Show your new tool arrivals

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Tsunoda PN150 flush-cutters for zip ties 07/09/25

Nice when I post in this thread, then a week or two later someone else who was possibly "inspired" or "realised that they needed one too" pops up with the same thing! I see you went one bigger though.

How much? I'm sure they're nice.

I can confirm! https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-tool-arrivals.103272/page-1875#post-11237942

 

[four.cycle]

cheap! they were like.. $17 bucks on Amazon!
they work fabulously. I just went out and clipped all the tails off the zip-ties holding the pinwheels onto the back fence. they work super.
way mo' betta than those crappy Klein cheapies or a pair of diagonal cutters.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

It hasn't arrived yet but I ordered it today.
Matco 17mm reversible wrench/ratchet for low profile sockets.
There is no local Matco truck so I ordered off their website.

As far as I know, they are the only ones that have the wrench/ratchet with a lever on them.

 

[Beerhippie]

VERY cool, but what's wrong with this picture (from that website)???



Mike

THIS DAMNED TOOL DOESN'T WORK!

 

[mikeinri]

VERY cool, but what's wrong with this picture (from that website)???



Mike

Orientation of the socket is 90 degrees off, and the nut needs to be loosened.

Right! Even if the other end of the hose was loose (and could swing around without getting caught up on the nearby hoses), turning that ratchet with the socket in that orientation isn't going to do anything!

Nice touch with the dirty gloves, though. LOL...

Mike

 

[Beerhippie]

Right! Even if the other end of the hose was loose (and could swing around without getting caught up on the nearby hoses), turning that ratchet with the socket in that orientation isn't going to do anything!

Nice touch with the dirty gloves, though. LOL...

Mike

It's oriented correctly if your goal is snapping the fitting off flush because you've been looking for an excuse to use your new screw extractor set.

 

[shoggoth80]

Fruit from the free tree. New old stuff. Took some elbow grease to get the nastiest of it off.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Grabbed the blue point tap socket set - this one completes the master set - also grabbed a long RBRT hex driver set - still waiting on the Snap on Long Torx set



Also in today was ratcheting crows feet I had on order.



Also impulse buy was this little seal hook with the flat bottom - do not have a use at the moment but I am sure it will come in handy!

 

[WWheeler]

Grabbed the blue point tap socket set - this one completes the master set - also grabbed a long RBRT hex driver set - still waiting on the Snap on Long Torx set



Also in today was ratcheting crows feet I had on order.



Also impulse buy was this little seal hook with the flat bottom - do not have a use at the moment but I am sure it will come in handy!

I use those Blue Point ratcheting crows feet all the time, though mostly without any extension just as a really tiny ratchet in places where I don't really have room for anything else. Those situations where I'm wanting to spin a loose nut/bolt by hand but I can just touch it but not well enough to make much progress with just my fingertips. They're now the first tool I think of in that situation as they're super handy for that.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I use those Blue Point ratcheting crows feet all the time, though mostly without any extension just as a really tiny ratchet in places where I don't really have room for anything else. Those situations where I'm wanting to spin a loose nut/bolt by hand but I can just touch it but not well enough to make much progress with just my fingertips. They're now the first tool I think of in that situation as they're super handy for that.

Thats great to hear! I bought them for a specific job where I got my **** kicked (isn’t that how most of the purchasing goes???) but I am sure I will find more uses!

 

[mreisner]

A year's supply of assorted belts for the 1/2 X 18" mini-belt sander:



The ones on top are zirconia, the ones in the box are mixed alumina, corundum and zirconia.

I can now sharpen and clean to my heart's content.

Where did you get those from?

 

[Dmsr87]

Grabbed the blue point tap socket set - this one completes the master set - also grabbed a long RBRT hex driver set - still waiting on the Snap on Long Torx set



Also in today was ratcheting crows feet I had on order.



Also impulse buy was this little seal hook with the flat bottom - do not have a use at the moment but I am sure it will come in handy!

Ahh- the dangers of the garage journal. I finally broke down and bought a set of crows feet wrenches to make a couple jobs a bit easier. Now I see there are ratcheting versions. Must resist. Really don’t have a strong use case.

 

[moemc]

2 weeks ago I scored one of the $52 Gedore surface drive kits discussed in the Zoro thread. I couldn’t live with it skipping 11mm and 14mm. I ordered matching Gedore sockets for around $8 each, and I went with 6-point rather than surface drive. They came in today, so I modified the foam just now to hold them. A little brake cleaner on a rag wiped the white labels off the foam for the top row since they were no longer relevant as I scoot sockets down to fill the skips.

