Re: [ihc] Special Tools, comments on gear wrenches

[John Hofstetter <hofs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 2/25/04 9:23 AM, Joel M Brodsky at jmbrodsky@domain.elided wrote:

> John,
> I said: 'as of late', because I am still working every day to acquire every
> tool to make life easier and though I've been collecting tools for as long
> as I can remember, I have not even come close to your level, though I can
> certainly aspire to do so, no?
> -JoelB

Absolutely! 

Speaking of tools as we were, I've had the opportunity to closely examine a
number of different brands of gear wrenches lately. Box ends that ratchet.
Wow, is a there a lot of difference between the ones that look really good
and those that don't.

The guy with the Colonoscopy scope has a set of Blackhawks that look crappy.
I have a friend that has a set of Snap On wrenches and they look good, but
who can afford them. I have a set of Stanley wrenches which look
surprisingly well made. I must have gotten the Stanleys at Wal-Mart which I
wouldn't name as a top quality tool supplier. But these wrenches do look
well designed and well made.

A lot of these sets reverse direction by turning the wrench over, but I like
the ones that reverse by pushing a button. However, that button needs to be
discreetly placed, or it gets in the way when the wrench is used in tight
places. Having the button allows the wrench to be offset which is often
handy. 

John