Show your new tool arrivals

[YesIHaveAHammer]

For hair removal........? Are you servicing shopping cart wheels?

That's what they say https://www.anextool.co.jp/item/147/ . I presume for beauty use. I just thought it would be a handy tip shape.

Anex has tweezers for everything it seems, although some things might be lost in translation.

https://www.anextool.co.jp/item/131/ "for babies" "The rounded tip makes it a safe tip."
https://www.anextool.co.jp/item/132/ "for stamps"

 

[Squankum]

Magnetic Swarf & Chip Collector Wand

I never knew about these until a couple of years ago when a friend sent me one as a gift. Pretty magical!

 

[Squankum]

Out of town, in my remote location, and in a pickle doing a fuel filter change on the Econoline. My road toolbags do not have any long needle-nose pliers in them. I would have preferred to have my El Cheapo HF hose-grabbing long needle noses for what I was doing, but HF is a bit of a haul from here. I went to the local Ace and bought these Milwaukees for about $45ish:




They're well-made, but didn't do the trick. When I packed for this trip, my notes told me that for this Econoline fuel filter, the metal "X wing" type fuel line release tool was better, so I didn't bring my big, complete Lisle master kit. Or the little cheap billet aluminum one I scored at some big box auto parts store. Just the X-wing. And it wasn't working out.

So in desperation, I stopped by Advance Auto and paid too much for another Lisle set:



(They didn't do the trick, either. The problem isn't so much tool as access. I'll moan about that in my Underground Lair thread in a couple of days.)

 

[ETJ]

I was trying to find a 230mm angle grinder from Lidl that I wanted to try with shrinking disc I just ordered. But none of the 4 Lidls I went to had those. Two of them had it earlier this week. But I found different things:

Not big enough for all my metal cutting needs, but for the price, 50€, I have to give it a try. This could have been handy when I did stands for my shrinker and stretcher and throatless shear. I didn't cut very straight with angle grinder and my crooked eyes.




Also found one of these drum sander/surface condition tools from different Lidl. I always wanted to try one. This was also 50€



concrete chisel that I will blunt and repurpose for sheet metal work.




From Bauhaus a Bosch backing plate that I hope will work with the shrinking disc.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Final batch of my Japan haul. I gathered this at Blackship taking and advantage of the 45 day free storage period, didn't get anything I urgently needed. That makes it worth the shipping cost.

KTC ATP201H3 Handy Remover Spatula Set
Very sturdy and hard. Won’t forget them with this colour. There are about 10 types in the wider AP201 series, available in various sets and also individually.


Mokuba D-19 mini lever pry bar 300mm (12”)
Angled wide tip, strike through, lanyard hole. Available in 5 sizes. This company makes a huge variety of chisels, scrapers, bars etc. but the weight costs for shipping.


Sunflag strike through scraper 385 16mm (5/8")
They also do a 21mm (13/16”) model.


Vessel SC-W90B Anti-drop cord
For hand tools, rated capacity 1kg (2lb). They do a few colours for differentiation, and a range of pouches with attachment rings.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Another Lisle hose pinch-off clamp and one of those headband lights.

Kinda disappointed you can’t turn on the LEDs across your forehead and the side light all on at once. It’s either/or.

 

[Monte]

 

[NightSky]

Gearwrench 26" tool chest. Bought from Zoro and drop shipped directly from Apex Tool on Lufkin Road in Apex, NC. It was packed on an oversized pallet, making it difficult for FedEx to work it's usual magic on the item. I also have a 27" Gearwrench roller cabinet and really like both boxes.
The cabinet came from Home Depot which had them at a great price relative to everyone else for about a year. It was not shipped on a pallet and I had to send the first one back. Both were delivered by Fed Ex and well mauled somewhere in the shipping chain. That pricing is no more, but HD still sells them at a nice discount compared to others. Pricey, though, when compared to, say, a similarly sized US General.

 

[mooman]

I have the same creeper and like it. I only wish it had side indentations to put tools in.

 

[ChefRex]

Gearwrench 26" tool chest. Bought from Zoro and drop shipped directly from Apex Tool on Lufkin Road in Apex, NC. It was packed on an oversized pallet, making it difficult for FedEx to work it's usual magic on the item. I also have a 27" Gearwrench roller cabinet and really like both boxes.
The cabinet came from Home Depot which had them at a great price relative to everyone else for about a year. It was not shipped on a pallet and I had to send the first one back. Both were delivered by Fed Ex and well mauled somewhere in the shipping chain. That pricing is no more, but HD still sells them at a nice discount compared to others. Pricey, though, when compared to, say, a similarly sized US General.

