Source for new and better tools? 1

[tomwalz]

I’m always looking for new and better tools, anything to do a job better.

If anyone would care to recommend a source for this sort of thing I would appreciate it. I get a lot of catalogs and follow several web sites but I am sure I don’t follow them all.

I am especially looking for what we call page 7 tools. These are tools from very small companies that show up somewhere after the seventh page of a Google search.

I would appreciate any comments anyone cared to make.

Thanks,
Tom


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[Ron]

Ditto on Knipex. Just bought my first ones a couple of months ago. Better quality than Klein, which I also like.

Bought a set of Wiha precision screwdrivers a few years back for camera repair...well, make that camera disassembly! Have several in the re-assembly mode...we'll see!

tomwalz...our "mechanical aptitude, penchant for good tools and respect for quality and precision are probably what made us want to be engineers in the beginning!

 

[tomwalz]

The new roaster came without the two screws to fasten the handle so I went over to Tacoma Screw Products.

They found the right two screws and handed me a screwdriver to put them in. It was a Megapro ratcheting screwdriver and it was smooth. I had seen them before and passed because it looked like just an ordinary ratcheting screwdriver. It’s not. It is a little expensive but I think the quality is worth it. It also comes with 6 different combination bits built into the handle.

I bought the megapro then the guys said I had to try the Proto Blackhawk 3/8” Drive Rotator Ratchet. Beautifully built and you can set it up so that it moves the head the same way no matter which way you move the handle. You can also use it like a standard ratchet.

Both are pretty cool tools. Neither one would qualify but both are very ergonomic with no slop. I was amazed at how well the #2 Phillips head fit the #2 Phillips screw.

Proto Blackhawk 3/8” Drive Rotator Ratchet
Megapro ratcheting screwdriver


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[SnTMan]

I recently became aware of the so-called multifunction tools that oscillate a variety of blades. It happened that a small re-model project really needed one of these, so I bought a Harbor Freight version to get thru the job and and as a trial.

What a neat tool, you can do things such as flush and plunge cuts (most metals excluded) that are very tough or impossible with other tools, and with great control. I pretty much thought I had all the hand-held power tools I would ever need. I wish I had had one of these years ago. When the HF tool dies, I'll bet I get a better (i.e. more expensive) brand. Or maybe not, but I'll get another.

Regards, and Merry Christmas to all.

Mike

 

[berkshire]

SnTman,
I just bought 3 of these for my maintenance crew at a local sailing club, I also recommended the same unit to a friend of mine who uses Fein tools. He bought, one only to have the speed control die after only 2 days. However they did exchange it right away. What I need now is somebody ( hint hint ) so come out with some better carbide faced tools for these things that will last longer than the factory supplied tools.
B.E.

 

[berkshire]

I meant to come out , not so come out with
B.E.

 

[unclesyd]

Here are few that I use routinely. Rockler is interesting.

http://www.toolcrib.com/catalog-signup

http://www.rockler.com/

http://www.mcfeelys.com/

http://www.micromark.com/

 

[unclesyd]

The esoteric side of tools.
I have used, owned, or used the same type of tools.

http://www.precisebits.com/default.htm

http://www.gryphoncorp.com/index.php?p=wiresawplus

http://www.welldiamondwiresaws.com/

http://www.scmsysteminc.com/engraving.php

 

[rmw]

When we were but lads, a younger brother found a 1/4" drive Snap-On ratchet wrench in the street and not being keen on tools himself, gave it to me. It is about 50 years later and that little ratchet drive has been used as much as any tool in the box and is still going strong. It is an antique now and I have been offered handsome sums by Snap-On dealers to surrender it, but not a chance.

I often look at my tool chests and they make me sort of sad. After a lifetime of accumulating good quality tools -2 double decker tool chests full plus some that won't fit in the drawers - I realize that now have way more than I need or will ever be able to put to use. One box is all Craftsman and the other box is Proto Professional. There is a smattering of Snap-on mixed in for specialty items.

Some of the tools I still use I owned as a 12 year old to work on my bicycle.

In my 30's, I had a neighbor who claimed that the first thing on my vehicles that would wear out would be the hood's hinges. I rarely go in there now. Car is in the shop at this very moment having stuff done that I probably would have done myself 20 years ago. The tools are sitting in their drawers cold and idle.

I do, however, when I have my trousers on, have a 6" water pump pliers in my pocket. (Called Ignition Pliers at Sears now) Don't all of you? I have challenged several over the years to carry a pair for a week and stated that if they did they would carry them for life. They did and they still carry.

Scotty, How far did you jump when you trashed your diagonal cutters (called side cutters in my corner of the world)?

rmw

 

[tomwalz]

When I graduated from college I moved up from a ’59 ford with nom reverse to a ‘67 VW Bug. Anyway the best offer I could get on the ’59 was $50 so I donated it to a trade school. A year or so later I stopped by to see what had happened to it.

It had had a couple hundred brake jobs and the transmission had been rebuilt several times. They took it completely apart and basically had a seat sitting on the frame sort of like a giant go-cart.

They ordinarily worked on cars as though they were in an actual shop. The instructor said it was really nice to have a car they could take apart without worrying about the owner.

Sometimes a donation to a trade school can be a very good thing for everyone.


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[ScottyUK]

rmw,

It was domestic installation for a friend: a typical guvvy job, I got roped in on a Sunday afternoon to assist with a rewire in an old Victorian place which was running out of time. I hate guvvy jobs, and domestic ones are the worst by far. The bang was pretty big - the old rewireable 30A fuse lets a fair bit of energy through. Made a mess of the cutters, almost made a mess of my underwear too!


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