Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
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RMERR
Well-known member
Added a woodworking bench to my shop. Six hundred bucks used off FB Marketplace. $1200 new shipped from Grizzly, so not a killer deal but an OK one. Photos are after 1 1/2 hrs of sanding and 3 coats of wipe-on polyurethane to freshen up the top. Will never be mistaken for a Sjoberg, but should be adequate for my needs.
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Lowlevel2021
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- Dec 14, 2021
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New borescope arrived today. 
Well, got a chance to use these for the first time today, and I am underwhelmed. The handles are too smooth and rounded for a solid grip. I liked their old square acetate handles a lot better. Sorry, Channellock, but these are a swing and a miss. My HF and Kobalt sets are both better grips.New set of Channellock Torx drivers:
Channellock has switched from square acetate handles to these tri-lobe plastic ones. They seem comfortable enough, haven't pushed them for torque yet. Still made in USA.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They're even worse when you get oil or coolant on them.
They need graining like the old MAC red rectangular handled screwdrivers had.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I assumed the would be similar to the Tekton handles based on looks. Have you tried the tekton so you can compare?
I also assumed the triangular shape would be gripper. I have not tried the Tekton.
I emailed Channellock asking if they might have any old stock of the old handle style, and might be willing to exchange. Feels unlikely, but can't hurt to ask.
Broke down and grabbed the Megapro limited edition set, the original blue and yellow non ratcheting ones were issued to us when I worked for the railway, brings back memories. Also finally bought a set of the Mountain extra long wrenches for those Cummins 6.7 turbo nuts.
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I realized that the packaging probably hadn't gone to the curb yet, so I dug through the trash to find it (fortunately not fouled with anything gross or stinky) and started an Amazon return. What a shame to have to do this.
So now I'm not sure what next. I see Vessel has a set, with their wood composite handles, but I'm almost tempted to try one of the Amazon alphabet-soup sets, based on the reviews, to get traditional acetate handles. They're inexpensive and it's a small risk.
Chrome Vanadium Cody
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- Jul 25, 2021
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(Edit: Disregard, didn't realize they don't offer torx drivers in this series)
You may have already seen these but Vessel also makes acetate handle screwdrivers they call their "crystalline" series: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...26z0U9BsztjFBiRTSrH6xOnOq4PnrAl4cs37ljcg_Rxr3
I haven't tried them but my other Vessel drivers have been great
four.cycle
Well-known member
Meursault74
Well-known member
Just don't use the Teslong to check out the *******.New borescope arrived today.
Needed a new floor mat for a race meeting, SO guy didn’t turn up this week so called a mate who’s running an independent tool truck…
Came away with a smoke machine, pressure bung set and a set of pickle forks to go on the air hammer.
Came away with a smoke machine, pressure bung set and a set of pickle forks to go on the air hammer.
Vessel offers torx in 340TX (wood compo), 5400TX (power grip, acetate), and a few smaller sizes in 640TX (cushion grip, rubber).
Wiha has sets in their soft finish line which are very grippy and they also offer them in their T-handle line. The latter is what I own and it gives a little extra leverage that torx often require.
There's also PB Swiss with a few different handle styles. Classic (traditional straight fluted CAB handles), multicraft (more rounded CAB handle with texture), Swiss grip (similar to multicraft but with a rubberized coating), and T-handle.
Heyco has a gorgeous green acetate line with a square profile, but I'm not sure how grippy they are in person.
There are probably good options from Felo, Wera, and Oplast as well.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I already have the Megadora set. I'm the OP of the thread you quoted, and made the rack in post #86. But this current question is about Torx, not Phillips and slotted.
I ordered a set of OlsaTools Torx drivers to try them out. They claim to be tool truck quality. If I don't like them well enough, I'll bite the bullet and buy the Vessel wood-composite set.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ ahh my mistake.
All of my "TORX" stuff is bits, other than a few oddball "screwdriver" type TORX drivers that found their way into my tool box.
All of my "TORX" stuff is bits, other than a few oddball "screwdriver" type TORX drivers that found their way into my tool box.
No worries! Besides, I like how you specifically called out the post with the picture of the rack. (We all like looking at pictures of racks, right, guys?)
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I thought your "rack" design was genius. You might consider making them for sale if they don't take too much time to fabricate. Looks like the "materials" part of it is minimal.
Usually the complaints and recommendations here about "TORX" and hex drivers are more concerned with the business end of the tool, not the handle - so yours is a rather interesting question.
Obviously that "Channellock" design with the slippery-grip handle is a loser in respect to product design - I imagine you'll be seeing those in blow-out close-out sales in a matter of months.
I put up with crappy "hard handle" drivers my entire life, only because I didn't know any better (and hadn't signed on to GarageJournal.com yet.) My conversations with Mr. Bowers (BowersTool) about "Vessel" opened a door through which I was delighted to pass through - I am now wondering if perhaps I should peddle off all the old "hard handle" stuff, as I just don't use it much any more.
From what I can gather from my observations (and talking with my buddy, who was gifted a big "Megadora" set for Christmas) that "Megadora" handle is a winner.
Personally, I'd have ALL "ball grips" if I could - way easier on old hands.
Usually the complaints and recommendations here about "TORX" and hex drivers are more concerned with the business end of the tool, not the handle - so yours is a rather interesting question.
Obviously that "Channellock" design with the slippery-grip handle is a loser in respect to product design - I imagine you'll be seeing those in blow-out close-out sales in a matter of months.
