I have only ever had 1 SnapOn tool and it was a pair of lineman pliers. They were stupid expensive, but I have never found one as good since.
90% of my tools are Craftsman.
Tool Nerds, Questions and Tool Snobbery
- Thread starter HardtailHack
- Start date
90% of my tools are Craftsman.
Lot of mine are Craftsman too. Bought the full socket set years back, along with some ratchets, hammers and wrenches, but rarely buy them any longer since they transitioned away from domestic production.
As a whole, there's a noticeable difference in Snap-On performance and fit/finish, but as with anything, there's a point of diminishing returns. I typically don't purchase anything at full retail as that's nutso, and prefer to grab it off of ebay and FB.
I believe Stahlwille from AmazonDE to is pretty affordable but in the US it is properly expensive.
For me they are the go to spanner brand, they are so damn light and you can really lean on them without damaging your hands as they are so well shaped, I have some Bahcos that are like using dull knives to undo bolts.
My sockets are mostly cheap Action 6point thin wall impact sockets and they are fantastic, not sure why so many sockets stay with 12pt as modern ratchets are pretty damn good, my 1/2" 90t one is rated to 1000Nm. If you are using a breaker bar 12pt is nice as you don't have to take the socket off and rotate it 90deg to get your half flat if you are stuck for room.
If I was in a workshop permanently I would buy some nice sockets with knurling on them but my site tool bag is well over 40Lb now so if it doesn't get used a lot it's not going in there.
If it helps, 2 jobs ago we supplied our installers with Snsp-On kits, the ratcheting wrenches were complete garbage. Our driver was replacing 9/16” wrenches weekly, to the point that he gave us spares to hold us over when only exploded. Granted they were installing litterally thousands of 3/8” bolts so things were bound to wear out, but I loaned one of the guys my Gear Wrench 9/16 and it lasted a few months rather than a few weeks.
I don’t have reversible ratchets in my box, but have basically every other variety and really likeGear Wrench. Would probably buy their ratcheting wrenches as well if I were in the market today.
So my box of tools showed up today!
Not sure what happened, but these don't look like Husky tools.
Not sure what happened, but these don't look like Husky tools.
So here are my three drawers from my toolbox, lots of custom tools that I made for work on shocks/forks/hubs/frames. Enjoy 
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Places where spending extra for premium tools has a significant benefit, universal joints/sockets.
Snap-On on top, Craftsman (Made in USA, GK series) below. Torque transmission at ~90* for Snap-On vs only ~30* for Craftsman. Note, older Craftsman stuff was significantly better. I have universal socket sets from the G series, and they have probably ~80* of useful range of motion.
Sorry, the picture was intended to illustrate their range of motion.
I made the assumption that anyone who has used a universal joint would know its effectiveness decreases as you approach 90. The snap-on gives you a heck of a lot more usable range of motion compared to the craftsman. My bad, should have stated that more clearly.
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good raffle for a good cause:
Entered. Agreed on both counts.good raffle for a good cause:
it started a week ago, and they're already over halfway to their fundraising goal with about 3 weeks left.
Torque screwdriver shopping has started again and I think Kanon will get my money. They aren't bike tool cheap but they still look like good value to me, I can't justify twice the price for a Stahlwille but it does have a cover over the indicator which I do like.
The N50LTDK does 1-5Nm which fills the gap in my set.
The N50LTDK does 1-5Nm which fills the gap in my set.
And beer from my local brewery.This is quite the toolbox I just spotted on empty beer
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RSD Bikes "The Mayor"
www.mtbr.com
Yeah they do look nice but looking at second hand ones the knurling doesn't stay purty for long, guess that would be a tall ask for ano to stay good on pointy bits.
Gunsmiths(I'm assuming not the Trump kind) seem to like them. Actually the trumpians probably throw guns out and buy new ones when they stop working.
I have always wanted a Gerstner oak toolbox.
@toodles or any electrical Monkeys.
I am looking at buying an Oscilloscope and it will just be for pretty basic stuff, checking Crank and Cam angle sensors.
I think I will only need a two channel unit and even then I think I will be battling to use it but are there any nice to haves on a scope, anything you like or dislike about a certain unit.
I don't want a home gamer level one and am happy to buy used as I can't justify 4k(AU) for something I will almost never use. My old man has a ~30yo Philips/Fluke and aside from the battery and backlight still works perfectly, however I would like something a bit newer than his as it is pretty slow reacting and the screen is a bit shit.
Cheers.
I am looking at buying an Oscilloscope and it will just be for pretty basic stuff, checking Crank and Cam angle sensors.
I think I will only need a two channel unit and even then I think I will be battling to use it but are there any nice to haves on a scope, anything you like or dislike about a certain unit.
