In the late 80's I worked at a sledge hammer factory in Nebraska. We made everything from generic sledge hammers to hammers for the US Army. We also made sledge hammers for Stanley and Mac. All in all every hammer was made from the same steel and quality. The only difference was the color and some cosmetics.
white label. its a very common practice. just like vehicle manufacture use different parts from different manufactures around the world. nobody can make everything themselves.
Harbor freight sells a copy of Klein wire splicers (black metal with red rubber grip). They definitely don't strip very well! It might be the same thing, but with lessened manufacturing tolerances. Seems to the difference between price levels these days... attention to detail.
15 or so years ago the maintenance guy at work picked up a bunch of Snap on tools. The channel locks were absolutely identical to my Channel lock brand. Side by side perfectly the same.
Harbor Freight has definitely improved over the last couple of years. I have two boxes full of old craftsman and a few Snap On tools at home, In my car I have a small emergency tool box with Harbor Freight. It has served me well and I do not have to worry about a lot of money being tied up that may never get any real use. They are there when I need them and cheap insurance against being caught stranded when a wrench or screwdriver is all I need.
As an aircraft mechanic, I use only snap-on tools at work...they're ok. That being said, they're company provided. I don't own them. As for MY set of tools at home, completely different story. Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Milwaukee, Stanley, HF brand, Klutch, Mac, Snap-On, channellock, rigid, crescent...I've got them all. They all have lifetime warranties. I don't care what your tool brand preference is or where any of mine are built...any tool can and will break. I wrench at home on a regular basis. So, long story short...buy and use what works for you...and can reasonably afford. 10 of the 12 brands I listed that I own can easily be returned and exchanged for a new one in an hour or so during regular business hours (Sorry for all those that live way out in the sticks...buy backups).
My toolbox looks the same. Sometimes, having some cheap "throwaway" tools can be a good thing. Pawn shops are a great place to look for older big brand tools.
@@kolsen6330 Or even getting great buys on Snap on , Matco & others that get brought in & resold at a 1/4 of what those would sell new for from the dealer heck even garage sales are a good source I just picked up a Kline torque wrench that was 350.00 new last summer at a garage sale for 10.00 the guy wanted 5 but when I looked at how much they were new I felt guilty & offered him 10.00 for it & he was happy as hell lol, the thing works great had it checked at work to make sure it was accurate & it was spot on still, just used it to assemble a 451 BB stroker Chrysler wedge engine that runs beautiful.
I've used those Doyle high-leverage cutters to cut 1/16", braided, steel, security cables. They went thru like butter; much better than the cheap Pittsburg versions.
I think it's gotten to the point where a couple OEMs are manufacturing the tools that Matco puts their brand on and charges twice as much, there's tons like this all over Amazon. Difference being, the big brand is something like the A quality, where the off brands are B in finish. You also get competitors making near exact copies.
Box store brands have this issue. There’s a bunch of quality manufacturers showing their head or continuing to go strong but they pulled themselves from big box stores or never let their brand in them in the first place. It pigeonholed you into competing on price above almost anything else. Which pigeonholes you into using a small set of manufacturers and distributors. Eventually you just end up with a “copy and paste” tool with “Your favorite brand” sticker on it.
@@APolishedTurd Is it really the manufacturer pulling themselves? Or big box stores not having the space for them? I tried manufacturing a few products and big box wanted major compromises that I was not willing to make, they didn't have room for what they considered a niche product. It's similar to the product you see on grocery store shelves, the supplies only have so many slots, and the stores only choose what creates the highest margins
@@FragEightyfive It’s both. Box stores are looking for likely hood to sell on that front. What’s likely to sell is what’s already in there to them. It’s a survivorship bias type thing. No it’s not good for the box stores. But also like many organizations and government wings have fallen victim to survivorship bias and had to realize the hard way how stupid it is. They always had to realize on their own to stop.
@@FragEightyfive It’s also important to remember that a box stores is only a fraction of the available “Slots” on the market and box stores are dying. Only the biggest ones remain barely growing at this point and are reaching stagnation. Online direct from manufacturer is taking over.
My wife's a mgr. at H.F. I'm a 20+ yr vet of turning wrenches in the tranches and having worked for their competition for several years. I own gobs of the name brand stuff. I can tell you that, in the last few yrs, H.F. has significantly stepped up their game when it comes to tool quality. The owners (H.F. is a family owned business w/no stock holders to appease) are smart enough to know when it's time to make moves or suffer the consequences. The improved lines, like Bauer, etc., still might not last as long as the big names but there's a reason they are less expensive. And sometimes the tools are equal to the name brands. The secret is the newer H.F. tools are designed to perform at the same level as the big boys, for a while. For the average home user, the younger technician trying to buy functional tools w/out breaking his piggy bank or anyone not expecting to abuse their tools day in and day out, this is the answer. And at these savings, you can buy two or three to one of theirs. One thing to take advantage of, especially if you buy any good hand, power or air tools, expensive or not (It's H.F., even expensive is cheap)... is the extended warranty. Buy it, keep the receipt and you can run your tool over with a Mac truck if you want, for up to a year, regardless of fault and you get a new tool. If you beat the snot out of a tool and its slowing down, loosing power or takes a dump, go trade it for a brand new one. Free. Cant beat that. Try that on the Snap On truck. Bottom line is... Harbor Freight isn't the shit show the used to be.
Boomer Taylor - I completely agree. I've been an ASE certified technician for the past 25+ years and did my time working at dealerships and independent shops. I've seen Harbor Freight's quality on quite a few of their products (not all, but a good amount) go up over the last 3 years, or so, as we have one just down the street from where I live. I no longer wrench for a living (still have my tools & box, though), but I still do quite a bit of work on cars & boats. While a lot of their tools probably won't last for years and years, due to the rigors of everyday use, there's still quite a few tools that will. Mainly, their shallow and deep impact sockets. Most of their tools now are good for someone like myself or for the weekend warrior, who likes to work on their stuff periodically. Although, I do admit, there are some of their tools that I would never consider buying/using, but those tools are becoming fewer and fewer.
Joe Framer 90 days is the standard warranty. You can buy extended warranties from a year to two... depends on the tool... Point I was making is that, for a power tool or one prone to wear during use, the extended warranty can play to your favor. Tools can be exchanged for any reason, even your own fault, during the warranty period, no matter which one you chose. :)
Great vid, "Doyle" is top quality!! I bought the whole line they carry, best part is they already have my name inscribed on them. Ha! I have a nice Mac set also and they are head to head on these Doyle brand, should last years to come.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about the Pittsburg pliers rusting, etc. Only time will tell if the Doyle brand will hold up. I have seen a lot of cheap tools that mimic quality brands but over time corrode, break or just plain fail. Appearance and initial performance is one thing, but only the test of time is a true measure of a tools quality.
A few months ago I decided to put together another tool bag for another plant I work at instead of carrying my other tools back and forth. My dad always taught me to buy quality tools. But I decided to try some cheapoes to see how they hold up. I convinced myself that cheap tools today are waaay better than they used to be in the past. I went with the Doyle brand because they actually felt pretty decent. I am going to see how they hold up compared to my ChannelLocks. I still like Channel Lock brand and will stick with them. But, i am curious how my Doyles will hold up in an Industrial setting. I also use Klein tools for my electrical work and wouldn't use anything else for electrical.
At the auto wrecking yard "Pick n Pull", I found a Mac Tools nippers on a vehicle engine area that someone left behind. I was working in the area 3 trucks down and was waiting for someone to come around and poke the area looking like they were trying to find it...6 hours and nobody did anything of the sort. Mine now. My wife and I call those types of wire nippers a "Parrot Beak" and the Channel Lock type "Dinosaur Head".
Harbor Freight seems to be moving upscale, bringing out new products that are better quality than their traditional house brands. They are having tools made to their spec for private label under their new Doyle brand name, another one is Viking for some of their electronic stuff, I've bought a couple of the new Viking brand battery chargers and am pleased at how well they work. Just like Pittsburgh tools and Chicago Pneumatic the brand names are Harbor Freight's own private labels, but it is nice to see them offering some better quality stuff, sometimes the cheap stuff will do, other times you want or need something better.
