Show your new tool arrivals

[Squankum]

Grabbed two mirrors in the girly section at Wal-Mart! Almost needed one under a car a few weeks ago, may need one for an upcoming carpentry project where my movement will be limited. One's a regular 1x mirror, and I couldn't take a good picture of it it so I flipped it over! The other is 1x on one side, 3x on the other.

 

[WWheeler]

Grabbed two mirrors in the girly section at Wal-Mart! Almost needed one under a car a few weeks ago, may need one for an upcoming carpentry project where my movement will be limited. One's a regular 1x mirror, and I couldn't take a good picture of it it so I flipped it over! The other is 1x on one side, 3x on the other.

Can't go girly on this. Gotta get by looking though that 2" inspection mirror where you can't see a damn thing like a real man!

 

[Squankum]

Can't go girly on this. Gotta get by looking though that 2" inspection mirror where you can't see a damn thing like a real man!

Yeah, got the manly 1" and 2" inspection/dental mirrors...now where do they keep those 3" makeup compacts?!

 

[RMERR]

Got an 80/20 tool stand project right now, so finally grabbed a T-handle ratchet and 1/4" shank hex bits. The Wera's a little pricey, but I like the handle design. Don't know anything about Rexbeti bits really, but it was the only set I could find that goes up to 3/8", all the others topped out at 5/16".

 

[MongoTA]

For years I've made do with an oddball collection of wrenches sourced from who knows where. Nothing fancy; typical Craftsman from back when some ole dinosaur of a store that went by the name of "Sears" was still in business, a couple Kobalt, some no names and a few odd wrenches that came in from auction lots that I won. I have dupes of some sizes and I'm missing others, but I've gotten by with adjustable wrenches, channel locks, vise grips, and a couple of times even "cutting a wrench " out of 1/4" plate.

Well, I don't need to get by any more.

First, a basic set of metric and SAE wrenches:


A set of flex head ratchets:


And a set of stubby wrenches:


First impressions; I prefer the matte and slight textured finish on the flex heads over the smooth chrome on the others. I like the pouches more then expected. Fabric and stitching is decent enough and the velcro seems substantial enough to secure when rolled up and toted around.



Have to write that I'm really happy to have these!

 

[four.cycle]

@Squankum -

Cripe Distributing sells a 2-1/4" inspection mirror with a hexagonal shank (that won't flip-flop out of position when you bump into the exhaust manifold.) (Actually you can get a better deal going through their website if you sign up as a member.)

Those one-inch inspection mirrors belong in the garbage.

 

[M635_Guy]

Stuff for the upcoming demo and Battle of the Bathtub


And my little Hackzall got a big brother...

While everything I've seen has been really positive on the Sawzall, I'm going to be happy to get a chance to use it in anger and see. The Hackzall is the only Milwaukee tool I own that I'm disappointed in...

As a follow-up - all the stuff here did great. I didn't have the right blade for cast iron for the Sawzall (got the Metal Demon - didn't realize cast iron had its own blade), so it wasn't a star there, but it was a monster for the other demo tasks - love it. The EZarc diamond wheel did 80% of the work for the tub, and only at the end was it (maybe) showing any wear. The multitool blades did a pretty good job too. The pry bar set has also been terrific - lots of trim and quarter round since then, and they've been perfect.

I can't recommend the 3M respirator enough. It is pretty comfortable, easy to get on and off and seems to do a great job.

 

[Outahere]

Some Black&Decker chuck key holders from Amazon. I use them as labels more than holders (I don't attach them to the drill cord, I hang them on a rack). A bit pricey at $9/pair. I chose yellow holders so that labeling done with a black Sharpie will be highly visible.

 

[Outahere]

Bought this 8" Proto chisel/punch holder at Zoro.com for $18.75

 

[Outahere]

A pair of 10" Knipex high-leverage diagonal cutters, with angled (12deg) head. $43 from Zoro.

 

[Outahere]

From Amazon I got these (infamous?) 8" Knipex long nose pliers, for $37.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I quit the bodywork trade in 1989 and joined the Navy.

