How do you like the LN47ACF? It’s in my short list.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
New Crimson ratchet for the house. This length is my preferred length for just about everything especially drain plugs. Got it for the house because I don’t have one this size and was going to change the oil today in dads car but didn’t get too because it started pouring. The last few times in the car and Escape the drain plug has been so seized up I guess from all the hot and cold. Had to dig out a big 1/2 because my regular length 3/8 wouldn’t cut it. Wanted to get the DieHard from Advance Auto but decided I’d put that money towards the Milwaukee grinder instead since I really don’t need fancy for home. My grinder should be here Wednesday hopefully that’s when it says. Checked everywhere for one with a battery but they were all out of them.
They look good but haven’t had a chance to use them yet. I don’t have an intended use for them yet, they were more of an impulse buy. Definitely a solid pair of needle nose though.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
They are excellent. I bought a pair and now just about everyone at the shop has the same ones lol. My neighbor introduced me to them actually. I just use them as long nose. They are good to twist wires with too and crimp. Wish they had different colors though red is so lame lol. They haven’t introduced any other colors yet.
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2021
- Messages
- 445
I got the Icon 1/2 drive 40 to 250 ft lb split beam torque wrench. Only used it today to torque some lug nuts. It has a really nice loud positive click and the 90 tooth head is nice. The best thing about the wrench is how easy it is to set the torque value. If you've never used a split beam wrench you are missing out.
The head had plenty of grease in it. And it was coming out between the plate and the anvil.
I will bet you dollars to donuts that Andy and Peter may be a pseudonym haha.
It also has a really nice plastic case with metal latches.
It also has a really nice plastic case with metal latches.
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I've been trying to source one from my "local" (one hour one way) HF but they've been out of stock for a month with a stupid message saying "Back in stock soon at XYZ"
I finally ordered a PI from Amazon LOL
If HF would ship these things I would have ordered from them but they inexplicably make it an "in-store only" item
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2021
- Messages
- 445
I literally got the only one in 100 mi radius around here. I was going to buy the PI unit but this icon is better in every way except it's not made in the USA.
This wrench was made July 2021 so there may be a problem with production and getting them here to America. I'd love to have one of these in 3/8 drive.
FYI Tekton has a virtually identical split beam wrench for about $10 more than HF, as well as a 3/8 model.
It seems to be a poor copy of the PI and is not accurate in the 50 ft.lb range. The Icon is a better copy and a good buy now the PI has almost doubled in price since last year. I am all for buying Euro, Japanese or US tools for a premium over Taiwan tools but not for double for the same performance. JMHO
Thanks! I was not aware of the inaccuracies with the Tekton. I will scratch it off my list of potential buys.
This guy has a decent video, he does make one error though IMO, the piece of plastic/rubber over the joint doesnt do much of anything, it is not a real seal and just gets looser with use. This type of TW is very rugged.
Tekton sent him replacements that fell within spec but it still seemed to be the least accurate of the bunch. Still, probably plenty accurate for most anything automotive
The PI was hovering around $180 on Amazon just a week ago....today it's at $262. Because I'm a cheap fatherless child I ordered a Warehouse Deal at $160 but they keep pushing back the ship date which is usually an indicator they can't find it
I've actually ordered several TW's thru AWD over the years and they've all been new with just cosmetic packaging issues. That said, I've never checked calibration on any of them so maybe they're all wildly off and I'm torquing 1/2" lugs at 230ft lbs....who knows!!
The PI was hovering around $180 on Amazon just a week ago....today it's at $262. Because I'm a cheap fatherless child I ordered a Warehouse Deal at $160 but they keep pushing back the ship date which is usually an indicator they can't find it
I've actually ordered several TW's thru AWD over the years and they've all been new with just cosmetic packaging issues. That said, I've never checked calibration on any of them so maybe they're all wildly off and I'm torquing 1/2" lugs at 230ft lbs....who knows!!
For the extra money, Precision Instruments needs to include a real calibration certificate with each torque wrench, and not a pseudo-certificate from the marketing department that says "our wrench is accurate to 4%" . Both my 3/8" and 1/2" PI split beams (bought within the last 2.5 years) were inaccurate at the low end.
IIRC I paid a little over $120 for the PI a couple of years ago now its more than double, if I wanted a split beam today it would be a Stahlwille for the same money. I have tested the PI though on the same type of machine the guy in the video has on a tool truck and it was better than the one he tested in all ranges.
Amazon canceled my order for the Warehouse Deals PI split beam. As suspected, they couldn't find it.
I'm not concerned, I've got a clicker to get me by for now. After my ranting about HF not making the Icon available online, I see their website now seems to suggest it will be available online by Sep 13, although I'm not holding my breath.
There's still only one store within 100 miles of me that shows stock, and I'm not stumbling over myself that much to get an import torque wrench.
I'm not concerned, I've got a clicker to get me by for now. After my ranting about HF not making the Icon available online, I see their website now seems to suggest it will be available online by Sep 13, although I'm not holding my breath.
There's still only one store within 100 miles of me that shows stock, and I'm not stumbling over myself that much to get an import torque wrench.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Matco Wednesday haul from yesterday. Lots of promotions going on this month. You got the screw extractors free with the left handed drill bits. I already had to use the drill bits to remove a broke off screw in a license plate hole. Common thing I have to deal with lol. Carbide burr set was recommended by my coworkers personally don’t see a use for them in automotive but we will see. Two pairs of socks and hand cleaner.
Also had Snap-on Thursday today as well but the new guy keeps asking questions and needing me to repeat myself every time so I totally forgot to put them in my box or take a picture lol. He went on the tool truck and bought tons of stuff but returned it all after his girlfriend yelled at him lol
. At least he does have tools though even though he isn’t allowed to work on anything yet till he gets the paperwork down pat. I bought two 1/2 ratchets with a hard handle in black, and three pocket pry bars which are finally back in stock. Pictures posted tomorrow.
Interestingly Koken also makes a 13.5mm square socket for drain plugs
https://palmac.net/koken-4110m-13-5-1-2-sq-drive-4-point-male-sockets/
Their square bit sockets include: 8mm, 10mm, 10.5mm, 12mm, 13mm, 13.5mm, 19mm and 20mm
Like Tekton Ko-Ken’s price cover shipping and taxes.
https://kokenusa.com/pages/search-results?q=4110M
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Milwaukee M18 Fuel grinder. Really needed this last weekend to fix the exhaust on dads truck. Will have to do the other side eventually so will need it again. Also have to cut a mirror bracket off with it since it’s very rusty so I’m definitely going to use it. I ordered the tool and battery combo so I didn’t pay for the battery separately as that would of been crazy expensive but I didn’t expect it to come packaged separately. Still very happy with the purchase. Another great Milwaukee tool though I do like the design of some others better but it’s best to have the best of the best.
