Beerhippie
Well-known member
Mine just died after two years of pretty light use. They'll no longer grip the insulation.Weicon wire stripper,
Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
16again
Well-known member
JerseyBoatBuilder
Well-known member
Have a couple painting projects coming up. So $8.00 down to .98 cents at Lowes for some made in the USA tools.
I put a couple of rebates together along with some cash from a side job. Some reversible ratchet wrenches, SAE & metric, from Menards. Also while working in the breaker box yesterday, I realized, that the taped up square drive need replaced.
That's the nice thing with my Blue points, I have replaced then many times for free.
My DeWalt 20v 8ah battery pair just showed up - been a 6-week wait. Acme Tools - regular $329, on sale $169. Plus I got another $10 off with a discount code from ToolGuyd. These should give me much better life for my leaf blower - currently using 5ah batteries.
A collapsible bag for yard cleanup. This will be so much easier than rolling the big green waste bin halfway around the house when I cleanup the leaves in the backyard.
Looking forward (huh?) to testing both of these out on Sunday when we'll do yard work.
A collapsible bag for yard cleanup. This will be so much easier than rolling the big green waste bin halfway around the house when I cleanup the leaves in the backyard.
Looking forward (huh?) to testing both of these out on Sunday when we'll do yard work.
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cody1325
Well-known member
My DeWalt 20v 8ah battery pair just showed up - been a 6-week wait. Acme Tools - regular $329, on sale $169. Plus I got another $10 off with a discount code from ToolGuyd. These should give me much better life for my leaf blower - currently using 5ah batteries.
A collapsible bag for yard cleanup. This will be so much easier than rolling the big green waste bin halfway around the house when I cleanup the leaves in the backyard.
Looking forward (huh?) to testing both of these out on Sunday when we'll do yard work.
I have some off-brand version of that Fiskars I bought at a Sherwin Williams for the outbuilding cleanout--when I started, it was so packed, I couldn't drag a regular can in there, thus I hauled it in flat and popped it open. After **** went in said can, it was much easier to move around. And it's still getting the job done until that building is mostly empty.
Works great too as an occasional-use can since it folds flat--unlike my regular ones.
david3921
Well-known member
Ah, that sweet, sweet German ink.Some purchases from last week:
Some oil change stickers, because my current method of using the labelmaker, it fades in the sun. There are a zillion choices for this sort of thing on Amazon, and this is the simplest and cheapest one.
The Ignatz pliers (well, I call them that), cheap Chinese flush cutters that are really surprisingly decent. And $6.74 before tax. I am not making that up. China.
Not for my shop, but a remote location where tools are rudimentary and lead hard lives and might get borrowed and lost by a scatterbrained friend.
And some Milwaukeemarkers, or as they call them, "Inkzall." Note to self: do not order these from Amazon ever again. The price that makes you think you're getting two, nope, just one.
Germany still a heavy hitter in the chemistry game!
Skyman
Well-known member
Yep. I bought a bundle of ‘em - I think it was twenty - at a good price last year. Got ‘em deployed all over. In the garage, basement workshop, desk, kitchen, vehicles. I will never buy another Sharpie.
I clear-tape a small paper note (after pulling off previous) in my cars driver-side door frames with info on mileage + date of last filter changes (oil, air, cabin, etc) in the diver side door frames. The tape protects the info note well enough there where no issues with weathering and sun, and it is right there to see every now and then without being on the windows. The price is a few inches of packing tape that I have anyway and it is also quick and easy.
I have been using Norseman drill bits (cobalt and regular) for years. They are super. I wish people would buy more USA industrial tool brands like this (there are still a number of quality usa drill bit and other cutting bit manufacturers) so they stay alive. The difference from these relative to the usual big-box hardware store and Harbor Freight equivalent bits is often dramatic. Yes, you pay more at first. But I think it is worth it over the many years of use you will get out of them if not abused or lost and they can be cheaper over time due much longer life and also generate less frustration in demanding jobs (metal drilling in hard materials etc).Harry Epstein delivery.
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Bojo made in USA plastic trim tool/scraper kit arrived. Bojo is who makes Snap On’s plastic trim tool/scrapers and a bunch of other companies too I’m sure.
Very nice. I also like the idea of the plastic o-ring tools. Will have to add those to my list for Mrs. Claus...
I noticed the other day that one pair of Knipex Pliers wrenches had their jaws thinned at the factory! They're 3.2mm in their thin zone.
However, at 125mm, these things are wee.
Do those jaws taper wider as they near the jaws?
Mike
NoahG
Well-known member
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,322
Harry Epstein delivery.
+1. I was just talking about this and I want to purchase a good, long term set from Norseman. I have the big box store brands stuff (Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt) and a nice complete older USA set from my Dad, but it's time.