I might replace all the top row with 6-point so they match <shrug>

 

[mikeinri]

Grabbed the blue point tap socket set - this one completes the master set - also grabbed a long RBRT hex driver set - still waiting on the Snap on Long Torx set



Also in today was ratcheting crows feet I had on order.



Also impulse buy was this little seal hook with the flat bottom - do not have a use at the moment but I am sure it will come in handy!

I always thought of crow's foot wrenches as having an open end???

Those ratcheting ones are VERY cool!

Mike

 

[Meursault74]

I like it! Any nut drivers beats no nut drivers.

That's what she said.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I always thought of crow's foot wrenches as having an open end???

Those ratcheting ones are VERY cool!

Mike

They are great! Another option I have is the NOra 150 and 150xk from VIM. Those have an offset to them if you need, but they are a bit bulkier and the mechanism isn’t as smooth.

 

[Markoos]

Hi, were did you get this surgical grabber from?
M.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Hi, were did you get this surgical grabber from?
M.

Amazon!


https://a.co/d/8RNXrG9

 

[Madjik Man]

It hasn't arrived yet but I ordered it today.
Matco 17mm reversible wrench/ratchet for low profile sockets.
There is no local Matco truck so I ordered off their website.

As far as I know, they are the only ones that have the wrench/ratchet with a lever on them.

Would love this reversible version.

Instead just bought the Astro for $17

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Would love this reversible version.

Instead just bought the Astro for $17

About an hour after hour after I ordered it I got an email it was back ordered - no idea when I’ll actually get it. SMH

 

[lund]

It hasn't arrived yet but I ordered it today.
Matco 17mm reversible wrench/ratchet for low profile sockets.
There is no local Matco truck so I ordered off their website.

As far as I know, they are the only ones that have the wrench/ratchet with a lever on them.

SouthernIllinois (or anyone else): Do you know if these Matco ratchets fit the Astro "Nano" type low profile sockets well? The Astro brand wrenches for Nano sockets seem to all be non-reversible -- which is not so great in use. I thought the Gearwrench type pass through flex ratchet handles would fit them well. Those Gearwrench ratchet handles also are flex and reversible too. So I tried:

GEARWRENCH 3/8" Drive Pass Thru XL Locking Flex Head Ratchet 12", 72 Tooth - 893800

BUT, unfortunately, this Gearwrench type handle does not fit the 17 mm Astro nano type sockets well. It can work and retain the socket, but there is a lot more slop in the fit than you would want ... particuarly for high torque applications. I gather some 17 mm wrenches with snap ring retainers (Facom sells one -- has a ring in the middle of the 17 mm end that can retain a nut) can work with the Astro Nano sockets and likely fit well. However, those ratchets are not flex + reversible. Or at least none that I could find were flex + reversible. Even reversible flex without the ring seems very hard to find (was not sure it exists).

It is a shame this series of Gearwrench ratchet and Astro Nano sockets are not all more compatible. The combo would be great for car work where you often need long reach in low clearance areas as well as a lot of torque (suspension).

 

[SouthernIllinois]

SouthernIllinois (or anyone else): Do you know if these Matco ratchets fit the Astro "Nano" type low profile sockets well? The Astro brand wrenches for Nano sockets seem to all be non-reversible -- which is not so great in use. I thought the Gearwrench type pass through flex ratchet handles would fit them well. Those Gearwrench ratchet handles also are flex and reversible too. So I tried:

GEARWRENCH 3/8" Drive Pass Thru XL Locking Flex Head Ratchet 12", 72 Tooth - 893800

BUT, unfortunately, this Gearwrench type handle does not fit the 17 mm Astro nano type sockets well. It can work and retain the socket, but there is a lot more slop in the fit than you would want ... particuarly for high torque applications. I gather some 17 mm wrenches with snap ring retainers (Facom sells one -- has a ring in the middle of the 17 mm end that can retain a nut) can work with the Astro Nano sockets and likely fit well. However, those ratchets are not flex + reversible. Or at least none that I could find were flex + reversible. Even reversible flex without the ring seems very hard to find (was not sure it exists).

It is a shame this series of Gearwrench ratchet and Astro Nano sockets are not all more compatible. The combo would be great for car work where you often need long reach in low clearance areas as well as a lot of torque (suspension).

I don’t know. I plan to buy Astro or Matco sockets

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Harbor Freight & Home Depot are next door to each other.

 

[Etchase]

In GJ fashion, I purchased this camper’s axe, because I wanted to try HJ Epstein’s leather cover for it.

