HART Mechanics Tool Set Has The Tools You Need When You Need Them

HART is carving out a niche for itself with quality tools at an affordable price. We’ve been using HART Impact Sockets and we are impressed, so got our hands on the HART 275-piece mechanics tool set to see how they’re doing with other automotive-focused hand tools. At first glance, this set is pretty daunting so we’ll break it down piece by piece so you can decide if it’s the right set for you.

Hands-On With The HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

Ratchets

Right off the bat, I noticed the three ratchets in the set have a quality look and feel. The 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drive sizes all have a 90-tooth design, giving you a compact 4° swing arc. Plus, the contoured head shape allows you to work in tighter spaces.

One of my favorite features is the push-button socket release on the back of the ratchet head which keeps sockets securely in place while making removal a breeze.

Wrenches

This kit comes with a standard set of combination wrenches. You get metric sizes ranging from 8 to 15 mm and SAE sizes from 1/4-inch to 5/8-inch.

Sockets and Accessories

The HART 275-piece mechanics tool set contains a standard variety of sockets and drivers but there are a few noteworthy inclusions that set it apart from basic kits.

This set includes a combination of metric and SAE shallow and deep sockets in both 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch drives. It includes 12-point shallow sockets for the 1/2-inch drive size.

HART went the extra mile and added SAE and metric shallow impact-rated sockets ranging in size from 3/8-inch to 1 inch and 10mm to 23mm, respectively.

More Tools!

Some honorable mentions in this mechanics set include a 1/4-inch magnetic bit driver, 48 driver bits, and both SAE and metric nut drivers. HART also includes a full set of SAE and metric hex keys, hex drivers, Torx drivers, and drive size adapters.

Storing The HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

You gotta have a place to store all of these tools and accessories and HART organizes them in a sturdy blow-molded tool box with no wasted space. The underside of the lid houses the deep well sockets and the top tray holds your chrome 6-point shallow sockets, some accessories. Its three removable trays hold the rest of the sockets, wrenches, and accessories and can be arranged in whatever order is most convenient for you.

Two folding side doors snap in place to keep the trays from unintentionally sliding out during transport.

In addition to these doors, we LOVE that HART chose to use metal latches instead of plastic which is more likely to break or pop off over time. Two nylon straps are riveted to the lid and keep it from over-extending and damaging the hinges.

Carrying the box is easy by using either the two side handles or its stout rubber overmolded top handle. With so many tools in the box, it’s heavy and those side handles are really helpful. Plan to use those side handles if your hands are on the bigger side to avoid your fingers getting pinched on the lid.

Hart 275-Piece Mechanics Set Complete Tool List

• 1/4-inch 90-tooth ratchet
  • 6 Torx drivers: T8 – T27
  • 13 metric 6-point sockets: 4mm – 14mm
  • 9 metric deep 6-point sockets: 6mm – 16mm
  • 11 SAE 6-point sockets: 5/32″ – 9/16″
  • 7 SAE deep 6-point sockets: 1/4″ – 1/2″
  • 3 in. extension
  • 6 in. extension
• 3/8-inch 90-tooth ratchet
  • 12 metric 6-point sockets: 8mm – 19mm
  • 10 metric deep 6-point sockets: 10mm – 19mm
  • 11 SAE 6-point sockets: 1/4″ – 13/16″
  • 9 SAE deep 6-point sockets: 3/8″ – 7/8″
  • 5 metric 6-point impact sockets: 10mm – 14mm
  • 5 SAE 6-point impact sockets: 3/8″ – 5/8″
  • 6 Torx drivers: T27 – T55
  • 6 SAE hex drivers: 5/32″ – 3/8″
  • 9 metric hex drivers: 3mm – 10mm
  • 3 in. extension
  • 6 in. extension
• 1/2-inch 90-tooth ratchet
  • 14 metric 12-point sockets: 10mm – 24mm
  • 10 SAE 12-point sockets: 7/16″ – 1″
  • 6 metric 6-point impact sockets: 15mm – 23mm
  • 6 SAE 6-point impact sockets: 11/16″ – 1″
  • 3 in. extension
• 1/4-inch hex driver
  • 9 metric nut drivers: 5mm – 12mm
  • 9 SAE nut drivers: 5/32″ – 7/16″
  • 48-piece driver bit set: slotted, Phillips, hex, Torx, square, and 1/4-inch socket driver
• 3/8-inch universal joint
• 10-piece metric hex key set: 1.3mm – 8mm
• 10-piece SAE hex key set: 0.05″ – 1/4″
• 8 metric combination wrenches: 8mm – 15mm
• 7 SAE combination wrenches: 1/4″ – 5/8″
• 3 3/8-inch drive SAE spark plug sockets: 5/8″, 3/4″, 13/16″
• 3/8-inch impact socket adapter
• 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch adapter
• 1/2-inch to 3/8-inch adapter
• 3/8-inch to 1/4-inch adapter
• 1/4-inch drive friction fit bit driver socket

The HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Price

The HART 275-piece mechanics tool set retails for $219 at Walmart and carries a limited lifetime warranty. For what you get, that’s a really attractive price.

The Bottom Line

Compared to other tool sets on the market, this one is remarkably comprehensive. The HART 275-piece mechanics tool set is perfect for people who need more than the basics but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. There are some additional pieces you may want to add along your journey, but this is a great place to start your tool collection.

HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Specifications

• Model: HART HHMTS405
• 275 pieces
• Drivers: 1/4 in., 3/8 in., and 1/2 in.
• SAE and Metric
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Price: $219

The post HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set | Ratchets, Sockets, and More appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Sometimes tools don’t quite live up to the hype. Not too long ago, we did a worst power tools video on youtube and one of the entries was the Black & Decker Automatic Adjustable Wrench. Billed as a tool for those who have everything, the Black & Decker Automatic Adjustable Wrench promised convenience and speed.

It truly delivered neither. Surprising, since Black & Decker actually makes some decent tools for DIY users.

The Promise of the Black & Decker Automatic Adjustable Wrench

Black & Decker designed the wrench to quickly and easily adjust the jaws without having to remove the wrench from a tight space. In theory, that actually made a lot of sense. You just activate the button and the AA battery-powered wrench opened as wide as 1-1/4 inches. That would accommodate even some of the largest bolts you’re likely to encounter around the house.

So what was the downside? Well, unlike a traditional tool—take Milwaukee adjustable wrenches for example—the Black & Decker automatic adjustable wrench is heavy. The extra weight comes from it having to house both a motor and batteries. It needs a bit more mechanics to do what it does.

A Bulky Mess

The product also had a lot of girth. Between the rounded handle and its rather large form factor, the whole tool felt a tad unwieldy. Where the Black & Decker automatic adjustable wrench shined was in its ability to fit into tight spaces. You could place it where a socket set might not fit. It also lets you get a tight grip on a bolt without the need for reaching your fingers in to twist the manual adjustment control.

Black and Decker made the jaws from heat-treated hardened steel. They claimed up to 220 ft-lbs of torque. We’re not sure how they got that number, but it likely had to do with the amount of manual torque the tool could handle. We know that measuring torque factors in both angle and force. It’s a difficult number to pin down for a tool like this.

A Battery Powered Adjustable Wrench?

The Black & Decker automatic adjustable wrench got its power from two AA batteries. Those contributed to making the handle so thick. The batteries powered the automatic adjustable wrench for up to 650 cycles (opening and closings of the jaws). While that should last quite a while, it wasn’t the main downfall of the tool. Also, the manual “override” ensured you could at least end up with a standard (albeit large) adjustable wrench if and when the batteries eventually ran out.

Why We Think the Black & Decker Automatic Adjustable Wrench Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

Overall, we thought of the Black & Decker automatic adjustable wrench as a unique tool. Like the almost useless Craftsman Hammerhead Auto-Hammer, it might even make a fun (notice we didn’t say good) gift. Like many DIY tools, this one simply didn’t match up to the needs of any serious tool user. Our key issue included that its oversized form required additional space underneath sinks. Targeting spaces with limited access, the tool actually ended up making most jobs more difficult.