What set would be your suggestion for daily light/med duty automotive, occasional (monthly) specialized (or sometimes heavy) equipment and general around the house type of stuff?
Tchicken
Well-known member
I like the clear tape id - I have been writing the oil changes on the radiator's shroud in yellow wax pencil - that lasts as well but I am about out of wax pencil and always have scrap paper & tape around
Yeah, my problem is wanting to buy... two.
Yes.
The trouble is you need different bits for different types of work though you can use better bits for light work. It is very specific to application and I do a very broad range of work over the years.
What I mostly use:
1) Relatively cheap small bits with hex shanks for light work in construction (wood drilling mostly for screw holes driven by impact. I VERY rarely use nails and it is very fast to change from hex drill to PZ Phillips-style drive bits for impact driving). I like Montana brand (usa made) for these and I generally find coatings (Ti, Cobalt etc) a waste since they do not last long anyway and I do not notice much improvement with the coatings. I resharpen anything more than ~3/16" in a Drill Doctor grinder and smaller I just replace (smaller sizes will get broken some when using by hand). Short shank drills (stubby sizes) are better (much less breakage). I have some better tapered bits with countersinks for harder grain woods or when I am being picky. I also use hex shank countersinks a fair amount (assortment of brands).
2) USA high speed steel jobber bits from better brands that I use more carefully for light metal etc up to about ~1/2". I have a full set of fractional inch, metric, Letter, and wire gauge bits. I treat these all a little more carefully and resharpen when needed. They all do very well up to specialized uses. I have the full sets (maybe overkill) due to tapping and wanting the cuts just right when I do. These I use for aluminum, plastic, light steel (not hardened). Brands are mostly Chicago Latrobe, Norseman. I use these in my drill press (+ lathe and milling machine) and with a portable batter drill (not impact).
3) USA cobalt drills. I have a pretty good collection of these similar to 2) both in sizes, brands, and use. I treat these very carefully (more expensive) and use them for metalworking, automotive, tapping in hard metals, drilling out hardened bolts, etc. I do not need to resharpen these much.
4) Some left handed cobalt bits. I use these to see if I can quickly drill out (drills if left handed will over spin out a broken right hand bolt broken off saving more extensive work). These mostly I have usa fractional in sizes I have needed. I think, mostly off brand imports.
5) Limited larger than 1/2" Silver & Demining style fractional + auger style bits for bigger holes with portable drills. I do not use impact on these and battery powered drills with lower speed fit well. Mostly off brands. These resharpen easily (outside of auger). Mostly from cheaper import sets. These are poor quality but work ok in wood.
6) Limited Morse Taper drills on sizes I need for use in lathes and milling machines for larger holes in metal. Mostly old USA production inherited. These resharpen easily.
7) Hole saws for making larger holes. USA brands mostly with sizes commonly used. Never resharpened and dispose if dull.
8) SDS cobalt-tipped hammer drill bits for concrete, tile, etc. These work way way better than putting round shank impact bits into a battery drill with impact -- particularly for larger holes with structural concrete work (earthquake reinforcements etc).
9) Specialty bur style bits for small rotary tool (Dremel type stuff) for small holes in hard materials.
This is probably more than you want in the spirit of Garage Journal advice
In my case, I accumulated what I use over many years of work and I probably work on an usually broad range from construction to automotive to machining to woodworking to electronics etc. Choosing the right bits for the job helps a LOT. Ironically, high quality USA drill manufacturers still do exist. Probably because reliability in industry tooling is more important than a low price point.
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shoggoth80
Well-known member
I bought a set from Amazon, as I generally don't have any issues with Sunex. The listing still shows the older Taiwanese set. Price is certainly palatable. Came in an Indian produced set. They're ok in terms of fit and finish.
I've only had one occasion so far to use them. Not the most promising. HOWEVER, it was on an older power steering line that was also pretty tight. It rounded over the fastener. Everything did with the pump in place. Had to cut the line (which was being replaced), remove the pump, bang an impact on, and pop the fitting out with a quick flick of the trigger. No problems on reinstallation.
If the price didn't spike at the time, I probably would have bought the set from Crescent. Though I've got a couple other repairs coming up where I'll have occasion to use the crows.
Yes it’s Friday and all but down here in my neck-of-the-woods, this Spring day the weather is very cool (not cold) and we’ve been hammered with rain since last night and it’s going to continue throughout the day today.
Anyway….this delivery today brought a smile to my face and when I opened the package it warmed my heart.
I already have a small set of chisels that I had purchased sometime back (something I needed at the spur of the moment) at our local hardware store (I live out in the country side…small community, etc…..I hate driving into the city to visit any of the big box stores, etc...…heck I just hate driving into the city PERIOD!
)….but once I researched and found these, read about them, etc......online I went for it!
Back then I had promised myself that I would get a better set and well that day has arrived!
Anyway….this delivery today brought a smile to my face and when I opened the package it warmed my heart.