I had a fairly decent set of Snap-On tools that I left with my Dad back home.

Fast forward 35+ years - Mom and Dad passed away, I bought the farm, retired and moved back home to Southern Illinois.

To Dad it really didn't matter if a tool came off the too truck or from Kmart - I found them scatter to hell and beyond with several piece of sets missing.

Once piece at a time, I am trying to put things back together. Some from eBay some off the truck.

This week I picked up a SO stubby to replace a lost one, a round, long handled SO 3/8" flex head to replace an older flex head and an Icon 1/4" flex head just because I liked it.

 

[CFC2]

Bought this 8" Proto chisel/punch holder at Zoro.com for $18.75

I’m kind of curious if Proto (or SBD) still manufactures this tool in the USA?

 

[Outahere]

I’m kind of curious if Proto (or SBD) still manufactures this tool in the USA?

Zoro says it is made in USA

Proto Punch and Cold Chisel Holder, Length 8 in, Diameter 1 in J2108 | Zoro

Order Proto Punch and Cold Chisel Holder, Length 8 in, Diameter 1 in, J2108 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[Squankum]

Thanks for the tip. That should work.

I like the Mueller Kueps version, but I'm not likely going to pay $40+shipping for a plastic tote.

11 months ago I endorsed this tote by Akro-MIlls.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00021LQ0U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just wanted to say, it's a beast. The handle is wide, and on the bottom side, it's not an air gap, it's 360 degrees of plastic handle. Recently had mine loaded up with steel tools in both sides and it didn't care. So glad I couldn't find Sterilite at Wal-Mart that night. (I wasn't hoping for that, but finding these retail is kind of a wild goose chase for me sometimes.)

 

[Squankum]

A pair of 10" Knipex high-leverage diagonal cutters, with angled (12deg) head. $43 from Zoro.

I have those! Fair price for comfort grip, I suspect. I started with non-angled vinyl grips, liked 'em, but then I turned into a comfort grip fiend and bought those when the price was right.

Harry Epstein currently has the non-angled version comfort grip as closeouts, $27.50! And it's still HJE Day through Monday 7/8.

 

[Squankum]

From Amazon I got these (infamous?) 8" Knipex long nose pliers, for $37.

Have those, too! In my top four of most-used pliers, behind 10" Cobras. As we have learned here at GJ, do not use tips as prybars, or try to wind cotter pins out of holes. With that limitation in mind, really nice, fit my hand, I love the smoothness of the joint. Works for me.

Now keep an eye peeled for ‎38 25 200, which is the bent-nosed version.

 

[Outahere]

Have those, too! In my top four of most-used pliers, behind 10" Cobras. As we have learned here at GJ, do not use tips as prybars, or try to wind cotter pins out of holes. With that limitation in mind, really nice, fit my hand, I love the smoothness of the joint. Works for me.

Now keep an eye peeled for ‎38 25 200, which is the bent-nosed version.

I looked up the number 38 25 200 at the Knipex web site and it takes me to a chromed, bent nose "mechanics pliers". Do you own one of those?
It looks like the bent nose version of the 26 12 200 is the 26 22 200.

 

[rharman]

Another vote for the Milwaukee Inkzalls. I'll never buy another Sharpie as long as I live. These Inkzalls are just so superior.

Started using them a couple of years ago.
I have a fresh order of a dozen sitting behind me that recently arrived.
Another great find courtesy of Garage Journal.

 

[Squankum]

I looked up the number 38 25 200 at the Knipex web site and it takes me to a chromed, bent nose "mechanics pliers". I believe the bent nose version of the 26 12 200 is the 26 22 200.

OK, I ran and checked. I own 26 12 200 needlenose pliers, and 38 25 200 bent "mechanic's" pliers. I can saymechanic's pliers have no cutting edges (boy, do I not care! got so many cutting options) and on mine, the gripping surfaces are the mundane parallel lines of my needlenose pliers. (Some SO fans who say the Talon Grip is superior do cite the mundane gripping surfaces of these Knipex but I haven't had any problems, never noticed.)