More of a toy than a tool, we found that a standard adjustable wrench makes for a better experience. That even goes for those not as handy with the manual versions. It also priced anywhere from a high of $39.99 to just under $25—about 3-4 times the price of a standard adjustable wrench. For the rest of us, tools like the Irwin adjustable wrenches seem to be a much nicer solution and offer better performance in a smaller, more versatile package.

The post Black & Decker Automatic Adjustable Wrench – A Look Back appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Klein’s Spud Wrenches Offer A Wider Reach Than Ever Before

Klein Tools has made it a goal to eliminate the need to carry around multiple fixed-size wrenches. As an update to its lineup, Klein has increased the jaw width on two of its adjustable spud wrench models. We’re taking a look at the wrenches’ features and finding out how this update could benefit your productivity on the job.

Klein Extra-Wide Adjustable Spud Wrenches: The Big Deal

Klein has increased the jaw width of its 10-inch and the 16-inch adjustable spud wrenches by 1/8-inch, giving the jaw of the 10-inch wrench 1 7/16 inches, and the 16-inch 1 5/8 inches. For reference, before the updated models were released, the 10-inch had a jaw width of 1 5/16 inches.

We know, that’s a lot of numbers to take in at once, but this small added amount has the potential to come in handy when you’re working with larger nuts and bolts.

On top of the updated size, these Klein adjustable spud wrenches have a variety of useful features. They contain lanyard holes which ensure security, especially when working at heights. The lanyard hookups are compatible with Klein Tools TT1 and TT2 tethers. Additionally, the wrenches’ continuous-taper handles aid in the alignment of bolt holes and rivet holes.

Additional Features

• Corrosion-resistant industrial finish
• Smooth-turn knurl
• Heat-treated
• Made in the USA

Price and Availability

The 10-inch spud wrench is listed at $49.99, and the 16-inch one is listed at $79.99. Both models are available at several local and online retailers. Furthermore, both tools include a lifetime warranty.

Specifications

• Model: Klein Tools 3227 (10-inch)/ 3239 (16-inch)
• Weight: 1.2 lbs (10-inch)/2.36 lbs (16-inch)
• Maximum Opening: 1.3125-inch/1.5-inch
• Material: Alloy steel
• Wrench style: Adjustable

The post Klein Extra-Wide Adjustable Spud Wrenches appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Price and quality combine to make a great value in the HART 275-piece mechanics tool set. Featuring 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2-inch drives with sockets in both metric and SAE sizes, it rounds out with hex bit sockets, star bit sockets, deep well sockets, nut driver bits, hex keys, and a multi-bit driver with a 48-piece bit set. Watch the video as Josh walks you through this comprehensive set that runs just $219 at Walmart.

The post HART 275-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Video appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Gearwrench 232-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Comprehensively Tackles Sub 1-Inch Jobs

Many brands make comprehensive mechanics tool sets and they’re a great way to get started. One of their shortcomings is they often contain the most basic versions of each tool. The Gearwrench 232-piece mechanics tool set gives you the value of a large set with some nice upgrades.

Pros

• 90-tooth low-profile ratchets with 4° swing-arc
• Ratcheting combination wrenches
• Inlcudes Torx, E-Torx, and hex drivers
• Mix of deep and standard, 6-point and 12-point sockets
• Secure, organized, and labeled tool box

Cons

• Plastic latches on lid feel a little flimsy

Using the Gearwrench 232-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

Ratchets

There are two fantastic upgrades Gearwrench puts into this set over basic ones. First, the ratchets are 90-tooth designs. Their 4° arc swing is noticeably smaller than standard 72-tooth ratchets. These ratchets also have a nice contour that makes the handles more comfortable to use.

Wrenches

The other big upgrade is a set of ratcheting combination ratchets. They’re so much more convenient and faster than standard combination wrenches. Unlike the ratchets, the wrenches are 72-tooth.