I put up with crappy "hard handle" drivers my entire life, only because I didn't know any better (and hadn't signed on to GarageJournal.com yet.) My conversations with Mr. Bowers (BowersTool) about "Vessel" opened a door through which I was delighted to pass through - I am now wondering if perhaps I should peddle off all the old "hard handle" stuff, as I just don't use it much any more.
From what I can gather from my observations (and talking with my buddy, who was gifted a big "Megadora" set for Christmas) that "Megadora" handle is a winner.
Personally, I'd have ALL "ball grips" if I could - way easier on old hands.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I have one of these with bits in the handle. I have to admit I've hardly used it because I leave it sitting next to my computer and I just pick it up and play with it cuz I like how it feels in my hand.PB Swiss makes some really nice acetate handled screwdrivers. Some bargains online if you shop around. Thanks @BrandonV for sending me down that rabbit hole.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Sure, the handle is nice, but the megadors have knurling on the shaft. Yesterday I was assembling A grinder and I was swapping out the stones it came with and replacing them with some fancy expensive 3M grinding discs, which means that I was removing screws from the guide I was using a screwdriver I really liked but it didn't have that knurling. And I really wanted that knurling.
These are under $5 on Temu. They seem to meet their stated accuracy of 0.2 mm, based on measuring a 1-2-3 I had handy. They’re plastic. The battery, electronics and display work great. Manufacturing costs on those must be astronomical low to sell and deliver them for $5. Not sure what to do with them. Glovebox?
WagonHo!
Well-known member
Flat blade hose removers - $ 13.fitee is a deal to me - Rockauto.
Considering Snap on wanted a used kidney for theirs.
Considering Snap on wanted a used kidney for theirs.
Now, those intrigue me, as the pick ones make me nervous, how'd you find out about 'em?Flat blade hose removers - $ 13.fitee is a deal to me - Rockauto.
On sale in this month's flier for not much more than the generic sets. Plus stickers are fun
Wish I had a Cornwell dealer.
They have been shown here time and again, I have a set, they do the job.
I ordered these after returning the slippy-handle Channellock Torx drivers:
I've never tried Olsa before, but at least it's an actual brand, with a presence outside of the Amazon alphabet-soup jumble of fly-by-night Chinese brands. There are quite a few positive YT reviews of the brand out there. Reviews compare the handle shape to Wera.
They're made in Taiwan. Wish it was USA, but at least it isn't China or Pakistan, and all the recent Taiwan tools I have are pretty decent. And for $27 for a full set T6 to T45, all they have to be is decent. They're expected Monday.
I've never tried Olsa before, but at least it's an actual brand, with a presence outside of the Amazon alphabet-soup jumble of fly-by-night Chinese brands. There are quite a few positive YT reviews of the brand out there. Reviews compare the handle shape to Wera.
They're made in Taiwan. Wish it was USA, but at least it isn't China or Pakistan, and all the recent Taiwan tools I have are pretty decent. And for $27 for a full set T6 to T45, all they have to be is decent. They're expected Monday.
four.cycle
Well-known member
$27 for that entire set?
look forward to some follow-up "review" on those.
look forward to some follow-up "review" on those.
Count on it.
They claim to be tool truck quality, saying their tools are made by the companies that make tool truck brands. I don't know about that, and I don't have the experience with truck tools to make that comparison anyway; the only truck tool I own is a Snap-On branded CRKT knife. But some of the YT reviews compare them favorably to truck tools, and I can certainly give an opinion about their general quality once I get some time with them.
I'm still bummed the Channellock set didn't work out. But when you can't get a decent enough grip to tighten a T20 screw on a dishwasher front panel, something is definitely amiss. I came back later with a Kobalt acetate handle driver and got 1/8 to 1/4 turn more on each of them with no effort.
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WagonHo!
Well-known member
Getting some parts together to do some work on my 2000 Tacoma 3.4L. The radiator, hoses, water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, gaskets, belts, valve cover gaskets just anything I can get to with all that removed up front. Rockauto had some great prices on Aisin closeout parts. I’ve been looking for awhile for exactly that flat blade hook style and my cheap self was rewarded. I think it was Faye Hadley used it on her 4runner radiator r&r. I’ve used waterpump pliers before and cracked the neck before so…
four.cycle
Well-known member
A lot of companies say a lot of things. Particularly those involved in sales.
As one who spent his entire working career in sales, I can assure you that being a good liar is a prime requisite for success.
I have no opinion about Olsa, other than their reticence about divulging the sources of their products when the line was first introduced here a couple years ago troubled me. If it had been 40 years ago and they walked into my office pitching their product and were that resistant to answering questions I would have had one of the staff show them the door.
I am curious to see how those work out, particularly that oddly-shaped handle, which seems to be favored by a few here.
Olsa / Olsa Tools, 3-1807 2 St., Nisku, Alberta, T9E 0W, Canada / all product outsourced /
Yeah, I'm taking that claim with a large grain of salt. If you could get a tool truck quality set of drivers for what amounts to $2.25 per tool, these people would be dominating the planet in tool sales right now.
But even if they do not live up to that wild claim, there's still room for them to be pretty good, so I'm hoping for that.
LeeG
Well-known member
I really hate Zoro 20% or more off coupons. I have no will power.
Bessey 12” lever clamps. I am not sure of the difference between their LC12 and GSH12 models. These are made in Germany.
Lee
Bessey 12” lever clamps. I am not sure of the difference between their LC12 and GSH12 models. These are made in Germany.
Lee
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Those clamps are absolute beasts! I have managed to bend one of the beams though. That seems to be the weak link with a mechanism that strong.I really hate Zoro 20% or more off coupons. I have no will power.
Bessey 12” lever clamps. I am not sure of the difference between their LC12 and GSH12 models. These are made in Germany.
Lee