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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:09:07 PM EDT
Generally I’m a tool snob, but for a lot of people a wrench is a wrench or a screwdriver is a screwdriver.
For some stuff however, quality really does make or break it. My example is this.  Malco eagle grips. It really does preform better in every way than a el cheapo one. What is your example? |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:13:39 PM EDT
[#1]
Simple little hex / allen key wrenches. I have gotten so many (now) rounded-out keys that came with products that get thrown away because they strip the bolt heads.
That's a buy-once-cry-once proposition that doesn't cost too much but makes a difference. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:13:51 PM EDT
[#2]
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:14:13 PM EDT
[#3]
 Edit: beat by almost a minute 
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:14:19 PM EDT
[#4]
Screw drivers. Snap on FTW. Cheapies strip everything including themselves.
Also ratchets and breaker bars. I’ve snapped so many heads of the cheap ones. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:15:13 PM EDT
[#5]
Drill bits
Edit to include taps / dies |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:15:41 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Simple little hex / allen key wrenches. I have gotten so many (now) rounded-out keys that came with products that get thrown away because they strip the bolt heads. That's a buy-once-cry-once proposition that doesn't cost too much but makes a difference. Agreed! 
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:16:58 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted: Generally I'm a tool snob, but for a lot of people a wrench is a wrench or a screwdriver is a screwdriver. For some stuff however, quality really does make or break it. My example is this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/478694/AC5818BB-0D21-410F-9CAE-30FF2690573F-2426185.jpg Malco eagle grips. It really does preform better in every way than a el cheapo one. What is your example? |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:17:09 PM EDT
[#8]
Torx bits. If you don’t buy quality torx bits then you will be buying quality easy-outs.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:17:58 PM EDT
[#9]
This MFer, right here, is basically my index finger. The pic quality kinda sucks, the scale does not suck.
 Attached FileAnd my Haimer 3D, but it's somewhere in the carousel. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:18:08 PM EDT
[#10]
Chisels or gouges. Pfeil or Double Cherry both have good steel and that makes them different from a lot of other stuff. If you're doing woodwork, buy good stuff and take care of them.
I recently paid $5 for two brand new Stanley Chisels (3/4" and 1") that were made in 1992. Still new in package. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:19:49 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Simple little hex / allen key wrenches. I have gotten so many (now) rounded-out keys that came with products that get thrown away because they strip the bolt heads. That's a buy-once-cry-once proposition that doesn't cost too much but makes a difference.  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:21:30 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This MFer, right here, is basically my index finger. The pic quality kinda sucks, the scale does not suck. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/145430/16558534065577977007661664928866_jpg-2426196.JPG And my Haimer 3D, but it's somewhere in the carousel. I too like Starrett scales. Here are a few I have at home in my home machinist tool box..   Attached File |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:23:01 PM EDT
[#13]
Wrenches, sockets and ratchets.
