Tools

[fishinwrench]

I have to order all new fresh sockets, extensions, allen & torx drivers, screwdrivers, pliers and wire cutters/strippers every single year.  I simply wear them out. 

Do you have any common tools that you think go above and beyond?   The ones you'd order an identical replacement for immediately if you lost one?   

I'd love to hear about them (brand/model) before I begin making this year's list.  

Ditto for compact cordless drills, drivers, grinders, saws. 

 

 

 

[Terrierman]

Klein lineman's pliers.  Klein wire strippers.  Knipex water pump pliers (only have one small pair but they seem to be top shelf so far).  Cordless tools - Hitachi.  I've never worn out a socket set.  Driver sure but not the actual sockets.  I'm still using a 30 year old set of impact sockets from Harbor Freight and about the same age sets of Craftsman sockets metric and inch 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 from back when there was such a thing as a Sears store.  And I still have straight and strong Craftsman screwdrivers.

So.  It sounds to me like you need a wayback machine.

[MrGiggles]

I really like Tekton for hand tools. They have a killer finish, good prices, don't skip sizes, and a great warranty. Shoot them an email and you've got new tools coming in the mail. I destroyed the guts in my 24" mega ratchet (totally my fault), I sent them an email asking if they sold rebuild kits, they just sent me one, no charge. Being able to source a rebuild kit in 2021 is a rarity in itself.

I consider torx and allen bit sockets to be consumable if you really use them. Especially impact stuff. Again, Tekton is my preference for them, since they're easy to get replaced. 

For screwdrivers, I like the Pittsburg Pro set from Harbor Freight. I usually lose them before I ever wear one out. I'm also partial to Snap-On Instincts. I think Wera is pretty well regarded too, but I've never used them. Picks are worth splurging on, Snap-on there as well. A good radiator hose pick will change your life.

Ratchets, Snap-on and Tekton. I have some Harbor Freight ones too, their Pittsburg Pro models are okay, Icon (their top shelf line) is pretty underwhelming IMO. Not worth the price. 

Wire strippers/crimpers, Snap-on. These will never splay out like most crimpers eventually do, and the cutters are razor sharp. 

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Wire-Strippers-Cutters%2FCrimpers/7"-Wire-Stripper-Cutter%2FCrimper-(Green)/PWCS7ACFG

For air tools, Aircat and Astro are top dogs IMO. I'd like Harbor Freight's Earthquake stuff a lot more if they didn't have the dang forward/reverse selector backwards.

I have all Milwukee M12 cordless stuff. 3/8 impact, ratchet, hackzall, and a basic drill. Knockoff batteries are cheap and the 5.0s last a really long time.

I see them in your thumbnail, Knipex Cobras are my favorite pliers by far. The Doyle brand from Harbor Freight is pretty good too, I read somewhere that they are made by the same company that supplies them to Matco.

I have a couple of those Braun magnetic work lights that kick butt. Worst trouble there is that it seems like nothing is made with ferrous metal anymore.

Gearwrench makes a magnetic spark plug socket that is the best thing ever for that application. I used to really like the rest of their stuff too, but a few years ago they changed their COO to China, and the quality dropped way off. 

I'm not terribly loyal to one company, they all have strengths and weaknesses. I try to cherry pick the best from each.

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, MrGiggles said:

 

I'm not terribly loyal to one company, they all have strengths and weaknesses. I try to cherry pick the best from each.

Same here.   I'm hard on sockets because I use standard 12pt sockets on the impact wrench.   Impact sockets will usually not fit into the tight spots I usually have to work in.....so I seldom even reach for an impact socket, even when one WILL fit.   You won't get a 15/16" impact socket into a Mercury flywheel hub so there's no use in even owning one.   

Outboard stuff typically requires thin walled sockets, thin wrenches, and swivel sockets.  And because of that they simply don't last very long......and then I catch myself struggling with worn out crap through 1/2 the year.    

With swivel sockets I'm stuck with Snap-on because they are the only ones that make them thin enough.  Their weak spot is the pin that holds them together and the holes that the pins go in.   That didn't used to be a problem because the Snap-on guy came by every other week.  But then I made the mistake of paying them off in full......Bad move!   Because now he never comes around, even if I call him and ask him to.   He'll say that he will stop by, but then never does.   If you want the Snap-on truck to be at your shop regularly you've gotta always owe them money.

 

 

 

[MrGiggles]

12 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Same here.   I'm hard on sockets because I use standard 12pt sockets on the impact wrench.   Impact sockets will usually not fit into the tight spots I usually have to work in.....so I seldom even reach for an impact socket, even when one WILL fit.   You won't get a 15/16" impact socket into a Mercury flywheel hub so there's no use in even owning one.   

Outboard stuff typically requires thin walled sockets, thin wrenches, and swivel sockets.  And because of that they simply don't last very long......and then I catch myself struggling with worn out crap through 1/2 the year.    

With swivel sockets I'm stuck with Snap-on because they are the only ones that make them thin enough.  Their weak spot is the pin that holds them together and the holes that the pins go in.   That didn't used to be a problem because the Snap-on guy came by every other week.  But then I made the mistake of paying them off in full......Bad move!   Because now he never comes around, even if I call him and ask him to.   He'll say that he will stop by, but then never does.   If you want the Snap-on truck to be at your shop regularly you've gotta always owe them money.

 

 

 

Just sign the note on a new Epiq work station. I'm sure that'll keep him coming around.  

Swivels are something I've never dabbled in. I watched a classmate fire off the head of a 13mm bolt like a bullet with one of those things, way too close to the Chevy Bel Air that was in the next bay. Wobble extensions work fine for me, Snap-On makes a nice set that will work both ways, wobble and straight.

Sunex makes some thin wall impact sockets that you might be interested in.

[gotmuddy]

Sockets/wrenches Snap on.

ratchets matco

pliers basically anything knipex.  Cobra adjustable pliers grab better than anything I have seen.

Cordless: milwaukee by a mile for versatility and durability

[gotmuddy]

I only have impact swivels, but I do use a matco universal with thin walled sockets occasionally.  the matco design is 100x better than the regular pin setup.