No hate,just a personal preference,here in Croatia,ars is $55-70 and top of the line felco is around $60.
Show your new tool arrivals
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Which, oddly, they've been for at least forty years! I bough a new pair for the pub a couple of years ago--#2, not the #7--and they were the same price I paid for them in the eighties. Quality seems the same.
So, they're actually much cheaper than they were when I was buying them. $1 in the '80s is worth about $3.98 today.
I also own two pair of ARS reach pruners--one from the eighties and one bought new two years ago. Both are excellent tools and see lots of use and abuse.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Lowlevel2021
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Top handle chainsaw with free chain. For some reason it was $50 less online than in store. 
LWB
Well-known member
I'm gitty. Found this within 10 minutes of my house. I've been looking for quite some time. Runs great! Needs some TLC and it will be a nice addition.
wandrur
ALLIANCE MEMBER
LWB
Well-known member
Ahem...giddy.
Also, that's awesome!
See, I'm so gitty I can't even spell.
rd65
Well-known member
They're ripping us off a bit here in Europe.
I see the ARS VS-9XZ is 57€ on German based amazon.de with free shipping.
Not sure of exact differences but the ARS HP-VS9Z is 31€ on the US based amazon.com but with shipping and customs to europe it comes to 41€. Still considerably cheaper.
The same VS-9Z on Japanese based amazon.co.jp is 24€. However shipping isn't specified for this model. The slightly smaller model VS-8Z is 18.6€ and shipping is 19€ with customs paid (about 38€).
Realistically the ARS is being sold in most of the world for half the cost of the Felco.
The Felco 8 is 55€ on amazon.com, 49€ on amazon.de and ~47€ on amazon.co.jp. The price is consistent around the world.
I fully expect Croatian dealer importing ARS is exploiting the locals a bit more, the price around European Amazon sites (France, Italy) is consistently around 50€ in France and Italy which produce way more wine than all the rest of europe combined...
I have similar experiences here in Slovenia so I always check online for alternatives from German sellers that may offer affordable shipping across Europe (Germany also has lower VAT than we do). Or amazon. I heard US amazon is really bad nowadays and I also had some bad experiences so I avoid it, but the Japanese one is excellent, especially if you manage to get a good deal on bulk shipping. German is also without problems for me yet.
Not sure what the X in the model name means but it probably does not mean it's worth twice as much. Maybe eu-only model so we don't easily find alternatives from abroad?
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
Shop supplies and two supplier branded Wera drivers, T8 & T9.
Kind regards,
Olli
Kind regards,
Olli
purplezr2
Well-known member
Top handle chainsaw with free chain. For some reason it was $50 less online than in store.
FYI, may want to check the SN, looks like there is a recall on those.
Milwaukee Recall Top Handle Chain Saw
I use those stubby allens all the time the only thing i wish they had flats for a wrench like this socket set,Some Snappy stuff. The 1/4” and 3/16” screwdrivers are for SHCS on fixtures at work. Probably not a popular item because my driver originally said he didn’t have them and then found these buried and hidden at the back of the truck. They were covered in dust and grime.Added a blue pocket pry bar because why not. The air swivel was intended for work but I may put it on my own garage airline to test it first. Lastly the BluePoint short hex bit sockets are to replace my Matco ones since the driver quit and warranty has been an absolute pain through corporate or the driver one route over.
Snap-on Store
I ended up buying sets of these Mayhew, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DL8JL1X?tag=atomicindus08-20
They have a couple of larger sizes although they lack any retainer.
The Blue point are in my cart and the mayhew on the box for when I need extra short, I have both in allen and torx
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks for that post, just checked mine and it's part of that recall.
Prospecter
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Lowlevel2021
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Luckily this one is not on the recall. Thanks for the info.
Last week I had to replace a relay on a highly congested output board. Stupid *** relays were held in place by retainers on both sides of and trying to hold those off with small screwdrivers and pull the relay out with needle nose AND hold a flashlight all the while laying on the floor sideways because OF COURSE this relay was almost at the bottom….pissed me off. (How’s that for a run on sentence) 
Ordered this horseshit kit that was recommended by our panel shop.
And of course it didn’t quite fit
SO I whipped out the high tech modification tool and made some slight adjustments
Ordered this horseshit kit that was recommended by our panel shop.
And of course it didn’t quite fit
SO I whipped out the high tech modification tool and made some slight adjustments
Semi-hole mechanic
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- Feb 2, 2017
- Messages
- 1,022
Friend had a Ford Edge that had 31mm axle nuts. He had to buy a socket before we could do the brakes when he was selling it. I think he found one at one of the parts stores, probably never used it again.
