Any *good* parts store tools (sockets, wrenches, etc.)

Do any parts store chains stock high quality tools anymore?

Most of the stores around me sell offshore stuff that appears to be
inferior to even Craftsman. One exception is NAPA who sells "Carlyle"
brand tools, I had to buy one of their external Torx sockets when I had
a job that needed to be done right away and what I thought was an
extensive set of Torx bits/sockets didn't have the size needed to remove
the calipers on a SAAB. It stood up fine to near-abusive levels of
torque (high torque spec plus loctite) but that's a sample size of one,
and I don't know anyone else that has any of their stuff.

I am partial to S-K as they seem to be a cut above Craftsman and Kobalt
(I'm done with Husky; broke my second Husky brand socket today simply
changing the wheels on my car) but less expensive than the tool truck
guys, and I have S-K stuff that's twice as old as I and used in a
factory environment for years that's still usable today. Unfortunately
the only local retailer of S-K stuff is Grainger and they sell at list
and most items aren't stocked anyway. I can buy S-K at ToolTopia for
about the same price as Craftsman but that helps me not at all if I need
to warranty anything. I worry that S-K will be out of business soon as
they make a great product IMHO and I want to buy quality made in USA
tools but they have no retail presence whatsoever.

So... are the "Carlyle" tools better than Craftsman? Or am I stuck w/
Sears and Lowes for my retail tool needs (which is unfortunate as I
understand neither is made in the USA), or paying big bucks to the
Snap-On man if I want to step up to higher quality (or continuing to buy
S-K online and accepting that if I do break anything it'll be a hassle?)
I'm probably not going to be buying large sets of anything as I've
accumulated quite a collection of tools over the years, more I'd like to
know where to go when I need just one tool that I don't have to get a
job done, but would like to support vendors of quality tools.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Nate Nagel wrote:
> Do any parts store chains stock high quality tools anymore?
>
> Most of the stores around me sell offshore stuff that appears to be
> inferior to even Craftsman. One exception is NAPA who sells "Carlyle"
> brand tools, I had to buy one of their external Torx sockets when I had
> a job that needed to be done right away and what I thought was an
> extensive set of Torx bits/sockets didn't have the size needed to remove
> the calipers on a SAAB. It stood up fine to near-abusive levels of
> torque (high torque spec plus loctite) but that's a sample size of one,
> and I don't know anyone else that has any of their stuff.
>
> I am partial to S-K as they seem to be a cut above Craftsman and Kobalt
> (I'm done with Husky; broke my second Husky brand socket today simply
> changing the wheels on my car) but less expensive than the tool truck
> guys, and I have S-K stuff that's twice as old as I and used in a
> factory environment for years that's still usable today. Unfortunately
> the only local retailer of S-K stuff is Grainger and they sell at list
> and most items aren't stocked anyway. I can buy S-K at ToolTopia for
> about the same price as Craftsman but that helps me not at all if I need
> to warranty anything. I worry that S-K will be out of business soon as
> they make a great product IMHO and I want to buy quality made in USA
> tools but they have no retail presence whatsoever.
>
> So... are the "Carlyle" tools better than Craftsman? Or am I stuck w/
> Sears and Lowes for my retail tool needs (which is unfortunate as I
> understand neither is made in the USA), or paying big bucks to the
> Snap-On man if I want to step up to higher quality (or continuing to buy
> S-K online and accepting that if I do break anything it'll be a hassle?)
> I'm probably not going to be buying large sets of anything as I've
> accumulated quite a collection of tools over the years, more I'd like to
> know where to go when I need just one tool that I don't have to get a
> job done, but would like to support vendors of quality tools.
>
> nate

I travel every few weeks for my job and stop at pawn shops in
the industrial side of ever city or town I happen to be in.
Some good deals to be had on almost new tools.
Especially in oil refinery towns.

