Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
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d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Quick Home Depot grab. The Milwaukee stuff was $50 for all three items but that's probably still overpaying.
The DeWalt organizer for $12.88 is well worth it. Needed it to organize screws and make them more portable around the house renovation.
The DeWalt organizer for $12.88 is well worth it. Needed it to organize screws and make them more portable around the house renovation.
Agree. I have a few and use them a LOT. They are great for a lot of basic stuff: even matters like taking sockets off ratchets when hands are oily and the ratchets do not have a quick release.^ that "4140" skin-wedge tool should be in every tool box. how'd I live so long without one?
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Ohio Andy
Well-known member
In a perfect world I'll get one from my secret Santa this year....^ that "4140" skin-wedge tool should be in every tool box. how'd I live so long without one?
I am very skeptical of tap and die and many other cutting tools with the "Made in China" label. I certainly would not pay higher $ for them rebranded under legacy USA names that were once higher quality. I suspect that the same set can be bought for much less if you want them. Granted some uses and materials are less demanding than others. But bad taps can make a very very bad day when they cut poorly and lead to too much pressure and breaks and/or poorly cut threads. Taps and Dies are also the type of stuff you can buy high quality ones individually via various online supply houses. If you buy better quality ones, you will see what I mean on the difference. Ironically, the USA still has decent industrial supplies for upper end taps and dies, end mills, drills etc. They are typically not very cheap, but work better. A lot of people also (mis)use taps as thread chasers. If you do so, consider buying a good set of thread restoring taps and dies. Those work much better for thread restorations with lower risk of breaks and damage. Regular taps and dies are best for cutting new threads.Irwin metric tap + die set
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Only one? I bought the three pack, I use them everyday in multiple ways.^ that "4140" skin-wedge tool should be in every tool box. how'd I live so long without one?
They might be my favorite tool that GJ influenced me to buy and at a small price, they have been used and abused.
I did crack one at the tip, grounded it down and I can hardly notice.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Finally got both my top and bottom chest I ordered on sale a few months back! Now to get them filled up.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
four.cycle
Well-known member
I did buy the three-pack.
I kept one, gave two to my buddy.
He gave me a quizzical look.
I told him he had one for clean, one for dirty.
He carries one of them around in his pocket now most of the time.
I’ve had a flow of stuff coming from Amazon heavily discounted the last few weeks. I can’t look away because it feels like they just spontaneously knock prices wayyy down so often lately.
Today I had this one arrived
. 36mm x 41mm. Overall length 450mm, or just under 18”. Forearm pic for scale, I’m 6’3
For the $27, I felt it was a cool Stahlwille novelty. Of course I’ll never use it. I had to google around to see if anyone even *could*. I guess there is a Mercedes driveshaft nut that someone might have used it for. So my sincere apologies to the theoretical technician who may have actually put this to use.
Today I had this one arrived
. 36mm x 41mm. Overall length 450mm, or just under 18”. Forearm pic for scale, I’m 6’3For the $27, I felt it was a cool Stahlwille novelty. Of course I’ll never use it. I had to google around to see if anyone even *could*. I guess there is a Mercedes driveshaft nut that someone might have used it for. So my sincere apologies to the theoretical technician who may have actually put this to use.
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Keep it near the door and use it as a defensive weapon!
(I had a pair of Knipex 10" Cobras confiscated by TSA earlier this year. Not being a criminal or maniac, it never occurred to me that one of the 50 uses of Knipex Cobras was beating people on the head, but now that they mention it, yeah, I can see that.)
About a week ago we were discussing the Felo 4 inch/100mm "tack claw" aka "small prying tool", so I took some pictures of mine. Red handle has textured finish for slip resistance.
HJE's link for this is still dead. Maybe they sold out. Here's an Amazon link:
https://www.kctool.com/felo-100mm-tack-claw/
I like it. I keep it in the "fiddly little tools" drawer.
HJE's link for this is still dead. Maybe they sold out. Here's an Amazon link:
https://www.kctool.com/felo-100mm-tack-claw/
I like it. I keep it in the "fiddly little tools" drawer.
Already posted in the tools of the old world, but I am so impressed by this puller I want to post it here too. Kukko seems to be right at the top when it comes to tools like these. The tip is freely rotating and I assume there are some balls on the inside of the spindle. That must help a ton for reducing friction. Also, they offer all spare parts to order (spindles can quickly need replacement on tools like these, even if the rest is fine... or if one modifies one of the jaws for a specific use case).
