Tools

[thor'svr4]

at one point we have all bought a tool that simply didn’t perform. other times we want to invest some money in an expensive tool but don’t want to purchase the item only to find out it doesn’t work as well as we had hoped. this thread will hopefully keep people from buying sand blasters that keep jamming or simply don’t have the power to remove rust, plasma cutters that don’t cut, or pipe benders that just kink pipes, ect.

so post up any tools that your happy with and would recommend, and those tools that were just a waste of money.

[EvanH]

I bought one of the Stanley ratchets that is a regular ratchet, but the handle is also a part that can make it ratchet as well. So in tight places with out the ability for "arc" you just twist ratchet the handle. Made putting my intercooler pipes on easy, along with a few other tight spots.

[thor'svr4]

heres a review of a sand Blaster:

Ive got this one from Harbor Freight
110 Lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster (http://www.harborfreight.com/110-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-95014.html)

Overall its a good blaster that wont jam up on you. its got a built in water trap to keep the sand from getting wet due to moisture in your air line. its VERY powerful. i run mine at about 120psi and it will remove any rust no matter how thick. They say 60-125psi in the description but honestly 60psi is more for removing paint and at 120psi this blaster was strong enough to actually cut through the sheet metal under the rear bumper cover. in general i keep mine to 80-90 psi.

The description says “1.2 to 1.3 hour working time with standard media and tip” which is a pretty big lie. You can empty 50lbs of sand in about 10-15 min of use. This is plenty of time to do something like a gas tank. Also I lay down rubber mats in the driveway and just sweep up any used sand then filter it out with a screen and reuse the sand. So you don’t have to buy sand (which is fairly inexpensive) once in a while.

ive had several sand blasters and this one is my favorite. you have lots of adjustability between the volume of sand you allow to come out of the nozzle at once use and the speed at which the sand comes out of the nozzle. also because its pressurized, not siphon feed, the sand flow is pretty consistent.

Cons: well its from harbor freight so you’re pretty much just paying for the tank setup. For example the mask included is a joke. I normally wear some safety glasses and a paper respirator then put on a face shield over the glasses and mask. Then a large hoodie sweatshirt with draw strings on the hoodie over the top of the face shield. Its not perfectly safe but it works pretty well. also the rubber lines and cheep deadman valves will be wear through eventually by the high pressure and fast moving abrasive sand. luckily deadman valves are cheep and readily available at any hardware store. also the guns ceramic tips will eventually wear out. I’ve always hated the 'gun' style nozzles so instead of buying some new tips when the ones included in the kit wore out i bought a much larger nozzle that resembles this.

Sandblaster Gun with 3 Extra Nozzles : Sand Blasting Tool | Sandblaster Gun with 3 Extra Nozzles : Sand Blasting Tool on sales best price (http://www.weldinghammers.us/1-468240-B000FVEEU6-Sandblaster_Gun_with_3_Extra_Nozzles_Sand_Blasting _Tool.html)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31vi8y-DK9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

because the ceramic inside this nozzle is MUCH thicker i get many more hours of use in-between switching the ceramic inserts.

It’s a great tool to have and is very useful. I used to be the guy with a wire wheel on a drill but this thing saves me a ton of money in both wire wheels and time. You do need a large compressor to run the sand blaster, or you will only get a few seconds of blasting in-between waiting for the compressor to pump the blaster back up to the desired psi. plus it’s a great feeling knowing that you can simply unbolt anything that’s rusty and easily make it look like new.

I’ve also been looking into buying a plasma cutter and tubing bender. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction, but if not you can bet there will be a review of a plasma cutter and tubing bender on here within a few months.

[thor'svr4]

I bought one of the Stanley ratchets that is a regular ratchet, but the handle is also a part that can make it ratchet as well. So in tight places with out the ability for "arc" you just twist ratchet the handle. Made putting my intercooler pipes on easy, along with a few other tight spots.

do you mean this thing?
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.Drugstore.com/prodimg/317895/200.JPG
Stanley Hand Tools-89-962*3/8inch Drive Rotator Ratchet (http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SMT+RATCHET+OTHER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=89-962&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Drive+Rotator+Ratchet)

ive never seen that before but it seams pretty cool, might have to look into picking one of those bad boys up.

