“Pick and hook” or “pick and probe” sets maybe aren’t something you use every day, but they’re still good to have around.
Sure, you could try to improvise if the need for a pick or probe comes up and you don’t have one, but doing so comes with the risk you will damage what you are working on – or worse, injure yourself.
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It’s always a good idea to use the correct tool for the job, but this is one type of tool you want to have at your disposal when you need it.
Milwaukee says that other hook and pick sets “often fail to withstand regular use.” I have certainly experienced that with a cheap set.
They say that their new hooks and picks are up to 50% more durable than other leading hook & pick sets.
The hooks and picks in their new set have an all-metal core, to help prevent the shanks from being pulled out of the handle.
The handle features what looks like an over-molded “comfort” grip. The shank is chrome plated to prevent corrosion and abrasion, and also looks to have knurling so you can grip the shaft closer to the end for more precise work.
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The Milwaukee 4 piece hook and pick set ships in a plastic tray that can be used for keeping the set corralled in your toolbox. The set will be available starting June 2017. When it’s released, it will retail for $17 and will have a lifetime guarantee.
Price: $17
Launched: June 2017
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
Compare(Similarly priced Mayhew mini hook & pick set via Amazon)
See Also(Ullman Sets via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Prior to eventually picking up a pick and hook set, whenever I had to remove a bearing race, gasket, or O-ring, I’d use a knife blade, usually an X-Acto #11. Surprisingly I’ve never hurt myself this way even after cleaning hundreds of Rollerblade bearings.
A few Christmases ago I picked up a Husky Pick and Probe sets from one of the “special buy” displays. The first time I used one of the picks, I bent the end. I didn’t think I was using it inappropriately, but it bent like it was made from a paperclip. Despite their poor quality, they still can get the job done and are safer than a knife blade.
Because of this, I have an interest in seeing just how tough this pick and probe set from Milwaukee is. I’m hoping for a lot better quality from Milwaukee, but I guess it’s maybe not fair to compare what I bought to a set that costs 3X more.
Stuart’s Note: I like Ullman picks and probes
I like the fact that it comes in a plastic storage tray. While it looks like it’s just a cheap plastic tray of the kind used in packaging, I’ve found these tray are about the most space-efficient ways to organize screwdriver-like tools in a drawer — I can’t get anywhere near the same storage density using Kaizen Foam.
fred
My last comment seems not to have taken.
I said I like the Ullman SW-10 – $4.29 at Zoro
about $6 more at Amazon with “free” shipping
I said that Mayhew used to make the ones sold under the Craftsman name
I suggested that if you want insulated ones that Salibury (a Honeywell Co.) has a set #S3042996 – but that a nylon spudger might do – and cost you a lot less.
Scott K
I think I picked up the same Husky set (with 2 tweezers) for somewhere around $6. I’ve used them for the past year or so and have been pleased. I especially like that the end caps spin like some precision drivers.
fred
What I don’t like about some brands is that the handles are a bit wimpy. These look good. Another peeve is that some have tips that seem are not fine enough for some tasks.
One unconventional thing that I use the Ullman SW-10 for is pulling sticky screen windows into place on Anderson windows. I find that with age, bending, perhaps a bit of atmospheric residue our oxidation – some screens become hard to seat in their channel. The little loop provided at the bottom of the screen is not strong enough to provide the needed pulling power. But the point of the SW-10 can slip into a screen hole at the side of the screen and the flat hook used to pull on the frame to seat it.
Adam
COO?
Toolfreak
Probably China. Maybe Taiwan. But most likely China.
fred
Since it is not on the shelves yet – I haven’t see its package to check on the Milwaukee set
.
Ullman items are still mostly made in Connecticut – but I’ve seen that some of their newer lights and lighted mirrors are being made in China. As an example, Grainger/Zoro says that the COO for the Ullman SW-10 that I use is USA – But the Ullman RT-48LT light is listed on Grainger as having China as its COO
The insulated picks by Salisbury Electric Tools are made in the USA
Toolfreak
Some of the more plasticy/gimmicky tools offered by Ullman might just be rebranded stuff from China or things they just don’t have the machines to make themselves, but everything I have from Ullman says “Made in USA” on the package, from lighted mirrors to magnetic pick-up tools.
Pretty much anything they make that Sears rebrands and sells as a Craftsman product is USA made, at least for now.
Toolfreak
Looks like a decent set, but the pics make it look like the chromed tips are slightly rounded rather than being sharp and pointy. While slightly rounded tips may have their place to avoid damage like poking holes, I’ve found the sharp tips of those like the Craftsman/Ullman variety to be what I need when it comes to the smaller picks. It also looks like the Mayhew set has sharp tips as well. If I don’t need a sharp pick, I can usually use the larger full-size picks.
I do like the handle design. Looks good for gripping and holding, and the shape looks like it’d be good for twisting too, though the shafts likely aren’t up to much torque.
I guess it’s a good thing Milwaukee keeps expanding their tool offerings and is apparently making a go into auto specialty tools. Makes me wonder if they’ll eventually be offering a full hand tool line with combination wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and accessories. They already offer plumbing tools.
fred
At one time all plumbers and steam fitters had a familiarity with hooks for gaskets and packing. Now that valve packing is mostly a thing of the past for residential and most small valves – there may be less call for the packing hooks from folks like C.S. Osborne (Mound and Chesterton). But if you have some (maybe the cork screw variety) they might come in handy for other tasks.
https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Packing-Hook-Sets-Model/dp/B001HWDXYK
Toolfreak
That’s another good use I hadn’t thought of. Lots of the valve seat replacing I do is on valves that still have packing but I usually just scoop out the packing with a screwdriver since that’s what i have handy from removing the handles. What a pain in the butt the design with packing is. I’ll be glad to have valves with a newer, better design.
Adam
I’ve got this ChannelLock set, and it seems to work reasonably well. The Milwaukee ones definitely seem to have better handles, though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RMR1X82/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Toolfreak
I dunno, that ChannelLock set is made in the USA and some people prefer hard screwdriver-type handles over soft-grip stuff. The shafts look pretty beefy and the tips look sharp. Nice price, too.
pete
I was just at homedepot looking for these and didn’t see them! Was hoping to buy them so i could take my other set home for “light use” lol.
Adam
ETA is June 2017. It is at the very end of the article. I often overlook it too