Any New "Must-Have" Hand Tool Designs?

[jamison]

Hello friends. For a short explanation, I guess this would be an invitation to post your favorite new tools of the past two years or so.

I haven't been following the tool industry for a while now, so I was hoping there are some wrenchers here who are willing to inform me of (or link me to an existing post) concerning any hand tools (primarily from a mechanics point of view) which you believe to be noteworthy due to a new design, an innovative feature, a significant improvement over prior releases, or tools which are effectively designed to solve problems we didn't even know existed!

I'd love to hear about all of the tools which have found a home in your box!

Some other examples of what I'd love to hear about: new releases from Harbor Freight that have been added to the "HF classic" list of cheap tools everyone should probably buy (a set of their cheap composite ratchets is one example in my opinion), a new tool from a major supplier that might be super expensive but worth the money, and I'm also a sucker for tooth counts in ratchets. Per recent testing I've seen, the 90T designs appear to be a sweet spot for swing arc, smoothness, and torque loading and show that it doesn't always have to be the most expensive to be the best. In the same test (I believe it was a Project Farm comparison video), the GearWrench 120XP line was pretty nice but not as strong under a large torque load.

Any info would be appreciated and if there's a similar thread out there already (I did a quick search), feel free to link me there and I can lock this one. Thank you!

 

[jamison]

I was browsing Amazon in the tool section, and if you're a sucker for ratchets like I am, this may interest you.

At first, I was just going to pass them over as a GearWrench clone, but then I took an extra few seconds to look at the images and noticed something pretty cool. This is not a GW clone using dual 60-tooth pawls to achieve the 120-tooth 3-degree swing arc. They appear to be a recent release, as there are zero Amazon reviews and I couldn't find a single Ares 120-tooth ratchet review either written or on YT.

This is using a single pawl 120-fine tooth gear and I counted a total of 16 teeth engaged at all times, which should lead to quite a bit of strength too. The price isn't bad, and there aren't any real savings in buying the three-piece set versus each ratchet individually, so I'm going to go ahead and buy one to test it out. The model is "ARES 42067 – 120 Tooth Ratchet Set" for anyone interested and I've attached an image of the internals.

 

[spanimal]

There has been so few innovation in hand tools over the years.

For spanners, I think most people should choose an anti slip open end design over the traditional flat open ends.

The wobble plus socket extension types are all you really need these days, no need for seperate wobble and standard extensions.

Everybody seems to have moved from course teeth rathchets.

The single really biggest change is the advent of cordless power tools in the automotive field. I and everyone here has such a shiny ratchet fetish...but the beaten up cordless ratchet does 90 percent of the productive labour....on my side anyway. And no one holds that beaten up plastic in any way near the now much less used all shiny metal hand tools. It's weird...I literally hate my Milwaukee electric ratchet. But it's all I really ever use.

Edit. In hindsight it's probably because it will forever be viewed as a throw away item...I mean I ain't ever gonna say "Son...this is for you" on my death bed. Then whip out this ugly piece of fooken ****.

 

[General Geoff]

Pliers-Wrench. Knipex designed and patented the original, and now Harbor Freight has a damn good clone for about 2/3s the price.


Granted this is not a bleeding edge innovation, the Knipex version has been around for about 20 years now.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ll second the pliers wrench. The Icon is pretty nice but I bought the Knipex because my HF never has the Icon in stock. Also their parrot jaw pliers are great too. They have saved me a few times on seized brake caliper slide pins to twist them out so you don’t mar up the pin with vise grips. I bought the Icon version of those as they always seem to have those lol.

I did want to point out one new design that I’m just not impressed with of course it’s my opinion only but I know some might love it. It’s on a ratchet and I seen you posted about ratchets earlier. That’s the new Snap-on locking flex head design. The old design ***** and the new design does too. The old design breaks off easily and gets in the way and the new design feels pretty weak at least in my opinion. The Matco feels way stronger. Just wanted to throw that out there as I don’t feel that’s a change for the better.

 

[CGarage]

Bit ratchets in 1/4” drive are way smaller and with finer teeth these days. Facom/USAG has an excellent bit ratchet and so does Tone Japan. Do a search and learn about them. They are way better engineered than American equivalents (from Lang, etc).

 

[Odd-job]

How long have you not been following?

Stubby sockets, RBRT, Milwaukee M12, led lights in general are some of the advancements in recent years.

 

[lardy1]

I came to GJ as a very uninformed consumer. I had been away from the trades for a few years. Strap yourself in, OP. It's going to be a wild (but enjoyable) ride.

Personally, the Euro pliers innovations and battery impacts have probably influenced me most. You mention Harbor Freight........go get their version of the pliers wrench and you'll understand.

Enjoy.

 

[CGarage]

Other than Knipex, are there any other Euro plier innovators?

 

[JradM]

Other than Knipex, are there any other Euro plier innovators?

NWS? Sure, many of the pliers aren't too far from normal, but the fantastico side cutters... plus NWS is actually a step up from Knipex in my opinion.