[thor'svr4]

Oh I also got one of these 3/8" drive 20-150 ft/lb torque wrenches

http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/05/99/craftsman-microtork-torque-wrench-25-250-in-lbs-3-8-drive_2631093_175.jpg
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944595000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00944595000P)

over all it works fine but I have noticed one little issue with this torque wrench. Lots of times we tighten bolts in a sequence (head bolts for example) and on the final sequence you are simply torquing the bolts to spec. they are already very ‘snug’ (maybe 80-90% of the spec‘ed tq) and all your looking to do is tighten them from snug to the specified ft lbs. lots of times this only takes maybe a few degrees of swing. What I have noticed is that if you use this torque wrench to torque a bolt to spec, then move onto the next bolt without allowing the ratchet mechanism to click at least once, the next bolt you go to tighten will seam to never tighten to spec. this is because unless you allow this tq wrench to rotate its internal ratcheting mechanism at least one click its internal calibration will not reset. Honestly I’ve got no clue as to why it does this or if craftsman has fixed this problem. I bought this wrench for myself when I was 9 years old so they may have revised the internal torquing mechanism by now (12 years later) although the wrench looks the exact same.

And no, I’ve never dropped the torque wrench... Ever.

Honestly its little ‘flaw’ isn’t a big deal, but you do have to be aware of this flaw. otherwise you might over tighten a bolt by accident and strip the threads, especially if your tightening a bolt into aluminum. For example if your tightening the transfer case cover onto the transfer case or the upper plenum to the lower plenum.

just figured i would throw this out there. i would still recommend this tool but figured its something that someone may want to be aware of when they use it. Maybe someone who has purchased one recently can verify weather the problem is still existent or if there wrench seams fine.

[EvanH]

do you mean this thing?
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.Drugstore.com/prodimg/317895/200.JPG
Stanley Hand Tools-89-962*3/8inch Drive Rotator Ratchet (http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SMT+RATCHET+OTHER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=89-962&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Drive+Rotator+Ratchet)

ive never seen that before but it seams pretty cool, might have to look into picking one of those bad boys up.

Exactly that. I like it. You can also rotate the handle to take up the slack in the "arcing" motion if needing to put the final torque on. I just wish it had a female slot for another ratchet to go into the handle and use it as a 90* adapter basically. But overall I am pleased with it.

[MR2]

My favorite tool kit is my Metrinch set

I have a 76 piece

Metrinch-tools - IF THIS CAN'T DO IT, NO TOOL CAN (http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/produkten.php?subnr=7&subcat=CAT36)

all the spanners have that function that other manufacs are now copying, where it does not grip the edge of the nut, instead grips just before that...it's brilliant have not rounded a single nut or damage the corners in anyway...seriously fantastic gear, I'm hoping to buy pretty much one of everything they make in the right time.

[3Srunner]

do you mean this thing?
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.Drugstore.com/prodimg/317895/200.JPG
Stanley Hand Tools-89-962*3/8inch Drive Rotator Ratchet (http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SMT+RATCHET+OTHER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=89-962&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Drive+Rotator+Ratchet)

ive never seen that before but it seams pretty cool, might have to look into picking one of those bad boys up.

They have these at Wal-Mart. I've had mine for a few years and it still works great. I really expected to break this ratchet within a few weeks. I've busted plenty of 3/8" ratchets in my day but have yet to break this thing (and I beat the hell out it). I also thought it was kind of gimmicky at first and expected it to collect dust, however I find myself using it constantly more than any other ratchet I own.

About the only con is the size of the head which does cause problems from time to time. However this doesn't happen often enough to be a major concern.

I also have a friend that bought his after I told him about mine and he's had the same experience. I still can't believe how tough this ratchet is for the price.

Shawn...

[TwIzTeD_3kGt]

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive paint gun?

[box]

dunno if you have it there, but "well made" guns are alright for the price.

[93STLTH]

Got this in both 1/2 and 3/8ths at Harbor Freight. I use them for just about everything and they've worked flawlessly so far. I highly recommend them for every tool box.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/370x370/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_5820.jpghttp://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_5814.jpg

[thor'svr4]

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive paint gun?

I like DeVilbiss

Gravity Feed Spray Guns (http://www.autorefinishdevilbiss.com/SprayGuns/GravityGuns.aspx)

I’ve always been told that DeVilbiss makes some very good guns and there decently affordable. A HVLP gravity feed gun is the way to go. You save a lot of money on paint/clear and also don’t need a large compressor to run it with. I use a DeVilbiss GTI Millennium for my color and clear coat and a cheepo Craftsman HVLP gun for spraying primer.

