As you can imagine, I buy new tools and equipment throughout the year. Sometimes this comes from an immediate need, other times it’s to satisfy a long-term want.
Shown above is a completely unrelated photo, showing off some of my still-favorite hand tools. I like to start every post off with a photo or image, and this one seemed nice.
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I purchase my tools, supplies, and equipment from a range of companies, from small independent stores, to huge retailers like Amazon.
With great selection, good prices, fast shipping, and customer service that usually rights any wrongs quickly and effectively, Amazon gets a good deal of my business.
Since a similar post was popular last year, I thought I would discuss this year’s Amazon tool and supply purchases with you.
See Also: Tools I Recently Ordered from Amazon, Fall 2016 Edition
Following is a list of all the tool-related items I or ToolGuyd purchased from Amazon this year. Some, but not all of the entries have photos. They’re in roughly reverse chronological order.
After you go through the list, please consider sharing about what YOU bought this year, from Amazon or elsewhere.
Cloudline Wool Socks – I tried out this USA brand a few months ago, and liked them enough that I’ve been buying more. They’re pricey, but not any more so than other quality wool sock brands. Once you try wool socks, you’ll never want to go back to anything else. I wear wool socks year-round, and they’re fabulous.
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I prefer light-cushion ankle socks most of all, but medium-cushion 1/4 and crew socks are better for winter. I have also tried Smartwool, Darn Tough, Teko, and Bridgedale brands.
My current favorite sock is the Smartwool Men’s PhD Outdoor Light Micro, but the Cloudlines are challenging that.
These aren’t tools, but regardless of what you do, you’ve got to keep your feet warm and dry, right?
Rubbermaid 4.625 Gallon Utility Bin – These 20″ x 15″ x 5″ utility bins are incredibly versatile. I find the white-walled version to look a little friendlier when used in the house for anything. I use them for temporary tool storage, and to collect the last bits of water when working on tubing. They work great as catch-basins for certain liquids, and as secondary spillage containers.
Sheffield Electric Rope Cutter – I have a few rope and webbing projects coming up, and like to use paracord for certain things. It’s about time I bought a proper rope cutter that can be mounted to a bench or jig.
3M/Peltor X-Series Earmuffs – X5A, X4A, X3A – I ordered a range of these X-series earmuffs for review purposes. The X3 seems to be slim medium-noise earmuffs, the X4 semi-compact medium-heavy noise earmuffs, and the X5 is the most protective of the line.
Orange 48″ Aluminum T-Track – This is the T-track recommended by RaptorLoc’s Jotham, and so I thought I should give it a try.
Aven Adjustable Circuit Board Holder – I have several premium-priced circuit board-holding devices at my disposal, but though that I should look at an inexpensive one as well. This one looks to be useful and functional. Look for the review after the new year.
Ronstan Single Pulley – I had to hoist some really heavy equipment and needed a strong and rated rope pulley. I looked at a cheap import pulley, but the manufacturer or seller couldn’t answer customers’ questions about load rating or rope capacity.
So I spent more on a brand that seemed reputable, and it paid off. This is a very fine pulley. It worked well, and gave me peace of mind. Although a little pricey, I’m sure I’ll have more uses for the two I bought.
Bondhus T-Handle Hex Key Set – I have Bondhus T-handle hex drivers in metric, but needed enough inch sizes to justify a set. The price of the set plus a stand is less than that for the same set that includes the stand. I’ll either make a stand, or buy the Bondhus set later on when I’m sure I’ll need it. Right now, my metric hex keys are in one place, and their stand in storage, and so I’m not too concerned about not having a stand with this set.
The smallest sizes are NOT ball end hex drivers, they’re straight hex drivers. But the long-reach sizes I need start at 5/32″, and so it works out well for my needs. The smallest ball end sizes do have narrower handles, to help reduce the chances of breakage. I can get over that.
Portamate PM-1100 Universal Mobile Base Kit – I have a piece of equipment that needs to be bolted-down to a plywood base, and so this Portamate mobile base kit seems like a good way to allow for both mobility and secure leveling.
Green Toys Tool Set (in blue and pink) – I took advantage of Amazon’s holiday sales to get my daughter a tool set. But since I bought one for my daughter, I had to buy one for my son, too.
Ikea’s tool toy set is almost as good, and better in some ways.
Microflex Nitrile Gloves – I needed more disposable gloves, and tend to like Microflex’s Supreno SE nitrile gloves. They’re pretty hardy, and perhaps best of all, they’re easy to reorder. I like Kimberly Clark’s purple gloves, too, but they can be harder to source.
Wera Wood-Handled Screwdriver – I was playing around with my Amazon Tool Deal Finder, and found this wood-handled Wera slotted screwdriver on sale. So, I bought one for review.
Hitachi Narrow Crown Stapler – I haven’t used it yet, but I have a few upcoming projects that’ll make good use of my new stapler. For project use, I often like to use “MY” tools, rather than a test review sample. It can help with context and perspective.
Hitachi Brad Nailer – Woo, a new brad nailer, too!
Hitachi 1/4″ x 50′ Air Hose – I need a small hose, so why not try Hitachi. I think I’ve seen this one so many times in stores, but am finally giving it a try. Bonus: it comes with quick-connect fittings pre-installed. I’ll have to see how I feel about it.
Grex 23 Gauge 3/4″ Headless Pins – Worried that I couldn’t run to the home center to buy headless pin nails, I bought a couple of sizes to go with my new pinner (ordered from Acme). I think I’ll use 3/4″ the most, so for that I went with Grex.
Porter Cable 23 Gauge 5/8″ Pin Nails – I wanted to try different brands’ of nails, and with Porter Cable for 5/8″-size pins.
Hitachi 23 Gauge 1″ Pin Nails – I don’t think I’ll use 1″ pins very often, but just in case, I figured I’d buy some to have around, and try Hitachi’s brand at the same time.
Porter Cable 5/8″ Staples – Knowing the size of staple I wanted, I bought a bulk pack of Porter Cable 5/8″ staples.
Ridgid Auto Detailing Vacuum Hose Accessory Kit – This kit was bundled with a holiday season vacuum deal at Home Depot. I didn’t need another vacuum, so I bought just the hose and accessory kit from Amazon.
