Beerhippie
Well-known member
I'm'a gonna' need me some private time....
Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
Here she is with the rest of the crew:
Is everything being of the deep variety a preference or a need? Just curious what you're working on.
First one I’ve ever been on, too. Between them being the last private tool truck company & forge and their products not being sold online, i always thought they were super cool. This is around Lyons/Summit area so I wonder if it’s the same guy
I work on Ford vocational vehicles, so think F250-750, Transits, E-series conversions. Our lead mechanic told me to get 3/8” swivels in 8,10,13,15mm and he specified deeps. I was skeptical but did as I was told and they’ve been indispensable. Lots of fasteners on studs where a shallow swivel wouldn’t have worked. Ball joints, exhaust studs, etc. In the cases where a deep wouldn’t fit, a shallow swivel wouldn’t have fit either.
I don’t even own shallow swivels. They’ve been on the wish list for months but I just haven’t seen the need so far
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Been hitting the HD sales past few days. I needed some more of the larger batteries and I found these 4AH pair with charger on sale for $80 shipped ! Then when I was in the store last night with my wife, I found this 1 handed reciprocating saw on sale for $70! it was on the clearance rack along with 2 more!
Stridercondor
Active member
Picked up this set of bits last week off of the truck. These pair nicely with the Klein fast bit driver.
bwringer
Well-known member
Had a little side project for a guy at work....had to buy a new tool for it. Not high dollar but got the job done. If this becomes a habit, they will get upgraded.
$20 out the door ar O'Reilly's
Nice! I've got a O'Bucks or whatever they call it reward I need to burn up.
In looking at the reviews for this set, it's hilarious to see how many negative reviews are people who obviously have no idea they're left-handed drill bits, or what left-handed drill bits are for. There's also one goober upset that the stainless fastener he was trying to drill work-hardened and progress stopped. That's... just how drilling stainless with HSS works. You get one shot...
Look, people... this is a cheap set of Chinese-made left-handed drill bits. Even if they're one-time use, that's still pretty useful. Manage your expectations. And oh yeah, maybe try reversing the direction of your drill.
Spot on. . . spot on.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
51dueller
Well-known member
I've been meaning to get some Torx Plus sockets and bits, I also like chrome nano style sockets and can finally have something with the Cornwell name as I have something from the rest of the truck brands. I also had to get the matching Torx set. Would have been nice if the wrench would have been stamped. The bits are also half cut height as everything is advertised as low profile.
I can only imagine the mess if someone tried to drill out a stainless bolt with one of these going the wrong direction! For stainless, one better start out with a good quality cobalt drill (left handed or otherwise ... can always use a left-handed drill after an initial hole in the broken bolt put in with a right handed drill and that may still get it out) and get setup well. As you say, there is one shot before dealing with broken stainless before the process becomes real fun after the metal work hardens!
Last edited:
Stridercondor
Active member
Just got this Saturday. Watching the torque test channel helped me decide between this or the truck brands.
Lowlevel2021
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2021
- Messages
- 194
Striker finally came in today. Somewhat disappointed in Home Depot as they shipped it in the Milwaukee box only and not in a cardboard box to hide the contents. Luckily didn’t attract too much attention as it sat on my front steps for a few hrs.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I don't think "porch pirates" care. They see a package, they take the package.
YesIHaveAHammer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2025
- Messages
- 1,005
Facom NANO Performance Round Head Ratchet & Socket Set 1/4" (R2NANO)
I opted for this variant with the R.161B ratchet, just for some variety from the RL.171 push button one I already have. The case design is excellent. The ratchet rest is its own piece - presumably thicker ratchets like the R.360 roto come with a different one. The choice of only security Torx bits seems sensible for a versatile set, but I'd have chosen solid ones for my likely uses. The hex bits are 3-4-5-6 and oddly a 7mm, an 8mm would have been better.
Knipex Alligator 180mm (7") 88 01 180
Wanted another Cobra-esque in this size to keep elsewhere, and was curious about this adjustment mechanism after I got the 300mm (12") Alligator.
The plain grips and lack of button contribute to the compactness in all dimensions compared to the Cobra with comfort grip.
Knipex Needle-Nose Combination Pliers 185mm (7") 08 21 185
Bigger brother to the 145mm (7") I got earlier. You can do a lot with one of these and a Cobra/Alligator, so as earlier, they're my two plier picks for any minimalistic general purpose kit.
Stanley 1-30-686N Tylon Bi-Material Tape Measure 3m / 10ft
Stahlwille 13002 right angle pick 155mm (6")
This is the one I find most generally useful from my set, so I got another one for elsewhere.
I opted for this variant with the R.161B ratchet, just for some variety from the RL.171 push button one I already have. The case design is excellent. The ratchet rest is its own piece - presumably thicker ratchets like the R.360 roto come with a different one. The choice of only security Torx bits seems sensible for a versatile set, but I'd have chosen solid ones for my likely uses. The hex bits are 3-4-5-6 and oddly a 7mm, an 8mm would have been better.
