http://www.tool-rank.com/ 1109-220 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Pliers/vampire-tools-vampliers-vt-001-201202071109/ Great multipurpose tool which can be personalized. I gave it to my father on his birthday with his name engraved on it, he loves it and always brings a warm feeling. ]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:17:38 -0600 376-218 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Bernzomatic-Hose-Torch-19199-JTH7-20090202376/ Part of my JTH-7, the burner tube broke. Instead of supplying a part replacement I was told to buy a new torch assembly. Parts can't be sold because of liability issues. The broken part (burner base tube) is designed to break (like a fuse) so a fall impact will not transfer to the fuel tank. There is a model JT-539 that has no hose coupling. How this piece protects the fuel tank by breaking away at the end of a four foot flexible hose is beyond me. Shame on Bernzomatic or whatever there current incarnation. I will no longer purcase any tools or accessories from this company. ]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:56:21 -0600 347-206 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Stanley-10-788-retractable-blade-utility-knife-20090106347/ this tool is not worth it stick to the basic utility knife it always works the quick change is bs. this knife is terrible. ]]> Wed, 20 Jul 2011 02:55:14 -0500 946-204 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/bostitch-twin-blade-utility-knife-20110425946/ This knife like many of the newer Bostitch hand tools is a rebranded Stanley ,and in this case it’s a rebranded Stanley FatMax Xtreme Twin Blade, which itself is essentially a heavier, double wide version of Stanley 10-788 where it shares many design similarities like the same overall shape, rubber overmold grip, and blade storage. I own three of these, and for the most part I like them a lot, I often find the double blade feature comes in very handy in certain applications, but these knives are far they are from perfect. The blade changing can be tricky at times, to release a blade you toggle the switch to side to side in the direction of the blade you want to release, which requires alot of thumb pressure. Once the blade is released, the new blade often requires some sort of manipulation to get in place, one of my knives that came straight out of the package would not hold the blade until I took the the knife apart and realigned the blade holder. There also seems to be a slight break in period with these knives possible due to milling, the more you use it, the easier the sliding mechanism gets. It is also imperative to have one side fully retracted before engaging the other side or it will result in a jam. Another drawback is dirt, dust, etc can jamb these knives fairly easy, this knife is best used for roofing, and flooring where the double blade feature comes in handy, but it’s not the best knife to have around when dry walling where it’s prone to gumming up. Overall it’s a pretty solid knife, when used in favorable conditions and applications. ]]> Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:05:38 -0500 836-195 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/bernzomatic-self-igniting-20000-btu-outdoor-torch-20101206836/ I was recently in the market for a bigger torch for driveway repair since my plumbers torch just was not really cutting it, so I waffled between getting this model or one of the bigger torches like a Red Dragon,but not wanting to have to wheel around a large propane tank decided that this smaller sized torch fit my needs. The Bernzomatic Self-Igniting torch has a comfortable foam handle and is the size of & weighs about as much as a wooden walking stick with a fatboy propane tank attached. The beauty of this torch is the freedom of movement and the self ignition, it makes it extremely convenient when doing driveway repair where you have to set a product like Pli-stix in the crack and need to turn the torch on and off quite frequently during the job. The flame adjustment dial could be better, seems a little sensitive,but that can be said of just about any torch I have ever used. The tool itself feels solid and appears to be made of quality materials, and for only 34 dollars is a good value;another positive is that it is made in the U.S.A. If your looking to do repair work, light fires, melt ice and kill the occasional weed this torch is to have, but if you need to kill a field of weeds, I would recommend going with a larger BTU torch, the kind that attaches to a gas grill sized propane tank, its takes al ot of gas to kill weeds. Overall I recommend this product, it made driveway repair extremely easy, and I look forward to attaching some Mapp gas and using it to melt ice on the walkways this winter. ]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:15:46 -0600 376-194 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Bernzomatic-Hose-Torch-19199-JTH7-20090202376/ I wont say much here I agree with the last review. I do want to add you can use mapp gas and also i use this alot sometimes all day so I would have to say its great for a pro too. ]]> Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:46:21 -0600 794-186 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Pliers/staple-jack-staple-and-nail-remover-by-nail-jack-20101006794/ This is an excellent tool. I highly recommend it whether you have a couple of small jobs a year or really, really big jobs to get done - at the price, the staple jack is a must add to your toolbox. It works exactly as described and did a neater job than anything else I have used. Best yet - it really saves time. Time savings are important to me whether the job is big or small because there are many other things I could be doing. Overall a great value and an excellently designed tool. Thanks! ]]> Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:07:13 -0500 365-163 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Tool-Storage/Bucket-Boss-56-Pocket-Bucket-Tool-Organizer-20090114365/ Keeps common use tools easly orginized. Centrally located in my truck when I work on the go. A little heavy to tote around but all around good product. ]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:21:40 -0500 358-162 