I already have a small set of chisels that I had purchased sometime back (something I needed at the spur of the moment) at our local hardware store (I live out in the country side…small community, etc…..I hate driving into the city to visit any of the big box stores, etc...…heck I just hate driving into the city PERIOD!
)….but once I researched and found these, read about them, etc......online I went for it!Back then I had promised myself that I would get a better set and well that day has arrived!
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My DeWalt 20v 8ah battery pair just showed up - been a 6-week wait. Acme Tools - regular $329, on sale $169. Plus I got another $10 off with a discount code from ToolGuyd. These should give me much better life for my leaf blower - currently using 5ah batteries.
A collapsible bag for yard cleanup. This will be so much easier than rolling the big green waste bin halfway around the house when I cleanup the leaves in the backyard.
Looking forward (huh?) to testing both of these out on Sunday when we'll do yard work.
I am a contented DeWaltite, but when I wanted "big battery!" for my cordless leafblower I gambled on some off-brand ****. $53.98 got me a 9.0 AH "waitley" brand on Amazon. 17 months later I'm happy with it.
This is probably more than you want in the spirit of Garage Journal advice
Get this one! I did and it was a real step up for me. I grew up with a dad who had about 8 drill bits, none of them ever sharpened.
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set (SPM-29P) (66820)
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set
www.harryepstein.com
Made in America, last I heard, union shop, and sold by HJE. What more could you ask for?
16again
Well-known member
You just had to do it. Post up another quality Made in America drill bit set from Harry Epstein. Needless to say, just ordered this set as well. I'll use the 1st set for the softer jobs.Get this one! I did and it was a real step up for me. I grew up with a dad who had about 8 drill bits, none of them ever sharpened.
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set (SPM-29P) (66820)
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Setwww.harryepstein.com
Made in America, last I heard, union shop, and sold by HJE. What more could you ask for?
2nd set will be for heavier harder metals.
Since I have used the cheap **** bits all my life, might as well die and leave the dumpster divers some nice stuff.
MWEric
Well-known member
I used it once, pretty typical of these style kits. Not bad. Very similar ratchet to the Icon set, I think you can get a similar set by Klein as well.Can you post any pictures of the 1/4" set and ratchet when you open them? I'm interested in both of these and would love to hear your thoughts.
Steel_Rain
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- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,322
Thank you. Love the black out look but that also means I may end up leaving this behind in dark working environment.
Still looks like a nice, high quality little set.
Still looks like a nice, high quality little set.
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,322
Thank you! Will investigate and probably order.Get this one! I did and it was a real step up for me. I grew up with a dad who had about 8 drill bits, none of them ever sharpened.
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set (SPM-29P) (66820)
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Set
Norseman SPM-29P Magnum Super Premium Mechanic 29 Pc Setwww.harryepstein.com
Made in America, last I heard, union shop, and sold by HJE. What more could you ask for?
You just had to do it. Post up another quality Made in America drill bit set from Harry Epstein. Needless to say, just ordered this set as well. I'll use the 1st set for the softer jobs.
2nd set will be for heavier harder metals.
Since I have used the cheap **** bits all my life, might as well die and leave the dumpster divers some nice stuff.
I don't have the Vortex-ies. They came out after my purchase. I don't know about them:
Norseman Vortex Point Drill Bit Set Moly Mechanics length 3 flats
Norseman Vortex Point Drill Bit Set Moly Mechanics length 3 flats Norseman Vortex Point Drill Bit Set Moly Mechanics length 3 flats
www.harryepstein.com
Feel better about these purchases by going to the HJE website, search for Norseman, then sort from high price to low price. See what you're not getting? The money you've saved!
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MichaelP
Well-known member
I'm not sure I'd like to have drill bits that cannot be reground without major efforts.
Icon General Service Set, SAE delete with some new additions...
I like the idea.
Skyman
Well-known member
Yes it’s Friday and all but down here in my neck-of-the-woods, this Spring day the weather is very cool (not cold) and we’ve been hammered with rain since last night and it’s going to continue throughout the day today.
Anyway….this delivery today brought a smile to my face and when I opened the package it warmed my heart.
I already have a small set of chisels that I had purchased sometime back (something I needed at the spur of the moment) at our local hardware store (I live out in the country side…small community, etc…..I hate driving into the city to visit any of the big box stores, etc...…heck I just hate driving into the city PERIOD!
Back then I had promised myself that I would get a better set and well that day has arrived!
Those are (almost) too pretty to use. But, I'm sure you will use and love them. I've had a set of nice Buck wood chisels for a very long time. They're worth the $$.
Skyman
Well-known member
Since I have used the cheap **** bits all my life, might as well die and leave the dumpster divers some nice stuff.
I've found myself thinking about this increasingly often. I suspect many more of us have, as well.
