Hand Tool Reviews

But considering the price, close enough! I'd struggled and cussed and pulled my hair out w/ the run-of-the-mill combo squares I'd picked up at the local hardware stores or big box stores. I was not in a position to sink the $$$ for a complete set of Starrett squares, but was getting desperate. Some folks online pointed me to a tool review in Fine Woodworking Magazine, and while the Stanley yellow 'contractor' squares were not perhaps the absolute best, they were better than most anything w/i 3 times the price. One woodworking school specified these squares if the student didn't already have something better (Starret, Mitutuoyo, Brown & Sharpe). I went from store to store, and the only model I could find locally was the 16". Turned out to be a bit bigger than I really wanted, but it works very nicely. Blade stays set when I tighten down the knob, no wiggling back and forth, nicely readable etched, not stamped blade. Had to do a minor tune-up w/ a small file on the nibs in where the blade runs to true it up, but after that, it seems to hold and stay square no matter what the use. For under $20, I'd say it's a great deal.

Never thought I could be so enthused about something so basic. But after years with a 12" plain metal blade, a 16" black blade with yellow fill is like a whole different tool. No glare in the sun or bright light. Much, much, much easier to read in any condition.

I liked this hammer alot. I think that is well balanced and very durable. I have had it for a few years now and have not needed to replace it or wanted to replace it. It is very good for all aplications. It is a nice hammer to have in your toolbox for all of the general hammering needs.

This is the hammer I own. If it would have been left to me, I probably would have just bought a $6.97 hammer with a plain old wooden handle from Wal-Mart. Instead, my dad bought me this fancypants hammer for a present. Well, as the other reviewer suggested, you can hammer stuff with it. And it works well for all "general hammering needs." Like.....such diverse "hammering needs" as 'hammering big nails,' and 'hammering small nails.' It works just fine for that.

The rubber handle means it won't slip out of your hands as easily as wood.

Also, it's yellow, so if you throw it at an animal that's running through tall grass, it's way easier to find than if it were just brown.

I've hammered lots of nails with this hammer, and it just keeps hammering.

-m

I've had this hammer for a few years now and I like it quite a bit.Knowing this is a light duty finish tool,I've put it through some serious pounding and pulling.my torture test didn't loosen the head or break the handle.It passed with flying colors.The black finish has worn off over the years but thats no big deal after all it is a hammer.the price is very good. Well worth the money.In my opinion this hammer is tool box worthy. Now get out and pound something.

.... I think that this particular hammer is the best of its kind. The head is made of stainless steel and the wooden handle is durable and easy to hold. ....

(...). Thing is, while I use hammers frequently, I don't do it for a job 40+ hours a week.

Which brings us to this hammer... is it my favorite hammer... no, do I grab it first, no, does it even get the honored spot of being in my tool belt most of the time? Again, no. That said, will it drive nails and nail sets and pound on my wrecking bars without putting nice waffle prints everywhere? Most definately. Is there something to the anti-vibe magic? I think so. I don't think it's as good at dampening the vibration as a nice hickory handle, but it's better than most hammers with steel or fiberglass handles. And will it hold up better? Especially if you aren't the most experienced at hitting what you are aiming at? Most definitely.

Conlusion if you need a hammer that doesn't make waffles this should be one of your candidates.

excellent hammer and very comfortable to handle. the best
hammer I own so far. A must for every toolbox!

Excellent tool, really more of a mallet than a hammer. The dead-blow characteristic provides great control.

Stanley does make dead-blow ball pein hammers but they're very hard to find.

And yes, we can get them here in California. (you don't even have to order avocado with it, dude ;-)

I've had one of these for several years and they are indispensable when assembling tight joints. I use a pounding block in most cases, but if your not pounding too hard and it is hardwood, you won't leave any marks. I have used it on metal projects too, but I always use a wood block to protect the plastic hammer.

There is loose shot in oil in the head which hits the hammer just after the hammer hits the work, offsetting the reaction. The dead blow action keeps the hammer from bouncing, which makes it alot easier on your wrist. You get more movement from a lighter blow with this hammer, as the hammer tends to follow the workpiece's direction of travel. A great tool, but I hear you can't buy one in California. (Hammer Control?)

Stanley has a very workable multifunction tool here, I expect several years of moderate service but it lacks the fine attention to detail you see in more expensive lines, so I doubt my son will inherit it in working condition. Still, for prices as low as $7 at my local Menards, it is tough to beat the versatility and convenience, the larger handle gives greater torque and the bits can easily be replaced as they wear.

The handle is very soft & the ratchet system make driving screws a snap. Takes half the time & half the effort. I bought this for my wife to make it easier for her & I use it more than her. Great choice of screw heads included.

I picked up the 96 peice set awhile ago. I feel that it is a perfect kit for around the home, under the car or for fixing little Johnny's bike. I can't understand why some folks seem to want to bash the Stanley line of Pro. Mechanic's tools. Stanley offers a nice basic kit for the average folk. If I were a mechanic I'd probably own Snap-On (or something of similar caliber), but I'd still have one of these sets around for the heck of it.

I like the blow molded case where all my sockets sit rightfuly in their place. Some can be a bit stubborn to remove(That's where Mr. screwdriver comes in). The sockets themselves are hardened using Cr-V (Crome Vandium) and are 12 points. The longer 3/8 sockets come in 6pts which is nice as do the 1/4in sockets.

