Beerhippie
Well-known member
Something has gone horribly wrong with the local gravity.
Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
Well I do live really close to spiritual land so there’s that
So I figured out what happened, Zoro screwed the pooch on the description/ part number. That’s a first for me with them.
assassin10000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2022
- Messages
- 375
Your spare cuts look really useful. Some time back, I bought some smaller length double box wrenches that are flex and double box spline with offset (not paying crazy manufacturer prices) made for VIM Tools:
I thought they would be great since reversible with spline and offset and the flex is indexed (so not floppy). BUT, it seems having the end end on gets in the way a lot with the standard length and in practice I find it somewhat fiddly to work with unless things are very clear ... and in that case I probably do not need them anyway. So after some use they are far from the first thing I reach for.
Your cut down mountains might be significantly better and cleaner to use.
Credit actually goes to @pfbz
four.cycle
Well-known member
I had to visit the local "Home Depot" in beautiful downtown Sequim earlier this week.
Saw what I thought were a few interesting items:
Yet another "Milwaukee" 45-piece 1/4" hex bit assortment - $20 bucks
What were more interesting were the various "Air Tip" attachments Milwaukee has introduced, one of which found its way home with me.
Fits my Ridgid shop vac just fine. Looks like exactly what I need to clean all the dash vents on this Isuzu that is badly in need of detailing.
The other attachments looked interesting, but the one with the "on-off" brush end was the only one I spent money on.
Milwaukee 49-90-2028 "Air Tip" sliding brush attachment
Saw what I thought were a few interesting items:
Yet another "Milwaukee" 45-piece 1/4" hex bit assortment - $20 bucks
What were more interesting were the various "Air Tip" attachments Milwaukee has introduced, one of which found its way home with me.
Fits my Ridgid shop vac just fine. Looks like exactly what I need to clean all the dash vents on this Isuzu that is badly in need of detailing.
The other attachments looked interesting, but the one with the "on-off" brush end was the only one I spent money on.
Milwaukee 49-90-2028 "Air Tip" sliding brush attachment
Attachments
four.cycle
Well-known member
I went back to Swain's to pick up some more of those little plastic tray containers super cheap.
found a "Diamond" tip assortment for the Dremel tool $4.00 !
also some super-cheap sharp things from a developed country - $1.97 each.
My favorite junk store had a couple lug wrenches that will fit the 19mm lug nuts on that Isuzu just dandy.
The little open-ends looked like they needed a new home.
found a "Diamond" tip assortment for the Dremel tool $4.00 !
also some super-cheap sharp things from a developed country - $1.97 each.
My favorite junk store had a couple lug wrenches that will fit the 19mm lug nuts on that Isuzu just dandy.
The little open-ends looked like they needed a new home.
noname coolant vacuum filling kit
Beerhippie gave you a tip about the vent hose spraying a mist of old coolant. Here's my tip:
I have a 5g bucket dedicated to mixing antifreeze in. (1 jug distilled, 1 jug coolant.) It also has a spigot on it for pouring but that's another story. Anyway, when I'm using the Airlift, I have the bucket in my shop cart, top shelf, put the pickup hose into it, and to keep that pickup hose's intake at the bottom the bucket I feed it into the box end of a fairly large chrome combination wrench and that has the weight to keep it in place at the bottom of the bucket, and cleans up easily afterwards.
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How do those Grip-On bent needlenose locking pliers perform? I have been trying to find replacement locking needle nose pliers to replace my old Peterson's with no luck to date. The Petersons are finally getting too beat up after many years of hard service. Everything I have tried for locking needle noses have been no where near as durable as my old Peterson's models and/or have poor alignment, work poorly, etc. From the pic the tips on the Grip-On model does not appear very well aligned. I think they may also be on the pricey side if not so well made (recall looking at them online but never ordered due to seeing negative comments).