I am a 36 year electrician and will only use Klein and Channellock hand tools. After 35 to 60 hours a week they last for years. Homeowners can get away with lower grade tools but not tradesmen.
Robert Vitelli your damn right on klien tools.... thats all I use... electrican as myself need quality tool for specific area there working on... awesome
Nick Hice, I seen them. Some of the young journeymen are using them on the job. I'm sure they are quality but I didn't like the feel of them in my hands. Funny, I was showing my Klein linemen pliers that I carried for over 20 years. Just felt good in my hands and well broken in.
As a fellow sparky use mainly Klein. Its a shame there quality isn't what it was before. I bought a pair of the Doyle cable cutters, I actually like them better. They're an inch and a half longer. I doubt that they will last as long.
I remember when I bought my 1st electricians tools back in 1990. Still in use today and they are Klein and Channel Lock. Tape measures are another story, as I tend to drop and bend them constantly.
I’m an independent auto shop owner. The Mac guys came by last week. I said thx for checking on us. But we don’t need you. They politely left. I thought they would ask why. Or where do you get your tool needs. Since they didn’t ask. Here’s the answer. 1)Tool trucks are out dated. 2)Don’t have enough stock 3)If they say next week. It doesn’t happen 4)too expensive 5)I can buy anything online with free shipping. Have it before the truck would be back. 5)sales tax. Most don’t charge it online 6)more options. Just the highlights. Tool truck dealers are going broke. Dealers turn over and many times dint show up. Undependable is becoming common from Truck route tool dealers
Great video, thanks for the info! Seriously though, almost 3 minutes out of a 11 minute video watching you open the packaging? My wife is gonna love this.
10 years ago i bought a set of the best tongue in groove pliers (commonly called channel locks) that harbor freight offered.i think they were called Pittsburgh pro at the time. after years of use and abuse they still work excellent have never slipped or stripped , as if they are still new. much stronger and durable than the big name brands. i gave my craftsman and channel lock versions to a youngster so that he would stop borrowing tools from me.
Thanks for comparing them. I noticed those pliers when I was at HF last week. They are a new upgraded brand they now sell, they are making a Pro version of most of their tool line.
Justin, I was Mac Tool Franchise Dealer (2) times over 11 years, up to this day the Mac tool made in USA pliers are made by "Channel Lock" from 1940's to 1990's with channel Lock name and had the Blue vinyl covered handles. Then in mid 1990's or so Channel Lock private labeled all their pliers with Mac Tools stamped on them and with Red vinyl handles just like the ones you bought 8 years ago in Oregon from the Mac guy... The channel Lock patents expired years ago so pretty much every body and their uncle like Doyle made in China can copy them. And by the way Snap-On tools has some Private Label pliers made by Channel Lock and Knipex and by Klein as well.
Justin Dow don’t forget Matco too they along with snap-on and mac have their pliers made by channel lock and charge more for them. You could for about the same price just buy channel lock pliers plus their made in the USA. Doyle I believe are made in Taiwan.
Good to know an exact time frame for when Mac contracted Channellock for their pliers. There's too many people who haven't hopped on the truck to see what they are actually selling now.
Stanley makes a lot of Mac tools as well. I know my first Mac boxes were Stanley. I'm sure the MB1100 box I have now was made in the same town Stanley made the Economizer box. My Non-rebounding ball-peen hammer is Stanley.
I'll keep buying Channellock as long as they are made in the USA. I''m cheap, but I'm not that cheap. I'd rather hand tools down to my kids or grand kids that are stamped with Made in USA. Yes, there are some tools where you simply cannot find an equivalent, and for that I'll consider Harbor Freight. But if given the option, I want my tools made in the US.
I bought a set of interior trim tools from harbor freight about 6 years ago for about $4. One of my coworkers had the exact same ones that had “Mac” stamped on them. I turned them upside down and asked him which ones were mine and which where his. He couldn’t tell the difference between my $4 set and his $100 set.
Channel locks has not produced a useful quality tool in years in fact most of Channel Locks and Craftsman and Napa brand tools are all made in China now... Unfortunate but the old Channel Locks tools I have I keep.
In all honesty and I am not being a wise guy but I have older channel locks maybe from probably before you were born. I can tell you unless this country has slipped that far down the tubes neither the carbon element in the steel is the same because the new metals don't ring like the old metals on the pliers I have and the new channel locks pliers are WAY TOO THICK for professional auto work and they have marks left from the casting which means that they are cast not drop forged which is way better... I am aviation A&P and we used to get issued channel locks USG certified. Now days we get Cornwell or Snapon Klien tools we actually get a choice that is how bad shit has gotten.... The tensile elements are much diff and when using the new channel locks for steam or fab work with a torch they get red hot in seconds which does mean a greatly reduced carbon element part of the reason you don't use a Silver metal and you use a black carbon metal. So Channel locks may label their stuff USA made but I highly doubt it when they are made like all the Chinese junk I come across in the retail stores... Like I said I hope I am not coming across crass or like a wise guy but I mean what I say if I have to exhibit the old original stuff I will. There is also contract called Cromwell tools they make a lot of Electronics tools so they don't advertise commercially if at all. I used to Cromwell from Grainger stores now days the fucktard at Grainger don't even know what I am talking about but they made real high quality channel locks and adjustable wrenches too. There was also Crossley Corp tools same deal USG contract made stuff. I don't see much of that anyplace outside a Navy Ship or air base work. I not sure of the spelling on Crossley it's something like that but real high speed good quality stuff. They make CNC cutting bits as well someplace in Calf. The little wooden boxes say Made in Calif. USA on them. Their hand tools come in little wooden boxes is how high speed they are and stuff comes sanitized for clean room work and surgical rooms....
THEKING SILVERADO None of that relates to the fact you said ChannelLocks are not made in USA any more, they are. I still stand behind my statement, I would rather have USA made ChannelLocks instead of Chinese made Doyles. I was born in 1970 by the way, so I've been using them for a while..
Without getting into an argument with you I will present my case based on a House and Senate Subcommitties inquiry I attended in Sept of 2009 I sat on panel after several seizures at the Panama Canal Customs enforcement area had seized pallets of bootleg copied patented Tools and commercial water and oil gasoline pumps with brand names supposedly all made in the USA and Sweden among those other things were also channel locks and other brands of tools all made without license or approval by the License holders and the International License Guilds USA and UK and GERMANY. Along with that was designer purses and auto parts mainly brand named newly licensed LED lights for automotive uses. It was estimated there is another 70% of bootleg brand named USA made copies and other copied foreign goods we do not catch delivered daily. Among the goods is mainly tools commercial air and liquid pump compressors and aviation parts. One of the reasons is in the part of our customs agents being paid off and also and or not being not properly trained fucktards. There is also the issue of of Patents expiring and because of this bootleg copy trade many USA MFG's don't even bother renewing relevant patents because under previous administrations like OBAMA it was fucking useless. China was busy spying and copying new material faster than the USA MFG base could even produce the new stuff themselves. That goes for CD music and DVD movies too. We had our own Race Team tee shirts and hats & keyfobs bootlegged and copied right after we had em produced by ALIBABA last year. Someone on three websites was selling our shit days after we paid for our order on ALIBABA.... They also copied our LED Tool cabinet lights which Goes to show ya something there boo boo... I agree with your honest simple minded train of thought because like you have a basically normal mind but the world just ain't workin like that no more boo boo. Shit's way outta hand where patented tools and other USA goods are concerned...
Someone else lost my channel lock slip joints. I picked these up today. With the slightly longer handles, these Dyles feel better. Can't wait to see how they perform!
Snap On used to make those wire cutters also. Amazon sells Williams Tools which is owned by Snap On, they made the old screw drivers from the 90's that they also made into handles on the Snap On ratchets from the same time frame.
I love it. I use to work for harbor freight. When they came out with the new welders harbor freight hired someone from lincon to help design the new welders.
