Tool question(s)

Richard · Aug 17, 2018

Backstory: "A guy I know on the internet" (we both frequent another forum and have interacted over last maybe 8 years so he's not a total 'stranger' but, we've never met)

Came online with a question about value of some Snap-on wrenches. He was looking to maybe sell them and trying to get a fair value. Someone said they'd take them but as that conversation went on, he stated he ALSO had a Snap on rolling tool chest (huge, maybe 6' tall with additional side cabinet) and he really wanted to sell everything together.

I ended up with it. My old rolling chest was really showing the wear/tear....so.... got this for $1,500 (according to Snapon themselves, the MSRP for this was $8,500)

I was happy with that. my brother in law was close enough so he picked it up after I paid for it. I paid for it without ever seeing anything other than a single picture over the internet. The picture I might add, was a phone picture, so not a terribly great picture. That said, the box is in excellent condition.

The seller included the full set of metric AND standard combination Snap-On wrenches. He then included a working (gasoline powered) air compressor, a working generator, about 300 sockets of various sizes (mostly craftsman). My guess is he was either an auto mechanic or, dealt with AC systems or transmissions (based on some of the other things he tossed in)

Part of what is in there are "O.I.T." combination wrenches. I've never heard of this brand. Is it worth keeping? Worth selling? If I gave it to my brother in law, would it be an offensive thing to do? (IE, are they crappy tools not worthy of being 'free')

There are some Pro-Mate combination wrenches, some "Proto" combination wrenches and some "CrV" (not to be confused with "O.I.T.")

The Snapon wrenches have a nice place in the chest, along side of my Craftsman wrenches.

Not sure yet if I prefer to keep/sell/give the others so thought I'd ask for some thoughts on how good they are.

Oh, I forgot to add, there are also eight "S-K" wrenches in there, most are combination (all but one) and it's not a complete set. I have 1-inch, 15/16, 13/16, 3/4, 1/2, 7/16, 3/8 (all combination) with a last, single 1/4-3/16 open wrench.

Overall, I'm content with the price I paid. I would have bought just the chest for that so all the other goodies are "freebies" for me. He stated he'd "make it worth my effort" and just wanted to clear some things out that he'll no longer need....and.... hated dealing with the public in general, much preferring to just add value to a single buyer.

Lucky me I suppose.

So, thoughts on:

Snap-on (hahaha, I just wanted to type it again)
O.I.T. wrenches
Pro-Mate wrenches
CrV wrenches
Proto wrenches
S-K wrenches

Keep/give/sell

??

Einthewoods · Aug 17, 2018

Keep the Snap-on of course. Sounds like you already have a set of craftsman so I would sell th rest off. You're not going to get much for them. A few extra common ones are nice if you ever need to modify one (heat and bend) to get in an odd area.

I'm sure the deal was all legit, but for that price it is hard to not think there is something shady about it. A mechanic knows how much the snap-on costs and I can't see them giving it away like that.

Nice find!

nybirdman · Aug 17, 2018

Nice deal; I have a set of S&K sockets that I purchased maybe 1968 or so,nice tools.

Richard · Aug 17, 2018

Yeah, crossed my mind too.....but having "known" him over last 8 years (realizing that nobody "knows" someone over internet but...I do think you can get a decent gut feel for someone)

Anyway, I was pretty comfortable with him. Phone calls with him only added to that comfort. Turns out he's under full-disability so not able to practice his profession (not really sure what it was since I never asked....only have some of the specialized tools to presume)

One irony is.... maybe 30 years ago, I decided I'd probably never use my 1/4" sockets so asked my sister if she'd like them...and I gave them to her.

Over last five years, I've had some need for small sockets....but dealt with their void in my box. Literally, 2-3 months ago, was debating on buying a set. To the point of looking them up on internet, going to the store....but....could never actually put them into my cart.

With all the sockets he gave me, I created a full 1/4" set of deep sockets both SAE & metric. Another full set of standard sockets SAE & metric.

The only thing missing was the 1/4" ratchet which I might just go buy.... or forget about and use my 3/8 ratchet with the stepdown.

Oh, and get this.... when this monster box rolled into my garage (I needed to use my backhoe to hoist it off the trailer)...anyway, my wife who has NEVER EVER touched my tool chest almost immediately started filling it up and 'organizing' it with various other things (wood clamps, drills, bits...)

I was trying to find a polite way of telling her to just keep her paws off!! but, couldn't be that blunt so just told her that "I" (not her) need to organize it so that I'll know what's where.

With my luck, she'd put all my wrenches in the small drawer at the bottom of unit so she could put her arts/crafts paint in the chest/shoulder height drawers (you know, those paints that she's not used in the 30 years I've known her!!)

