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One Tool or a Lesser Set?

us Offline ToolJoe

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One Tool or a Lesser Set?
on: January 15, 2016, 07:11:52 PM

 I am going after a set of lineman pliers and have it narrowed down to this scenario. Do I get one pair of decent quality of lineman pliers or get a set of maybe a little lesser quality pliers in a set with other tools. With a coupon, I can get the pair of Craftsman pliers as the same price as the set from Lowes of Kobalt ones:

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-7-in-pliers-linesman/p-00945093000P?prdNo=30&blockNo=30&blockType=G30

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_464614-16878-55754___

Which should I go with?



I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings


us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #1 on: January 15, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
I would stear WAY clear of the Kobalt set. I bought a set similar, but with Linemans pliers. Everything was crap. I have not used them once since purchase.

I am hooked on Knipex for all hand tools as they are very well made and top notch. The Knipex are worth the extra and will last a lifetime. Just my suggestion. Take it for what it is.  :salute:


http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-0901240SBA-4-Inch-Leverage-Linemans/dp/B000X4J1CQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452882341&sr=8-2&keywords=knipex+linesman+pliers


A lot of people like Klein for hand tools as well.
I'm the milk man!


us Offline SteveC

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #2 on: January 15, 2016, 07:43:02 PM
Go with the Craftsman pliers, good price made in the US and lifetime warranty
« Last Edit: January 15, 2016, 07:45:37 PM by SteveC »


it Offline balvenie

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #3 on: January 18, 2016, 03:23:40 PM
What about Channelock's quality? For is in Italy is unknown brand
I have nothing against corkscrew, i'm Italian!!


Offline Ryo Saeba

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #4 on: January 18, 2016, 04:07:04 PM
Channellocks are good but you can probably find a euro made tool for cheaper over there


us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #5 on: January 18, 2016, 05:20:14 PM
Channel Lock's are good quality. They are made at the other end of the state I live in (Pennsylvania)..
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings


us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #6 on: February 13, 2016, 02:07:04 AM
I ended up getting the pair of Craftsman lineman pliers. They just seemed better put together than the Kobalt ones..
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings


us Offline captain spaulding

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #7 on: February 13, 2016, 06:11:00 AM
I would say that was a good decision.
I'm the milk man!


us Offline ToolJoe

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #8 on: February 13, 2016, 05:16:48 PM
I looked around for the Kobalt set all over the place and everybody was sold out. I wouldn't buy all the Kobalt pieces separately for what they were selling for.
I knew my wife was a keeper when she transitioned from calling it a knife thingy to a multi-tool.

I might be crazy but it's kept me from going insane- Waylon Jennings


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #9 on: November 12, 2017, 12:40:59 AM
Mind if I revive this thread? I know it's long said and done, so please give us an update as to how this Craftsman has held up.

A lot of my hand tools are older Craftsman, I use them for my personal shade tree mechanic work. I love them, and seek out older, quality hand tools over New, whenever possible.

If I am working on something and "need it now", I hit Sears for new Craftsman or the auto parts store for their mid-range tools.

If I am perusing Craigslist or something when I am home in the evening, that's when I seek out vintage. They are usually better quality and lower priced than new ones.

My really old Crescent brand New England tipped 9" linesman's plyers:


« Last Edit: November 12, 2017, 12:51:44 AM by ThundahBeagle »


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #10 on: November 12, 2017, 12:46:47 AM
They predate the special logo-style scripted stamping "Crescent." It is just simple block letters/Arial font or something. They are marked " Bell System" on the other side so I believe they were actually issued  to a linesman at some point. I think I got them as part of a purchase of a toolbox full of tools. These themselves may have amounted to about $5US.