On Monday, October 28, 2013 6:08:59 PM UTC-5, Paul in Houston TX wrote:
> Nate Nagel wrote:
>
> > Do any parts store chains stock high quality tools anymore?
>
> >
>
> > Most of the stores around me sell offshore stuff that appears to be
>
> > inferior to even Craftsman. One exception is NAPA who sells "Carlyle"
>
> > brand tools, I had to buy one of their external Torx sockets when I had
>
> > a job that needed to be done right away and what I thought was an
>
> > extensive set of Torx bits/sockets didn't have the size needed to remove
>
> > the calipers on a SAAB. It stood up fine to near-abusive levels of
>
> > torque (high torque spec plus loctite) but that's a sample size of one,
>
> > and I don't know anyone else that has any of their stuff.
>
> >
>
> > I am partial to S-K as they seem to be a cut above Craftsman and Kobalt
>
> > (I'm done with Husky; broke my second Husky brand socket today simply
>
> > changing the wheels on my car) but less expensive than the tool truck
>
> > guys, and I have S-K stuff that's twice as old as I and used in a
>
> > factory environment for years that's still usable today. Unfortunately
>
> > the only local retailer of S-K stuff is Grainger and they sell at list
>
> > and most items aren't stocked anyway. I can buy S-K at ToolTopia for
>
> > about the same price as Craftsman but that helps me not at all if I need
>
> > to warranty anything. I worry that S-K will be out of business soon as
>
> > they make a great product IMHO and I want to buy quality made in USA
>
> > tools but they have no retail presence whatsoever.
>
> >
>
> > So... are the "Carlyle" tools better than Craftsman? Or am I stuck w/
>
> > Sears and Lowes for my retail tool needs (which is unfortunate as I
>
> > understand neither is made in the USA), or paying big bucks to the
>
> > Snap-On man if I want to step up to higher quality (or continuing to buy
>
> > S-K online and accepting that if I do break anything it'll be a hassle?)
>
> > I'm probably not going to be buying large sets of anything as I've
>
> > accumulated quite a collection of tools over the years, more I'd like to
>
> > know where to go when I need just one tool that I don't have to get a
>
> > job done, but would like to support vendors of quality tools.
>
> >
>
> > nate
>
>
>
> I travel every few weeks for my job and stop at pawn shops in
>
> the industrial side of ever city or town I happen to be in.
>
> Some good deals to be had on almost new tools.
>
> Especially in oil refinery towns.

I have said it before, Many of my real Good old tools I bought at pawn shops. Some Sears Craftsman tools are manufactured in America, in Arkansas, I think.

On 10/28/2013 07:42 PM, JR wrote:
> On Monday, October 28, 2013 6:08:59 PM UTC-5, Paul in Houston TX
> wrote:
>> Nate Nagel wrote:
>>
>>> Do any parts store chains stock high quality tools anymore?
>>
>>>
>>
>>> Most of the stores around me sell offshore stuff that appears to
>>> be
>>
>>> inferior to even Craftsman. One exception is NAPA who sells
>>> "Carlyle"
>>
>>> brand tools, I had to buy one of their external Torx sockets when
>>> I had
>>
>>> a job that needed to be done right away and what I thought was
>>> an
>>
>>> extensive set of Torx bits/sockets didn't have the size needed to
>>> remove
>>
>>> the calipers on a SAAB. It stood up fine to near-abusive levels
>>> of
>>
>>> torque (high torque spec plus loctite) but that's a sample size
>>> of one,
>>
>>> and I don't know anyone else that has any of their stuff.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> I am partial to S-K as they seem to be a cut above Craftsman and
>>> Kobalt
>>
>>> (I'm done with Husky; broke my second Husky brand socket today
>>> simply
>>
>>> changing the wheels on my car) but less expensive than the tool
>>> truck
>>
>>> guys, and I have S-K stuff that's twice as old as I and used in
>>> a
>>
>>> factory environment for years that's still usable today.
>>> Unfortunately
>>
>>> the only local retailer of S-K stuff is Grainger and they sell at
>>> list
>>
>>> and most items aren't stocked anyway. I can buy S-K at ToolTopia
>>> for
>>
>>> about the same price as Craftsman but that helps me not at all if
>>> I need
>>
>>> to warranty anything. I worry that S-K will be out of business
>>> soon as
>>
>>> they make a great product IMHO and I want to buy quality made in
>>> USA
>>
>>> tools but they have no retail presence whatsoever.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> So... are the "Carlyle" tools better than Craftsman? Or am I
>>> stuck w/
>>
>>> Sears and Lowes for my retail tool needs (which is unfortunate as
>>> I
>>
>>> understand neither is made in the USA), or paying big bucks to
>>> the
>>
>>> Snap-On man if I want to step up to higher quality (or continuing
>>> to buy
>>
>>> S-K online and accepting that if I do break anything it'll be a
>>> hassle?)
>>
>>> I'm probably not going to be buying large sets of anything as
>>> I've
>>
>>> accumulated quite a collection of tools over the years, more I'd
>>> like to
>>
>>> know where to go when I need just one tool that I don't have to
>>> get a
>>
>>> job done, but would like to support vendors of quality tools.
>>
>>>
>>
>>> nate
>>
>>
>>
>> I travel every few weeks for my job and stop at pawn shops in
>>
>> the industrial side of ever city or town I happen to be in.
>>
>> Some good deals to be had on almost new tools.
>>
>> Especially in oil refinery towns.
>
> I have said it before, Many of my real Good old tools I bought at
> pawn shops. Some Sears Craftsman tools are manufactured in America,
> in Arkansas, I think.
>

