Tool Reviews

I picked up one of these a while back.


One of the best things I've bought in a long time for the money. Drawers work well, big enough but not too big. I have my most used car tools in it. bottom shelf is good for ramps, spray cans of lubricant, WD40, oil, funnels, etc. lots of little areas for screwdrivers to hang and the steel is thick enough to stick magnetic stuff on and it stay there. I'd highly recommend it.

And for $100 it can't be beat.

 

Knipex Cobra Pliers. Best pair of pliers ever.



https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-87012...8&qid=1468618522&sr=8-1&keywords=knipex+cobra

 

Astro grease gun. Just what you need to lube your double Cardan joint.



Amazon.com: Astro 101 Mini Grease Gun with Needle Nozzle: Home Improvement

Useful video on how to fill this type of grease gun:



The Astro gun is the same design as the Dualco, and works great for me. I fill it from my regular full-sized grease gun according to the instructions in the above video.

 

USB-to-RS232 convertor that works with Megasquirt -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUZ0K68/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Exetech autoranging multimeter - not a Fluke, but a major step up from cheap junk that they sell at Harbor Freight, Sears, etc. I moved my older meter to the garage and use this on my bench indoors now. A good meter.


Extech MN16A Compact, Autoranging MultiMeter with Advanced Functions including: AC Current, Capacitance, and Frequency - - Amazon.com

 

Robinaire tubing bender. Not so great for 3/8" steel unless you are Charles Atlas, but makes accurate, kinkless bends in 5/16" and smaller just fine.This tool is made of composite (some kind of filled plastic), but it works great. Somebody on Garage Journal suggested this bender. I was surprised and impressed.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KIRV7M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Haako flush-cut wire cutters. Cheap, good; just what you need for circuit board work.



Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutter, 1.5mm Stand-off, Flush Cut, 2.5mm Hardened Carbon Steel Construction, 21-Degree Angled Jaw, 8mm Jaw Length, 16 Gauge Maximum Cutting Capacity: Side Cutting Pliers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

Uvex goggles. PSE for those of us who must wear glasses.



Strangely, the picture shows a generically handsome (I presume) young model without eyeglasses. To me, that it fits over my glasses is the main feature of these goggles. That, and they are rather transparent for safety glasses. Most safety glasses seem to scratch and fog up quickly. These still seem ok after 3 years of intermitent use.

Amazon.com: Uvex Stealth OTG Safety Goggles with Anti-Fog/Anti-Scratch Coating (S3970DF): Home Improvement

 

Pencil sharpener. You need one in your garage.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NO3J9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The one above is what I have. It works fine. It sharpens pencils. I picked it from what was available at the time. There are cheaper ones, like this -
Amazon.com : Bostitch Metal Antimicrobial Manual Pencil Sharpener, Black (MPS1-BLK) : Office Products

This cheaper one is "antimicrobial" but I won't hold that against it. Likely fine too.

 

I/2" electric impact wrench.

Mine is Dewalt, and I beat the snot out it at work, driving large lag bolts into barn timbers. Saves hours of time and buckets of sweat, especially in a tight location.

It also makes fast work of changing wheels, removing rusty nuts etc. Any job on the jeep goes quicker and it is effortless.

I could not have gotten the transmission out of my YJ without it.

I started out with a chinese one, but it underwent a spontaneous super-prompt critical dissassembly. I never did find all the pieces.

DEWALT DW292 7.5-Amp 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil - Power Impact Wrenches - Amazon.com

 

I have several. Grease the tip of my chainsaw, fill roller bearings, and put a dab anywhere I need one.

I also keep one with an injection needle, another with a standard grease fitting tip

 

Dewalt 20 volt 1/2 drill
DEWALT 20-Volt Max Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Drill Driver (Tool-Only)-DCD985B - The Home Depot
it has as much torque as the 2 handled monster drills from the 70's. Weighs a couple lbs and has no cord. I use it to drill 1/2 holes in 1/2 plate with no problems. Keyless chuck is rugged and its just a plain fantastic tool.

 

Classic. They always make me think of first grade.
I have about three mounted in various places.

 

I have two of those one in each garage , old old but still works

 

I got one for same price . it's well made . used it at work for 5 months

 

So the cart is this one?

26 in. 4 Drawer 580 lb. Capacity Glossy Black Roller Cart

Would be great for me except I already have so much rolling c**p in my garage that I have to roll out onto the driveway, if I want to work in the garage.

I have found that the Harbor Freight carts become much more rigid and stable if you put Gorilla Glue into the joints. Follow the instructions and wipe the joints with a wet towel before assembly with Gorilla Glue. The glue will foam up and ooze out of the joints, but you'll have a much more rigid construction.

 

I think that is the same one. AS far as the gorilla glue, I never thought of that. But the cart I have is very stable. No wiggle in the joints. It comes almost completely put together. Just add the legs and the lower shelf. HOwever, I do have a few things that I could try the glue on.

 

I run my own cabinet shop by trade, so cordless drills and drivers are part of me like a third hand.

I have to give praise to one of the greatest drivers that was ever built, and sadly it was discontinued several years ago. The Makita DA391D 3/8" angle drill.



In the age where every brand is struggling to make "more power, ugh ugh ugh", what makes this drill great is that it has less power. It is my go-to tool for driving screws because it gives infinitely precise control when screwing screws or drilling a hole exactly where you want it. The long handle helps with control and torque. Its slim build lets it fit almost anywhere you can fit your hand. The trigger is awesome, and the reverse switch is perfectly placed. It also has an overload breaker that pops out like a turkey thermometer. Poke it back in and keep going.

The old tried and true Ni-Cd batteries discharge evenly, rather than just quitting like the new lithium versions, and the replacements are just $29 at the local Batteries Plus store.

I'm going to start hoarding decent ones off eBay before it's too late.