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Tool Reviews

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Focker, Jul 15, 2016.

  1. Nov 1, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Hum another crutch......This I guess will help the folks that can't measure things............just wondering , does that tape also do the cutting?
     
    Dawgy likes this.
  2. Nov 1, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Just your finger if you let it retract at full force. ;)
     
    Dawgy likes this.
  3. Nov 11, 2017
    XJSuperman

    XJSuperman New Member

    Central Iowa
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2017
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    9
    Just read this thread, so Ill briefly try to hit everything in one post. Challenge accepted. Ready, go.

    Welder: Just grabbed a used Miller 135 locally and it has been fantastic. Guess I joined Team Blue in the welding world with this one. 115v, plugs in anywhere, easy enough to pack with me if I want to go to a buddy's garage, and consumables are common and cheap.

    Grinder: the previously discussed Dewalt 4.5" grinders are where its at. I used to run Makita models all day everyday at work, but when the time came for me to buy, Dewalt was there. mine is corded, but it goes right along with the 20v cordless drill and 1/2" 20v compact impact gun from them.

    Dewalt 20v impact gun: No cords, no air hoses, no BS. I used to work for CNH as a combine demonstrator, and we all swore by this impact gun for changing sickle teeth, concaves, and other parts. It changes all my wheels and tires, and goes everywhere with me. I have OBA on my Jeep and I still carry this just because.

    Wrenches: I pickup Snap-On any chance I get when I find a deal, but Craftsman has been good to me as long as I stay away from a Sears store. (I have a personal curse for finding the most idiotic people in a 5 mile radius of me when the time comes I need something done like a warranty). Ace Hardware stocks Craftsman for the moment, and they are just fine. I make a habit of looking for older tools because you can't beat old school tools. New gadgets are fun until the plastic breaks. I don't use "soft handled" tools, I don't need rubber grips on my ratchets, I just stick with the original Craftsman and Snap-On stuff. Williams and BluePoint are both part of Snap-On and are solid as well.

    Toolbox: I grew up around Snap-On toolboxes, and while we all know they are great, they are also expensive. So my next go-to is oddly enough at the opposite end of the spectrum: Harbor Freight. There aren't many things I buy there, and I have a whole set of rules for doing so, but their USGeneral toolboxes are great as long as you can keep the paint on them. They are coated pretty badly, they scrape and scratch easy. But the drawers are better than every new Craftsman (Waterloo) box Ive opened, and the cost is rock bottom. A 20 year old Snap On box of equal size is still twice as much as a HF box.

    flare tool
    : I got lucky enough to get a BluePoint flare kit for nothing awhile back, and aside from not having a 5/8" size, it works flawlessly. Recommend to anyone.

    Air tools: I was spoiled early on with my father's Snap-On and Ingersoll Rand impacts, die grinders, saws, etc. I found a guy selling old used Snap-On impact guns out of a rubbermaid tote a few years ago and I bought one for $8.00. I paid $12 a week later off the Snap-on truck for a grip for it. After a cleaning and running Marvel oil through it, it runs circles around everything I compare it to. At work at the time we had Husky, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool, and Ingersoll Rand impacts, and I let our differential builder use mine for a day, and he cried when I took it home that night. It was better than everything we had available then. I don't use it much, but I do use it, and it does what I need done when something is being stubborn.


    My advice is to skip the store for hand tools, and start scanning flea-markets, garage sales, estate sales, and ebay. I find a lot on Amazon too when I really need it, but you cant beat the bargains of a swap-meet style environment. Good old tools can be found in small piles, in small toolboxes, and in complete sets, but hunting down and piecing together a complete set of wrenches is too much fun for me to turn down and replace by dealing with some clueless soul at Sears or whatever department store carries your brands near you.

    I tried to add images but couldn't get it to do anything but link from a website...
     
  4. Dec 6, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Vise Grip 4LW
    [​IMG]
    IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Original Locking Wrench with Wire Cutter (item #8) - Locking Jaw Pliers - Amazon.com

    These saved me a lot of grief when working on the rusty VW brake lines. My S&K metric flare nut wrench rounded the corners, but these removed the nut NP. I probably could have reused the nut if I started with these pliers; oh well. New nuts are a good idea for new lines anyway. A larger set of vise grips would probably work too, but I'm sure they would smash the nut in the process of removal. The head for these pliers looks large, but its shape fits into tight spaces rather well.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2017
    wheelsontheroof likes this.
  5. Dec 9, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I'm NOT good at math.