I also have an Astro low profile impact torx set that I bought to deal with some low clearance needs. I have not used them much (just one or two a few times). So I cannot comment on durability. But they did the jobs needed. It is surprising how difficult it can be to fit standard torx sockets into where they need to go on some cars due to lack of room behind. These, at least, provide some more options when coupled to thin profile ratchets. It gets surreal how many wrenches and socket styles one can legitimately need to work on many modern cars. But I guess that is not a problem for us with Garage Journal excess tendencies
Me included there.
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SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,679
Wanted a 3/8 torque wrench when I fixed the kid’s mini bike tire the other day and didn’t have one. About the same time, I realized I only had deep metric 1/2” drive impact sockets.
Fixed that today.
Need to order some more 1/2” drive TBW socket holders now.
Fixed that today.
Need to order some more 1/2” drive TBW socket holders now.
I haven't given them a through trial yet but they seem to be just fine for what I intend to use them for. End links on a handful of cars where you need to hold a wrench flat but the strut is in the way...How do those Grip-On bent needlenose locking pliers perform? I have been trying to find replacement locking needle nose pliers to replace my old Peterson's with no luck to date. The Petersons are finally getting too beat up after many years of hard service. Everything I have tried for locking needle noses have been no where near as durable as my old Peterson's models and/or have poor alignment, work poorly, etc. From the pic the tips on the Grip-On model does not appear very well aligned. I think they may also be on the pricey side if not so well made (recall looking at them online but never ordered due to seeing negative comments).
I also have an Astro low profile impact torx set that I bought to deal with some low clearance needs. I have not used them much (just one or two a few times). So I cannot comment on durability. But they did the jobs needed. It is surprising how difficult it can be to fit standard torx sockets into where they need to go on some cars due to lack of room behind. These, at least, provide some more options when coupled to thin profile ratchets. It gets surreal how many wrenches and socket styles one can legitimately need to work on many modern cars. But I guess that is not a problem for us with Garage Journal excess tendencies
I wouldn't consider them to be the best build quality but they are unique in their shape. Jaw alignment is iffy, but I'll put them in the vice and give them a little bend to see if I can sort it out. If I had paid retail for these I'd send them back, but for $25 I think their utility is worth it.
Thanks. What you say and the pics show what I was guessing.
Needle nose style vice-grips are more demanding on tolerances and materials. So cheap ones tend to get messed up quickly. I tended to use these for springs and extracting broken bolts from parts sticking out in somewhat constrained locations. Stuff like that mess up vice-grips with poor quality and poor tempered metals and poor tolerances. The jaws gets twisted and grooved even with modest clamping strength (when you need very high).
It is really shocking in retrospect how good Peterson's production was for low $. I bet if you adjust the price up to contemporary times for what Peterson models cost in the 70s - 90s they would be cheaper than the imports today for similar to less $. So much for globalization making all cheap and good. In cases like this they contribute to scrap metal and landfills or buy Snap Ons for astronomical prices (I think Snap On bought old Peterson tooling and may make good ones but at enormous cost).
Needle nose style vice-grips are more demanding on tolerances and materials. So cheap ones tend to get messed up quickly. I tended to use these for springs and extracting broken bolts from parts sticking out in somewhat constrained locations. Stuff like that mess up vice-grips with poor quality and poor tempered metals and poor tolerances. The jaws gets twisted and grooved even with modest clamping strength (when you need very high).
It is really shocking in retrospect how good Peterson's production was for low $. I bet if you adjust the price up to contemporary times for what Peterson models cost in the 70s - 90s they would be cheaper than the imports today for similar to less $. So much for globalization making all cheap and good. In cases like this they contribute to scrap metal and landfills or buy Snap Ons for astronomical prices (I think Snap On bought old Peterson tooling and may make good ones but at enormous cost).
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The Malco Eagle Grips were the "update" to the Petersen Vise Grips. Snap On did buy all of their tooling. I have a couple pairs of the Eagle Grips and wish I'd bought more when they were available, I never bought any of the long nose / needle nose ones.
