Toolfreaks Anonymous

[bantam5s]

I bought these Channellock snipe nose pliers a few months back.

Today I bent the tips and couldn't fix them, so I decided to just cut that last inch off and turn them into a little pair of needle nose pliers.

These will be a great addition to my 1/4" drive kit along with the 4" 524 slipjoints and 4" 424 tongue and grooves.

[bantam5s]

I keep telling myself I'm just trying to find my favorite screwdriver handles,  and I am but I also just like screwdrivers.

( these are just the ones I could find right now)

I just got these really nice Heyco screwdrivers in the other day.

[45WLA]

This is not usually my style but, guys on the BSW tools it's Whitworth not 'wentworth'. Named for the originator, Joseph Whitworth. Got my education in this way back when I was wrenching Brit bikes and cars and needed these to get by.
 

[bantam5s]

This is not usually my style but, guys on the BSW tools it's Whitworth not 'wentworth'. Named for the originator, Joseph Whitworth. Got my education in this way back when I was wrenching Brit bikes and cars and needed these to get by.
 

" Call JG Wentworth, 877 cash now "

[Methuselah]

Anyone else got a thing for channellock?


I think I do, this is just what I could grab quickly.

That one in the middle is called a nipper, it can cut nails, or since the thread started with nail pullers, be used to grip and pry one out (mine's Stanley, not vintage). Bolt cutters will cut nails too, didn't see any in the thread.

Among my "odd stuff" is a set of spark plug sockets, you know, rubber insert inside --- these from a tool store that had Chinese made stuff and some air tools. What was unique about them is they are 1/2" drive. Yours will more than likely be 3/8" drive.

I've also got some of the new bits for electrician's work that have both blades combined, philips and slotted. With them you can put more torque on those combination screws without stripping them. You see those screws on electrical outlets and switches, and some circuit breakers.



A friend of mine in Miami had a 4" pipe wrench. Real, not like the toy ones you sometimes see. Perfect for stuck brake bleed valves.

We had a tool place here a long time ago that I no longer recall the name of, that had a set of Williams striking wrenches, one side normal 6 or 12 point, the other a surface for hitting with a hammer. I wanted to buy the set but couldn't justify the cost since they are almost never needed. Maybe I could have used them once in the last 30+ years since. They are still in business, searching "williams striking wrench" will bring up a few --- cost each is probably what the set cost when I was debating...

Seeing the impact driver tool (hit with hammer, to turn screws, etc.) reminded me that Sears made a "nut cracker" tool, put over nut and a chisel cuts through when you crank on the hex screw driving it.

My ratcheting Serpentine Belt Tool Set (was a birthday present, used for the fan bolts on the water pump cover back when the engine drove the fan and not the alternator) is now kinda a thing from the past, like that barbed wire fence puller. They still sell it but I don't recall ever seeing one in anyone's tool box. It came with some crow's foot wrenches...

[anti-squirrel]

End nippers come in several shapes and sizes; I own multiples and use them more than almost anything save my 6-in-one and Estwing hammers.  I'm sure may of you have proficiency at using pliers one-handed (sorta like chopsticks).

I'm also a big fan of so-called "service wrenches", the big open-end wrenches with stub handles designed for cheater-pipes.  I've been using mine a lot lately, oddly enough.

And I should also mention Park tools.  I've been turning a wrench a lot on bicycles lately; some repairs, but mostly tuning multi-speeds for friends and family.  High-end cable cutters are really the only way to cut stainless cable- at least until you get over 1/4" steel rope, then you use a die grinder  

One thing for certain- if you dip your hands into multiple trades, you end up with a lot of tools. 

[bantam5s]

I use my Channellock 357 end nippers ( yes I know what they're called,  thatwhy I bought them ) for nipping, but most often for pulling nails and staples from pallet wood.
They are an excellent tool and will probably add their larger pair to my lineup as well as maybe the 6" pair.
I already own the smallest pair of nippers Channellock makes.

[bantam5s]

I have kind of learned my lesson on buying an entire set of screwdrivers just to try out not knowing if I'll even like the handle.

I bought the new Channellock 6 in 1 screwdriver a few weeks back ( made by Mayhew) to try out, and I'm glad I didn't buy an entire set of the screwdrivers because I've determined that I really just don't like 3 sided handles.


I just ordered this William's #2 to try out, if I like the handle I may order a set or just gradually add the few others that I'd want individually.
It'll cost more that way but I think I'd really only need the #2, 1/4, and a stubby in each of those.

[Sqrl Klr]

Got a laser measurer recently. Neat tool! Keeps the cat happy chasing the laser as well!

