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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Anyone who has a "Big Lots" (formerly Pic N Save) store near them should run down and take a look. They are liquidating a pile of NIKOTA branded tools.

Incase you are not familar with the NIKOTA brand, they were a startup company that had tools house-branded, and sold stuff through places like Pep Boys, and Kragen. Unfortunately they went belly-up around this past Xmas.

Their tools were very high quality, and priced very low. I noticed that they were selling the same air tools as Sears at a much lower price back at Xmas. They were selling a twin tank compressor, complete with a combo air nailer/stapler for $99. Both items were exactly the same ones sold by Sears, but Sears was charging $199 for the nailer, and another $150 for the air compressor.

One of the local "Big Lots" stores has 1/2" twin hammer impact wrenches for $29.99. Rated at 420ftlbs, it is the same as one sold by Sears for $160, except the one sold by Sears is rated 550ftlbs.

The store also has semi-deep 1/2 impact sockets 30mm and larger for $1.99 each. Corded drywall screwguns with metal nose and transmission case(Dewalt knock-off) for $29, dual range heat guns for $15, air powered right angle die grinders $15, 18V & 14.4V cordless drills with (2) battery packs and carrying case $60.

From the look of it, each store has a different assortment.

I found some wrenches (long pattern) with a fine-tooth racheting box wrench on one end, with the same size open end on the other side. Laser etched markings, and made from stainless steel. Priced at only $4.99 each, but I only found the 18mm size. BOY ! I would love to find a full set of those.

I would like to locate some of the larger framing nailers, and maybe a mini rachet. There are for or five stores within 20 miles of here so I am going to try to check them out in the next few days.

If anyone needs/ would like one of the twin hammer impact wrenches, there are about six left. I can get it/them for you, but the money needs to be in my hands (payPal from bank account or send a USPS money order) before I drive cover to get it/them. They could ship in a USPS Priority Flat Rate box, so I figure I can get it/them (need more than one?) to your door for $50 (gotta cover the gas, sales tax, and shipping cost with insurance).

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

I went to five other "Big Lots" stores today, to see what I could find.

One store had the heat guns for only $9.99.

Another store had some 5-Tool 18V cordless tool sets for $14.99!! Came with two batteries, charger (too bad it's a slow 5 hour charge), 3/8" drill, pad sander, motor tool, flashlight, jigsaw, and a carrying case with wheels, and an extended handle.

I went back to the local store that had the 1/2 twin hammer impact wrenches and discovered that they are the model with the 2" extended anvil (longer nose, price at Sears is $160) . That made them a killer deal that I couldn't turn down.

I grabbed up six, and I dumped five of them on eBay in a Dutch Auction at an opening bid of $55, plus shipping. The sixth one is staying with me, and I am going to sell the Sears Craftsman 1/2 impact that I have had for the past five years.

Any board member in the US that wants one can have one for $50, including shipping, as long as I can get more. There are a few left at the one store where I found them.

I also found some real nice DA orbital sander kits (lightweight composite handles @ 10,000 rpm!) with bag and hose to connect to a vacuum system for $39.99 (Sear price is $139.99), and a few right angle drills for $29.99 Sear price ($89.99), a single 65ftlbs 3/8" light weight composite handle ratchet with auto oiler (175 rpm) for $29.99 (Sears price $119.99), 2 gallon portable wet and dry vac for $19.99 (looks like the 2 gallon one that Sears used to sell), and a 2 gallon 2hp pancake air compressor for $88 (Sears current 3 gallon model of this compressor is $150, same manufacturer).

I still don't know how to post photos here, so if you are interested in seeing what I bought, let me know and I can send you photos directly.

924guy · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject:

those are real bargains!! id like to get my hands on the orbital sander kit, ill have to check the store out near me, but most likely, thats a regional purchase deal...im going to look any how though, its worth the trip. thanks for posting this!
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

"Big Lots" is advertising a $10 million dollar purchase and closeout. From what I have seen, Each Store does not get that many pieces/dollars. Big Lots must be dividing the stuff into lots based on what they paid for the stuff, and not what it retailed for, as the store closest to me got a pile of metric 1/2" & 3/4" deep impact sockets, which I have not seen anywhere else, and the twin impact air wrench/hammers, which also have not been found anywhere else.

In the most of stores that I have visited, the stuff has been no more than enough to fill 1/2 to a full shelf endcap, and the wrenches, blades, sanding supplies are often mixed in with the $.99 tool stuff, and away from the power tools.

That's why I have visited seven stores in the past couple of days. There are another 4 stores within 20-30 minutes of here that I am going to try to get to today, to see what they have.

numbbers · Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

Maybe it is just the California Big Lots, my local store just has the regular stuff.
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

I visited three more stores and found some 3/8" air powered impact wrenches (max 120ftlbs) for $19.99, 13, 14, 15,16mm stainless steel combination (open and box end) racheting wrenches for $3.99 each, double box end flex ratcheting wrenches $5.99, professional grade touch-up air gun $9.99, regular paint gun $9.99, professional grade (all alloy) paint gun $19.99, professional grade cut-off tool $9.99, and set of auto body work tools (3) hammers, (3) dollies) $9.99, ac powered 10" compound miter saws $79.99, battery powered 10" combination miter saws $89.99, ac powered tile cutting saws $29.99.

The 3/8" air impact wrenches are REALLY NICE. I ran out of time, and didn't grab one, but I am going back down that way tomorrow, and may pick one up for myself.

