Tools you are most glad someone recommended

[W_KY]

I just bought yet another tool as a result of this forum (insulated Knipex Pliers Wrench) and it got me to thinking. What is the tool or tools that you are most glad that someone recommended to you? It could be a completely new brand they pointed out or a all together new tool they they suggested you get.

For me I have two:

Knipex Cobra pliers - I would have never spent that much on pliers to just try them but with all the positive remarks (plus I caught them on sale when Lowe's was clearing them out) they are now my go-to pliers of that type

Impact driver - I made it along for quite a awhile with a cordless drill/driver. After my brother recommended an impact driver, no going back for driving screw.

 

[PJNJ]

Back in the '70's, local hardware store guy recommended a Dremel when I asked about something to cut a hole in my then GF's '67 Mustang air vent system. I bought one - single speed with cutting wheels and never looked back. Great tool that I have used countless times. Lost that original one (along with most of my tools) in a move 13 years ago - one of the first things I replaced.

 

[dbuggyman]

Gearwrench ratchets. Awesome and affordable!!!!

 

[L.Cheapo]

Knipex snap ring pliers. Way better than anything else I've found.

 

[PJNJ]

Gearwrench ratchets. Awesome and affordable!!!!

That's true - especially like the 1/4" roto head. It's become a "go to" tool. I starting buying Gearwrench and Wright ratchets a few years ago and they are both great.

 

[btbsandman]

Gearwrench Ratcheting Combo Wrenches
Genius Extra Long Metric Box Wrenches
SK Stubby Wrench Set
Wera Ratcheting Bit Driver
Felo T Handle Bit Driver

 

[kyrbz]

Hate to parrot the OP's pick, but I love the Knipex Plier Wrench. I use em all the time and recommend them to everybody. I also really like my Wera Bit Driver for tight situations.

BZ

 

[ChrisLS8]

Flex/roto head ratchets. I was a straight ratchet guy for the longest time. WTF was I doing with my life?

 

[SIXTYSteve]

For me impact screwdriver- the hand one, never knew they existed. Also went a long time trying to build things without an impact, just used a drill. Never again.

 

[Askme42]

Flex/roto head ratchets. I was a straight ratchet guy for the longest time. WTF was I doing with my life?

It's amazing isn't it? Even my nice straight ratchets I just don't use much at all.

Mine would probably be the ideal stripmasters.

 

[ChrisLS8]

It really was life changing. Also air ratchets fall in that catagory as well.

 

[bonneyman]

Gear Wrench combos
Makita 9.6 volt cordless drill
Knipex rib joint pliers
Enderes 6-in-1 screwdriver

 

[AmishFury]

aviation snips... never really saw a real need for them but now that i bought some...

 

[pendragon1998]

Knipex mini bolt cutters; very nice.

 

[risc]

HF 56" toolbox, never would have looked at HF for a toolbox without all the positive feedback on the 44" and 56" here.

Gearwrench 120xp ratchets, never knew I needed a fine tooth ratchet or 7.

 

[TheRobotCow]

My trusty flex head ratchet and wobble extensions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[timmyisme22]

Knipex mini bolt cutters; very nice.

Oh god yes. I bought them as they were the only really worthwhile ones in my city (other than generally overpriced 24" junkers). Thought they were overpriced as well. All based on the brand and GJ's/Reddits love for them... Love them.

Took a bit to get through what I wanted (it was a Plyworx pliers rack, stripped of the rubber for where I was cutting). The blades didn't take a single bit of damage or altering.


I completely went on GJ's recommendation of the Gearwrench 120xp ratchets. I love them. Such a fine degree of movement. Works great on my GL500 in those tight spots.

 

[PelicanPines]

Knipex plier wrench(s) Damn they are nice...
Going to get the cobra set in the spring... won't need it till then.
Oh and stubby wrenches...

 

[jsharpphoto]

My gearwrench 4 piece 120xp flex head ratchet set.

My Tekton vise. I had started a thread about an import wilton vise I was looking at, someone pointed me towards the tektons and I love mine. It's not "just another import vise".

 

[ADSR]

Craftsman 299pc socket set and these....

