They tested decent on the torque test channel but very thickThis line hasn’t been out for very long IIRC. I guess they failed to compete with the likes of Craftsman Overdrive, which appears to be well advertised.
They tested decent on the torque test channel but very thickThis line hasn’t been out for very long IIRC. I guess they failed to compete with the likes of Craftsman Overdrive, which appears to be well advertised.



The main thing to be aware of with diamond stones is grit contamination. It isn't unusual for cheap plates to have a few larger grit particles mixed in, which will drive you nuts. You can determine if your stones have contamination by scrubbing a piece of metal on the coarsest and looking with a loupe--10X should be fine--to see if the scratch pattern is all the same. If so, progress through the finer stones soing the same.
I have a full set of Japanese Shapton ceramic wet stones to 5000 grit. Reasonably priced about $50 each stone on Amazon.
Love it... I might have to borrow that.I stocked up on some SnapCon and KnipCon I have been wanting.
Yea I ran into grit contamination issues with my extra fine Lansky hones and it did drive me nuts haha. I already own a strop that I've been using off and on for my pocket knife for a few years now. It's not double sided, but it'll do. Thanks for the advice.The main thing to be aware of with diamond stones is grit contamination. It isn't unusual for cheap plates to have a few larger grit particles mixed in, which will drive you nuts. You can determine if your stones have contamination by scrubbing a piece of metal on the coarsest and looking with a loupe--10X should be fine--to see if the scratch pattern is all the same. If so, progress through the finer stones soing the same.
Sharpal makes some excellent plates for the price.
I'd also advise getting some coarser stones--maybe 220 grit, maybe coarser. I have 50 and 80 grit stones (plates, whatever) in my kit. Folks think that they'll ruin stuff with the coarse stones, while the truth is that most folks will get sick and tired of trying to true or flatten a blade on stones that are too fine and just give up.
Of the four you have, I'd skip the 600 and 1,000. General rule is to jump to twice the grit.
Get a good leather-on-wood strop. Two sided is best, one rough-out, one smooth-out. White rouge on the rough one, green on the smooth side is a good start. Stropping will help remove any remaining burr on the edge.

Kabo makes some outstanding tools for many brands. One never realizes exactly who Kabo makes what for who unless you visit their booth at the annual AAPEX show and see the many samples. The only thing I would be iffy about on those Stahlwille ratcheting wrenches is the location of the direction switch. I see myself bumping the switch when using the wrench but, that's just me.
Stahlwille 96830649 : 12-piece 8-19mm ratchet wrenches. Probably not everyone’s favorite, but I love the tumbled/stonewash finish. I wish they were made in Germany, but the Kabo construction is generally well regarded. The mechanism is used in all those super long wrench sets, so it should be pretty robust for a standard length wrench.
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else selling Kabo wrenches in normal length/pattern?

I’ve seen people concerned with that, but I am not worried about it. Even if it occasionally happened, I am not (usually) defusing bombs or anything so I typically have a second or 2 to spare if it happened.Kabo makes some outstanding tools for many brands. One never realizes exactly who Kabo makes what for who unless you visit their booth at the annual AAPEX show and see the many samples. The only thing I would be iffy about on those Stahlwille ratcheting wrenches is the location of the direction switch. I see myself bumping the switch when using the wrench but, that's just me.![]()
I also use large diamond stones to sharpen with. I bought some (less cheap ... I think an older Norton production that is about 3" x 10" on thick steel) that are larger on much thicker and heavier backing plates. The weight helps keep them in place. I also, consistent with other recs you have, use 400, 800 and 1,200 grit and that is enough of a progression chain for what I do. I like that you can use most anything for lubricant (just float chips to relieve clogging). Results are good and they are easy enough to use since the only thing changing in the progression is the grit. I use them now and then and I am not seeing obvious signs of degradation after 20+ years of use. I use these for everything from kitchen and pocket knives to planes and woodworking chisels. All I do is clean/wash them after use.


Looks nicer than my slide hammer!Began monkeying around on the Crusty Corvair front end this morning - namely trying to get 60 year old shocks off.
The shock bolt going through the sleeve on the lowered control arm refused to come out despite using PB Blaster, heat, punch and hammer, a punch on an air hammer and a lot of profanity.
In a moment of clarity I decided to try a slide hammer - except I didn’t have one.
I do now!
HF for slide hammer kit, 1/2” drive extensions, tie rod puller and pickle forks. Came with free HF ballcap.
Rural King for two more Milwaukee vise grips.
The shock sleeve came out in two whacks with the slide hammer.
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Hey if it works!!
Ooh! I like those!
In Philly, Amazon delivers till around 9:00PM and I once got a package around 8:58PM.I would but our pals at amazon dicked me. Paid the extra frt, $2.99, for same day delivery Friday. As of right now, still nothing. I tried to cancel but system says Nope. I will return when I get it, didnt need it anyway. It is a 2.5 GPM turbo nozzle for pressure washer, the 4.5 one I have is working fine on my little TroyBilt 2500 PSI, 2.3 GPM unit.
What is this "same day delivery" of which you speak?I would but our pals at amazon dicked me. Paid the extra frt, $2.99, for same day delivery Friday. As of right now, still nothing. I tried to cancel but system says Nope. I will return when I get it, didnt need it anyway. It is a 2.5 GPM turbo nozzle for pressure washer, the 4.5 one I have is working fine on my little TroyBilt 2500 PSI, 2.3 GPM unit.
Get a can of Kroil. Beats PB Blaster hands down. No comparison.despite using PB Blaster,


Beerhippie,Looks nicer than my slide hammer!
Here's an example: Our warranty replacement for our air dryer is sitting in Hermiston, OR. It's been there for five days now. Why? Fed Ex freight comes out here once a week. Period. No discussion.What is this "same day delivery" of which you speak?
Hell, we're lucky to get same WEEK delivery.
Here's an example: Our warranty replacement for our air dryer is sitting in Hermiston, OR. It's been there for five days now. Why? Fed Ex freight comes out here once a week. Period. No discussion.
We experienced the same problem when we replaced our boiler last spring. It sat in La Grande, OR for six days, having arrived at the shipper ten minutes after the freight left for our corner of the boonies.
Who makes this?Doing it yourself is less hassle than using Monro
Alignment jig for a wheel.


