Show your new tool arrivals

[cody1325]

Got me the HF mini toolbox also using today's 15% coupon. They will be $10 for Black Friday but knowing my luck they'll be out of stock by the time I get there.


I bought the Kobalt one back in July. Had buyers remorse & ended up returning it. Glad I did since the HF one came out & is so much better quality.

Nice! I'm definitely picking up one or two next Harbor Freight run.

I use the Kobalt to keep EDC stuff (and 3/4 of the pocket screwdrivers I own) handy on my dresser. Decent, but it seems the US General is a better buy--you've got drawer liners (I had to cut up scrap cardboard, which was my Granddad's go-to drawer liners), ball-bearing slides, better pulls, and better construction--all for a couple bucks less.


Plus, the red US General is available in my local store, whereas anything that isn't blue, black, white, pink, or hot pink is special order at my Lowe's. Seems silly not to have red on the shelves--I thought it was, pretty much the default toolbox color.


Has anyone ever made a two tone out of these mini boxes? I've got my Granddad's '80s or '90s Craftsman boxes in the basement (red with black drawers), and an old Vermont American (black with red drawers/lid) on the shop workbench that I want to try to match.

 

[fishwatcher]

I picked up a barely Grizzly 6” vise brake for $20. Sometime, I’m sure someday I’ll need to bend some metal. Any suggestions for simple projects I could make with this?

 

[darkzero]

Nice! I'm definitely picking up one or two next Harbor Freight run.

I use the Kobalt to keep EDC stuff (and 3/4 of the pocket screwdrivers I own) handy on my dresser. Decent, but it seems the US General is a better buy--you've got drawer liners (I had to cut up scrap cardboard, which was my Granddad's go-to drawer liners), ball-bearing slides, better pulls, and better construction--all for a couple bucks less.


Plus, the red US General is available in my local store, whereas anything that isn't blue, black, white, pink, or hot pink is special order at my Lowe's. Seems silly not to have red on the shelves--I thought it was, pretty much the default toolbox color.


Has anyone ever made a two tone out of these mini boxes? I've got my Granddad's '80s or '90s Craftsman boxes in the basement (red with black drawers), and an old Vermont American (black with red drawers/lid) on the shop workbench that I want to try to match.

Yeah I was reay suprised at the HF one, I thought for sure it was gonna be identical to the Kobalt & Menards ones. Then when people actually started getting their hands on them & I learned about the ball bearing slides (and magnet retention) I had to have one.

I probably would've kept the Kobalt one. After all I went to 3 different Lowes to cherry pick a good one. The ones I ran into at the time had poor finish quality issues.

A week later I returned it cause I've had the Snap-on/P.I.T ones for years which just sits in my room now. I knew the Kobalt would probably do the same. The HF one might too but again I had to have one. Hopefully HF comes out with a bottom box like the Kobalt.

 

[mikeinri]

Got me the HF mini toolbox also using today's 15% coupon. They will be $10 for Black Friday but knowing my luck they'll be out of stock by the time I get there.


I bought the Kobalt one back in July. Had buyers remorse & ended up returning it. Glad I did since the HF one came out & is so much better quality.

Stunning (and sad) that HF is putting out a better product than Lowe's / Kobalt.

...although Kobalt sold out to China years ago, so maybe not THAT surprising, I suppose.

Mike

 

[Qualitytools]

Perhaps ladders are tools, perhaps not, but here is a picture of a step ladder recently purchased. The wife had mentioned she was worried about me falling off a ladder, so this step ladder showed up for sale. It has a few safety options. A friend suggested it's a bit of overkill.

Wow!, that‘s quite a safety ladder. Enjoy and be safe. Thanks for sharing

 

[Qualitytools]

I picked up a barely Grizzly 6” vise brake for $20. Sometime, I’m sure someday I’ll need to bend some metal. Any suggestions for simple projects I could make with this?

That’s a NICE vice you got there, is that a Heuer?

 

[darkzero]

Stunning (and sad) that HF is putting out a better product than Lowe's / Kobalt.

