The holiday season is a time for giving, and also for treating oneself to tools that are at the top of their wishlist. There are a couple of tools that I will definitely be buying soon, either when the right deal comes along, or my next credit card reward points gift card.
Here are the top 3 from my wishlist, which will soon be making it onto my shopping list. What about you? What kind of tools are you looking to buy?
And if you think you have everything you could want or need for your projects, be sure to check out our ultimate tool gift guide, which might just have something you didn’t know about.
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Knipex Pliers Wrench, 6″ Size
I have written about the Knipex Pliers Wrench several times before, and thanks to our friends at KC Tool I had the chance to try out the 5″ model. This truly is an awesome hybrid tool – half pliers, half adjustable wrench.
I use mine for so many different things – from turning stubborn or delicate fasteners, to pressing my watch back together after changing the battery.
KC Tool provided the 5″ size, and I previously bought the Knipex Pliers Wrench in 7″ and 10″ sizes. I’ve been wondering if the 6″ size would be great for my needs, but the price is a little high for something I don’t need.
I almost bought it on Amazon recently, when it was $40, but then it shot up to $56. It’s now $47, and I’m hoping it goes down a little. Or maybe I can snag it from an industrial supplier during their Black Friday or Cyber Monday discount.
A couple of readers asked about the differences between the 5″ and 6″ versions, so maybe I can justify the purchase as a “for the benefit of the community” expense.
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Get Your Own(via Amazon)
Mitutoyo Inside Micrometers
I have plenty of tools for measuring inside diameters, such as the inner sizing of tubing, washers, shaft collars, and other such things, but I’ve been wishing I had a good pair of inside micrometers. They’re just easier and quicker to use.
These Mitutoyo inside micrometers, model 145-193, can measure internal diameters from 0.2″ to 1.2″ with 0.001″ graduations, and 0.00025″ accuracy.
Why not digital inside measurements? Because these Vernier scale analog ones will last the rest of my life, and then some, with good care. Besides, analog micrometers and calipers don’t have batteries that might need replacing. There’s also the fact that Mitutoyo digital inside micrometers cost sooooo much more ($554 at Amazon!).
These are $200 at Amazon and elsewhere. I’m hoping to score them for 25% or 30% off from an industrial supplier.
Get Your Own(via Amazon)
Bosch 1294VSK Detail Sander
Although I own a couple of sanders and a great oscillating multi-tool, there are times when I really wish I had a sander that could reach into tight edges, corners, and narrow spaces.
This Bosch detail sander looks to fit the bill, and it’s eligible for their $25 off $100+ holiday promo.
It’s currently $117 at Amazon, which looks to be lower than at other Bosch distributors, and $92 after the $25 discount is applied at checkout.
Get Your Own(via Amazon)
So… that’s my wishlist, or rather my holiday tool shopping list, at least as it stands now. What’s on yours?
James C
The pliers wrench have been on my list for a while. I now have a side job where I’ll be working with a lot of various-sized house fittings. I’m going to finally pull the trigger I figure out what size would be best.
KenZ
You won’t regret it, and you’ll never use a crescent wrench again.
Stuart
I still use adjustable wrenches, since you don’t have to apply positive pressure to the handles to maintain fastener engagement.
Dave L.
I bought a Knipex wrench. It’s obviously well made but harder to use than other adjustable wrenches (changing sizes). WARNING: A watch can be easily damaged while trying to close them with pliers-especially ones with convex crystals. Watch closing presses can be had cheaply from Harbor Freight.
John
My only regret was not going all out for the better grip models. It’s defiantly worth it.
mike aka Fazzman
I so want a Knipex pliers wrench,I have the .2 to 1.2 Mitutoyo inside mic,would love to get the next size up.
Also on my list is more shelving/tool storage for my garage.
Chris Fyfe
I too want a 6″/150mm Plier wrench . Their is also a 125mm , hard chrome Cobra plier . It would be a nice sidekick for my 5″/125mm Plier wrench .
I EDC the baby Plier Wrench , gets ya outa lots of jams .
Chris
Phil
I think you have talked up that Knipex pliers wrench enough that everyone who reads toolguyd wants them!
Stuart
That’s how the Knipex Pliers Wrench buying cycle goes!
Step 1: Learn about the Pliers Wrench from someone that LOVES theirs.
Step 2: Establish “want” but cannot justify the price.
Step 3: Read about the Pliers Wrench over and over, as it’s recommended by different people.
Step 4: Establish a “need” or “want” with price justification.
Step 5: Buy.
Step 6: With great satisfaction after finally seeing what the Pliers Wrench can do firsthand, you tell someone about it, inadvertently perpetuating the cycle and starting them off at Step 1.
