The excellent tools thread

[Iron Beaver]

I haven't seen any thread like this on GJ, so I thought I would start one. We have a lot of threads about "What is the best (air compressor, welder, wrench, etc)" but not one for all of them in one place. Also ideally this thread is only for tools that are exceptionally durable and functional, not just ones that only clear the "adequate" bar.

I will start off with my personal favorites:

Wrenches: Wright
Air tools: Cleco, Dotco, and ATP/Atsco/Patco
Portable power tools (corded only): Older USA-made Milwaukee.

 

[Ton ton]

There is an old thread called standards of the world.

 

[bwringer]

Pretty much everything in the "Tools of Japan" thread. Most of it is absolute jewelry, and I've made several purchases of Japanese tools I didn't know I needed until the moment I saw them there.

 

[Ton ton]

I like Stanley flat bars pretty good.

 

[RKA]

Each of those other threads delves into finer points or just the array of suggestions you’ll get when asked which is the best.... Most are valid and may depend to a degree on intended use, budget or any number of other things. And you may get differing opinions from multiple people. It’s all good conversation and background knowledge to have when researching a purchase.

The idea that you’re going to consolidate that into a single best of thread requires picking a single winner from each thread (which means making assumptions about what criteria should characterize the best) OR all those recommendations and conversations that would have filled one or more threads goes into yet another thread. So now in one thread you have parallel conversations about compressors, hose picks, cordless impact wrenches and chainsaws. It kinda sounds like you’re compressing a forum into a single thread.

 

[bob15]

I haven't seen any thread like this on GJ, so I thought I would start one. We have a lot of threads about "What is the best (air compressor, welder, wrench, etc)" but not one for all of them in one place. Also ideally this thread is only for tools that are exceptionally durable and functional, not just ones that only clear the "adequate" bar.

I will start off with my personal favorites:

Wrenches: Wright
Air tools: Cleco, Dotco, and ATP/Atsco/Patco
Portable power tools (corded only): Older USA-made Milwaukee.

There is an old thread called standards of the world.

Here you go, started on 3-13-20:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=446651

 

[george4]

Park for bikes.

 

[foodie]

Fein is the best oscillating tool in my opinion.

 

[richfinn]

Koken sockets have been my top take away from GJ

NWS pliers/Wiha screwdrivers/Bahco dual 80 ratchet all excellent value for money too

 

[Ton ton]

Koken sockets have been my top take away from GJ

NWS pliers/Wiha screwdrivers/Bahco dual 80 ratchet all excellent value for money too

Thanks for the nws pliers recommendation. It means a lot to me.

 

[richfinn]

Thanks for the nws pliers recommendation. It means a lot to me.

You won't be disappointed very good value in the UK

 

[dr_clyde]

A lot of this comes down to personal opinions and experience. What I think is the best, some people may not like and vise versa.

In my humble opinion:

Interapid test indicators
NOGA magnetic bases
Snap-On ratchets
Starrett combination squares
Ridgid pipe wrenches
Hermann Schmidt grinding vises
Wilton bench vises
Armstrong C-Clamps
Kant-Twist cantilever clamps
CK tig torches
Wiha tee handle hex wrenches
Miller welders
Marvel tilt-frame bandsaws
Acorn welding platens
Hardinge toolroom lathes
Metabo grinders
Boschert power notchers
Alzmetall drill presses
Mitutoyo digital calipers
Festool track saws
Hilti rotary hammers
Knaack gang boxes
Vidmar tooling cabinets
Garland rawhide mallets
Starrett micrometers
Snap-on angle and line wrenches


So many more, but that's what comes to mind first.

 

[richfinn]

As dr_clyde said, it boils down to opinions and experiences. And, needs and expectations. Some people need or expect a different level of performance. And, the problem with these type of threads is that there is always the qualifier in the background of "for the price".

If I take the "for the price" out of them, here are a few of what I think are the "best".

Snap-on reversible ratcheting wrenches:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Ratcheting-Combination-Standard-Handle%2C-15%C2%B0-Offset%2C-mm/10-pc-Metric-Flank-Drive-Plus-Reversible-Ratcheting-Combination-Wrench-Set-(10-19-mm)/SOXRRM710
Proto USA made reversible ratcheting wrenches: https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/industrial-tools/Proto/Wrenches/Ratcheting-Wrench-Sets/JSCVM-20SA_Proto%C2%AE-20-Piece-Full-Polish-Metric-Combination-Reversible-Ratcheting-Wrench-Set---Spline-/#
Snap-on Talon pliers: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Needle-Nose/8%22-Talon-Grip%E2%84%A2-Needle-Nose-Pliers-(Red)/97ACF
Snap On ratcheting screwdriver: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle/8-3-4%22-Ratcheting-Standard-Screwdriver/SSDMR4BO
Mac MR5BD 1/4" bit driver mini-ratchet (unfortunately, discontinued, have to get used).
Donegan Optical Co. Opti-visor: https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/
Snap-on Flex Sockets: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Shallow%2C-mm%2C-Chrome/6-pc-3-8%22-Drive-6-Point-Metric-Flank-Drive-Shallow-Flex-Socket-Set/206FSUMA
Lennox Hacksaw: https://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/ht50-high-tension-hacksaw.aspx (you can pay more and buy from Snap-on, if you prefer)
Lang rethreader/chaser sets (rebranded by everybody): http://www.langtools.com/rethreader-tools/

I agree on the price comment generally

With the proviso

The most expensive isn't always the best tool for the job, for me a least "Excellent tools" have to be very good quality and affordable at the same time for someone on a mechanics wages

My tool kits are a hodge podge of different brands as I have built them over 35 years, some of them were "pre-loved" before I aquired them

There is a bit of Snap On/MAC included, but only if I think its worth paying extra at some point

I have a fair amount of German and French brands and a little Japanese and even some Chinese tools that I have bought in a pinch and decided they are "excellent" enough for what I need to do on a daily basis

I like American Tools, but I dont think they exclusively make everything thats the best in the world, Some of my Snap On purchases haven't lived up to expectations for example, They are good at chrome hand tools though,
Diagnostic equipment not so much!!