I picked up an Ingersoll Rand 20v impact wrench. It’s rated at 780ft-lbs. of torque. This thing is awesome and I don’t know why I didn’t buy one a long time ago. It saves so much time and just makes things generally easier to do.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/22/9be6c534b0d94579a174f9255058b31c.jpg
Now I just need to get used to all the torque.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/22/eb0595bd8ab996e4fe1ac4b8734b671c.jpg
Milwaukee M12™ Cordless 1/4" Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit
http://cdn.milwaukeetool.com/~/media/Images/Power%20Tools/Cordless/2456-21/58021_2456-21_2-lg.gif
I have the 1/4" drive and my dad has a 3/8" drive, both are great and I think I may add the 3/8" to my collection soon. But it works great to run bolts on and off after you break them loose even if you just throw a 3/8" drive adapter on there.
I have a collection of very useful tools, I’ll go wonder around my garage and see if I think of anything else. Honestly I found a lot of good ideas while working on planes more than cars because some of the space constraints are even worse.
Also, my DeWalt cordless impact
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/700x700/202/20242_700x700.jpg
This is all purpose, but still very useful in the garage. It recieves 1/4" hex drive bits or bit to socket drive adapter. You can use it for little things and the torque settings are pretty decent. I use this thing EVERYWHERE…house, car, putting damn toys together, furniture…seriously anything…screw a screwdriver.
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/000346/000346449617.jpg
Bosch 12-Volt Max 1/4-in Cordless Drill with Battery and Soft Case
This one may be a bit weird.
I don’t use this one in the garage too much but everywhere else around the house it’s awesome. The torque settings are great for all the “gentle” stuff, and the max setting is more than enough for most basic drilling around the house. Battery life is amazing too.
1/4 impact driver, so much better for driving/removing screws than a drill
Damn. I must have shitty tools lol since nothing comes to mind.
I have a leatherman wave multi tool that I bought in college back in 2004. It’s the “original wave”. I broke one of the flathead screwdrivers prying something. But it’s otherwise been bulletproof.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/24/63fb36b4886ab14c04e412de3c74703c.jpg
Hands down, without question…
http://www.dolcemag.com/wp-content/gallery/special_black-card/amex-card.jpg
The unsung heroes like the ECS plastic trim removal set, the pure ms floor jack pinch weld adapter, mtm foam cannon, a small ratcheting torque wrench, costco 100 piece socket set, rhino ramps and a good head lamp.
Is that a personal black card? Never seen one.
Per wikipedia:
[quote]For reference, the average Centurion cardholder has $16.3 million in assets and an annual household income of $1.3 million.
[/quote]
Great call on the headlamp, my Black Diamond headlamp gets 100’s of hours of use per year
Bumping this up, what’s everybody using for trickle battery charger? For example when some of you store a car for several weeks/months, seasonal cycling, etc… I want to pick up a decent one and not sure which route to go with. I know BMW has their own, I wonder if AUDI does…
We sell one at Lexus that seems fairly universal
https://www.lexusds.com/battery-tender-plus-high-efficiency-(ca-compliant)-2.aspx
So I thought a tool thread may be fun & useful given how many of us wrench on cars and other things around the house. I figure it’d be a good way to share unique/helpful tools found, favorite tools, and general feedback on brands/manufactures of tool that you use.
I’m currently looking to upgrade some of “big box” (home depot/lowes) tool sets, and while I’m not willing to jump to the truck tool brands (Snap On, Matco, Mac), I am looking for a higher quality option to build my collection with. Part of my reason for this is I’m now needing some tools at a second location, so rather than buy the same stuff from the big box stores, I’d rather spend a little more and slowly replace my existing stuff with new toys.
Anyhow, I thought I’d start by stealing some good info I found on GarageJournal on the competition’s version of the tool truck’s offerings (http://bit.ly/1pZ4fNV).
[quote]Snap-On
F80 Ratchet (1/4,3/8,1/2 80 tooth) - Bahco 6950,7750,8150
F936 Ratchet (3/8, 36 tooth) - Williams B-52EHA
FL936 Ratchet (3/8, 36 tooth, long) - Williams B-52EHLA
FLF936 Ratchet (3/8, 36 tooth, flex) - Williams B-52EHFA
1/4" versions are the same Williams model numbers with M- instead of B-
1/2" versions are the same Williams model numbers with S- instead of B-
Snap Ring Pliers - Craftsman 00950464000 - made by Strand. Same for Mac/Matco.