Bosch 24pc Impact Tough Custom Case Screwdriver Bit Set – This new impact-rated screwdriver bit set is still on sale, for $10. I bought 6 sets so far – 2 at launch, and 4 more when this deal popped up.
Bosch 48pc Impact Tough Custom Case Screwdriver Bit Set – I bought 2 of these sets at launch, but I think I like the smaller set better, with its clear lid. It’s a tough clear plastic, too, the kind that feels like it’ll take a lot to crack or break.
Adobe Photography Plan: Photoshop and Lightroom – Another year, another Photoshop and Lightroom subscription. Ben has been trying out different software – Affinity – and while I might give that a try too, I’m too accustomed to an Adobe workflow to entertain that idea anytime soon.
Kershaw Blur Folding Knife – I couldn’t pass up a good deal.
Gateway Safety Glasses for Kids – I wanted to try different safety glasses for my kids, and think I like these Gateway glasses best.
Pyramex Safety Glasses for Kids – But these Pyramex glasses seem almost as good. The main difference to me is in the packaging, although small nuances convinced me that the glasses look similar but are not identical.
See More: Best Safety Glasses for Kids?
Eagle HDPE 14 Gallon Narrow Collection Drum – Thanks to Travis, I realized that I could use a tall and narrow collection bin for dust collector purposes, rather than the short but wide one I’ve seen a lot of other people use.
Wago Compact Lever-Nuts 3-Conductor Pack – I needed more of the slim Wago Lever Nuts, and Amazon had the best pricing I could find.
Wago Lever Nuts 5-Conductor Pack – The same goes for their traditional style, in 5-conductor sizing.
Makita XFD061 18V Brushless Drill/Driver – I couldn’t resist buying one of these Makita 18V brushless drill holiday season promo kits, for $99. My tests have been backburnered, but so far it’s decent. Here’s Ben’s review.
Pelican Glow in the Dark LED Flashlight – My new Pelican glow in the dark LED flashlight has actually come in handy a few times. And it’s pretty durable too, as my toddler can attest to. She likes to grab it off my desk and throw it on the floor. No matter where I move it to, even out of reach, she finds a way to get it.
Fusion Contigua Carabiner – I went on a carabiner-buying spree a few months ago. This small Fusion Contigua carabiner is one of my favorites, for accessory use. I’ve also used it in a few hoisting applications. They have solid gate and wire gate varieties, and I like both. They’re made in the USA.
3M Aura Flat-Fold Disposable N95 Respirator –
Bondhus Balldriver L-Wrench Double Pack – I bought several Bondhus ball end hex key sets as part of the DIY tool kit giveaway project I’ve fallen behind on. Naturally, I wanted one for myself, too.
Nanuk Professional Case with Cubed Foam – This was my first experience with Nanuk cases, but so far I’m impressed.
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Gen) – Amazon’s smart speaker isn’t flawless, but it’s worth the discounted price and small footprint it takes up on the shelf. It’s a good timer and clock, if nothing else.
Fiskars X7 Hatchet – I’m using lawn and yard cleanup work as an excuse to test the Fiskars X7 hatchet, which I’ve been curious about for a few years now.
Pelican 1010 Micro Waterproof Case – When you need a teeny tiny protective case, this one will do.
Dremel All-Purpose Accessory Kit – Who can’t use more Dremel accessories, especially of the EZ Lock variety? This was a deal of the day back in June.
Anker PowerCore+ Portable Battery Charger – This little guy has gotten me through 2 media events so far. I guess I should cycle it a few times between now and next season’s media events. It definitely won me over the Anker brand.
Read Also: USB Charging Adapter or Power Bank?
Uncle Bill’s Sliver Gripper Tweezers – Gosh I hate splinters. These Uncle Bill’s tweezers seem to do a good job at removing them.
Dewalt DCD777 Brushless Drill/Driver Kit – A friend of mine was moving into a house. She and her husband have some projects they want to work on, and so I sent her this kit for use and review purposes.
Family Handyman Subscription – Family Handyman is one of the few magazines whose advertising practices haven’t disgusted me yet.
Johnson Paste Wax – This stuff smells bad but adds a protective layer to uncoated steel.
Big Gulp Dust Collection Hood – I figured this would help with power tools that spew dust, chips, and debris all over the place.
Festool Clamping Elements Set – After needing these clamps for MFT/3 table and not having them, I gave in and bought a set.
Festool Quick Clamp – The same as with the other clamps. I needed them, but the price always pushed me away. Well, the cost will sting once, having the clamps available will pay off for years to come.
FastCap Babe-Bot Glue Bottle – This is a good little glue bottle. I haven’t used it since I posted about it. I guess I’ll find out how easy or difficult it is to remove dried glue from the spout.
Flexzilla Air Hose Reusable Fitting – Hmm, field-replaceable fittings that allow you to repair your Flexzilla air hose with mininal tools? I’ll give it a try. I bought two, so that I could turn one long air hose into two shorter ones.
Flexzilla 1/4″ x 50′ Air Hose – I haven’t cut it up yet, but I figure I’ll turn this into a 15′ air hose, and a 35′ one. The 15′ hose will be used with some accessories to create a cut line-clearing blower, since a dust collector vac doesn’t always do a good job at keeping things clean and clear.
Uvex Flex Seal Safety Goggles – Since I wear glasses and have yet to get prescription safety glasses, I need to work with over-the-glasses goggles. These are my current top pick.
Loc-Line Magnetic Base Manifold Kit – This kit has a magnetic base, and flex hoses that I believe can make a good air blower. I’ll attach it to a compressor, but have to be extremely about what the source pressure is. Loc-Line 1/4″ hoses are rated at 30-50 PSI. Remember, they’re typically used with liquids.
I plan on using them at the lowest pressure possible.
Wera Square #2 Screwdriver – It was on sale, and has already been quite useful.
Keyboard Keycap Puller – I bought a mechanical keyboard a few years ago, and it is currently my longest-lasting keyboard ever. I might buy a quieter one, because my keyboard’s Cherry MX Blue keys can be a little too loud when working at night.
I have a burnt-out LED that I hadn’t replaced yet.
With many brands’ wireless keyboards, you can’t remove the keys to clean underneath them. If you do, you risk breaking the small and delicate mechanisms. That happened to me once, and I’ve had other keyboards where a key failed and that was it.
