I'm curious what company people think tends to be one of the biggest innovators in tools? Not just making good tools, but new stuff that's really better. Some examples might be Knipex's Pliers Wrench, or Makita's brushless impact driver. It looks like Rack-a-Tiers has developed a lot of cool stuff for electricians.
Most innovative tools?
- Thread starter Milwookie
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Banana Man
Well-known member
I'm throughly impressed with my Knipex pliers wrench, and mini bolt cutters. The new Makita brushless tool kit it also amazing, the 5.0 Ah batteries last forever, and charge crazy fast with a built in fan for active cooling. My new Snap On ATECH torque wrench is innovative to say the least. Also my cordless Pasload finish nailer is the business 
Astro.
I mean, not always reinventing the wheel. But it seems like every other week they are coming out with something new. When I go to SEMA, other tool brands might have like one or two things since last year. I dunno, maybe its cuz they are active on here and I see it.
I mean, not always reinventing the wheel. But it seems like every other week they are coming out with something new. When I go to SEMA, other tool brands might have like one or two things since last year. I dunno, maybe its cuz they are active on here and I see it.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Pittsburgh, they always find a way to make something you thought was as cheap as possible even cheaper.
bcradio
Well-known member
Lots of good suggestions here.
I think Festool is because of the way they make everything work as a system.
I think Festool is because of the way they make everything work as a system.
Jeeper
Well-known member
I put a vote in for Lisle. Ford F150 spark plug remover, seal remover, honda crank bolt socket (not sure if they invented it but their design is cost effective), spill free funnel to name a few.
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That's what I was thinking. Is there anything that comes close to a BJP1?
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thegroundpounder99
Well-known member
IPA (Innovative Products of America) makes some really good stuff, especially when it comes to electrical testing tools and maintenance.
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superautobacs
Well-known member
As a company, Festool is definitely high up there.
I think Bosch is another company that has consistently been innovative. I once heard that Bosch files more patents per year than any other company in the world. (don't quote me on that though)
MushCreek
Well-known member
Kreg has a lot of innovative stuff for wood working.
The two that I consistently get surprised by, although for different reasons, are SnapOn and Pittsburgh.
SnapOn impresses me with it's expansive line of specialty tools. And although you pay dearly for the name, their products are usually among the best in quality available and you can't beat the warranty.
Pittsburgh/HF impresses me with how incredibly cheap they can sell basic tools. They offer a TON of value for a lot of their product line, although I generally prefer to buy higher quality tools for myself in most instances.
SnapOn impresses me with it's expansive line of specialty tools. And although you pay dearly for the name, their products are usually among the best in quality available and you can't beat the warranty.
Pittsburgh/HF impresses me with how incredibly cheap they can sell basic tools. They offer a TON of value for a lot of their product line, although I generally prefer to buy higher quality tools for myself in most instances.
Raymond Fast
Well-known member
I agree regarding Harbor Freight. If I used my tools regularly on my job and had to depend on them to put a roof over my head or food on my table, I'd buy few if any of them at HF. But as a homeowner and hobbyist who doesn't put a whole lot of wear and tear on most of my tools (at least not like I would with daily use), the quality of HF tools is usually sufficient and well worth the price. There are some really cool, highly specialized tools out there, but there's more to innovation than "whiz-bang." Simplicity, efficiency, and basic value are very important to me.
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
I would agree, very cool systems by them
akalian
Well-known member
Years ago a company called Lever Wrench came out with a complete line of wrenches to compete with Vice Grip.
When I saw a demo of how they worked, I picked up one of everything they made. The wrench's claim to fame was that they were self adjusting as to whatever you gripped. You could set the clamping pressure independent of the what you were clamping.
The other nice thing, is that they were easy to open, unlike Vice Grips.
Later versions of Vice Grips addressed the opening problem by adding an additional release lever.
Unfortunately, they never caught on, and went out of business. As far I know, the wrenches are no longer made. They have distinctive orange handles, and distinctive shape. If you see any of these, get 'em. I've been using mine now for many years don't even own any Vice Grip pliers.
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When I saw a demo of how they worked, I picked up one of everything they made. The wrench's claim to fame was that they were self adjusting as to whatever you gripped. You could set the clamping pressure independent of the what you were clamping.
The other nice thing, is that they were easy to open, unlike Vice Grips.
Later versions of Vice Grips addressed the opening problem by adding an additional release lever.