    Just hold the tape at an angle until it reads exact numbers, then mark the number that's in in the middle.:schooled:
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2017
    dozerjim, 3b a runnin and Bowbender like this.
  6. Dec 9, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Mar 6, 2004
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    Like that vise grip, Tim. About 10 bucks on a quick search. Maybe I'll find one in my Christmas stocking. Thanks for the tip.
     
  7. Dec 13, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Another stocking stuffer -

    etekcity (302 x 301).jpg

    Amazon.com: Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun -58℉~ 716℉ (-50℃ ~ 380℃), Yellow and Black: Instant Read Thermometers: Kitchen & Dining

    An infrared laser thermometer. These are extra handy, and very inexpensive. I have this one, and I keep it by my bench. It's also useful in the kitchen, and for moments of curiosity. I bought one for me and my brother on special in 2015, and I think I spent more than the current price.

    We had a thread about multimeters recently, and one of the cost-added features of the more expensive meters is an input for a K-type thermocouple. I would rather have this laser thermometer than the thermocouple input - probably end up less expensive buying this and the cheaper meter.
     
  8. Dec 13, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    X2 - Use mine ALL the time, even in the kitchen.
     
  9. Dec 13, 2017
    XJSuperman

    XJSuperman New Member

    Central Iowa
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2017
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    9
    Ive got a Harbor Freight one and its great. They sometimes put big discounts on them so I think I got mine for the same price as that. I will admit though, we spent more time using it to let the dog chase around the house than we do for taking temperatures.
     
    BobH likes this.
  10. Dec 13, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I have their keychain sized version. I think it was $10...It works great.
     
  11. Jan 25, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Bluetooth Earmuffs:

    I sometimes spend upwards of 16 hours a day in earmuffs. I always use the music-style earmuffs to listen to music or whatever while I'm working.

    I completely wear them out at a rate of about a set per year and a half. Either the hinges break, the pads get hard and tear, the case breaks from drops, the radio quits...

    I've used Peltor, Gemplers, 3M, and my last set was a pair of cheap Ion muffs from Walmart.com. They were all that was available at the time that featured Bluetooth. I've despised them from day one, and finally had the chance to buy another pair.

    Since switching from satellite radio to Pandora (streaming), the Bluetooth option is a must. I picked up this pair of 3M Worktunes yesterday at my local Ace for $79.

    [​IMG]

    My first impression was how incredible the sound quality is. I'd put these up against a set of Bose or Beats headphones. It's that good.

    Second, when switching from mode to mode, there's a female voice that tells you what you just switched to. Neat. No more guessing.

    Third, they are really comfortable. Maybe I'm just accustomed to just how bad the Ions were, but these are awesome.

    One negative, and maybe I'm doing something wrong and I should read the instructions, but the Bluetooth won't automatically pair with my phone every time I turn them on like my old ones did. It's a bit of a drag having to go into my settings and manually pair the device every time I turn them on.

    Overall (so far): a solid "A" rating.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  12. Jan 26, 2018
    Mark Wahlster

    Mark Wahlster Member

    Silverton, OR
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    Dec 17, 2015
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    386
    I'm a vintage stereo collector I own an $1800.00 turntable I own 2600 LPs 600 CD's 200 7" reel to reel tapes and something like 500 cassettes of music. I own some outstanding headphones from back in the 70's and some very good modern ones. I think I know a little about music and how it should sound.

    And I have never heard anything that sounded as bad as Beats Headphones I think they were designed to make kids deaf as fast as possible, though a pair of new Bose headphones came close but in a very different way. Glad you found some you like. I go wired when I use hearing protection with music I have a Pair of Howard Leight shooting ear muffs that have a 1/8" RCA stereo plug and I have an old LG phone that plays FLAC files (one of the better options for compact digital music files) and I just keep the phone in a shirt pocket and the cord as short as possible and tucked out of the way.
     
  13. Jan 26, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Take my audio reviews lightly. I'm deaf in one ear and can't hear out of the other. :sneak:
     
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  14. Feb 10, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I hope the on/off is a better design than the old Worktunes. It repeatedly gets rolled "on" when they are not being used, and kills my batteries.

    And in a similar fashion, when I'm in a tight spot, or brush against something, the tuning gets changed way too easy. Poor design.
     
  15. Feb 10, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    I have to assume it is. You have to push this volume knob in for a few seconds to turn on or off.
    I can't speak for the tuning; I've only use the Bluetooth function.

    I've used them every day since my first review. Still on the first set of batteries.

    After four hours, instead of just shutting off like my old ones, these give you an audible countdown from ten. Just reach up and turn the volume a hair and the countdown stops. (y)
     
  16. Feb 10, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    !!! All these many years, I always wondered what the heck that was all about! Thanks!

