Garage Shop: Tools

I've been using the Ernst socket rails for 5 years or so, and they work well. They are a quality product.

 

I use a similar bag for tools in my car.

I specifically migrated to the cheap steel socket rails. They're not perfect, sockets still fall off, but being steel, they don't break in changing temps or violent bag drops.

In my truck, I instead use a small 'aluminum'(not really, but official description), hard case that fits nicely in the rear driver's side cubby. But my tool build out is the same. Mixed feelings of soft bag vs hard box. Hard box

 

I dont know how many sockets you have but maybe this would work? I dont have one but I've seen this style used, still need a small bag for ratchets/extensions
https://www.jbtools.com/mechanics-t...MIntah0djIiwMVTEn_AR17BhfZEAQYAiABEgJxR_D_BwE

 

Picked up a new hammer yesterday. It was on clearance
Also came with a nice sticker

 

same boat. Like the organization of a hard case but can utilize more space in a soft bag.
Have a link of the aluminum hard case?

looking at that too. I have to count them out. Have probably more then I need but since I use them as a mobile kit it’s always nice to have. Bunch of impact sockets too.

 

I don't actually. It's one of those purchases that I swear I got it from harbor freight, but I've never been able to find it again at their stores or website.

I believe it's similar to this random Amazon listing, but haven't specifically measured.

$24 Aluminum Briefcase with Lock Tool Case Box Metal Hard Case with Foam for Men Women Travelers Luggage Craftsman Travel Cash 7.07X4.13X2.16in

https://www.amazon.com/Homoyoyo-Aluminum-Hard-Case-7-07X4-13X2-16in/dp/B0CQS87JYT/

It's overall similar in dimensions to a 0.30 caliber ammo can, just a different opening style.


I will say, I run the aluminum socket rails at work. I wouldn't recommend them for mobile bag use because they use plastic holders for the sockets. my larger 1/2" impact deep sockets have already snapped a good 4-6 of the socket clips just transporting/banging them around in the shop. An all-aluminum variant might work better, but won't be cheap

I temporarily had plastic socket rails in a previous cars tool bag(I tend to re-buy new tool kits with each of my vehicles because by the time I sell something, half the sockets are missing or heavily damaged from dumb things) but those all got brittle and cracked in cold temps when I moved the soft-sided bag they were in.

 

Okay thanks. I use to use ammo cans to since they fit so nicely behind the seats.
More options. Appreciate it.

 

Was able to upgrade from a bubble balancer for once.



Now I'm looking into making a tire changer to upgrade from the HF one with nomar rod.

Anyone have access to a tire machine that can help me with a picture looking down directly at the bead breaker? I want to trace and scale it for the design.

 

I have a black and decker jig saw that was around $50 15 or so years ago, I rarely use it so the low quality has been good enough til now. I need to replace it with a corded good quality jig saw, I dont have experience with other brand jig saws though to know what good and what's bad. My biggest issue with the black and decker is the blade would flex so the cut would not be a 90 degree angle.
My price range is $150 to a possible max of $200.
I am also curious what the best jig saw blades are, I have Bosch ones currently and they are quite nice.

 

Bosch blades and bosch jigsaw for me in my shop.

 

Recommendation on what model Bosch jigsaw? I see JS572EK looks like its top of the line but I would probably wait for a sale to bring it down to $200

 

That's the one I have, great saw.

 

I recently got a dewalt 20v jigsaw. The cord on AC powered ones is always in a bad spot and a PITA.

 

Ive had this thing siting in the bag for probably two years and never used it. Finally used it today cause I was to lazy to walk back to the house to grab the big one lol. Gotta say....love this thing for assembly. Used it to put together a kids playset thing and it was nice to not have to worry about overdriving the screws or anything.

Only thing Im not terribly fond of it the switch to for forward/reverse. Its a button on top so cant really one-hand change. but overall Im glad I bought it lol. Its the m12 Installation Drill/Driver

 

Its definatly one of those good tools for very certain applications. I dont use mine often but when I do my other drills and adaptors won't work

 

Thats how I see it. Good for things like assembling furniture or cabinets but wouldnt be a good choice for say screwing 2x4's together

 

i've considered getting it a few different times, but the direction control is a huge deal breaker for me. same as the mode selection using the trigger on the newest/beefiest m12 impact. i understand there's space constraints to work around, but i'd also rather have a slightly larger tool with physical buttons than deal with awkwardly placed buttons or a sega cheat code to keep modes where i want...

 

You can get a manual tire changer with a center post and pneumatic bead breaker for $400 on ebay. The manual harbor freight changer with a duckbill mod isn't bad but the KA Tool 2002 is hard to beat. Check my post history and ig for details on the harbor freight one with a duckbill mod.

 

Got the sockets organized. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

went with something I could get a bit more local. Not perfect (size and weight) but works great. Goal was to have my truck set organized so I wasn’t spending loads of time finding the right sized socket in a certain drive.

magnets make it nice when working out of the truck cap. Can mount them to get them out of the way.


Also spent the time and made the sockets a bit more visible. These are my truck set, so no too worried how they look. Just used what I had for paint pens.

Bit Christmas looking but, won’t get mixed up with others tools on the trail when doing trail repairs.



May do something with my wrenches next


and again these are my truck/mobile set so they get beat up and aren’t in the best of shape. The ones in my garage are taken better care of.

 

Anyone needing a solid truck toolbox set. This is a good price for a decent set.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTMSS3849
The ratchet and breaker bar cost more than this set. Less than $1.60 per item and this is a decent quality set.