Tom A.
I have the 12″ and 7″ smooth jaw and they are well worth the money,absolutely love them. I also have the Cobra, Alligator and Raptor pliers by Knipex that all work so well and are so tough. They just make kick ass stuff and I highly recommend any of their pliers
Jason
The pliers wrench has been on my wishlist for several years now. I have even looked at them in stores and almost carried some to the register. But the thing that keeps stopping me is the price. I own quite a bit of knipex pliers, but there’s just something about the pliers wrench that even though I really want it, I still think it’s priced too high for a pair of pliers, no matter how cool/useful they are. $30 to $35 is the point at which I would actually make the purchase.
I have zero problems with Knipex products, I know they are high quality. I have even spent more money on other brands/types of tools, but there is something in my mind that keeps saying “$50 for a pair of pliers?!!?”
I know I can’t be the only one that goes through that process in their mind for buying certain tools at certain price points. I’m always looking for quality tools, but with reasonable prices.
fred
We bought our first Knipex plier wrenches for our business in 2000 – and I thought that they were that good so I bought a 180 and a 250 for myself in 2001. Since then I’ve filled in the whole line.
The inside micrometer is $200.22 at Zoro – so I’d wait on one of their 20-30% off deals – might have to bundle it with something else to hit their $300 minimum for 30% off
For me – I’ve got my eye on a Betterley SLC23 guide rail connector – not that I really need it – but it might make work a bit easier.
http://www.festoolproducts.com/Betterley-SLC23-StraightLine-Connector-for-Guide-R-p/slc23.htm
Jerry
Thinking about a cordless oscillating tool. I own a couple of the Knipex pliers wrenches, love them, and would like to someday have one of each size. Lastly, I think I’d really like some ChannelLock pliers. The GripLock in a couple of sizes, and also some of their NutBuster pliers. They aren’t on the ‘need’ list, as I have enough pliers right now, but more on the ‘if I ever buy more pliers these are the ones I want’ list. The GripLock are kind of a poor man’s version of the Knipex Alligator pliers, used a pair at a buddy’s helping him with a project, as well as his NutBusters. The GripLocks are very good, not quite to Knipex standard, but very good for the price, and the NutBusters don’t seem to give up strength or gripping ability to anything. They broke loose some rusted, deformed bolts that Vise-Grips failed to move. Very impressed. Just don’t use them on anything you want to look pretty, as they really chewed up the bolt heads, BAD.
Jay k.
An edc screwdriver, i want the pb swiss u highly recommended. Multi tool screwdrivers work in a pinch, but im finding it very annoying…
Chris Fyfe
J Kay , I second the PB Swiss EDC driver concept . You are very correct , even the best multitool drivers have limitations , and are a last resort . You can customize your bit loadout .
I rock the ratcheting stubby version of the insider . I usually carry it in a belt holster , unless I’m wearing my Blakladder pants .
Chris
Nathan
Going to ask for the pliers wrench for Christmas. It seems like the 7″ might be the best tradeoff of capacity and weight but does anyone have comments on that or the type of grip (dipped vs. dual material)?
fred
Mine are all the older 86 03 variety (125, 150, 180, 250 300, and 400mm) I can’t say that I miss not having the over-molded grips. In the business – we got an 86 07 250 which had 1000V DIN Standard insulated handles -that seemed to me to be bulky and awkward – but I have small hands
fred
Forgot to answer your second question.
My first purchase – was the 180 (7 inch) and the 250 (10 inch) – If I were to buy only 1 – it would be the 180. When the 125 came out – I thought it was a toy – but the crews loved them – and I’ve found that I often put mine – along with 125mm Cobra Pliers (87 01 125) in my pocket – and find the pair surprisingly useful.
Gilbert
Dipped have a more compact feel to them. Dual material are the way to go in my opinion. I believe they do what their suppose to do, feel better and more comfortable as you use them.
Nathan
Okay thanks for the comments. Sounds like 7″ will be great and it doesn’t sound like the handle material is too huge of a difference so whatever comes, comes. These look really nice and i really think the the ability to use them as a small press or clamp will be useful to me, thinking about how many times i needed one or the other and didn’t have one…
Allen
I was all excited and got the little pliers wrench, very well made but it doesn’t seem to fit the places I would use an adjustable wrench. And it certainly doesn’t replace a wrench, or a pliers.
If it was half the price I wouldn’t feel so bad, but I’m never going to get that much use out of it.
Chris Fyfe
Funny how our use patterns are all different , my most used Plier wrench is the 5″. Plier wrenches have made my adjustable wrenches unemployed .