Locking Pliers - Grip-ons
Screw Extractors - Irwin/Hanson
Screwdrivers - many Williams models are identical ( need model # )
Deadblow hammers - made by Trusty Cook
Torque wrenches - CDI torque wrenches or Precision Instruments
Extractor Set E1020 - Ridgid 35585
Brake Caliper Press BTCP500 - Lang Tools #279
Mini butane torch - TORCH6
Butane soldering iron YAKS32A - Weller PSI100K
Plier / pipe wrenches PWZ0 - PWZ3 - Bahco 140-147
Snap-On A1310A bearing set - Astro Pneumatic AP7824 / Lisle 12980
Allen T-handle rack AWSTAND - McMaster-Carr 53045A36
Riveter kit HP200 - Marson 39001
Bit wrench BTWSMPK - Kastar KAS5220
Matco
88 1/4" Ratchet - Armstrong Maxx 88 (10-992)
88 3/8" Ratchet - Armstrong Maxx 88 (11-992)
88 1/2" Ratchet - Armstrong Maxx 88 (12-992)
Screwdriver set SSPCO5C/SSPCG5C = WITTE 663865
Matco DBPS260 Double Brake Pad Spreader - Lisle 25750 Dual Piston Brake Caliper Compressor
Matco 1/2" Quiet Impact Wrench (MT1769QA) - Ingersoll-Rand Quiet Impact Wrench (IRT2135QTIMAX)
ProSwing Ratcheting Wrenches - Armstrong
Fan clutch set - same as Lisle LIS43300
Diesel compression test kit (DCT1553) - same as Star Industries Kit (STRTU1553)
Serpentine belt wrench set MSBT15 - Gearwrench 3680
Impact wrench SE210 - Florida pneumatic FP-739
Mac
24" 1/2" Drive Flex Head ratchet - Titan, different handle
Mac Tools 13-Piece Impact Driver Set (SID13BA) - Stanley Proto 13-Piece Impact Driver Set (J7099A)
Mac Tools 32 oz. Antivibe Ball Pein Hammer (BH32AV) - Stanley 32 oz. Antivibe Ball Pein Hammer(680-54-148)
Mac Tools 16oz Antivibe Ball Pein Hammer BH16AV - Stanley 54-146
Mac Tools 3/8" Air Impact Wrench (AWQP380) - Sunex Tools 3/8" Air Impact Wrench (SUNSX4335)
Mac Tools 1/2" Impact Wrench (AW612Q) - Aircat 1/2" Impact Wrench (ACA1100K) or Nitrocat 1200-K (ACA1200K)
Mac 24" 1/2" Drive Flex Head - Titan ratchet with Mac handle. Other models also.
Mac Air Hammer AH520 = Ingersoll Rand 116
Non-truck tools, but decent brands made by cheaper alternatives
Nupla dead blow hammers are rebadged for Armstrong, SK, Craftsman and a few others.
Craftsman Adjustable pliers (Sears Item# 00945433000 | Model# 45433) are the same as Knipex Cobras
[/quote]
In my search, I also came across several great American tool offerings that aren’t as commonly known.
Armstrong – Part of the Apex Tool Group
Proto – Part of Stanley Black & Decker
SK Hand Tool – Now part of Ideal Industries
Williams – Part of Snap-on Industrial Group
Wright – An independent manufacturer
And Finally some great European offerings
PB Swiss Tools: awesome screwdrivers and hex keys
Wera: great screwdrivers and very nice compact socket sets
Wiha: awesome precision screwdrivers
Britool : newer company, comparable to Bahco & Williams as a subset of the truck brands
NWS: Fantastic pliers
Knipex: great pliers – not the best, but better than many USA brand offerings
Irega: the BEST adjustable wrenches, and easy to find under Channellock branding
Grip-on: great locking pliers, and with no-pinch release levers
Beta: sweet mechanics tools
Facom: a gem of a Stanley Black & Decker brand
Irazola/Bahco: Bahco, owned by Snap On, offers great variety from ratcheting screwdrivers to sweet Swedish hacksaws,
Irazola: High quality premium brand of screwdriver
Felo: very nice screwdrivers, especially their gel-cushioned ones
Stahlwille: German Snap On quality tools
Hazet: German automotive tools, history with Porsche factory tools
There are also a great number of higher-quality offerings coming out of Taiwan and Asian markets. Many of the big names now have their foundries located overseas, even some of the European companies are outsourcing some (if not all) of their work overseas. Unfortunately, there are too many for me to list accurately from what I’ve found. But GearWench is probably the most prevalent, VIM, Rungsee, and many others as well.
I’m happy to add more to the list as people find them, but figured that was a good start from the various sources I’ve searched through.
GarageJournal.com is a great forum for tool talk
ToolGuyd.com is also a pretty fun blog on various tools sourced and new offerings
I’ve previously had a couple of the Wera screw drivers, and their newer ratchet/socket offerings caught my eye. I bought a 3/8 kit on amazon to feel a set and play around with them. They definitely have a sturdy build with some nice heft to them, nice ergonomics (granted could present a problem in tight spaces), and a smooth action.
However, the ratchet is a bit shorter than a std 3/8 ratchet, the action isn’t as tight/smooth as a snap on (but is better than anything I’ve found at the “big box”), and they only make shallow socket. But there are some nice features like the locking extensions, locking pivot points, knurling on the sockets, and overall fit & finish is very high quality.
A couple pics b/c a thread without pictures is no fun.
Ratcheting screwdriver (magnetic tip as well)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160329/90ea50bcab1f63f1b39a81d18d9bc882.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160329/a0da94c9152ddae56bfb8d292f95268f.jpg
Ratcheting 3/8 socket set (as I mentioned, fit & finish on sockets is top notch)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160329/f3e1311860f1547d11d07eb41f0fee75.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160329/bf5fbc8076696edbefe90f488b1efb86.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160329/8a839aa4878de209834f332761e48298.jpg
And then my favorite work light of all time is the Bayco SLR2134.
http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/bac/slr-2134-inhand-horz_300dpi_1000px.jpg
I also bought the bigger brother, the Nightstick 2166B, but it’s a little bigger than I ideally want, as I am able to stick the smaller one anywhere under the car or between gaps (two magnetic points on it)
Awesome thread idea, however I thought this was it:
http://audirevolution.net/forum/index.php?topic=3258.0
A bit of a late reply but I have the below, originally used to keep my motorcycle battery in check:
http://www.amazon.com/TM-141DUAL-OptiMate-Weatherproof-Desulfating-Maintainer/dp/B004PPXZIA
Haha. Doh! My bad. I forgot that thread existed. I’ve been on a tool hunt obviously and just figured I’d compile what I’d found thus far.
Mods, feel free to move or delete the thread.
I use a battery tender.
Done. Just merged your thread into this one.