Sockets and Accessories

The set contains a standard assortment of sockets and drivers but there are a few that elevate it beyond a basic kit. Inside you’ll find both metric and SAE standard and deep sockets in 1/4-inch as well as 3/8-inch drive. Some of the metric sockets come in both 6- and 12-point designs. It also includes a variety of Torx, E-Torx (external Torx), and Allen drivers so almost no job is out of reach.

Pro Tip: Gearwrench has knurled sections on the metric sockets and smooth on SAE to help distinguish between the two.

Compared to other mechanics tool sets that might include three ratchet sizes, note this one has just the smaller two. It’s intentionally designed to comprehensively tackle smaller fasteners. The largest sockets are 7/8-in and 22 mm, and the ratcheting wrenches top out at 3/4-inch and 19 mm.

Most likely, you’re going to need larger sockets and wrenches at some point, so keep that in mind as you’re considering this set among others that Gearwrench offers.

Some of the honorable mentions in this set include a 1/4-inch magnetic bit driver, a 30-piece driver bit kit, and both SAE and metric nut drivers. Gearwrench also goes the extra mile on quality to include the original Allen brand SAE and metric hex keys.

Tool Box

Everything stores in a blow-molded tool box. Under the lid, the ratcheting combination wrenches store securely.

Three removable, labeled organization trays hold the rest of the tools. While they have 1, 2, and 3 labels on the outside, you can put them in whatever order you like.

Two side doors close in to secure the drawers. At first glance, they don’t seem like they are secure enough due to their sizes, but they actually hold very well.

You can carry the box using the top handle or two integrated side handles. Overall, the box does its job well. The only long-term concern we have is that the front latches are a little flimsier than we’d prefer.

Tool List

• 1/4-inch 90-tooth ratchet
  • 4 E-Torx drivers: E5 – E8
  • 6 Torx drivers: T10 – T30
  • 10 metric 6-point sockets: 4 – 13 mm
  • 11 metric deep 6-point sockets: 4 – 14 mm
  • 11 SAE 6-point sockets: 5/32 – 9/16 in
  • 10 SAE 6-point deep sockets: 3/16 – 9/16 in
  • 3-in extension
• 3/8-inch 90-tooth ratchet
  • 4 E-Torx drivers: E10 – E16
  • 5 Torx drivers: T40 – T55 (includes T47)
  • 10 metric hex drivers: 2 – 10 mm (includes 2.5 mm)
  • 6 SAE hex drivers: 5/32 – 3/8 in
  • 17 metric 6-point sockets: 6 – 22 mm
  • 12 metric 12-point sockets: 8 – 19 mm
  • 11 metric deep 6-point sockets: 9 – 19 mm
  • 10 SAE 6-point sockets: 1/4 – 7/8 in
  • 8 SAE deep 6-point sockets: 3/8 – 3/4 in
  • 5/8 in spark plug socket
  • 3 and 6-in extensions
• 1/4-inch driver
  • 30-piece driver bit set: slotted, Philiips, hex, and Torx
  • 6 metric nut drivers: 5 – 11 mm
  • 6 SAE nut drivers: 3/16 – 1/2 in
• 14 72-tooth metric ratcheting combination wrenches: 6 – 19 mm
• 10 72-tooth SAE ratcheting combination wrenches: 1/4 – 3/4 in
• 9 metric Allen keys: 1.5 – 10 mm
• 13 SAE Allen keys: 0.05 – 3/8 in

Gearwrench 232-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Price

This Gearwrench 232-piece mechanics set retails for $294 and it’s covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Considering the upgrades you get compared to other sets, it’s an excellent value.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for hand tools that go beyond the basics without spending your entire paycheck on them, the Gearwrench 232-piece mechanics tool set is a really nice option. Upgrades on the tool designs and the accessory types it includes give it a big leg up over less expensive sets. Just be sure to consider whether the upper size limits are enough to cover your needs.

If you need additional sockets or want to explore the full Gearwrench lineup, click here.