Today bought myself one more pair,vz8xz with rotating handle. $60. There are only two places to get em here in Croatia,our local pevex store is one.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
One problem with having a BIG mailbox--ours is a 1/2 bbl beer keg--is that it just tempts the mail person to see how much they can fit in it. Of course, every item came in its own over-size package.
I had to grab the wheelbarrow for this load:
Feels like Christmas in early November!
Back:
Pressure bleeder for brakes/clutch. When I last checked the fluid in the Toy, it looked like black coffee. Too old to be pumping the damned pedal while yelling at a helper "OPEN!" "CLOSE!" and now I don't need any help--because free help is worth every penny you pay for it. I don't know how long I've been wanting one of these, even if I only use it once or twice a year.
Dry and Dry silica-gel indicator desiccant packs. These are the big (20 gram) ones and turn orange when depleted--but can be renewed in the oven. I stick one in every NEMA 4/12 enclosure in the brewery and every equipment storage box in the shop. Cheap insurance.
Front:
Pentel retractable tip .5mm pencil. My old Pentel doesn't retract and has pierced every breast pocket I own--and my flesh more than a few times. The tip retracts when the pocket clip is opened so no forgetting to retract it before putting it in my pocket. These folks must know me!
Portable USB3 enclosure for the data SSD from my old laptop so I can share it with my new laptop.
Piercing probes for the Fluke. Been needing these for a while. Using stickpins and alligator clips on 120VAC lines has some drawbacks.
Op/tech strap for the new camera. Best on the market, IMHO. Been using them for years.
Card reader for the damned XQD card the new camera uses.
Cabled remote release for the new camera. Nikon wants around a hundred bucks for one. It's just a two-stage NO MC switch. This one was $15 and works fine, thanks. In theory, I can use my cell phone to trigger the camera... in theory.
Now to get everything unpacked and in use.
I had to grab the wheelbarrow for this load:
Feels like Christmas in early November!
Back:
Pressure bleeder for brakes/clutch. When I last checked the fluid in the Toy, it looked like black coffee. Too old to be pumping the damned pedal while yelling at a helper "OPEN!" "CLOSE!" and now I don't need any help--because free help is worth every penny you pay for it. I don't know how long I've been wanting one of these, even if I only use it once or twice a year.
Dry and Dry silica-gel indicator desiccant packs. These are the big (20 gram) ones and turn orange when depleted--but can be renewed in the oven. I stick one in every NEMA 4/12 enclosure in the brewery and every equipment storage box in the shop. Cheap insurance.
Front:
Pentel retractable tip .5mm pencil. My old Pentel doesn't retract and has pierced every breast pocket I own--and my flesh more than a few times. The tip retracts when the pocket clip is opened so no forgetting to retract it before putting it in my pocket. These folks must know me!
Portable USB3 enclosure for the data SSD from my old laptop so I can share it with my new laptop.
Piercing probes for the Fluke. Been needing these for a while. Using stickpins and alligator clips on 120VAC lines has some drawbacks.
Op/tech strap for the new camera. Best on the market, IMHO. Been using them for years.
Card reader for the damned XQD card the new camera uses.
Cabled remote release for the new camera. Nikon wants around a hundred bucks for one. It's just a two-stage NO MC switch. This one was $15 and works fine, thanks. In theory, I can use my cell phone to trigger the camera... in theory.
Now to get everything unpacked and in use.
Last edited:
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Damned cap adapter for the bleeder DOES NOT fit my '93 Toy Corolla!
****. The adapter has a bayonet-mount, while the Toy reservoir has a slip-on rubber cap.
Back to the drawing board.
****. The adapter has a bayonet-mount, while the Toy reservoir has a slip-on rubber cap.
Back to the drawing board.
One problem with having a BIG mailbox--ours is a 1/2 bbl beer keg--is that it just tempts the mail person to see how much they can fit in it. Of course, every item came in its own over-size package.
I had to grab the wheelbarrow for this load:
Feels like Christmas in early November!
Back:
Pressure bleeder for brakes/clutch. When I last checked the fluid in the Toy, it looked like black coffee. Too old to be pumping the damned pedal and now I don't need any help. I don't know how long I've been wanting one of these, even if I only use it once or twice a year.
Dry and Dry silica-gel indicator desiccant packs. These are the big (20 gram) ones and turn orange when depleted--but can be renewed in the oven. I stick one in every NEMA 4/12 enclosure in the brewery and every equipment storage box in the shop. Cheap insurance.
Front:
Pentel retractable tip .5mm pencil. My old Pentel doesn't retract and has pierced every breast pocket I own--and my flesh more than a few times. The tip retracts when the pocket clip is opened so no forgetting to retract it before putting it in my pocket. These folks must know me!
