Wera Kraftform Screwdrivers

Knipex Pliers Wrench

Knipex Cobra wrench

Knipex Twin Grips

Vessel Ball Grip Electric and Ratcheting screwdrivers

Klien Linemans pliers

Thomas & Betts ERG50 TyWrap tool, pricey but amazing if you have to route a lot of wire and it cuts the ties off flush so you don't cut your hands up when fishing around in a panel.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Wiha hand tools
Festool power tools

Very nice. A great example of you get what you pay for. Wise purchases.

Willi Hahn and Knipex. Took me some time to learn (maybe still learning) to buy quality and cry once.

Yeah, the names in here I'd never have heard of or bought without you assholes.

I have tools that have been in the family since the 1950s. Mostly Craftsman back then. Now there are Snapon, SK, and more Craftsman. Also some name brand current tools like Crescent, Channelock.

quote:

Originally posted by KDR:
Thomas & Betts ERG50 TyWrap tool, pricey but amazing if you have to route a lot of wire and it cuts the ties off flush so you don't cut your hands up when fishing around in a panel.

We had something similar, but much less ergonomic when I worked for a local Chevrolet dealer in college.
Ours looked more like a simple rivet gun, but would cinch a zip tie & snip the tail really well.

A Wiha here, a Knipex there, I'm going with any of a number of knives.

I've got Snap On, Knipex, PB Swiss, Wiha, Gedore, Proto, Williams, Mitutoyo, Felco, Silky, and probably a bunch more. I fix stuff myself so the tools more than earn their keep.

I have a lot of Wera and Knipex in my work kit. I prefer that to the Jensen kit I started out with.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

Do yall prefer a screwdriver set over a singular handle and bit set?

I have the set with two handles and about 50 tips. It’s what I would recommend. Over the last 20 years I’ve used almost all the different tips due to screw sizes being different. I think it was $100 when I got it and the cost was hard to swallow, but now that I look back-it was a great investment.

https://www.brownells.com/tool...ter-screwdriver-set/

My favorite bit driver,magnetic and has a collet (vertias).



My scan tool, works on anything even motorcycles.



This coil spring compressor, very powerful. Makes strut and spring work easy.

In action.

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quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
I have tools that have been in the family since the 1950s. Mostly Craftsman back then. Now there are Snapon, SK, and more Craftsman. Also some name brand current tools like Crescent, Channelock.

Older Crescent brand adjustable crescent wrenches can be way better quality than any top brand equivalent you can buy today. I have a couple old ones in two sizes that are really nice, no play, the jaw doesn't loosen, and they don't loosen and slip.

Well, I have developed a taste for quality tools, but I am a cheap skate at heart as well. If it's getting used only once, or I don't foresee definite other projects, I do sadly support the chicom economy through Harbor Freight. I had a table that needed refinished and coated, used one of their HVLP electric sprayers which worked just fine for the project, it sits waiting to fail me on another. However, tools that I know I'm going to use again and again, I pay the price. Knipex pliers, Klein wire strippers, etc., I don't bother with cheap ones any more.
That said, when I got married nearly 25 years ago, I put a Craftsman 256 piece (I think) Mechanic's Tool Set on our registry and my parents (Dad actually) gave it to me. I have used the absolute crap out of that set, and continue to do so. I believe it is part of the last of the unlimited warranty stuff they made, and while it's not Snap-On quality in the hand, it works every time. I've lost a (10mm) socket or two, and disassembled the 1/2"-3/8" drive adapter with a breaker bar more than once (not all Craftsman), but I appreciate the immense versatility that that giant set of tools has given me over the years. A couple pieces have been lost over the years and replaced, but only a tiny flat head screw driver and the adapter have actually broken (when asked to perform well beyond designed tasks). I pick up the 3/8" ratchet and it's a friend, and I'm reminded of the gift of independence my father gave me which this tool set. I think I'll go send him a thank you note.

Going on two years at the end of this month I had two small and a full stroke that put an end to my working career, After 29 years as an Automotive Technician I have Snapon, Matco and craftsman Tool boxes filled with Mostly Snapon and Matco tools, A few Mac and Cornwell here and there. At 61 years old I should probably look into getting rid of some as I'm never going back into the field, I just like knowing whatever comes up on my personal vehicles, I'm equipped to handle it.