I have a lot of different Plier types , use them all and will continue to use them , I’m just trying to refine my battery .
I’m always examining my driver use , and looking to optimize what I carry .
Chris
J., Homeowner
I’m hoping to get a full set of Bondhus stubby hex keys:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O4AII
I have couple of homemade stubbies, but I would like to get the official version. At $28, and for Bondhus at that, they seem like a great deal.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Bryan
I would like to find a good deal on a Bosch or Makita corded Jigsaw.
I hope they drop the price on the Bosch JS470EB like they did last year to under a hundred.
I’m too immersed in Milwaukee cordless tools to jump on one of Bosch’s cordless jigsaw kits that are on sale now.
I had a Milwaukee M18 jigsaw that was a total POS and I am a big Milwaukee tools fan. The blade holder on the M18 needs to be re-engineered so that it will hold a blade square. That tool ruined more material in one day than it cost. I had to hide the jigsaw so no one else would pick it up and try to use it.
Josh
I have this one – http://m.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-6-5-Amp-Keyless-T-Shank-Variable-Speed-Corded-Jigsaw/50041008 and it’s nice. Grab a $20 off $100 coupon and you can get a blade set for basically free.
BikerDad
I’ll be picking up a couple of the things on my list Friday. At the top of my list is
Lie-Nielsen Rabbet Block Plane.
Lie-Nielsen #3 Bench Plane
Knipex Pliers-wrench(es).
Other things on my list include some fishtail chisels (Blue Spruce Toolworks or Lie-Nielsen). There are also some much more expensive things on my list, but not my Christmas list.
fred
Nice list.
I find that Craftsmans Studio is a nice place to shop for Lie Nielsen stuff – free shipping over $75
http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/
BikerDad
That was going to be my source, but since the L-N folks are throwing a Hand Tool Event in the area tomorrow and Saturday, I’ll grace them with my presence, and moolah. Yeah, it will cost me more money because of the sales tax, but making this event a success (which hopefully will lead to more such in the future) is more important than sticking it to the tax man.
Hang Fire
Stuart, even though Amazon’s page says the 145-193 is a Vernier scale, I don’t think it is. From what we can see, it has a uniformly divided circular scale. If it was a ten-thou accuracy version it would add the Vernier scale. As it is, it is a 1/4-thou accuracy.
Here is the product page: http://ecatalog.mitutoyo.com/Inside-Micrometers-Series-345-145-Caliper-Type-C1510.aspx
I have a 1/10K Mitutoyo blade micrometer, and it is a pleasure to use. Like you I chose prefer the manual over the batteries.
Stuart
Thanks, looks like you’re right!
I don’t think I’ve seen non-vernier micrometers before hence the assumption.
Rami
When it comes to sanding, is there a real difference between a detail sander and an OMT? The only thing that comes to my mind is vibration (do detail sanders have less vibration?). I already have two oscillating multi-tools but I want to buy a detail sander, I just can not justify myself to buy a tool which I kind of already have. Please somebody tell me that detail sanders have something better than multi-tools so I have a reason to buy one 😀
Stuart
That’s one of the questions I was hoping I could answer. =)
Maybe the oscillating angle is more optimized for sanding? Possibly wider choice of sanding abrasives?
Pablo
1294VS is an orbital sander, the OMTs oscillate (duh). The 1294VS should produce a less pronounced scratch pattern, and have better dust extraction. I purchased mine after I sold my Festool Rotex RO 90, which was pretty useless to me except as a corner sander, and I’ve been nothing but pleased.
I have both 1294VS and a Metabo MF 18 LTX for an OMT, and I don’t really use the OMT for sanding much. Lower vibration (but maybe that says more about the OMT), good maneuverability.
Stuart
Thanks for the insight!
Hang Fire
From the Amazon link, “It features a true finishing motion–not arc or pivot”. Not sure what a “true finishing motion” is, perhaps something oval or circular or even random orbit?
John
I keep waiting for those Knipex to go back on sale but I’m holding out for thr better grip ones as I already have the mini 5 inch with the simple grip. Like the:
86 05 150
86 05 180
86 05 250
If you waited this long, go for the gusto and get thr better grip models. That was my only regret with the one I have and saving up for the better models.
I have wanted a set of Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Calipers for a Loooong time. But I just can’t seem to pull the trigger even though I use calipers like crazy everyday. Hopefully Santa gets them for me this year. I don’t remember if that was the model exactly in my wish list it’s whatever is the most updated one. The newest version has had fluid resistance (though obviously not as high as their industrial model) so that cutting fluid etc doesn’t affect reading. On cheapos a little something can really screw it up and even worse yet permanently damage the sensors ability to read.