The General Tool Thread

[Shaun]

I use the red Stanley flat blade, best flat blade I've used, perfect size for terminal screws

👍
Even though I have a set of good Irazola screwdrivers I always seem to go back to trusty red. Only modification required was to remove some of the insulation near the blade to be able to get into deep terminals on relays etc.

 

[Pupik]

Is it me, or are diagonal cutting pliers some of the most versatile tools to have?

 

[Solid Lifters]

Is it me, or are diagonal cutting pliers some of the most versatile tools to have?

Yes, they are! I have this pair: Wiha Precision ESD (Electrostatic Dissipative) Diagonal Cutters With Oval Heads - Full Flush Cut

ESD tools prevent electrostatic discharges from zapping your electronics when you make a cut. These pliers are a must have when working on electronic components.

 

[Slash]

The colors, red-orange and yellow, indicates that it's insulated for electrical work and must be flame retardant and impact resistant. These insulated tools are 10,000 volt tested, 1,000 volt rated that complies to VDE, ASTM, NFPA, CSA or EN/IEC 60900 standards.

They're not cheap. The one on the right, inomic long nose plier with cutting blade, was $45. However, they're on sale right now for $30 at wihatools.com

The pliers on the left are the lineman's pliers with crimper. They were about $65, but I got them on sale for about $50. They are huge and powerful!

I also have insulated Wiha terminal drivers, too.

My dad is an electrician so I was aware of the colors but I still like that combo lol. Definitely will look into these.

Is it me, or are diagonal cutting pliers some of the most versatile tools to have?

I wouldn't doubt it. I've been looking for a set.

 

[Slash]

Small bump.

Just picked up a 16 piece Stanley 1/4" drive ratchet and SAE/Metric 6pt deep socket set for rather cheap. Hope it comes soon.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I was given one of these today by a client of mine. My example is a post-war (mid-late 40's) Ransomes Ajax Mark III and, despite being one of the finest lawn mowers ever made, has seen better days.

The gentleman who gave it to me said that it hadn't moved from the spot in his shed where he had parked it 35-40 years ago - unfortunately the corner of the shed in which it has been parked for so long has also been damp and rotten for so long, resulting in surface rust, rotten front rollers, and a grass collector that is 20% rust and 80% hole.

 

[Joey D]

I usually buy Craftsmen for anything that needs to be well made, but for everything else I just buy it at Harbor Freight for dirt cheap. Harbor Freight stuff is cheap but there's a bunch of tools I've bought there that are surprisingly well made and nice to use.

 

[Slash]

I usually buy Craftsmen for anything that needs to be well made, but for everything else I just buy it at Harbor Freight for dirt cheap. Harbor Freight stuff is cheap but there's a bunch of tools I've bought there that are surprisingly well made and nice to use.

I've never heard anything good about harbor freight. Then again what I have heard was very little.

 

[Pupik]

I've never heard anything good about harbor freight. Then again what I have heard was very little.

The "general consensus" I get is that people go there when they:

1) Will use the tool once or twice, ever.
2) Must get a certain tool immediately, because the Snap-on/Mac/Cromwell rep won't have it until next week.
3) Unskilled home-owning doof like myself.
4) Someone who has a limited budget, like many young mechanics who don't get their own tools, and have to start at the beginning.

I'm in groups 1 and 3...There's some threads out there on specific hobby forums where people rave about a few bargains and specialty items. Some of their stuff is resold under different brands for higher prices (AstroPneumatic, for example), by their suppliers, if you look closely.

Let's face it, a deadblow hammer is a deadblow hammer to most people. Like all technical arts, most people are not going to pay 90% more for something 10% better.

The worst items I've heard about are their breaker bars. They're made of dried linguine.

 

[Slash]

The "general consensus" I get is that people go there when they:

1) Will use the tool once or twice, ever.
2) Must get a certain tool immediately, because the Snap-on/Mac/Cromwell rep won't have it until next week.
3) Unskilled home-owning doof like myself.
4) Someone who has a limited budget, like many young mechanics who don't get their own tools, and have to start at the beginning.

I'm in groups 1 and 3...There's some threads out there on specific hobby forums where people rave about a few bargains and specialty items. Some of their stuff is resold under different brands for higher prices (AstroPneumatic, for example), by their suppliers, if you look closely.

Let's face it, a deadblow hammer is a deadblow hammer to most people. Like all technical arts, most people are not going to pay 90% more for something 10% better.

The worst items I've heard about are their breaker bars. They're made of dried linguine.