I even bought a used pair of SO Talon Grip needle nose to compare, and they're good, sturdy, and different. Horses for courses. Tougher tasks, I reach for the SO. (I bought used, and before I owned them, their joint got rusted. I loosened it up as best I could but I prefer my silky smooth Knipex joint. Grippiness of the Talon Grip handles is fantastic.

My mechanic's pliers are also fairly polished or possibly chromed, not so common in Krautland. Have they detected that Americans like shiny?

26 22 200 has cutting jaws. Knipex website says they have half-round jaws, well, so do my mechanic's pliers version. I'd say the difference is cutting jaws and maybe polish/chrome.

Shop accordingly.

Also, there's a pair with an even bigger bend (80 deg.) , but when I got mine, comfort grip ("multi component") was not an option. Not sure about now. And there's a pair for tugging on hoses that are very nice but I must admit, HF Icon has that format for a very fair price.

 

[rharman]

Grabbed two mirrors in the girly section at Wal-Mart! Almost needed one under a car a few weeks ago, may need one for an upcoming carpentry project where my movement will be limited. One's a regular 1x mirror, and I couldn't take a good picture of it it so I flipped it over! The other is 1x on one side, 3x on the other.

I've had a smaller pair of mirrors like those (but not magnifying) for years. They're indispensable. My lighted 2-1/2" telescoping mirror still gets some use but these tend to be my goto's now.

I also use the rubber Scunci hair bands extensively. Handy for so many things.

You'll find that the kitchen utensil aisle yields some goodies too....

 

[Squankum]

Started using them a couple of years ago.
I have a fresh order of a dozen sitting behind me that recently arrived.
Another great find courtesy of Garage Journal.

Dagnabbit, had to order some!

 

[D.F.B]

Must be a Knipex type of day..............................

https://www.knipex.com/products/carpenters%27-pincers/carpenters%27-pincers/carpenters-pincers/5001210

I've been breaking down unused pallets to make display boxes at work. While I have been using a "pallet buster" to separate each piece of timber, I've still had to contend with the nails, some of which were rusted and proved difficult to remove. Hence the set of pincers.

VEVOR Pallet Buster Deck Wrecker Pallet Tool Pry Bar with 104 cm Handle 907 kg | eBay

VEVOR Pallet Buster – Lift Heavy, Stress Less. Our pallet buster tool can easily dismantle pallets, decks, and more for efficient clearing. It is ideal for replacing or reusing wood materials. Get More Out of Your Wood: Tired of splitting or damaging wooden planks?.

www.ebay.com.au

So happy to be working with timber again.

 

[Wamsutta]

A pair of 10" Knipex high-leverage diagonal cutters, with angled (12deg) head. $43 from Zoro.

Are you going to try those on cotter pins? Let me know how well they do.

 

[bugnut]

Wanted a driver for all of the hex locking inserts...Amazons finest

 

[mikeinri]

Can't go girly on this. Gotta get by looking though that 2" inspection mirror where you can't see a damn thing like a real man!

Yeah, got the manly 1" and 2" inspection/dental mirrors...now where do they keep those 3" makeup compacts?!

I was about to point out the major PITA with the inspection mirrors (barely bump into ANYTHING and waste 5+ minutes getting the angle back where you need it)...

Didn't know there's a solution to that!

@Squankum -

Cripe Distributing sells a 2-1/4" inspection mirror with a hexagonal shank (that won't flip-flop out of position when you bump into the exhaust manifold.) (Actually you can get a better deal going through their website if you sign up as a member.)

Those one-inch inspection mirrors belong in the garbage.

Mike

 

[Squankum]

I was about to point out the major PITA with the inspection mirrors (barely bump into ANYTHING and waste 5+ minutes getting the angle back where you need it)...

Didn't know there's a solution to that!





Mike

Sure, get that hex shaft mirror. But this is GJ, so I have to egg you on into buying a fiber optic borescope, too! So many uses...