 

[Beerhippie]

In GJ fashion, I purchased this camper’s axe, because I wanted to try HJ Epstein’s leather cover for it.

That's my go-to camp axe!

Mine's a rescue--literally found in a 5-gal bucket full of rainwater.

 

[pfbz]

Watched your recent video the other day and being a GJ maniac, I have no problems understanding why you have a dozen different tools to remove fastener of a specific size -- what I wonder is, why are you buying so many kewl tools now? Did the screwheads steal your old tools?

Thanks for watching the video! For no good reason other than why not, I'm trying to build that channel a bit. For others that might want to check it out, it's here:

Tools & Cars!

Tools & Cars! Great Tools, Cool Cars! See fantastic supercars and awesome tools on this channel. Cars from Mclaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lotus and more! Tools from Snap on, Koken, Tone, Icon, Wera, Wiha, Knipex, Tekton, Astro, and more!

www.youtube.com

As for why so many kewl tools lately, I don't have a good answer for that, other than it's sort of my personality to do certain things to excess when I enjoy them... eg: I have five of more or less the same car,

But I think it was kind of triggered by buying a new toolbox, my USG service cart. That was sort of the slippery slope when I started trying to kit it out perfectly. I always had a lot of tools, now I have a lot of tolls plus a lot of new tools! :-0

 

[pfbz]

It hasn't arrived yet but I ordered it today.
Matco 17mm reversible wrench/ratchet for low profile sockets.
There is no local Matco truck so I ordered off their website.

As far as I know, they are the only ones that have the wrench/ratchet with a lever on them.

Nice, I'd like to have a reverse lever, but damn, that's a big premium for what I assume is a nearly identical wrench but with a reverse lever!

 

[Squankum]

The largest slot-head screwdriver I could find sold separately at HF. 5/16" wide tip x 6" shaft. Just going to zip tie it into the tire-changing-tools corner of the Econoline, to serve as the center cap removal tool. Some jackass may have stolen the last large cheap HF screwdriver I put there for that. Stealing tools is one level of scumbag, but HF tools? Have some pride!

I tried to find something similar/large at Harry J. Epstein's for my most very recent order... nope! Surprisingly, nope. (In case you haven't heard, we went nutz for HJE Day this 4th of July weekend and ordered... a lot.)

 

[Squankum]

Amazon!


https://a.co/d/8RNXrG9

Garsh, only a foot long? I was expecting longer. I believe the really long ones came about as some people's abdomens got very large and doctors needed to work in a deep hole to get at the vital bits down below.

I started off with, I'd guess, 10" forceps I got at the local flea market, and they're a very handy shop tool! A good grabber for things that didn't fall too far, and retriever and clamper and holder, etc.

 

[Squankum]

Thanks for watching the video! For no good reason other than why not, I'm trying to build that channel a bit. For others that might want to check it out, it's here:

Tools & Cars!

Tools & Cars! Great Tools, Cool Cars! See fantastic supercars and awesome tools on this channel. Cars from Mclaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Lotus and more! Tools from Snap on, Koken, Tone, Icon, Wera, Wiha, Knipex, Tekton, Astro, and more!

www.youtube.com

As for why so many kewl tools lately, I don't have a good answer for that, other than it's sort of my personality to do certain things to excess when I enjoy them... eg: I have five of more or less the same car,

But I think it was kind of triggered by buying a new toolbox, my USG service cart. That was sort of the slippery slope when I started trying to kit it out perfectly. I always had a lot of tools, now I have a lot of tolls plus a lot of new tools! :-0

OK, but your oscilloscope -- do you leave it on or is there a sticker on the screen to make you look smart?

(Joke! I don't even know how to use one!)

 

[Madjik Man]

Bought the Wiha 1/4 bit driver (300mm) length.

Feels great. Strong magnet and the Wiha bits (and others) fit snugly.

 

[Squankum]

Very recent update to a new tool purchase: I bought the Wiha nutdriver set, felt a bit silly, having already had some 90's Cman nutdrivers that were working. Also got a 13mm in shorter shaft. Also the long shafts kinda struck me as unneeded when I first got them.

Well, I just did the spark plugs on the missus's BMW (a 4.5 hr slog) and no ragerts! Sure glad I got them. The length was handy, too, as I was having to reach and stretch for some of these. Glad I got them. Also, from this pic, it's clear that one generation of nutdriver handles by Wiha had properly visible labeling on the ends, but that was a few years back.

 

[Beerhippie]

That's my go-to camp axe!

Mine's a rescue--literally found in a 5-gal bucket full of rainwater.