It really comes down to what you will be using the tool for. Most of the time at least with the big name stuff your paying for a name.

Anyways I got my Stanley stuff and wow has their quality degraded. I haven't used them hard yet but the ratchet is not smooth and the sockets feel cheap. Maybe it's because I'm used to snap on stuff.

 

[Pupik]

Well, if you use the tools 4-6 days a week, or you can make them last a "lifetime" buy the best stuff whenever possible. It's constructed better, it's ergonomic, has narrow tolerances for exact dimensions. You may never need another one/set again. However, there's always those who want the latest thing (3 degrees of swing versus 5 degrees...gotta have that!) so the long-life span is obviously diminished.

For me, most of it sits in a drawer or hangs on a pegboard all but 5-10 days a year.

 

[Slash]

Well, if you use the tools 4-6 days a week, or you can make them last a "lifetime" buy the best stuff whenever possible. It's constructed better, it's ergonomic, has narrow tolerances for exact dimensions. You may never need another one/set again. However, there's always those who want the latest thing (3 degrees of swing versus 5 degrees...gotta have that!) so the long-life span is obviously diminished.

For me, most of it sits in a drawer or hangs on a pegboard all but 5-10 days a year.

It doesn't get used much right now until I manage to get a job and then it'll be used probably everyday.

 

[Slash]

I got a bunch of stuff from my grandfather a few weeks ago. Ill have pics up later.

 

[TB]

And you couldn't just wait to post until after you had pictures?

 

[Slash]

And you couldn't just wait to post until after you had pictures?

I wanted to share i planned on editing the post anyways. Some if it is interesting old rusty stuff that hasn't been made in 50 years.

 

[TB]

And editing your post would mean it slips off the main page and not seen by anyone for the next 5 months, thus defeating the purpose of showing them off...

 

[Slash]

And editing your post would mean it slips off the main page and not seen by anyone for the next 5 months, thus defeating the purpose of showing them off...

I didn't realize it was the end of the page until you said something either

 

[sneakypete123]

Kennedy make some good quality hand tools, I work as a welder for an aerospace engineering company, most of our work is for Rolls-Royce, Eaton and I-core and we have a lot of Kennedy hand tools.
As for the welding plants, we mostly have Migatronic TIG plants

 

[Slash]

Kennedy make some good quality hand tools, I work as a welder for an aerospace engineering company, most of our work is for Rolls-Royce, Eaton and I-core and we have a lot of Kennedy hand tools.
As for the welding plants, we mostly have Migatronic TIG plants

That is one thing I've always wanted to was learn to weld. I've welded before and wasn't too bad at it but I'd like to learn more especially in my field, car restoration. My problem is a I have a tough time seeing as it is so I prefer auto darkening helmets. Even then it's tough. I have 2 welders at home, a Lincoln 3200HD wire fed for light duty work like sheet metal etc and a older Lincoln 180 amp arc welder.

EDIT:

Here's one of the things I got...this should spark some interest. If it doesn't, some other stuff will. Like some ancient Ford wrenches that likely came in tool kits with cars sold.

 

[Mikeybc]

Found a decline in quality of craftsman sockets recently also, today's sockets seem to have thicker walls (bad). I've been in situations in tight spots where the cheap thick walled sockets wouldn't fit.

Also these stupid lazer etched markings seem to be all the rage, however the markings will wear off if it sees heavy use and leave you guessing which socket you're holding.

As for screwdrivers Snap-On has my vote purely because I find them very comfortable to hold with my hands. Their wrenches are comfy to pull on too unlike some Mac Tool wrenches I've tried with very sharp edges that would hurt my fingers on a tight bolt. Up here we have a brand called Mastercraft sold from Canadian Tire, their Maximum series wrenches are a very good value when they're on sale at half price for 35 bucks for a set of 14. They're comfortable and resonably well made with quality engravings.

Air tools I'd give the edge to Ingersol Rand...though I'm pretty sure they make some of the Mac and Snap on guns. I have a Mac AW-434m 1/2 impact which looks remarkably like a IR Thunder Gun...and loud as hell too.

 

[sneakypete123]

I see burnzOmatic regulators quite often and other of their products associated with gas equipment.
Mig welding isnt a bad thing to have under your belt pretty easy to teach someone too, however if you want to get into welding TIG welding is way forward. Attention to detail and consistency is key really.

I was lucky (well i worked dam hard) to get a job at my place where every single weld we do has to be X rayed, dye pen tested, pressure tested and visually inspected under microscope as we make fuel lines and other pipe work for plane engines like the Boeing 747, dream liners, typhoon euro jet fighters etc have even done work on the Vulcan bomber and made the fuel systems on the spear fish torpedo's, so I'm very spoiled in the fact I get to use many state of the art tools and equipment.