[buellm2]

I have a few 3 sided screwdrivers.  Don't like em.   Who would ever come up with that idea?

[bantam5s]

I have a few 3 sided screwdrivers.  Don't like em.   Who would ever come up with that idea?

Somebody who didn't want you repairing their product yourself without voiding the warranty
Sure you can often get just the right sized flat blade wedged in there and remove the screws but doing so usually damages the screw at least a little and there's no denying that you did it.

[anti-squirrel]

Three-sided (trihedral) screwdriver handles offer more torque and better hand placement, based on my experiences in construction and the years I was a service tech at Sears.

My hands are average length but very wide and I have a strong grip.  I not a fan of the normal 6-side handles; 4 sides way are better, such as my Snap-On stuff.  But the trihedral grips... ooh baby!  The 3-sided ones offer exceptional torque thanks to the way I can wrap my hand around them, and I prefer them over everything else.  My favorite set is a short collection of "Popular Mechanics" branded screwdrivers I bought in the early 90s second-hand at the Oakland CA flea market.  I've looked for more of 'em but they appear to be made of unobtanium.  Thanks for sharing that Channellock sells them, I've been considering thinning out the hard to replace for consistencies and it is easier knowing I can get my favorite handle shape

I also own some 3-sided nut-drivers (also PM branded, bought at the same time in a set) and if the screwdrivers are great, then the nutdrivers are even better, but I only have 4.  Different strokes for different folks.  The "classic" sorta-rounded with grooves screwdrivers handles such as you find on Craftsman stuff from the 80s and 90s is- IMO- the worst design ever.  Between crummy finish and soft metal, they eat screw heads; especially brass wood screws thanks to an improper tip fit. 

I'm also a big fan of wood handles, especially "rounded square" gunsmithing screwdrivers, and I peruse local flea markets for them.

When it comes to 6-in-1 and 8-in-1 nested screwdrivers, Klein is among my favorites as long as it has the really fat over-handle that slips over the regular-sized handle.  And speaking of Klein, I'm a huge fan of spinner screwdrivers for lower-torque screws such as junction boxes, outlets, and receptacles & plates.  Another less-common handle I'm fond of is the flattened oval of Wiha electricians/high voltage screwdrivers. 

Skinny handles are just not my preference unless we're talking precision screwdrivers used for super-tiny hardware.  In those instances, Xcelite is my groove.

[bantam5s]

Different strokes for different folks I guess,  because trilobe screwdriver handles just plain don't work for me and are the least comfortable handles I've ever used.
One of the 3 corners/ edges is always digging into my hand , they're definitely good for torque but I'll take a 4 sided handle with a hex bolster for that any day of the week.

My absolute favorite so far have been the Stanley 100 plus which are that octagonal shape , but they're done perfectly and nothing fits my hand as well.


If you like Trilobe handles go to HJE and order some of these WILDE screwdrivers, they're high quality and you'll love the handles.



FYI those Popular Mechanics brand screwdrivers were a Walmart house brand.

[bantam5s]

I don't believe I'll ever find anything else that fits my had as well as the Stanley 100 plus , and I like them so much I couldn't wait to order one when Chapman introduced this as their new driver handle.

[Back_Roads]

 Brought my 50 year old tap and die set to work today, makes more space in my garage. I have 2 newer sets standard and metric.
             

[anti-squirrel]

Different strokes for different folks I guess,  because trilobe screwdriver handles just plain don't work for me and are the least comfortable handles I've ever used.
One of the 3 corners/ edges is always digging into my hand , they're definitely good for torque but I'll take a 4 sided handle with a hex bolster for that any day of the week.

My absolute favorite so far have been the Stanley 100 plus which are that octagonal shape , but they're done perfectly and nothing fits my hand as well.


If you like Trilobe handles go to HJE and order some of these WILDE screwdrivers, they're high quality and you'll love the handles.



FYI those Popular Mechanics brand screwdrivers were a Walmart house brand.

I appreciate that, David!  Next time I order some tools I'll get some of them.

I have a really old ACE tap and die set, along with several not-quite-complete sets of Brownells and Starrett that belonged to my father and my maternal grandfather... But my favorite is probably my Precise set.  It's one of those oddball finds at a yard sale for $10.

I've got a lot of good tools; every time I thin out the herd, I end up being gifted a bunch more.

[Methuselah]

So, guess what this is ...

[Methuselah]

... or this ...

[Snatchcan]

... or this ...

Stud removers.

[Snatchcan]

So, guess what this is ...

That looks like some sort of tubing cutter.