I don't want a home gamer level one and am happy to buy used as I can't justify 4k(AU) for something I will almost never use. My old man has a ~30yo Philips/Fluke and aside from the battery and backlight still works perfectly, however I would like something a bit newer than his as it is pretty slow reacting and the screen is a bit shit.
Cheers.
I got one from Digilent that runs off a laptop. For occasional use, it's excellent, and price point's order $450 with some probes and whatnot
store.digilentinc.com
Analog Discovery 2: 100MS/s USB Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer and Variable Power Supply
The Analog Discovery 2 is a USB oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and multi-function instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control mixed-signal circuits of all kinds.
store.digilentinc.com
I did look at them, they look amazing for the cost and they are one of the few made in Taiwan. Actually, they look amazing if you aren't considering cost, look like a pretty versatile little unit.I got one from Digilent that runs off a laptop. For occasional use, it's excellent, and price point's order $450 with some probes and whatnot
Analog Discovery 2: 100MS/s USB Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer and Variable Power Supply
The Analog Discovery 2 is a USB oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and multi-function instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control mixed-signal circuits of all kinds.
I bought an Android tablet a few months ago and I never use it so I had been looking in to whether mine can run Windows or not.
Don't really want to have to buy another tablet just to use with/as a scope.
At this stage an older Metrix brand 2ch scope is looking like the winner but I know nothing about the brand.
Did some sewing yesterday-
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That actually looks freaking awesome.I got one from Digilent that runs off a laptop. For occasional use, it's excellent, and price point's order $450 with some probes and whatnot
Analog Discovery 2: 100MS/s USB Oscilloscope, Logic Analyzer and Variable Power Supply
The Analog Discovery 2 is a USB oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and multi-function instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control mixed-signal circuits of all kinds.
I bought one in 2018 for a project I was working on and it worked fine.
I used oscilloscopes, mostly Tektronix, a lot when I was working as an electrical engineer. When Digital Equipment Corp. manufacturing in South Burlington, Vermont folded up in 1992, I almost wanted to take one with me. In hindsight, it would have been a bad idea. They were complex beasts, with lots of components like potentiometers that don't age worth a damn. Also, the number of times I would have used one would never have justified the storage space.
I can keep the Digilent and its accessories in a small plastic tray.
Yeah I don't have one at the moment for the same reason. There's an old Tektro in the workshop at my job but generally speaking most of the stuff I'm doing these days just needs a good multi so I can't justify the clutter or cost. A little unit like that Diligent would be sweet to keep for an emergency fix.
They still flip and flop when you do tight angles, especially as they age.
I still have to get one of these, bit safer on the gun, we used to put a 3/4" wobble on a 12" extension and play duck and cover in the pit when the nut came off, the socket would release at a great rate, hahaha!
Turns out people 10km from home sell them- https://core-electronics.com.au/digilent-analog-discovery-2-38635.html
What is everyone using for screwdrivers? I picked up a Vessel JIS screwdriver and it's so much better than the other crappy ones that I've had for years that I'm considering just replacing the whole lot. Would definitely consider Vessel, but also Wera, PB Swiss, etc...too many options. Ball grip, ratcheting, etc. Use would be bike stuff, general household, auto. The usual.
my late father was a machinist and engineer. when he passed my brother (another machinist) received his wooden toolboxes. mostly full of measuring instruments, but just damn good looking and cool.
Vessel, Wera, Wiha, are my go-to screwdrivers now, but Craftsman Professional used to be the shit! They were made by SK, or rather made by the same people who make SK but the Craftsman were always on clearance for $2-3/each. Sadly I'm an idiot and gave most of them away when I bought my Snap-On screwdrivers and I ended up absolutely despising the Snap-On crap. Still have the "stubbys" and they're the most used screwdriver in my box by far https://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-Tool-86335-Screwdriver/dp/B007PBB9GQ/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=Sk+Screwdriver+Set&qid=1614011338&sr=8-8
Get yourself a Vessel Impacta too, total life saver for old stripped and painted over door hinge screws.
Do these work like a conventional impact screwdriver? I have one of those that I've used a couple of times when restoring old tools. I couldn't make sense of the diagrams on amazon for the Vessel product. Seems intriguing though.
Pretty much, just less clunky to carry around, and easier to use like a regular screwdriver.
Sounds amazing. I'm sold.
Got mostly Klein and Craftsman in the rotation at the moment, but I suppose if I were starting over I'd probably just grab some Wera or Wiha and call it a day. I don't actually find myself using manual screwdrivers a ton these days (and when I do, it's typically a Klein ratcheting), and would prioritize them accordingly.