Agreed, and I have. My question was more thinking of what do I do when
I need one specific tool right away. My understanding is that a LOT of
the Sears Craftsman hand tools are made in China today, although most of
mine were purchased back when they actually were made in the USA.

nate



--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:57:00 AM UTC-4, Nate Nagel wrote:
> On 10/28/2013 07:42 PM, JR wrote:
>
> > On Monday, October 28, 2013 6:08:59 PM UTC-5, Paul in Houston TX
>
> > wrote:
>
> >> Nate Nagel wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >>> Do any parts store chains stock high quality tools anymore?
>
> >>
>
> >>>
>
> >>
>
> >>> Most of the stores around me sell offshore stuff that appears to
>
> >>> be
>
> >>
>
> >>> inferior to even Craftsman. One exception is NAPA who sells
>
> >>> "Carlyle"
>
> >>
>
> >>> brand tools, I had to buy one of their external Torx sockets when
>
> >>> I had
>
> >>
>
> >>> a job that needed to be done right away and what I thought was
>
> >>> an
>
> >>
>
> >>> extensive set of Torx bits/sockets didn't have the size needed to
>
> >>> remove
>
> >>
>
> >>> the calipers on a SAAB. It stood up fine to near-abusive levels
>
> >>> of
>
> >>
>
> >>> torque (high torque spec plus loctite) but that's a sample size
>
> >>> of one,
>
> >>
>
> >>> and I don't know anyone else that has any of their stuff.
>
> >>
>
> >>>
>
> >>
>
> >>> I am partial to S-K as they seem to be a cut above Craftsman and
>
> >>> Kobalt
>
> >>
>
> >>> (I'm done with Husky; broke my second Husky brand socket today
>
> >>> simply
>
> >>
>
> >>> changing the wheels on my car) but less expensive than the tool
>
> >>> truck
>
> >>
>
> >>> guys, and I have S-K stuff that's twice as old as I and used in
>
> >>> a
>
> >>
>
> >>> factory environment for years that's still usable today.
>
> >>> Unfortunately
>
> >>
>
> >>> the only local retailer of S-K stuff is Grainger and they sell at
>
> >>> list
>
> >>
>
> >>> and most items aren't stocked anyway. I can buy S-K at ToolTopia
>
> >>> for
>
> >>
>
> >>> about the same price as Craftsman but that helps me not at all if
>
> >>> I need
>
> >>
>
> >>> to warranty anything. I worry that S-K will be out of business
>
> >>> soon as
>
> >>
>
> >>> they make a great product IMHO and I want to buy quality made in
>
> >>> USA
>
> >>
>
> >>> tools but they have no retail presence whatsoever.
>
> >>
>
> >>>
>
> >>
>
> >>> So... are the "Carlyle" tools better than Craftsman? Or am I
>
> >>> stuck w/
>
> >>
>
> >>> Sears and Lowes for my retail tool needs (which is unfortunate as
>
> >>> I
>
> >>
>
> >>> understand neither is made in the USA), or paying big bucks to
>
> >>> the
>
> >>
>
> >>> Snap-On man if I want to step up to higher quality (or continuing
>
> >>> to buy
>
> >>
>
> >>> S-K online and accepting that if I do break anything it'll be a
>
> >>> hassle?)
>
> >>
>
> >>> I'm probably not going to be buying large sets of anything as
>
> >>> I've
>
> >>
>
> >>> accumulated quite a collection of tools over the years, more I'd
>
> >>> like to
>
> >>
>
> >>> know where to go when I need just one tool that I don't have to
>
> >>> get a
>
> >>
>
> >>> job done, but would like to support vendors of quality tools.
>
> >>
>
> >>>
>
> >>
>
> >>> nate
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >> I travel every few weeks for my job and stop at pawn shops in
>
> >>
>
> >> the industrial side of ever city or town I happen to be in.
>
> >>
>
> >> Some good deals to be had on almost new tools.
>
> >>
>
> >> Especially in oil refinery towns.
>
> >
>
> > I have said it before, Many of my real Good old tools I bought at
>
> > pawn shops. Some Sears Craftsman tools are manufactured in America,
>
> > in Arkansas, I think.
>
> >
>
>
>
> Agreed, and I have. My question was more thinking of what do I do when
>
> I need one specific tool right away. My understanding is that a LOT of
>
> the Sears Craftsman hand tools are made in China today, although most of
>
> mine were purchased back when they actually were made in the USA.
>
>
>
> nate
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> http://members.cox.net/njnagel