That said, I did buy a few pairs of locking pliers under the Harbor Freight Bremen brand. The 9 inch long nose have been great - the jaws seem to be holding up, they're well aligned, and they have a 1/4" square drive on the thumb screw for tightening. I'd buy a few more pairs if I needed them for sure.
Just as an FYI... Icon and Quinn sockets will be 35% off starting next Monday for ITC and next Friday for everyone.Wanted a 3/8 torque wrench when I fixed the kid’s mini bike tire the other day and didn’t have one. About the same time, I realized I only had deep metric 1/2” drive impact sockets.
Fixed that today.
Need to order some more 1/2” drive TBW socket holders now.
I agree that the Harbor Freight Bremen brand seem about as good as you get these days for a cheapie vise-grip style pliers. A recommendation here some time back said they were good, so I gave them a try figuring I had little to lose. The Bremen needle noses are surprisingly well aligned and they work well. BUT, I also find the jaws are a lot more fragile than the Peterson's were. Either poorer materials or tempering. So they do not hold up nearly as well as Peterson's versions when clamping on hardened bolts and springs. But they are a lot of pliers for the money and should be fine in light duty uses. Maybe much better than a lot of more expensive competitors.
I never bought any Snap On branded ones to try. I imagine they might be as good or better than Peterson's (assuming they use as good materials and pay attention to finishing details). But the cost is too high for my taste as a DIY guy without tool truck access. For a pro shop guy using them a lot it could make sense if they will honor their warranty for long and not claim abuse on extractions etc.
I picked up a 2 pack of the 2.5 high output batteries. I like the small footprint the 2.0 batteries but my tools were having issues last week when it was 12-18 degrees outside. I had to use 4.0 batteries to get the tools to work. Hopefully the 2.5 does better in the cold.
Also grabbed another bottle opener and a Klein ladder holder.
The bottle openers are like Pokémon, you have to catch them all.
Edit: ****, looking at this pic I see I don’t have the standard green and black everyone knows Wera for.
Also grabbed another bottle opener and a Klein ladder holder.
The bottle openers are like Pokémon, you have to catch them all.
Edit: ****, looking at this pic I see I don’t have the standard green and black everyone knows Wera for.
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I think some guy here found a used Petersen needlenose on ebay in decent condition, other than cosmetic rust. $20.
Also, those Spanish Grip Ons with the orange handles are also marketed by Channellock. One example:
103-6 6-inch Combination Long Nose Locking Pliers | Shop CHANNELLOCK®
Upgrade your work with CHANNELLOCK® 6-inch Long Nose Locking Pliers – precision and durability in one. Long Nose for tight spaces, Combination design for versatile grip. Forged Steel Jaws, Extended-Release Lever, and Epoxy Resin Coating for strength, control, and rust prevention.
shop.channellock.com
I don't see a bent-sideways version there, though. But in general, something to keep an eye peeled for when shopping for the best price.
If you want long-nosed locking pliers bent in the other axis, this is an option:
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers, - Amazon.com
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers, - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
I paid $35ish on a warehouse deal, saving just a few bucks, IIRC, back in December. Right now, price is zany. Price is especially zany as Knipex's locking pliers don't have the level of fit and finish of their usual pliers. They're rebranded Bollmans, made in Germany but to a lower price point. I can't complain much at $35 for First World pliers but I sure wouldn't do $62.
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How do those Grip-On bent needlenose locking pliers perform? I have been trying to find replacement locking needle nose pliers to replace my old Peterson's with no luck to date. The Petersons are finally getting too beat up after many years of hard service. Everything I have tried for locking needle noses have been no where near as durable as my old Peterson's models and/or have poor alignment, work poorly, etc. From the pic the tips on the Grip-On model does not appear very well aligned. I think they may also be on the pricey side if not so well made (recall looking at them online but never ordered due to seeing negative comments).