Gearwrench 232-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Specifications

• Model: Gearwrench 80944
• 232 pieces
• Drivers: 1/4 in. and 3/8 in.
• SAE and Metric
• Size ranges: 1/4 in.-7/8 in.(SAE), 4mm-22mm(metric), 1/4 in.-3/4 in. (SAE wrenches), 6mm-19mm (metric wrenches)
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Price: $294.00

The post Gearwrench 232-Piece Mechanics Tool Set Review | 80944 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Gearwrench 3/4-Inch Electronic Torque Wrench Successfully Blends Technology And High Strength

Any mechanical engineer will tell you that proper torque settings can be the difference between success or catastrophic failure. The Gearwrench 3/4-inch electronic torque wrench is designed with both the brains and brawn to tackle high-torque jobs and with outstanding precision.

Gearwrench 3/4-Inch Electronic Torque Wrench Electronic Benefits

Digital Display

As an electronic torque wrench, you need a power source. There are some rechargeable options out there, but Gearwrench sticks with the simplicity of two AA batteries.

While you’re working, the screen tracks your progress and displays the maximum torque value you hit.

Gearwrench’s digital display is also where you’ll set the Warning Torque Percentage as well as your desired unit of measure. Think of the warning percentage as a sort of yellow traffic light. You can set the warning percentage from 5%-50% depending on your preferences.

To set the value, push the (%) button and use the arrows to navigate. Once the display shows the percentage you want, push the (%) button again to save it. Press (CLR) to clear the warning torque values.

Setting the torque value is basically an identical process. Press the (SET) button and use the arrows to scroll. A second press of the (SET) button saves your selection. Clearing set values is the same process as before.

Precision Haptic Feedback

A nice feature of the Gearwrench 85082 is the visual and audible feedback you get through the torquing process. As you approach your targeted torque setting, you’ll hear the buzzer start to chirp and the green LED illuminates.

When the torque reaches the target value, green and red LEDs light up and a buzzer issues a continuous long “beep” sound. In addition to the audible alerts, the handle will begin to vibrate when the applied torque reaches your target value.

If you exceed your target torque, the buzzer sounds a constant tone and you’ll continue to feel a mild vibration in the handle.

If the torque exceeds the maximum 750 ft-lbs, the display will read “—-“, both LEDs will light up, and the buzzer will issue a continuous long beep sound.

Accuracy

When the job requires precise high-torque specs, the 3/4-inch Gearwrench electric torque wrench has the strength to back it up. It delivers 70-750 ft-lbs of fastening power with a ±2% margin of error on torque.

You can set the torque wrench to measure and read out in ft-lbs, in-lbs, Nm, Kg-m, and Kg-cm. Plus, it saves the last torque setting you used, which is kind of nice. Simply press the (UNI) button to scroll to your preferred unit of measure.

Gearwrench Electronic Torque Wrench Design Notes

High Torque Needs High Leverage

The length of this wrench makes it very easy to achieve high levels of torque. On our torque testing rig, we were able to easily tighten 1.5-inch Grade 8 nuts to 600 ft-lbs for our impact wrench testing.

Avoid the temptation to use a “cheater” pipe when you’re getting close to the upper torque limit. The precise nature of the internal mechanism makes it susceptible to damage if you over-torque a bolt.

Ergonomics

Gearwrench makes sure that the whole process of measuring torque feels as comfortable and natural as possible with such a large electronic torque wrench. The textured metal handle offers a decent grip if you’re using it bare-handed. The handle and housing are oil and solvent-resistant, so your greasy hands won’t gum it up too bad.

Access

The teardrop-shaped head does a nice job of getting into tight spaces. One thing to watch for is that while the 24-tooth pawls are super-durable, they need 15° of arc swing to work with.

Calibration

Gearwrench ships the torque wrench with an ASME certificate of calibration. Because of its precision nature, we recommend you have it recalibrated once a year. Torque wrenches are more delicate tools than they look and accuracy can get thrown out of whack with as little effort as accidentally dropping it off the workbench.

That’s why we appreciate that Gearwrench houses this torque wrench in its own blow-molded hard case. When we’re not using it, the wisest course of action is to keep store your torque wrench in its case to avoid any inadvertent “calibration adjustments”.

