Garage Shop: Tools

I learned this year that Wera does an advent calendar. Scooped it and a half off bit check. Pumped! Also got a free bit as a “bit of thanks”. Made me chuckle.



I paid $70 for it, and comes with this:



Including a wera salt and pepper shaker and bottle opener of all things haha

And then the bit check is this:
https://www.kctool.com/wera-135818-bit-check-30-christmas-2024-30-pieces/

One for me, one for my Dad. He owns a cedar/lumber store and is real hard on bits. Hoping these will last him a while.

 

Bought a KA tool KT-2002 tire changer, haven't used it yet but so far it looks like a way better setup and value that a harbor freight tire changer and duckbill mod.

 

Ryobi looks to be stepping up their game with smaller power tools, not a replacement for 12v tools but probably good enough for light usage around the house, I'm impressed they made ratchets, I think their 18v ratchets are to big to be useful.

https://www.ryobitools.com/search?ryobitools_production_search_products[query]=USB Lithium

 

I have the screwdriver and the inflator. I think I got each for $20 black friday before last? I was hoping the soldering iron or ratchets would be super cheap this year but they didn't dip low enough for me to pull the trigger. They're pretty neat though, and really convenient that it just charges with USB-C.

 

How's the screw driver? I own the Milwaukee m12 version but honestly for that price I might have bought the ryobi one. I'll be interested in watching what new tools they come out with. I was surprised they had done away with 12v a bit ago but this makes sense and is probably better for homeowner usage to pair with the ryobi 18v tools.

 

Our 2 car for 8 years. Love it and get a lot done

 

It's great for hmm.. long outlet screws where it'd take a day and a half with a regular hand screw driver. Anything very low torque. It wouldn't drive a deck screw, maybe un-screw a drywall screw but probably wouldn't screw one in haha. It has it's place though!

 

craftsman had a variation of that, and milwaukee even ran a battery series like that for a while. sears might have also ran their own house-brand. it seems like one of those designs that pop up from time to time every few years that doesn't go very far.

none of the past examples had as many compatible tools as ryobi does now, but none of the other systems lasted more then a couple years. the milwaukee one might still be available, but only works in a few very oddly specific tools, which defeats the 'compatibility' portion of the feature.

 

Be interested in your review. A tire changer and balancer would be nice for my needs in the near future

 

Check out local auction houses. You might find a good deal if you have room for full size ones. Saw a working road force balancer sell for $300 at a auction yesterday.

 

I have some time off this week and a fresh set of tires to put on my stock wheels, the only drawback I see so far is the linkage based drive mechanism, definitely great for starting a tire, but it would be nice to be able to manually turn the spindle or have an independent drive motor for the center post. I'll take a video and post it to IG and here.

The next step up from this will be either an import center clamp machine or a good used one that needs some attention.

 

A working road force machine for $300 would be a steal! I almost bought a 2nd one for 1,600 because it had a full set of collets and flange plates, not to mention it would be a complete set of spare parts.

 

Best addition to the shop...

 

Safety 3rd is always welcome in my home. my 9yo saw me running an angle grinder in the shop a while back cleaning up some metal, and asked me if i had my "safety squints" on.

 

the high school kids love these two next to eachother:

 

Got a $50 card and pieced together this kit for $107 out of pocket
Hope you all had a nice Christmas

 

I let the garage get way out of hand... lol



But i took care of it.

 

We've all done it, lol. I hate when that happens.