[green-lantern]

I just did my VSS and borrowed this tool from a friend on the boards. It worked great


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g122/plate2169/Valve%20Stem%20Seals/stemseals1.jpg


On the other hand the big craftsman tool set I bought wasn’t all that great. Hard to read the size on the socket and the ratchets sucked balls. Real cheap parts in these things now. They will exchange them but they just don’t work real well. I use the sockets but use my old Stanley ratchet instead of the crap that came with the set.

[j2k4]

heres a review of a sand Blaster:

Ive got this one from Harbor Freight
110 Lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster (http://www.harborfreight.com/110-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-95014.html)

Overall its a good blaster that wont jam up on you. its got a built in water trap to keep the sand from getting wet due to moisture in your air line. its VERY powerful. i run mine at about 120psi and it will remove any rust no matter how thick. They say 60-125psi in the description but honestly 60psi is more for removing paint and at 120psi this blaster was strong enough to actually cut through the sheet metal under the rear bumper cover. in general i keep mine to 80-90 psi.

The description says “1.2 to 1.3 hour working time with standard media and tip” which is a pretty big lie. You can empty 50lbs of sand in about 10-15 min of use. This is plenty of time to do something like a gas tank. Also I lay down rubber mats in the driveway and just sweep up any used sand then filter it out with a screen and reuse the sand. So you don’t have to buy sand (which is fairly inexpensive) once in a while.

ive had several sand blasters and this one is my favorite. you have lots of adjustability between the volume of sand you allow to come out of the nozzle at once use and the speed at which the sand comes out of the nozzle. also because its pressurized, not siphon feed, the sand flow is pretty consistent.

Cons: well its from harbor freight so you’re pretty much just paying for the tank setup. For example the mask included is a joke. I normally wear some safety glasses and a paper respirator then put on a face shield over the glasses and mask. Then a large hoodie sweatshirt with draw strings on the hoodie over the top of the face shield. Its not perfectly safe but it works pretty well. also the rubber lines and cheep deadman valves will be wear through eventually by the high pressure and fast moving abrasive sand. luckily deadman valves are cheep and readily available at any hardware store. also the guns ceramic tips will eventually wear out. I’ve always hated the 'gun' style nozzles so instead of buying some new tips when the ones included in the kit wore out i bought a much larger nozzle that resembles this.

Sandblaster Gun with 3 Extra Nozzles : Sand Blasting Tool | Sandblaster Gun with 3 Extra Nozzles : Sand Blasting Tool on sales best price (http://www.weldinghammers.us/1-468240-B000FVEEU6-Sandblaster_Gun_with_3_Extra_Nozzles_Sand_Blasting _Tool.html)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31vi8y-DK9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

because the ceramic inside this nozzle is MUCH thicker i get many more hours of use in-between switching the ceramic inserts.

It’s a great tool to have and is very useful. I used to be the guy with a wire wheel on a drill but this thing saves me a ton of money in both wire wheels and time. You do need a large compressor to run the sand blaster, or you will only get a few seconds of blasting in-between waiting for the compressor to pump the blaster back up to the desired psi. plus it’s a great feeling knowing that you can simply unbolt anything that’s rusty and easily make it look like new.

I’ve also been looking into buying a plasma cutter and tubing bender. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction, but if not you can bet there will be a review of a plasma cutter and tubing bender on here within a few months.

Have you had any trouble with the media holing the elbow at the shutoff valve on the bottom?

I was able to mitigate the problem by going to a stainless unit, but it would still wear out more often than I liked.

[RL7]

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive paint gun?

I have a warwick gun I got for a little over $100 and its great. I bought it at Finishmaster. I have the 903G Warwick - 903H / 903G (http://www.warwick-sprayguns.com/903.htm). This and the 904 are supposed to be "LVLP" guns and comparable to Iwatas. I believe it. I use it for clear only and get almost no orange peel.

I use the big gun from harbor freight's "automotive hvlp set" for primer and it works fine for that (with the 1.8 tip). Most of their guns aren't that good though. Some people like their more expensive HVLP gun, but I think I have one I bought from a paint shop (these china guns are all over the place) and the fan is pretty pathetic. I use it for base sometimes though.

[RL7]

I got one of these 1/4" teloscoping drivers from harbor freight and I use it all the time. Combined with a swivel, it's unstoppable. Saves so much time.
1/4" Telescoping Socket Driver (http://www.harborfreight.com/14-telescoping-socket-driver-67978.html)

In general harbor freight stuff is disposable garbage, but if you buy the more expensive line (i.e. the $25 wrench set instead of the $15 one), the quality can be surprisingly good. I have been happy with their orange and grey colored tools. I think they may have been meant for home-depot. I still like my old USA-made tools best, but I hate when I lose them.