With a mechanical keyboard, you can pop off the keycaps and clean underneath them. If a key switch fails, you can replace it with standard parts.
I lost the basic keycap remover that came with the keyboard, so I bought another one.
Yes, my Ducky keyboard was pricey – somewhere between $120 and $150, but it’s outlasted the 2 previous wireless keyboards that came before it.
Dell 34″ Curved LED-Lit Computer Monitor – I’ve talked about Dell’s 34″ monitors before. Basically, this one monitor replaced my dual-monitor setup, and I have not looked back. Well, technically this one replaced my first, less curved one, but I still use that first monitor in a different application.
Dewalt Portable Power Station Kit – This was a giveaway prize! I wish it was on sale then. The kit’s not on sale now, but the bare tool version is.
Dewalt 20V Max DCK283D2 Brushless Drill and Impact Driver Kit – This one too!
3M Narrow-Size VHB Tape – I thought I was getting 3M VHB tape in small widths. While I was, it wasn’t an OEM roll, it’s a small strip that’s cut off from a wider roll of tape. I guess that’s okay, because I have yet to find another source for narrow-width rolls of 3M’s excellent double-sided mounting tape.
Hakko Solder Reel Stand – An optional soldering accessory that holds standard-sized solder rolls, but one that makes my work a little easier. It costs less than $14.
Jet Air Filtration System – I have yet to mount my Jet air filter to the garage ceiling. Right now, it sits on top of a tall stand that’s rolled over to near where I’m working.
Why haven’t I mounted it yet? Because hanging hardware isn’t included, and I’ve been delayed in obsessively searching for load-rated or properly sized hardware.
MLCS Round-Over Beading Router Bit Set – These are okay 1/4″-shank round-over bits.
3M Hand Applicator Squeegee – Why did I buy this? I honestly don’t remember. I think maybe because it looked useful for applying label templates?
99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaner – This is better than drugstore alcohol for certain parts cleaning applications. It’s cheaper right now than what I paid, but one bottle lasts me a long time.
Feit LED Shop Light – I have two of these LED shop light fixtures in the basement, and am considering if they’ll work well in the garage as well. Although, for the garage, I’d probably prefer daisy-chainable fixtures.
Easy Wood Tools Easy Start Detailer Turning Tool – Easy Wood makes some very nice carbide insert turning tools.
Tetra Whisper Air Pump – I thought I could use a small aquarium pump as a mini air blower, rather than compressed air, but it just doesn’t move enough volume.
Rotatrim 18″ Professional Paper Cutter – This is a very pricey paper cutter and trimmer, but presumably the last I’ll ever need. I’ve used it to cut specialty materials as well, such as solar eclipse film to fit a DIY filter holder.
3pc Plastic Graduated Cylinder Set – They’re tall liquid-holding containers.
5pc Plastic Beaker Set – These are small measuring beakers, made of plastic.
Transfer Pipettes, 3.0ml 100-pack – These are essentially inexpensive disposable eyedroppers. Read More here.
3M PPS Mini Pressure Cup – I haven’t used my Fuji spray gun yet, which is a big shame, but it will definitely see use this spring when the weather warms up. I have a couple of projects waiting to be finished, and more projects lined up to be started.
3M’s PPS system means I can use my Fuji sprayer with a disposable (semi-reusable if you listen to expert users) cup system. It’s said to be quicker, easier, and requires far less cleanup than if you use whatever container comes with a typical spray gun.
3M PPS Mini Size Cup Liners with Filters – The 3M PPS system requires a pressure cup, and pop-in liners with filtered tops. I went with the mini cup size, since I anticipate working with smaller projects.
Going with a different size requires a different size pressure cup, and different size liner cups. Since the liner cups are sold in bulk, I wanted to be sure before I went with more than one size.
3M PPS Adapter for Fuji Spray Gun – This is the magical component that transforms my Fuji spray gun into a 3M PPS system-compatible spray gun.
TCP Ultra-Flow Paint Strainers – These get gunk out of your finish, which should help reduce clogging.
Fuji 6-foot Whip Hose – The hose that comes with Fuji spray guns are heavy. Most users recommend this whip hose, for better user comfort, and so I bought one the same time I ordered my sprayer.
DeVilbiss Spray Gun Cleaning Bottle – Squeeze bottles help to get water (or other compatible fluids) into nooks, cavities, and tubing that would be otherwise difficult to clean.
Seville Classics 5-Tier Steel Wire Shelving Unit – Wire shelving racks are quick to set up, and quite sturdy. I’ve used them for both temporary and permanent storage needs. They have higher load capacities when you use the adjustable feet, rather than the caster wheels.
Grafix Ink Jet Film – Although pricier than label material, this special film can be useful for trickier templates, or for labeling control panels, and things like that.
Pelican LED Keychain Flashlight – This itty bitty LED flashlight is a nice little keychain-sized light. The blue is on sale right now, tempting me to buy one or two more.
Victorinox Swisstool Right Angle Screwdriver Bit Holder – When buying a Victorinox SwissTool, I had a choice between a mini ratchet or angled screwdriver bit holder. I opted for the ratchet, but added the angled bit holder to my wishlist.
I have a Craftsman angled bit wrench like this, and its magnet ripped out with the first or second use. But this Victorinox one? I don’t use it much, but it doesn’t disappoint.
Will
What brand are those locking pliers in your first pic
Stuart
Channellock, made by Grip-on. I bought them from a liquidator a long time ago, they’re discontinued. But you can buy the same thing from Grip-On or their current partners, such as Proto and Snap-on.
A W
Good post.
“I buy new tools and equipment throughout the need.” I think this should say throughout the year, although there are gradients of need and I buy tools across the need spectrum. 🙂
Stuart
Thanks, fixed!
3200 words and I’m bound to make some mistakes, hehe. With that one, I had fixed an error in the following sentence and couldn’t figure out why I had to correct it a second time. I guess the first correction messed up the first sentence.
A W
I’ve been thinking about your question (what tools have I purchased and how do I like them), but I’m going to go back to Black Friday of last year, since that’s when I got into the M18 line.
Over the past year I’ve done some substantial home renovations and built one piece of furniture (a loft bed). Unfortunately, I’m travelling at the moment, so I don’t have all the tool names in front of me.