The quality of the steel is 90% of why we pay more for good tools over cheap ones and nothing was mentioned in this video about that. A good friend of mine who is considered one of the best auto body repairman in northern Utah and who has used SnapOn, Mac, and Blue Point tools for 35 years told me that Stanley and Craftsman tool quality is as good as anything off a truck.
They sure are stepping their tool line up...Here in the Chillicothe, Ohio they just put a Harbor Freight in...It's 2nd to the largest in the U.S.A. only a week ago...Several hour wait to get in...Have a great day...
When you went for your knife, I half expected you to pull out a Bowie knife and do you best Mick Dundee impression. As for cutting away or toward ones self, be aware of people in arms reach. I saw someone once cut a co-workers Achilles tendon cutting through a box with too much follow through. A lesson like that stays with you.
I had that MAC set of pliers for a while...they suck, cant remember how many times those "slip joint" pliers slipped and smashed my fingers before i smashed them into the trash can lol
A lot of folks like to nit pick non-tool truck hand tools but most of the HF or big box store tools are not made for professional mechanics although many of them would likely suffice. It's obviously not practical for home gamers to buy tools off a truck so they embark quest for good bargains. HF has some pretty good quality hand tools for some really good prices. They also have some tools that are so bad that they're unusable even for a weekend warrior. Guys like Mr. Dow who buy the stuff and do videos about it are a fantastic resource for non professionals and we thank you.
I've got some Doyle pliers today to my tool collection, and they are the same as Channellock if not better. Night and day quality vs modern Craftsman, DeWalt, Kobalt, Husky, cheaper Irwin - Doyle it is just a different grade. Price allows a homeowner to have an extensive collection of high grade pliers. $4 for 8" slip joint, $12 for 9 1/2 lineman's, grove joint are around $5-$8. Very impressed
The sentiment is that dull blades are more dangerous to cut with because you need to use more force in cutting, thus making an accident more likely. A sharp tool can be used more precisely.
ChannelLock is a name of a tool company, not a type of pliers. They are called tongue and grove pliers by ChannelLock, some companies refer to them as channel type pliers.
I used to be a Mac dealer back in the 90s. Mac made Husky and one other brand... Same factory. Matco and Craftsman were made in the same factory. I forget what brand Snap-On put out, but it was a similar deal. Anyways, I had some fresh out of trade school kid get on my truck once with stars in his eyes. I told him that I could either load him up with Mac Tools and a financial stone around his neck, or he could go get him a decent set of Craftsman tools, start making decent money, then buy his "pro" tools from me once he was blowing and going. He bought a few specialty tools from me since he was working on Toyotas, but I couldn't see the sense in him spending $200 on a set of combination wrenches when a $75 set would do as well. Later, this kid broke not one, but two 22mm (I think) MAC wrenches. Prooved my point that "Pro" tools aren't invincible.
I've inherited, bought, collected, borrowed, lent and lost diagonal cutters for 55 years. Best pair I've ever had was Channel Lock brand I bought a couple of years ago at Menards. Sure, it was more coin than all the other ones they had there, but its far better. Made in USA.
I have many Doyles: pliers, electronics cutters, screwdrivers... they have been excellent especially given the price and the ease of replacement through HF ( good value indeed).
I actually bought a pair of the Doyle wire crimpers, and they’re really good! Super nice crimps, once its worn in a touch it works smooth and id never be able to tell ya the difference.
I’ve seen a few of your videos and finally just subscribe. You make good videos and show we don’t need to just buy the expensive stuff. Thanks for the videos!
I bought a pair of those Doyle slip joints as beater pliers. They are very similar to my Mac slip joints and perform well. At least some of Mac's pliers are made by Sunex.
J's products make the cheaper pliers and long reach versions and chanelock for usa pliers and Wilde for usa slip joint pliers facom for their new next generation pliers made in france
The raw castings (including the USA made Channellock brand) likely all come from the same foundry located overseas somewhere. Some may be machined, heat treated and assembled here in North America. While others are finished and packaged prior to import.
I have a few Harbor Freight items in my shop that I absolutely love. My 2 bench grinders, 12 speed bench drill press, metal cutting band saw, 3 ton floor jack and 20 ton press are used often and have never let me down. As for hand tools that are used often, I'll spend more for U.S.A. made products. However, if it's something that I'm going to throw in my truck, I've never had a problem with the Pittsburgh Pro tools. Next time I'm in a Harbor Freight store, I'll definitely check these out.
How do you know it’s the same quality of metal? How about the handle covers? I’ve bought cheap tools like that and the plastic turns to goo in adverse conditions on the cheap ones, not so with the better quality tools. Sure they imitate but they are not equal.
Cool little story,… When I was just a young man in my early 20’s I had bought a SnapOn tool chest filled to the brim with SnapOn tools. I had been working an awesome paying job & had no real responsibilities so I took the plunge. Anyway I had lost that job due to it coming to completion, & was struggling to find a new one. I put my stuff in storage moved to another state got another job, & when I came back to retrieve my storage I had discovered it was ransacked. All my things were stolen. A while later I replaced it all with craftsman🇺🇸 Several years before they became 🇨🇳. Over time though slowly but surely my tools took a walk on me little by little. Anyway I was frustrated & taking about it with ny Dad & he brought up HarborFreight tools. I told him no thanks & laughed. Well my Dad showed me how there were only a handful of tool manufacturers around the world & that most brands just outsource another company to make their products. At first I was skeptical & then I was able to confirm it. I found out that allot of “rival” brands were actually the same companies. I also found out that allot of companies just buy tools and slap their name on them. I found this to be true with 99% of the companies. SnapOn is just as guilty as Matco, Mac, Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Corebuilt, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stanley,.. etc The list could go on all day long. Example: Pittsburgh Item 56894. 14 Piece 2lb Slide Hammer & Puller set.$29.99 Is exactly the same as,… Matco Part No. SHPS14 14 Piece 2lb Slide Hammer & Puller set. $119.95 These kits are identical in everyway with the exception of one has a Matco sticker on the case & the other has a Pittsburgh sticker. Oh and Matco laser etches their logo on the tool itself. It’s not the only tool that’s like that.
**NOTE** As a professional freight relocation specialist for the last 25 years. Right up til I was forced to retire due to worsening medical issues. I learned some truly shocking truths. Like that $800+ dollar Z force motorola phone cost Verizon only around $25. ( when you pick up an overseas shipping can (container) a complete manifest comes with it.) One of the other things I learned is that there are only about 5 major tool manufacturers in the whole world. I learned that those comparatively cheap "mechanics choice" tools you get at wally world are the exact same tools as snap-on. The entire high chromed "pittsburgh Professional" line at Harbor Freight is the same as Craftsman tools, as is the "autocraft" tools sold by Advance Auto Parts. EXACTLY the same tools. Per chance I slammed the plastic covered handle of one of my Autocraft ratchets and it broke. Stamped into the metal underneath? "Craftsman"! And yes, HF has gotten a leg in the doors of some of these OEMs and are rebranding the tools for themselves. And those big beautiful red U.S.General professional line of tool boxes at HF? Made by the same company that makes Snap-on boxes! Just FYI.... :)
All the handles are is just a rubberized dip that dries into a firm rubber semi hard grip.You can buy that stuff in cans in about any color you like.When my Channellock pliers get scraped up.....I bought some green dip from the local auto store.
I have Mac set of combination wrenches i bought 30 years ago,best wrenches i ever used. When i made my living with hand tools i always liked the Mac better than Snap-on.I also have Cornwell,Matco,Craftsmen,Etc.I always purchased the best tool to fit a specific job. I'm retired now and if harbor freight has a Mac clone,i'm there.I find certain items they have fine for occasional use. great video
never had mac but i've had the doyle channel locks for a few weeks now, they seem ok but feel sloppy compared to my old actual channel lock brand. i'm sure they wont hold up as well but time will tell
I bought some Mac tools once, a 3 pack of Knipex knockoffs, they proved to be as good as expected and now I don't use them. The Knipex hard wire cutters were almost the same cost as the 3 pack of knockoffs. I was disappointed that Mac sold convincing knockoffs instead of the real thing.
