Tools Category?

[thinker]

i'm sure. maybe someday someone can make it work. 25 years ago no one carried 4 way screwdrivers, now they're a staple for professionals and homeowners alike... because the handle doesn't crack and split as soon as a screw gets tight.<div><br></div><div>owners' manuals should have a list of every size nut and bolt on the vehicle.</div>

 

[Willy]

This:&nbsp; http://www.picquic.com/<br>&nbsp;The Vise-Grip of screwdrivers.<br>

 

[thinker]

that's hot.<div><br></div>

 

[Seraphim]

Bought something similar years ago. Broke it easily. Was Junk!! Buy "suitcase" set from Sears that has both metric and English sizes. Stores easily and lifetime guarantee on breakage. I have had to buy a different size wrench or socket over time because of special need, but no problems. There are others with lifetime guarantees, but Sears is usually less expensive.

+1

 

[karl]

+2 on Sears tools<br>Husky tools are of good quality and are sold at Home Depot ...<br>Whatever "sets, or kits" I buy, I like cases that firmly hold each piece in a designated spot so they are in order and I instantly know when one is missing, that way I'm not leaving a wrench or socket on the ground, inner fender or wherever when I pack up.<br>Same for drill and power driver bits.....<br>

 

[blars]

While investing in high quality tools makes sense for a professional who uses it all the time, cheap tools from harbor freight or wherever makes sense for someone who will use it few times, and may loose it between uses.&nbsp; <br>

 

[thinker]

While investing in high quality tools makes sense for a professional who uses it all the time, cheap tools from harbor freight or wherever makes sense for someone who will use it few times, and may loose it between uses.&nbsp; <br>

i was thinking the same... but if it's so cheap it cracks at the first turn, there's no point.<div><br></div>

 

[Willy]

While investing in high quality tools makes sense for a professional who uses it all the time, cheap tools from harbor freight or wherever makes sense for someone who will use it few times, and may loose it between uses.&nbsp; <br>

i was thinking the same... but if it's so cheap it cracks at the first turn, there's no point.<div><br></div>

<br><br>&nbsp;Someone gave me a cheap (Chinese) set many years ago and I had exactly that happen. A 12mm socket and the damn thing split right down the middle. Stuff like that sux when doing a critical repair.. could leave ya stranded. <br>

 

[Guest]

One way to think of this is, think of how much you are saving in labor charges as compared to what the tools cost. You also don't want to be busting your knuckles,and other injuries that will result from using cheap low quality Chinese tools when they break!! Quality tools are a good investment and will last more than your lifetime, I have tools from my Grandfathers that still work well, because they are quality. Duane &nbsp;

 

[DollarJoe67]

While pulling apart my van, I came across bolts requiring a #50 star bit.&nbsp; Cost me $5.&nbsp; Destroyed it and didn't budge the bolt.&nbsp; Dished out some cash to have the pros do the deed.&nbsp; Some things you just cant do yourself with portable tools.

 

[Terry]

You just got to know how to do what your doing. I have taken a few bolts/nuts loose with a hammer and chisel when I didn't have the right tool.

 

[Zil]

I was a pro, but I still screw things up unscrewing them. Sometimes Brain Fog just takes over.

 

[Ballenxj]

I agree, this thread is a very good idea. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>Now, about those cheap emergency tools. One day you'll be far away from the part store when you need to make a small repair. You will whip out your cheap set of emergency tools for this simple job. As you are applying a lot of pressure to break the nut or bolt loose, your cheap emergency tool will break or slip causing you to bust your knuckle on a sharp edge beyond the nut or bolt you were trying to get loose, and now are bleeding profusely. Well now, it seems your cheap emergency tool has just caused a real emergency. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[Terry]

Well now, I don't think we should blame all the skint knuckles on cheap tools. Some times a bolt or nut will take a whole lot of pull or push to break loose and then just let go and you get skint knuckles. Also, a good wrench might not give way but the bolt will just wring off and there you go again with skint knuckles. Skint knuckles and mechanicin kinda go hand in hand.

 

[Ballenxj]

<span id="post_message_1278311627">Skint knuckles and mechanicin kinda go hand in hand.

<br>Or, "On" hand. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce<br></span>

 

[highdesertranger]

wow cool thread I have never seen it before.&nbsp; imho junk tools from china are just scrap metal.&nbsp; that doesn't mean you have to buy snap on tools but they are sure nice.&nbsp; quality tools can be found anywhere.&nbsp; from yard sales to pawn shops to dealers.&nbsp; if you buy quality and show it love it will last a lifetime and more.&nbsp; I have some tools from my grandfather and they were not made in china.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I learnt a lot from&nbsp;my first boat conversion years ago from prawn trawler to liveaboard cruiser on a swing mooring. It was an old 34ft wooden plank on frame (carvel) construction. Electricity wasn't an option and neither was a level. My finances at the time didn't allow me fancy expensive tools (or cheap crap for that matter)</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Although I had other hand tools, I ended up using three major tools </SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">1. Alsynite saw (Used for cutting plastic and metal roofing, like those double side Japanese key hole saws) Stayed sharp cutting metal, wood, plastic and alloy.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">2. Swiss army pocket knife (bought for me by a friend) for screwdriver, knife, file etc.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">(fumbled one day and lost it overboard late in the build, damm I miss that tool)</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">3. 12v cordless rechargeable drill. (could plug it into a solar panel onboard while I used the second battery pack)</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Everytime I wanted to set up a deck beam or cabin beam it was stand very still in the middle of the hull and eye off something horizontal&nbsp;on the shoreline marking out the camber on each side.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[psytechguy]

I'm in the process of sorting out which tools to take on the road.

I've got the basic wrench and socket stuff covered, both metric and SAE.
Scored a very nice Ryobi special at HD last week. 18v drill and impact driver set for $99! Not bad, considering the 2 batteries that come with it would have normally been $99 by themselves. I also picked up the car charger for the 18v batteries. I like the Ryobi stuff. I've had the 12v NiCad drill for over
10 years now and it's one of my most used tools.

I'd like to get an 18v jig saw as well. Anyone have a recommendation?

 

[Ballenxj]

Nice score on the Ryobi drill and impact driver psytechguy. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>&nbsp;So, do you guys think Ryobi tools are pretty good? I could use some battery powered tools. What I am interested in mostly would be a battery powered circular saw for cutting plywood, paneling, the occasional two by four, etc. Anybody have experience with those? How long do the batteries last? How many panels of plywood could I rip with a fully charged battery before it goes dead?&nbsp; <br>I used to like the venerable old Skil 77 worm drive. Is there a comparable one that uses battery power?<br>-Bruce

 

[Ballenxj]

WOW! Not worm drive, but this one is quite interesting. <br>http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...0-80,default,pd.html&amp;xsell=miln2682-20--5 <br>Thoughts from those that have used these? <br>-Bruce