 

[M635_Guy]

This week I picked up a SO stubby to replace a lost one, a round, long handled SO 3/8" flex head to replace an older flex head and an Icon 1/4" flex head just because I liked it.

I have both the SO and the Icon 1/4" roto, and they're both pretty great. The SO is shallower/smaller and has a bit less backdrag, but I tend to reach for the Icon first for some reason (maybe just because I had it first)

 

[four.cycle]

Didn't know there's a solution to that!

^ That's the one. I still have two of the old one-inch models if anyone is looking for same.

Cripe on ebay. You'll get a better deal if you go to their website, sign up, and buy it. Only way to reduce shipping costs is to buy a BUNCH of stuff at one time.

 

[Outahere]

....My mechanic's pliers are also fairly polished or possibly chromed, not so common in Krautland. Have they detected that Americans like shiny?

I own two of the mechanics pliers, a 38 21 200 and a 38 35 200. What I find a bit unique about both of them is that the pivot joint seems to be designed to restrict movement beyond a certain point. Opening the plier tips to about 3/4" is smooth and easy, but after that the effort goes way up. Knipex does not describe this as a feature in their product description.

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

1st time buying " used -like new " off amazon.
Got these for $5

 

[Outahere]

Two more Knipex tools I bought at Amazon recently.
7.5" Needle Nose Combination Pliers $32.50
11" Nippers $26.75

 

[BobsYourUncle69]

Two more Knipex tools I bought at Amazon recently.
7.5" Needle Nose Combination Pliers $32.50
11" Nippers $26.75

I've been seeing these and Gedores on Amazon and having a hard time deciding between the 2. Picked up some NOS Ampro Pliers for a decent price but still looking for something to use if/When the Ampros aren't good enough

 

[mikeinri]

^ That's the one. I still have two of the old one-inch models if anyone is looking for same.

Cripe on ebay. You'll get a better deal if you go to their website, sign up, and buy it. Only way to reduce shipping costs is to buy a BUNCH of stuff at one time.

Looks like the head (mirror) is still subject to getting knocked around?

Mike

 

[four.cycle]

^ Good question. You made me go look.

If YOUR inspection mirror is the type that employs the Smith Kyser design (patent 3582123) to attach the mirror head to the handle, yes, it most definitely can easily be knocked out of kilter.

IF your inspection mirror employs a nut-and-screw affair that allows you to adjust the tension on the ball pivot, then it will be more difficult to knock it out of adjustment.

The Armstrong model has a larger screw and nut securing the mirror head to the handle. When I just pulled this one out of the box, the head "swivel" is fairly stiff.

The problem I've had with the telescoping models with the round handles is that the head will twirl around if you bump it into something - the hexagonal-shaped shaft prevents that from happening.

YMMV

 

[mikeinri]

Oooohhhh... I missed that little detail. Very cool!

Mike

 

[GE45]

SO precision plier set.

 

[Callelle]

SO precision plier set.

your dealer able to find the purple set for you or did you have to Ebay it.

 

[GE45]

your dealer able to find the purple set for you or did you have to Ebay it.

I Ebayed them, honestly didn’t care about color, but I am a Minnesota Vikings fan, so what the hell lol. It was New unopened and I got it the set for 140.

 

[got2boostit2]

Upgraded to an Autel MaxiCheck MX808S tablet to read data on my vehicles and those of relatives. So far has been decent in the week of use. Kind of did something strange on a new to my nephew 2019 Mustang GT. He and his Dad called about a misfire and I expected to see what cylinder might be setting the code(S). P0300 set but no specific cylinder. Once I hooked to car the idle increased and the engine ran smoothly with just P0300 as history and no freeze frame data. Car has run fine since so SMH on it. LoL

Autel MaxiCheck MX808S All System Diagnostic Scanner - Shop Now

When it comes to ultra-portability, MaxiCheck MX808S is your perfect companion. Installed with a fast quad-core processor, MX808S offers maximum convenience and swift diagnosis. The intuitive user screen makes using the device effortless through a 7-inch LCD touchscreen that displays at 1024 x...

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