 

[CGarage]

I forgot about NWS! Thank you for the reminder. They make great stuff!

 

[Outahere]

Some interesting tools from EZRED. Are they a must-have? Yes and no.

8" S-Shaped Quarter Stick - EZRED

Features S-shaped 8 inches long 1/4" square socket and magnetic bit drives Made of chrome vanadium steel 5 degree return angle Robust and durable Fine-tooth ratchet mechanism Benefits This ¼” square and magnetic bit drive ratchet allows easy access around obstructions Designed to...

ezred.com

5-in-1 Pistol Grip Pliers - EZRED

Features 10” long nose pliers with crimping, cutting, wire stripping, and fastener extraction functions Offset jaws offer a clear line of sight to the work being performed Ergonomic design of pistol grip is easier to use in difficult to reach areas Offers better orientation of the hand and...

ezred.com

1/4" Stubby Combination Drive - 4" Long - EZRED

Features: Custom reversible switch Knurled, low-profile, thumb wheel for extra precision 180 degree flex heads for multiple angles

ezred.com

1/4" & 3/8" Drive Combination Stick - EZRED

Features ¼”- 3/8” stick combination drive locking flex heads 12 inch length is great for tight spots under dashboards and bumpers Custom reversible switch Knurled, low-profile thumb wheel for extra precision 180 degree flexible heads at each end for multiple angles High-polished chrome...

ezred.com

 

[Xcursion88]

I would say the biggest advancement is electric.
Ratchets, impacts, stubby impacts and countless of other items like saws, cut off tools, and so on...lights...
More power, less cumbersome most times with no air line to deal with

You can't go wrong with any of the big three being DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita

Wrench/socket type things
SK X-frames are my favorite ratcheting wrench

Knipex 82 01 200 is a nice new plier that allows grip of a ruined fastener head so you can grip it straight on.

SK has a body rivet tool remover that's vunduhbah

MAC has new RBRT stuff that really helps with damaged hex/torx fasteners
(R)ounded (B)olt (R)emoval (T)echnology

 

[CGarage]

I would say the biggest advancement is electric.
Ratchets, impacts, stubby impacts and countless of other items like saws, cut off tools, and so on...lights...
More power, less cumbersome most times with no air line to deal with

You can't go wrong with any of the big three being DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita

Wrench/socket type things
SK X-frames are my favorite ratcheting wrench

Knipex 82 01 200 is a nice new plier that allows grip of a ruined fastener head so you can grip it straight on.

SK has a body rivet tool remover that's vunduhbah

MAC has new RBRT stuff that really helps with damaged hex/torx fasteners
(R)ounded (B)olt (R)emoval (T)echnology

SK body rivet tool remover- can you please send me info on this? Thank you!

 

[jamison]

How long have you not been following?

Stubby sockets, RBRT, Milwaukee M12, led lights in general are some of the advancements in recent years.

Not too long - some of the items posted here have been new to me and others I've known about. I believe the nature of the industry is simply saturated with great ideas/patents so new tech and drastic improvements are pretty rare these days. Thanks.

 

[Xcursion88]

SK body rivet tool remover- can you please send me info on this? Thank you!

It's a kit or individual..

 

[Xcursion88]

It's a kit or individual..

The snaller tool has a pin to push in the rivets with dimples then flip it around lift rivet out.

The bigger one does all other plastic rivets. Completely adjustable head

 

[Xcursion88]

It's a kit or individual..

 

[Dave455]

Other than Knipex, are there any other Euro plier innovators?

Knipex definitely seem to be the biggest innovators.

VBW offer their own versions of the Pliers Wrench, which some prefer, but it’s only a variation.

Schmitz seem to be little known, but they specialise in electronic / precision pliers and the quality is superb. I would say as good as Lindstrom used to be. Prices are very reasonable.

They’re not European, but Maun in the U.K. offer “Bernards” pattern parallel action pliers and cutters. If you have never used these, they are a must for some tasks, such as gripping pins. I use their cutters almost daily, and other designs seem very crude once you are used to the extra leverage.

 

[Odd-job]

Not too long - some of the items posted here have been new to me and others I've known about. I believe the nature of the industry is simply saturated with great ideas/patents so new tech and drastic improvements are pretty rare these days. Thanks.

Nothing too revolutionary in the past couple of years. RBRT as mentioned earlier is pretty good stuff. Looking to try out the hyper step drill bits soon. The Astro long handle flex head stubby impact also has my attention.

 

[JradM]

Nothing too revolutionary in the past couple of years. RBRT as mentioned earlier is pretty good stuff. Looking to try out the hyper step drill bits soon. The Astro long handle flex head stubby impact also has my attention.

And SBD did a sort of half-RBRT on the new V-series.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

These two right here are amazing tools. 6648 is basically part of my body when working on cars. Brake hardware, plastic clips, scraping stuff, electrical connectors, prying, pulling carpet staples, etc.