bce1
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Post by bce1 on Jun 26, 2020 15:44:00 GMT 10
I think I may have asked a similar question before, but I am really struggling to get good hand tools.
Bought an expensive and what appears at face value to be a good set of screwdrivers 12 months ago and have partially stripped two of them with what I would have thought were easy tasks.
So my question is what are good brands of simple hand tools. I have a purchase programme of a good tool a month and slowing increasing and learning to use a wider range - but struggling with what is rubbish vs. good - following the assumption more expensive are better is proving incorrect !!
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frostbite
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Post by frostbite on Jun 26, 2020 17:51:59 GMT 10
Do you know any tradesmen that use hand tools? They woyld know what brands work from constant experience.
I met an Italian chef through a friend some years ago, facilitated a major ambition for him (his ham radio licence), and asked him for advice on the best kitchen knives. He bought me a set of cheap knives from an asian grocery store, the same as he uses professionally, less than $10 each, and I've been using tbem for years without issue. He saved me an absolute fortune. The $400 'chef' knives are just marketing for schmucks.
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Post by Joey on Jun 26, 2020 17:55:48 GMT 10
These days there is a wide variety of quality brands out there that you don't need to part with a kidney to buy snap-on/bluepoint.
Kincrome, JBS, Sidchrome, GearWrench, even TTI from TotalTools is really good quality with a lifetime warranty.
For my work I have somewhere between 6-8k worth of tools, mostly being Kincrome which seems to be fairly priced and I can get them locally.
Though for screwdrivers, I run with HRD diamond tipped from totaltools. I've been using these for around 3yrs now everyday at work diesel fitting and auto leccing and so far the only issue I've had with them is the small spade screw driver snapped when I was using for not screw drivering lol
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blueshoes
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Post by blueshoes on Jun 26, 2020 19:04:37 GMT 10
following the assumption more expensive are better is proving incorrect !! 100% this! I know you said tools, but i can't find good winter boots either for the same reason, i don't have $100 to drop on a pair that turn out to wear through the soles in 3 months and turn out to not be repairable 😔 What sorts of tools are you after specifically? You mentioned screwdrivers, but are you also looking for gardening, kitchen, or just maintenance? |
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Post by spinifex on Jun 26, 2020 19:13:20 GMT 10
I think I may have asked a similar question before, but I am really struggling to get good hand tools. Bought an expensive and what appears at face value to be a good set of screwdrivers 12 months ago and have partially stripped two of them with what I would have thought were easy tasks. So my question is what are good brands of simple hand tools. I have a purchase programme of a good tool a month and slowing increasing and learning to use a wider range - but struggling with what is rubbish vs. good - following the assumption more expensive are better is proving incorrect !! All my very best hand tools are OLD. 1950's and 60's or even older. Pick them up in second hand shops and farm clearing sales. Probably Ebay as well. Look for these items made in West Germany, Sweden, England. My favorite are the vintage Dowidat. Indestructible and precise even after decades. Oddly enough the 1990's vintage, double ended, Toyota screwdrivers are really good. I have 2 that have outlasted much more expensive brand name items. |
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kelabar
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Post by kelabar on Jun 26, 2020 19:38:26 GMT 10
so far the only issue I've had with them is the small spade screw driver snapped when I was using for not screw drivering lol As the old saying goes: Why shouldn't you use a screwdriver as a prybar? Because then it will be bent when you want to use it as a chisel!  I just had a quick look. Stanley brand tools are good. I have a socket ratchet, spanners and screwdrivers from them. Eclipse saw sharpening tools. Kingcraft spanners. KC PRO multigrips. Only had these a year but I like them. Very strong. Nicholson files. Irwin brand clamps. The little ones are OK, the big ones are outstanding. Plus Sidchrome and Kinchrome as mentioned above. With screwdrivers be aware there are different types of phillips/star heads. If you use the wrong one the screwdriver doesn't seat properly and stripping is common. |