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LeeG
Well-known member
I posted about this in my shop thread, but I think it deserves a mention here. I stopped at HJE on a recent road trip to my native homeland (Iowa), and among other things, I picked up this Navy Box.
This thing weighs over 10 pounds and is built like a tank.
It looks to be 16g steel, with double top and bottom, fully welded seams, and the most heavy duty latches I have seen to keep it closed (maybe these). I don't really have a specific need for it, but I bought it so I can refer to it when I make some similar boxes for myself.
I picked up a few other items, mostly stuff that either caught my eye or didn't ship well, such as 36" and 48" steel rulers. These Toyo boxes looked interesting, I might use them as Christmas gifts for my grand nephews.
This thing weighs over 10 pounds and is built like a tank.
It looks to be 16g steel, with double top and bottom, fully welded seams, and the most heavy duty latches I have seen to keep it closed (maybe these). I don't really have a specific need for it, but I bought it so I can refer to it when I make some similar boxes for myself.
I picked up a few other items, mostly stuff that either caught my eye or didn't ship well, such as 36" and 48" steel rulers. These Toyo boxes looked interesting, I might use them as Christmas gifts for my grand nephews.
rd65
Well-known member
7" is the rule. I checked last time I flew to Maui. I make it a point to take some tools anymore. Typically something needs fixing in the condo and I would rather do it myself than call and wait around.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Also handy for checking the bolts on the door plug of the plane if it's a Boeing.
The box says the taps and dies are made in USA with global materials and the drive tools are made in China. So, I'm not sure what the "made in china" in the other picture refers to. I have some Irwin taps and dies, all marked USA, and they are fine for home use. The only tap I've ever broken was a USA made #4-40, notorious for breaking, but I was also being a bit aggressive. It didn't matter, it was a small part, and I just threw it away.
I feel knaked without my Knipex!
Also, I got a FACOM nano kit this past year and found that by taking it with me when I travel, it comes in super handy:
(I have since learned that HF's kit has both SAE and metric, I think, which is better, and in the same size case. I try to live in a metric reality, but sometimes... then again, in the lil' 1/4" drive world, what's SAE can often be kludged with a nearby metric size.)
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Oh, your plane has bolts on that door? Well aren't you fancy!
I posted about this in my shop thread, but I think it deserves a mention here. I stopped at HJE on a recent road trip to my native homeland (Iowa), and among other things, I picked up this Navy Box.
This thing weighs over 10 pounds and is built like a tank.
Now I wanna take THAT through the TSA checkpoint!
And what are those danged spikes for?
![20251022_121454[1].jpg](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/2282/2282420-b18d4430be98fa1872368f85d11d6282.jpg "20251022_121454[1].jpg")
![20251022_121403[1].jpg](https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/data/attachments/2282/2282421-9553c6a39573b2274ef9362493b10298.jpg "20251022_121403[1].jpg")
LeeG
Well-known member
Which spikes? The springs on the latches?
51dueller
Well-known member
Since everyone lately says you have to have a 24" 1/2 drive ratchet. I almost prefer the positive detention on my 17" rather than the locking on this one. P.S. I still like my breaker bars...
Since everyone lately says you have to have a 24" 1/2 drive ratchet. I almost prefer the positive detention on my 17" rather than the locking on this one. P.S. I still like my breaker bars...
How is the head to handle fit on it? Mine was a bit loose and I added a shoulder screw shim washer to tighten it up. It was certainly not going to affect function, but... There are several haters on GW here because of the sloppy fit; and of course, dozens because of their manufacturing in China or Taiwan by what was once a sacred USA company.
My logic is that you can add a shim washer or pay 3X as much for Matco; I chose the shim washer for this ratchet. Saying that, I do have some Matco 88s in sizes that GW doesn't make; for 3X the cost they do have a better fit- no shims needed on my Matcos.
51dueller
Well-known member
There is a little bit of play which a shim would fix. I may get one in the future. For $135 cad including tax, I can't complain much. Not readily available up here compared to the normal size ratchets.
SouthernIllinois
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2024
- Messages
- 1,679
Marketplace find.
An old but never been used HF sandblaster.
Cheap - Cheap
Siblings emptying out their Dad’s garage.
Plan to strip it down, switch it to all 1/2” fittings and put an Ameriblast kit on it.