Who It’s For

In terms of fit, a torque wrench of this size is something you’ll find in the arsenal of an industrial mechanic or heavy equipment tech.

If it’s more than your typical job requires, Gearwrench has a wide array of torque wrenches if you’re in the market, including 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch electronic models.

Gearwrench Electronic Torque Wrench Price

This is a premium torque wrench made from alloy steel with a full polish chrome finish. Expect to pay around $899 for this model. With that, you get a sturdy hard case, a 90-day calibration warranty, and a 1-year equipment warranty.

The Bottom Line

What we really love about Gearwrench’s design is that it’s a durable, industrial-quality build with electronic feedback that makes it easy to know when you’re nearing and reach your target torque. Dealing with torque ratings up to 750 ft-lbs can be a pain, but Gearwrench makes it more convenient and lets you fasten with more confidence with this 3/4-inch electronic torque wrench.

Gearwrench Electronic Torque Wrench Specifications

• Model: Gearwrench 85082
• Power Source: 2 x AA alkaline batteries
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 49 x 2 x 2.5 inches
• Head Style: 24-tooth Fixed
• Swing Arc: 15°
• Weight: 13.25 lbs.
• Torque Limits: 70-750 ft. lbs
• Accuracy: +/-2%
• Meets or exceeds ASME B107.28M standards and specifications
• Price: $899

The post Gearwrench 3/4-Inch Electronic Torque Wrench Review | 750 Ft-Lbs 85082 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

DEWALT TOUGHSERIES products are designed to be the most durable hand tools DEWALT has made to date. We’re teaming up with DEWALT to tell you more about how TOUGHSERIES screwdrivers are built to withstand your toughest jobs.

Each screwdriver in the line starts with an S2 steel blade that offers a higher strength than chrome vanadium. The length of the shaft leading to the tip is coated in black chrome. This extra step not only gives each screwdriver blade a different look and feel but also promises 10 times better corrosion resistance than previous DEWALT screwdrivers*.

Moving to the tip, DEWALT sticks with its MAX FIT design that features precision machined tips that properly fit fasteners and helps reduce cam out. The tips are also magnetized to give you more control while driving screws.

Getting a handle on the job at hand is easy and comfortable thanks to DEWALT’s grip design. The contoured rubberized grip feels great in your hands. Between the natural grip of the handle material and additional texturing, it offers a secure grip with or without gloves.

The back of each handle has an indicator to let you know which screwdriver tip it has and larger sizes match with longer blade lengths, making them easy to identify in your toolbox or bag.

DEWALT TOUGHSERIES screwdrivers are launching with two sets to choose from. A standard 8-piece set (DWHT65102) retails for $29.97 and includes the following:

• #1, #2, and #3 Phillips
• #1 and #2 square
• 3/16, 1/4, and 5/16-inch slotted

There’s also a 2-piece demo screwdriver set (DWHT65100) that includes #2 Phillips and 5/16-inch slotted sizes with metal strike caps for $12.97.

Look for these and other TOUGHSERIES hand tools at your favorite DEWALT retailer.

*10 times better corrosion resistance based on DWHT62290 MAX FIT 19-piece screwdriver set.

The post DEWALT TOUGHSERIES Screwdrivers appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Crescent Screw Biter Screwdrivers Remove Mangled and Corroded Screws

Working with damaged and frozen screws is just part of the job for any professional working in the trades. An impact screwdriver makes for a great solution to the problem. The Crescent Screw Biter Extraction Screwdriver delivers impact screwdriver functionality in a familiar form factor. It features a design that bites into your problem screws and uses impact force to free them up quickly.

Editor’s Note: Check out our article on how to use a screw extractor.

What’s the Big Deal?

Where your ordinary screwdriver won’t allow for the torque needed, the Crescent Screw Biter Extraction Screwdriver uses sudden rotational torque to break frozen screws loose. It features a spring-loaded handle and a strike plate on the butt of the driver. Once you’ve aligned the Screw Biter to the problem screw, a hammer strike to the endcap activates the internal mechanism. From there, that hammer force is directed to the screw, quickly and forcefully turning it 12º.