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Post by Joey on Jun 26, 2020 21:12:51 GMT 10
Here is my main tool bag I carry for work in the ute. Along with this I also carry another bag full of all my auto leccy gear and another large bag filled with my cordless tools. As you will there is a rather mix-match of brands that I've picked up over the years of doing diesel fitting. These are my "normal carry" at work, at home I've still got 2 tool chests and a cupboard filled with other assortment of trade tools, a few of which are really job specific and only get used for that 2% of the jobs I did when I was working in a workshop rather then in the field like I do now.  In this bag are: Spanners: Kincrome and TTI Kincrome 4-in-1 ratchet spanners Kincrome deep/regular impact sockets Kincrome extendable ratchet JBS/Sidcrome/Kincrome shifters Bhondus allen keys Knipix pliers/multi-grips Then a few other random tools In my auto leccy kit:  CAT multimeter HRD diamond tip screwdrivers Narva Deutsche crimpers ebay bootlace crimper Knipix side cutters In the picture is a butane soldering iron but have recently upgraded to a Milwaukee battery soldering iron (top stuff, ready to go in 18secs) T&B terminal crimper - best terminal crimper I've found on the market, gives a proper indent crimp rather then just squashing the terminals on the wire for strong grip T.Y.B. auto wire strippers |
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Post by SA Hunter on Jun 27, 2020 2:52:17 GMT 10
Do you know any tradesmen that use hand tools? They woyld know what brands work from constant experience. I met an Italian chef through a friend some years ago, facilitated a major ambition for him (his ham radio licence), and asked him for advice on the best kitchen knives. He bought me a set of cheap knives from an asian grocery store, the same as he uses professionally, less than $10 each, and I've been using tbem for years without issue. He saved me an absolute fortune. The $400 'chef' knives are just marketing for schmucks. I agree re the knives - I've got a cheap knife I bought from an Asian market over 20yrs ago - still holds a good sharp blade. I think I paid about $4. They are the best knives I've found for the kitchen, though the Mrs loves using a fish fillet set I bought for $10 at BCF - set of three knives - used more than a "top name brand" set we never use. |
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norseman
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Post by norseman on Jun 27, 2020 8:25:09 GMT 10
For basic day to day tools deceased estate sales and farm clearing sales are awesome for this stuff! You will get good tools for dirt cheap and they are nearly always the good gear that's been used for 40 years and will go another 40 years. My shed has got loads of tools that are 3rd generation (me) and still going strong.
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Post by spinifex on Jun 27, 2020 9:58:17 GMT 10
Same as with guns. When you pick up and use the old stuff entirely made in Europe or USA you get the sense it was made to last a very long time. Yes. They are heavier to haul around, but back then men were men and a heavy gun was no problem. The new stuff (even higher end brands) with cheaper die-cast parts (often from Asia or south America) and curtain rod barrels not so much. The old steels that were machined down to a precise part in the pre -80's era are so much better than modern stuff.
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norseman
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Post by norseman on Jun 27, 2020 15:14:40 GMT 10
Same as with guns. When you pick up and use the old stuff entirely made in Europe or USA you get the sense it was made to last a very long time. Yes. They are heavier to haul around, but back then men were men and a heavy gun was no problem. The new stuff (even higher end brands) with cheaper die-cast parts (often from Asia or south America) and curtain rod barrels not so much. The old steels that were machined down to a precise part in the pre -80's era are so much better than modern stuff. Absolutely! Could not agree more! |
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kelabar
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Post by kelabar on Jul 26, 2020 21:14:54 GMT 10
Hey, Joey. Are those Deutsche connectors any good? I use a lot of Narva stuff but a few of their products are really crappy. The connectors look very waterproof but the terminals/pins (whatever they are called) seem really spindly.
Also, bce1. Post which tool you are planning on buying next and members can offer experiences and comments for you.
