@Stallion I have a precision screwdriver set that's very similar to the one pictured, same case and all just a different extension and it was Home Depot's Husky brand...it's slightly better than say Harbor Freight quality but it's definitely not spectacular either...
@Stallion Looking at Amazon, their products all seem to have reasonably good reviews. That said, I can't find any place that sells these with reviews. For the price, I'm sure it's a good deal.
@Stallion Actually, I got Vermont American stubby spade bits, and they cut through the 60 year old joists in my garage like butter. Stayed sharp, too. This was after wearing out my DeWalt 1" spade.
@Stallion Vermont American tools used to be made in the US but in the last 10 years or so its mostly a good brand name stuck on chinese made cheap tools. They're adequate for light duty work.
@Stallion do you need to tighten the screws in your glasses? Once maybe? Then these are awesome. Do you have a family member who needs a set of micro-sized tools for everydday use because they are a superHaxer working for the NSA? Maybe not so much.
@pmulry Harbor Freight manufacturers haven't figured out how to heat-treat tools yet. Vermont Am. manufs have. I don't trust them for router bits and other high-speed stuff, but they are adequate for hand tools.
They're made of hardened chrome-vanadium steel. So, they're pretty solid. I'd definitely say they're above dollar store quality. Maybe lower-end home depot.
@Stallion I'm thinking, maybe better than dollar store quality, more like random drug store quality. These look like they belong in a $5 bin at Walgreens.
@studerc It says it comes with a really cool claw arm. So, probably not. But if you lose your baby arm, you have a really cool claw arm to replace it with.
@Moose I like knowing that you took the time and energy to take a 1-handed picture of yourself harassing him. All while controlling a long wonky thing. It communicates dedication to your craft.
@SSteve Reminds me of a co-worker who was looking at belts for her blind husband. She said it was perfect but he wouldn't like a brown belt, he only liked black belts. I said "He's blind...just tell him it's black!"
Hey, these heckalopters and drewscrivers are great and all, but could you sell me a Galaxy Note 4 at a substantial discount? It's all I want for Christmas (other than a PS4).
@JonT ... (and the audience went wild!!).. I also goofed up as my intention was to place a '?' after "link too long".. Ain't we a couple of pips.. Uh, know where I could buy a rad fork like that? Like to see it on a fuku.
Acceptable quality for the "upstairs tool drawer" (you know, that drawer where mysterious things appear and disappear).
And the price is good for this variety of tools, especially if you have VMP.
Would order a set for the gift closet if I hadn't cancelled VMP 35 minutes ago due to the renewal date coming up today. (Darnit meh, two days in a row with something I want at a nice price, but straddling my VMP renewal date. Yes, I am a cheap bastard.)
@frmorrison Too late for me, but that's good info, thx! So it appears we can order with VMP privileges on the same day as the renewal without getting tagged for the next $5...... But I feel a bit better with the news that I won an extra copter yesterday for exposing who runs meh. ;-)
@JonT Touche! (No idea what that means, but it always makes me sound smarter when I get something wrong). Do I sound smart despite only catching the baby arm for him? DO I??? ;)
@dfunk29 This is where I'd usually advise to tap the top of the screen, but no clue what type of phone you have and not sure if non-iOS devices do that.
Vermont American USED to be as good as DeWalt, etc, but they are ALL made in China now, and rarely stand up to abuse, but to compare ANY brand to Harbor Freight (the original disposable tools) is a REAL insult.
This is the kind of thing that you say, "who would buy that?", until you need one. For eight bucks on VMP, this could be the set you take to your buddy's house to help him with stuff, and if he steals your bits, no loss.,,
So I now have all my gifts for my in-laws covered with the under $5 limit. Six different gifts... A couple of them need the micro screw driver set to fix the things I made for them two years ago...
@jawe how did you know? That is exactly the model we use in our practice. Until your exposure, it was a deep, dark secret because patients are supposed to be out cold. - Dr. Peter Proctor.
You had me at "really cool claw arm, a totally awesome mirror on a stick, and a hella rad telescoping magnet thingy." Figured $8 was worth that since I got those sweet cables for free the other day.
Wife: What're doing? Me: Meh!, they have really cool tools this morning only 8 bucks! Wife: You already have too many tools! Me: But it such a deal, I'll get them as stocking stuffers Wife: You mean along with the ipod cables, docks, helicopters, batteries, water bottles? Me: Yeah! Wife: I think you have more than enough stocking stuffers - rolls eyes and leaves the room. Me: Click. heartfelt-sick-chin :)
A color study determined that chartreuse, which causes a higher number of optic neurons to fire than any other color, equally repels men and women. That must be why this photo is disturbing.
