Tool Suppliers 6

[StevieTT]

Hi everyone.

I have just started a new job as Chief Electrician on a tender barge which is presently in the shippyard being refitted.

One of my many tasks is to order complete workshop tools, individual toolkits, power tools and test equipment.

Are there any companies that will supply complete packages? I want to order quality tools which will last the test of time.

I feel like a kid that has been let loose in a sweet shop.:-D

 

[rawelk]

Jensen was always the gold standard. It looks like they've been bought up by Stanley. Don't know about power tools.

http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/category.aspx?id=348

I'm sure there must be other organizations out there that go the whole nine yards ...

 

[wbd]

For my shop, we have standardized on Armstrong for the hand tools (lifetime warranty, Milwaukee for power tools and generally stick with Fluke for electrical test equipment.

 

[catserveng]

When we outfit a power plant or project, we usually use our Graingers branch, they can take care of a pretty wide range, and offer ongoing support for warranty. They will also group and drop ship to a branch saving on freight.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml

Smaller tools groups for electrical tools we use Specialized, they make up groups for electricians, electronics, telecom, and insulated.

http://www.specialized.net/

 

[nmark]

I have used the following website for all my wiha and knipex tools.

http://chadstoolbox.com/

Fluke makes a great Digital volt meter for general troubleshooting ,checking fuses and current less than 100 amps.

http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fluke++T5.htm

I love Wiha hand tools in my humble opinion there is none better.

 

[itsmoked]

Where the heck did my first post go?

Again I suggest Sears. They won't have everything but the typical hand tools and toolboxes are excellent, a good value. Lifetime warranty with no questions asked replacement. They have whole selections as packaged deals.

There are thousands of stores that you can get replacements at.

You won't want the electrical stuff from them but the wrenching stuff is great.

Another thing you need to consider is locking up your tools effectively.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[HCBFlash]

Jensen was always a solid supplier for the best stuff. Grainger has an excellent selection of tools as well. Don't mess with Sears power tools, electronics or test equipment. I hate to say it, but Snap-On is possibly the best, but their prices are insane.

You cannot go wrong with Klein and Fluke. Use their catalogs to make up your lists, then order from whomever.

DeWalt is presently the best for power tools, especially their cordless stuff. You may get some "yeah-but"s but I myself have never had a bad experience with a DeWalt tool, and I've seen and been around hundreds of them in use by real pros in every imaginable environment (including marine).

 

[itsmoked]

Hmmm Dewalt.. Gotta disagree on that point.

Used to be some of the best! Then they went over to the darkside.. Chinese/cheap. Now I regret the Dewalt I purchased.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[rawelk]

itsmoked, I'm wondering where you purchased the crappy Dewalt tool?

I was sitting in on a bull session a couple of months back, so this is the very essence of apocryphal information, but several of our techs commented that Dewalt, and other power tools they've purchased from 'home improvement' superstores don't seem to hold up nearly as well as when purchased from industrial supply houses.

Don't know where we get ours from (probably MSC), but, if a thing can be broken we will break it, and the Dewalt stuff we have is holding up remarkably well.

 

[itsmoked]

I picked it up at the local contractor store. I got a corded sheetrock screw driver. It flat failed to work as advertised. It did not even 'sort-of' work! I now use it to keep my sack of snow chains up off the floor...

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[HCBFlash]

Sounds too late to bring it back. I can't tell you (wont admit to) how many sheetrockers I've been around with nothing but the yellow DeWalts in sight.

DeWalt rules in the cordless department, Milwaukee really dropped the ball on cordless 15 years ago, and still hasn't quite caught up, so sorry to say, because I'm still a major fan of theirs. Their corded tools are excellent (if you don't mind their weight).