my store stocks junk sockets too. They even have warning labels stating they can cause cancer, and to wash your hands after use.

we do have some Lisle brand stuff too which is a little better.

we also have two tool warehouses not too far from our store, so we can at least get the name brand stuff if we need it.

On 10/30/2013 02:13 AM, m6onz5a wrote:
> On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:57:00 AM UTC-4, Nate Nagel wrote:

<snip>

>>
>> Agreed, and I have. My question was more thinking of what do I do when
>>
>> I need one specific tool right away. My understanding is that a LOT of
>>
>> the Sears Craftsman hand tools are made in China today, although most of
>>
>> mine were purchased back when they actually were made in the USA.
>>
>>
>>
>> nate
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>>
>> http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
> my store stocks junk sockets too. They even have warning labels stating they can cause cancer, and to wash your hands after use.
>
> we do have some Lisle brand stuff too which is a little better.
>
> we also have two tool warehouses not too far from our store, so we can at least get the name brand stuff if we need it.
>

Hah. I actually was organizing my tools yesterday (out of necessity, as
my tool box literally fell apart, apparently the latches couldn't stand
up to the 300 lbs. of crap in there... bought a new top chest for use
as a mobile tool box, should be much sturdier as you lift those from the
sides, that's what I used to do ages ago until I found a roll cabinet
base and was given this tool box... but I digress...) and have a more
specific question. I managed to find a set of metric tappet wrenches at
Goodwill a while back and was very happy (they're handy to have, and I'd
wanted a set for years) but the set is missing the 10/11mm size.
Probably the 2nd most often used one after the 12/13mm. I actually have
a 13mm homemade tappet wrench because I needed one to adjust the sunroof
on an old daily driver of mine long before I found this set and everyone
at Sears, auto parts store, etc. looked at me like I'd grown a second
head when I asked if they had a 13mm tappet wrench. Don't know what
brand they are, they're marked "Chrom Vanadium" on one side and stamped
"West Germany" in small letters on the other. Kinda look like old Heyco
wrenches (think BMW tool kit) but aren't marked as such and there's
enough subtle differences that I think they really are different -
probably never will know origin of these wrenches.

After searching all over it appears that my best bet is to order a Facom
one off Amazon for the missing wrench for about $12? Only other source
I could come up with was Snap-On for 3x the price. Back the last time I
looked I didn't find a source for the Facom wrenches (less stuff was on
the interwebs than today) and I wasn't about to pay $400 for a set of
Snappys... but I don't have a problem paying a few bucks to replace one
missing wrench.