Corded:
Bosch 470 barrel grip jigsaw. Amazon. 5 star. For a long time, I tried to work around not having a jigsaw, using an oscillating multi-tool, a hackzall, or even a router to work around not having one. This is a tool I should have bought a long time ago. I really like the barrel grip, and being able to cut delicate pieces from underneath the work piece. I also like the precision and control from this Bosch unit.
Dremel 4000 2/30. Amazon. 4 star. The dremel is a tool that is very versatile, but isn’t as fun and exciting as some of the others I’ve bought this year. I lost a similar tool from Craftsman years ago, and had put off replacing it. Amazon had it for $40 during Cyber week, and I finally pulled the trigger. It’s not the first tool I reach for, but there are certainly cases where I need the precision capability.
Cordless:
Milwaukee M18 brushed impact driver. Northern Tool. 5 star. This little tool is phenomenal. I haven’t really run into a situation that 1500 in lbs of torque won’t get me out of, and I use this guy constantly. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but the trigger pull on it is really nice, and gives me about 7-10 different speed increments. A gentle pull works perfect for adjusting drivewall screws, while a full trigger pull will drive in 6″ lag screws with hardly any hesitation.
Milwaukee M18 brushed 1/2″ hammer drill. Northern Tool. 4 star. It’s good for what it is. The metal chuck is nice, and very accurate, but you really have to make sure it’s tight if you don’t want it to loosen up on you. With hex spade bits, helix bits, and driving accessories, I find myself reaching for the impact driver much more than the drill. Occasionally, I find myself wishing for an extra handle, but putting my free hand on the battery pack usually does the same job.
Milwaukee M18 brushed hackzall. Northern Tool. 5 star. This tool was a key reason I went with the M18 lineup. Being able to have a reciprocating saw in one hand, and hold my workpiece with the other (like a traditional hand saw), gives this tool a very nice versatility. Would a longer stroke length be nice, sure, but the safety of a balanced, one handed saw was a tradeoff I was glad to make.
Milwaukee M18 LED kit light. Northern Tool. 3 star. It’s fine. The light is definitely more blueish than Milwaukee’s other LED offerings.
Milwaukee M18 Rocket stand light (first generation, without charging capability). Acme. 5 star. I love this thing! Compared to a the old Halogen lights, this is lighter, sturdier, more portable, faster to set up, and doesn’t raise the temperature by ten degrees. There’s one less cord to manage, and this made drywalling and painting a ceiling much faster. My halogen light had a max height of about 5′, which meant I had to move it and a table around to get harsh light on the ceiling. The extra 2 feet of height makes a big difference. I thought that managing the batteries would be a pain, but it hasn’t been. If I could only have two M18 tools, I’d take this and the hydraulic surge impact driver.
Hand Tools
DeWalt hand chisels. Home Depot. 2 star. I probably had unrealistic expectations on these, as the DeWalt, made in the UK branding had me hopeful for something that would hold up fairly well. However, after the first project (notching out a 2″ by 1.125″ rectangle 1/8″ deep in fir), the blade of the chisel had already started to deform noticeably. I did a little bit of edge shaving with it, but we’re talking about a very small project, in a pretty soft wood. I was disappointed. I’ll probably try a 4 pack of Stanley Sweethearts, and hope that twice the investment gets me way more than twice the quality.
Milwaukee 2105 AAA powered flashlight. Home Depot. 4 star. This is a good light. I love the color of the light from this flashlight, and the switch on it seems like it will last a long time (unlike some of the cheap pen lights I’ve purchased in the past). The only downside to using this as an EDC light (which I do) is that the bright red pocket clip tends to stand out when wearing a pair of khakis. If they had gone with their Inkzall color scheme (black clip, red body), it would be less conspicuous.
Milwaukee 25′ magnetic tape measure. Home Depot. 5 star. I went to Home Depot intending to get the DeWalt 2 pack, but the Milwaukee 2 pack was a much more premium buy.
Kobalt 16 ounce hammer. Lowes. 3 star. It was $5. And it’s a decent hammer. Solid purchase.
Estwing 24 ounce framing hammer. Home Depot. 5 star. Wow. I’ve tried framing out walls with a 16 ounce finish hammer and with a 24 ounce machinists hammer, but trying to drive 6D 3 inch nails with either of those was a frustrating experience. Having a good framing hammer makes an incredible difference, and I should have bought one a while ago.
Other:
Gorilla Ladders 300 lb platform. Home Depot. 5 star. This is a good ladder, and I’ve been very happy with it.
Kreg Jig. Amazon. 5 star. This is a very nice pocket hole kit, and it has proved useful.
Empire levels, aluminum ruler, and rafter’s square. Home Depot. 5 star. Good tools. I like them.
Ridgid Miter Saw “Utility Vehicle” aka rolling stand. Home Depot. 5 star. This thing is awesome. Very well built, and I like that I can quickly detach the saw from the stand if I need a smaller footprint. The only downside is that it’s large and bulky to store, but this is definitely a time-saving piece of equipment.
Accessories:
5 star: Bosch jigsaw blades. Bosch OMT blades, Makita impact driver sockets. Bosch and Diablo router bits. Diablo carbide tipped Demo Demon reciprocating saw blades. Milwaukee Hole saw kit. Milwaukee right angle drill attachment (don’t use it often, but when I need it, it’s incredibly useful).
4 star: Milwaukee sawzall blades. Milwaukee Red Helix drill bits, Milwaukee impact bits. Ridgid, Rockwell, DeWalt OMT blades.
Diplomatic Immunity
Geez I don’t want to see your credit card bill. This is adding up to a lot of monies.
Stuart
I try not to think about it. There are two voices inside of my head, one for me, one for ToolGuyd.
I was hesitant to post about the socks, b/c $14-20 for a pair of socks seems crazy without more of a back story. I started wearing wool socks years ago, and they last me a LOT longer than the cotton or cotton blend socks I used to buy, and are a LOT more comfortable, too.
The new socks are replacing ones from 2011/2012, when I ordered a couple of pairs to replace my then-oldest ones. A couple of new pairs every 5-6 years isn’t bad. Is it?
The socks were personal purchases, but I thought they were worth mentioning. Not necessarily the brand, but the wool aspect. My wife was a fierce critic a few years ago, but now it’s also all she’ll wear.