I already have a magnetic retrieval tool that's come in handy a few times. Nothing like dropping a bolt while working on your car and having it lodge in a space way too small to fit your hand in. Recommended purchase for just this reason. The mirror might actually come in really handy too. Just yesterday I was looking into changing the bulb in one of my fog lights. You can't see the tab that needs to be released without a mirror.
@Barney Dear Barney..my son asked what color to use on his Aztec drawing. I said yellow, for the sun. He said no. I said, blue for the water, green for he grass, etc. He said no. Finally, I told him to use purple because it was Barney's favorite color. His answer was "who's Barney?" sigh..thankfully that homework is now done.
Meh's on a role here the past three days. AA batteries to go into a helicopter remote control, and tools to fix the helicopter after 5 minutes of flight. Well done, Meh. Well done. I am waiting to see if this 6-degrees of Meh stream of consciousness continues tomorrow.
@Cinoclav going rogue is a distinct possibly. I've owned three similar choppers and the 2-3 gained awareness after 2 minutes and attacked (actually one lost a gear mid flight and one had a crazy gyro, but either way they were dangerous)
Anyone else's shipping taking forever on this one??? FedEx tracking says it shipped on the 16th but won't be delivered until the 24th. I think they must be walking it over.
@Spork@WINTERMUTE Same here, ordered 2, got one tracking number. But I got two boxes, each box had 2 of almost everything. I'm missing one spring clip from one precision screwdriver handle. Everything looks correct, but I haven't taken any of the other tools out.
@JonT Hey, I ordered 1 and got 2 boxes shipped also. I'll be happy to return the extra set if it is an error. Perhaps you could send a 65" LCD TV and I'll use the empty box to ship back the extra tools...
Got mine and the precision bits don't stick in the handle. Is this how it is supposed to work? I thought it should either be held by magnets or a bearing. Very difficult to use.
@tranmeh Conversely, you have to use another tool to pry the "precision" bits out of the carry case. New slogan "sticks in the case, not in the handle".
@Outofmymind@tranmeh The spring clip is missing from the handle in one of my sets. I tried a different set, that one has the spring, and thus holds the bit.
@Outofmymind I had left the precision tool set in my unheated garage. The plastic gets stiff when cold. At normal room temperature, the bits come out just fine. When cold: press on the tip of a bit to pop the butt end up so you can pull it out of the case.
Well i got mine but only got the bits and screwdriver, not the telescopic tools or mirror. The bits do not fit the angle attachment, and stripped immediately. First Sad meh. oh well, cheap tools is cheap
Specs
Condition: New
Warranty: 1 Year Vermont American
Estimated Delivery: 12/19 - 12/22
Shipping: $5 or free with VMP
What’s in the Box?
1x 23-Piece precision screwdriver set
1x 9-Piece interchangeable blade screwdriver set
1x 3-Piece retrieval set
Pictures
Stocking: stuffed
Precision box
Precision contents
Retrieval box
Retrieval contents
Interchangeable box
Interchangeable contents
More stocking
Inset photo from Tanya Hart used under Creative Commons License
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, July 13th - Thursday, July 16th
Only 2 more family members to get Christmas presents for! Thanks meh!:3 @barney likes purple
@Twiggy115 I love purple.
@mediocrebot - Hella Rad? OK who from meh is from the SFBA and is older than 30???
Not bad, but I'm not sure about the brand, is this dollar store quality?
@Stallion worse. Makes Harbor Freight look like Snap On.
@pmulry yuuuuuup!
@Stallion Thanks for asking. I don't know the 1st thing about tools other then I need to buy some for my house. Glad some meh'rs chimed in. Thx guys
@Stallion I have a precision screwdriver set that's very similar to the one pictured, same case and all just a different extension and it was Home Depot's Husky brand...it's slightly better than say Harbor Freight quality but it's definitely not spectacular either...
@pmulry so you're saying they're more like chopsticks?
@Stallion Looking at Amazon, their products all seem to have reasonably good reviews. That said, I can't find any place that sells these with reviews. For the price, I'm sure it's a good deal.
@Stallion Actually, I got Vermont American stubby spade bits, and they cut through the 60 year old joists in my garage like butter. Stayed sharp, too. This was after wearing out my DeWalt 1" spade.
@Stallion Vermont American tools used to be made in the US but in the last 10 years or so its mostly a good brand name stuck on chinese made cheap tools. They're adequate for light duty work.
Menard's sell this brand. The tool's will outlast me. Does that help you feel better?
@Stallion do you need to tighten the screws in your glasses? Once maybe? Then these are awesome. Do you have a family member who needs a set of micro-sized tools for everydday use because they are a superHaxer working for the NSA? Maybe not so much.
