Your Best Tool Purchase in 2025?

[SARG]

 

[bugzilla46310]

Never let a project go to waste by not buying a new tool. Dewalt 9” electric angle grinder, 1/2 price on market place, made the rebuild of a used 8’ bedslide I bought a breeze. Paid for itself on this one project.

 

[Madjik Man]

Sorta a joke but actually not really

My god I could have used that on Sunday.

Got a link for it?

 

[mike93lx]

My god I could have used that on Sunday.

Got a link for it?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Weld-On-2-in-Removal-Tool/1000201709

I just use a pair of cobras

 

[TheToolEnthusiast]

Icon G2 1/4” and 3/8” locking flex head ratchets. Very pleased with how these hold up to daily professional use.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Pressol pump oiler. Changed maintenance around the house & garden significantly.



Kind regards,
Olli

 

[JBH]

Power snow shovel from Greenworks - wish it had variable-direction outlet veins but it makes quick work of the sidewalk and alley. Picked this one because it uses the same batteries as the hedge trimmer and blower. Also well priced.

Witte precision handle 1/4 bit holder. The spinner cap makes it super fast to use and the design is inherently torque limiting for small screws. Everyone with an electronics-related hobby should have one.

Wera new-style ratcheting screwdriver. The selector-***-finger-spinner is a real advance.

Klein Scout Pro 3 network cable tester with 5 little RJ45 nubs. Paid for itself in time saving when trying to figure out which poorly labeled cat6 cable goes where.

 

[dscheidt]

If you ever get the M12, you'll want the bigger battery. The little 3 cell batteries don't last long at all, even when new.

And the deburring attachment that snaps onto one of the wheels.

 

[mike93lx]

If we're talking garage tools only, then a cheap portaband (HF). Should've bought one years ago. Just need to make a stand/table for it now.

I bought one this year as well and love it. I wanted to get the dewalt cordless, but couldn't justify the cost for something I will very rarely use.

Its heavy and bulky, but I can one hand it, which helps a ton when cutting conduit and copper pipe.

 

[drokihazan]

1974 Yale Eaton GC030. Traded a tool box for it!

I would have an irrationally good time cleaning this thing up and repainting it. That looks so fun.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Honestly, i bought the harbor freight knock off of the snap on eagle talon pliers, i have used those one hell of a lot already. Pretty damn good pliers!

 

[Bob Peach]

No. More shoveling!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Son bought a HF air band file/finger sander for under $30. Worked perfect for the project he was working on !

 

[a6hux]

I would have an irrationally good time cleaning this thing up and repainting it. That looks so fun

Highly recommended!!

 

[Steel_Rain]

No. More shoveling!

Awesome machine you have there.

 

[Beerhippie]

All I can say is... how the hell did I ever live without one?

One of those is on the way, but it was a '26 purchase. Should be here tomorrow.

 

[Beerhippie]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54980800630_92601c9292_o.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDk4MDgwMDYzMCwiZSI6MTc2Nzc1MTI2MiwicyI6IjIyNTQ0NmI3MmNjNzU5M2IyOWJhZTMwOTkyZWViMGQ3ZmVkNmM4MTAiLCJ2IjoxfQ[/imgf]

All I can say is... how the hell did I ever live without one?

One of those is on the way, but it was a '26 purchase. Should be here tomorrow.

What the hell happened there?

 

[crewchief888]

i didnt buy any tools in 2025.

i really cant remember the last time i did

 

[Notgrownup]

For me it was my Delta Tablesaw. It is a game changer for me. I know there are better ones out there but it’s way better than What I had.

 

[Beerhippie]

What the hell happened there?

Fixed. Syntax error.

 

[Skyman]

This is an easy question for me to answer this year.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Selfishly, the big 1/2 Bosch impact.

On a different note, ratchet straps to hold the boys' Christmas bikes in my truck. So they could hang out with their cousin who has a 2-stroke.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

If you ever get the M12, you'll want the bigger battery. The little 3 cell batteries don't last long at all, even when new.

I already have a few 6.0 batteries and at least one 4.0. Always have a 6.0 in my Rocket light

 

[vwpieces]

Milwaukee M18 Fuel blower. Already had a few fluffy snow dustings where it was worth it. Quick EZ work of it.
And the 12.0 batt HAD the 3 bar full charge syndrome. rebalanced the banks and good to go. 12 was only lasting as long as the 8.0 and now it is close to 50% more than the 8 again.

 

[cannuck]

No question it was the Cheng Ki mill. It came with some kind of wiring problem but first I had to build a rotary phase converter to power it up. Still have a wiring issue but other projects have kept me out of shop to work on it. One more engine to go together first and it should be next in line.

 

[AEAdam]

This thing, purchased earlier this year, has been a game changer for me.