Personal purchases take a lot of self-convincing and decision making. But ToolGuyd purchases? Different business decision thought processes come into play.
Somehow, I manage to dissociate ToolGuyd purchasing decisions from personal ones. I HAVE to. It’s the same pocket, but it has to be treated differently. When a purchase is made for a product or service for ToolGuyd purposes, it doesn’t come out of MY pocket, even though it really comes out of my pocket.
You REALLY don’t want to see ToolGuyd’s bills, trust me.
But I have not once wished I/ToolGuyd was more like some magazines and reviewers who will only look at items that land in their hands for free. Yes, I test and review samples, but I also believe in putting money back into the site.
So when someone asks for more European hand tool reviews, more knife reviews, different pliers reviews, etc, I don’t have to stick to a path determined by what I’m able to get my hands on for free. I won’t say no to (most) review samples, but they won’t put up any boundaries.
2018 is going to be a big catch-up year for me, and also a big giveaway, donation, and giftaway year. Shipping costs are going to hurt.
My efforts to review tools that interested me helped to fuel early ToolGuyd growth and popularity. That kind of coverage slowed in recent years because of the time my kids required. But now that my youngest is in nursery school, expect to see a revival of full-photo reviews and other types of posts I deeply enjoy. =)
Patrick H
Thanks Stuart. I have always appreciated your buy it yourself approach. It definitely lends credibility and trust to the site knowing the a majority of things didn’t get cherry picked or “special attention” some review items seem to get some places.
Have you used the MLCS bits yet? I have some and was disappointed. They didn’t seem to stay sharp long and tended to heat up no matter what I did.
Stuart
I have a couple of MLCS assortments, all purchased because I had a particular application in mind and didn’t want to splurge for Freud or better.
I haven’t encountered any issues with them yet, but they typically see lighter use than the Freud set I bought a few years ago.
fred
MLCS router bits seem to come in 2 varieties: those under their own name and some dubbed Katana. I don’t have much experience with either. For personal and work use, I’ve bought mostly bits from Amana, CMT, Freud, Southeast Tool and Whiteside.
I think we liked Whiteside and Freud bits the best.
Of course for light-duty use – their are lots of outlets that sell discount bits. MLCS and their Eagle America subsidiary are ones. Infinity Cutting Tools, Peachtree Woodworking, Rockler, Woodcraft, and Woodline are other vendors that come to mind. HD sells cheapy sets from Ryobi too.
fred
I’ve bought these socks again this year for my son who got a few pairs last winter and raved about them :
https://www.amazon.com/Browning-Hosiery-Uplander-Merino-X-Large/dp/B004VPGSB0/
Pete
So what type of toothbrush and toilet paper are toolguyd approved? Lol
Jk! Thanks for the website stuart! Its been an awesome year.
Heres my post wants next year-
Hardhats-most comfortable
Pants-most movable, comfortable, and durable. My pants seem to last a month sometimes…
Stuart
Oral B, with my dentist’s name on it. Cottonelle.
I rarely wear hard hats, but that can be a reader poll type of post.
Work pants: I’ll work on some things and get back to you on this, but it’ll also likely be a reader question type of post.
I have found that you cannot have movable and comfortable and durable pants. Pick 2 out of 3?
Dan
Allamericanclothing.com has the best jeans I have ever worn. I think personally they satisfy 3/3.
David Zeller
Well, I just bought the Jet air filtration unit from your link above. Hope it helps!
I’ve posted it before, but thanks again for running the site.
David
Brian
I’ve had mine for a few years and really like it – it can really pull a lot of air through the filters so be sure to keep them clean. Not a shill, but I found that you can order custom sized filters that will fit it (and just about any other device that requires an air filter) from AirFiltersDelivered.com in 1/8″ increments for both length and width. The Jet states it uses 12″x24″ filters but it’s like 12 1/8″ by 24 1/4″ (??? – just from memory, so I may be a bit off). You can measure the opening when you get it.
Jeremiah
Regarding good socks you mentioned darn tough, I recently got a couple pairs because they are made in U.S. And have a lifetime warranty. Reviews say they hold up very well
Gary
I bought a dozen or so M18 power tools and some Milwaukee hand tools, mostly from Acme and Zoro. Yesterday I picked up my Flexvolt miter saw from HD (Deal of the Day … thanks Toolguyd). In early January I’m planning to win Acme’s Bosch woodworking tool giveaway.
Charles
We need to see the projects this stuff is used on!
Stuart
I’m working up to that!
I plan on using the winter to get everything in order, and for adapting to a new and more permitting schedule.
There are some things I’ve been working on, and soooooo many more that I’ve had to backburner.
A big reason for this list is to invite specific product questions, since many of them won’t be formally mentioned or reviewed for quite some time.
Scott K
I second this. I really enjoy reading your reviews. I think some more project-based posts would add more context to the reviews.
fred
I bought a some Milwaukee cordless tools (edger, hedge trimmer, blower, hand vacuum) as gifts. I also bought a Makita cordless chain saw and cordless router (as a gift).
For myself – here is my list:
GENUINE AMERICAN B01LZB5D17 (AMAZON) LOG GRABBER TONGS
GREX FT230.1 EDGE GUIDE FOR 23GA PIN NAILER
GUARDIAN FALL PROTECTION 2ELP5 LADDER STABILIZER CLAMP
HAWS V200 HOUSE PLANT MISTER
INFINITY CUTTING TOOLS VRS-100 VERTICAL ROUTER SLED
MAP TOOLS RULER100N NAUTICAL MAP RULER – 1:100000
MAP TOOLS RULER10N NAUTICAL MAP RULER – 1:10000
ONEIDA AIR SYSTEMS AXH000001 ROUTER DUST COLLECTION HOOD
QUAL-CRAFT 2477 LADDER RUNG STEP
SENECA WOODWORKING 1/4 IN. DIA DOMINO CUTTER
SENECA WOODWORKING 3/8 IN. DIA DOMINO CUTTER
SENECA WOODWORKING 1/2 IN. DIA DOMINO CUTTER
SOUTHEAST TOOL 50138HS FISHTAIL DRILL BIT
STOCKADE A12506 STAPLE-MATE – STAPLE PULLER PLIERS
TRUE POSITION TOOLS TP-BWJ CABINET BASE WIRING JIG
VERITAS TOOLS 05P59.01 COMBINATION PLANE
VERITAS TOOLS 05P76.64 DEPTH STOP FOR SKEW BLOCK PLANE
WATER RIGHT MU POLYURETHANE SOAKER HOSE
WOODHAVEN 8325 OFFSET HANDLE BASE FOR COLT ROUTER
Michaelhammer
I have invested heavily in the Milwaukee battery platform, most of which come from CPO. I also have a heavy investment in T-Stak mostly from Tool Barn. I recently purchased another Festool dust extractor, this time the CT26 from toolnut. From Amazon I get most of my table saw blades, multitool blades, rotozip bits, dust masks, etc. Although, I did pick up Fast Cap’s chisel set. The folding handle makes them great for the pouch and the diamond hone makes it quick and easy to hit them before every use. The downside is the handle can uncomfortable to use, especially if you are mortising a half dozen locksets. Also the steel is on the brittle side.