Funny how everyone cracks on Harbor Freight. Funny I work on Big Trucks and actually build trucks like Garbage trucks, Dump Trucks, Roll-off trucks and many others, yet my Harbour Freight Tools work just great. I see the other guys always on the Snap-on, MAC, and Matco trucks getting their tools fixed or replaced. Mine just keep on working and I've had mine for over 10 years. Say what you want but mine have always worked just fine and still do.
I worked for a company that made floor jacks, grease guns, ect. Same jack went to everyone different color and stickers. Except Snap-On the jack was changed and it was sold only to them.
Yep! Saw this video a few months back and it gave me the idea.. I just bought some Doyle wire cutters and needle nose pliers from Harbor Freight! Excellent quality, my Husky pliers were worn and have loose handles like your Pittsburgh pliers do, i will only buy Doyle from here on out
Harbor Freight began to sell higher quality tools at least 2 years ago. I tell every mechanic that I know, about "Pittsburgh Pro" impact quality Chrome-Moly sockets; the quality and performance are excellent. Purchased a Central Pneumatic cutting wheel, 2 years ago and it is working just as good now as it did brand new.
Harbor Freight stepping up their game? I say, it's about time. They used to sell good name brand tools as well as the chinesium tools they're famous for, and suddenly it was all house brands.
It just so happened he walked into a place that sells tools to look at some cards. And then he turns around and to his astonishment there's a Shelf full of tools that he could look at while he was there. He might as well glance at some tools and he just happened to turn around and there was a tool Shelf. And all he was really was there for were the glossy cards
You pay more for tools off the truck. I’ve always thought that Snap-On were overpriced because of that. Not saying they aren’t good, but they’re not THAT good.
@Daniel 045 mac and snap on have been pawning off these cheap chinese mig welders for years to dummies for $500+, and its hilarious because its the type of mig welder you used to see in harbor freight 15 years ago with a matco, mac or snap on sticker!
Bought a 42 inch top and bottom tool box from harbor freight it is exactly the same box my friend has from Mac it has dual slides on the deep draws my friend couldn't believe how exact it was to his box that cost a crap load of money
Don't forget Xcelite tools ... I bought a lot of them in the 70's for my work and after all these years of using them and abusing them they still work good ... for example the philips screwdriver still grips philips screws better than many new screwdrivers. Wish I knew who still sells them and if they are still of the same quality.
I have MAC tool from 1968, including special tools for setting the dwell, & taking off the old handles for opening windows before they were all electric. MAC came to the major American car dealers GM, Ford etc. They were known for specialty tools, as I mentioned above to the mechanics. We all had Craftsman & Snap on W/Lifetime warrantee's back then.
Mac is Stanley Black and Decker. However, normally Mac is their higher end stuff but they have fed some of the cheap crap onto the trucks. Mac has always been the cheapest of tool truck anyways
Kevin wheeler you just showed us all that you are nothing more than a uneducated clueless ignorant idiot FNG!!!! What are you twelve????!!!!! Do you even wrench????!!! I say you don’t have the skills for paying the bills!!!!
Great post sir. Yeah personally I think Stanley Black and Decker makes and sells most of the tools I have, they bought out a lot of the company's like Mac back in the 80's
I have complaints about snap-on. when I bought them, I was told they would replace them if ever they broke. Then I moved changed careers, etc. And eventually, some of the snap-ons started breaking. Then I look around to get them replaced, and it's a no-go. The dealers dont know me anymore. I am still buying tools, but no more snap-ons. (No chrapsman either).
TwiZ1975cj5 Some will try to argue for knipex, but it's a matter of preference and I don't think knipex could hold a candle to the value - price ratio of Channellock.
Agreed. Knipex makes great pliers. But I have no need to buy them because I still have Channellock pliers I've been using almost every day for the past 30+ years and still do the job just fine
Tyler Snyder I have both, (among many other brands.) I've never had any real quality issues with Channelock but I prefer the Knipex for one important reason (to me). When you have the channelocks on any slot other then the first one the handles bottom out together. I use my ring/pinky fingers to open them. If/when you're really reefing on something and they slip off then you can easily pinch the tips of those fingers. I've done it several times and it hurts like hell. The Knipex have a built in stop so the handles all ways keep a gap, no pinched finger tips. (Klein have the same feature.) I don't like the Knipex that have the button release though because I have a hard time adjusting them with one hand. Also, I work at a wastewater treatment plant and the Knipex tend to rust less but that's not really a big deal if you take care of your tools.
I love Channellock and making America great again, but the Doyle 12" tongue and grooves are 50% of the price of the Channellock 440. Both come with a lifetime warranty.
I got a pair of the harbor freight brand. The ones you reviewed say lifetime warranty. When i got mines i was told if they brake jist returned for a new one sweet. No receipt needed the employee said. Good deal for me 😇
In the late 80's I worked at a sledge hammer factory in Nebraska. We made everything from generic sledge hammers to hammers for the US Army. We also made sledge hammers for Stanley and Mac. All in all every hammer was made from the same steel and quality. The only difference was the color and some cosmetics.
all i can think of when i see 80s and sledgehammer together in the same sentence is the video th-cam.com/video/OJWJE0x7T4Q/w-d-xo.html
Harbor Freight has been getting better and better over the years. I love going to their stores. Great video thanks!
Welcome to the new world, where everything's made in the same chinese warehouse and gets sold with different names and prices.
white label. its a very common practice. just like vehicle manufacture use different parts from different manufactures around the world. nobody can make everything themselves.
Harbor freight sells a copy of Klein wire splicers (black metal with red rubber grip). They definitely don't strip very well! It might be the same thing, but with lessened manufacturing tolerances. Seems to the difference between price levels these days... attention to detail.
Exactly
Why I bought all Channellock brand stuff for pliers
@@ettechstuff5957 Yep, me too!
15 or so years ago the maintenance guy at work picked up a bunch of Snap on tools. The channel locks were absolutely identical to my Channel lock brand. Side by side perfectly the same.
Harbor Freight has definitely improved over the last couple of years. I have two boxes full of old craftsman and a few Snap On tools at home, In my car I have a small emergency tool box with Harbor Freight. It has served me well and I do not have to worry about a lot of money being tied up that may never get any real use. They are there when I need them and cheap insurance against being caught stranded when a wrench or screwdriver is all I need.
As an aircraft mechanic, I use only snap-on tools at work...they're ok. That being said, they're company provided. I don't own them. As for MY set of tools at home, completely different story. Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Milwaukee, Stanley, HF brand, Klutch, Mac, Snap-On, channellock, rigid, crescent...I've got them all. They all have lifetime warranties. I don't care what your tool brand preference is or where any of mine are built...any tool can and will break. I wrench at home on a regular basis. So, long story short...buy and use what works for you...and can reasonably afford. 10 of the 12 brands I listed that I own can easily be returned and exchanged for a new one in an hour or so during regular business hours (Sorry for all those that live way out in the sticks...buy backups).
Todd Hayes
Well said
Knipex are the only realy good pliers. And also thats who makes macs pliers.
My toolbox looks the same. Sometimes, having some cheap "throwaway" tools can be a good thing. Pawn shops are a great place to look for older big brand tools.
@@kolsen6330 Or even getting great buys on Snap on , Matco & others that get brought in & resold at a 1/4 of what those would sell new for from the dealer heck even garage sales are a good source I just picked up a Kline torque wrench that was 350.00 new last summer at a garage sale for 10.00 the guy wanted 5 but when I looked at how much they were new I felt guilty & offered him 10.00 for it & he was happy as hell lol, the thing works great had it checked at work to make sure it was accurate & it was spot on still, just used it to assemble a 451 BB stroker Chrysler wedge engine that runs beautiful.
I've used those Doyle high-leverage cutters to cut 1/16", braided, steel, security cables. They went thru like butter; much better than the cheap Pittsburg versions.
I can‘t cut a zip tie with the pittsburgh orange handled ones.
I think it's gotten to the point where a couple OEMs are manufacturing the tools that Matco puts their brand on and charges twice as much, there's tons like this all over Amazon.
