Name (your) revolutionary tools

[rick carpenter]

OK, so here's a chance to name, and display if you have one, a tool that you consider revolutionary and tell why. Not necessarily world-changers but tools that are truly new after thousands of years of tool development. I'll go first.

Knipex Pliers-Wrench. I don't have a pair yet but the cross between an adjustable wrench and tongue-and-groove pliers looks to be a new & useful tool and not simply an improvement of one of its parents.

I've got a couple others in mind, but now it's someone else's turn.

 

[arizonaadam]

Anything with the word "air" or "power" in the title!

 

[MRunabout]

Snap-On long handle, 80 tooth flex ratchet.

 

[slyonedoofy]

The internet.... so I can find Garage Journal.

 

[honcho]

Kalashnikov AK-47

 

[slyonedoofy]

Kalashnikov AK-47

I like your thinking...

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Die Grinders and Rolocs

Knipex Pliers Wrench

M12 line up

EvapoRust

Nice set of Picks

Snap On Torx Set

Baby Powder from 99cent store next to Nitrile Gloves

Tri Flow Lubricant

 

[woodstockva]

- Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2763 High Torque 1/2" Impact
- OTC Drain Plug Pro
- Ingersoll Rand W1120 1/4" Impact
- Proto ASD Ratcheting Wrenches
- WrightGRIP Wrenches

 

[bobbycos]

as stated 2 posts earlier

evaporust

 

[BirdMobile]

The light bulb. Best tool in my shop!

 

[jakemac]

I'm the biggest tool in my shop. There are some that believe that "after thousands of years of tool development", there's nothing new about me. But I beg to differ. I have perfected toolness, no further development is necessary.


I nominate the Oscillating Multi-Tool for top modern honors.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Kinpex cobra

3/8 impact

Wobble extensions

Left-handed drill bits

Gearwrench XL double box wrenches

Semi-deep sockets

 

[mitusa]

I don't know how popular these are.....but we rented one a couple of years ago to finish a barn floor. A vast improvement over the earlier ones.

http://www.concreteequipmentdirect....l-float-bracket-chain-driven-smooth-operation

I know it's a simple tool, but it is so much better than the older ones that would not change the angle of approach.

Are these popular in other parts of the country? My bil tried to rent one the other day in OKC and couldn't find anyone who had one.....

 

[CJM8515]

Id have to go with my snap on CT 6850 and matching flashlight. I love them, have had them for years now. Rebuilt batteries and the gun once. But that gun has come in handy so many times I lost track.

 

[shaggymutt1]

I have like 5 sets of channel locks that I have not used in 5 years. Not since I discovered the Knipex Cobra!

 

[shaggymutt1]

Kalashnikov AK-47

Technology stolen from the Germans!

 

[BirdMobile]

Technology stolen from the Germans!

The best kind, I'm sure.

 

[Haveblue]

1/4" air ratchet..used to think I didn't need one..boy was I wrong!!

 

[thewatusi]

Fleshlight

 

[DodgeMech]

Snap-On long handle, 80 tooth flex ratchet.

FHLF80...god's gift to the modern mechanic haha

 

[quattroJoe]

Ratcheting wrenches

 

[Rickster]

I second the ratcheting wrenches!

 

[dewalt378g]

Almost anything Festool, cordless impact wrenches, Keurig coffee makers

 

[Pumpman1968]

THIS!



When I was a kid starting out, I must have cut and installed miles of BX cable. Ever strip back BX with a cross cut with a hacksaw? Try doing that all day....for months. One day somebody showed me a Roto- Split....what a difference.

 

[rockinacummins]

Rachets in general, Which leads to racheting wrenches

Impact

Lift

Internet... For buying tools, tool prices, garage journal, and dirty videos.

 

[orca8589]

I'd say hex-bit drivers. One handle, dozens of bits, various lengths.

After that, ratcheting screwdrivers. I didn't care for them, then I used one a few months ago, now I'm hooked.

I worked for a moving company in the mid-90's, and we were constantly running into oddball fasteners on some of the corporate furniture we broke down & rebuilt. I had maybe 30-40 different drivers in my tool box, until I found a 100-piece 1/4" hex bit kit. I was able to get rid of most of my drivers and stay with just the 1/4" handle.

Then, in 1998, I found the 5/16" hex driver at a flea market in North Carolina, and I was able to trade off at least six larger screwdrivers and just use the 5/16" bits. It's the only 5/16" hex driver I've ever seen.




~Chris

 

[Thumper68]

Cordless tools, my first was a 9.6 Panasonic drill/driver bought in 91 what a world of difference these have made not only in the construction trades but in automotive as well.

 

[Ruger_556]

You peoples' ideas of "revolutionary" are epicly boring...

SP Air impact ratchet I use it more than my 3/8 impact or my cordless gun, thing is awesome!

 

[BK13]

If I had air available, I might agree. But for me, it was a Milwaukee 2454 M12 3/8" impact wrench. Not the most powerful thing, but man-oh-man does it speed things up...

 

[Jax Christian]

As a carpenter I'd say an Oscillating dremel. When I am 30 ft on scaffolding beats the kick back of a sawzall.

 

[bcradio]

Electric demolition hammer for me

 

[truckdriver]

Cordless tools starting to match the power of air. When the size is the same it will be truly revolutionary!

 

[Noland]

tig welder. I have a miller. works like a top. made a world of difference.

 

[texasfiremedic]

The threaded bolt and Interchangeable parts. Without these, tools would be very limited.

 

[jeffmoss26]

My key machine

 

[JoeMA]

Festool Domino

 

[JBradley500]

LED flashlights- Surefire, Streamlight, etc.

 

[David Jackson]

Berryman's ChemTool - the answer to a maiden's prayer!!

 

[Tejaas]

Benjamin Martin's pick for "revolutionary tool"

Snap-on item # 1776.

Discontinued, and never was available as an orange hard handle.

~Tejaas~

 

[Gmonkee]

W+ extensions and ratcheting wrenches. Epicly boring, maybe.

A close 3rd is a ratchet with a spinner handle to get into those impossible places for stiff old hands. I don't want to be done playing mechanic yet.