I also have an Astro low profile impact torx set that I bought to deal with some low clearance needs. I have not used them much (just one or two a few times). So I cannot comment on durability. But they did the jobs needed. It is surprising how difficult it can be to fit standard torx sockets into where they need to go on some cars due to lack of room behind. These, at least, provide some more options when coupled to thin profile ratchets. It gets surreal how many wrenches and socket styles one can legitimately need to work on many modern cars. But I guess that is not a problem for us with Garage Journal excess tendencies
Project Farm has a test on the needle nose locking pliers if you actually want some real data. Short summary, the import Irwin are very good.
Some more gearwrench
That's a good start! Now start shopping for locking GW extensions!
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I own Peterson's... My favorite are the Malco eagle grip. I own a lot of other varieties including some crazy inexpensive ones. But if I'm going to just buy a set and I know I want them to work I buy the Irwin.
I bought a set of the bremen And the set I had were absolutely awful so I returned them. If I'd take in replacements those probably would have been fine but I had already picked up some irwins cuz I needed them.
Ironically the small pittsburghs that don't rate nearly as well as the bremens. We're just fine. They were the smaller mini ones. I don't know a lot of locking pliers
zimman
Well-known member
Kline flip sockets. Very good for under hood work. 8 sockets on one quarter drive.
Zim
Zim
When I went shopping for 9" long-nose Vise Grips, I didn't find any hints that Malco had made any long-nosed Vise-Grip-like pliers. From that point I focused on finding some Petersen-era Vise Grips on ebay.
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,679
Saw that but I live over an hour from the nearest HF. I was already there for the torque wrench and figured I’d burn more in fuel going back just to get the sockets on sale.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Are those voltage rated?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
They arrived today.
Look to be well worth $6. I just hope they actually have conductors inside the insulation this time.
They'll go in the road tool bag. Perfect for backprobing connectors or self-defense.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Are you getting these online or finding them in stores? I think I saw the red and blue before for Red BullI picked up a 2 pack of the 2.5 high output batteries. I like the small footprint the 2.0 batteries but my tools were having issues last week when it was 12-18 degrees outside. I had to use 4.0 batteries to get the tools to work. Hopefully the 2.5 does better in the cold.
Also grabbed another bottle opener and a Klein ladder holder.
The bottle openers are like Pokémon, you have to catch them all.
Edit: ****, looking at this pic I see I don’t have the standard green and black everyone knows Wera for.
four.cycle
Well-known member
I had intended to buy another pair of the 70612 Icon long needle-nose pliers when I walked into the local Harbor Freight store up on 6th Avenue.
I called last night and was told they had four in stock.
The pegboard hook was empty, so the young lady went "into the back" searching.
Apparently all four pairs grew legs and walked out the door on their own.
I called last night and was told they had four in stock.
The pegboard hook was empty, so the young lady went "into the back" searching.
Apparently all four pairs grew legs and walked out the door on their own.
afazz
Well-known member
It’s not complete yet, but I wanted to get it posted while we’re still on page 1995 of this thread….I started building a 90s themed travel tool kit for my 90s VWs 
here are some recent hauls from Snap-on, Icon, Ernst, eBay, and Marketplace.
here are some recent hauls from Snap-on, Icon, Ernst, eBay, and Marketplace.The red and blue is the American edition and has a white star on the end.
The small one came in the Christmas calendar I bought this year. First Christmas calendar I bought and it was kinda cool.
The yellow one came from eBay.
Wera is my main screwdriver brand I’ve been carrying in my tool bags for 18 years but they all came from online sources. There are no dealers around here I’ve ever come across
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No but at this point I’m sure you can find them in that color pattern
Seems Wera has cornered the market on screwdriver handled bottle openers.
Zim, I take it you haven’t used them under the hood yet? I don’t own any but all my guys do and they don’t stay attached worth a damn. I hope your experience is better then what I’ve seen.Kline flip sockets. Very good for under hood work. 8 sockets on one quarter drive.