...although Kobalt sold out to China years ago, so maybe not THAT surprising, I suppose.

Mike

Funny how HF can actually have the better product these days. Yeah I know this is just a novelty mini tool box but this is not the first time HF actually was better for something. I never would have thought it would happen but for some people it will never happen in their mind.

I don't mind HF, never have, some things I still won't buy from them but they have definitely changed my opinion about them. I'm not ashamed to say I shop there.

 

[M635_Guy]

Stunning (and sad) that HF is putting out a better product than Lowe's / Kobalt.

These days that's more the rule that the exception

 

[rharman]

I picked up a barely Grizzly 6” vise brake for $20. Sometime, I’m sure someday I’ll need to bend some metal. Any suggestions for simple projects I could make with this?

I have an el-cheapo version of that - 4" I think. Not nearly as nice as yours - the finger side is cast in one piece. It's come in quite handy over the years for bending brackets and other small jobs.

 

[Squankum]

Perhaps ladders are tools, perhaps not, but here is a picture of a step ladder recently purchased. The wife had mentioned she was worried about me falling off a ladder, so this step ladder showed up for sale. It has a few safety options. A friend suggested it's a bit of overkill.

Well, sure, it's safe, until neighborhood children start playing basketball.

 

[fishwatcher]

That’s a NICE vice you got there, is that a Heuer?

Thanks. It’s from Capri Tools. It has a similar style to Heuer.

 

[HenryAZ]

The type 2 safety cans are the only thing I will use. Since my needs are only for diesel, mine are yellow.

 

[16again]

Diesel: Quite a few years ago I bought three 5G plastic jugs for diesel by FuelWorx, got them at Tractor Supply. Love them. Pricey, I think they were $45 each, but they're terrific fuel cans. They stack vertically. They have the vent button in the handle, and as advertised, they drain in 60 seconds with zero spill and a decent laminar (not really laminar) flow, regardless, there's no 'glug glug glug'.

Gasoline: I store gas cans outside the house in a vented cabinet. I really dislike the plastic 5G jugs I've been using for the past...can't even recall how many years. Bad enviro-spouts that may or may not dispense fuel, that may or may not spill fuel or vent fumes when bringing fuel home. Last straw was a couple days ago. Put 4 gallons in a 5G can and my car reeked while driving home. I thought of getting plastic FuelWorx jugs for storing gasoline, but plastic is plastic, and plastic cans can sometimes turn into bowling balls due to increased pressure inside the jug.

This came yesterday:


Filled it, used it, liked it, so I ordered two more.

I have the 2 1/2 gallon version. I agree, I like it. So much better than the cheap plastic glug versions. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Hakeem]

Got this 3/8” set of Proto Advanced hex bits on eBay for $40 shipped. Super nice! Great fit & finish to them. Sadly they are not US made, but oh well.



The “Advanced” part refers to the cutouts that are supposed to let these remove rounded socket-head hex fasteners.



They look pretty aggressive, almost like a Torx bit. They’re supposed to be fine for non-rounded fasteners so i figured it would be a better choice than conventional hex bits.

The smaller fastener sizes are most susceptible to rounding in in my experience so I’d like to grab the 1/4” set, too. Hope I can find a similar deal …

 

[Andres26tnt]

Got this 3/8” set of Proto Advanced hex bits on eBay for $40 shipped. Super nice! Great fit & finish to them. Sadly they are not US made, but oh well.



The “Advanced” part refers to the cutouts that are supposed to let these remove rounded socket-head hex fasteners.



They look pretty aggressive, almost like a Torx bit. They’re supposed to be fine for non-rounded fasteners so i figured it would be a better choice than conventional hex bits.

The smaller fastener sizes are most susceptible to rounding in in my experience so I’d like to grab the 1/4” set, too. Hope I can find a similar deal …

Those are RBRT/gripedge/rpt hex sockets. Proto has them for cheap, don't understand why even buy them from Mac, they are overpriced.