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Tool-Storage/Veto-Pro-Pac-XL-Closed-Top-Tool-Bag-20090110358/ My Pro Pac is holding up extremely well,after winning it in one of Tool-Ranks promotons, about a year ago. It goes with me to every job, large and small. I keep the tools that I need first on the job, for layout and measuring, plus a basic set of hand tools that I can cover my small jobs with. My bag usually sits outside in the sun all day, and for the year or so that I have had it, it has not faded one bit. This bag has survived being loaded in my truck with all the other assorted tools and material surprisingly well. This bag holds a surprising amount of tools in an organized manner, I can find my tools without having to empty half of them out on the ground to find that one tool buried in the bottom, this is a big time saver and does keep the job site much neater. The only thing that I can complain about with this bag, is that it does not have enough larger pockets in its back row. It has one larger pocket on each side, that can hold torpedo level sized tools. The rest of the row has screwdriver sized pockets. I needed a space for my larger Channellocks and had to put the handles in two different screwdriver pockets. If I was to customize this bag I would make one side with large pockets and the other side with screwdriver pockets. I have heard people complain about the weight of these tool bags, all I can say is that whatever you load with that many tools will be heavy, tools are heavy. This bag carries the weight well, both by its carrying handle or my preferred method, the shoulder strap. Would I buy another? Yes, although I would consider some of the other sizes as well. The XXL-F is looking very interesting. I did post some pictures on Tool-Rank, in the Photos section. http://www.tool-rank.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=photos&task=album&albumid=63&userid=109&Itemid=200095 ]]> Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:31:10 -0500 658-155 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/mayhew-60000-dominator-hook-and-pick-set-20100415658/ Set of Mayhew 6000 Dominator Hook and Pick Set, has 10-inch scratch awl, 10-inch 90 degree hook, 10-inch complex hook, and 10-inch curved hook. Highly recommended. I had these for several months now and they work great. Very solid feel and soft grip handle. A little on the pricey side but they are definitely worth the extra few bucks. A nice feature that the others don't have is a cap on the end of the handle. So if you’re tapping with a mallet it doesn't gum up the grip. (Like my old Craftsman ones did). One item I didn’t like though was that the tips aren’t as sharp as some of the other German or Japanese pick sets I have used and seen. Nothing that can’t be fixed with a file. These are a little more rigid and have a better handle than the Mayhew 60003 Dominator set, but then again those are smaller. (Also a great set that I would recommend to compliment these). You can find these for about $38 on Amazon and other sites which is a great price. Lastly I wish these came with some sort of cloth pouch instead of the cheap plastic one they come in. Again, I would highly recommend these to everyone and anyone. ]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:37:41 -0500 60-128 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/spring-tools-32r12-1-132-to-232-inch-combination-nail-set-2008011660/ I have this tool along with the spring loaded hinge pin driver. The both work exactly as designed and I find myself using the hinge pin tool much more that I anticipated. I do loys of trim carpentry so removing doors is a snap (;-). It even pops painted hinge pins loose and never leaves a mark on the head of the hinge (happens with brass pins all the time)when trying to extract the pin from the hinge leaves. ]]> Wed, 20 May 2009 04:25:08 -0500 423-125 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/klein-32500-11-in-1-screwdrivernut-driver-20090402423/ This is my favorite screwdriver. No bigger then a normal screwdriver and with all those bits fewer trips to the truck. Also fewer tools in the truck. The only drawbacks are that you cant use it as a chisel or crow bar. When I use it as a nut driver the extra bit goes in my pocket. ]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:03:44 -0500 346-123 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Stanley-Quick-Change-Utility-Knife-With-Twine-Cutter-BOS10499-20090105346/ This is a great knife and my favorite. PutnamEco is right I wouldn't want to use this if I was a drywaller to many parts and drywallers don't need retractable blade. I am a carpenter and use the knife for general duty work. Cutting the paint line where the trim meats the wall, opening containers, occasional roofing, occasional drywall, sharpening pencils. The knife is small and light enough to fit in a pouch the blade is easy to change without tools and it carries 5 or so extra blades, so no running to the truck for a sharp blade. ]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:50:20 -0500 422-115 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/crescent-sdmbrt25-24-bit-ratcheting-screwdriver-20090402422/ A great cheap ratcheting screw driver. It is my everyday screwdriver.It fits my hand fairly well, with a "triangle" type grip.It has storage for 7 bits, 6 in the handle, one in the drive, unfortunately you cannot store a nut driver in the handle. This screwdriver does have a neat feature, contained within the shaft is an extendable magnet, which I have found very handy on more than one occasion, for grabbing wayward screws and nuts. You can usually find this tool for sale in the $15 range, it is well worth it. ]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:26:53 -0500 423-114 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/klein-32500-11-in-1-screwdrivernut-driver-20090402423/ I have several of the Klein screwdrivers, this one and it's smaller brother the 10 in 1. I like to keep one with in my painting tool box, because these screwdrivers have all the bits I need to remove switch plates and most lighting fixtures. If I did more electrical work, I know one would live in my tool pouch.It is also nice that it is not magnetic, as