I would like to share these with you, here are some tools that I made by hand during my apprenticeship also a few test piece welds

Tap holder

[/URL][/IMG]

Die holder

[/URL][/IMG]

Mini Tap and regular Tap holder

[/URL][/IMG]

Union Joint

[/URL][/IMG]

Die holder (back)

[/URL][/IMG]

Drill drift

[/URL][/IMG]

Tool makers clamp

[/URL][/IMG]

Tap holder

[/URL][/IMG]

Drill point gauge

[/URL][/IMG]

Weld

[/URL][/IMG]

Weld

[/URL][/IMG]

Weld

[/URL][/IMG]

Mini tap holder

[/URL][/IMG]

Weld

[/URL][/IMG]

Weld

[/URL][/IMG]

I bet there's not many people on GTP that can say they have tools they made themselves.
Apart from the welds, all those tools where made from hand out of stock form metal.
Have a few other pieces I made but not tools.

 

[Slash]

Found a decline in quality of craftsman sockets recently also, today's sockets seem to have thicker walls (bad). I've been in situations in tight spots where the cheap thick walled sockets wouldn't fit.

Also these stupid lazer etched markings seem to be all the rage, however the markings will wear off if it sees heavy use and leave you guessing which socket you're holding.

As for screwdrivers Snap-On has my vote purely because I find them very comfortable to hold with my hands. Their wrenches are comfy to pull on too unlike some Mac Tool wrenches I've tried with very sharp edges that would hurt my fingers on a tight bolt. Up here we have a brand called Mastercraft sold from Canadian Tire, their Maximum series wrenches are a very good value when they're on sale at half price for 35 bucks for a set of 14. They're comfortable and resonably well made with quality engravings.

Air tools I'd give the edge to Ingersol Rand...though I'm pretty sure they make some of the Mac and Snap on guns. I have a Mac AW-434m 1/2 impact which looks remarkably like a IR Thunder Gun...and loud as hell too.

I haven't really used much new new Craftsman stuff, older stuff seems to be alright though. I wouldn't mind getting some more Crafstman stuff.

I also really don't like the Laser etched BS they put on sockets now. For the same reason you said.

All Snap On tools seem to be good, my dad has only just recently had the tip on a screwdriver replaced after, oh, I don't know how many years of use. I really like their Blue Point stuff.

Ingersol Rand is a local. I love their stuff and yes they make some Mac tools.

I see burnzOmatic regulators quite often and other of their products associated with gas equipment.
Mig welding isnt a bad thing to have under your belt pretty easy to teach someone too, however if you want to get into welding TIG welding is way forward. Attention to detail and consistency is key really.

I was lucky (well i worked dam hard) to get a job at my place where every single weld we do has to be X rayed, dye pen tested, pressure tested and visually inspected under microscope as we make fuel lines and other pipe work for plane engines like the Boeing 747, dream liners, typhoon euro jet fighters etc have even done work on the Vulcan bomber and made the fuel systems on the spear fish torpedo's, so I'm very spoiled in the fact I get to use many state of the art tools and equipment.

I would like to share these with you, here are some tools that I made by hand during my apprenticeship also a few test piece welds




*snip*






I bet there's not many people on GTP that can say they have tools they made themselves.
Apart from the welds, all those tools where made from hand out of stock form metal.
Have a few other pieces I made but not tools.

BurnzOmatic is a local company as well. They are just north of me, maybe a half hour drive if that, in Medina, New York. I've never seen hand tools made by them.

Those welds

Just wow!!!

 

[sneakypete123]

I've never seen hand tools made by them.

Those welds

Just wow!!!

Thanks on the compliment for the welds.

Sorry if you misunderstood me, I made those tools I posted myself from scratch with minimum machining during my engineering apprenticeship
The tolerance one those was something like 0.30mm / 0.011"
And the tool makers clamp had a tolerance of 0.10mm / 0.0039" <-- half the average thickness of a human hair (you can imagine how many failed attempts I had)

Sorry if I misunderstood you, I just re-read what you wrote "I've never seen hand tools made by them." The socket set you posted has a BurnzOmatic sticker in the lid and one of the sockets has o sticker wrap around it (Im guessing that fits a standard size regulator for oxygen or acetylene?) If so its a bonus for you as you own hand tools made by BurnzOmatic?

 

[Slash]

Thanks on the compliment for the welds.

