Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
Do you have something in your collection that’s unexpectedly become a go-to?
For me it’s a little Stanley 1/4″ socket set. There’s not much to it; it’s just a quick-release ratchet handle, a spinner handle, a single extension, and a small collection of sockets, all contained in a little blow-molded case the size of a paperback book. There’s nothing in there that’s not a duplicate of something I already had a better one of when I bought it. I was out of town and needed to do a quick car repair when I bought it at a Wal-Mart about 15 years ago. I put it on a shelf when I got home, never expecting it to get much more use. But it turns out that little set is a perfect grab-and-go for small repairs around the house, and it gets used more than my USA Craftsman 1/4″ sockets, even though they are arguably better.
Anyone else?
There are some gems in this thread but that thread limits to price.: /forum/topic/9518-cheap-tool-buys-that-work-out-well/
One that has changed how I work is the Wera 059297 Kraftform Kompakt 62 Pouch Set
[External image (i.imgur.com), not copied]
This set unfortunetly doesn’t include SAE security hex so I bought the Wiha set:
[External image (cdn3.bigcommerce.com), not copied]
I took out the Phillips and Pozi and some other bits I rarely use, but those in an auxiliary bag I have in my car. This set now works for hex (Metric and SAE), security hex (Metric and SAE), Torx, Security Torx. It essentially gives me a screwdriver version of all those bits, in a little pouch that takes up about half the space in my tool bag than my DMM.
BMack37 wrote:
1 hour ago, BMack37 said:There are some gems in this thread but that thread limits to price.: /forum/topic/9518-cheap-tool-buys-that-work-out-well/
One that has changed how I work is the Wera 059297 Kraftform Kompakt 62 Pouch Set
[External image (i.imgur.com), not copied]
This set unfortunetly doesn’t include SAE security hex so I bought the Wiha set:
[External image (cdn3.bigcommerce.com), not copied]
I took out the Phillips and Pozi and some other bits I rarely use, but those in an auxiliary bag I have in my car. This set now works for hex (Metric and SAE), security hex (Metric and SAE), Torx, Security Torx. It essentially gives me a screwdriver version of all those bits, in a little pouch that takes up about half the space in my tool bag than my DMM.
Those look great. Were they really in the “I’m surprised I use these that much” category, though? I can’t imagine buying something so nice and thinking I wasn’t going to need them much.
dwasifar wrote:
8 minutes ago, dwasifar said:
Those look great. Were they really in the “I’m surprised I use these that much” category, though? I can’t imagine buying something so nice and thinking I wasn’t going to need them much.
I actually got them for free through SYW points but I expected them to be used but not as much as I have used them. I had been using 1″ bits and a T-handle or another type of bit holder…this set is just soo nice that I no longer grab those tools.
Yup, great post. Like you my Tekton set. Showing a lot of use and missing my 1/2″ drive but dammit Jim, I’m a woodworker…not a mechanic!
Ive got two.
The Knipex pliers wrench, I didn’t really know what to expect when I first purchased one but now they have easily become my goto adjustable. I also grab them for bending/shaping wire, brackets, etc.
Also the Makita 3/8″ impact socket sets. I grabbed one to keep with my impact, but I quickly found myself grabbing it to work on every thing. Nice selection of sizes in a tidy and compact case.