Additionally, most impact screwdrivers feature a rather bulky design and look very different from a traditional driver.

The Crescent Screw Biter Screwdriver features a comfortable tri-lobe design with a “speed zone” for faster rotation in low-torque applications. The dual-material handle resists oil and solvent-related slippage. The non-slip black oxide tip provides a secure fit in the fastener and strength for transferring torque.

What Is Crescent Saying About the Screw Biter Screwdrivers?

This is another one of those categories, another one of those user problems that has seen little to no innovation in decades. So, we took on the challenge, and the result is truly innovative. Finally, there’s a screwdriver that can actually remove screws that exist in the real world that are beat up, worn down, or frozen. With Screw Biter, you can quickly break screws loose and move on to the next one.

Jarrett Wolf, Senior Product Manager

Other Features

• Meets or exceeds ASME standards for performance and quality

Pricing

Crescent has two different models of the Screw Biter Screwdriver available, a 1/4″ x 4″ slotted driver and a #2 x 4″ Phillips head driver. Both of them retail for $19.99 separately, or you can pick up the 2-piece set for $29.99. These screwdrivers look like they’ll become available for purchase Q4 2021 and you can pre-order them now. These screwdrivers come with Crescent’s standard lifetime warranty.

Crescent Screw Biter Screwdriver Specs

• Model: Crescent CIMSDSL (Slotted); CIMSDPH (Phillips)
• Length: 8.5 in.
• Fastener Size: 1/4 in.
• Finish: Black Nickel Chrome
• Handle Material: Dual Material
• Handle Style: Tri-Lobe
• Blade Type: Solid Shaft
• Blade Diameter: 0.245 in. (slotted); 0.247 in. (Phillips)
• Blade Length: 4 in.
• Weight: 0.320 lbs.
• Magnetic: No
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Price: $19.99 each; $29.99 for the set

The post Crescent Screw Biter Extraction Screwdriver appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Klein Includes Cushioned Grip for Repeated Hardwire Cutting and Bending

For a comfortable experience in a field that lends itself to hand fatigue, the Klein Slim-Head Ironworker’s Pliers feature a comfort grip that cushions your hand during the repeated twisting and cutting of soft annealed rebar tie wire. They’ve also launched a kit to retrofit your existing Slim-Head Ironworker’s Pliers with comfort grips.

What Is Klein Saying About The Ironworker’s Pliers and Comfort Grips?

Being able to use tools quickly and comfortably is one of the things that professionals look for in Klein Tools’ products. These new pliers feature better overall hand-feel and ergonomics, with grips that extend beyond the plier handle to provide an air pocket for increased comfort and extended ribs to help maintain control by minimizing hand travel up the plier. Plus, professionals can get these same benefits on their existing pliers with the Comfort Grip Kit, which includes two comfort grips and two heat shrink bands to retrofit a pair of Klein’s plain handled, Slim-Head Ironworker’s Pliers.

Adriana Facchina, associate product manager at Klein Tools

What’s the Big Deal?

Comfort is the obvious talking point here. Klein has taken their precision-hardened steel pliers and added a soft, cushioned grip to protect your hand during repeated hardwire cutting. The grip extends beyond the plier handle to provide an air pocket that increases your general comfort. Plus, it includes extended ribs to help maintain control by minimizing travel up the plier handle.

But, if you’re working with older Klein Ironworker’s Pliers, and wish they offered this kind of protection, you’re in luck. Klein also now offers a Comfort Grip Kit (M200ST. This allows you to add this feature to your old pair of pliers, slipping the comfort grips over the handles and securing them with the included heat shrinks.

Other Features

• Induction hardened cutting knives
• Hot rivet joint adds smooth action with no wobble
• Made in the USA

Pricing

You can pick up the Klein Slim-Head Ironworker’s 9″ Pliers for around $49.99. It comes with a lifetime warranty. Or, if you just need to add some grips to your pliers, you can pick up the Comfort Grip Kit 2-pack for around $14.99. It comes with two heat shrink bands to keep the grips secured.

