"... I do buy from him but only with the caveat that "you bought it you got it ..."

It was just the lower pricng that you mentioned that interested me. I figure if I was buying it anyway, why not the best deal possible.


"... Well, if what you are telling me about Snappy tools is true I may have to do some serious re-evaluation on Snap-On Tools. The loop holes that exist are funny and pathetic all in one ..."

Go to www.ftc.gov and follow up the consumer "Made in USA" links, and it spells it all out clearly. Its not the labeling that concerns me, its the loss of the quality and design that is more of a problem. My Snappy friend told me that we might end up with all tools being made in China and having to choose among that stuff. But although that might be true for consumers, it is hard to believe that the engineers and machinist unions will tolerate that for the pros. Hard to say what will be.

I did some research since my last post. I think the STAHLWILLE guy was using the facts to slant the truth. I did read about the plants closing myself but I'm not sure what all that means. I did also hear from other sources inside Snappy about the Snappy China plant. I do know that our flank drive plus wrenches have thicker box ends than what Snappy made in the 70's; and the box end is no longer forged into shape but rather bent to the 15 degree angle.

Just find an original oex or oexm wrench and you will see what I mean. Engineer/Machinists tell me that mfrs do those two things when they are trying to cut costs and are usign cheaper and weaker steel. At one time Snappy was the only company that forged the box end, and that made the Snappy stuff special. The walls were the thinnest in the industry too, and that made'em special. I think they are still US made, but my friend at Snappy told me that Snappy made a big mistake selling their old tooling to China mfrs when they went computerized and retooled (then the Snappy wrench design changed).

But the "USA" letters on the wrenches, etc., still means it is an express claim of a US made product. It does not need to say Made in USA, as the Stahlwille rep tried to tell me - so, that was BS either deliberate or from ignorance. I resent that kind of sales tactic. I might report that to Stahlwille. One of the Stahlwille salesman also tried to tell me that the Danaher Tool Group owned Snap-on, which is utter nonsense. Im not sure which lie I resent the most.


... you might want to start with a decent mig welder ... but you will not be welding any hinges and things back on with a torch.

What about using a torch with micro tips? I know Smith make micro sets.


... For a little more money you can get a better welder, one that is made for the industry not the weekend warrior consumer stuff.

Are you referring to a welder with 100% duty cycle? If not, how much duty cycle do you recommend?


Is it necessary to pursue spot welding and tack welding equipment also, or can I do it all with the MIG and OXY equipment?

How do you rate the brands: Smith, Harris, Victor; Lincoln, Hobart, Oxy-Weld, others?


diyer