The 1/4 & 3/8 ratchets provided are highly polished and have a fine machined quality to them. They also seem to have a higher tooth count, maybe 40, definitely not 36)
I would rate them much higher than the standard and mid-level Craftsman ratchets(but the thin profile Craftman are still much better). Also, the Stanley ratchets fit and feel very good in my hand and have a good weight to them. It's a joy using them.

This set also includes 2 open end wrenches (7/16-3/8 & 9/16-1/2) also highly polished and very strong. Two 3in. extensions are provided for each ratchet, as well as a nice screwdriver with 8 interchangable tips (Phillips and Slotted). A 5/8in spark plug socket is included for those shade-tree mechanics, as is a 9 piece SAE hex key set.

For whom it may matter to. This Stanley mechanic's set is made in Taiwan (but built to Stanley's specifications). If this is not a problem, then you have a good set of tools at your disposal.

Stanley also extends a Lifetime Warranty on their tools (as long as you know that it's a ratchet and not a chisel or hammer). All you need do is send them the defected part and they mail you back a new one. If that is too much, then you can just go to Sears (freedom of choice is a wonderful thing).

(btw- for those who might not have known. Stanley used to make ratchets for Sears Craftsman line when they were considered good)

I found the mechanic tool set to work excellent for the auto mechanic projects that I performed ( I am the furthest thing from a professional mechanic ). I probably wouldn't advise a professional mechanic to purchase this set but I'm sure they wouldn't anyway. The tool set is well made and very sturdy. The only gripe I have is that one of the locking tabs on the case broke the first time I closed it so now the case has only one locking tab ( something Stanley may want to fix it the future ). I give it five stars because for the price it's an excellent buy.

Hand tools are very sturdy and excellent; however, the large tools are basically useless. You still will need to purchase a full sized shovel and perhaps also a hoe, depending upon your needs.

This is a cost effective way to have a great set of starter garden tools or to begin your collection of Wolf-Garten tools. While they may seem expensive, the quality made the initial expense worthwhile for me (with one exception: the grass rake isn't that great).

The Wolf-Garten system allows easy and quick interchange between various handles of different lengths and a variety of quality tool heads which are well made and durable. The handles are comfortable, have no-slip grips, and an easily pushed button to add and remove heads; the place where handle and head join is very strong. They appear to stand up very well to our soggy, salty, Pacific Northwest coast weather and I have yet to see any indication of rust on any of the tools. I own more than 10 of the various tool heads and several handles, and plan to buy several more tool heads from this line. An additional benefit is that tools generally not available in a long-handled form can be used while standing which is very helpful when one can't kneel. Different sizes of rakes, cultivators, and weeders are available making it possible to have a specialized tool for each garden job.

I highly recommend these tools for the avid gardener.

My main reason for purchasing Scotts Push Reel mower was environmental. Gas mowers are among the dirtiest of modern machines. A study funded by the Swedish E.P.A. found that using a four-horsepower mower for an hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a car 93 miles. Gas mowers not only emit a disproportionate amount of CO2, they are also responsible for releasing carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into the air.

I've been satisied with the results I've had using my new mower. The only issue I had with it is that the screws provided, which I feel are too short, fell out after the first use. I went to Home Depot and bought longer screws, used them with the nuts provided and that has worked well for me.

I'm saving money by mowing the lawn myself rather than paying the gardener to do it plus I get a sense of satisfaction knowing this is better for the environment.

First I have to warn that I use it on a small patch in my back yard that does not have great grass. I think it would work better if the grass was fuller. But it does a good job with a couple of extra passes, and is perfect for small areas.

I hate mowing the grass with a passion. It is difficult work and I am lazy. Ever since I got this little mower, I just can't stop. Mowing is a breeze with this little mower on St. Augustine grass. Of course, the thicker the turf and tougher the push. (same goes for regular lawn mowers, so what is the difference) It can miss a couple of spots, where then you just need to go over them again, but that is no big deal. This mower will not create lines on your lawn like a gas mower does. So it really does not matter if you are going in rows, sideways or circles. Its like a bunch of scissors cutting your grass.

I don't suggest this mower for BAHIA grass. My mom has a couple of patches of Bahia in her back yard and it can be quite a fight. Bahia is that thin and nasty grass that grows those extra long seed heads the shape of a V. Regular lawns mower do not make it any easier though.

The advantages of little mower is that it is lightweight. It also does not create dust storms, nor will crack your windows with flying rocks. You also do not have to curse the world when you realize that you have an empty gas container and have to make a special trip to the gas station for a three dollar gallon of gas.

the drill fits but hangs up when you go to remove it from the hook. I had this first and it was ok. But then I got the big lugg bunge...much better easier to use all aroung a better solution.

IT WORKS PRETTY WELL WITH A BIG GUN. IT WORKS VERY WELL WITH A SMALL GUN. MY COIL NAILER IS A LITTLE HARD TO GET OFF AND IT BENT THE BELT CLIP A COUPLE OF TIMES.

An excellent addition to my tool belt. Incredibly handy, way less cumbersome than drill "holsters". I like that I can pop it off and move it to another belt with ease. Can't wait for the Big Lugg 2....