I bought a service cart through HD, the first two were destroyed but they gave me a discount each time, saved a couple hundred, third time was a charm.

 

[captain14]

I was trying to find a 230mm angle grinder from Lidl that I wanted to try with shrinking disc I just ordered. But none of the 4 Lidls I went to had those. Two of them had it earlier this week. But I found different things:

Not big enough for all my metal cutting needs, but for the price, 50€, I have to give it a try. This could have been handy when I did stands for my shrinker and stretcher and throatless shear. I didn't cut very straight with angle grinder and my crooked eyes.



Also found one of these drum sander/surface condition tools from different Lidl. I always wanted to try one. This was also 50€

ETJ

How do you find the quality of the Parkside tools from Lidl? That’s me of the grocery stores I shop at and always go down the deals aisles.

I did get a 12”+ drywall knife just to use as an edger when painting.

 

[LeeG]

I got hammered by HJE



I’ve always had a soft spot for Martin Tools, so I couldn’t hold back. One of each. Those Husky bit holder screwdrivers are nice too - most of the modern ones have a screw on cap that I don’t care for.

Lee

 

[lund]

I have one of these, but with the white, supposedly oil-resistant wheels. It is pretty good overall: No sharp edges to bang yourself on and pretty comfortable while being low. I work with the car on jack stands a lot and it is surprising how much higher you have to jack it to get under comfortably with non low-profile creepers. One bad thing is that the wheels did not last long. They appeared to have some sort of solvent sensitivity or defect and crumbled quickly. However, I could buy replacement wheels (used a bit larger ones too ... part making it less low though) from Lisle though they were not cheap (but it may be the case that they are standard push in mounts and, if so, they could be ordered cheaper). The bigger wheels roll a lot easier at least.

Oddly, I find myself using a closed cell foam mat placed on the garage floor more than the creeper. For whatever reason, I often feel more comfortable working on this with my tendency not to jack the car very high.

 

[Tchicken]

Good idea - I need to find the closed cell sleeping pad from my backpacking days & transfer it to the garage

 

[Jarhead0408]

Picked up a variety of Martin bodywork hammers and spoons. I can’t bring myself to buy a mix of wood handles and fiberglass handles, so I’ll assemble the missing bits slowly over time.

 

[terrific]

Those Husky bit holder screwdrivers are nice too - most of the modern ones have a screw on cap that I don’t care for.

Lee

Any butyric acid smell from the drivers? I've looked at those a couple times, but they must be ~15 years old already.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Oh, it looks good on you though!

 

[Squankum]

Good idea - I need to find the closed cell sleeping pad from my backpacking days & transfer it to the garage

Lisle also makes this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMZW?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's not very wide or long or as cheap compared to Speedway's $28.99 pit mat, but it's very well made and the seams haven't given way. Either way they're a civilized way to work on the ground. Was in a rocky/sandy parking lot this week, using the Lisle for most of me and a big piece of cardboard for the many positions my head was in as I was locked in a life or death sstruggle vis der fuel filter.

It's shorter than a full length ThermARest. Maybe the size of a three-season 3/4 TAR.

 

[Squankum]

Good idea - I need to find the closed cell sleeping pad from my backpacking days & transfer it to the garage

A boo boo by my friend resulted in an oil drain container spilling used motor oil on my trusty ThermARest that was on the floor of the tow van. I was driving across KS or MO when my friend discovered it, and, as he tends to do, leapt into frenzied action, spraying brake cleaner on it. It worried me because I worried about the effect it might have on the material -- and hey! Enclosed space!

He opened a rear vent window to stop my bitching and I turned up the AC fan.

Amazingly, that air mattress survived both assaults just fine. What took it out was cat claws.

 

[Squankum]

Before I got that Lisle, I bought one of these, then a few years later, another one. They used to be $20! (Now $28.99)

The seams opening up slightly is no big deal. Nice for cold concrete or junkyard gravel. Some jobs, I put all three down next to each other. The padding is "eh."

Speedway Standard Track Mat

Crawl under your car in style. Speedways padded vinyl track mat is 23" x 50" and folds in quarters for easy storage. Available in red, blue or black.Item Details 23" x 50"

www.speedwaymotors.com

 

[ETJ]

ETJ

How do you find the quality of the Parkside tools from Lidl? That’s me of the grocery stores I shop at and always go down the deals aisles.

I did get a 12”+ drywall knife just to use as an edger when painting.