Similar pair New today is between $50 and $100USD

And they are beastly. Robust. Side-cutting, blunt-nosed, beasts. There is some evidence that the sides were used as a hammer, but these things keep calm and carry on through anything I throw at them
« Last Edit: November 12, 2017, 12:53:14 AM by ThundahBeagle »


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #11 on: November 12, 2017, 12:47:43 AM
Bell System


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #12 on: November 12, 2017, 12:48:48 AM
Old Crescent markings


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #13 on: November 12, 2017, 12:50:09 AM
Sorry. Wrong pic. Here's the old Crescent markings


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #14 on: November 12, 2017, 01:27:11 AM
I know this was revised from a couple years ago, yet the Lowe’s Cobalt set is now available again for the same price mentioned. 
As for quality, it is there with these tools, and they are a good value as a set.
My set is part of my work tools, the linesman, the diagonals, needle nose are USED every day and have been for at least 4 years. No issues at all. Just keep clean and wipe down with light oil if they have been used in the wet weather. (I work outside year around)

These also have a lifetime replacement warranty at any Lowe’s store.
you can see some of the tools scattered across the outside pockets of the bag;)


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If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

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   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #15 on: November 12, 2017, 01:46:53 AM
Nice set of work tools, Loop.

I see your red Craftsman toolbox and I raise you a hammer-finish, vintage grey one, model 6512.

(With an intake manifold in it, looking kind of like the rack of ribs on the side of Fred Flintstone' s car)


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #16 on: November 12, 2017, 01:56:47 AM
+10, nice!
Is that a black Craftsman to the left?

I have a grey Craftsman w/o drawer at home, about 40 yrs old.  As well as a Kennedy machinists tool chest on work bench. 


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If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #17 on: November 12, 2017, 02:59:07 AM
Yes it is. It's a Rally Box, from the 80's or 90's I think. Full of sockets, plyers of various types, 1/2 inch ratchet drivers crescent and box-ended wrenches, extensions, breaker bars, a couple of torque wrenches. Three drawers and an integrated tray in the top. Very heavy when full. Got another grey one - they mainly hold screw drivers, wrenches and c clamps and the odd tie rod seperater. There's a plastic 94 piece set with 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets and sockets behind the Rally Box

Sounds like you have quite a collection. I still don't have an old Kennedy. What do you do for work?



us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #18 on: November 12, 2017, 03:57:21 AM
~
Sounds like you have quite a collection. I still don't have an old Kennedy. What do you do for work?
Several tool boxes, each for a special purpose. 
Nothing like yours, which I would name a gear head collection.
I have worked in the computer industry since 1973, most as a field service engineer on small computers to the large main frames plus peripheral gear and data communications. 
For last several years, I am still doing field service work, plus construction install for parking revenue and traffic control systems.   
But, my home setup involves a lot of bicycle restoration and maintance work. 
Really, I am just an old guy that likes quality tools that I can depend on for getting a job done.


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If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Yadda

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #19 on: November 12, 2017, 04:10:51 AM
Hard to beat Klein lineman's pliers. IMO.
"It didn't hurt, flirt, blood squirt, stuffed shirt, hang me on a tree
After I count down three rounds, in Hell I'll be in good company" -  The Dead South


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #20 on: November 12, 2017, 03:43:53 PM
LOOP-
Ah So that's why you have the tools you do, and spend so much time outside. I'm in computer applications, servers and networking. But I've done all this other stuff on the side for myself and the little lady

One of these days I'll find an old Kennedy or SK machinist toolbox. I'm no machinist, but I like the drawers for organizing little stuff


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #21 on: November 12, 2017, 04:44:05 PM
Hard to beat Klein lineman's pliers. IMO.
I agree, if you are a electrician, or a lineman, the Kleins work great on the larger gauge wires like 10 to 6 and for solid wire 14 & 12.  Cutting and twisting they do the job. 
When in college I worked for a Mill Supplier and we report Klein tools along with SK.  I can see these being favorites when the employer was buying very frequently. 

For me, the largest wire I typical cut and connect is 12 gauge stranded, my cobalt and Irwin branded tools serve me well.


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If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: One Tool or a Lesser Set?
Reply #22 on: November 12, 2017, 04:50:01 PM
~
One of these days I'll find an old Kennedy or SK machinist toolbox. I'm no machinist, but I like the drawers for organizing little stuff
Yes, the drawers are nice. Have my eye on one at a Pawn shop in town. 
Was upset when my father in law passed, is daughters sold his tools and chest to a coworker for about .05 on the $.  He was a tool and die man for a piston manufacture in town here. 



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


 

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