if you have to use it. If a tool breaks in the middle of a job.....I consider that useless. I would rather just pay more for a superior tool (and do).

 

Well, I parted with Sears tools over a different issue. Years ago, while still working as a mechanic, I had a set of their Flare Nut Wrenches. They were strong, wouldn't give an inch if you were trying to break loose a fitting...unfortunately, that also was the problem. With just my hands (no cheater) I was giving it my all when the thing broke and I went flying across the engine, and thankfully, didn't rip my arms and wrists with that piece that was still on the nut when I went flying accross. And I didn't weigh as much then as I do now, but I was stronger. I ended up getting a set of JCPenney FlareNut Wrenches...when you reach a certain torque point, rather than breaking, or stripping the nut, the wrench flexes so you don't injure yourself or the equipment.

 

I switched to mostly snap on and some Mac. Although the majority of sockets are old craftsman. I have actually come around a little to harbor freight on some items.

 

I had my tools stolen some years back while being a mechanic, and it was my last job as an Auto Mechanic, so those tools are gone, and I had to purchase a lot of new stuff over the years...and Mac was okay, but I preferred SK Tools, I have a few Snap-On tools that at the time, I couldn't get anywhere else, but I have a lot of more affordable tools since then, and Harbor Freight has seen some purchases from them. I evaluate them fairly rigorously and am so far not disappointed with the quality of most of what I've gotten, but then again, I have a fairly low expectation of them, so in that regard, I'm pleased. I picked up a welder from them after checking out a You Tube fellow I follow recommended them, but not just recommended them, he used it for like 2 years on his projects and it was still kicking, so I finally picked it up. I'm pretty frugal with major cash layouts, so, I watched for a long time before I pulled the trigger. On the whole, I kind of like their quality level and improvements for the money, but I hate having to buy there but it's hell trying to find anything really American made anymore, but reasonable. That welder will be getting a workout this year as I have a number of projects planned, if the prices of raw material comes down, or I can find a reliable scrapping area. Seems everyone is holding on to their stuff now with the prices up there.

 

I wouldn't beat yourself up over the made is USA thing. In the end, we are all consumers and only have so much money. With things I depend on and use frequently, I dont skimp......at all. However, why spend a ton on something that you hardly use.

 

Yeah, exactly, and with the welder, it's a lot more tool than I may use, but then again, I'm just getting back into it and exploring more. When I was using for work, it was simply brazing and stick welding. Not pretty, but it did the job. Now I have time to practice and it was a reasonable price for a lot of capability without being an industrial priced item. Yeah, I buy better tools that I depend on regularly, but unless welding becomes my 3rd career , this will be sufficient for me to putt around with.

 

Anyway, gnight/gmornin from MI.

 

Good morning from Greenville DC.

 

Yea we lost ours too, it’s now a Big Lots junk store….

 

45 F in Jacumba, CA expected high at the beach, 68 F.