I find it genuinely humerous how she's never touched my tool chest ever....and I mean ever.... and now, she's all over this one.

Would it be considered spousal abuse if I put an electrified fence around it with only me knowing the combination??

:devil:

Einthewoods · Aug 17, 2018

Very cool

I use 1/4 drive a lot. Love the ease of getting into spaces. Of course you can't use it for everything.

A person can never have too many sockets. Easiest thing to lose and nice to have spares.

4570Man · Aug 17, 2018

I’m not a fan of every getting rid of hand tools. You loose or break plenty and of them and then there’s always a need to cut or bend a wrench.

Diggin It · Aug 17, 2018

Einthewoods said:
I'm sure the deal was all legit, but for that price it is hard to not think there is something shady about it. A mechanic knows how much the snap-on costs and I can't see them giving it away like that.

Richard said:
Yeah, crossed my mind too.....but having "known" him over last 8 years (realizing that nobody "knows" someone over internet but...I do think you can get a decent gut feel for someone)

My mind went there too. The compressor and generator might be worth much of that price.

Maybe this is just another one of us tired of the headaches of dealing with people these days and the multitude of revenue generating local rules and regulations.

Richard · Aug 17, 2018

Every shining story has to have a cloud right?

The generator, though working and only needs 3-4 pulls to start (at least AFTER I turned on the fuel, but we won't go into how long I tried before I found the petcock!!)

Anyways, it's aged looking. I don't know if it's lived outdoors.... been tossed down a mountain side....but it's clearly not new. I don't think they even make that model anymore (Robin RGV 2800).

As for the compressor.... it's approximately 20 gallon, possibly 30 (fatter than my 20 but not as long) It's got two cylinders. I don't yet know a brand name. Just yesterday, I had to replace both (it has two) outlets that I happened to break when I was taking it off the trailer and it rolled... snapping them both off and crushing the pressure gauge.

Got those replaced yesterday, started it up and it got to 60 psi. I shut it down and plan to look at it today to see if it held the pressure. The thing is, it seemed to take QUITE a while to get to 60 psi, much longer than my single piston electric unit. I'm guessing it's been worn and has terrible compression, likely needing new rings or something.

That's further down my list.... but in fact, both start pretty easy, generator works fine (to the degree plugging a light and drill at same time means it works fine).

Don't really have room for either of them so in the end, they'll be sold for "something" or maybe given to someone.

bigtiller · Aug 17, 2018

I think OIT is Omaha Industrial Tool.

Proto is Snap-on quality

S&K are guaranteed for life if you can find a place that sells them. They may be a bit better than Craftsman.

randyjs · Aug 17, 2018

Richard said:
Yeah, crossed my mind too.....but having "known" him over last 8 years (realizing that nobody "knows" someone over internet but...I do think you can get a decent gut feel for someone)

Anyway, I was pretty comfortable with him. Phone calls with him only added to that comfort. Turns out he's under full-disability so not able to practice his profession (not really sure what it was since I never asked....only have some of the specialized tools to presume)

One irony is.... maybe 30 years ago, I decided I'd probably never use my 1/4" sockets so asked my sister if she'd like them...and I gave them to her.

Over last five years, I've had some need for small sockets....but dealt with their void in my box. Literally, 2-3 months ago, was debating on buying a set. To the point of looking them up on internet, going to the store....but....could never actually put them into my cart.

With all the sockets he gave me, I created a full 1/4" set of deep sockets both SAE & metric. Another full set of standard sockets SAE & metric.

The only thing missing was the 1/4" ratchet which I might just go buy.... or forget about and use my 3/8 ratchet with the stepdown.

Oh, and get this.... when this monster box rolled into my garage (I needed to use my backhoe to hoist it off the trailer)...anyway, my wife who has NEVER EVER touched my tool chest almost immediately started filling it up and 'organizing' it with various other things (wood clamps, drills, bits...)

I was trying to find a polite way of telling her to just keep her paws off!! but, couldn't be that blunt so just told her that "I" (not her) need to organize it so that I'll know what's where.

With my luck, she'd put all my wrenches in the small drawer at the bottom of unit so she could put her arts/crafts paint in the chest/shoulder height drawers (you know, those paints that she's not used in the 30 years I've known her!!)

I find it genuinely humerous how she's never touched my tool chest ever....and I mean ever.... and now, she's all over this one.

Would it be considered spousal abuse if I put an electrified fence around it with only me knowing the combination??

:devil:

Before we got married I told my wife "You stay out of my garage and I'll stay out of your kitchen". She laughed but at least I kept my part of the deal.