Knipex Alligator 180mm (7") 88 01 180
Wanted another Cobra-esque in this size to keep elsewhere, and was curious about this adjustment mechanism after I got the 300mm (12") Alligator.
The plain grips and lack of button contribute to the compactness in all dimensions compared to the Cobra with comfort grip.
Knipex Needle-Nose Combination Pliers 185mm (7") 08 21 185
Bigger brother to the 145mm (7") I got earlier. You can do a lot with one of these and a Cobra/Alligator, so as earlier, they're my two plier picks for any minimalistic general purpose kit.
Stanley 1-30-686N Tylon Bi-Material Tape Measure 3m / 10ft
Stahlwille 13002 right angle pick 155mm (6")
This is the one I find most generally useful from my set, so I got another one for elsewhere.
Last edited:
I don’t know what your experience is with air chisels nor do I know your plans for this 18v version but I’d sure be interested to see how you like it.Striker finally came in today. Somewhat disappointed in Home Depot as they shipped it in the Milwaukee box only and not in a cardboard box to hide the contents. Luckily didn’t attract too much attention as it sat on my front steps for a few hrs.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Not so much a tool as a consumable. I bought a roll of this:
a couple of weeks ago. The spool of Stihl line I bought last season--and stored wet, thank you--broke in the head three times in an afternoon, so it ended up in the dumpster. This stuff was highly recommended by a buddy that owns a landscape business, so I decided to give it a try.
Two weeks of trimming and edging a complex set of lawns with wire fences, concrete pads and walks and rock borders and my conclusion is: It rocks!
Not a single break in the head. The line wears slowly and wears to a taper, instead of breaking chunks off, even when it encounters a wire fence.
It wears much more slowly than the Stihl did, even when new. I rarely need to feed more line, and I'm still on the first fill since I got it--I'd have gone through at least two fills of the Stihl line by now.
I'm sold.
a couple of weeks ago. The spool of Stihl line I bought last season--and stored wet, thank you--broke in the head three times in an afternoon, so it ended up in the dumpster. This stuff was highly recommended by a buddy that owns a landscape business, so I decided to give it a try.
Two weeks of trimming and edging a complex set of lawns with wire fences, concrete pads and walks and rock borders and my conclusion is: It rocks!
Not a single break in the head. The line wears slowly and wears to a taper, instead of breaking chunks off, even when it encounters a wire fence.
It wears much more slowly than the Stihl did, even when new. I rarely need to feed more line, and I'm still on the first fill since I got it--I'd have gone through at least two fills of the Stihl line by now.
I'm sold.
Last edited:
Nothing earth shattering today.
I cleaned the sanding/grinding dust off floor and work surfaces after finishing my recent end table project.
I usually try to do the dirty work outside but with the weather (110 degrees) I worked inside with the A/C on.
Even had time before PT to clean the front of my tool box with detail spray.
Doesn’t happen often so I took a picture.
Not bad for 25+ years with 15 of those years moving it daily as a pro mechanic.
Almost forgot.
I’m happy with the way I’m storing the vise grips I use 95% of the time in their own drawer.
Today I trimmed the drawer liner so the magnetic base on the Ernst plier holder can get a grip on the drawer bottom.
Edit: Sorry, posted this in the wrong thread.
Should have been in the “What did you do in your garage today”.
Mods, feel free to move it
I cleaned the sanding/grinding dust off floor and work surfaces after finishing my recent end table project.
I usually try to do the dirty work outside but with the weather (110 degrees) I worked inside with the A/C on.
Even had time before PT to clean the front of my tool box with detail spray.
Doesn’t happen often so I took a picture.
Not bad for 25+ years with 15 of those years moving it daily as a pro mechanic.
Almost forgot.
I’m happy with the way I’m storing the vise grips I use 95% of the time in their own drawer.
Today I trimmed the drawer liner so the magnetic base on the Ernst plier holder can get a grip on the drawer bottom.
Edit: Sorry, posted this in the wrong thread.
Should have been in the “What did you do in your garage today”.
Mods, feel free to move it
Last edited:
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Damn, those must be some big Molex connectors!HD 18" Molex crimper picked up discounted but missing one (C) die.
I just crimped some 6 gauge wire ring terminals for a brushless fan on my truck and it made them effortlessly.
Attachments
Last edited:
geojag
Well-known member
Small haul in the mail today. Two spark plug gappers and a pry tool. For some reason all my spark plug gappers disappeared when my son started messing with small engines.
How much is the ratching screwdriver these days? I have 3 of them that I never use.Some goodies off the truck.
It’s $87 msrp. I got for less. eBay got for $130+ lol
How many bits?
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I like this pry tool with the split end. Please share where you got it. ThanksSmall haul in the mail today. Two spark plug gappers and a pry tool. For some reason all my spark plug gappers disappeared when my son started messing with small engines.
Is it the strippers or the handles?
The handles are pretty easy, although many people screw them up. Using the wrong size handles will go real wrong really quick. Boiling the handles will go really wrong really quick. They look deformed if you boil them.