@Stallion The majority says these are on the lower end of the spectrum. I'll stick to Dewalt and other brands I've had good luck with.
@funco49 ... and how old are you?
@pmulry Harbor Freight manufacturers haven't figured out how to heat-treat tools yet. Vermont Am. manufs have. I don't trust them for router bits and other high-speed stuff, but they are adequate for hand tools.
They're made of hardened chrome-vanadium steel. So, they're pretty solid. I'd definitely say they're above dollar store quality. Maybe lower-end home depot.
@ianimal *h4x0r
@Stallion I'm thinking, maybe better than dollar store quality, more like random drug store quality. These look like they belong in a $5 bin at Walgreens.
Are these tools baby arm compatible? I mean, that's kinda the deal breaker here.
@studerc It says it comes with a really cool claw arm. So, probably not. But if you lose your baby arm, you have a really cool claw arm to replace it with.
@aWes0m3 Confirmed. I've been using it to harass @Hollboll by dropping things over the wall.
@aWes0m3 It's literally the bane of my existence.
@Moose
@hollboll take control.
@ChadP these things have a way of escalating. I this case the selection of projectiles will steadily become more distasteful.
@Moose I like knowing that you took the time and energy to take a 1-handed picture of yourself harassing him. All while controlling a long wonky thing. It communicates dedication to your craft.
Mehrica!
@somf69 No, Vermont Amehrica
@somf69
My dad's pretty far gone with Alzheimer's. I can just print out a picture of the tools and give him that. He won't know the difference.
My mom would pissed, though. On second thought, I think she'd get a good laugh out of it. Maybe I'll do it.
@SSteve Hang on! A mirror on a stick? My wife LOVES mirrors on sticks. Totally in for one.
@SSteve Reminds me of a co-worker who was looking at belts for her blind husband. She said it was perfect but he wouldn't like a brown belt, he only liked black belts. I said "He's blind...just tell him it's black!"
Finally something to screw
@jjohns71 Actually, something to screw with...
...dang, need a 24-inch magnetic pick-up tool.
"a total of 16 sizes/types of screwing action"
More tools!!! :)
Who's Billy?
@jsh139 I thought Billy was your dad's name. Why else would they be in his stocking?
@SSteve wanna know something weird? My Dad's name is Bill!
@jsh139 Of course. Why else would I think that?
@jsh139 Hi there, nice to meet you...
Dad?@BillLehecka
@jsh139 the stocking name is viewer-specific. Says "Bob" on my screen. Meh knows everything about you and your family.
I like the retriever thingies. I can use them while wearing my menacing-discordant-glove.
Hey, these heckalopters and drewscrivers are great and all, but could you sell me a Galaxy Note 4 at a substantial discount? It's all I want for Christmas (other than a PS4).
I'll just wait here...
@Mac454 [1]:
The mirror alone is worth the price so long as it doesn't break apart and create 7 years bad luck for the unfortunate holder (I like stretchy stuff).
@unkabob
@shawn I think @JonT found a photo URL that chokes the parser.
@SSteve .. Yeather.. Link too long.
@SSteve @unkabob yeah my internet went out last night when I was posting that and I never got a chance to see if it went through properly. Fixed now.
@JonT ... (and the audience went wild!!).. I also goofed up as my intention was to place a '?' after "link too long".. Ain't we a couple of pips.. Uh, know where I could buy a rad fork like that? Like to see it on a fuku.
@unkabob that we are, bob. That we are.
Geez, two days in a row. Can always use inexpensive tools. And cheap Xmas gifts. Meh.
Acceptable quality for the "upstairs tool drawer" (you know, that drawer where mysterious things appear and disappear).
And the price is good for this variety of tools, especially if you have VMP.
Would order a set for the gift closet if I hadn't cancelled VMP 35 minutes ago due to the renewal date coming up today. (Darnit meh, two days in a row with something I want at a nice price, but straddling my VMP renewal date. Yes, I am a cheap bastard.)
@RedOak I ordered this toolset and then canceled my VMP a minute later since Meh said it would renew today. I didn't get charged 5 bucks for VMP.
@frmorrison Too late for me, but that's good info, thx! So it appears we can order with VMP privileges on the same day as the renewal without getting tagged for the next $5...... But I feel a bit better with the news that I won an extra copter yesterday for exposing who runs meh. ;-)
Gift for mom tomorrow please!!!
polite-unforgiving-swing
Sounds like meh knows what my wife is gonna do once she knows I ordered more crap from meh.
@DoorMatt she'll become a swinger? that's pretty drastic for $8. But fun.