I feel more comfortable working on computers with it. One minor annoyance I have is with the amount of time you have to flip bits and holder around to come up with the proper set up, and when you are using the tool as a nut driver there is no storage for the removable bits. Well worth the 10-15 bucks they want for them. ]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:04:13 -0500 376-108 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Bernzomatic-Hose-Torch-19199-JTH7-20090202376/ Like most people I don't like the idea of working with a flammable source only inches away from a flame. This Benzo torch gives us flame weary folks the breathing room we desire. I don't do a ton of plumbing, mostly I do little repair jobs here and there and when I do it's usually in older homes where reaching things can often become an exercise in futility. This torch solves a lot of those problems and really allows the user to get into those often awkward ,tough to reach spots fairly easily. Another nice thing about this torch is not having to worry about flare ups, the tank can always remain in the upright position, which is great. The kit also comes with a handy clip that allows the user to attach the tank to a belt and keeps the regulator knob within easy reach during use. The torch kit is well made, made of brass and heavy duty rubber, perfect for a DIYer or handyman, I wouldn't classify it as contract grade but it's pretty heavy duty nonetheless. So far I've used it for paint removal, driveway repair, plumbing, roofing ,even cooking, it's a very useful tool that's good to have around. ]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:52:23 -0600 147-105 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Clamps/lockjaw-11q-self-adjusting-swivel-c-clamp-20080515147/ This is such a great clamp. It is similar to the Vise-Grip in most respects, but the main difference is there is no need to adjust the clamp for the thickness of your materials. The clamp is self adjustable, with a little screw to set the clamping pressure. Once the clamping pressure is set, there is no need to change it again. The problem with this clamp is with the handles... they simply open too wide. Even with larger hands you will have problems closing the clamp with one hand, though it is possible. Even with the problems it has, I still reach for it before the Vise-Grip. ]]> Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:59:53 -0600 347-100 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Stanley-10-788-retractable-blade-utility-knife-20090106347/ This is Stanleys latest version retractable blade knife. It shares the earlier versions cleaning problems, it has many small parts that have to be aligned to be properly reassembled. I've changed over to using Lenox for my retractable utility knives. Their clamshell design works better for me. ]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:22:48 -0600 346-99 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Other/Stanley-Quick-Change-Utility-Knife-With-Twine-Cutter-BOS10499-20090105346/ I used this knife about three years ago, until they came out with a newer version. (10-788) I quit using this particular style of knife, due to how hard it was to clean out drywall crud. mainly all the small parts that had to be held in alignment to be correctly reassembled. The Knife did function correctly until the retract mechanism jambs up. I've always disliked how much the blade moved side to side, it sometimes follow the grain when I used it for marking cut lines. ]]> Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:49:50 -0600 330-86 http://www.tool-rank.com/hand-tools/Hammers/Estwing-E3-CA-Shinglers-Hammer-20081229330/ When a decent sized roofing project came up a few years back, I was looking at 2 options doing it the old fashioned way, or using air power. I had looked at several coil nailers, and just about pulled the trigger on a Bostich nailer, but in the end couldn’t really justify the expense since I do so little roofing and even less siding so I passed on the Bostitch and decided on getting an Estwing Shinglers Hammer. Years ago when I was a kid, the shinglers hammer/hatchet was a much more common sight on the job. I remember many summers ago, seeing roofers blasting some classic rock and banging out squares all day, today not as much, Air supremacy seems to rule the roofs in my area with Bostitchs and Hitachis being go to choices. The Shingler’s Hammer seems to have taken a backseat and its role has been reduced to more of a sidekick rather then primary weapon of choice, but is still there when called upon to flatten down some stubborn nails or misfires. I probably could have gotten by with using a 16 oz hammer for the roof, but I prefer to use tools for the jobs that they are designed for. Though a shinglers hammer harkens back to an earlier time when wooden roofs were common, many of the features on a shinglers hammer proves useful today when laying down asphalt shingles. The teardrop design of the Estwing is extremely useful, especially when some asphalt shingles bond together on a hot day, the hatchet side, can act as a wedge and carefully separate them. The Estwing also has gauge, to check exposure and a cutting blade to cut/trim the shingles, but I still prefer a Stanley knife with a hook blade. The biggest advantage of an Estwing Shingler hammer over a common hammer is in its unique design. This hammer is designed for roofing. Rather then using a smaller hammer, where the hammer swinger physically needs to drive the nail, the Estwing Shinglers hammer with its weighted milled head, and shorter handle, grips and sinks the nail itself. The design allows for more compact swings, which is needed on a steep roof where it’s very difficult to reach back and swing freely. The Estwing is an attractive piece, polished ,one piece all steel construction, with a shock absorbing blue nylon vinyl Grip grip, which is very comfortable and has an eyelet for a lanyard, which is not included. This is one hammer I would recommend to anyone who has to do a roofing job, even if you chose to go the Air Gun route, it’s good to have this as a backup for all the other things it does. ]]> Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:23:07 -0600