    But other times I find they have been playing all night in my truck, so I'm still puzzled.
     
  17. Mar 20, 2018
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    Three I'll add to the list. CAT brand LED flood lights sold at Costco. Two pack for $15.99 on sale yesterday. Small, magnetic, nice stand/handle that swings out or can use to hang. Uses 4 AA batteries each. Comes with batteries. Excellent for the money.

    Eneloop rechargeable batteries. Purchased a kit with charger from Costco a while back. I think I paid $30 for the kit and came with a bunch of AA, some AAA, and some C cells. Have held up very well to my abuse.

    Fenix battery charger for rechargeables. Model number ARE-C2.
    Recharges 4 AA, AAA, or C cells at a time. Charges quick, tells you the charge voltage, and has a bar graph telling you where it's at in the charge cycle. Each battery has it's own display and is charged independently of the others but charge concurrently. Stops charging individually when the battery is full. Kind of spendy but if you charge lots of smaller batteries well worth the cost. I think I paid $69 for it a while back at a gun show. I've had it bring some back from the dead that my other chargers couldn't.
     
  18. May 25, 2018
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    WELDER REVIEW

    I went from a 110v Chinese buzz box to this Hobart 210MPV and its like going from a Yugo to a Cadillac. I like that I can weld on standard 110v as well as 240v; hence the MVP (Multi Volt Plug). Night and day different, much easier to weld with on both thick and thin material.

    I'm a sucker for demo models, open box deals; any thing that saves some coin. So I got this factory reconditioned machine directly from the Hobart Weld Shop (www.Hobartweldshop.com) for around $680. Looks great, works awesome, and from looking at it you couldn't tell it wasn't brand spanking new.

    FUN FACT- Hobart and Miller are owned by the same company, Illinois Tool Works. They are produced in different factories, but alot of the parts are the same. Its very common to crack open a Hobart and see Miller stamped on all the internal parts. Lincoln actually sued Illinois Tool Works after they aquired Hobart, stating it was a monopoly. The result of the lawsuit, Miller had to be marketed toward commercial consumers, and Hobart had to be marketed toward home/ hobby/ farm use. That way Lincoln still had a fighting chance in the commerial market.

    Very pleased with my Hobart 210 MPV, even after 5 years of use. No regrets! It's like the best of both worlds; commerical quality at consumer prices.

    The only bad thing about this machine, it's a converter machine and not using the new inverter technology- so its HEAVY (90 lbs). Mine lives on a welding cart, so its no big deal for me. But something to consider as although its a suitase model, it would be difficult to haul around unassisted.

    :flag: One of the American Made "BIG 3"- Miller, Hobart, Lincoln! :flag:
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 13, 2020
  19. Jun 3, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    Harbor Freight Bead Breaker:

    Bead Breaker

    I picked one of these up yesterday. I got new tires for the quad, and at $43 with coupon and after tax, I figured this tool would be cheaper than taking the tires anywhere to have swapped. ATV tires are notoriously tough to break the beads, especially when the tire has been mounted and untouched for 20 years like mine.

    Well, it made it through the two front tires with the only issue being the bolts almost shearing. I drilled out the holes and replaced them with hardened 7/16" bolts. While attempting a rear tire, the bottom bar bent to the point of shooting the tire out like a rocket against my foot and almost breaking my finger.

    I bought a HF 20 Ton Shop Press a few months ago and hadn't had a chance to put it together. Well, last night I had to, just to bend this thing back into shape. I then welded it to some scrap C channel. Now it works great!

    I'd recommend welding it to something heavy right out of the box if you know your tires will be stubborn. You can see the one weld.... that's where it bends.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Jun 3, 2018
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Oct 21, 2012
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    2,327
    I see that in USA you are experts in tools, there is more choice than in France. But alos there is a lot of pro on this forum, so you know what to get. I just recently invested in tools on battery, because they now work very well and are light and easy to use.
    My hands and arms are not like before, so these new tools are nice, but I won't invest in expensive tools, I stop hard working.
    I have tools from my ancesters, I still use them.
    I learn a lot with your help.
    Can you confirm that to make a hole in inox (stainless steel) 5 mm, to use an onion on the drill will allow to make the hole?
    I have learned this, not sure that it works, I just bought a drill special for inox.

    in France we have Bosch tools ( pro and not pro), Black & Decker, Ryobi, Makita, AEG and at pro shops Milwaukee.
    Peuageaot was before a good producer, but the Peugeot brothers are sleeping on their gold ingots. No more tools.
     
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