Hey guys... the more I work on cars, the more I find myself staring at the Lisle section of tools. This stuff is taylor made for cars, but I'm not totally certain of the durability. It's USA made, so I have hope of a real warranty, and good performance. Only things I have by them are a t55 Torx socket (not used yet), and the fuel line/AC line disconnect kit.
Lisle tools
- Thread starter WMSmotorhead
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I have had good experience with their tools.
I've been eyeing the universal oil filter wrench, but really would like to find it local.
Good tools with good value.
I remember Lisle tools from way back (30+ years ago). Had trouble pronouncing their name at first ("ly-ell" if I got it right). Yeah, they always made neat stuff, very application specific.
They make some nice tools, some of which are "very application specific". Sometimes you just need a tool once or twice to get through a job. That's been the case for me a few times, and Lisle had just the right tool.
I love their oil filter wrench, one of my best purchases. I don't own any other Lisle tools.
Sears hardware has a section, and we have an indie tool store called "LakeShore" and they have a Lisle section. The Serp belt wrench is really cool. If I were starting a garage, I'd get their "Masters" Torx set and Masters Disconnect kits...
They aren't super expensive, and they're made in USA. That's a win to me.
They aren't super expensive, and they're made in USA. That's a win to me.
I have several of their tools. It's somewhat difficult to find the tool I want in a local store, but they will always order it no problem.
Note that not everything they make is made in the USA. For example:
56650 Adjustable seal puller - USA
58430 cam seal puller - USA
56750 seal puller - USA
31840 o-ring pick - Taiwan
Note that not everything they make is made in the USA. For example:
56650 Adjustable seal puller - USA
58430 cam seal puller - USA
56750 seal puller - USA
31840 o-ring pick - Taiwan
Originally Posted By: WMSmotorhead
It's USA made, so I have hope of a real warranty, and good performance. Only things I have by them are a t55 Torx socket (not used yet), and the fuel line/AC line disconnect kit.
I have the 3/8", 32mm oil filter socket (for the Ecotech 2.2). It is a nice durable tool. I ordered a 2nd for my son who got a car with the same engine and this time the socket package said Made in China. It works though.
It's USA made, so I have hope of a real warranty, and good performance. Only things I have by them are a t55 Torx socket (not used yet), and the fuel line/AC line disconnect kit.
I have the 3/8", 32mm oil filter socket (for the Ecotech 2.2). It is a nice durable tool. I ordered a 2nd for my son who got a car with the same engine and this time the socket package said Made in China. It works though.
I was looking to buy their ball joint press but had information that their product didn't match the picture. I emailed them with this information and they assured me that they matched. So I ordered it. They told me up front that it was made in Taiwan (better than China).
The product wasn't even close to what was in the picture. I don't appreciate being bold face lied too. I only buy Lisle tools when I have to now.
P.S. I also purchased one of their made in USA battery brushes and it had so much hot melt glue on (to hold it for packaging) that I had to use a knife to separate the two halves.
The product wasn't even close to what was in the picture. I don't appreciate being bold face lied too. I only buy Lisle tools when I have to now.
P.S. I also purchased one of their made in USA battery brushes and it had so much hot melt glue on (to hold it for packaging) that I had to use a knife to separate the two halves.
Originally Posted By: johnachak
I have the 3/8", 32mm oil filter socket (for the Ecotech 2.2). It is a nice durable tool. I ordered a 2nd for my son who got a car with the same engine and this time the socket package said Made in China. It works though.
I had a Pontiac with that motor. I had a shallow SK socket that worked.... That car has been retired now, but I do recall that most sockets were too tall to work.
I have the 3/8", 32mm oil filter socket (for the Ecotech 2.2). It is a nice durable tool. I ordered a 2nd for my son who got a car with the same engine and this time the socket package said Made in China. It works though.
I had a Pontiac with that motor. I had a shallow SK socket that worked.... That car has been retired now, but I do recall that most sockets were too tall to work.
Lisle makes a lot of specialty stuff, they're constantly putting new and new stuff out, the quality is very good.
yeah some of it's made in china.. well you can buy it from lisle, or pay quadruple from snap-on.
their oil filter pliers wrench is gold! as is the strap wrench for oil filters.
on the back of lisle tools and the website, they have a little note that says if you submit a tool idea to them and they use it, you get a few bucks and your name listed. However you sign away your idea to them.
a lot of the oddball tools they have are actually ideas from mechanics and whatnot..
yeah some of it's made in china.. well you can buy it from lisle, or pay quadruple from snap-on.
their oil filter pliers wrench is gold! as is the strap wrench for oil filters.
on the back of lisle tools and the website, they have a little note that says if you submit a tool idea to them and they use it, you get a few bucks and your name listed. However you sign away your idea to them.
a lot of the oddball tools they have are actually ideas from mechanics and whatnot..
I've only used their special funnel, which worked as described and seems well constructed.
I have one of their broken spark plug removal tools for Ford's 5.4 3 valve. Only used it once and it worked well removing the broken plug.
If you have a good idea for a tool and get it made, you won't be allowed retail shelf space in a store. You're on your own trying to market it to consumers. You must have a line of tools in order to get retail shelf space. I feel Lisle gives the person who can come up with a clever tool the ability to get retail shelf space.
There's lots of tool names that you think "eh, seen one, seen 'em all". Not true of Lisle. With Lisle, if you've seen one, you definitely haven't seen them all.
There's lots of tool names that you think "eh, seen one, seen 'em all". Not true of Lisle. With Lisle, if you've seen one, you definitely haven't seen them all.
Props for the Lisle torx sockets... I cranked the daylights out of a t-55 and not a knick on it... the bolt showed marks, but didn't get damaged.
Originally Posted By: WMSmotorhead
I had a Pontiac with that motor. I had a shallow SK socket that worked.... That car has been retired now, but I do recall that most sockets were too tall to work. Props for the Lisle torx sockets...
Correct! Lots of people try using a standard socket but its too tall, so they seat it crooked on the filter cap and that is what chews up the plastic cap. The shorty socket from Lisle (and others) fits much better. Lisle's is aluminum by the way, so don't use it on anything else.
Quote:
I cranked the daylights out of a t-55 and not a knick on it... the bolt showed marks, but didn't get damaged.
The T55 is one item where I had to spend a little more and get a Snap-On part; the caliper and wheel bearing bolts on my Fiero were just tight enough to put a little twist in my Lisle T55s. Otherwise the Lisle Torx bits are fine for my use.
I had a Pontiac with that motor. I had a shallow SK socket that worked.... That car has been retired now, but I do recall that most sockets were too tall to work. Props for the Lisle torx sockets...
Correct! Lots of people try using a standard socket but its too tall, so they seat it crooked on the filter cap and that is what chews up the plastic cap. The shorty socket from Lisle (and others) fits much better. Lisle's is aluminum by the way, so don't use it on anything else.
Quote:
I cranked the daylights out of a t-55 and not a knick on it... the bolt showed marks, but didn't get damaged.
The T55 is one item where I had to spend a little more and get a Snap-On part; the caliper and wheel bearing bolts on my Fiero were just tight enough to put a little twist in my Lisle T55s. Otherwise the Lisle Torx bits are fine for my use.
I like that the Lisle torx are stubbier than others.. I have some Kobalts and Craftsman that are the chrome socket with the bit mounted in them... the Lisle being 1 piece makes more sense and it's shorter.
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