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Re: Basic Tools

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Basic Tools
From: "A. B. Bonds" <ab@vuse.vanderbilt.edu>
Date: 04 Oct 1996 08:50:00 -0500
In <961003224627_324562101@emout07.mail.aol.com>, DBGaither@aol.com wrote:
>
>What are your thoughts on tools?  Please mention any of the brands above 
>as I am considering them.  I'd like to hear from professionals as well as 
>others like myself.
>
I have been using Craftsman for over 25 years.  During this time (and
with substantial use) I have broken two sockets and three
prybars--er, screwdrivers--all of which were immediately replaced
without question or charge.  I have a few Snap-on bits that I got at
hock shops and garage sales.  They are nicer, but hard to come by in
complete sets for reasonable prices.

That being said, I am not thrilled by the Craftsman quality that one
finds today.  The sockets are made by a different process and do not
seem as robust.  There are a number of mail-order tool sources that
offer some quality name brands (e.g., SK) at nearly Craftsman prices.

I also keep at least two alternate sets of tools (one in the trunk) of
the mid-price made-in-China variety.  If it breaks or gets ripped off,
I don't care, and for the most part these are sort of serviceable (though 
stay away from the $3.98 socket sets, which are apparently made of
refined dairy products).  These are also often adaptable by judicious
grinding or welding to those special uniquely British problems.  I go
through buckets of cheap miniature screwdrivers.  I know that one with
a 30 degree bend and a hook on the end is required for repair of a TD
tranny.

NEVER skimp on tap/die quality.  Always get Hanson or better.  You can
do a lot of damage with a bad tap.
                        A. B. Bonds


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