princess auto tools that dont suck

[deereman75]

Well the harbor freight tools that dont suck thread has been very active, but I was thinking us canucks could use a thread about our cheep chinese tools store. Ill start it off with one to stay away from. A few years back, they had a battery charger on a limited time offer for like $19. I used it a few times, then I checked the output, and it was 2 volts.....

 

[slowzuki]

I bought a porta -power set there, the seals in the pump died in no time, haven't been able to get a seal kit yet.

Had good luck with the ball joint press, brass hammer, dead blow hammer, vernier caliper, and a few other things.

 

[D7E]

We buy almost everything there , can't really fault any of their tools . Only thing is a lot of their stuff is'nt cheap any more and often matches some name brand for price .
Even started using them for hydralic hoses/motors etc but staff have no idea at all !

 

[Harvey9]

I bought a "Power Fist" chop saw and nailer, both lasted no time, some of the other tools have held up. They have a good return policy, if it breaks they'll take it back.

 

[kiotiken]

I'll be relying on one of their water pumps this winter for my backyard rink. My neighbour lent me a nice little Honda pump last year, but I couldn't swallow the $600 to buy my own. I'm a little nervous of the cheap Honda knock off engine they use as well as the quality of the pump, but for less than $200, I'm rolling the dice.
The 200 ft of hose I bought last year was more like a soaker hose, it shot water 10ft into the air in a fine mist the entire length of the hose. I probably lost 10 - 15% of the water between the pump and the rink. I had to wear a full rain suit, water proof work gloves and rubber boots to flood the rink on -30 degree nights!

 

[Farmerford]

Kiotiken:

The mental image of your experience is hilarious (to me at least; probably not to you, unless the absurdity of it raised a chuckle)!

 

[kiotiken]

Kiotiken:

The mental image of your experience is hilarious (to me at least; probably not to you, unless the absurdity of it raised a chuckle)!

No, no, it was funny to me too. The only part that wasn't was the spills I'd take trying to run back to turn the pump off after the soaker hose had made a giant ice slide all the way back to the stream!

 

[Egon]

As stated by D7E their prices may be compatible with other brands.

Trailer items seem reasonable and good selection.

There is some cheap stuff but I'd only buy for ocasional use.

All in all a nice place to shop because of all the little gismos.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[kevinwak]

Tie down straps and trailering supplies are as good or better than anywhere. Huge hydraulic selection.

 

[whiskywizard]

Tie down straps and trailering supplies are as good or better than anywhere.

Yes - and much cheaper than Crappy Tire or auto parts jobber.

 

[whiskywizard]

I will sometimes buy a Powerfist portable power tool knowing that it won't last. A recent example - I had to scabble down a concrete threshold at a doorway. Rather than ruin a good grinder I bought a Powerfist grinder. I think it was $30. It finished the job (just) and now owes me nothing.

 

[NormL]

I once tried a cordless drill from PA - and could not get it back to the store fast enough :laughing::laughing:. BUT; I have a Powerfist half inch impact tool that won't quit. Recently it seemed to be losing power and it was making a strange whistling sound in reverse - with all the other noises in the shop, my old ears were not picking up on the air leaks. It turned out that an odd looking little bolt I had seen lying on the bench belonged on the back end cap and the rest were loose. I put it back in, tightened the rest, and WOW!:thumbsup::thumbsup: It's working like new again

 

[canoetrpr]

I've got tons of stuff from there that has done me well. I find their 'almost rubber' air hose really good. Don't know what it is called but it starts with a K I think. It feels like rubber to me but it is some blend. It does not seem to kink and holds up well in the cold.

Automatic, wall mounted hose reel. Love it. Came with a rubber hose actually. Rubber hose didn't last more than 2 years but the reel is great.

I have a 1/2" air powered impact wrench from them. One of the better ones they had that came on sale. Made in Taiwan. When I buy power tools from them I try to find the ones made in Taiwan rather than China.

Impact wrench socket set. Very nice.

Bought a set of the large wrenches 1 1/8" and up. They have been great! They are no comparison to large wrenches from Crappy Tire - the Chrome Vanadium steel stuff but for the number of times I use them a year, they were perfect - for 55 dollars for the set.

Misc other air tools - guage and filler etc. Name brand air couplers. Can't complain.

Fill-Rite hand pump for the diesel tank and filters. Good stuff.

Auto darkening welding helmet. Welding gloves - very good.

Power Fist small band saw. Pretty crappy but it does cut steel when it works and when it does cut it cuts well. Breaks a lot of blades though.

I tend to stick to the name brand stuff they carry. I buy Power Fist from time to time when an alternative does not exist.

 

[Mike476]

I've had pretty good luck with their products. LED perimeter trailer lights, auto darkening welding helmet, LE mig wire when on sale, drill press vice, various hydraulic and pneumatic adapters. Nearerst is 100 kms from me so I don't get there that often.

 

[colinc]

I've been pretty happy with Princess Auto stuff over the years. Some stuff has been junk, but most of it has worked out quite well for me. Sockets, hand tools, air tools, grinding wheels, welding supplies, trailer parts, etc. Lately I've been finding their prices aren't as good as they once were, especially items that aren't on sale. However, I always enjoy wandering up and down the aisles and looking at all the wonderful things.

Crappy tire, on the other hand, has p'd me off one time too many, and I never go there unless I absolutely have to.

PS- Hello to the NS folks in this thread!

 

[MoKelly]

Princess Auto? Now there is a name I wouldn't have thought would fly for an auto parts store. Maybe abar, but not an auto parts store.

MoKelly

 

[deereman75]

one thing I got there that I love is the old giant screw driver. A few years ago they were $6 and about 24" long, now they are $14, and 18" long. Not that a good a buy anymore, but I use mine alot as a crowbar.

 

[Scooby074]

Anything they make in house is good

Hydraulic cylinders. Compressors.

Their powerfist sockets arent that bad. Not a fan of their box end or adjustable wrenches

Their ratchet straps are mostly canadian (erickson). Theyre good.

Milton stuff is good.

Channelock stuff is good.

Rubber bungies are canadian (snappy hookers) and are good.

Theyre not a bad source for nuts/bolts either

 

[NormL]

Princess Auto? Now there is a name I wouldn't have thought would fly for an auto parts store. Maybe abar, but not an auto parts store.

MoKelly

I would not want to claim it as "gospel" but it may have something to do with the location of the first store so many moons ago. If that's the case then it could have been on Princess Street in Winnipeg but that's just a long shot guess on my part.:laughing:

 

[colinc]

Princess Auto? Now there is a name I wouldn't have thought would fly for an auto parts store. Maybe abar, but not an auto parts store.

I do believe they are so named because their first store was on Princess Street in Winnipeg. Funnily enough, they don't really sell many auto parts.