New tools you've bought recently?

[sgtsandman]

In preparation and research for removing and replacing the transmission in the Escape, I found out the engine support I bought isn't wide enough. Still useful for other things, just not supporting the engine in the Escape. Being that a jack with a piece of wood supporting the engine from underneath would just get in the way, I got this instead:

And filled in the couple of gaps I have in tools:

This style of hex drive was specifically called for. The other style out there isn't long enough to reach the bolt holding the cooler in place.

And I ordered a completed torx bit set. I've gotten tired of making due with what I have and buying onesies and towsies everytime I have an odd job that I've never done before. Plus, some of those long bits have been real handy at work while working on a couple of the different brands we have there. So, why not have them at home?

 

[Rick W]

At my age, I kind of hate buying anything new, since I’ll probably never wear it out. But then there’s the stuff I bought a while ago, that’s wearing out now…

I’ve had three of the Walmart hypertough 20 V cheap drills. It’s something I use almost every day, and I’ve used extensively. I use the 1/4 and 3/8 adapters and use it like a power ratchet all the time. Well, the third one wore out, so I bought a fourth one. It was theoretically the same thing, but…

The reason I want to stick with it is because I have several tools that work off that same battery. When I got this “exact“ replacement, it’s actually a hair smaller, which may not be a bad thing. And while the batteries are interchangeable in the tools, this new battery charges off a little USB cord at a different voltage than the original batteries and chargers I’ve had all along. I can live with that.

I must’ve had a premonition, because before I had any trouble with the one that failed, I had a credit with TEMU, and used it to get some sockets and bits, and an extremely cheap version of the same drill.

My shop is out back, so I picked it up so I could have one handy in the house. I used it 100 times before the new drill came in.

And with my crappy hand and arm, after being so impressed with this incredibly crappy drill, I bought a crappy reconditioned power ratchet from TEMU:

With two batteries, it should be always available. I used it to replace my alternator and a few other jobs, and it actually works fairly well for what it is, for $20. The only thing I realized pretty quickly, is the battery sticks out an inch and a half on the bottom, and if you pull it low down there, which is natural, you could feel the battery flexing in the socket, it probably break it off, so you have to grab it where it’s yellow. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Well... my inside track membership that I bought at HF several months ago has paid for itself 2x over now.

week ago, went and got the Bauer Weed eater and Bauer 10" chainsaw. weedeater is great, have not done anything with the chainsaw yet. got the chainsaw 20 dollars off with inside track membership

and yesterday got a pretty nice submersible pump for 35 dollars off via inside track membership. pretty impressed with it as well. Not a high volume pump, but it is whisper quiet, cannot hear it run. can feel the water going through the hose in a light vibration.

pump:

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-hp-worry-free-automatic-submersible-utility-pump-56599.html

chainsaw:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-10-in-chainsaw-tool-only-64940.html

Weedeater:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-string-trimmer-tool-only-64995.html

will eventually get another battery to have an extra on hand, but the weedeater is pretty good on not draining it too fast.

AJ

 

[sgtsandman]

Well... my inside track membership that I bought at HF several months ago has paid for itself 2x over now.

week ago, went and got the Bauer Weed eater and Bauer 10" chainsaw. weedeater is great, have not done anything with the chainsaw yet. got the chainsaw 20 dollars off with inside track membership

and yesterday got a pretty nice submersible pump for 35 dollars off via inside track membership. pretty impressed with it as well. Not a high volume pump, but it is whisper quiet, cannot hear it run. can feel the water going through the hose in a light vibration.

pump:

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-hp-worry-free-automatic-submersible-utility-pump-56599.html

chainsaw:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-10-in-chainsaw-tool-only-64940.html

Weedeater:

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-cordless-string-trimmer-tool-only-64995.html

will eventually get another battery to have an extra on hand, but the weedeater is pretty good on not draining it too fast.

AJ

I like my Bauer chainsaw quite a bit for what it is. There are times that little chainsaw is a lot handier than running my MS311 with a 20" bar.

I have a fan and a 1/2" impact that use the same batteries. So, great for overlanding trips or even at camp for a week. The fan got quite a bit of use on our last trip.

 

[97RangerXLT]

yeah I have my eye on the 1/2" impact as well. will keep the fan in mind, might do a light as well. Good to know on the chainsaw, I really don't like the chain tensioning system that it has, but like you, I have found things that I need to do that will take maybe 5 to 10 minutes to do and it is an aggravation to get the 16" Poulan chainsaw started for what amounts to a 10 minute job. Most of what I need to cut is under 3" thick anyways.

AJ

 

[Roert42]

The only thing I realized pretty quickly, is the battery sticks out an inch and a half on the bottom, and if you pull it low down there, which is natural, you could feel the battery flexing in the socket, it probably break it off, so you have to grab it where it’s yellow. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

If it makes you feel any better that’s a common issue with the $100+ Milwaukee ones as well.

Some versions like DeWalt use the larger batteries and the way they are positioned it’s not an issue.

Maybe you can find one like this that uses the same batteries as your other drills.

 

[sgtsandman]

yeah I have my eye on the 1/2" impact as well. will keep the fan in mind, might do a light as well. Good to know on the chainsaw, I really don't like the chain tensioning system that it has, but like you, I have found things that I need to do that will take maybe 5 to 10 minutes to do and it is an aggravation to get the 16" Poulan chainsaw started for what amounts to a 10 minute job. Most of what I need to cut is under 3" thick anyways.

AJ

Yeah, the chain tesioning system is hokey. Getting it to work right sometimes takes a few tries of setting it and resetting it.