 

[four.cycle]

@Hakeem - the patent on those was issued to an individual in Taiwan. (The patent is actually on the holder, not the tools.) Are the tools marked with country of origin?

 

[Andres26tnt]

Didn't get these on today's sale, but 6 months back when they went on sale for 65$. They have been excellent, I believe the V line is very underrated. Only real con is the full price, their quite expensive at full msrp. I believe Craftsman will be adjusting the price and making improvements to the line soon. For those interested the ratchet do improve with use, still not my favorite as I prefer QD ratchets. I also have the 3/8 deep and a bunch more V stuff, all has hold up this past 6 months.

 

[Andres26tnt]

@Hakeem - the patent on those was issued to an individual in Taiwan. (The patent is actually on the holder, not the tools.) Are the tools marked with country of origin?

The box says Taiwan, I bought a set. I belive they are also making the Craftsman/dewalt version in the same factory. If I remember correctly Grip edge is the house brand.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have to wonder if SBD has their own facility in Taiwan.

 

[ecotec]

I have the 2 1/2 gallon version. I agree, I like it. So much better than the cheap plastic glug versions. Buy once, cry once.

Absolutely. I prefer the 2 gallon size to the 5 gallon (I have both).

 

[PugetDude]

Perhaps ladders are tools, perhaps not, but here is a picture of a step ladder recently purchased. The wife had mentioned she was worried about me falling off a ladder, so this step ladder showed up for sale. It has a few safety options. A friend suggested it's a bit of overkill.

No cupholder?

 

[Buster21]

Felo 1/4 and 3/8 T handle spinner handles.

 

[Etchase]

^ I have to wonder if SBD has their own facility in Taiwan.

They do. At one point they purchased the largest tool manufacturer there. Same owner they bought national tool from. 1980’s IIRC. I believe I read SWK recently closed the original facility. They are well versed in manufacturing in Taiwan in any event. The Taiwan tool industry isn’t like the US industry, and revolves around cooperative subcontracting.

 

[Andres26tnt]

^ I have to wonder if SBD has their own facility in Taiwan.

Idk but they do own some factories in Asia(china)

 

[ThePostman]

Those are RBRT/gripedge/rpt hex sockets. Proto has them for cheap, don't understand why even buy them from Mac, they are overpriced.

The full line is not sold under the Proto label unfortunately, I have the metric version. I got the Mac bit set for $80 "on sale", normally just shy of $200, the impact Torx work great as well.

 

[Callelle]

Had a bit of a haul over the past few days. Hit up Lowes for some cheap Crapsman V series. The kit will be my quick truck interior kit, I've been wanting a set with a ratchet and sockets up to 13mm (International uses 13s and T27s for everything inside). I wanted a set of long ratchet wrenches with a fixed end, passed up an open box of Icons at HF for $80 and opted to try out these because they're 6 point. I just REALLY wish they had a 15 and an 18, or at least a way to buy singles to fill it. Ratcheting screwdriver is gonna be for around the house. The light I grabbed because I needed something cheap and small that I wouldn't hate myself for losing, and it seemed popular around the web a while ago. From the Zon, my first set of Knipex (that I own) because I'm a sucker for colors and I love the two tone. What I hate is that I'm stuck between wanting to use them and wanting to keep them nice. Foldable funnel is to replace a lost one. Funky pipe wrench I got because a co worker has one that he loves for breaking tie rod ends loose and my PZWs only go up so big in purple. For $20 I figured "eff it".

 

[Squankum]

^ I have to wonder if SBD has their own facility in Taiwan.

I see that case and inmediately suspect FACOM, but now made in Taiwan. Like much other V-Series CMan.

 

[mikeinri]

Idk but they do own some factories in Asia(china)

Does anyone actually own factories in China? I was under the impression that everything is owned by the Chinese government?