 

[Sprintman]

Toptul. Astonishing value-for-money

 

[jrcampbe]

Miniductor and power probe are two things I wouldn't have known existed that I think are brilliant. I use the miniductor quite a bit here in the rust belt.

 

[MN4x4]

I was gonna say PowerProbe, but jrcampbe beat me to it. I was trained as an EE and know my way around a DVM just fine, but the PowerProbe is a game changer. An auto tech friend of mine brought his out to help me chase down a problem and I was AMAZED. I ordered mine the next day.

I also have the MiniDuctor on my 'want' list.

 

[JonnyMac]

Tekton usa made pliers.. crazy value..

 

[Techie1961]

Milwaukee M12 1/4" impact driver. I was on a job and still hadn't discovered that the new small cordless tools were worth anything when a guy I hired for some machine moving pulled out an M12 impact and drove a bunch of screws into some plywood that we used to cover some stairs. I immediately bought one and it is with me on every job I am on. I hardly ever use a normal screwdriver anymore and keep small 1/4" socket set in the case as well with a square adapter.

 

[rshadd]

Toss up between the Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver and Knipex Cobras.

 

[Outlander]

Today? Channellock 909 crimpers for my wiring project this weekend on my ATV.

 

[stonesfan68]

VIM 3/8" hand-drive extension set.

 

[PelicanPines]

VIM 3/8" hand-drive extension set.

Omg I got these too... neighbor saw me using them... now 3 of the 4 houses on my street own them. This site is like a virus.

 

[wild cowboy]

A fellow mechanic recommended locking extensions when they first came out - got the Armstrong (Matco) version - I like em!

also Fluid Film recommended here on GJ was a good find.

Those are the only two I can think of, as I am usually the one doing the recommending. I probably have too much free time and am usually one of the folks discovering & buying the new stuff first.

 

[BryanB]

Cordless 1/4" impact driver. I cant believe I used a drill to drive screws for this long......

 

[xj1999]

Knipex pliers and Snap On ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[Frank-D-Tank]

I'm going to jump on the Knipex bandwagon, I have the Cobras and snap ring pliers, both great. As someone else mentioned, I probably would not have forked over the $$, but based on recommendations here, I'm hooked, and worth every penny.

 

[curtrnev]

Half moon shaped driver for driving in rear end shims. Fought with one for a while coworker walked by saw me fighting with the shims. Next thing I know he taps me on the shoulder and say here try this. The shims were in before he made 20 steps.

 

[Voi]

I just bought yet another tool as a result of this forum and it got me to thinking. What is the tool or tools that you are most glad that someone recommended to you?

Gearwrench XL 850 & 859 ratcheting wrenches. Actually I only have one of each in 13 mm but they've made adjusting my roof mount kayak rack so much easier.

Was encouraged to pass on a used Taiwanese bench grinder and "hold out for something older and American made". Four grinders later and I'm glad I waited.

Not exactly a recommendation, but I never would have known that the 1950's Delta drill press I was buying had the slow speed front pulley without information I had learned from reading this forum.

 

[bullitt67]

Armstrong 1/4 flex ratchet
Snap on ratcheting screwdriver
Knipex cobras
Proto Blackhawk pliers

 

[nicksnothereman]

I just bought yet another tool as a result of this forum (insulated Knipex Pliers Wrench) and it got me to thinking. What is the tool or tools that you are most glad that someone recommended to you? It could be a completely new brand they pointed out or a all together new tool they they suggested you get.

For me I have two:

Knipex Cobra pliers - I would have never spent that much on pliers to just try them but with all the positive remarks (plus I caught them on sale when Lowe's was clearing them out) they are now my go-to pliers of that type

Impact driver - I made it along for quite a awhile with a cordless drill/driver. After my brother recommended an impact driver, no going back for driving screw.

Channellock anything. Klein if I actually bought their stuff...don't really have much of a need right now but always eyeballing them.

 

[stikman56]

Knipex pliers.

 

[1970W-30]

Lang Tools 279 Brake Caliper Press

Makes a brake job very quick.

 

[qctech]

Knipex bolt cutters.