 

[sni-per]

3d printer

I am getting back into woodworking, and bought a 3D printer as well. I am amazed at how many tools you can print!! My printer is a few days away from delivery, and when it gets here, I'm putting it right to work!!

 

[sni-per]

I don't know about best but my favorite four purchases this year are.....

A "real" compressor


1/4" impact - I don't know why but I love this thing!!


Hobart 210 MVP with spool gun


1981 KR toolboxes like I had back in my youth

I love my Hobart 210!! Probably the smoothest welder I've ever had. Took me a while to get good at the aluminum spool gun, but not as long as it did to learn how to TIG.

 

[sni-per]

I'm going to have to say, my Taylormade 3 wood!!! Ya can't work all the time!!!!!!

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

M12 band saw. I love the thing. Easy one handed use. Strut, EMT, all-thread, PVC. Super handy.

 

[micromind]

M12 band saw. I love the thing. Easy one handed use. Strut, EMT, all-thread, PVC. Super handy.

I've had the earlier model for quite a few years. I'm surprised it still works; it's seen a lot of use.

 

[Bob Peach]

No. More shoveling!

Well that was short lived. I bought this because I have a crushed stone driveway. It stays soft and my John Deere 350 with a 42” snowblower just digs holes . I thought the Honda track Machine would solve that. Wrong again. So I Red Greened it. No duct tape set of quick skids seems to be working. Handled 15 “ of white concrete from yesterday’s blizzard. Never fails, buy something new and modify it!

 

[SARG]

One of those is on the way, but it was a '26 purchase. Should be here tomorrow.

I just ordered another M18 Inflator for my second garage ......... and because they were on sale for $112. tax included. Favorite M18 tool out of the many I've bought.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

This little guy has been used daily at work. I don’t know the name or the part number but that Vessel has put in some work in the brief period I have owned it and it’s all but replaced all my hex keys and t-handles at work. I legitimately went from a full drawer of Bondhus L keys to just one set of Wiha Ergostar L keys and I haven’t touched my t-handles since that Vessel purchase. The sleeve and extended L have been very useful. Now Vessel just needs to make one with a stubby L and I’ll be golden.

 

[Stubby1743]

I have one of those too. Vessel calls it "2 way speed L handle". Its part number SLH2.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I have one of those too. Vessel calls it "2 way speed L handle". Its part number SLH2.

Thanks! Now I know what to look up when I want another one.

 

[WhataTool]

Nano sockets, Nano bits and racthets. Changes how you use ratchets really

 

[Professor Gascan]

After buying the Power Torque 3/8 stubby on the left and finding I use it on pretty much every job, I did a little research and found the other ones from SK11. Love these little guys.

 

[danielbuck]

one of these "diamond" tool holders from Eccentric Engineering. Great design, and so simple to use and sharpen. I've been impressed with it. I wish they made them a bit larger, even their largest one is kind of small on a good sized lathe, but still works like a champ.

The Diamond Tool Holder | Eccentric Engineering

www.eccentricengineering.com.au

 

[drokihazan]

Either the 3pc digital torque wrench set from Snap-On, the 10lb slide hammer from OTC, or the Milwaukee M12 right angle grinder.

With the ATECH 1/2" digital I can finally do stake nuts over 250 lb-ft without just kind of guessing and hoping I got it right, and it's reassuring to be accurate. It was either buy a Snap-On 1/2" digital or buy a 3/4" torque wrench, and the dealer had the 105th anniversary set in blue so I got suckered in for all three.

The 10 lb slide hammer removes everything, always, with minimal effort. Sometimes on the first swing. It's unreal how much more effective it is than the 5 pounder, I can't believe it took me so long to buy one. It pops wheel hubs out in 3 slams or less, even the ones covered in rust and filth. I use the U-shaped CV popper with it to break stuff loose all the time too, just wedge it under things and hammer until they release.

The die grinder is like, wow. I can't believe I didn't have a battery powered die grinder sooner, though apparently they all sucked before this one. It's incredible. Powerful, lightweight, comfortable. I use it for everything from sanding off mill scale to deburring steel edges and drill holes to polishing the chrome on my tools. It's gotta be my second most used power tool now after the 3/8 impact, I can't believe how much I love the thing and find new uses for it all the time, even after having it for a year. Everyone should have the Milwaukee right angle die grinder. Half the reason my box looks the way it does is this thing and a tube of Flitz can buff out scratches on like any chrome in seconds, makes it easy to remove all the evidence after I smash ratchets on the ground or the frame all afternoon.

Oh, honorary mention, Astro Pneumatic plastic welder. I've fixed so many cracked and broken trim pieces and even my own blowmolds with it. It's so simple to use and works incredibly well.