Speaking of chisels, have you ever considered reviewing LieNielsen chisels? I love their planes and would be interested in your opinion of their chisels. Love my antique Stanley chisels, but they bend very easily. My Two Cherries won’t hold an edge.
Stuart
I have a few Veritas tools on my backlog. To be frank, I’d have to finish those reviews before I could think of turning my attention to Lie Nielsen.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word uttered about Lie Nielsen, except maybe about their pricing.
glenn
Amazon have just recently started up their retail sector arm in Australia.
My following comments about purchasing from Amazon are based on being an Australian rather than being a resident of the USA, and if I offend, it is certainly not intended.
There is no way I will ever spend any of my dollars where an outside, foreign company gets a double bite of my income. I am already supporting the Chinese economy by using Milwaukee tools and there is no way I will ever support any other middle man than the tool retailers in this country.
In fact, I will go so far to say that Amazon will never see even a single cent from me……………. Ever.
Stuart
The thing about Amazon and Milwaukee’s parent company, TTI, is that they’re publicly-traded companies. While their origin countries might receive some economical benefits, so do countries where they have headquarters.
Andy
And let’s not forget. Everyone all over the globe that invests in these companies benefits as well. It’s getting to the point that I almost feel guilty buying things from privately held businesses.
glenn
Stuart, I am well aware that TTI manufacture Milwaukee tools as well as Ryobi, Aeg, Hoover etc, but my point still stands, that I absolutely refuse to pay a royalty perse to another country for a purchase I make in my home country.
Stuart
I can understand and appreciate your point, but I’m not seeing how it’s a royalty to another country.
But I also don’t have full understanding of how every $1 in profit (or revenue during non-profitably periods) is distributed between Amazon’s local host country, origin country (USA), shareholders, or other places where their money goes.
glenn
Stuart,
Not to be obtuse, but if a retailer such as Amazon is making a profit, they are indeed skimming profit from the original price.
And if said company if offshore, the profits are most definitely going back to the companies country of origin.
No way do I want to send my hard earnt to USA. I want it to stay here, with the tool shop that supply us, not Amazon nor the USA.
fred
Your comments got me thinking about how I spent my money in 2017. While living in the USA, my wife and I (plus or minus some of the family) also visited Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, and Switzerland in 2017 – contributing to their economies. My gift tool buying of Makita tools – contributed to the economies of Japan, China, the UK and Singapore having items purportedly made in those countries. My Milwaukee gifts – were mostly made in China – with battery cells from Korea. I looked at the purchases I made for my own use – that I listed above – and here’s what I found:
CANADA $453.51 30%
CHINA $49.69 3%
NEW ZEALAND $87.00 6%
TAIWAN $129.90 9%
UK/ENGLAND $17.99 1%
UNSPECIFIED $29.39 2%
USA $720.08 48%
total $1,487.56
The USA numbers may be a bit skewed – because a bit over $300 were for Seneca Woodworking Domino cutters that are really Festool cutters made in Germany and then re-ground in the USA. Sorry that nothing bought in 2017 hailed from Australia – but I have bought quite a few Australian-made items from Arbortech over the years. The Stockade fence staple puller was made in New Zealand.
Regarding retailers, in 2017 I bought from Amazon, but also from Acme, Coastal Tool, Lee Valley, Seneca Woodworking, ToolUp, and Tools-Plus,
Stuart
Amazon’s international entities are seemingly run as if they were local companies.
And because it’s publicly-owned, some of the profits are also distributed among the owners, which can be anyone. You and I can purchase parts of the company, in the form of stocks.
Amazon tends to spend aggressively on growth, and so money in could very well be money spent locally.
Besides that, if they’re setting up a footprint in Australia, that company will be run locally, rather than by Amazon USA or Amazon Europe.
How do you know that the money you spend will go to Amazon USA, rather than stay within the country?
That all said, I’ve got nothing against the intent to solely shop via local independent stores.
Your argument is the same one used by people to say they don’t want to buy Milwaukee tools because the brand is owned by a Chinese-based publicly-owned company.
They argue that all the money goes back to China. After personally seeing how much money Milwaukee tool is funneling into their USA HQ and facilities, and into Empire Level, I have seen firsthand evidence contrary to this. I’m willing to bet that the same is true with Amazon.
I know your standpoint is “I want to support local retailers” but it’s coming across as “I don’t want to support foreign companies because they’ll leave with all the money they make here,” which might or might not be supported by facts about how Amazon distributes money made outside the USA.
If Amazon is setting up local shop in Australia in a similar way they have done with their international stores and HQs, where did that money come from? They’re not starting from zero, and so they’re investing money made from USA and EU sales, and probably elsewhere.
So they’re taking money made from our purchases, and using it to expand into Australia.
fred
The world is indeed a strange place – the Internet and the globalization of economies makes it even stranger. Having run and earned my living from businesses and shops (I hesitate to call either of them factories) that were local to my area, I’m sensitive to the needs to support the local economy. I guess that I’m a bit more satisfied when I can buy from a source like Tools-Plus or Coastal Tool via the Internet – get a good deal and remember having good experiences dealing with them at their bricks and mortar stores. While I like Amazon, I also like supporting smaller (compared to Amazon) tool businesses like Acme, AW Meyer, Burns Tool, Hartville Tool, International Tool, ToolBarn, ToolNut and ToolUp because a world where Amazon becomes the only game in town is not one I prefer to contemplate.
