Any tools you buy NEW and immediate upgrade or modify or polish or whatever??

[mikey03]

I bought a m18 drill last and before I even used it I took the original factory chuck off and put a Rohm chuck on that cost almost as much as the drill. $65 on I think like a $90 drill

I saw a thread a while back about polishing pliers if there rough when new with some paste and working them open and closed.

Maybe upgrading a handle or sharpening a chisel from the factory that wasn’t too sharp or whatever like that kinda thing.

 

[designer485]

I do the same upgrade on drills. Remove the plastic POS and replace it with a Rohm.

The last one I did was on a Milwaukee m12 Drill.






I have them on my 20v and 12v DeWalt drills as well.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Two that I have posted before but fit in here. They both work awesome

Show your new tool arrivals

Ok this ranks up there with the PVC glue can opener/grip I found last year. A simple cheap product I wish I had 30 years ago. Adhesives and gasket makers will never be the same around here. It turns any tube into a mini caulk gun with no waste. Those are made within walking distance of...

www.garagejournal.com

The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

That's not a pipe wrench, channel lock pliers have failed that way for years, either the nut is loose on the bolt or the bolt is stretched.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Nutria]

Mikey, you mentioned chisels-- I don't think that I've ever purchased a new one, but all except (maybe) the Gucci brands will need work even if new.

And, yeah, I did buy a new M18 drill, and I couldn't believe how bad the chuck was. I didn't buy a Röhm. I just grabbed a chuck from a nothing-special parts Dewalt that was about ten years old and installed that-- way better than the Milwaukee.

 

[Gmonkee]

Brought home a new push mower and changed the stock plastic wheels with ball bearing hard rubber wheels.

Made a difference in rolling friction and they last forever.

 

[MushCreek]

I guess I've been lucky. My three cordless Milwaukee drills have had good chucks. I'm a retired tool maker, and know what a good keyless drill chuck is. Maybe not Albrecht quality, but they all run true and hold the drill bits just fine. Most chisels and hand planes need a bit of a touch-up, as do lawn mower blades. I also take all of the tacky badging off HF tool boxes right away.

 

[Monte]

sanding/polishing new body hammers before use

 

[pancholasvegas]

sanding/polishing new body hammers before use

Absolutely - All body tools are dressed or sanded before being put to use.

 

[i84x]

I sand paper wood hammer handles, i think they feel better to hold with the lacquer off.

Also I slice the stop off of adjustable wrenches teeth so they open wider then they should (or let you wind the jaw out without removing the screw).