[mcshooter]

on paint guns i have a top line debliss which will lay down a great coat of clear but i have just got and used the eastwood concours gun in 1.2 and 1.4 tips. the eastwood gun at $200 bucks is just as good as the debliss. i just used hf siphon gun with a 1.8 tip to spray a coat of rust bullet . it was only $25 and is ok for a heavy rust preventive paint like rust bullet. hard to believe a all alum gun is only $25... but spray gun quality is in the manufacture and quality of the air cap. over all if you only paint a car once in a while or the first time i would recommend the eastwood gun ..

[Nytron]

Got a mechanic friend with snap-on tools. They're usually like 3x the price of any other tool, but the quality is better than most other brands by far.

For tools that you can't have break on you, snap-on is the way to go. In MN, there really isn't any other choice, especially with the rust here. I plan on getting a flex head ratchet this year like this:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/57200/57169.JPG
link: FHX80, Ratchet, Dual 80 Technology, Locking Flex Head, Comfort Grip, 3/8" drive, 11 7/8" (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=81220&group_id=21365)

[mcshooter]

for sure the snapon is the best, i have some kolbalt tools that were made by snapon for retail stores . presently the kolbalts are made by williams which are also a top line quality tool co. i looked at some stanley wrenches but passed when i saw they were made in tiawan. .forget the harbor frieght wrenches as they are cheap junk ..buy snap on,kolbalt,williams,matco and they will last you a lifetime

[TwIzTeD_3kGt]

I have a set of fine-tooth Mac flex head ratchets that have seen daily abuse and haven't let me down.

[93STLTH]

for sure the snapon is the best, i have some kolbalt tools that were made by snapon for retail stores . presently the kolbalts are made by williams which are also a top line quality tool co. i looked at some stanley wrenches but passed when i saw they were made in tiawan. .forget the harbor frieght wrenches as they are cheap junk ..buy snap on,kolbalt,williams,matco and they will last you a lifetime

It's true that Harbor Freight tools are not well made, but for the weekend mechanic, they do the job good enough and if they break, they're cheap to replace. I can understand paying the extra money for Snap On or Matco if you make a living with your tools, but considering some of my tools won't get any use this year, it's hard to justify paying 3 or 4 times more for the name brand stuff.

[j2k4]

It's true that Harbor Freight tools are not well made, but for the weekend mechanic, they do the job good enough and if they break, they're cheap to replace. I can understand paying the extra money for Snap On or Matco if you make a living with your tools, but considering some of my tools won't get any use this year, it's hard to justify paying 3 or 4 times more for the name brand stuff.

Just so.

The stuff - I believe - is, when compared with the like of Snap-on, literally priced to 'use once and toss', but it sure can be a life-saver.

Probably 4-5 times I've been on the road, buying a car, or encountering mechanical problems, and hit Harbor Freight to throw together a quickie tool-kit to ensure I got to where I was going.

I've got cheap tools all over the frigging place - everywhere but my garage and workbench. :D

[thor'svr4]

Have you had any trouble with the media holing the elbow at the shutoff valve on the bottom?

I was able to mitigate the problem by going to a stainless unit, but it would still wear out more often than I liked.

I think your issue might be caused by too much pressure in the tank. That lower valve should just regulate sand flow while the upper valve regulates air flow/tank pressure. Giving the tank more pressure means it wont jam up, but it also means that the sand has a high velocity when it gets to the lower regulating valve. The excessive sand velocity is what causes the valve to wear out. its all about finding the perfect balance. Try adjusting the upper valve so that most of the air flow goes into the rubber line and only a little bit of pressure goes into the tank. That helped out the lifespan of my lower valve a LOT. My first valve wore out in about 4-5 uses but once I installed a new valve and played with the settings I haven’t had the same issue again.

Not sure if that makes sense. its kinda hard to describe.

[Granny]

So lets talk tool boxes.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/004-2-1.jpg

Kobalt..Dam good product!
I looked at a lot of boxes and this was a good bang for the buck.
$700 for the setup which came with nice liners and covers.

[j2k4]

I think your issue might be caused by too much pressure in the tank. That lower valve should just regulate sand flow while the upper valve regulates air flow/tank pressure. Giving the tank more pressure means it wont jam up, but it also means that the sand has a high velocity when it gets to the lower regulating valve. The excessive sand velocity is what causes the valve to wear out. its all about finding the perfect balance. Try adjusting the upper valve so that most of the air flow goes into the rubber line and only a little bit of pressure goes into the tank. That helped out the lifespan of my lower valve a LOT. My first valve wore out in about 4-5 uses but once I installed a new valve and played with the settings I haven’t had the same issue again.