I wish you guys could see these stainless steel fine tooth ratcheting wrenches with the laser etched markings, they are incredibily well made, regardless of the price. I gotta find a full set!

It's a shame if only the SoCal "Big Lots" stores are getting these tools. I noticed that the NIKOTA Website is still working if you want to take a look at what I am finding in the stores down here. The NIKOTA documentation shows three address within 50 miles of here. This could be why I have found all this stuff out here.

924 turbo · Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject:

I checked two local stores (Arcadia and Pasadena) and they had very limited supplies of tools. One store had only rotary tools for $20 and a few reciprocating saws for $35, and a 24v drill for $50. The other store had the 18v tool kit, but it was priced at $55. Very little selection in this area!
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Jon Furst

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

As I wrote, different stores seem to get different items. All of the items will not be in teh same place. The electric power tools and air power tools are being placed on end caps in many cases, with the wrenches, drill bits, saw blades, air tool connectors, and sanding supplies in many cases are being placed on pegs in the hand tool section where you will find bungie cords, hammers, and screwdrivers.

A store that gets more higher ticket items (power tools) would not get a lot of the smaller stuff, like the wrenches.

I was surprised that the store by me got both the 1/2" impact wrenches, and the 32, 33, & 35mm sockets. The bummer about the sockets is that some stores get some sizes, and other stores get other sizes. The store by me also only got (2) of the 18mm ratcheting wrenches.

A lady working at one of the stores in Riverside that I stopped at tody told me that the store was expecting more tools that can be sold as gifts for Father's Day. So, it would probably pay you to check back during the coming few weeks to see what else shows up.

Which stores did you visit Jon, so I won't have to go there myself?

Is there anything in the stuff that I mentioned that you are interested in Jon? I can tell you where you can get it, or if you are willing to pay the shipping, may be I can pick it up for you and send it/them.

924 turbo · Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

I'm interested in the 1/2" impact wrench.

The stores I visited were the Arcadia store on Las Tunas, and the Pasadena store on Lake. I think I'll try to visit the Simi Valley store and maybe one or two stores in the San Fernando valley on my way home from work tomorrow. If I don't find anything, I'll let you know about the impact wrench.
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Okay, let me know if you find yourself one of the 1/2" impact wrenches.

You should also take a look at the 3/8" impact wrench. It weighs less than 1/2 of what the 1/2" weighs, but it still does 120 ftlbs, so it should be good for almost everything on the car except for the rear axle nuts.

I would like to have a NIKOTA twin tank 2hp 4gallon air compressor if you come across one. I would guess that the price will be below $100, if you see one, based on what the other NIKOTA compressors that I have seen are going for. If you find one, please let me know immediately.

And look around for the stainless steel ratcheting wrenches. I would like to have a full set. Right now I have 13, 14, 15mm (open end, and fixed ratchet box end). I know where I can get the match 16 & 18mm wrenches, so I need 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, & 19mm. Also would like to have the double flexible ratcheting box wrenches in both SAE and Metric. I only have 3/8 X 5/16 and 14/15mm in those.

If you can't find the 1/2 air wrench over there, you can always drive over here. It should only take you 45 minutes on the 210.

Vince Ponz · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3581 Location: Florida

My store has the tank but little else. Heat gun and some minor parts. I will keep looking.

Gohim I would buy one for you. Let me know.

Thanks a bunch
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Thanks for the offer Vince. I think that the cost of shipping would rule your picking the thing up for me out of the question. Based on a guess about the weight, FedEx Ground from NY would cost me at least $40-$50, which would wipe out much of the savings.

Do you know off hand how much they are going for there? I have not seen a twin tank compressor at a Big Lots yet, myself.

Are you sure that it was the twin tank (torpedo) model, and not the "pancake" tank compressor? The pancakes are 2hp and 2 gallons, and the going price out here is $88. I already have a Craftsman 5.5hp 30 gallon compressor for the garage. I am looking for a smaller, portable compressor that will run most of my air tools, and the pancake compressor is not strong enough.

924 turbo · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:26 pm Post subject:

The Simi Valley store has the 17mm ratcheting wrench. I wasn't able to find the 1/2" impact wrench so I'd like to pick one up from you, gohim. I'll be in the Riverside area in the next day or two so I'll try to give you a call and I can drop off a 17mm wrench for you and maybe pick up an impact wrench if it's possible. PM me your number if you are interested. I was able to pick up an air tool set that came with a 1/2" impact wrench, but it's only 230 ft/lbs. It was $60, came with two sanders (one orbital, one regular rotary), an air hammer, an air drill, a die grinder, and a nice case. I found one pancake compressor but that's it. There was a 10" combination mitre saw at one store for $70. I think that's about it.
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Jon Furst

924 turbo · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject:

Forgot to mention: I visited the Simi Valley, Granada Hills, Sylmar, and La Canada-Flintridge stores today, all on my way home from work.

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Jon Furst

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

I got down into Riverside again today, and managed to visit one store, and found out that another store was not too far away, and ran out of time.

Found a 2hp 4 gallon "industrial" pancake air compressor that is proably going to work out. It seems to have a higher output than the other pancake air compressors that I found before. Rated either 4.6 or 6.4 cfm at 90psi (don't remember which) for $88, this should work fine for what I want.

Jon, I am sending you a PM. What did you think of the ratcheting wrenches? The store that had the 13, 14 and 15mm and 14/15 double box ratcheting wrenches and the 3/8" impact wrenches is down in Riverside on Arlington.