So are Facom wrenches generally regarded as high quality, or should I
pay the $30-something for the Snap-On wrench? My memory says that one
of the snooty upscale garage equipment catalogs (Griot's maybe?) used to
sell Facom tools but I've never actually used one or known anyone that did.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Wednesday, October 30, 2013 7:02:43 AM UTC-5, Nate Nagel wrote:
> On 10/30/2013 02:13 AM, m6onz5a wrote:
>
> > On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:57:00 AM UTC-4, Nate Nagel wrote:
>
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
>
> >>
>
> >> Agreed, and I have. My question was more thinking of what do I do when
>
> >>
>
> >> I need one specific tool right away. My understanding is that a LOT of
>
> >>
>
> >> the Sears Craftsman hand tools are made in China today, although most of
>
> >>
>
> >> mine were purchased back when they actually were made in the USA.
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >> nate
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >> --
>
> >>
>
> >> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> >>
>
> >> http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
> >
>
> > my store stocks junk sockets too. They even have warning labels stating they can cause cancer, and to wash your hands after use.
>
> >
>
> > we do have some Lisle brand stuff too which is a little better.
>
> >
>
> > we also have two tool warehouses not too far from our store, so we can at least get the name brand stuff if we need it.
>
> >
>
>
>
> Hah. I actually was organizing my tools yesterday (out of necessity, as
>
> my tool box literally fell apart, apparently the latches couldn't stand
>
> up to the 300 lbs. of crap in there... bought a new top chest for use
>
> as a mobile tool box, should be much sturdier as you lift those from the
>
> sides, that's what I used to do ages ago until I found a roll cabinet
>
> base and was given this tool box... but I digress...) and have a more
>
> specific question. I managed to find a set of metric tappet wrenches at
>
> Goodwill a while back and was very happy (they're handy to have, and I'd
>
> wanted a set for years) but the set is missing the 10/11mm size.
>
> Probably the 2nd most often used one after the 12/13mm. I actually have
>
> a 13mm homemade tappet wrench because I needed one to adjust the sunroof
>
> on an old daily driver of mine long before I found this set and everyone
>
> at Sears, auto parts store, etc. looked at me like I'd grown a second
>
> head when I asked if they had a 13mm tappet wrench. Don't know what
>
> brand they are, they're marked "Chrom Vanadium" on one side and stamped
>
> "West Germany" in small letters on the other. Kinda look like old Heyco
>
> wrenches (think BMW tool kit) but aren't marked as such and there's
>
> enough subtle differences that I think they really are different -
>
> probably never will know origin of these wrenches.
>
>
>
> After searching all over it appears that my best bet is to order a Facom
>
> one off Amazon for the missing wrench for about $12? Only other source
>
> I could come up with was Snap-On for 3x the price. Back the last time I
>
> looked I didn't find a source for the Facom wrenches (less stuff was on
>
> the interwebs than today) and I wasn't about to pay $400 for a set of
>
> Snappys... but I don't have a problem paying a few bucks to replace one
>
> missing wrench.
>
>
>
> So are Facom wrenches generally regarded as high quality, or should I
>
> pay the $30-something for the Snap-On wrench? My memory says that one
>
> of the snooty upscale garage equipment catalogs (Griot's maybe?) used to
>
> sell Facom tools but I've never actually used one or known anyone that did.
>
>
>
> nate
>
>
>
> --
>
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> http://members.cox.net/njnagel