Not sure if that makes sense. its kinda hard to describe.

I was down to about 40 psi and it still holed after a few sessions; I should note, though, that this was with sand, rather than shell, which I can get pretty easily.

I've used lots of shell in an upright cab, but never in the portable - have to check it out.

Thanks for making me remind myself to try it.:)

[j2k4]

So lets talk tool boxes.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/004-2-1.jpg

Kobalt..Dam good product!
I looked at a lot of boxes and this was a good bang for the buck.
$700 for the setup which came with nice liners and covers.

Someone's been to Lowe's, eh?

Get some steel wool and knock the shine off them drawer pulls, Granny - it's killing my eyes.:p

[Granny]

At first I was polishing it with turtle wax,.
Now I can't wait to plaster it with decals!
Everyone that sees it thinks it belongs to Hubby..he sets them stright!

[Granny]

BTW..I love good tools

[j2k4]

BTW..I love good tools

I could make some hay with that, but.;)

[EthanS]

I was a tech for 2 years, got sick of working on other peoples FUBAR'D cars. Now I just work on my own and the occasional buddies car. I tried craftsman for a bit while I was a tech, shortly after I switched to Matco and a bit of snap-on tools. Let me tell you, you think a $100 socket set and a $80 set of screw drivers... a quality set will get you SOOO much farther with far less hassle. My craftsman set of sockets wore out after a while, and started rounding bolt heads etc. I got a killer deal on a lightly used snap-on set and I abuse the shit out of them and they still work like day one. They just grip so much better. I absolutely love my Matco screw driver set too, again grip on the heads its just so much better and they don't hurt your hands when you are really forcing it, again I abuse the shit out of them and still work like day one. I have a 4 pc set of matco pliers as well, I was using craftsman vice grips on a stuck bolt, tightening the piss out of it and clamping. Kept slipping off, I switched to just regular Matco pliers... and got the bolt out.

My suggestion if you do any sort of reasonably in depth work on vehicles quite often. Purchase a quality (Matco, Snap-on, Mac) set of..

Pliers
Screwdrivers
Pry bars
Socket set
Extensions
Ratchets
Wrenches are nice too yet I just roll my craftsman set on those.

You can buy used aswell, it still has the same warranty (given your local dealer may be a prick if you didn't buy it from them but they have to warranty it anyways). Not to mention these will most likely still in your tool box when you pass away then your children/grand childeren can use them... because they will still work :)

[Jimvr4]

One tool I was very happy to locate was this Schley 99700 DOHC hydraulic lash adjust tool. Works on 6G72 and 4G63 DOHC engines

http://www.toolsource.com/prod_medium/93449a.jpg

[thor'svr4]

One tool I was very happy to locate was this Schley 99700 DOHC hydraulic lash adjust tool. Works on 6G72 and 4G63 DOHC engines

http://www.toolsource.com/prod_medium/93449a.jpg

anyone who is putting in 99 lifters should buy that tool. I really wish i had one of those when I was installing my lifters. Instead I used a 2’ long 3/8” extension and it was dam near impossible.

[MR2]

or you could loosen the cam bridge's :)

[Oyyci]

So lets talk tool boxes.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/004-2-1.jpg

Kobalt..Dam good product!
I looked at a lot of boxes and this was a good bang for the buck.
$700 for the setup which came with nice liners and covers.

I have one of these here (http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=storage&item_ID=74164&group_ID=19507&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog) and absolutely love it. I like to work on stuff on top of my box so I don't care for tall boxes. I'm thinking about getting a stainless steel top for it then mounting a vice to it. It came with a FREE snap on hat and t shirt too!

I was a tech for 2 years, got sick of working on other peoples FUBAR'D cars. Now I just work on my own and the occasional buddies car. I tried craftsman for a bit while I was a tech, shortly after I switched to Matco and a bit of snap-on tools. Let me tell you, you think a $100 socket set and a $80 set of screw drivers... a quality set will get you SOOO much farther with far less hassle. My craftsman set of sockets wore out after a while, and started rounding bolt heads etc. I got a killer deal on a lightly used snap-on set and I abuse the shit out of them and they still work like day one. They just grip so much better. I absolutely love my Matco screw driver set too, again grip on the heads its just so much better and they don't hurt your hands when you are really forcing it, again I abuse the shit out of them and still work like day one. I have a 4 pc set of matco pliers as well, I was using craftsman vice grips on a stuck bolt, tightening the piss out of it and clamping. Kept slipping off, I switched to just regular Matco pliers... and got the bolt out.