Sorry if you misunderstood me, I made those tools I posted myself from scratch with minimum machining during my engineering apprenticeship

Sorry if I misunderstood you, I just re-read what you you wrote "I've never seen hand tools made by them." The socket set you posted has a BurnzOmatic sticker in the lid and one of the sockets has o sticker wrap around it (Im guessing that fits a standard size regulator for oxygen or acetylene?) If so its a bonus for you as you own hand tools made by BurnzOmatic?

The tolerance one those was something like 0.30mm / 0.011"

I was referring to the Burnz tools, and how I haven't seen hand tools by them before, mostly just blow torches. The set I have is just a standard 3/8 ratchet, extension and socket set. Nothing special.

As far as what you made, that is exceptional work, you should think about making specialty tools and selling them. You'd make a fortune. On top of that any other fabricating if you have time and it peaks your interest. I saw a guy who made a 1/3 scale of a Ford 302 V8 and it ran!

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

The tolerance one those was something like 0.30mm / 0.011"

Don't remind me about the horrors of hand fitting to tiny tolerances. I still have nightmares about an 8-hole PCD that we had to drill in an angle plate, with the worst bench mounted pillar drill in the world.

I still use most of the tools I made during my apprenticeship, and I make a lot of my own now too. It's very handy being able to make your own specialist tools for pain-in-the-ass jobs.

As Slash said, those welds are beautiful. Not much call for that kind of quality in what I do, but I'm still jealous!

 

[Mikeybc]

I haven't really used much new new Craftsman stuff, older stuff seems to be alright though. I wouldn't mind getting some more Crafstman stuff.

All Snap On tools seem to be good, my dad has only just recently had the tip on a screwdriver replaced after, oh, I don't know how many years of use. I really like their Blue Point stuff.

My Craftsman sockets are early 90's and of very good quality. Another good thing about craftsmen is the girl on the floor at sears knows nothing about the signs of tool abuse. I don't condone tool abuse but one time I found myself in a bind and had to link 2 wrenched together for leverage...well you can guess what happened.


Snap-on I feel has the best ergonomics, and that really matters when your constantly using the tool in a repeated motion day after day...if its your livelihood then its well worth the investment.

 

[opelgt1969]

That is one thing I've always wanted to was learn to weld. I've welded before and wasn't too bad at it but I'd like to learn more especially in my field, car restoration. My problem is a I have a tough time seeing as it is so I prefer auto darkening helmets. Even then it's tough. I have 2 welders at home, a Lincoln 3200HD wire fed for light duty work like sheet metal etc and a older Lincoln 180 amp arc welder.

EDIT:

Here's one of the things I got...this should spark some interest. If it doesn't, some other stuff will. Like some ancient Ford wrenches that likely came in tool kits with cars sold.

I still find it funny that a metric socket set has a 3/8 in drive A question for you "Brits" In the UK what drive are your socket sets, are they metric if not WHY?

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

A question for you "Brits" In the UK what drive are your socket sets, are they metric if not WHY?

Imperial, and cost. Imperial drives work just fine, even with metric sockets, so the cost to change outweighs the benefits. Plus all the old engineers would lose their 🤬 if you took away the last imperial equipment that they are still able to use

 

[Mikeybc]

I believe the "drive" ie 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive etc is a international standard, having both metric and SAE sizes

 

[sneakypete123]

@slash
I'd hold on to that socket set, might never be worth any real amount of money but its always good to say to that guy next to you "look what I have and you dont" quick google search to there website suggests that set was made in the 70's

Regarding the comment of making tools etc I cant go down my local pub without somebody asking me to fabricate, fit, re-jig, weld repair or pull something out of my ass for them, which is all well and good but people expect you to do it for a few beers and in this day and age of the "cheap and cheerful" I just cant do it and make a living out of it. Somebody came to me yesterday and asked if I could make them those nut and bolt figures, well sure I could Im all set up at home with welding equipment and engineering tools, the problem is people aren't willing to pay for your time and skill.

In an ideal world I'd love to be doing those one offs and I could post several photos of work I've done from restoration projects to repairs/developments to one off creative ideas

I fabricated a fitting that allowed a wheel chair user to adjust his headrest in several positions, when it came to payment I refused to take any money, it was payment enough just to know that I'd helped make someones life a bit easier.

@marinadiamandis
I wish I had of kept some of the failed attempts as working tools as I dont use the ones posted, they sit in a display cabinet as Ive never been good at sport or anything like that and that was a point in my life that I felt they where the only thing I'd put my 100% into an achieved somthing so I guess there my kind of trophy's