Klein Ironworker’s Pliers Specs

• Model: Klein M2017CSTA
• Length: 13.25 in.
• Height: 1.1 in.
• Width: 3.9 in.
• Material: Steel
• Length (Jaw): 1.28 in.
• Width (Jaw): 1.16 in.
• Thickness (Jaw): 0.5 in.
• Capacity (Jaw): 1.16 in.
• Cutting Knives: 0.75 in.
• Knife Length: 0.63 in.
• Cut Style: Pinch Cut
• Joint Type: Hot Riveted
• Handle Finish: Comfort Grip
• Handle Length: 7.4 in.
• Insulated: No
• Tether Capable: No
• Weight: 16 oz.
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Price: $49.99

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When we got our hands on the latest Crescent Z2 pliers, we wanted to know what set them apart from the other high-quality options on the market. In short, it’s all about the features, and it’s not all bells and whistles.

In designing the Z2 series, Crescent started where it matters most—with the people that use these tools day in and day out.

“When we set out to make better pliers, we turned to our customers to find out what features they needed to complete their jobs. We talked to professionals in different trades with different needs and distilled that information down to create features that make a difference in their day-to-day work.”

Jarrett Wolf, product manager for Crescent Tools

That all sounds great, but we wanted a closer look. Below is a breakdown of four of the 35 members of the Crescent Z2 line.

Crescent Z2 8-Inch Dual Material Long Nose Pliers

Right out of the gate, we loved the classic long-nose design of these pliers. A closer look reveals some useful improvements.

The joint sits higher than most, giving you more leverage for a stronger hold and easier cutting (this is a common theme in the line). According to Crescent, cutting is up to 35% easier than other options.

The cutting edges are laser hardened, offering clean cuts while staying sharp up to 50% longer.

The jaw is where things get even more interesting, though. It starts with cross-hatched knurling for a better grip on wires.

Raise your hand if you’ve tried to tighten or loosen bolts with long nose pliers. It’s not much fun and the jaws tend to slip a lot. Crescent deals with this using two fastener grip areas low in the jaws that make gripping fastener heads much more effective when you have the room to work with them.

Finally, the pliers wrap up with ergonomically curved handles and comfortable grips with tether holes on both ends.

Price: $17.99

Crescent Z2 9 1/2-Inch Dual Material Lineman’s Pliers

Our next example is the ever-popular lineman’s pliers. With the classic lineman’s look, it again starts with a joint that shifts higher to improve the leverage. It also has the benefits of laser-hardened edges and cross-hatched knurling as we saw on the long nose pliers.

Below the jaw, two sections stand out for crimping and fish tape pulling.

Continuing the trend, ergonomic, comfortable handles with tether points to finish it up.

Price: $20.99

Crescent Z2 Diagonal Cutting Pliers

This section gets a bonus: we were able to get our hands on both the 8-inch and 6-inch versions of the Z2 diagonal cutting pliers. Similar in design, they offer a solid 1-2 punch with the 8-inch pliers offers greater leverage and strength while the 6-inch pliers have a significantly more compact nose area to get into tighter spots.

Both models stick with a high-leverage joint positioned higher than standard pliers. They also have the same laser-hardened cutting edges as the others we’ve been discussing. As you can probably guess, they have a very comfortable grip with ergonomically curved handles and tether points.

As for the diagonal, it’s set to 20° so you can get right up against the material surface and get a flush cut on the nail or screw you’re clipping.

Aside from size, the main difference between the two is that the smaller one has a knurled section below the jaw that’s great for grabbing and pulling.

Price: $16.99 (6-inch), $18.99 (8-inch)

Parting Thoughts

We really like the comfort of the grips on Crescent Z2 pliers and the features they added are genuinely helpful. If that’s not enough to tempt you, take another look at the pricing. Compared to what you might pay for other brands, they offer an excellent value proposition backed by a lifetime warranty.

The post Crescent Z2 Pliers | Better Features, Excellent Value appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.