Zim
Don’t get me too wrong, they have there place but I wouldn’t trust them when the chances are pretty good they’ll fall off into narnia
Maybe I'm just misremembering. I know they had the LP5LN 6 1/2" long nose that are also available through Snap On.
That is awesome!It’s not complete yet, but I wanted to get it posted while we’re still on page 1995 of this thread….I started building a 90s themed travel tool kit for my 90s VWs
LeeG
Well-known member
I decided I hated not having the reversible nano ratchets
Both sizes Matco sells, plus a Vessel wobble/L drive
Lee
Both sizes Matco sells, plus a Vessel wobble/L drive
Lee
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
Picked up a 6" set of pliers wrenches today. Got a set of 10" on order and should be in tomorrow.
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neophyte
Well-known member
The list price for Petersen Vise Grips in 1975 was $4.65 - $4.85 for the variations of the 10” size.
Federal Minimum wage was $2.00 in 1974, going up yo $2.10 in 1975, and then $2.30 in 1976, so a 10” pair of Vise-Grips cost about 2.3X +/- an hours work for a low wage employee.
Minimum wage hasn’t been raised in years do using that as a benchmark is problematic, but the average fast good employee, or trash collector in Philly, probably earns somewhere around $15 - $20 an hour, which might put the equivalent price for a pair of Vise-Grips at $35.00 -$45.00 , which is less than the Malco Eagle Grips were selling for new, but a bit more than the Eagle Grips were selling for on clearance.
Given the fit and finish differences between the Original Petersen Vise-Grips, and the Eagle Grips, the higher price might have been somewhat reasonable, although too high for the general public.
Thanks. I will look. I thought he only tested regulars. He also likes extreme torture tests so it should be indicative.
Thanks.I think some guy here found a used Petersen needlenose on ebay in decent condition, other than cosmetic rust. $20.
Also, those Spanish Grip Ons with the orange handles are also marketed by Channellock. One example:
103-6 6-inch Combination Long Nose Locking Pliers | Shop CHANNELLOCK®
Upgrade your work with CHANNELLOCK® 6-inch Long Nose Locking Pliers – precision and durability in one. Long Nose for tight spaces, Combination design for versatile grip. Forged Steel Jaws, Extended-Release Lever, and Epoxy Resin Coating for strength, control, and rust prevention.
I don't see a bent-sideways version there, though. But in general, something to keep an eye peeled for when shopping for the best price.
If you want long-nosed locking pliers bent in the other axis, this is an option:
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers, - Amazon.com
Knipex Tools 41 44 200 8" Angled Long Nose Locking Grip Pliers, - Amazon.comwww.amazon.com
I paid $35ish on a warehouse deal, saving just a few bucks, IIRC, back in December. Right now, price is zany. Price is especially zany as Knipex's locking pliers don't have the level of fit and finish of their usual pliers. They're rebranded Bollmans, made in Germany but to a lower price point. I can't complain much at $35 for First World pliers but I sure wouldn't do $62.
I did buy one pair of Knipex and one of Stahlville for at least the regular style and I was not so impressed what I was getting for the cost. Grip On seems not so hot from reports online more broadly and here ... the pics posted earlier did not look good.
I think I may be asking a lot in my mode of use using them to grab nubs of hardened bolts in constrained areas and working with hardened springs. I should add I was often using smaller sizes too ... so the stress was extra high on the smaller jaws. The Peterson's dealt with that and rough use a lot better than anything else I have come across when trying to find the present versions.
One guy pointed out that the outsourced Chinese Irwin's do surprisingly well. I noticed that online in a variety of comments. Maybe they were doing a pretty complete copy of the Peterson's (right down to metals and procedures) that were made for Irwin for many years .
neophyte
Well-known member
Stanley bought Irwin, and supposedly hot very concerned by the low reputation of the Vise-Grip brand.
Stanley has the resources and connections yo make sure proper steel and quality control was used, while still keeping the price reasonable.