I agree and that's why I bought them instead of Snap On.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Gearwrench 6 point combination wrenches. Bought from member @Sam_Julier . Thanks Sam. I wanted some 6 point wrenches just because haha. I had only had a few. Not sure on COO on these but it doesn’t matter to me as long as they work and have a warranty. These were also listed at a great price too. I don’t see any usage on them. I’m happy. Thanks again Sam.
Hopefully everyone will like these better than the Snap-on I posted earlier which appears to draw a lot of dislike here to my surprise. However my opinion remains unchanged of Snap-on being the best wrench. We all have our preference and to me they are the best. I just really thought more people would prefer them over other brands. Like I said I would of never paid full price for them.
JHZR2
Staff member
I like Snap-on wrenches, just not the price of admission!
Good to hear what they cost. I went and saw $452 for one set. Some history, but taken from memory, it’s on the snap on site I think. Our government tax dollars commissioned Snap On in the 60’s to come up with a better holding tool for hex fasteners. So they invented flank drive. Seems so simple now, after the fact. It’s always simple to see what someone else invented after the fact, but not before.
You got some of the best tools, Stahlwille is great and I like them, but Snap On is Americana all the way, one of a kind like the country itself. Later on, you will still have (one of) the best with the price long forgotten. It’s not that much anyway in the scheme of things.
I changed name to this because it is easy to type in and I relate to it from the Bible at times when life takes a turn. P. Edward KnickKnack was from another member anyway, still haven looked up who that is and don’t plan to.
I bought that set about 2 years ago, for DIY stuff, and because Amazon had it for a great price back then. The box end does fit snugly on fasteners for the few sizes I have tried. I like them.
Have you ever had a need for an "axle popper" tool when pulling Subaru axles?
Steck Axle Popper
For the old ones that use a roll pin no but the later models that the stub goes into the transfer case yes sometimes. Sometimes you need both, the flat one against the case and the tapered fork towards the cv joint, it doesnt take much to get them out most of the time.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
I needed that once working on a really old Subaru back in my school days. Teacher had to ask around to find people that had them still. Finally found one to borrow.
I have one of these drive axle removers someplace. It's used with slide hammer. I've never used it.
Wow! That bench vise is a thing of beauty!
I love old vises. I wrote about one I restored in this forum: https://rvthe.us/community/threads/an-old-vise.126/
I just bought a restored Prentiss last year, for my shop.
Old ones had the roll pin, once the pin was removed a few taps on the rear of the joint would loosen it right up, it sounds like your teacher was trying to pull the stub out with it (It will come out but it is not necessary).
The hole is for the roll pin, this stub remains in the transfer case. Unlike later models you don't loose fluid.
Later model inner joint. No additional stub or pin.
An old Wilton bench vise? Respect!
I cannot say why, but that is one of the few things in my life that I flat out adore.
Well done Astro14.
Thanks. Makes me smile every time I use it. A Wilton Bullet Vise is a classic.
JHZR2
Staff member
It is. Ive had my eye out for a decent one local... they arent rare, but arent common (or cheap). The Parker I got is perfect for small things, but I do need a larger one for my extra garage for bigger tasks.
I have a nice Wilton bullet vise, has some discoloration from being in a garage for 25 years. I never even used it, weighs a ton that thing. Never really thought about it being worth money. Learned not to put it out on a yard sale for $5. Or donate it to a thrift shop and they put $5 on it.
Most vises are made in China. If you were in the market for a new vise, the cheapest Wilton Bullet, made in the USA, is about $750. I almost bought this one, brand new, a couple of years ago.
https://www.toolbarn.com/products/w...MI8JTnzIyU-AIVmxPUAR0tugcdEAQYBCABEgJK8fD_BwE
Decided that I liked the idea of a restored/vintage tool better. So, I searched and found the Wilton I have now, at an antique store in Ivor, VA.
Sadly, even Wilton’s line has a lot of vises made overseas. That’s where the market is. The great names have vanished or been absorbed, and production shifted overseas. The new overseas vises are poorly finished, roughly made, don’t work as smoothly. But they’re cheap, and they work well enough.
Last December, I was buying a Reed no. 23 (a Christmas present for my brother) and a Snap-On/Wilton (For me) from a guy in Staten Island, a retired crane operator whose hobby is restoring old vises, when I saw the Prentiss on his shelf. It was gorgeous. Finely made. 1940s vintage. Beautifully restored and painted by this guy who raved about the quality, the fit and finish of a Prentiss even as we packed up the Wilton and Reed I was buying.
I asked if he was going to sell it. He said, “yeah, it’s going on eBay next week”. I said, “I’ll save you the trouble, how much you want for it?” “$400“ he said. “Done”, I said.
As we loaded it (carefully wrapped in towels in a box) into the back seat of my truck, he said, “I can’t believe I’m selling my Prentiss!”
I understand. It’s so nice, I wouldn’t want to part with it, either.
Wurth was in again the other day - they are there to reorder our bulk stocks, but always bring something to tempt. While she was selling the boss a new set of ear muffs, I spied these slip joints in her handbag. My old Proto pair are 45 years old, and look it, but still do the job. But these are a real step up in adjustability and grip. Knipex, but also branded Wurth.
