Garage Shop: Tools

Since everyone like showing off and seeing new tools here’s my recent haul from Zoro.

The Torx are this kit

Wera Screwdriver Set, Torx(R), 11 Pc - 4013288147165

here, idk why they don’t show the photo on my order.

 

I hate to be posting back to back tool deals, but this guy was legit. I called him and he explained he was out to dinner, he later called me back and helped me out on the Knipex Strippers as the website said OOS and he checked and added 1 pair for me to add to order.
Cheap prices, and a coupon to stack.

Said shipping out tomorrow.

 

Let us know how they work out for you. I've had my eye on this set too, but saw some mixed reviews. Would be curious to get a report back after you use them a few times.

 

Will do man. I don’t know if these in particular are much different from the other ones that are similar but these have acme threads which is supposed to make the turning with a wrench much easier and more difficult for them to get gunked up and seized. These were like $150 versus some of the $50-$60 ones on Amazon. I felt okay spending the extra money knowing they were coming from a reputable place like SPC

 

The threads seem to be the downfall on most of them. The clamp portion seems to get in the way for some too. Looking forward to your review.

 

How does everyone like the digital style torque wrenches? I have always preferred the bar style vs clickers because something about my brain doesn't like me trusting the clickers and I remember using the bar style since shop class in high school.

 

I’ve never had a digital. I watched some YouTube videos on them and they seem to be really useful though. I do like the light beeping to solid beep leading up to torque.

 

There is a learning curve with digital torque wrenches. You need to get the right feel for them. I find it hard to stop at the exact torque but maybe I'll get better with time. I suspect that the same holds true with other torque wrenches - you just don't get a display with the actual torque like you do with digital so you don't really know how far off you are.

Also, digital wrenches have different combinations of lights, beeps and vibration so you need to find one that works for you. I returned the first one that I bought (a CDI) because the feedback didn't work for me. I ended up with a Gearwrench flex head.

 

New homeowner, so I Started my tool collection last month. Got all these flex tools with a lifetime warranty for $449, plus a 5% lowes CC discount.

First project: work bench. I want to build a work bench over a small Yukon 46” 9-drawer cabinet. Likely 6-7’ wide, 24-30” deep. Idea is to be able to roll the Yukon in and out from under the table.

 

Those tools look beastly in a good strong way!

I freely admit I had to consult this, as I did not remember which flag Flex is under: https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/

 

I had been looking at a set of four essential tools, the circ, the reciprocating saw, a hammer drill and an impact driver, plus the attendant battery packs. That set is around $400 for a good dewalt brushless set, and costs were a little higher for milwaukee since they didnt have an good combo deals at HD. So I went to Lowes dead set on buying the 4 tools I needed by DeWalt. But the old guy at Lowes was like "look, if I was starting a new set today, here is what I would use" and he showed me the Flex.

I spent ages watching videos of head-to-head tests with flex bc they are a totally new brand. Basically the owners of Skil decided to make something pro-grade to compete with the performance of DeWalt and Milwaukee. Most of the tool comparison tests by respectable reviewers I saw showed them mostly equal, and in the case of several of the tools (hammer drill, oscillating tool) it came first overall.

This Flex price was similar to DeWalt, so lower than Milwaukee. But it also added the oscillating tool and a shop light, for the same price. And since I was an "early adopter" and registered before 12/31/2021, All of the tools and batteries have a lifetime warranty. Color scheme suits me a well. Turns out, the old guy was right.

Not to mention how quickly ego has established itself as a top performer, I felt confident, even though i can never really defend flex to my father in law.

 

I'm kind of an odd duck. I have DeWalt 20V for most of my outdoor working and such. Never let me down. I started the 20VMax in 2012 or so. Awhile back. Their saws are great. The drivers and such, ok. I'm 63 and have lots of batteries chargers and tools. Makes zero sense to change in the 20V range, but hope to never be like your FIL or some of the Milwaukee nuts here. No one should have to defend any tool purchase!

THEN I also have M12 stuff - more and more. Nice, compact and strong for the size. Same - lots of batteries chargers and tools!

 

I ordered a Swag bandsaw table! Excited to get it and get to work!

 

Lt Dan, your legs are on backward…..

 

Home depot sent me a letter saying you haven't used your card in 24 months and we are going to lower your credit limit.....................Good reason to buy some stuff. Supposed to arrive Thursday.


DEWALT 20-Volt MAX XR Premium Lithium-Ion 4.0Ah Battery Pack (2-Pack)

DEWALT 20-Volt MAX XR Cordless Brushless 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver with (2) 20-Volt 4.0Ah Batteries & Charger

DEWALT TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 22 in. Small Tool Box with Bonus 22 in. Medium Tool Box, 24 in. Mobile Tool Box, and Shallow Tool Tray

 

I grew up with the bar style so I know what you mean about trusting the design based on ~linear bending. A couple years ago I tested my 1/4" and 3/8" HF $10 clickers with a digital calibrator and was surprised to see they both had better than something like within 5% on accuracy and deviation with something like 20 tests each. 1 STD was a couple percent for both sizes at a value around half max.

 

i have bothe the 3/8 and 1/2 digital torque wrenches from snap on.

Like others have mentioned, the learning curve is a real thing. But the ability to precisely measure angle, switch between nM,inch lbs, foot lbs and kg Cm almost instantly is a real selling point. Plus you can see what you torqued previous fasteners to.

If you want the snap on quality without paying the price, look into CDI torque wrenches, they make snap on torque wrenches and sell their own line for considerably cheaper. If the snap on guy would warranty and work on them I’d have gone that route.

 

shouldve went with this...

 

good catch! I had thought I might want to easily screw and unscrew it from the work bench. Now it just gets pushed up against the wall.

 

I bought one of these contour gauges, no particular project to use it on at the moment but seems like it could come in handy. I’m sure I’ll forget where I put it by the time I need it