Back to how profits get shared, I guess that I’m happier that my Honda Accords are assembled in Ohio rather than in Japan – and that Makita plus Milwaukee use some of their profits to expand operations in the US.
Stuart
Oh, I certainly agree there are benefits to shopping locally or through independent suppliers.
firefly
I concur. I like Amazon for the most part but I would hate to see the day when they are the only game in town. So I always try my best to support my local supplier when I am isn’t too lazy because Amazon just make it too easy sometimes.
Oh the other day I needed some 2″ PVC nipple. So I called around checking with my local plumping supplier. One of the woman at one of the place that I called promptly hung up after she gave me a flat no as soon as she heard the question. Though I don’t know for sure but I have a feeling she didn’t know what a PVC nipple is… The guys at the plumbing supply was having a field day after I told them the story.
glenn
My last comment on this discussion.
As I have stated earlier, I will never buy from Amazon.
I will continue supporting our local tool shops as they do not have a record of, or are frequently accused of underpaying staff that work in poor conditions.
Nor are they regularly accused of selling fake goods or never showing a profit to deliberately keep dividends down.
They also do not practice predatory pricing by selling goods at cost for long periods to force other businesses to comply or simply just close shop just because they can afford to.
Further, they do not give away free goods to garner ridiculously high feedback/reviews. etc, etc, etc.
Overall, their business model smacks of megalomania, whereby enough is just never enough and it believes it can survive without any one else.
If this sounds like a rant…..It is. Lol, over.
Alien
That Ridgid auto detailing kit for shop vacuums – I got a 50 ft 1.25″ hose from Cen-Tec so I don’t need another hose, and they also have longer – 24″ – narrow crevice tools, in rigid and flexible types, but no one seems to have the triangular dusting and scrubbing brushes available individually.
Might you know of a source for them?
Stuart
I did a quick search, couldn’t find any, and that helped push forward my decision to buy the set. Emerson might sell the brushes separately.
FM2176
I was issued some Darn Tough socks prior to deploying to Afghanistan. I still wear them on foot marches but wear cheaper socks daily (mostly due to the Darn Tough socks taking a while to put on as they fit perfectly). Also, I too subscribed to Family Handyman. The price is decent and they offer excellent content with little filler.
As for tools, I bought a lot…especially in cordless power tools, paying clearance prices for many of them. Here’s a partial list:
DeWalt:
(2) 20v Max miter saw
DCV517 vacuum
(2) DCD985 drills
DCD791 drill
DCD796 drill
DCD996 drill
20v Max finish nailer
Drywall cutout tool
Drywall screwgun
(3) ToughSystem radios
FlexVolt 12″ sliding miter saw kit
FlexVolt table saw kit
Milwaukee:
M18 Fuel Sawzall
M18 Fuel circular saw
M18 Fuel d-handle rotary hammer
M18 Fuel high torque impact impact wrench (2763)
M18 Fuel high torque impact wrench kit (2767-22)
Tower light
Ridgid:
18v router
18v orbital sander
(2) hybrid fans
18v vacuum
18v compressor
Other:
Estwing and Vaughan hammers
Channellock adjustable wrenches
A bunch of Goldblatt drywall tools thanks to Lowe’s clearance
Those are just off the top of my head. 2018 will probably see some bench tools added as I move to my final assignment before retirement.
FD
Except for the ongoing detail in the US news with our major national debt / tax income troubles, that international subsidiairies keep their gains abroad and re-investments abroad, because any profits brought back home are subject to 35% tax.
So what you have is AMZ AU starting with US money and know how, employing locally and re-investing locally in AU … offering some price competition to Mitre 10, Bunnings, and alike … which are the equivalent of our Home Depot and Lowes.
I am not a fan of mega corps either, but in my case living rather rurally, AMZ offers the other dominating big corp box stores (with average selection, not so cheap prices, poor customer service and million dollar executives) some competition, the internet product variety is x-fold, and products get delivered in two business days.
I don’t have to drive a half hour or hour each way for anything, small or medium sized, that they may have or not. Plus, I really don’t like to pay full MSRP $5-50-100-etc extra, over and over and over, for the exact same products. I have made repeated trips now to a small locally owned lumber yard, but it takes an extra twenty – thirty minutes, because they are opposite of where I live and I have to fight traffic. I’m sure if I lived on the other side of town, they’d get more of my support. Still, their tool and accessory selection is $$$
George
2 thumbs up for the Keen utility Dura-Zone crew socks. A twin pack is $26 with free shipping at this time from Keen. Left and right socks, seamless toe…. I have no relationship with Keen but have purchased and worn these for a while, and they are a great lower cost option in the world of socks.
https://www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-UTILITY-2-PK.html
Samr
I haven’t seen a lot of tool-related clothing gear on here, which I’m not sure is something you ever intend to review, but far and away my best “tool” purchase on Amazon this year was a 3-pack of leather work gloves.
I’ve gone through so many different pairs over the years, from the cheap to the expensive, and since I use them for everything from gardening to processing firewood to welding to woodworking, they get worn out pretty quick. These guys are not only the most comfortable I’ve ever used, but also some of the cheapest (and since you get 3 in a pack, durability really isn’t an issue, though I’ve yet to have any issues with any of them).
3-pack of cowhide leather work gloves, $22.39 (XL)
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J5UUSLG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They aren’t prime shipping anymore like they used to be, but still free shipping. I’ve ordered 3 sets over the year, given a few away, kept a few as backup.
Brian
I love those big wire shelves. I bought three of the 82″x48″x18″ 6-shelves from eBay this year because they were only $60 shipped. I think I only paid $45 for one of them with an eBay coupon.
firefly
I like this kind of post. I know it deviate a bit from the typical tool guy stuff but also I love to hear about every day stuff from a site like your. So I am glad you posted about the socks. When it come to everyday stuff I don’t mind spending the money to get the best stuff.
Just curious what kind of chair do you have in your office? I have the Leap chair and I love it. Other swear by their Aeron chair…
Stuart
Ikea Markus.
I tried a Herman Miller Embody a few years ago, as it offered all kinds of ergonomic adjustments. It hurt my back and I ended up returning it after maybe a week.