Difference being, the big brand is something like the A quality, where the off brands are B in finish. You also get competitors making near exact copies.
Box store brands have this issue.
There’s a bunch of quality manufacturers showing their head or continuing to go strong but they pulled themselves from big box stores or never let their brand in them in the first place.
It pigeonholed you into competing on price above almost anything else. Which pigeonholes you into using a small set of manufacturers and distributors.
Eventually you just end up with a “copy and paste” tool with “Your favorite brand” sticker on it.
@@APolishedTurd Is it really the manufacturer pulling themselves? Or big box stores not having the space for them? I tried manufacturing a few products and big box wanted major compromises that I was not willing to make, they didn't have room for what they considered a niche product. It's similar to the product you see on grocery store shelves, the supplies only have so many slots, and the stores only choose what creates the highest margins
@@FragEightyfive It’s both. Box stores are looking for likely hood to sell on that front.
What’s likely to sell is what’s already in there to them.
It’s a survivorship bias type thing. No it’s not good for the box stores.
But also like many organizations and government wings have fallen victim to survivorship bias and had to realize the hard way how stupid it is. They always had to realize on their own to stop.
@@FragEightyfive It’s also important to remember that a box stores is only a fraction of the available “Slots” on the market and box stores are dying. Only the biggest ones remain barely growing at this point and are reaching stagnation.
Online direct from manufacturer is taking over.
My wife's a mgr. at H.F. I'm a 20+ yr vet of turning wrenches in the tranches and having worked for their competition for several years. I own gobs of the name brand stuff. I can tell you that, in the last few yrs, H.F. has significantly stepped up their game when it comes to tool quality.
The owners (H.F. is a family owned business w/no stock holders to appease) are smart enough to know when it's time to make moves or suffer the consequences.
The improved lines, like Bauer, etc., still might not last as long as the big names but there's a reason they are less expensive. And sometimes the tools are equal to the name brands.
The secret is the newer H.F. tools are designed to perform at the same level as the big boys, for a while. For the average home user, the younger technician trying to buy functional tools w/out breaking his piggy bank or anyone not expecting to abuse their tools day in and day out, this is the answer. And at these savings, you can buy two or three to one of theirs.
One thing to take advantage of, especially if you buy any good hand, power or air tools, expensive or not (It's H.F., even expensive is cheap)... is the extended warranty. Buy it, keep the receipt and you can run your tool over with a Mac truck if you want, for up to a year, regardless of fault and you get a new tool. If you beat the snot out of a tool and its slowing down, loosing power or takes a dump, go trade it for a brand new one. Free. Cant beat that. Try that on the Snap On truck.
Bottom line is... Harbor Freight isn't the shit show the used to be.
Boomer Taylor - I completely agree. I've been an ASE certified technician for the past 25+ years and did my time working at dealerships and independent shops. I've seen Harbor Freight's quality on quite a few of their products (not all, but a good amount) go up over the last 3 years, or so, as we have one just down the street from where I live.
I no longer wrench for a living (still have my tools & box, though), but I still do quite a bit of work on cars & boats. While a lot of their tools probably won't last for years and years, due to the rigors of everyday use, there's still quite a few tools that will. Mainly, their shallow and deep impact sockets.
Most of their tools now are good for someone like myself or for the weekend warrior, who likes to work on their stuff periodically. Although, I do admit, there are some of their tools that I would never consider buying/using, but those tools are becoming fewer and fewer.
Joe Framer
90 days is the standard warranty. You can buy extended warranties from a year to two... depends on the tool... Point I was making is that, for a power tool or one prone to wear during use, the extended warranty can play to your favor.
Tools can be exchanged for any reason, even your own fault, during the warranty period, no matter which one you chose. :)
Great vid, "Doyle" is top quality!! I bought the whole line they carry, best part is they already have my name inscribed on them. Ha!
I have a nice Mac set also and they are head to head on these Doyle brand, should last years to come.
JieDoyle yeah if someone borrows them they know who they belong too 😁
I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about the Pittsburg pliers rusting, etc. Only time will tell if the Doyle brand will hold up. I have seen a lot of cheap tools that mimic quality brands but over time corrode, break or just plain fail. Appearance and initial performance is one thing, but only the test of time is a true measure of a tools quality.
Almost worth buying off the tool truck to avoid those damn blister packs! Lol
lol
That's funny.
get them out of the package real quick by spreading the pliers out.
Scissors..
I snip the edges off with a pair of snips. Sometimes the plastic packaging is stronger than the product inside of it.
Good video. I use Harbor Freight more and more often. I'll have to check out the Doyle brand. Dad was a die-hard Mac guy. Miss ya Dad...
A few months ago I decided to put together another tool bag for another plant I work at instead of carrying my other tools back and forth. My dad always taught me to buy quality tools. But I decided to try some cheapoes to see how they hold up. I convinced myself that cheap tools today are waaay better than they used to be in the past. I went with the Doyle brand because they actually felt pretty decent. I am going to see how they hold up compared to my ChannelLocks. I still like Channel Lock brand and will stick with them. But, i am curious how my Doyles will hold up in an Industrial setting. I also use Klein tools for my electrical work and wouldn't use anything else for electrical.
At the auto wrecking yard "Pick n Pull", I found a Mac Tools nippers on a vehicle engine area that someone left behind. I was working in the area 3 trucks down and was waiting for someone to come around and poke the area looking like they were trying to find it...6 hours and nobody did anything of the sort. Mine now. My wife and I call those types of wire nippers a "Parrot Beak" and the Channel Lock type "Dinosaur Head".
It's not the appearance that matters. It's their composition that matters. It's the only thing that matters.
the older mac pliers were made by channel lock. they even have the same part numbers.
Harbor Freight seems to be moving upscale, bringing out new products that are better quality than their traditional house brands. They are having tools made to their spec for private label under their new Doyle brand name, another one is Viking for some of their electronic stuff, I've bought a couple of the new Viking brand battery chargers and am pleased at how well they work. Just like Pittsburgh tools and Chicago Pneumatic the brand names are Harbor Freight's own private labels, but it is nice to see them offering some better quality stuff, sometimes the cheap stuff will do, other times you want or need something better.
I believe you have confused Chicago pneumatic with central pneumatic, Chicago pneumatic is good shit.
@@jester4886 Chicago is the best. They named their's Central to confuse people using the CP abbreviation.
I am a 36 year electrician and will only use Klein and Channellock hand tools. After 35 to 60 hours a week they last for years. Homeowners can get away with lower grade tools but not tradesmen.
Robert Vitelli
your damn right on klien tools....
thats all I use... electrican as myself need quality tool for specific area there working on...
awesome
Nick Hice
as electrican. ...we true to our tools...
Nick Hice, I seen them. Some of the young journeymen are using them on the job. I'm sure they are quality but I didn't like the feel of them in my hands. Funny, I was showing my Klein linemen pliers that I carried for over 20 years. Just felt good in my hands and well broken in.
As a fellow sparky use mainly Klein. Its a shame there quality isn't what it was before. I bought a pair of the Doyle cable cutters, I actually like them better. They're an inch and a half longer. I doubt that they will last as long.
I remember when I bought my 1st electricians tools back in 1990. Still in use today and they are Klein and Channel Lock. Tape measures are another story, as I tend to drop and bend them constantly.
I’m an independent auto shop owner. The Mac guys came by last week. I said thx for checking on us. But we don’t need you. They politely left. I thought they would ask why. Or where do you get your tool needs.
Since they didn’t ask. Here’s the answer.
1)Tool trucks are out dated.
2)Don’t have enough stock
3)If they say next week. It doesn’t happen
4)too expensive
5)I can buy anything online with free shipping. Have it before the truck would be back.
5)sales tax. Most don’t charge it online
6)more options.
Just the highlights. Tool truck dealers are going broke. Dealers turn over and many times dint show up. Undependable is becoming common from Truck route tool dealers
Great video, thanks for the info! Seriously though, almost 3 minutes out of a 11 minute video watching you open the packaging? My wife is gonna love this.
lol
Pick up the pace. You've got a 24 ouncer getting warm.