My suggestion if you do any sort of reasonably in depth work on vehicles quite often. Purchase a quality (Matco, Snap-on, Mac) set of..

Pliers
Screwdrivers
Pry bars
Socket set
Extensions
Ratchets
Wrenches are nice too yet I just roll my craftsman set on those.

You can buy used aswell, it still has the same warranty (given your local dealer may be a prick if you didn't buy it from them but they have to warranty it anyways). Not to mention these will most likely still in your tool box when you pass away then your children/grand childeren can use them... because they will still work :)

I agree with all that is said here except the wrenches. I had craftsman wrenches in my travel tool bag (aircraft mechanic) and I had some issues with the wrenches fitting on the size they were supposed to fit on. Especially line and hose fittings. They were the craftsman standard set but it was like the were cut to size and then coated; making them seemingly too small my that tiny amount.

[Granny]

I just had a tool organism.
Hubby bought these for me..a special Mothers day present.
I just opened them up..OMG!
Kobalt..becoming my favorite.

Sorry for the fuzzy pics.

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/IMAG0102.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/IMAG0103.jpg

http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp10/R3KGT/IMAG0104.jpg

[mcshooter]

kolbalt tools are as good as any. they used to be made by snapon but i believe williams now make them.. i saw this on powerblock sat about some socket stickers. go to gorilla tools.com and they have for $5 with free shipping 84 stickers that are oil proof for your sockets. check it out... chuck

[Mike-92RT]

i like to buy Mastercraft Maximum products. They are very well made, and they all have lifetime warranties, so i don't have to worry about buying a new one, i can just trade it in, when whatever im using, breaks.

[mcshooter]

i just looked up mastercraft as i never heard of them. they are warranteed only for home use and it is void if used in pro shop, also have to keep sales slip for tools other than screwdrivers etc. they appear to be a quality tool. dont know if they can be found in usa ..

[92EuroDiamante]

Sorry if this is reposted but I wanted to post this quick
I picked up a set of these grip tite super sockets
https://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/e7b7d7cc-2d0a-4788-a1b6-3d598b6693cd/84d70087-a2b5-4b8b-b07a-548796fb268a/Image/8b22395e0039321d0ef7b11cfea0ca57/7pc_socket_web.jpg
I got rear ended and needed a new header on my DD (other driver went under my car and disconnected my header from the rest of my exhaust so I had to replace it all)
One of the bolts was super stripped and none of my standard extractors were working. I bought these and they gripped the almost round bolt however....... they snapped and broke even though they were 'indestructible' or something like that.

to me that means a few things to pass on for you guys. They are great for home use since they gripped a round bolt......but not for on cars, just not strong enough.

[Caswell239]

do you mean this thing?
http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.Drugstore.com/prodimg/317895/200.JPG
Stanley Hand Tools-89-962*3/8inch Drive Rotator Ratchet (http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SMT+RATCHET+OTHER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=89-962&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Drive+Rotator+Ratchet)

ive never seen that before but it seams pretty cool, might have to look into picking one of those bad boys up.



I seen this post and was like hmm thats badass. so i bought 3. 2 for me and one for a friend of mine. Awesome tool. Just to bad it didnt have a female end in the bottom o fthe handle but oh well!

[Granny]

I seen this post and was like hmm thats badass. so i bought 3. 2 for me and one for a friend of mine. Awesome tool. Just to bad it didnt have a female end in the bottom o fthe handle but oh well!

I saw that at Walmart and liked the concept.
Sounds like everyone likes them.

[Jesters Deadd]

My favorite tool kit is my Metrinch set

I have a 76 piece

Metrinch-tools - IF THIS CAN'T DO IT, NO TOOL CAN (http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/produkten.php?subnr=7&subcat=CAT36)

all the spanners have that function that other manufacs are now copying, where it does not grip the edge of the nut, instead grips just before that...it's brilliant have not rounded a single nut or damage the corners in anyway...seriously fantastic gear, I'm hoping to buy pretty much one of everything they make in the right time.

I love this brand and set of tools! I have had them for like 7 years! Great quality! The 59 piece set even fits in my 3S hatch recessed area behind the seats snuggly so it doesn't slide around. I will buy another set if mine ever wears out.