Oh, yeah, here's the hippie sheath for it:



2" fire hose, just like we used for all our edged tool sheaths back in the day. Except it's on upside-down.

 

[Squankum]

Bought the Wiha 1/4 bit driver (300mm) length.

Feels great. Strong magnet and the Wiha bits (and others) fit snugly.

I might have needed one of those yesterday, too! SOLD! Amazon also shows just about the same Wiha thing but different part #, described as SoftFinish handle, for $24.47, well, I have no reason to believe there is anything insufficient about the ergonomics or grippiness of this $10 version.

 

[PelicanPines]

Amazon!


https://a.co/d/8RNXrG9

Don't use that to pluck nose hairs... Just saying.

 

[moemc]

I might have needed one of those yesterday, too! SOLD! Amazon also shows just about the same Wiha thing but different part #, described as SoftFinish handle, for $24.47, well, I have no reason to believe there is anything insufficient about the ergonomics or grippiness of this $10 version.

This cheaper one is the soft finish handle too. Im not sure what’s going on but the deal is great.

 

[Madjik Man]

I might have needed one of those yesterday, too! SOLD! Amazon also shows just about the same Wiha thing but different part #, described as SoftFinish handle, for $24.47, well, I have no reason to believe there is anything insufficient about the ergonomics or grippiness of this $10 version.

The $10 one I bought is definitely the SoftFinish handle even thought it’s not printed on it.

 

[pfbz]

OK, but your oscilloscope -- do you leave it on or is there a sticker on the screen to make you look smart?

I have to say, this thread is quickly becoming my all-time favorite... Always manages to give me a chuckle.

Yes, I turned on the scope and signal generator for 'background interest' and a bit of an easter egg... Glad you noticed it!

Bought the Wiha 1/4 bit driver (300mm) length...
-
I have no reason to believe there is anything insufficient about the ergonomics or grippiness of this $10 version.

I bought one a while back as well... the $10 version is perfect, handle is just like all my other Wiha soft grips.. It's just an anomalous great deal! "Prime Days" was kind of a bust IMHO, but GJ-recent-purchases still points to plenty of good Amazon deals!

Very recent update to a new tool purchase: I bought the Wiha nutdriver set, felt a bit silly, having already had some 90's Cman nutdrivers that were working. Also got a 13mm in shorter shaft. Also the long shafts kinda struck me as unneeded when I first got them.

I love my Wiha nut drivers. I have both the hollow short-shaft and longer ones that do not have the hollow shaft. I much prefer the shorter, lighter ones. If I'm working on a nut or bolt that is going to need more torque than the nut driver can deliver, I'm likely throwing a ratchet on it. I don't find I need "heavy duty" nut drivers.

I don't think any of mine have end-markings on them, or perhaps they just wore off, I don't recall. I actually bought a set of Wera nut drivers recently specifically because they had end markings, and I wanted to store them vertically on my service cart and be able to see the sizes. Probably could have gotten away with just using a sharpie?

In the picture below, you can actually see that the 11mm is the "heavy duty, non-hollow-shaft, longer" version Wiha and the rest of the set are the shorter hollow shafts. The one to the right of the 13mm is actually a 7mm on a flex shaft. *Perfect* for older Porsche OE hose clamps!!!

 

[pfbz]

...and of course you know I couldn't go a day without a new tool purchase. I actually ordered these gear wrench ratcheting double-boxes a while back but they just arrived.. One side is a 12 point non-ratcheting with a nice lip on it, the other side is 72 tooth ratcheting. Long length

I really didn't need another set of ratcheting metric wrenches, but they were a great deal on Woot ($125), and I was also interested if all the noise about Gearwrench quality going to **** was true. The box was. clearly marked Taiwan, so production on these at least had not moved to China. Quality/fit/finish seems virtually identical with my ~15 year old gearwrench ratcheting combo regular and stubbies. Overall, a nice set and kind of. bargain for a quality set at that price.

But honestly between the Astro ratcheting combo wrenches (super thin), the Astro Nano sockets and wrenches, the Mountain style wrenches (Mine are Platinum tech), and the old gear wrenches, I don't know that I need them or want to dedicate the toolbox space for them!

8-19, no skips.

 

[pcrov]

This just arrived today. It is a *remarkably* nice articulating work light for $20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPFH66G5?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't know if lamps count as tools, but I'm giving this an honorary place.

They call it a ring light but it's a full 6" circle.



It's brighter than I need on its highest setting. Adjustable color temp (for that workbench mood lighting.) I would've liked a little more range of motion from its lowest joint, but what it's got will do. If it holds up I may have finally found the answer to getting light where I effing need it.