I did a Google for, tappet wrenches Grainger sells them.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2013 10:43:22 AM UTC-5, JR wrote:
> On Wednesday, October 30, 2013 7:02:43 AM UTC-5, Nate Nagel wrote:
>
> > On 10/30/2013 02:13 AM, m6onz5a wrote:
>
> >
>
> > > On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:57:00 AM UTC-4, Nate Nagel wrote:
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > <snip>
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> Agreed, and I have. My question was more thinking of what do I do when
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> I need one specific tool right away. My understanding is that a LOT of
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> the Sears Craftsman hand tools are made in China today, although most of
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> mine were purchased back when they actually were made in the USA.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> nate
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> --
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> >
>
> > >>
>
> >
>
> > >> http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > my store stocks junk sockets too. They even have warning labels stating they can cause cancer, and to wash your hands after use.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > we do have some Lisle brand stuff too which is a little better.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> > > we also have two tool warehouses not too far from our store, so we can at least get the name brand stuff if we need it.
>
> >
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Hah. I actually was organizing my tools yesterday (out of necessity, as
>
> >
>
> > my tool box literally fell apart, apparently the latches couldn't stand
>
> >
>
> > up to the 300 lbs. of crap in there... bought a new top chest for use
>
> >
>
> > as a mobile tool box, should be much sturdier as you lift those from the
>
> >
>
> > sides, that's what I used to do ages ago until I found a roll cabinet
>
> >
>
> > base and was given this tool box... but I digress...) and have a more
>
> >
>
> > specific question. I managed to find a set of metric tappet wrenches at
>
> >
>
> > Goodwill a while back and was very happy (they're handy to have, and I'd
>
> >
>
> > wanted a set for years) but the set is missing the 10/11mm size.
>
> >
>
> > Probably the 2nd most often used one after the 12/13mm. I actually have
>
> >
>
> > a 13mm homemade tappet wrench because I needed one to adjust the sunroof
>
> >
>
> > on an old daily driver of mine long before I found this set and everyone
>
> >
>
> > at Sears, auto parts store, etc. looked at me like I'd grown a second
>
> >
>
> > head when I asked if they had a 13mm tappet wrench. Don't know what
>
> >
>
> > brand they are, they're marked "Chrom Vanadium" on one side and stamped
>
> >
>
> > "West Germany" in small letters on the other. Kinda look like old Heyco
>
> >
>
> > wrenches (think BMW tool kit) but aren't marked as such and there's
>
> >
>
> > enough subtle differences that I think they really are different -
>
> >
>
> > probably never will know origin of these wrenches.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > After searching all over it appears that my best bet is to order a Facom
>
> >
>
> > one off Amazon for the missing wrench for about $12? Only other source
>
> >
>
> > I could come up with was Snap-On for 3x the price. Back the last time I
>
> >
>
> > looked I didn't find a source for the Facom wrenches (less stuff was on
>
> >
>
> > the interwebs than today) and I wasn't about to pay $400 for a set of
>
> >
>
> > Snappys... but I don't have a problem paying a few bucks to replace one
>
> >
>
> > missing wrench.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > So are Facom wrenches generally regarded as high quality, or should I
>
> >
>
> > pay the $30-something for the Snap-On wrench? My memory says that one
>
> >
>
> > of the snooty upscale garage equipment catalogs (Griot's maybe?) used to
>
> >
>
> > sell Facom tools but I've never actually used one or known anyone that did.
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > nate
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > --
>
> >
>
> > replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> >
>
> > http://members.cox.net/njnagel
>
>
>
> I did a Google for, tappet wrenches Grainger sells them.

Google,,, History of Facom tools

On 10/30/2013 11:43 AM, JR wrote:

>
> I did a Google for, tappet wrenches Grainger sells them.
>

not *metric* ones though. I just walked into Sears years ago and bought
a set of SAE tappet wrenches. (forget what for - I think maybe an old
Studebaker Commander Six?) When I found that I needed metric ones
though they seem to be scarcer than hen's teeth. Hence while I'm in the
groove I might as well track the missing one down so I have it if/when I
need it.

Of course, in a pinch, a "cone wrench" intended for a bicycle mechanic
(to assemble/adjust wheel bearings) will work, so long as you don't need
too much torque - they're even thinner than a typical tappet wrench -
and I have a set of those as well (which I didn't back when this first
came up for me.)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Wednesday, October 30, 2013 11:28:40 AM UTC-5, Nate Nagel wrote:
> On 10/30/2013 11:43 AM, JR wrote:
>
>
>
> >
>
> > I did a Google for, tappet wrenches Grainger sells them.
>
> >
>
>
>
> not *metric* ones though. I just walked into Sears years ago and bought
>
> a set of SAE tappet wrenches. (forget what for - I think maybe an old
>
> Studebaker Commander Six?) When I found that I needed metric ones
>
> though they seem to be scarcer than hen's teeth. Hence while I'm in the
>
> groove I might as well track the missing one down so I have it if/when I
>
> need it.
>
>
>
> Of course, in a pinch, a "cone wrench" intended for a bicycle mechanic
>
> (to assemble/adjust wheel bearings) will work, so long as you don't need
>
> too much torque - they're even thinner than a typical tappet wrench -
>
> and I have a set of those as well (which I didn't back when this first
>
> came up for me.)
>
>
>
> nate
>
>
>
> --
>
> replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
>
> http://members.cox.net/njnagel

A bunch of years ago I did some grinding on one of my old wrenches because it was too thick for what I needed to use it on. ...Clint Eastwood... You have to adapt, you have to improvise...