Unfortunately, they never caught on, and went out of business. As far I know, the wrenches are no longer made. They have distinctive orange handles, and distinctive shape. If you see any of these, get 'em. I've been using mine now for many years don't even own any Vice Grip pliers.
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As a company, Festool is definitely high up there.
I think Bosch is another company that has consistently been innovative. I once heard that Bosch files more patents per year than any other company in the world. (don't quote me on that though)
They might... but.
Bosch is a HUGE company and their tools make up less than 10% of their business. This is handy sometimes, as the new Bosch Reaxx tablesaw is using technology swiped from their automotive division, specifically airbags.
Kreg's Auto-Max clamps are using self-adjusting tech, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The inner tie rod end tool that looks like an exhaust clamp,$20.00 for it and does work.K Tool International makes it and there is another one that does make it as well.Not bad for $20.00.Bought one and it does work
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
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- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
99% of inner tierod changes I just use a big *** channel lock. The mayhew tool is freaking awesome though. That's on my list
Do you use the took for installing or adjusting?
Do you use the took for installing or adjusting?
The DIY Hubby
Active member
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The SawStop table saw is in my opinion the most innovative power tool in the last couple of years. The safety features are out of this world. I recently watched the "sausage demonstration" video from the guys at SawStop. It is amazing how quickly the saw reacts to detecting flesh, it barely nicked the sausage. Looking at some price lists online, the SawStop is definitely more expensive than other saws, but a small price to pay for keeping your fingers.
Snap On is the obvious choice here. They invented the modern socket set almost 100 years ago, but somehow managed to keep on inventing. That's about spending money on engineering, R&D, and market research. The other US tool companies didn't really do that. SK invented the round head ratchet, then never really invented anything else.
But while Snap On has been inventive, they have also purchased many smaller companies that invented stuff they liked. Sun produced the vehicle diagnostic systems. Snap On bought Sun and has done right by them. Same as CDI, Williams, Bahco etc.
Snap On is a corporate success story on a level beyond just about everybody else. But there are smaller companies out there innovating and making big impacts on the industry. Gearwrench invented the modern ratcheting box wrench. That revolutionized ratchet wrenches and maybe ratchet handles as well. Saw Stop invented the first table saw with an effective meat sensing brake. Hasn't consumed the industry yet, but it hopefully will. I think Koken is a company to watch for innovation. I think they are rethinking the socket, how it works...etc
The area I'd like to see more innovation is in tool storage. I'd like to see someone like Tekton get more involved. We haven't really reconsidered tool boxes or tool storage. The Germans' mini roll carts like the Assistant appear to have been designed for floor based workmen, working on cars on jack stands. They appear to be designed to be accessed from the ground. They were optimized for the fewer number of tools used in the past and for limited space. The few number of tools aside, these features seem to be better suited to most home shop mechanics, but that's not what I see in their garages.
The modern Snap On roll cabs seem to be designed for standing workers using a lift. Their larger footprints make sense for moving them around larger shops. While I'd love to have a new Snap On roll cab, I feel I'd probably be better served by something designed for ground based work. From a garage perspective, a Peli case makes more sense than a sheet metal box. They can be sealed from humidity, are more damage tolerant, lighter, probably stiffer, have multiple ways to move or handle them. Our military uses them and they make a lot of sense.
Socket, wrench, screwdriver storage isn't great either. I've tried most methods and I'm not deliriously happy with any of them. Like to see more innovation surrounding tool storage and access. I'd like better labeling to show sizes, ways to remove whole sets, ways to reconfigure sets for specific vehicles...etc.
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wafrederick
Well-known member
Used it once,removing the old one and and installing the new inner tie rod end.
Here is an example of what it looks like,
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superautobacs
Well-known member
The other one is probably Cal-Van Tools #946
smittyjones
Well-known member
I have the Mayhew tie rod tool, the one that looks like a stud remover. It works marvelously, most of the time. There are a few that are a little too small for it, and it acts like it wants to work, but doesn't grab. I haven't had any that are too big for it yet. I did do a (Subaru Forester?) other day, and it was back in a tunnel. The tool's girth was too large for the tunnel, so I used pliers anyway.
Not even close. BJP1 is a total game changer in doing ball joints, and everyone else still uses the juggling act that is cups and plates and ****. Everyone in our shop has the BJP1 because they're just so badass. The only guy that ever bought the other style sold it and got a BJP1.