Kevin Blanc it's just water, so no big deal.
Jeffrey Wain I drink plenty slow while I enjoy my 7-9% IPA
2 brews and youre stuffed
Kevin Blanc and being a 24oz it don't take longl
Jeffrey Wain.. and someday you will need a new liver. Just like me! CHEERS!!
10 years ago i bought a set of the best tongue in groove pliers (commonly called channel locks) that harbor freight offered.i think they were called Pittsburgh pro at the time. after years of use and abuse they still work excellent have never slipped or stripped , as if they are still new. much stronger and durable than the big name brands. i gave my craftsman and channel lock versions to a youngster so that he would stop borrowing tools from me.
Thanks for comparing them. I noticed those pliers when I was at HF last week. They are a new upgraded brand they now sell, they are making a Pro version of most of their tool line.
Justin, I was Mac Tool Franchise Dealer (2) times over 11 years, up to this day the Mac tool made in USA pliers are made by "Channel Lock" from 1940's to 1990's with channel Lock name and had the Blue vinyl covered handles. Then in mid 1990's or so Channel Lock private labeled all their pliers with Mac Tools stamped on them and with Red vinyl handles just like the ones you bought 8 years ago in Oregon from the Mac guy... The channel Lock patents expired years ago so pretty much every body and their uncle like Doyle made in China can copy them. And by the way Snap-On tools has some Private Label pliers made by Channel Lock and Knipex and by Klein as well.
Good info thanks for sharing.
Justin Dow don’t forget Matco too they along with snap-on and mac have their pliers made by channel lock and charge more for them. You could for about the same price just buy channel lock pliers plus their made in the USA. Doyle I believe are made in Taiwan.
Good to know an exact time frame for when Mac contracted Channellock for their pliers. There's too many people who haven't hopped on the truck to see what they are actually selling now.
Stanley makes a lot of Mac tools as well. I know my first Mac boxes were Stanley. I'm sure the MB1100 box I have now was made in the same town Stanley made the Economizer box. My Non-rebounding ball-peen hammer is Stanley.
Wurled Peas Stanley bought mac out a few years ago.
I'll keep buying Channellock as long as they are made in the USA. I''m cheap, but I'm not that cheap. I'd rather hand tools down to my kids or grand kids that are stamped with Made in USA. Yes, there are some tools where you simply cannot find an equivalent, and for that I'll consider Harbor Freight. But if given the option, I want my tools made in the US.
Fair enough
And use the 20% off coupons
I bought a set of interior trim tools from harbor freight about 6 years ago for about $4. One of my coworkers had the exact same ones that had “Mac” stamped on them. I turned them upside down and asked him which ones were mine and which where his. He couldn’t tell the difference between my $4 set and his $100 set.
Good video. A trick I learned, same plier package. Grab the pliers by the handles and spread them open... The package is torn away.
I looked at those and for the price difference I’d rather buy USA made ChannelLocks.
Channel locks has not produced a useful quality tool in years in fact most of Channel Locks and Craftsman and Napa brand tools are all made in China now... Unfortunate but the old Channel Locks tools I have I keep.
THEKING SILVERADO Most ChannelLock pliers are still made in USA.
In all honesty and I am not being a wise guy but I have older channel locks maybe from probably before you were born. I can tell you unless this country has slipped that far down the tubes neither the carbon element in the steel is the same because the new metals don't ring like the old metals on the pliers I have and the new channel locks pliers are WAY TOO THICK for professional auto work and they have marks left from the casting which means that they are cast not drop forged which is way better... I am aviation A&P and we used to get issued channel locks USG certified. Now days we get Cornwell or Snapon Klien tools we actually get a choice that is how bad shit has gotten.... The tensile elements are much diff and when using the new channel locks for steam or fab work with a torch they get red hot in seconds which does mean a greatly reduced carbon element part of the reason you don't use a Silver metal and you use a black carbon metal. So Channel locks may label their stuff USA made but I highly doubt it when they are made like all the Chinese junk I come across in the retail stores... Like I said I hope I am not coming across crass or like a wise guy but I mean what I say if I have to exhibit the old original stuff I will. There is also contract called Cromwell tools they make a lot of Electronics tools so they don't advertise commercially if at all. I used to Cromwell from Grainger stores now days the fucktard at Grainger don't even know what I am talking about but they made real high quality channel locks and adjustable wrenches too. There was also Crossley Corp tools same deal USG contract made stuff. I don't see much of that anyplace outside a Navy Ship or air base work. I not sure of the spelling on Crossley it's something like that but real high speed good quality stuff. They make CNC cutting bits as well someplace in Calf. The little wooden boxes say Made in Calif. USA on them. Their hand tools come in little wooden boxes is how high speed they are and stuff comes sanitized for clean room work and surgical rooms....
THEKING SILVERADO None of that relates to the fact you said ChannelLocks are not made in USA any more, they are. I still stand behind my statement, I would rather have USA made ChannelLocks instead of Chinese made Doyles. I was born in 1970 by the way, so I've been using them for a while..
Without getting into an argument with you I will present my case based on a House and Senate Subcommitties inquiry I attended in Sept of 2009 I sat on panel after several seizures at the Panama Canal Customs enforcement area had seized pallets of bootleg copied patented Tools and commercial water and oil gasoline pumps with brand names supposedly all made in the USA and Sweden among those other things were also channel locks and other brands of tools all made without license or approval by the License holders and the International License Guilds USA and UK and GERMANY. Along with that was designer purses and auto parts mainly brand named newly licensed LED lights for automotive uses. It was estimated there is another 70% of bootleg brand named USA made copies and other copied foreign goods we do not catch delivered daily. Among the goods is mainly tools commercial air and liquid pump compressors and aviation parts. One of the reasons is in the part of our customs agents being paid off and also and or not being not properly trained fucktards. There is also the issue of of Patents expiring and because of this bootleg copy trade many USA MFG's don't even bother renewing relevant patents because under previous administrations like OBAMA it was fucking useless. China was busy spying and copying new material faster than the USA MFG base could even produce the new stuff themselves. That goes for CD music and DVD movies too. We had our own Race Team tee shirts and hats & keyfobs bootlegged and copied right after we had em produced by ALIBABA last year. Someone on three websites was selling our shit days after we paid for our order on ALIBABA.... They also copied our LED Tool cabinet lights which Goes to show ya something there boo boo... I agree with your honest simple minded train of thought because like you have a basically normal mind but the world just ain't workin like that no more boo boo. Shit's way outta hand where patented tools and other USA goods are concerned...
Wiss makes some good scissors for cutting open plastic packages. I'm looking to try the scissors by Milwaukee too in the future.
Someone else lost my channel lock slip joints. I picked these up today. With the slightly longer handles, these Dyles feel better. Can't wait to see how they perform!
Snap On used to make those wire cutters also. Amazon sells Williams Tools which is owned by Snap On, they made the old screw drivers from the 90's that they also made into handles on the Snap On ratchets from the same time frame.
ODOYLE RULES!
Jeff Moss lol
Damn it you beat me to it
Coors rules.
Wizzle Damn Skippy !!!!
Jeff Moss that was a good movie
I love it. I use to work for harbor freight. When they came out with the new welders harbor freight hired someone from lincon to help design the new welders.
I can't even say all the other stuff I know
SOMEBODY needs to teach dude to open those blister packs with a hand held can opener. Works great, won't slice open your fingers if you slip!
The quality of the steel is 90% of why we pay more for good tools over cheap ones and nothing was mentioned in this video about that. A good friend of mine who is considered one of the best auto body repairman in northern Utah and who has used SnapOn, Mac, and Blue Point tools for 35 years told me that Stanley and Craftsman tool quality is as good as anything off a truck.
They sure are stepping their tool line up...Here in the Chillicothe, Ohio they just put a Harbor Freight in...It's 2nd to the largest in the U.S.A. only a week ago...Several hour wait to get in...Have a great day...