@eblade I was thinking more like this:
(If this doesn't show up as an image my HTML game is really weak.)
Does not come with stocking? Meh.
No super zoom beta. No baby arm. Double meh.
@heartny there was a baby arm. Last picture.
@heartny @PilotJim There's totally both!
Muahahaha! @snapster gives us crazy benefits.
@JonT Touche! (No idea what that means, but it always makes me sound smarter when I get something wrong). Do I sound smart despite only catching the baby arm for him? DO I??? ;)
@JonT I was wondering what happened today.
Nifty gifty. Can I hear an ahmehn?
@kilmuir AH-MEH-UN!
Hmm. $8 for a magnetic retrieval tool, and a bunch of other misc pieces of some kind of metal. I think I'll get one.
I already own the 23 piece component listed in the combo. And yet I've ordered. Apparently (unbeknownst to me) am a father.
Can we get a "Back to Top" link please? Trying to scroll back up on my phone is a hot meh-ss
@dfunk29 This is where I'd usually advise to tap the top of the screen, but no clue what type of phone you have and not sure if non-iOS devices do that.
@username ... Who's nuts..?
order number google image search. "insects" was one of the words
@username Are those bugs or nuts? [ed] Ohp.. should've read the replies first :D
@Chops That is 100% insects. There is speculation that due to the damage caused raising so many cows that we will be forced to eat these.
@frmorrison I'm not worried. It'll be our grandchildren eating bugs, not us.
In for one, the flex extension sold me.
How bad can they be?
Vermont American USED to be as good as DeWalt, etc, but they are ALL made in China now, and rarely stand up to abuse, but to compare ANY brand to Harbor Freight (the original disposable tools) is a REAL insult.
This is the kind of thing that you say, "who would buy that?", until you need one. For eight bucks on VMP, this could be the set you take to your buddy's house to help him with stuff, and if he steals your bits, no loss.,,
@comics360 Sorry. I read that as "steals your bitch, no loss".
@comics360 Not that I think there's anything wrong with stuff made in China/Mexico, but DeWalt moved all manufacturing to China and Mexico in 2002.
@comics360 I'll agree with the last phrase of your first paragraph. "Harbor Freight" should not be mentioned in polite company.
@lumpthar He can have her too. Good luck to him.
@comics360 Harbor Freight tools are way better than AutoZone.
For $8, I'm sure I can find some space in my garage where these can sit and never be used. Thanks Meh!
So I now have all my gifts for my in-laws covered with the under $5 limit. Six different gifts... A couple of them need the micro screw driver set to fix the things I made for them two years ago...
This reminds me I need to schedule a colonoscopy...or diy, I guess.
@mehvermore http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-67979.html
@jawe how did you know? That is exactly the model we use in our practice. Until your exposure, it was a deep, dark secret because patients are supposed to be out cold. - Dr. Peter Proctor.
@RedOak and his assistant, Dick.
My dad has plenty of duct tape, so meh.
You had me at "really cool claw arm, a totally awesome mirror on a stick, and a hella rad telescoping magnet thingy." Figured $8 was worth that since I got those sweet cables for free the other day.
@wilstev The jury is still out on how sweet those cables really are. I am imagining a miniature hockey game.
Wife: What're doing?
Me: Meh!, they have really cool tools this morning only 8 bucks!
Wife: You already have too many tools!
Me: But it such a deal, I'll get them as stocking stuffers
Wife: You mean along with the ipod cables, docks, helicopters, batteries, water bottles?
Me: Yeah!
Wife: I think you have more than enough stocking stuffers - rolls eyes and leaves the room.
Me: Click. heartfelt-sick-chin :)
@kamajo a classic tale as old as time
@JonT I left out the part where she said 'you need help.'
So far, Wyoming is saying "meh" to the meh deal from Vermont American. Maybe Wyomingists don't like Vermontanians?
@lumpthar Vermonters.
Facetious-circular-elf, yeah.
A color study determined that chartreuse, which causes a higher number of optic neurons to fire than any other color, equally repels men and women. That must be why this photo is disturbing.
@gregormehndel P.S. being a Vermonter, I had to buy these. VT American used to be top quality in the good ol' days.
@gregormehndel Yeah, it's the color that's off-putting.
@gregormehndel tired-beastly-balloon
I like purple.
Not gonna buy this, absolutely not...crap! Well, I guess I could use a set of these at work.
Daily Steals has the 9 piece one for $10 http://www.dailysteals.com/p/40102/Vermont-American-9-Piece-Interchangeable-Blade-Screwdriver-Set
@chellemonkey Wow, that makes this an even better deal then!
