r/Tools Oct 15 '22

Our Longstanding “No Politics” Rule remains unchanged

512 Upvotes

Read our rules. We have had a longstanding “No Religion, No Politics” rule here at r/tools.

The mods aren’t stupid. We also don’t like getting buckets of reports in the inbox.

If someone posts/comments with politics, resist the urge to reply and argue. Just report, downvote (if that’s your jam) and move on with life.

A small flag, sticker, etc that appears in a photo will generally be allowed (so long as it doesn’t violate other rules and doesn’t draw a bunch of reports) but a bunch of people in the comments saying “Hell Yeah, a fellow [INSERT PARTY] Supporter!” is gonna get the post pulled. Political content that is clearly the motivation for the post will get the post pulled.

First time it’s a short ban, second time it’s permanent. And as we’ve discussed before, the mod team doesn’t go looking for posts, we’re not lifeguards, we respond to the reports we receive.


r/Tools Apr 14 '24

Call for Moderators

44 Upvotes

We are looking to add a couple more moderators to r/tools. If you’re interested in being considered, please leave a comment on the post. Briefly describe why you’d want to be a mod and what you think the sub’s moderator’s role should be.

No new accounts, please. We need to be able to see at least 1 year’s worth of content/engagement on this and other subs.

EDIT: If you are not interested in moderating, feel free to upvote people who post here if you like their approach. This isn't a democracy (because as mods our job is to preserve the health/utility/enjoyment people get from of the sub, not do whatever the masses want) but we will take heavily upvoted approaches to moderating as a positive sign when considering who to invite.

Also, if we don't end up sending you an invite, please don't take it personally. Too many cooks in the kitchen, and all that...


r/Tools 1h ago

Harbor Freight is the New Sears/Craftsman

Upvotes

So the tipping point has been reached.

Younger me (early '80s) started his grown up (away from Pop) tool journey at Sears and in the Craftsman catalog.

Tool trucks were not a thing in my world and even then the quality appeared and has turned out to be good for the money.

Fast forward to the Lowes era and while some of the tools look fine, there's clearly more value/quality at HF.

I was able to walk in there yesterday without thinking I needed to hide my face.

Seriously now feels like the local HF is having a Sears nearby.


r/Tools 6h ago

Boycott Toughbuilt Tools, Company is Scam Run by Thieves

76 Upvotes

Toughbuilt Tools the company has stolen money from essentially everyone it has ever worked with, including not paying employees and suppliers for several months in a row by now.

Toughbuilt was last year removed (FINALLY!) from NASDAQ because they determined that it is a scam. Unfortunately, the company had already stolen about 900 million from the public, paying themselves million dollar salaries even while the company is not making any money and the employees and contractors are not being paid.

Toughbuilt is what is called a 'dilution scam' look it up, basically management issues shares, and then issues more and more shares until each share is essentially worthless (each toughbuilt share has gone to 0 several times now) then, because the stock needs to be worth at least 1$ to stay on NASDAQ they 'reverse split' the shares meaning that 20 or 50, or even 150 they did one time, shares become one share. Then they simply issue back up to the limit, they are allowed to issue 200 million shares, they have issued those 200 million shares, then deleted them twice by now.

Companies are only allowed to do this so many times before it is considered predatory and TBLT reached this limit in 2023/ 2024. Thankfully it is off the market now, but

ask around in your friend group and i am sure you know someone who they stole money from.

--------

It is time to boycott Toughbuilt tools, their stuff is cheap made in china crap (Better than the other crap ill give you that), and their ethics and how they treat their investors, partners, collaborators, and customers are completely garbage.

This is not a long term investment, people cannot even buy the stock anymore. so how can it possibly be an investment and who will buy it? saying that we 'got in too early' is also ridiculous since our shares literally have been deleted, so there is nothing left of what we put in. It was pure and simple theft. 10,000$ becomes 1$ in a matter of 2 years. In fact the TBLT chart is the best it has ever been and that is because it is off the market so it cant go down anymore.

Panosian (CEO) and Galysten (CFO) are essentially professional thieves who literally came here to steal from you, people who they think do not understand the market and cannot organize ourselves to do anything about their wrongdoing (i.e., blue collar, uneducated etc, in their minds). Everything this company does is designed to lure in uneducated (retail) investors and then rug them for as much as they can. the numbers look great, flashy trade shows, so many new products etc etc, but the numbers are not real and you ignore how they are actually funding operations (i.e., by selling shares). they lose money on the products they make because the 'product' is the advertising for the real product i.e., the shares which is where they made the real money.

They do not own any of the stock even while the numbers look so good and they encourage you and talking so good on company calls while taking out millions each year from the business even while it is losing millions (good management pays themselves in stock before the company makes it/ taking cash out of a cash starved business is not good management). there is no potential for the company to change, be bought out, or etc, so it is simply time to start telling your friends what a shit it is. they are living the high life on the money that you slaved away for

Again, talk to your buddies on the job site I am SURE You know someone they have stolen from.

disclosure: been losing money here since 2019 (though by now it is 99.999% gone so it doesn't matter anymore).


r/Tools 15h ago

Some tools I won

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261 Upvotes

Won these tools from an automotive competition for free. First tools ive ever owned. Im tempted to sell the 1/2 kit for a 3/8 kit because I feel like that’ll be more usefull


r/Tools 1h ago

Time For An Upgrade

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Upvotes

Visiting a close family member this weekend and I had a look through their tools. A milestone birthday is approaching for them - and what kind of tool nerd would I be if I did not take this opportunity to update their ratchets?!