An old but never been used HF sandblaster.
Cheap - Cheap
Siblings emptying out their Dad’s garage.
Plan to strip it down, switch it to all 1/2” fittings and put an Ameriblast kit on it.
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
This was one of the tools I ordered in my Drunken Glucose event the other night. The O in Felo is 1/2 scratched off on mine... it's ok... I still love it.About a week ago we were discussing the Felo 4 inch/100mm "tack claw" aka "small prying tool", so I took some pictures of mine. Red handle has textured finish for slip resistance.
HJE's link for this is still dead. Maybe they sold out. Here's an Amazon link:
https://www.kctool.com/felo-100mm-tack-claw/
I like it. I keep it in the "fiddly little tools" drawer.
tiredoldironworker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2024
- Messages
- 243
Those spikes are bullpins used to align bolt holes in structural steel beams and columns. Every ironworker carries both sizes in their toolbelts.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Ridiculously handy for aligning any bolt holes. I use the handle of my adjustable spud wrench frequently.
Cases and context. Irwin never was a top brand for taps and dies but an intermediate type you could pick up in the local hardware store. I think most of it's line is now import. This is a new set? Good if made here. But just made in USA with brands like Irwin did not ever mean great quality with taps and dies. Think Sterrett, Greenfield, etc. But they also are expensive.
Small taps are easy to break. You have to be careful and keep backing out and not twist. Even super brands are going to break if you bend them. Stiff and rigid material alloys necessary for a sharp and durable cutting edge also results in them being brittle. That is just the nature of materials. A good example of this is carbide: Super strong to cut hard materials but also very brittle and the geometry of carbide edges are structured to mitigate this issue to the extent possible. Taps and dies will be high carbon steel, high speed steel, and cobalt-type alloys. All will be brittle and small taps need to be used very carefully.
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Stahlwille long 5mm hex T handles.
Left: the one I paid $22 for a couple months ago.
Right: the one I just paid $3.66 shipped for on Amazon “Haul”.
I don’t know about this Haul thing they are trying. It’s a little cumbersome having it mixed in the same website. And how it makes a custom Temu style product page with all details removed and photos scaled incorrectly. Like they intentionally want it to look and feel “cheap”. So weird. EDIT: Apparently HAUL isn't new (1 year old), it is just new to me.
But I did score 3 good prices on my first “haul”, and now I’ve run out of anything in there that I can find that I’d buy. The tool game isn’t very strong there currently.
Besides this, a Bosch 8-piece impact Torx bit set for $7.16, and a Stahlwille shallow offset wrench (12x13mm for $12.36) that doesn’t arrive until Saturday.
Those 3 items hit the minimum $25 for free “haul” shipping and extra 5% off.
Left: the one I paid $22 for a couple months ago.
Right: the one I just paid $3.66 shipped for on Amazon “Haul”.
I don’t know about this Haul thing they are trying. It’s a little cumbersome having it mixed in the same website. And how it makes a custom Temu style product page with all details removed and photos scaled incorrectly. Like they intentionally want it to look and feel “cheap”. So weird. EDIT: Apparently HAUL isn't new (1 year old), it is just new to me.
But I did score 3 good prices on my first “haul”, and now I’ve run out of anything in there that I can find that I’d buy. The tool game isn’t very strong there currently.
Besides this, a Bosch 8-piece impact Torx bit set for $7.16, and a Stahlwille shallow offset wrench (12x13mm for $12.36) that doesn’t arrive until Saturday.
Those 3 items hit the minimum $25 for free “haul” shipping and extra 5% off.
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
I just can't believe you broke a #4-40 tap! Them things is hell fer stout!
Honestly, I don't attempt to hand-tap anything smaller than about #10. I use my DP instead--turning the chuck by hand. Keeps everything square and inline.
Since everyone lately says you have to have a 24" 1/2 drive ratchet. I almost prefer the positive detention on my 17" rather than the locking on this one. P.S. I still like my breaker bars...
Following orders from the GJ conventional wisdom, I tracked down the used Snap On version of this on ebay that not only is a locking flex head, but also a non-locking flex head if you set the button that way. I like it! Still like breaker bars, too.
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Thanks. I learned about spud wrenches at the HJE website, and had my suspicions.
Test them before you need them. Lots of cheapish lead sets are absolutely garbage. (I borrowed one from someone once, it turned out to be missing the wire inside the insulation.)