Does bad white-guy Blues include Derek and the Dominoes? (If so, where can meet to throw down?)
I just bought two of these one for at home and one to give the postal man instead of a giftcard. At $8 seems like the perfect gift.
A question though. Who's Billy? Is that the same guy in "Midnight Express?" (Missing the good part obviously but back in the day this is all we had..)
I already have a magnetic retrieval tool that's come in handy a few times. Nothing like dropping a bolt while working on your car and having it lodge in a space way too small to fit your hand in. Recommended purchase for just this reason. The mirror might actually come in really handy too. Just yesterday I was looking into changing the bulb in one of my fog lights. You can't see the tab that needs to be released without a mirror.
Took me 33 minutes to get confirmation of the order for some reason but this dizzy-strange-koala is strangely happy.
Any Idea if we get the "Billy" knit stocking? Kinda a deal breaker for me if not...
I can barely see the price. My eyes burn.
Plus side: Not a speaker Dock!
No Georgia Red. . . for that alone, meh.
nice color scheme though.
I love purple.
@jrwofuga That's my boy!
@Barney Dear Barney..my son asked what color to use on his Aztec drawing. I said yellow, for the sun. He said no. I said, blue for the water, green for he grass, etc. He said no. Finally, I told him to use purple because it was Barney's favorite color. His answer was "who's Barney?" sigh..thankfully that homework is now done.
@mikibell Aww.... I love purple!
Meh's on a role here the past three days. AA batteries to go into a helicopter remote control, and tools to fix the helicopter after 5 minutes of flight. Well done, Meh. Well done. I am waiting to see if this 6-degrees of Meh stream of consciousness continues tomorrow.
@revoke Going to be a first aid kit to patch yourself up after your helicopter goes rogue.
@Cinoclav going rogue is a distinct possibly. I've owned three similar choppers and the 2-3 gained awareness after 2 minutes and attacked (actually one lost a gear mid flight and one had a crazy gyro, but either way they were dangerous)
@revoke Oh, my comment definitely wasn't said in jest. ;) Btw, I have 3 coming myself. We'll start a thread to post about our injuries.
I got some Skil brand tool sets that were made by the same manufacturer from Woot a while back.
Anyone else's shipping taking forever on this one??? FedEx tracking says it shipped on the 16th but won't be delivered until the 24th. I think they must be walking it over.
@flame7369 That's SmartPost for you. Could be there in a few days, or in at least one case for me, a month.
Got mine today, I ordered 2 sets and they sent me 4... I kinda doubt these are worth the shipping ? Thanks for the double amount of crappy tools meh.
@Spork I ordered 1 and got 2 in 2 boxes. Did you get 2 or 4 boxes?
@WINTERMUTE got 2, got 4 of everything.
@Spork Mine came in today, same situation.
@Spork @WINTERMUTE Same here, ordered 2, got one tracking number. But I got two boxes, each box had 2 of almost everything. I'm missing one spring clip from one precision screwdriver handle. Everything looks correct, but I haven't taken any of the other tools out.
@hamjudo My son ordered one set, got one set. Also the above should say "Everything else looks correct, ".
@Spork @WINTERMUTE @hijakk @hamjudo well...our bad! Enjoy those extras on us, maybe they can stuff some stockings.
@JonT Hey, I ordered 1 and got 2 boxes shipped also. I'll be happy to return the extra set if it is an error. Perhaps you could send a 65" LCD TV and I'll use the empty box to ship back the extra tools...
Got mine and the precision bits don't stick in the handle. Is this how it is supposed to work? I thought it should either be held by magnets or a bearing. Very difficult to use.
@tranmeh Conversely, you have to use another tool to pry the "precision" bits out of the carry case. New slogan "sticks in the case, not in the handle".
@hamjudo Hmm I am able to pull mine out of the case fine. Also use force to push bit into handle to lock it. Handle holds the bits just fine as well.
@Outofmymind @tranmeh The spring clip is missing from the handle in one of my sets. I tried a different set, that one has the spring, and thus holds the bit.
@Outofmymind I had left the precision tool set in my unheated garage. The plastic gets stiff when cold. At normal room temperature, the bits come out just fine. When cold: press on the tip of a bit to pop the butt end up so you can pull it out of the case.
Well i got mine but only got the bits and screwdriver, not the telescopic tools or mirror. The bits do not fit the angle attachment, and stripped immediately. First Sad meh. oh well, cheap tools is cheap
Wasn't this supposed to be guaranteed to arrive before Christmas? My expected arrival date is the 26th.
@Techrocket9 I don't think there was ever a guarantee, just an estimated time.
Estimated Delivery: 12/19 - 12/22