It comes down to expectations. I don't expect the cheap tool to be good in the long run. I think the surface condition tool will be ok, but I will damn the day I bought metal chop saw. Unfortunately in my current Garage there are no 3-phase electricity, So that limits the quality I can buy. Even if I put 5 times the same money on a new chop saw it will still be asian import ****. Once I move to a better garage I can buy better drill press, metal chop saw or band saw, bench grinder, etc. These will do their job (eventually),

I've had cheap angle grinders last me 5-15 years so I want to give parkside a try. I also like to have multiple so I don't have to change between the different wheels. I only need a 230mm angle grinder for a shrinking disc. It needs to have enough power that it will cause friction (heat) and wont jam when the shrinking disc rubs against sheet metal. For that purpose I don't see the need to buy the best one I can afford, but maybe I will regret it.

 

[CentenIJ]

Lisle also makes this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMZW?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's not very wide or long or as cheap compared to Speedway's $28.99 pit mat, but it's very well made and the seams haven't given way. Either way they're a civilized way to work on the ground. Was in a rocky/sandy parking lot this week, using the Lisle for most of me and a big piece of cardboard for the many positions my head was in as I was locked in a life or death sstruggle vis der fuel filter.

It's shorter than a full length ThermARest. Maybe the size of a three-season 3/4 TAR.

Bought this one and IMO it’s worth it. I found wheeled creepers tend to shift when trying to impart some force on a fastener.

 

[ElectroMechTech]

Replacement pads for my Channellock 415SJ pliers.

 

[wire]

Just arrived!

 

[lund]

Before I got that Lisle, I bought one of these, then a few years later, another one. They used to be $20! (Now $28.99)

The seams opening up slightly is no big deal. Nice for cold concrete or junkyard gravel. Some jobs, I put all three down next to each other. The padding is "eh."

Speedway Standard Track Mat

Crawl under your car in style. Speedways padded vinyl track mat is 23" x 50" and folds in quarters for easy storage. Available in red, blue or black.Item Details 23" x 50"

www.speedwaymotors.com

Here is what i use: A dense closed cell foam pad from a sporting good store that I bought about 25 years ago and used VERY heavily in both car work and home construction projects of all types. It is smooth one side, with light ribbing on the other. It is about 1/2" thick and 6' length x 2 ft width. It wipes down and hand washes very easy when slimed, and sofar has held up to all automotive fluids and solvents -- including frequent acetone and brake cleaner. It rolls up nice with the attached velcro straps (them coming unglued was the only fix in all this time after many, many hours of use and abuse). Although it is not a tool per say, it has been one of my most heavily used and useful purchases. It really makes a positive difference working on this pad rather than rolling around on the ground or on cardboard. I do not believe that cloth covered pads or blow up, camp-type pads would or could be as durable as this has been. It also does not look too awful at this point in spite of the heavy use ... thanks in part due to being black in color to hide the frequent fluid staining. I periodically clean it when it gets slimed using solvent (if something bad) and then mild dish soap and a brush and it dries out super quick since there is no water absorption by the closed cell foam. If I ever destroy it, I will look for something similar.

 

[four.cycle]

^ And ThermaRest pads are getting quite spendy. I have two or three of them. I'd never use them under a car.
Cats seem to have an affinity for using them to sharpen their claws - all of mine have been repaired by MSR.
I'd think a much better choice would be the "closed-cell foam" pad shown just above - available in any "sporting goods" department - and they're crazy cheap and weigh nothing. Mine's a full-length version - about 6 feet long - but you can get them in a "shorty" version (long enough for head to hips.)
They provide enough cushion I used mine to sleep on the cement floor in my mom's basement before my sister got the room set up with a bed and stuff. (Unfortunately it's all ripped to hell right now as the hot water tank flooded the basement.)

 

[garfieldzzz]

Just arrived!

I got them without a fancy box, they are good but the heads wear fast on the small sizes so better get some spares

 

[larry4406]

I got them without a fancy box, they are good but the heads wear fast on the small sizes so better get some spares

What are those?

 

[LeeG]

Any butyric acid smell from the drivers? I've looked at those a couple times, but they must be ~15 years old already.

None that I can detect.

 

[Beerhippie]

At some point, a Thermarest wears out from the inside. The coating on the cloth starts to decay and leak. You know this has started when you put the pad in a tub of water to find the leak, only to see it turn into an aquarium aerator. That's when it becomes an "on-road" crawl pad. If it will stay more or less inflated for ten minutes, it works for me.