Just get a small scrap of 2x4 and a dead blow mallet and follow the instructions. Fill a glass with the hottest tap water (not boiling water or microwaved water) and put the handles in hollow side down. The instructions say one minute, but I go three-ish. After that, push them on as far as they will go (which is not very far. Make sure they are on as straight as possible. Then put the business end against the 2x4 and beat them on with the mallet. You can hear the tone change when they are seated. Repeat on the other side.
I used to only put them on Linesman pliers, but now I put them on a few different ones. I am going to put them on a pair of Knipex mini bolt cutters next.
Here are some examples.
Skyman
Well-known member
Nothing earth shattering today.
I cleaned the sanding/grinding dust off floor and work surfaces after finishing my recent end table project.
I usually try to do the dirty work outside but with the weather (110 degrees) I worked inside with the A/C on.
Even had time before PT to clean the front of my tool box with detail spray.
Doesn’t happen often so I took a picture.
Not bad for 25+ years with 15 of those years moving it daily as a pro mechanic.
Almost forgot.
I’m happy with the way I’m storing the vise grips I use 95% of the time in their own drawer.
Today I trimmed the drawer liner so the magnetic base on the Ernst plier holder can get a grip on the drawer bottom.
Edit: Sorry, posted this in the wrong thread.
Should have been in the “What did you do in your garage today”.
Mods, feel free to move it
Don't all of us read both threads daily at least?
cody1325
Well-known member
Picked up this set of bits last week off of the truck. These pair nicely with the Klein fast bit driver.
Looks like I was looking at the wrong truck brand for something that would fit my Facom ATCL.2 (the Craftsman V-Series version), as I knew Mac had some similar Facom-sourced drivers as it had super long slotted and Phillips reversible bits (and nothing in other varieties; as the other sizes were inch bits that fit in a long holder that fit in the handle), but nothing that was "just the bits".
PS: dang it; I'm now the proud owner of the Taiwan version of this--32961A. My Lowe's had them in stock, so I did a pickup order for tomorrow. Something tells me the "Ball Grip" style will be something I'll use a lot. GJ always costs me money; but hey, $25 isn't that bad....
I've been meaning to get some Torx Plus sockets and bits, I also like chrome nano style sockets and can finally have something with the Cornwell name as I have something from the rest of the truck brands. I also had to get the matching Torx set. Would have been nice if the wrench would have been stamped. The bits are also half cut height as everything is advertised as low profile.
It's a family name some of my relatives have on my great-grandparents side, so I'm surprised why I own none from them.
PS: pretty darn sure they're the only tool truck brand I'm lacking too--got plenty of S-O, Mac, and even Matco (hose clamp pliers), and even SK (vaguely recall they used to have trucks, too), but nothing Cornwell. I even bought Snap-On and Mac stuff off the trucks. That being said, for my own tools; it's typcially industrial (Proto, Williams, SK, Urrea) or Harbor Freight; plus a lot of old Craftsman. That being said, you see SO, Mac, and Matco trucks in my area; and I know where most of them stop (plus a relative of mine handling a lot of the Mac stuff for me--the dealer is a neighbor and former employee of his); but I can't tell you the last time I saw a Cornwell truck.
That looks like a surprisingly handy, yet little kit.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I once drove six hours to see a strip mall. I mean, I'd been to a few strip clubs, but an entire mall?
What a let-down.
Striker finally came in today. Somewhat disappointed in Home Depot as they shipped it in the Milwaukee box only and not in a cardboard box to hide the contents. Luckily didn’t attract too much attention as it sat on my front steps for a few hrs.
Unfortunately, that's becoming more and more common, and HD isn't the only one.
Mike
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Got some wheel stud extensions for changing wheels without scratching up the calipers or wheel barrels. Really nice SS machining; hecho in Estados Unidos.
Dead link.
SRU1436
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A few things to add, a 15/16 wrench because my set never came with it when I got it 25 years ago. A flare nut wrench because I don’t have that size and I want to get a set that fits all the SAE sizes. Finally, ive been running a generic set of hex bit for socks and I recall one of them deforming a little and it was a bear getting it out of the tool.
Not so much a tool as a consumable, but I bought a roll of this:
a couple of weeks ago. The spool of Stihl line I bought last season--and stored wet, thank you--broke in the head three times in an afternoon, so it ended up in the dumpster. This stuff was highly recommended by a buddy that owns a landscape business, so I decided to give it a try.
Two weeks of trimming and edging a complex set of lawns with wire fences, concrete pads and walks and rock borders and my conclusion is: It rocks!
Not a single break in the head. The line wears slowly and wears to a taper, instead of breaking chunks off, even when it encounters a wire fence.
It wears much more slowly than the Stihl did, even when new. I rarely need to feed more line, and I'm still on the first fill since I got it--I'd have gone through at least two fills of the Stihl line by now.
I'm sold.
Thanks for posting this. I have a bunch of demanding string trimming too and fight the plastic string breaking too easily (though curiously, less trouble breaking off in the spool head). I think I will give this a try.
Some Whia bits from Menards clearances, sq dr bits 99 cents and the 
2 pc pack of T40 were 49 cents.
2 pc pack of T40 were 49 cents.