Tool Discussion and Reviews New Thread Per Request

[mitherial]

The combination of the dramatic improvements in battery technology in the last 10 years or so and brushless motors (lower energy use and increased reliability) seem to really have been a game changer in cordless tools. It's like the change from traditional tungsten filament to LED bulbs that has happened in my adult lifetime. The little light in my cell phone is substantially brighter than the enormous 4D-cell battery Maglite that I used to own.

 

[mitherial]

Since I plugged the toolguyd.com tool review site above, here is his overview of current battery tool brand options:
https://toolguyd.com/best-cordless-power-tool-brand/

Also useful:

https://toolguyd.com/best-tool-brands/

 

[evilfij]

I have always found it odd (and annoying) that there are no traditional flip bit style multibit screwdrivers with posidriv bits. I live with my channellock 6 in 1 (and wiha/OEM tools 11 in 1 with the square bit replaced so I have a T10/15 from the OEM and the T20/T25 from the Wiha). Frankly, I would be happy with just the posidriv bit so I could make my own. I am not a big user of 1/4 but drivers and I really like the longer bits found in the 6 in 1s over the 11 in 1 short bits (and 9 in 1 split the difference with one long and the rest short).

Anyway, I found this one for $13. Bit found! Long PZ1/PZ2.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B097HN6L2B?psc=1&smid=A3NOU99KVDLPAQ&ref_=chk_typ_quicklook_titleToDp

It does not have a PZ3 (only a PZ1/PZ2 bit) and the handle is probably crap, but as I probably have 1000 screwdrivers at this point, I figured why not add one more. Going to toss it in the “go” bag of tools. Who knows, maybe I will like it. I will report back after she gets some use on her.

 

[evilfij]

Follow up. Got it. Not bad at all. I really wish it had PH3/PZ3 too.

 

[mitherial]

Follow up. Got it. Not bad at all. I really wish it had PH3/PZ3 too.

Klein Tools 11-in-1 is by far my favorite mutlibit screwdriver, but Klein is VERY US-centric in its tools (and also for electricians in particular) to the point where they do not even offer a *metric* version of their (otherwise very nice) oversized fold-out hex-bit tool:

Klein Tools Pro Folding Hex Key Set, 11-Key, SAE Sizes 70550 - The Home Depot

Klein Tools' new Pro Folding Hex Key set conveniently consolidates two sets into one. The heavy-duty 11-piece set includes a high-leverage, 4-Inch long 1/2-Inch key. Industrial strength, extended reach

www.homedepot.com

 

[rocky]

Just ordered a few Ryobi things from https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com
Great prices on cosmetic blems.

Picked up a Ryobi blemished light duty electric power washer for $75 less than half of Home Despot price and a heat gun saving another $20. The gun with a wimpy light battery lasts about thirty minutes before needing a recharge. Plenty for most jobs.

 

[javelinadave]

Just ordered a few Ryobi things from https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com
Great prices on cosmetic blems.

Update on this. Two weeks later and stuff hasn’t shipped. Customer service is non existent. No reply to emails or answering their phones. I’ll file a claim with my CC company later today.

 

[cdmbrennan]

Interesting. I was able to find a good deal on a Ryobi trimmer/edger and purchased it at a DTO local to me; no problems. Thought the amount of items they had listed for shipping vastly outweighed the amount the had available instore, so prob wouldnt go back. 2+weeks for something to ship is no bueno.

 

[evilfij]

Also got this for $10. Which does have PH3 and PZ3.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B097HP18TN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

Nothing as good as the Gedore silent gear or Stahlwille/snap-on/Williams/Bahco ratcheting and I prefer something other than short 1/4 bits, but it’s $10 and has pretty much anything you need in one driver. I am going to replace the SL5 with a T25 (torx only goes to T20 and T25 is much more useful than a SL5 when you have SL4 and 6). The 1/4 to 4mm micro but adaptor is the real win as they tend to be expensive standalone.

 

[uc4me]

51% off. discount is under 'Other Sellers on Amazon'.. sold by Amazon. (I prob should've put under tool deals as not a review)



KNIPEX Tools - 2 Piece Extra Long Needle Nose Pliers Set With Keeper Pouch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M07AB31/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_PQWZN0ARK1BNJ8M49VRJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[evilfij]

Nice find. Excellent pliers. Unfortunately it is now gone. :-(

 

[evilfij]

So people may have seen the project farm video on ratcheting screwdrivers. Ostensibly because some other youtuber is selling a ratcheting screwdriver which is basically a megapro with a magnet for $80.