Cheap open end wrenches spread and that rounds the bolt or nut and often hurts. Ditto broken ratchets and sockets. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:24:27 PM EDT
[#14]
Ratchets when working in tight spaces and you have about a quarter of an inch worth of handle throw.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:24:55 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I too like Starrett scales. Here are a few I have at home in my home machinist tool box.. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/162439/20220621_192041_jpg-2426213.JPG That’s some serious coin sitting there! |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:24:55 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Chisels or gouges. Pfeil or Double Cherry both have good steel and that makes them different from a lot of other stuff. If you're doing woodwork, buy good stuff and take care of them. I recently paid $5 for two brand new Stanley Chisels (3/4" and 1") that were made in 1992. Still new in package. Old Witherby “cast steel” Also Barton and LI J White They knew how to make excellent steel for chisels and gouges By old pre WWII |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:26:25 PM EDT
[#17]
Fluke multimeters
Wiha, Wera, and Bondhus bits Carothers Performance Knives Glock handguns Milwaukee power tools Estwing hand tools |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:26:38 PM EDT
[#18]
Vise grips have to be IRWIN, anything else sucks. I can't tell you how many times my Irwin vise grips out performed snap on/matco, and I have ALOT of snap on/ matco tools
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:27:08 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted: Generally I’m a tool snob, but for a lot of people a wrench is a wrench or a screwdriver is a screwdriver. For some stuff however, quality really does make or break it. My example is this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/478694/AC5818BB-0D21-410F-9CAE-30FF2690573F-2426185.jpg Malco eagle grips. It really does preform better in every way than a el cheapo one. What is your example? Interesting story how the people of DeWitt, NE and Malco brought real vice-grips back home. My example is my old, heavy, made in USA Craftsman table saw. Not sure when the Emerson Electric built ones started, but mine is towards the end in 1983. Night and day difference compared to what's typically sold as a table saw at the big box, and I only gave $100 for it. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:30:39 PM EDT
[#20]
Rose trowels
Estwing hammers Trow and Holden carbide chisels |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:32:16 PM EDT
[#21]
From my home box
Identical sets at work have had a ton of use and they hold up very well. 
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:35:43 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/231568/11FB51B6-E3AA-4F39-BF9A-1E31FA369FFB-2426191.jpg Edit: beat by almost a minute Knipex all the things! To answer OP's question: jack stands. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:39:48 PM EDT
[#23]
I just picked up this Bully Tools drain spade and it’s a beast. https://bullytools.com/products/lawn-and-garden/spades/12-gauge-drain-spade/
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:41:46 PM EDT
[#24]
Starrett tap handles. Fuck all other brands
Mitutoyo for measuring anything. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:43:22 PM EDT
[#25]
...All of them?
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:45:09 PM EDT
[#26]
Yep quality allen and torx wrenches and bits, snap on ratchets, sockets, screw drivers. Make life so much easier.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:45:20 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ...All of them? Also this. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:45:55 PM EDT
[#28]
Knipex guys posted already so I'll post these.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:47:10 PM EDT
[#29]
Crick Levels and Rose trowels
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:47:24 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Knipex all the things! To answer OP's question: jack stands. this, in general anything that can hurt or kill you. so don't buy the 19.99 angle grinder or car jacks. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:48:44 PM EDT
[#31]
Calipers and try square
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:49:10 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryExact first thing that came to mind! |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 7:53:36 PM EDT
[#33]
Guess I'm a noob. Can't really tell the quality difference with hand tools unless it doesn't do the job. I'm definitely a fan of high end optics though vs less expensive options.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:01:19 PM EDT
[#34]
Coil spring compressors
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:04:53 PM EDT
[#35]
Some fine examples posted already. Here is my small contribution.
DOTCO Series 10 die grinder. I have several of these. They are spendy but they will run anything you can buy locally into the ground. 
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:05:42 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Starrett tap handles. Fuck all other brands Mitutoyo for measuring anything. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:06:28 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Torx bits. If you don't buy quality torx bits then you will be buying quality easy-outs.   Attached File |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:10:47 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: this, in general anything that can hurt or kill you. so don't buy the 19.99 angle grinder or car jacks. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Knipex all the things! To answer OP's question: jack stands. this, in general anything that can hurt or kill you. so don't buy the 19.99 angle grinder or car jacks. The cheap angle grinders are safe if you don't act like an idiot - and the expensive angle grinders are dangerous if you act like an idiot. I like to have a dedicated cheap grinder for tile/stone. With a respirator I don't bother with the vacuum setup and at the cost I don't care if the bearing seizes. I'd be pretty annoyed if an adjustable speed one died. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 8:58:21 PM EDT
[#39]
Knipex snap ring pliers. They're the only ones I use now.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:03:24 PM EDT
[#40]
I stopped buying cheap tools many decades ago when I grew enough of a brain to realize I was just throwing my hard earned $$s away.