Portable USB3 enclosure for the data SSD from my old laptop so I can share it with my new laptop.
Piercing probes for the Fluke. Been needing these for a while. Using stickpins and alligator clips on 120VAC lines has some drawbacks.
Op/tech strap for the new camera. Best on the market, IMHO. Been using them for years.
Card reader for the damned XQD card the new camera uses.
Cabled remote release for the new camera. Nikon wants around a hundred bucks for one. It's just a two-stage NO MC switch. This one was $15 and works fine, thanks. In theory, I can use my cell phone to trigger the camera... in theory.
Now to get everything unpacked and in use.
Wait, it's the mail-person's fault that you have a barrel for a mailbox, or ordered a lot of stuff at once? I'm confused, LOL...
Kidding aside, some cool looking stuff there. Good luck with the bleeder.
Mike
Meursault74
Well-known member
One problem with having a BIG mailbox--ours is a 1/2 bbl beer keg--is that it just tempts the mail person to see how much they can fit in it. Of course, every item came in its own over-size package.
I had to grab the wheelbarrow for this load:
Feels like Christmas in early November!
Back:
Pressure bleeder for brakes/clutch. When I last checked the fluid in the Toy, it looked like black coffee. Too old to be pumping the damned pedal and now I don't need any help. I don't know how long I've been wanting one of these, even if I only use it once or twice a year.
Dry and Dry silica-gel indicator desiccant packs. These are the big (20 gram) ones and turn orange when depleted--but can be renewed in the oven. I stick one in every NEMA 4/12 enclosure in the brewery and every equipment storage box in the shop. Cheap insurance.
Front:
Pentel retractable tip .5mm pencil. My old Pentel doesn't retract and has pierced every breast pocket I own--and my flesh more than a few times. The tip retracts when the pocket clip is opened so no forgetting to retract it before putting it in my pocket. These folks must know me!
Portable USB3 enclosure for the data SSD from my old laptop so I can share it with my new laptop.
Piercing probes for the Fluke. Been needing these for a while. Using stickpins and alligator clips on 120VAC lines has some drawbacks.
Op/tech strap for the new camera. Best on the market, IMHO. Been using them for years.
Card reader for the damned XQD card the new camera uses.
Cabled remote release for the new camera. Nikon wants around a hundred bucks for one. It's just a two-stage NO MC switch. This one was $15 and works fine, thanks. In theory, I can use my cell phone to trigger the camera... in theory.
Now to get everything unpacked and in use.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Oh man, I’m going to have to pick some of those Mayhew sets up! They look way too handy not to have. Thanks for the recommendation.I use those stubby allens all the time the only thing i wish they had flats for a wrench like this socket set,
Snap-on Store
shop.snapon.com
I ended up buying sets of these Mayhew, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DL8JL1X?tag=atomicindus08-20
They have a couple of larger sizes although they lack any retainer.
The Blue point are in my cart and the mayhew on the box for when I need extra short, I have both in allen and torx
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
So my first Matco guy started good then got really weird and quit. Found another driver but his route is massive and he isn’t very available for people looking to meet-up with him. As luck would have it, I found yet another Matco driver while I was stuck in traffic due to a shooting incident. Really cool guy. Probably in his mid-30s and level-headed with a clean truck. He keeps it lean from what I can tell but he seems like he manages his inventory well. Bought the 1/4” drive extension set on promo. We talked for a long bit (seems all the Matco drivers around here keep saying Matco is working through some big problems) and I’m hoping I can establish a good business relationship with him. I know Matco gets bagged on a lot and I’ve had my issues, but they were the only ones willing to come to my shop and as stupid as this sounds it has left a bit of a soft spot for them with me. They also have a lot of hardline products manufactured right here in the Chicago suburbs and I dig their ratchets way more than the other trucks. Plus his route puts him less than 10 minutes from my shop.
Attachments
Beerhippie
Well-known member
The thing is, this guy--I guess, as the mail person seems to change frequently these days--likes to cram anything that will physically fit through the door into the mailbox. This sometimes means there's no room to get my fingers around the box to pull it out. I've had to use my knife to pry a few out of the door.
Here's the box:
I wanted to make the door round, but ran out of material at the time. I'm tempted to go back and make it round, as that would mean I'd never have a problem getting a box out again--unless it's a 14" dia cylinder.
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,679
Snap On 1/2” ratchet & Fluke 325
GrayFlattop
Well-known member
Try a vacuum bleeder. This assumes you have compressed air available, but I assume that you do. Years ago they were costly, but now Jungle Jeff has many for around $50.
I used a pressure bleeder for ages on the Audis, but the Sienna is in need of bleeding also
cody1325
Well-known member
The Christmas special Mini Rapid Utility Knife 3-pack from Lowe's and a Sherwin Williams paint can opener (free from S-W--these are my go to pry tool).
