2014 has been ToolGuyd’s busiest and best year ever! This is all thanks to you – our regular readers and new visitors alike!
Readership
We saw another bump up in traffic this year. You guys are amazing! It’s your comments, emails, and interest that keeps ToolGuyd chugging forward, so thank you all so very much!
Advertisement
It takes a lot of work to keep ToolGuyd going, but it’s worth it. Every now and then I wonder if I’m doing the right thing by choosing ToolGuyd instead of a different line of work – I am a trained scientist after all – but it’s hard to imagine enjoying anything as much as this.
Posts and Comments
- 781 new posts this year (bring the total to more than 3,500)
- 10,126 new comments (not including mine)
You can expect to see lots of great new content in 2015, from myself and our excellent contributors. See more from: Benjamen, Clayton, and Stephen.
As for comments, I continue to read each and every one. Thank you all for the great comments and discussions – they’re helpful to a lot of people and are much appreciated.
Favorite New Tools
I already posted about my favorite new tool purchases, but here are a couple of my favorite tools that were announced or released in 2014.
Bosch Wireless Charging Technology
Craftsman Premium Workbench
Ridgid 12V Drill and Impact Driver Kit
Ridgid Pro Tool Boxes (Reviewed)
Milwaukee Knockout Punch Set
Favorite Tool Brands
Favorite Power Tool Brand: Bosch
Most Recommend Power Tool Brand: Milwaukee
Advertisement
Favorite Hand Tool Brands: PB Swiss Tools, Facom, Proto
Tool Spending
These are the 17 retailers I spent the most at this year. As was true last year, Amazon takes the largest chunk out of my wallet. Good and sometimes great prices, quick and easy returns, and free 2-day shipping (I’m a Prime subscriber) keep me coming back for more.
Including personal purchases, I placed 196 orders with Amazon in 2014.
I spent more at Zoro this year, but that might not be true next year. A couple of recent orders with severe shipping damage have left me really disappointed. Their customer service was great as usual, but I might spend more with MSC or McMaster in 2015. Shorter travel distances and transit times should mean less risk of damage. Zoro offers fantastic discounts, but that doesn’t mean much when most of an order has to go back.
Baby
Our amazing baby boy is now over 5 months old. He’s a smiling, laughing, learning, curious, eating, pooping, and sometimes sleeping bundle of awesomeness.
Some of you have asked about him, so here are some photos:
Now (~5 mos)
~4 mos
~3 mos
~2 mos
~1 mo
0 mo
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone!
I’m really eager to see what 2015 brings, and hope you are as well. I have a couple of surprises planned and in the works, and am sure I’ll come up with even more.
We also have a couple of new contributors onboard, which means you’ll get even more varied and rich content and reviews this year.
ChrisK1970
Happy New Year Stuart! You are a very blessed man! What a cute kid! Congratulations on the increase in traffic to your site and it’s fun checking in and seeing what new!
Ian L
Super cute kid Stuart! Happy new year and thanks for the great site.
Eric Hamilton
As usual, thanks for the awesome content and site. I will continue to spend way too much time on ToolGuyd in 2015!
Andy
Many great reviews with unbiased reporting. Thanks for taking the time to be objective and breaking news on new tools and deals. Look forward to all your new post in 2015.
Mark
Happy New Year to you and your family! Your son’s adorable! Thanks for the great Web Site and I really appreciate all of your posts.
But it's me!
Happy New Year to you and your family. The boy is beautiful!
fred
Happy new year – hope you new year is as blessed as 2014
mike aka Fazzman
Happy New year Stu!! Like ive said many times in the past your site is awesome.
skfarmer
congrats on the kid……….oh yea, the site to!
Chris Fyfe
Thanks for all the great review . I enjoy , and learn from the discussions around the various threads.
Chris
P.S. , Cute Kid!
Robert
Happy New Year, thanks for all you do, really enjoy the site.
alan fick
the King of smiles
James C
Thanks for all the work you do here, Stuart. As a much less ambitious blogger, I can appreciate all the hard work it takes for you to be so successful. Here’s to another great year. Cheers!
Mizzourob
It is interesting to see in your spending pie charts that Sears was absent for 2014, while it was there for 2013. Just curious, any reason?
Stuart
I didn’t spend a single penny at Sears in 2014. It wasn’t by intent, but there just wasn’t anything I needed from there, tool-wise.
Mizzourob
oh and thank you for all the greatness that is your website!
jay k.
I finally got my wife to look at your website because of the baby pics. She wants a baby now!!! Thanks for all the great posts. 🙂
SteveR
Is that really your son? He looks like one of the cute kids that Central Casting would send over for a commercial. He may have a future in show biz yet. All kidding aside, he looks like a keeper; you and your wife must be very proud of him.
You have a great site; keep up the good work in the New Year. I visit yours and the Tools In Action site most days to see what’s new. I appreciate your writings as you approach them from a more scientific viewpoint, but it’s all good.
I haven’t purchased much from Sears this past year, as I can get practically anything I want through Amazon (and I use Prime shipping, too). The one item I did buy in November was a Craftsman 48-piece Thread Restoration Kit, which was made in the USA by Lang/Kastar. Travis at TIA highlighted the 40-piece set, and I found the larger kit was available at the even cheaper price of $39.96. That was an excellent deal, as those are the identical sets sold on the tool trucks for between $120.00 and $135.00.
You’ve turned us on to many great tools and storage items over the past few years, which we all appreciate. Thanks again for your hard work.
Joel Niccum
Happy New Year, Stuart! Thanks for all you do. I really appreciate the reviews and recommendations.