Mike

 

[kyrbz]

One of the many issues of city life I constantly deal with is people illegally parking in front of my garage door. Many years ago I made concrete base "no parking" bollards and placed them strategically that for the most part stopped most of the illegal parking. The only issue is I used sonotubes for the concrete bases and I have the occasional problem of homeless guys knocking them over and rolling them down the alley or on a few occasions people moving them and parking illegally. I've even had a couple stolen once. The round base makes them too easy to move or roll around. I had some left over grout that is hardening in the bags from another property I'm working on and rather than it going to waste I decided to make some heavier square base bollards. This is the first time using a HF Bauer mixing drill I picked up awhile back when they were on sale. So far so good. The double handle is very comfortable to hold. It's way less work than mixing by hand and way less cleaning than getting out the big mixer. Probably popped this first one out of the mold a little too early.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Does anyone actually own factories in China? I was under the impression that everything is owned by the Chinese government?

Mike

I'm not sure, the factory is named Stanley B&D. I'm assuming they can operate under that name, maybe it's just renting? I had to look and they do have one in Taiwan too.

 

[Squankum]

The only issue is I used sonotubes for the concrete bases and I have the occasional problem of homeless guys knocking them over and rolling them down the alley

Are they using them for something?

 

[Hakeem]

@Hakeem - the patent on those was issued to an individual in Taiwan. (The patent is actually on the holder, not the tools.) Are the tools marked with country of origin?

Yessir:



I still associate Proto with “Made in US” in my head so it’s a little disappointing but I think I’ll get over it LOL

 

[1320]

My least favorite thing about RBRT is that I already own thousands of dollars of Snap-on, PB Swiss, Bondhus, and Proto hex tools.

 

[Hakeem]

My least favorite thing about RBRT is that I already own thousands of dollars of Snap-on, PB Swiss, Bondhus, and Proto hex tools.

I believe that’s what we call a “good problem”

 

[MWEric]

Ordered a box of flap wheels from Cripe. Always had good luck with Pferd so I assume these will be good also.

 

[Dig Doug]

One of the many issues of city life I constantly deal with is people illegally parking in front of my garage door. Many years ago I made concrete base "no parking" bollards and placed them strategically that for the most part stopped most of the illegal parking. The only issue is I used sonotubes for the concrete bases and I have the occasional problem of homeless guys knocking them over and rolling them down the alley or on a few occasions people moving them and parking illegally. I've even had a couple stolen once. The round base makes them too easy to move or roll around. I had some left over grout that is hardening in the bags from another property I'm working on and rather than it going to waste I decided to make some heavier square base bollards. This is the first time using a HF Bauer mixing drill I picked up awhile back when they were on sale. So far so good. The double handle is very comfortable to hold. It's way less work than mixing by hand and way less cleaning than getting out the big mixer. Probably popped this first one out of the mold a little too early.

that’s a great idea!

just a little heads up, if you need to move it around some

If you add a chamfer ( make all corners / edges at a 45 angle ) on the 12 edges it wouldn’t chip / ding as easily as the 90 degree / sharp edges

 

[Meursault74]

Picked up some scissors shears for the garage at Ace today. 20% off. The store price was less than what they had listed online. Of course I had to ask two employees for help in finding them and then unlocking them. Oh well. I had to go there anyway for something else that I needed today.

I tried the shears out on plastic clamshell, some vinyl sheets, rubber hose and some rag material. They cut through them all with ease. The scissors I had in the garage wouldn't do that. Hence, why I looked for something better. I took those scissors and put them in the kitchen drawer now.

 

[kyrbz]

Are they using them for something?

No, just vandalizing stuff. Many of the homeless in my area are mentally ill, and the things I see them do make no rhyme or reason.

 

[Squankum]

No, just vandalizing stuff. Many of the homeless in my area are mentally ill, and the things I see them do make no rhyme or reason.

Dang, I was hoping they were building something with it, some kind of tent. That kind of problem is kind of solvable.

Okay, on to plan B: hire one to guard your driveway!

 

[kyrbz]

Are they using them for something?

I did have to get rid of the clay pots my wife used for gardening on our dock. They were constantly being stolen for what I call “hobo heaters”. It’s when you put a candle inside an empty upside down clay pot to make a crude heating source. Since I switched to plastic greenhouse pots, we haven’t had any pots stolen.