Tools & equipment that are fantastic.

[HawkinsHollow]

Sorry for the loss of your Dad. Would give me a very comfortable feeling to have my Dad's tools in my shop. You were Blessed!!!

And then there's those that complain about having to "clean up" their Dad's stuff.

Thank you for your condolences! But the ol' guy is still kickin' at 97, just not using his tools like he once was so he figured I should have them. Such a blessing to have them in my shop! So much great stuff! I plan on making a post about all the gems soon, just haven't got around to it yet.

He and mom (whom is 20 years younger) will be moving 500 feet down the road from us this spring. Look forward to having him work with me in the shop using his tools.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

That's what I want. A pocket size that shines 20-30 ft. How many lumen is the one in the pic?

That's the one I got, two pack...70 lumens.

 

[groundcover]

Got one of these a couple of years ago, 1100 lumens but it can be dimmed. Use it all the time, love it.

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight - 2161-21

www.acmetools.com

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Just now. Pitch dark outside. Only this penlight for illumination. Inside this part of garage, 40 ft to window. Kitten 8 ft away on counter.
Outside, 40ft to small shed.
Outside, 50ft to Cub Cadet mower.
I have brighter ones, this is fine to see where you're going.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Got one of these a couple of years ago, 1100 lumens but it can be dimmed. Use it all the time, love it.

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight - 2161-21

www.acmetools.com

I have ones like that...but $80 and too fat for my pocket with all the other junk I carry.

 

[ovrszd]

Thank you for your condolences! But the ol' guy is still kickin' at 97, just not using his tools like he once was so he figured I should have them. Such a blessing to have them in my shop! So much great stuff! I plan on making a post about all the gems soon, just haven't got around to it yet.

He and mom (whom is 20 years younger) will be moving 500 feet down the road from us this spring. Look forward to having him work with me in the shop using his tools.

That's awesome!!! Thanks for the clarification!! Made me smile!!!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I was working on my F150 today thinking of a couple great things I bought years ago. One is this Fisher pneumatic lift, $800 delivered. As a teenager I worked at a service station that had a 4 post lift and a Fisher lift exactly like this one. We rarely ever used the 4 post since this is easier. I use 6 jack stands (I know it's overkill).
The other is a portable HF compressor, $90 on sale. I have a large 2 stage shop compressor but again, convenient. I built so many things with it using air nailers, impact wrenches, etc.
Curious what tools/equipment others have that weren't all that expensive at the time that are useful.View attachment 774215

Speaking as a mechanic, these lifts are fantastic when working out in the yard. Ironically, my first house had a garage larger than the house with a lift and support equipment and everywhere I've lived since hasn't has space for a shop, let alone shop equipment and I have over 100K in hand tools. Anyway, chalk the wheels, and pop one end for whatever reason up on air! I'd like to have one, but in my current space-challenged garage, I don't even have space for a centerless tire changer (a thing I should just get and have for stupid reasons—if for no other reason than changing out UTV tires).

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My latest discovery is Milwaukee cordless tools. I've had DeWalt for 15 years. What an upgrade!!!!! No comparison.

In manufacturing Panasonic cordless tools are God's gift but at $2200 for a tool, nobody on the consumer end even knows about Panasonic because they are remarkably out of the price range of anybody but heavy assemblers on assembly lines. So after twelve years, and more than enough consideration, I decided to get into third generation Milwaukee M18 (and I have some ten-year-old M28, but they don't make that stuff anymore).

Anyway, my buddy Mark (who is frequently seen on my YouTube channel) is unexpectedly bounced from one remote job to another remote job in another part of our country tells me he need to buy more power tools for the new remote job and that he needs more Dewalt tools like another hole in the head (the guy has endless Dewalt tools that he has shipped home from jobs), so I told him to buy M18 junk this time around and I'd buy it off of him for wholesale prices. LOL

The best source of into I've found on cordless tool comparisons is the Torque Test Channel on YouTube.

and watch out everybody, Harbor Freight's stuff is getting better and better!

 

[2manyrocks]

I vaguely remembering owning a Panasonic cordless drill about the same time as Makita's 9.6v drill was popular, but I haven't seen another Panasonic drill since.

 

[two_bit_score]

Got one of these a couple of years ago, 1100 lumens but it can be dimmed. Use it all the time, love it.

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight

Milwaukee USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight - 2161-21

www.acmetools.com

I have one of those. They’re bright.

 

[4570Man]

I have one of those. They’re bright.

I have one as well. I use mine all the time. The downside is it’s a little big for pocket carry. I keep mine in my jacket pocket but when the weather is warm I don’t have it.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have one as well. I use mine all the time. The downside is it’s a little big for pocket carry. I keep mine in my jacket pocket but when the weather is warm I don’t have it.

Yes a jacket pocket or the side pocket on work pants. Mine usually stays in the door pocket of my truck since it charges on USB.

For a shirt pocket or frequent carry in a pants pocket I like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-56026-Inspection-Penlight/dp/B01N9RGQQP?th=1

They have a rechargeable version now but mine is a couple years old, runs on batteries. It’s 350 lumens, I think, but plenty bright for most things. The laser is sometimes helpful.

 

[BigBlue1]

The way they stretch the facts about lumen output of flashlights, not sure it matters.

Touque Test Channel on YouTube often does light evaluations. They give you real world reviews and test results for lights. Actual lumens, battery runtimes, etc. They're great. Obviously for torque stuff too, like impact wrenches, drills, die grinders, etc.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I've always thought what's strange is as time goes on people need more light! Recently I drove one of our 50s cars with incandescent headlights and tail lights and amazed on high beam lucky to see 70-80ft ahead. Tail lights barely see, I've seen brighter bicycle lights.
Imagine people 150 years ago reading by oil lamp or candle light.

 

[4570Man]

Yes a jacket pocket or the side pocket on work pants. Mine usually stays in the door pocket of my truck since it charges on USB.

For a shirt pocket or frequent carry in a pants pocket I like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-56026-Inspection-Penlight/dp/B01N9RGQQP?th=1

They have a rechargeable version now but mine is a couple years old, runs on batteries. It’s 350 lumens, I think, but plenty bright for most things. The laser is sometimes helpful.

I have a different brand that’s pretty similar. But I’d like a rechargeable one. I hate having to mess around with batteries. Milwaukee and I’m sure others make a rechargeable pen light. I might order one.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a different brand that’s pretty similar. But I’d like a rechargeable one. I hate having to mess around with batteries. Milwaukee and I’m sure others make a rechargeable pen light. I might order one.

Aint that the truth. Disposable batteries seem like such a waste

 

[2manyrocks]

Too many lights today have 3 AAA disposable batteries.

I have one Cree light that uses a single rechargeable 18650 cell that seems to have a good balance of being small, powerful, and holding a charge for a good period. But my favorite is a Ryobi model PCL660B that uses their 18v rechargeable battery packs that I bought from Direct Tools for $15 during one of their recent sales. Direct Tools Outlet Site

 

[jjeff]

Dead batteries are one thing but a leaking corroded, dead, disposable battery is another in my experience yet to have that happen to my rechargeable stuff.

 

[ArlyA]

Too many lights today have 3 AAA disposable batteries.

I have one Cree light that uses a single rechargeable 18650 cell that seems to have a good balance of being small, powerful, and holding a charge for a good period. But my favorite is a Ryobi model PCL660B that uses their 18v rechargeable battery packs that I bought from Direct Tools for $15 during one of their recent sales. Direct Tools Outlet Site

I use both battery powered lights and rechargeable ones. The problem with rechargeable is when they are dead, you have no light. At least with battery's you can quickly change them out.