I’ve been meaning to find something better than the Markus, but every time I look at something new, there are users that love ’em, and those that hate ’em. I need to find a day at a showroom before I’ll try anything more than $200 again.
JGonzo
I grew up in West Michigan, where all the office furniture is designed and made. As such, I’ve had a chance to use pretty much all of thei chairs. I still use my 15 year old Aeron (god bless furniture for which repairs and parts are offered) and have owned the Embody, Leap, and Mirra chairs. I bought a Sayl chair for my fiancée back in 2011 and if I’m being completely honest, it’s the most comfortable of the bunch, despite being reasonably priced. Worth taking a test drive.
firefly
The Aeron is pretty good. I have used them at several corporate place that I worked for. It’s very durable. The Leap just happen to fit my body/sitting style better. Almost all of my backpain are gone when I use the Leap.
The thing with chair is that it’s something that you must try them out for a few days if not weeks. I did notice significant improvement when I first sat on the Leap though. I guess that chair was made for me :)))
JGonzo
Stuart – I recently picked up a couple of the Feig LED shop lights at Costco (started stocking them in-store here in MO for the holidays) and they are now daisy-chainable to a maximum of four fixtures.
JGonzo
Errr, Feit. Autocorrect strikes again…
Allen
Yeah, I thought wool socks were crazy until I finally tried some a couple winters ago.
Haven’t worn anything else since, winter or summer. They last many times longer than anything else.
For some reason the USA has lots of really good sock makers.
fred
I trained lots of boy scouts and adult scouters for what we called Klondike Derbies and Operation Okpik. Upstate NY and Maine found me teaching outdoor skills in January and February. Polypropylene sock liners, wool socks, insulated boots and standing atop some foundation insulation foam all helped. I never tried any of those heated socks – but some guys liked them. I now leave it to younger men to have fun in the cold – preferring Sanibel in the winter.
firefly
Just curious why did you choose to go with a pulley set up vs a hoist? The only draw back for a chain hoist that I can see is weight. I prefer the manual chain hoist in most case because of the automatic brake. Another option is to use a manual worm gear winch with a pulley. Both a worm gear winch or manual chain hoist will give you very smooth up and down control in manual lifting application with automatic braking. Most electric chain hoist are rather jerky.
Stuart
I looked at a couple of options, and saw complaints about capacity, rusting chains, and low quality.
Pulleys will be more potentially reusable for me, and smaller to store.
I looked at winches very briefly, before seeing the price. Plus, winches are often designed for mainly horizontal applications. I didn’t want to take any chances or spend any unneeded time trying to figure out potential hazards if I were to mount them for vertical lifting.
It was for the head unit of my new drill press, which weighs maybe more than 100 lbs, less than 150 lbs. I needed more of a mechanical aid than a super-duty lifting solution.
Once the load was stable, which I had some trouble with, I raised it in a few steps. First up to sawhorse height, and then up to max height, and then I pushed it up and onto the drill press pier.
The pulleys could/should be reusable in future test jig or lifting applications, and the same for the rope I bought to use for it. I also bought 6″ x 1/2″-13 eyebolts, which I might not reuse so soon, but the large washers and hex nuts will be used, since I tend to use 1/2″ threaded shaft leveling feet on a lot of things.
The 2x4s I used to build the temporary frame will be cut down and used for different kinds of power tool or accessory tests, or I might use parts of them in small projects. The same with the Spax 2-1/2″ and 3″ screws.
My next heavier-than-I-can-lift purchase (maybe a larger benchtop mill) will require different lifting equipment. But in this case, I only needed a strength multiplier.
firefly
I agree that a pulley set up is a lot more versatile. Though I think you would be well served with a manual worm gear winch. They can be use for vertical lifting application and are fairly compact. Perhaps your set up is different but most of the time a pulley set up require the rope to be tied down in someway to secure the load. It can be difficult to do so while trying to maintain the load position.
The nice thing about worm gear winch is that there is no level to mess with. No free spooling to worry about. In short, you won’t have to worry about a load crashing down on you. There is no brake, because the brake is the worm gear itself. The no free spool feature can also be a drawback because the handle must be turned to move the winch. Since most worm gear have fairly high ratio it can be a very tedious manual process. That’s why the hex drive option that allow the use of a power drill is a great option to have.
This USA made worm gear winch here have the hex drive option. https://www.amazon.com/Dutton-Lainson-Company-WG1500HD-Winch-Drive/dp/B00775LIWK/
There are some draw back to worm gear winch such as speed and duty cycle though neither would apply in this instance I don’t think.
Stuart
That looks like it might have fit the bill. I’ll keep it in mind for next time!
My temporary setup involved building a 2×4 frame. 2 eyebolts went through a 2×4 at the top. Rope tied off to one with a bowline knot, then routed through bottom pulley attached to load, and then through top pulley. I pulled it down, and then tensioned it via loop on the bottom around a 2×4 cross-member, for security.
I should have had my wife help me.
Process went like this – pull rope, stabilize load, tension and secure slack in the rope, rest, repeat.
firefly
Glad you got it all workout. It would be a lot easier with a second person for sure. Since you got 2 pulley that should be a 2 to one advantage… so about 50-75 lbs. That’s still fairly heavy but manageable.
SS
Late to this party but from a new reader congrats on a swell 2017 Stu. For VHB tape, if you’re in a bind, want something quick and easy to find, 3M, thin, and fairly priced… mounding tape is good stuff. I believe it’s a little pricier than VHB as I think it’s a slightly higher build and has better bad weather resistance, but I’ve used that more than VHB and always found it excellent. Any local pep boys or autozone should have it all the way down to like 6mm.
Robert Blackwelder
What is the purple tool third from the right
Love your reviews!
Stuart
Irazola Tekno+ 5mm ball end hex driver, purchased in England.
They’re now available under Bahco branding. I bought a few other sizes, either from Amazon UK or DE.
Robert Blackwelder
Thanks!
Donny
I recently discovered the tool libraries in my city and I have to say I’m looking forward to saving money on items I’d only use once or twice as well and keeping the clutter/items/consumption in check.
Donny
…but I am going to order some of that 99.9% isopropyl alcohol and a new drill.
Russ
Keychain flashlights? Check this one out: Streamlight 73200 KeyMate USB
Amazon $16.60