These are a licensed version of the Gil-Tek RUK (about $30 each and US made). The Gil-Tek (US-made, and $30) has a pry tool and bit driver on the V3. I was tempted by the originals after doing some digging, but these are slightly less than a tenth of the price at just over $3.30 a piece.
gil-tek.com
The patent 10919164 is cast into the handle--it was assigned to a Tyler Gilbertson in 2019 and is identical to this tool. However, the handle is one piece, with a spring steel tension spring held in by a Torx screw.
Held up to breaking down a thick lawnmower box I had in the shop, so these are pretty tough. Slim, lightweight, and comfortable with extended use too.
These are a licensed version of the Gil-Tek RUK (about $30 each and US made). The Gil-Tek (US-made, and $30) has a pry tool and bit driver on the V3. I was tempted by the originals after doing some digging, but these are slightly less than a tenth of the price at just over $3.30 a piece.
RUK V3 | GilTek
Rapid Utility Knife (RUK) V3 The RUK V3 is a pocket size utility knife that uses standard utility blades and can be controlled all by one hand. It has a simple design to extend and retract the blade like you would with a sliding USB Flash drive but also locks in both the retracted and extended...
gil-tek.com
The patent 10919164 is cast into the handle--it was assigned to a Tyler Gilbertson in 2019 and is identical to this tool. However, the handle is one piece, with a spring steel tension spring held in by a Torx screw.
US10919164B2 - Utility knife with retractable blade - Google Patents
A utility knife that includes a handle having a blade slot, and a knife blade slidably housed in the blade slot. The knife blade is configured to extend and retract longitudinally from a blade slot opening of the blade slot. A first side of the handle includes a blade adjustment opening that...
patents.google.com
Held up to breaking down a thick lawnmower box I had in the shop, so these are pretty tough. Slim, lightweight, and comfortable with extended use too.
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,679
Those have served me very well.Grabbed some cheapies
I've always kinda chumped out and used a flat head screwdriver for popping things out. Not always to the best effect. Lol.
For the price you can get a new set once these start getting banged up and still be money ahead.
The thing is, this guy--I guess, as the mail person seems to change frequently these days--likes to cram anything that will physically fit through the door into the mailbox. This sometimes means there's no room to get my fingers around the box to pull it out. I've had to use my knife to pry a few out of the door.
Here's the box:
I wanted to make the door round, but ran out of material at the time. I'm tempted to go back and make it round, as that would mean I'd never have a problem getting a box out again--unless it's a 14" dia cylinder.
That's the coolest mailbox I've ever seen!
Mike
Meursault74
Well-known member
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Thanks!
The postmaster and post persons like it, too--which is all that matters, legally.
I built this to replace a store-bought one that kept getting taken out by the snowplows. It's been... years since I put it up and never hit once! Knock on wood....
I know what you mean. Mine got wiped out by an unknown force (no snow on the ground at the time, so not a plow). It was pretty close to the street, on an convex curve, so a car / truck may have hit it. No damage to the box itself, oddly. It was probably around 17 years old at the time.
Being January (with the ground frozen), I resorted to sticking it into a Homer bucket, which I filled with gravel to hold the post upright...
Believe it or not, that lasted 10 months. Oddly enough, I replaced it exactly 8 years ago today:
That pic was taken the day I installed the new box and post (and bracket into the ground, which I had my doubts about). It all looks basically the same today, except I added a bunch of reflectors to the post, and reflective stickers to the box itself. (I stayed with a white box because our street has no lights except whatever light posts we install along our driveways.)
Mike
Being January (with the ground frozen), I resorted to sticking it into a Homer bucket, which I filled with gravel to hold the post upright...
Believe it or not, that lasted 10 months. Oddly enough, I replaced it exactly 8 years ago today:
That pic was taken the day I installed the new box and post (and bracket into the ground, which I had my doubts about). It all looks basically the same today, except I added a bunch of reflectors to the post, and reflective stickers to the box itself. (I stayed with a white box because our street has no lights except whatever light posts we install along our driveways.)
Mike
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Pulling the axle nut to change brakes on an Edge?
On my wishlist!Last part (4/4) of my Zoro order arrived today. It was fully charged when I opened it. It's perfect for those times you don't want to be there all day turning screws by hand, but an impact would be overkill.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I might just be gettin' old and lazy enough for one of those!Last part (4/4) of my Zoro order arrived today. It was fully charged when I opened it. It's perfect for those times you don't want to be there all day turning screws by hand, but an impact would be overkill.
I love the feel-in-hand of my one ball-end Vessel screwdriver.