Electrician Talk banner

New Tools!

35K views 173 replies 44 participants last post by  MechanicalDVR 
#1 ·
love getting new tools in the mail.

havent had a chance to use the Wera drivers yet.
 
See less See more
1
#5 ·
When it's your own dollars you are spending the best price should prevail. Supply houses could help a guy out by not marking up handtools as much as they do and maybe guys would choose them over the places that jack you on purchases.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jrags
#12 ·
The "contractor rates// pricing" reflects credit.

Ditto for Snap-on and Tradewell, et. al.

When you're paying cash // check right on the spot -- it's expected that you get the "cash price" which is routinely discounted 20%.

The amazing gap is because small time contractors OFTEN carry their accounts out four to six months... and then go belly-up.

So, the price reflects the time value of money -- and the RISK that the buyer will not pay off.

BIG contractors that impose no credible payment risk don't pay the same prices as the one-man ECs.

Since it's extremely rude to inform a "counter sale" tool buyer that his credit is automatically deemed suspect -- prices for said tools are "blind."

Only rarely do you see price tags on tools -- mostly for those the store is desperate to unload.

Significant trade tools ( especially Greenlee ) are only to be found through their dealer network... or off of eBay from distressed -- and departing -- ECs.

Since my tool factor is the ONLY shop that carries the entire line of Klein -- and all the best -- to stop me from wasting amazing amounts of time -- they get my repeat business.

They even call my attention to new trick tools -- brand new to the market.

As an early adopter, I then spread the tool and technique all over town.

Then, again, their counter sales folks know what they're dealing with, and are extremely attentive when I waltz up to the counter. I'm remembered on sight. :thumbsup:

That doesn't happen at Big Box Hardware. :no:

Pick your poison. :laughing:
 
#20 ·
I must be lucky because guys at my supply house give me "cash" price on credit. Of course I call or go in once a week. The few times ive checked they blow box stores out the water on bigger wire prices.. tools and often been on par with Amazon prices for the exotics.. ie. humidstat/fan control switch. But to stay on topic just got m12 caulk gun delivered today (that was HD because CED here doesnt sell Milwaukee).
 
#21 ·
The main reason supply houses don't label prices on their goods is they sell everything by "negotiated pricing." When they put you in the system they classify you and your base pricing is based on that classification. If you work for a large contractor you probably get better pricing than a little guy.

Some of the manufacturers have price fixing systems in place to try to keep the selling price up, and some of them arrange lower prices at supply houses than at big box stores. Seeing less and less of this as the manufacturers go with the flow.

You might be able to work with the guy at the counter or the sales person for better pricing, but that's a pain in the ass. Who has time to shop every item all around town and bicker over the price of pliers?

I used to be willing to spend a little more to support small or at least smaller businesses. But I figured out they weren't losing any sleep if I starve. If Home Depot eventually does to electrical supply houses what they have done to independent lumber yards, that will be bad. But I am not going to change the way the wind blows with my meager purchases. Now, it's all business, low price, in stock, minimal wasted time gets my money.
 
#24 ·
I have the Wera insulated set, as well as the big beater with the shank through the handle and the metal cap. I love them. I also have Klein uninsulated drivers, but they don't get much use; 90% of the time I carry and use my 11 in 1.
 
#30 ·
Most of my hand tools are kline and the strippers that strip the romex jacket always stick. I have to file them down and end up throwing them away. Now I may have the same problem with the whole sale house but haven't bought a pair there that I can remember. I do know my ideals have worked fine for over 2 years.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
#37 ·
You might see this stuff on eBay and Amazon through third party sellers



Klein Wirepro Linesmens at Amazon

They were going to make a consumer grade line to sell at Home Depot but it didn't catch on, people wanted Klein's good tools. Supposedly it was going to be made in USA but that might mean they get them from China and dip the handles and put a wrapper on them here. The crimp hole doesn't look even close to round to me.
 
#38 ·
You might see this stuff on eBay and Amazon through third party sellers



Klein Wirepro Linesmens at Amazon

They were going to make a consumer grade line to sell at Home Depot but it didn't catch on, people wanted Klein's good tools. Supposedly it was going to be made in USA but that might mean they get them from China and dip the handles and put a wrapper on them here. The crimp hole doesn't look even close to round to me.
Yeah they look more like something made my Woo Chang Klein in USA city China in a former cat meat factory.
 
#40 ·
I have been using Klein, Ridgid, and Milwaukee tools since the early 1960s.
Other than some phillips screwdriver issues with Klein a while back I have always been satisfied with all of those brands and the tools they have their name on. Klein pliers, Ridgid wrenches / pipe tools, and Milwaukee sawzalls / drills have always been the benchmarks in our industry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: colinerik
#42 ·
Nice Mech. I think you stated on here you are a size 'finish'. That box have wheels tho?

I only have 4 M18's but have lingered at the 12 volt display. :) Just not sure what I want. Maybe a impact for device install. The m18 one can get heavy doing that.





and a bit of this stuff to keep the dust off and keep 'em shiny...

 
#43 ·
Thanks, that looks like a nice set up.

The whole thing was fairly heavy to put away last night and the box could be a little larger to hold stuff but it's better than the two bags I had the stuff in. I found the M12 tools to be fine for the things I was doing daily. I only really used the M18 sawzall and sds drill often. The M18 right angle drill and hammerdrill didn't get a ton of use.

The impact is way too much power for running in device screws, the normal driver is good for that. I actually use the DeWalt 7.2 screwdriver for trim out, with the clutch it works outstanding and can be carried in a hammer loop.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top