I don't EVER buy tools that I don't expect to get a long time of service out of because if I'm going to buy and not rent it, I expect to be using it many times more than once. Besides I like my knuckles and appendages, so I don't buy knuckle busters. I guess that's why I get especially pissed off when one of those "not cheap" tools fails, (fuck you Craftsman).  |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:03:28 PM EDT
[#41]
Kline hand tools
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:11:23 PM EDT
[#42]
C Clamps
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:12:12 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Also ratchets and breaker bars. I’ve snapped so many heads of the cheap ones. WTF do you do with them??? I've abused the frick out of breaker bars and ratchets, including beating on them with BFHs, putting big cheaters on them, multiple times I've even put a hydraulic jack under the handle of ratchets when there wasn't room for breaker+cheater or impact, and the BFH wouldn't do. The only one I've ever stripped or broken was a super-cheap POS from the 80's. None of the others I've had have broken. I think my highest-dollar ratchet or breaker bar is a Craftsman. I'm totally not against spending money for quality tools, I drop coin for the high-dollar stuff where it's warranted. But I've got 20 year old stuff that still works fine despite my abuse, it's hard for me to want to spend 10x for something that arguably won't do anything more than what I've got. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:13:30 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Simple little hex / allen key wrenches. I have gotten so many (now) rounded-out keys that came with products that get thrown away because they strip the bolt heads. That's a buy-once-cry-once proposition that doesn't cost too much but makes a difference. Agreed! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/478694/FBCAA154-824F-48F9-9F84-4FFB21EE5F22-2426192.jpg Love Bondhous. Try Wera with the round shaft and plastic covers. So much easier on the hands. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:15:36 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I too like Starrett scales. Here are a few I have at home in my home machinist tool box.. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/162439/20220621_192041_jpg-2426213.JPG Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: This MFer, right here, is basically my index finger. The pic quality kinda sucks, the scale does not suck. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/145430/16558534065577977007661664928866_jpg-2426196.JPG And my Haimer 3D, but it's somewhere in the carousel. I too like Starrett scales. Here are a few I have at home in my home machinist tool box.. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/162439/20220621_192041_jpg-2426213.JPG I really want a 12" hook rule but i can't spare $60. A 24" would be nice too. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:16:13 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: WTF do you do with them??? I've abused the frick out of breaker bars and ratchets, including beating on them with BFHs, putting big cheaters on them, multiple times I've even put a hydraulic jack under the handle of ratchets when the BFH wouldn't do. The only one I've ever stripped or broken was a super-cheap POS from the 80's. None of the others I've had have broken. I think my highest-dollar ratchet or breaker bar is a Craftsman. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Also ratchets and breaker bars. I’ve snapped so many heads of the cheap ones. WTF do you do with them??? I've abused the frick out of breaker bars and ratchets, including beating on them with BFHs, putting big cheaters on them, multiple times I've even put a hydraulic jack under the handle of ratchets when the BFH wouldn't do. The only one I've ever stripped or broken was a super-cheap POS from the 80's. None of the others I've had have broken. I think my highest-dollar ratchet or breaker bar is a Craftsman. I broke four ratchets today by hand, mostly Husky and Kobalt homeowner stuff. FWIW I've broken many breaker bars too, comes with the job. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:21:41 PM EDT
[#47]
You fuckers are going to cost me money again.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:22:34 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Starrett tap handles. Fuck all other brands Mitutoyo for measuring anything. I have the Starrett 174, 91A, 91B, and 91C. Then I have an old Greenfield for bigger stuff I bought for $1 at the Flea market. Beautiful tools. Highly recommended. |
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:24:49 PM EDT
[#49]
My ancient Millrite easily out-performs any modern Chinese milling machines.
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Posted: 6/21/2022 9:26:23 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Calipers and try square Shars are actually a bit nicer than my Mitutoyos. I've got 4", 6", and 10" Moore & Wright squares. 3, 4, and 6" Mitutoyo squares. Freakin nice. |
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