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New tools you've bought recently?


rusty ol ranger

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1987
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Ford
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2.9 V6
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177 CID
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Manual
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My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Amen on tugging cords.

I have a 20 V Dewalt 3/8 impact wrench with two batteries it works great. 90% of the problem with getting lugged nuts off is tightening them too hard when you put them on.

Having said that, I have picked up some great tools for little money when they were transitioning everything to batteries. I have a Weedwhacker that I swear, will take down a 4 inch oak tree, electric chainsaw, a long electric chainsaw, etc etc.

The Weedwhacker was $179 marked down to $29.

IMHO, especially if it’s for something you don’t use every day, it’s the way to go!
I dont tighten lugs that hard but its still one of the biggest dread inducing thoughts if i gotta pull a wheel.

The ones on my B2 were super tight. Which is why i bought the gun. I was grunting like a sumbitch with a 4 way...so i went and got a 1/2 ratchet with my big 5 ft pipe. I then proceeded to grenade the ratchet.

So i said f it lol.

Next im gonna get a set of torque sticks
 


Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
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1993
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Ford Ranger
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3.0 V6
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3.0L
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Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
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6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I sometimes remove lug nuts with impact. But I install them with hand operated ratchet and torque wrench set to about 90 ft-lbs.
 

bilbo

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2.3L
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2WD
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0
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0
I got rid of my crappy cabinet sand blaster and built a small bench in its place for the new wood lathe. I intentionally made it just a bit bigger than the lathe itself so that I’m not tempted to turn the bench into a catch all for junk.

View attachment 117734
I see prime real estate for junk accumulation under the bed of the lathe.
 

bilbo

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I sometimes remove lug nuts with impact. But I install them with hand operated ratchet and torque wrench set to about 90 ft-lbs.
I’ve got an m18 impact that has a setting to spin them on but severely limit the torque. As soon a it starts rattling the motor stops. It’s super handy. It also slows down taking them off when loosening so they don’t come off the stud at 11,000,000 RPM.
 

Curious Hound

Formerly EricBphoto
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1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I see prime real estate for junk accumulation under the bed of the lathe.
With stealth mode when the stuff gets covered by wood shavings.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Manual
I finally got sick of using a lug wrench on lug nuts and spent 89.99 on a bauer (harbor freight) electric impact gun.

Ive used it a few times already. Has zero problem with lugnuts. It claims 1050ftlb breakaway torque.

Yes i know cordless is the way everyone goes now, but for 1/3 the cost i can live with dragging a cord around
I ran corded (Craftsman) for years, eventually I talked Santa into getting me a cordless Bauer after repeatedly getting skunked pulling wheels off in the salvage yard.

I love it

I also snagged a brushless 3/8" drive which is awesome for lighter duty things. Especially taking apart, last year I used it pretty much exclusively to pull the intake and heads off my truck.

I haven't used the corded one in a long time,
 

Shran

Junk Collector
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I see prime real estate for junk accumulation under the bed of the lathe.
Yup, that's the plan, a few 5 gallon buckets fit under there. Pipe fittings, metal scraps, short pieces of wood, a bucket sand blaster. I don't care if they get full of wood shavings from the lathe.

Every time I used my old lathe, I had to clean the bench off because it would get so crowded with crap. Bench was too big.
 

Roert42

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2WD
I have the Icon 1/4” Toto head. Love it, my go to ratchet for a lot of work. Was super smooth when new, little rough now. Gotta take it apart and see if it just need greasing or it’s trashed.

recently got one of the 3/8” Tekton roto heads as a gift. After my brother in law saw my Iconhe went and got some Tekton and gave me a 3/8”. Used it doing the parking brake on the F-250, nice enough.
They discontinued them along with a lot of their made in China tools, that’s why they were so cheap. Most of their stuff is good quality, but they have been pulling most of their manufacturing out of China, it’s mostly made in Taiwan or USA now.


I don’t like the Wera ones because they lock at set angles. I had one at work, but I gave it to one of my employees.
 

Roert42

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Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Finally got my 5hp compressor setup and running. Runs really nice and quiet.

I picked up an air hammer and needle scaler from HFT that were 50% off. McGraw or whatever brand. $40.
 

Rick W

Lil Big Rig
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Atlanta
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1997 1987
Make / Model
Ranger XLT x2
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 & 2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
97 stock, 3” on 87
Total Drop
N/A
Tire Size
235/75-15
My credo
Never put off ‘til tomorrow what you can put off indefinitely
I sometimes remove lug nuts with impact. But I install them with hand operated ratchet and torque wrench set to about 90 ft-lbs.
ditto, I always try to take them loose with the impact just for speed. If one is too tight, I think I’m at the point where I’ve got a cross lug wrench in every vehicle, but I also have a 25 inch breaker bar with the right size deep socket at least all the trucks.

But when I put them on, I will spin them on only snug with the impact and then I use about a 24 inch torque wrench with the right socket to set them. About 90 pounds on the Rangers and trailers, and 140 pounds on the F2 50. About 90 on the town, cars, and 120 on the Mark V
 

scotts90ranger

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Dayton Oregon
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1990, 1997
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Ford
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Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
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Manual
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4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
Took advantage of the 15% off coupon at HFT and picked up a Bauer 20V cordless ratchet... bulky for some things but should be handy for others... also used the 30% coupon on a cheap buffing set, my brother pointed out buffing safety glasses would be nifty and the lightbulb went off, $5 buffing set with rouge was like $4, that in the drill press should do quick work... if they're clear and available I'm much more likely to use them... been like 22 years since I've had to go to the eye doctor for that but don't want to repeat if avoidable...
 

lil_Blue_Ford

Cut & Weld
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00
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I’m a fan of corded tools for heavy work. I can run any of my corded grinders all day until they melt down. My cordless one goes into thermal protect and eats batteries. But when you just need the grinder for a minute or two, cordless is nice to just grab and get it done. So I keep both types of tools around.

I have two M18 Milwaukee 1/2” high-torque impact guns. First gen and second gen. Both can out-work my Stanley (rebadged IR Classic) air impact any day of the week. They’re really nice for junkyard shopping. It’s not very common that it won’t get a bolt out or break it off.
 

mikkelstuff

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Location
Brighton, CO
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Friend of Bill W.
Bought a Snap-On 1-3/16 combination wrench off of ebucks. Expensive but such is Snap-On and I hate cheap tools. This fits the A/C compressor fittings on my '75 Ford Ranchero GT. I have most of the big combination wrenches (1, 1-1/16, 1- 1/4, 1-1/2) but not this size.

Received this in the mail today. Beautiful - looks like it has never been used.
 

Uncle Gump

Boomers gotta Boom
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Location
Ottawa IL
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2006/1986
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Ranger/BroncoII
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4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Been watching the prices on off road floor jacks. Amazon Prime Deals on the Strongway jack... $66 off retail and free ship to my door. I couldn't pass it up.

 

Roert42

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Ranger XLT
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Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Harbor Freight had a 40% off all jacks a few weeks ago. Wanted to get the super duty jack, would have been $100 off, but the coupon was only good for one day and I couldn’t get over there.
 

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