For work at the shop on concrete pad, a big piece of cardboard folded in half works just fine. When it gets too stained and oily, I just grab another. Working at a brewery means I have access to "tier sheets" from pallets of cans, etc. About four foot square, so they do the job.

 

[Squankum]

At some point, a Thermarest wears out from the inside. The coating on the cloth starts to decay and leak. You know this has started when you put the pad in a tub of water to find the leak, only to see it turn into an aquarium aerator. That's when it becomes an "on-road" crawl pad. If it will stay more or less inflated for ten minutes, it works for me.

For work at the shop on concrete pad, a big piece of cardboard folded in half works just fine. When it gets too stained and oily, I just grab another. Working at a brewery means I have access to "tier sheets" from pallets of cans, etc. About four foot square, so they do the job.

One advantage to cardboard -- or vinyl exteriors like the pit mats I showed -- is the ability to reposition yourself without friction/grippy.

 

[lund]

One advantage to cardboard -- or vinyl exteriors like the pit mats I showed -- is the ability to reposition yourself without friction/grippy.

A comment on this: I agree that being able to move around easy and reposition a pad is very important. The closed cell pad I showed is smooth on one side and only lightly ribbed on the other. I find that I can easily move it on the concrete garage floor on a road/driveway/asphalt outside. Being smooth, it does not grab the surface much. I can also slide around on top of it easily enough without it moving.

I did not think it through so clearly in terms of A-Z optimization when I bought the pad. I was just looking for a cheap, closed cell pad. But, by rare luck, it worked out very well for the uses that I put it to in spite of being for exercise/sports. Before I bought it, I was doing a lot of personal car repairs outside on concrete and asphalt and getting scuffed up far too much. It helped my periodic, long duration repair work go much better with less fatigue, bruises, and abrasions. Later when I had a garage, it also helped a lot too and I found I often prefer it to a creeper (does not move as much when wrenching, more standoff, etc).

 

[Chefjpd]

What about closed cell foam on top of a cardboard base layer?
Easy repositioning and easy on your back/ booty.....
I use a yoga mat over the side of a refrigerator box.

 

[Beerhippie]

Now if someone will come up with a crawl pad that helps me to my feet....

 

[Squankum]

What about closed cell foam on top of a cardboard base layer?
Easy repositioning and easy on your back/ booty.....
I use a yoga mat over the side of a refrigerator box.

There are many ways to skin this cat!

I've seen guys in the junkyard using dirty floor mats from nearby cars. I hardly ever talk this way, but, ew, gross.

 

[Squankum]

Now if someone will come up with a crawl pad that helps me to my feet....

I have a burly friend with a modern Lotus, I keep telling him he needs to install a gymnastics ring in his garage ceiling to dangle over the left side of the car for when he's getting in and out.

 

[Squankum]

I was trying to find a 230mm angle grinder from Lidl that I wanted to try with shrinking disc I just ordered. But none of the 4 Lidls I went to had those. Two of them had it earlier this week. But I found different things:

Not big enough for all my metal cutting needs, but for the price, 50€, I have to give it a try. This could have been handy when I did stands for my shrinker and stretcher and throatless shear. I didn't cut very straight with angle grinder and my crooked eyes.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

What are those?

Halder 3408 Drop mallet & punches kit. Here are mine.

The two larger ones are soft faced deadblow hammers (sand inside). You use them in your hand, instead of using your hand as a hammer - which is unhealthy.

The smaller ones are solid soft faced punches.

 

[Squankum]

I have the same creeper and like it. I only wish it had side indentations to put tools in.

Great news! Our modern world now sells tool creepers, too!



Or the lid of a cardboard box makes a nice tray you can drag/push around.

 

[Squankum]

^ And ThermaRest pads are getting quite spendy. I have two or three of them. I'd never use them under a car.
Cats seem to have an affinity for using them to sharpen their claws - all of mine have been repaired by MSR.
I'd think a much better choice would be the "closed-cell foam" pad shown just above - available in any "sporting goods" department - and they're crazy cheap and weigh nothing. Mine's a full-length version - about 6 feet long - but you can get them in a "shorty" version (long enough for head to hips.)
They provide enough cushion I used mine to sleep on the cement floor in my mom's basement before my sister got the room set up with a bed and stuff. (Unfortunately it's all ripped to hell right now as the hot water tank flooded the basement.)

OT, briefly:

Other than name brand Therm-A-Rest, that traditional style mattress can be found sometimes at Wal-Mart for less, and the REI house-brand models are cheaper but just as good, and most importantly, the military bought a zillion of them in green and sommmmehow they have made their way to ebay.