Latest tool buys

[Hickory n Steel]

Here's the place to post your latest tool purchases.

I was visiting my mom today and as usual had to walk down the street and see what they had at the ol' BargainSmart,the discount / closeout tool store that opened when I was a teenager.

Here's today's score, all brand new.

A PROTO 3/8 ratcheting adapter for $20, PROTO 1/4 breaker bar for $5, a Craftsman precision bit driver set for $2, an Excelite driver $1,and the 10 pack of Cle-Line hacksaw blades for $15.
I really like these hacksaw blades, the quality is excellent and they last quite well, I don't know if these are made anymore so I try to buy a pack every time I'm there to really stock up.
Hacksaw blades are getting pretty pricey these days.


The little Craftsman driver I actually quite like, the cap spins quite smoothly and the double sided bits are quite nice with a ball detent. 9 double sided bits.

Apparently these are $9 at Lowe's,  I'd have definitely payed that but I'm even happier for $2.

[Muddy]

Picked up this 1/4" torque wrench and Braun work light

[Uncle Buck]

I bought a  handful of used screwdrivers from the Restore today for $5.

I needed them like I need another hole in my head! 😅

[bmwrd0]

I have been using my Milwaukee M18 impact more and more for regular nuts and bolts, so I picked up a used set of Wright 3/8" deep impacts sockets on eBay:

[Hickory n Steel]

WRIGHT tool was the right choice.

[goodfellow]

Agreed -- Wright has some great tool designs and they don't break the bank. That said, I've seen some ridiculous prices on ebay on Wright tools. Some sellers really have it in for the unsuspecting customer.

[Hickory n Steel]

We recently got a Tractor supply in the next town over, and I swung by to see what kind of new chew toys they had for the pup since they get new stuff in all the time.

While there I picked up another set of these little Mayhew made Channellock picks.


I really like these and own 3 sets, I have zero complaints with the handles, and the steel has proven quite good.
I've had no issues with rust, and they've held up very well.
$18 for these good quality 100% American made hook & pick sets, unless you neee bigger ones or something I see absolutely no reason to buy a crappy import set from HF instead of these.

[AbiggerGarage]

Tractor supply you say?

Well, if I recover, I will go get a set of those, as I believe my Craftsman ones are scattered about (medical setback, doc said I will get worse before better), and I do see the need for larger ones (90 for lower radiator hoses, and hook for things like water pump orings).

It would be so nice to be well, and orgainized and enjoying any time in the shop.

[Hickory n Steel]

Tractor supply you say?

Well, if I recover, I will go get a set of those, as I believe my Craftsman ones are scattered about (medical setback, doc said I will get worse before better), and I do see the need for larger ones (90 for lower radiator hoses, and hook for things like water pump orings).

It would be so nice to be well, and orgainized and enjoying any time in the shop.

Mechanics definitely need bigger hook & pick sets than this for sure.
I use the little ones for small engine stuff and for guns / airguns & for especially vintage fishing reel service / repair.

[Uncle Buck]

Years ago before Sears went down the crapper they sold a large size 4 piece set like the one shown on steroids.

I bought my set ASAP because Sears was notorious for offering cool stuff that would disappear as quickly as it appeared. 

They did dissappear a year or so later.

They did the same thing with a long piece set of cold chisels I bought. After the first year the 4 piece set became a 3 piece set and they never again offered the 4 piece set.

[Hickory n Steel]

If you do buy one of these little sets, I promise you this guy is magic.
I don't know why but this " Complex probe " as they call it has the stuff, I'm not sure why they call it a probe when they come just as sharp as the rest but it's amazing.


You'd think a basic 45° would act the same, but it doesn't.
I have a 45° in my Tekton set and it's not the same at all.
I wish they offered one of these but the 45° is the closest they have.

[Hickory n Steel]

I picked up a few compressor accessories at HF.


Then I stopped by the big Ace Hardware right next door to grab another chew toy for the pup, and saw these in the sale bin by the registers when I went to check out.

There's no way I could pass them up at this price, aside from the bent loop style of T handles that don't spin as well and flex a bit too much I've been very happy with all of my Eklind hex wrenches.

[goodfellow]

I must admit that HF has upped the game on their industrial air and grease fittings. Definitely good quality stuff these days and although not in the "super cheap" bargain category anymore, it is a great deal when compared to trusted old standards like Milton and ACME.

[j.a.f.e.]

I must admit that HF has upped the game on their industrial air and grease fittings. Definitely good quality stuff these days and although not in the "super cheap" bargain category anymore, it is a great deal when compared to trusted old standards like Milton and ACME.

I have to say it's not just the fittings - they have upgraded a lot of things. I hate to say it but in many ways they really have filled the void left by Sears Craftsman and have improved quality and endless discounts have slowed way down. I can't even say the Chinese connection is a barrier because Stanley makes so much of their stuff in China so all the Stanley Tool brands have the same pedigree.

HF has about 1500 stores and Sears at it's peak about 1600 so availability for the average buyer is probably very similar. According to the manager at one of the local stores here they are opening 2 or 3 stores a week and it's not a franchise - all the stores are company owned.

Not bad for a guy and his dad selling salvage freight out of a garage.

[AbiggerGarage]

So today, after my blood work, we saw a garage sale sign, and my mom loves a good garage sale.
This turned out to be a his and hers, with lots of one off tools, an older no name tool chest combo for a decent price and quite a few other goodies.  (heck, if I had the energy, I would have hit the free section.)

I ended up with an older Craftsman 2/3rds hp, 4x36 belt and disc sander (quite heavy for the shape I am in, guy two wheeled it to the car for me), a paint scraper (looked for other blades, intend to try on HDPE cutting boards), and an old Blue Point Parx wrench, that I am sure is from 1940 or before.  I left it at home before coming back here for my supervised stay.

Anyone remember the old, non chrome finish?  Thinking of cleaning good and trying maybe some Ospho I had around.