When you went for your knife, I half expected you to pull out a Bowie knife and do you best Mick Dundee impression. As for cutting away or toward ones self, be aware of people in arms reach. I saw someone once cut a co-workers Achilles tendon cutting through a box with too much follow through. A lesson like that stays with you.
Same here right through his forearm shit was crazyy
Lmfao
I had that MAC set of pliers for a while...they suck, cant remember how many times those "slip joint" pliers slipped and smashed my fingers before i smashed them into the trash can lol
A lot of folks like to nit pick non-tool truck hand tools but most of the HF or big box store tools are not made for professional mechanics although many of them would likely suffice. It's obviously not practical for home gamers to buy tools off a truck so they embark quest for good bargains. HF has some pretty good quality hand tools for some really good prices. They also have some tools that are so bad that they're unusable even for a weekend warrior. Guys like Mr. Dow who buy the stuff and do videos about it are a fantastic resource for non professionals and we thank you.
I've got some Doyle pliers today to my tool collection, and they are the same as Channellock if not better. Night and day quality vs modern Craftsman, DeWalt, Kobalt, Husky, cheaper Irwin - Doyle it is just a different grade. Price allows a homeowner to have an extensive collection of high grade pliers. $4 for 8" slip joint, $12 for 9 1/2 lineman's, grove joint are around $5-$8. Very impressed
Thanks for the video. I was cringing the whole time you were slicing open that package.
lol so was i lol
Thy a New Blade... A dull blade will cut you faster than a sharp blade will... A sharp blade is easier to cut with, more control... Try It!
Or he could just spend a bit on some scissors. LOL.
The sentiment is that dull blades are more dangerous to cut with because you need to use more force in cutting, thus making an accident more likely. A sharp tool can be used more precisely.
tin snips are the secret weapon for those packages
ChannelLock is a name of a tool company, not a type of pliers. They are called tongue and grove pliers by ChannelLock, some companies refer to them as channel type pliers.
Brian Arnold I am aware. I have already posted a video explaining this to everyone.
I used to be a Mac dealer back in the 90s. Mac made Husky and one other brand... Same factory. Matco and Craftsman were made in the same factory. I forget what brand Snap-On put out, but it was a similar deal. Anyways, I had some fresh out of trade school kid get on my truck once with stars in his eyes. I told him that I could either load him up with Mac Tools and a financial stone around his neck, or he could go get him a decent set of Craftsman tools, start making decent money, then buy his "pro" tools from me once he was blowing and going. He bought a few specialty tools from me since he was working on Toyotas, but I couldn't see the sense in him spending $200 on a set of combination wrenches when a $75 set would do as well. Later, this kid broke not one, but two 22mm (I think) MAC wrenches. Prooved my point that "Pro" tools aren't invincible.
I like this guy! He reminds me of Actor/Comedian Harland Williams(hitchhiker in "There's Something about Mary" movie!
That beer getting hot
I've inherited, bought, collected, borrowed, lent and lost diagonal cutters for 55 years. Best pair I've ever had was Channel Lock brand I bought a couple of years ago at Menards. Sure, it was more coin than all the other ones they had there, but its far better. Made in USA.
I have many Doyles: pliers, electronics cutters, screwdrivers... they have been excellent especially given the price and the ease of replacement through HF ( good value indeed).
Most of the mac pliers i see on my mac guys truck now are rebranded knipex which we all know are awesome pliers
Thanks for reminding me to put a load of laundry in. Also is looks like a trip to harbor freight is in order. cheers!
lol Nice! Cheers!
I actually bought a pair of the Doyle wire crimpers, and they’re really good! Super nice crimps, once its worn in a touch it works smooth and id never be able to tell ya the difference.
I’ve seen a few of your videos and finally just subscribe. You make good videos and show we don’t need to just buy the expensive stuff. Thanks for the videos!
Thanks for your subscription. Hope you continue to enjoy the channel.
I bought a pair of those Doyle slip joints as beater pliers. They are very similar to my Mac slip joints and perform well. At least some of Mac's pliers are made by Sunex.
J's products make the cheaper pliers and long reach versions and chanelock for usa pliers and Wilde for usa slip joint pliers facom for their new next generation pliers made in france
NAPA Carlyle combo wrenches are excellent. I brag about them all the time.
The raw castings (including the USA made Channellock brand) likely all come from the same foundry located overseas somewhere. Some may be machined, heat treated and assembled here in North America. While others are finished and packaged prior to import.
I have a few Harbor Freight items in my shop that I absolutely love. My 2 bench grinders, 12 speed bench drill press, metal cutting band saw, 3 ton floor jack and 20 ton press are used often and have never let me down. As for hand tools that are used often, I'll spend more for U.S.A. made products. However, if it's something that I'm going to throw in my truck, I've never had a problem with the Pittsburgh Pro tools. Next time I'm in a Harbor Freight store, I'll definitely check these out.
nice vid. HF seems to be doing a complete rebranding. and its some better stuff that they are crankin out.
How do you know it’s the same quality of metal?
How about the handle covers? I’ve bought cheap tools like that and the plastic turns to goo in adverse conditions on the cheap ones, not so with the better quality tools. Sure they imitate but they are not equal.
Cool little story,…
When I was just a young man in my early 20’s I had bought a SnapOn tool chest filled to the brim with SnapOn tools. I had been working an awesome paying job & had no real responsibilities so I took the plunge.
Anyway I had lost that job due to it coming to completion, & was struggling to find a new one. I put my stuff in storage moved to another state got another job, & when I came back to retrieve my storage I had discovered it was ransacked. All my things were stolen.
A while later I replaced it all with craftsman🇺🇸 Several years before they became 🇨🇳. Over time though slowly but surely my tools took a walk on me little by little.
Anyway I was frustrated & taking about it with ny Dad & he brought up HarborFreight tools. I told him no thanks & laughed. Well my Dad showed me how there were only a handful of tool manufacturers around the world & that most brands just outsource another company to make their products. At first I was skeptical & then I was able to confirm it. I found out that allot of “rival” brands were actually the same companies. I also found out that allot of companies just buy tools and slap their name on them.
I found this to be true with 99% of the companies. SnapOn is just as guilty as Matco, Mac, Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Corebuilt, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stanley,.. etc
The list could go on all day long.
Example:
Pittsburgh Item 56894.
14 Piece 2lb Slide Hammer & Puller set.$29.99
Is exactly the same as,…
Matco Part No. SHPS14
14 Piece 2lb Slide Hammer & Puller set. $119.95
These kits are identical in everyway with the exception of one has a Matco sticker on the case & the other has a Pittsburgh sticker. Oh and Matco laser etches their logo on the tool itself.
It’s not the only tool that’s like that.
Channel Lock the only ones to use
They hold up better than any other
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you and keep up the great reviews!
Watching you opening the packages was excruciating.
I agree. lol Cheers!
**NOTE**
As a professional freight relocation specialist for the last 25 years. Right up til I was forced to retire due to worsening medical issues. I learned some truly shocking truths. Like that $800+ dollar Z force motorola phone cost Verizon only around $25. ( when you pick up an overseas shipping can (container) a complete manifest comes with it.) One of the other things I learned is that there are only about 5 major tool manufacturers in the whole world. I learned that those comparatively cheap "mechanics choice" tools you get at wally world are the exact same tools as snap-on. The entire high chromed "pittsburgh Professional" line at Harbor Freight is the same as Craftsman tools, as is the "autocraft" tools sold by Advance Auto Parts. EXACTLY the same tools. Per chance I slammed the plastic covered handle of one of my Autocraft ratchets and it broke. Stamped into the metal underneath? "Craftsman"! And yes, HF has gotten a leg in the doors of some of these OEMs and are rebranding the tools for themselves. And those big beautiful red U.S.General professional line of tool boxes at HF? Made by the same company that makes Snap-on boxes! Just FYI.... :)
It's a lot easier to open those packages with yellow handled snips!
Oh, the knockoffs kinda look like the name brand that they knocked off. Who woulda thought?