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Post by Joey on Jul 26, 2020 22:37:43 GMT 10
Hey, Joey. Are those Deutsche connectors any good? I use a lot of Narva stuff but a few of their products are really crappy. The connectors look very waterproof but the terminals/pins (whatever they are called) seem really spindly. Also, bce1. Post which tool you are planning on buying next and members can offer experiences and comments for you. Yes Deutsche plugs are boss lol it's all we use in mining, expensive to buy off the shelf though |
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Post by milspec on Jul 28, 2020 13:39:28 GMT 10
Sidchrome, Kinchrome, snapon are my preferences in handtools. In the powertool department my Makita stuff has been going for a long time plus a smattering of Dewalt, AEG & Hitachi.
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Tim Horton
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Post by Tim Horton on Jul 30, 2020 6:44:59 GMT 10
All my very best hand tools are OLD. 1950's and 60's or even older. Pick them up in second hand shops and farm clearing sales.
About 90% of our stuff is like this.. Shovels, rakes, forks and the like can be had for $2 at sales.. If they break, they are easy to replace.. The only two new tools like this we bought new was a manure fork and a stall cleaning fork that had fiberglass handles..
AAA
I have bought a number of small drill motors I keep loaded with a couple common size drills, and pilot drills.. Makes it easy doing a job to not have to make a lot of changes.. I've had a couple drills quit.. Cut the cord off and recycle the drill.. Little loss when they were only $5 to start.. My heavy drill, saws all, portable hand band saw are all corded Milwaukee brand..
BBB
The old steels that were machined down to a precise part in the pre -80's era are so much better than modern stuff.
+++
Agree.. My old M1917 US Remington re worked by BSA late 1940s, and 1950s-60s Vietnamese Husqvarna are great.. Doesn't matter they are heavy as I'm not going to pack anything farther than the house to the barn on foot.. Even in the bush, I will not need to be that far from the truck.. What little I read, and have handled, but have never shot any of the new, modern, whiz bang equipment tells me it will take a lot of professional or quite skilled amateur work to make it perform as precision as the adds claim.. Many people buying this stuff are not likely skilled enough to do this, let alone recognize what it is or is not doing according to what is claimed.. Just living with it.. Likely another thread this..
CCC
Like said, with small tools like pliers, screwdrivers and such there are plenty of old Craftsman, Kline, Channel lock, and the like at sales.. I have a boat load of Craftsman brand combination end wrenches.. Tractor, brush hog mower, snow blower, almost every attachment has an ammo box bolted to it for tool storage specific to the implement..
Here in many parts of North America Snap On is on its way out.. I think they have overpriced and reduced quality to there demise.. I do see the occasional Matco mobile tool truck around, other wise pretty much store sales..
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pugs
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Post by pugs on Aug 2, 2020 19:28:54 GMT 10
Same as with guns. When you pick up and use the old stuff entirely made in Europe or USA you get the sense it was made to last a very long time. Yes. They are heavier to haul around, but back then men were men and a heavy gun was no problem. The new stuff (even higher end brands) with cheaper die-cast parts (often from Asia or south America) and curtain rod barrels not so much. The old steels that were machined down to a precise part in the pre -80's era are so much better than modern stuff. Absolutely! Could not agree more! 100% true , eventhough I own a nice Ruger scout in 308 , I still often grab a cut down down No4 303 for smashing though the scrub with it hanging off the front of the quad or even ( dare I say ) an old JFK killer , 1940’s Italian carcano which is surprisingly accurate at short distances .... |
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bce1
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Post by bce1 on Aug 3, 2020 8:20:04 GMT 10
Thanks for all the comments.
Chisels and decent file set.
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norseman
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Post by norseman on Aug 3, 2020 9:09:23 GMT 10
While mostly on hold right now due to the Chinavirus, gun shows are also an awesome place to pick up tools such as firearms, reloading supplies, ammo, blades, hunting and camping gear etc etc! Absolute bargains are to be had throughout!
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