Or this one from Jeff Geerling.

And while these reviews are fine as far as they go, they miss the best ratcheting screwdriver mechanism out there. The rolegear.

Here it is in Gedore non-bit holder flavor

But in addition to the rolegear (apparently sold as miltools in the US)

https://smile.amazon.com/Ratcheting-Screwdriver-MLTOOLS-Gearless-Multibit/dp/B0773FQHMF/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=XEHH28T0L1ZI&keywords=rolgear+ratcheting+screwdriver&qid=1662570950&sprefix=rolegear+%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-3

They license this mechanism to Hazet, Gedore, Indus and I am sure others. It is a zero tooth system with basically no backdrag and no slopin forward or reverse. There is a slight amount of play when locked.

I have all of them, from the $10 one to the Pb Swiss, Williams, Wera, Stahlwille, klein (multiple flavors) etc. and the only one (ones as I have a couple) I use are the Gedore rolegear ones. I think I paid $18 each off Amazon Germany.

Anyway, my two cents.

 

[SCRover]

I'm slowly upgrading/replacing some tools and was wondering about snap ring / circlip pliers. Besides u-joints, where else would I encounter snap rings on an '89 ROW 110? Anyone have a recommendation on brand or style? Do I need internal & external, straight & angled?

I currently have one of the interchangeable head types but they're not the greatest. They probably won't get used often, but I wanted to be sure to have what I need for road trips and trails. I don't mind buying quality, but I don't want to overspend, either.

Also, is there something special I need to drop the driveshaft?

 

[evilfij]

Snap rings: The flanges on the axle shaft, can’t remember because it’s been eons since I did one but inside the transmission/t-case I think.

The Gedore ones are slightly nicer than either of the two Knipex types IMHO, but if I am honestly I am not sure what I would need more on a river than the channellock set I have with the interchangable ends. It was like $27 or something.

There is a narrow socket to do the driveshafts quickly. But I don’t own it, I just use two wrenches. For some reason I recall they are 9/16th not 14mm but again it’s been eons since I did one. I should buy that socket now that I have thought of it. Edit: just ordered it. Will report back on effectiveness once received.

Amazon.com: Laser 6151 Propshaft Socket - for Land Rover : Automotive

Amazon.com: Laser 6151 Propshaft Socket - for Land Rover : Automotive

smile.amazon.com

 

[Frobisher]

That propshaft socket makes things a bit more convenient to be sure, but it's also perfect for undoing the bolts around the bell housing up on top where it's a little awkward to keep a socket on-task.

 

[evilfij]

Do you recall whether it is 14mm or 9/16 on a defender?

 

[mitherial]

Snap Ring Plies -- "I don't mind buying quality, but I don't want to overspend, either"

Truthfully, any non-professional mechanic could probably get by with an interchangeable-head set of Snap-Ring pliers as there are not really that many on a classic Defender but, if you are worried about keeping up with all of the separate sized heads in your workshop, Harbor Freight's ICON (their reasonably "premium" line) has a set available:

Precision Snap Ring Pliers, 8 Piece

Amazing deals on this 8Pc Pro Snap Ring Pliers at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

That being said, I personally would only carry a more compact set on my truck (because, with sufficient desperation, you can usually eventually get a snap-ring on or off with a pair of sufficiently narrow needle-nose pliers or other sharp pointy objects).

 

[Frobisher]

Do you recall whether it is 14mm or 9/16 on a defender?

The Disco is 9/16”, so I would think it’s the same.

 

[SCRover]

Thank you evilfij and mitherial! You just saved me some money! I’ll just stick with the interchangeable head type I already have and figure out something else to spend money on.

 

[evilfij]

Thank you evilfij and mitherial! You just saved me some money! I’ll just stick with the interchangeable head type I already have and figure out something else to spend money on.

Ya, if you can do u-joints and axles ends with them, that’s pretty much all you will need them for. The cheap interchangable ones are terrible (the channellock/craftsman professional are decent), but I used even them successfully. One tip I found for stuck snap rings is to try to hammer them with a screwdriver or whatever so they rotate in the channel before putting too much force trying to remove them (which can bend or break your pliers).