I believe mac and matco use channel lock brand pliers and rebrand their label on to them still USA made and good quality
All the handles are is just a rubberized dip that dries into a firm rubber semi hard grip.You can buy that stuff in cans in about any color you like.When my Channellock pliers get scraped up.....I bought some green dip from the local auto store.
I have Mac set of combination wrenches i bought 30 years ago,best wrenches i ever used.
When i made my living with hand tools i always liked the Mac better than Snap-on.I also have Cornwell,Matco,Craftsmen,Etc.I always purchased the best tool to fit a specific job.
I'm retired now and if harbor freight has a Mac clone,i'm there.I find certain items they have fine for occasional use. great video
I believe I have the same set of Mac wrenches. Came with a roll up yellow organizer
same looks and design but the difference is in the steel.
Damn rigth
Or maybe there is no difference!
never had mac but i've had the doyle channel locks for a few weeks now, they seem ok but feel sloppy compared to my old actual channel lock brand. i'm sure they wont hold up as well but time will tell
Doyle products rock. I have lots of their hand tools, and their 6" vise is a beast!
Buying these is a kick in the nuts to the small fee dedicated to making USA tools. One comes to mind that makes pliers in particular
Heres an idea. Next time you're at Harbor Freight just go ahead and get yourself a blade that cuts. Good lord!!
lol
I bought some Mac tools once, a 3 pack of Knipex knockoffs, they proved to be as good as expected and now I don't use them. The Knipex hard wire cutters were almost the same cost as the 3 pack of knockoffs. I was disappointed that Mac sold convincing knockoffs instead of the real thing.
the thing about Knipex is that you never need the warranty , worth every dime IMO
Funny how everyone cracks on Harbor Freight. Funny I work on Big Trucks and actually build trucks like Garbage trucks, Dump Trucks, Roll-off trucks and many others, yet my Harbour Freight Tools work just great. I see the other guys always on the Snap-on, MAC, and Matco trucks getting their tools fixed or replaced. Mine just keep on working and I've had mine for over 10 years.
Say what you want but mine have always worked just fine and still do.
This is good news. Just like one from the old days: Bonney tools: later rebranded as Cornwell...
You've probably been using that box for years and still open the wrong drawer the first time-everytime... I know the struggle.
It's worse when you get older. Where the f dd I put that, I just had it a second ago?
I work for Harbor Freight and I own most of these. Not a problem with any of them.
@@joeframer9642 sorry you're a troll and alive to be on the internet
They may look alike, but it all depends on the metals inside and hardening process etc
Snap On owns and builds 99% of their own hand tools here in the USA with US Steel
When he said dikes I thought he was going to introduce a couple of buff women with deep voices 😂
Jason Jackson Cock wax
Can you use a file on each brand to compare hardness?
I worked for a company that made floor jacks, grease guns, ect.
Same jack went to everyone different color and stickers. Except Snap-On the jack was changed and it was sold only to them.
Yep! Saw this video a few months back and it gave me the idea.. I just bought some Doyle wire cutters and needle nose pliers from Harbor Freight! Excellent quality, my Husky pliers were worn and have loose handles like your Pittsburgh pliers do, i will only buy Doyle from here on out
I know I've seen tools that look a lot like Craftsman tools that are supposed to be American made, but you know they aren't...
Big Sal's garage Was
Harbor Freight began to sell higher quality tools at least 2 years ago.
I tell every mechanic that I know, about "Pittsburgh Pro" impact quality Chrome-Moly sockets; the quality and performance are excellent.
Purchased a Central Pneumatic cutting wheel, 2 years ago and it is working just as good now as it did brand new.
I use Pittsburgh impacts frequently and love them. Haven't had one break yet
Harbor Freight stepping up their game?
I say, it's about time.
They used to sell good name brand tools as well as the chinesium tools they're famous for, and suddenly it was all house brands.
It just so happened he walked into a place that sells tools to look at some cards.
And then he turns around and to his astonishment there's a Shelf full of tools that he could look at while he was there. He might as well glance at some tools and he just happened to turn around and there was a tool Shelf.
And all he was really was there for were the glossy cards
You didn't find Mac in HF. You found HF in your tool truck. Branding and Manufacturing aint the same thing. Tool trucks suck.
You pay more for tools off the truck. I’ve always thought that Snap-On were overpriced because of that. Not saying they aren’t good, but they’re not THAT good.
@Daniel 045 mac and snap on have been pawning off these cheap chinese mig welders for years to dummies for $500+, and its hilarious because its the type of mig welder you used to see in harbor freight 15 years ago with a matco, mac or snap on sticker!
Bought a 42 inch top and bottom tool box from harbor freight it is exactly the same box my friend has from Mac it has dual slides on the deep draws my friend couldn't believe how exact it was to his box that cost a crap load of money
michael nicholson pl
Don't forget Xcelite tools ... I bought a lot of them in the 70's for my work and after all these years of using them and abusing them they still work good ... for example the philips screwdriver still grips philips screws better than many new screwdrivers. Wish I knew who still sells them and if they are still of the same quality.
I have MAC tool from 1968, including special tools for setting the dwell, & taking off the old handles for opening windows before they were all electric. MAC came to the major American car dealers GM, Ford etc. They were known for specialty tools, as I mentioned above to the mechanics. We all had Craftsman & Snap on W/Lifetime warrantee's back then.
Mac is Stanley Black and Decker. However, normally Mac is their higher end stuff but they have fed some of the cheap crap onto the trucks. Mac has always been the cheapest of tool truck anyways
Kevin wheeler you just showed us all that you are nothing more than a uneducated clueless ignorant idiot FNG!!!! What are you twelve????!!!!! Do you even wrench????!!! I say you don’t have the skills for paying the bills!!!!
Everything he said is true.
-Mac tool diehard
So knowledgeable
Great post sir. Yeah personally I think Stanley Black and Decker makes and sells most of the tools I have, they bought out a lot of the company's like Mac back in the 80's
Also new colors for the 30" service carts: Red, Blue, Black, Orange, Green and Yellow.
I have complaints about snap-on. when I bought them, I was told they would replace them if ever they broke. Then I moved changed careers, etc. And eventually, some of the snap-ons started breaking. Then I look around to get them replaced, and it's a no-go. The dealers dont know me anymore. I am still buying tools, but no more snap-ons. (No chrapsman either).
Never buy off tool truck. Harbor freight will warranty tools good luck finding mac truck.
Googled mac dealer to warranty rachet been comin every since theyre out there called the man came within 2 days no problems love mac tools
some places have more tool trucks than harbor freight where i live theres 1 harbor freight per county
CHANNELLOCK is USA made and not much more expensive, I'd rather trust them over a cheapo import from harbor freight.
As a plumber, its Channelock all day long. best pliers they make
TwiZ1975cj5
Some will try to argue for knipex, but it's a matter of preference and I don't think knipex could hold a candle to the value - price ratio of Channellock.
Agreed. Knipex makes great pliers. But I have no need to buy them because I still have Channellock pliers I've been using almost every day for the past 30+ years and still do the job just fine
Tyler Snyder I have both, (among many other brands.)
I've never had any real quality issues with Channelock but I prefer the Knipex for one important reason (to me).
When you have the channelocks on any slot other then the first one the handles bottom out together. I use my ring/pinky fingers to open them. If/when you're really reefing on something and they slip off then you can easily pinch the tips of those fingers. I've done it several times and it hurts like hell. The Knipex have a built in stop so the handles all ways keep a gap, no pinched finger tips. (Klein have the same feature.) I don't like the Knipex that have the button release though because I have a hard time adjusting them with one hand.
Also, I work at a wastewater treatment plant and the Knipex tend to rust less but that's not really a big deal if you take care of your tools.
I love Channellock and making America great again, but the Doyle 12" tongue and grooves are 50% of the price of the Channellock 440. Both come with a lifetime warranty.
A friend of mine worked in a tool factory in tenn he said snap on and miny other brands are all made in same factory
I got a pair of the harbor freight brand. The ones you reviewed say lifetime warranty. When i got mines i was told if they brake jist returned for a new one sweet. No receipt needed the employee said. Good deal for me 😇