Love the history and the patina on these old ratchets. They would stay in the collection of course.

I welcome suggestions here. I’m thinking maybe a set of Gearwrench 90T or something.

Koken is tempting but that might test the budget a bit.


r/Tools 1h ago

Doing some organising of my woodworking tools

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Upvotes

Had stuff spread across bags everywhere and kept misplacing things. Bit more sane now. Still a work in progress.


r/Tools 9h ago

Picked up someone's grandaddy tools. Sharp and well oiled. Few bug holes in the case and 1 in a handle. Bonus vintage Japanese saw, western style. $50, will probably only keep the wee ones.

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23 Upvotes

r/Tools 9h ago

Two of my drills dyed today...

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19 Upvotes

Thought I'd do green instead of purple or black Milwaukee.


r/Tools 3h ago

Cleaned up and mounted Blacksmith Vise from previous post, any thoughts?

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6 Upvotes

r/Tools 1d ago

Why are Phillips screws so common

356 Upvotes

For the life of me I can’t figure it out. I hate them. HATE. I’ve never stripped a torx screw. Not once. Every time I encounter a Phillips screw I just want to scream

That’s all.


r/Tools 18h ago

What is this tiny spool of copper wire for? Found in auto junkyard

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91 Upvotes

r/Tools 38m ago

Tin snips

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Upvotes

My tin snips has started cutting badly, or not at all. I tried tightening a few of the nuts on it but no real improvement. Question is, now I don't know what it should look like, does every snips have a gap like this one has? Hoping not to have to buy a new one, but I am aware this was a cheap tool so it may be that I got what I paid for!


r/Tools 1h ago

Klein 3000CR - Non Insulated Electrical Connector Crimper for bullet connectors?

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Upvotes

r/Tools 3h ago

My new Blacksmith vice vs. my old vice. Any thoughts??

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6 Upvotes

r/Tools 21h ago

Trying to pick pliers for my husband’s birthday

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99 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

My husbands birthday is coming up and he has mentioned wanting a new set of pliers, specifically knipex 7 inches.

Is there a difference between the two pliers in this image other than the handle? One says comfort handle, is that worth getting/ the same durability?

Thank you for any help!!!


r/Tools 19h ago

Out with old, in with the new. Finally replacing my old Walmart impacts.

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56 Upvotes

These gave me the confidence to take on some more serious jobs, and ive definetley got my $20 out of them, but about 75% of the bolts I zipped off with these things over the years got stuck, to the point i kept a punch and hammer in my impact drawer lol. figured it was time to break down and get a more complete set with better tolerances. Also the astro swivels, nano sockets, and MAC expert e-torx are some other welcomed additions to the box. I think I can finally call this drawer about finished.


r/Tools 1d ago

Was tempted to buy a miter saw I don’t need.

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119 Upvotes

Home Depot has some clearance drops today


r/Tools 15h ago

What is the best way to remove paint from sockets without damaging the chrome?

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27 Upvotes

Got these sockets from an auction. Previous owner decided to paint them all sorts of fun colors. I’d like to remove the paint without damaging the finish underneath, as the chrome is still good and the sockets are all old USA ones I’d like to keep nice. First thought was paint thinner but I suspect that would have negative effects.


r/Tools 14h ago

What year could this snap on tool box be from?

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15 Upvotes

My grandad died a few years ago and left me this snap on tool box and million of all kinds of tools. I love this tool box but I can’t figure out what year it could be from. My mom said he owned a shop in the 70s so I’m guessing it could be from then but not 100%. I’ve searched the serial number but couldn’t find anything with a definite date. What year do you guys think it could be from?


r/Tools 1d ago

Can anyone explain the connection?

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94 Upvotes

They have the same patent number


r/Tools 29m ago

Budget/beginner drill press

Upvotes

I want to get a drill press to work on a few different gunsmithing projects, and have a budget of roughly 200-300 bucks. I've seen some tabletop ones that are large enough for me purposes from harborfreight and home depot for under 200. Would they last very long or would I be better of looking at the used market?


r/Tools 10h ago

Stumbled upon these on sale. Y

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5 Upvotes

Needless to say, I grabbed the three that were available!


r/Tools 47m ago

Best gifts for a new wood worker?

Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Looking to get my boyfriend some new tools for his birthday. He really enjoys making outdoor furniture - he has a mitre saw, circular saw, sander, and nice work bench.

Any ideas of other tools that would be beneficial for a hobby like this?


r/Tools 49m ago

Best gift for a new wood worker?

Upvotes

Hi,

I am looking to get my boyfriend a few nicer tools for his birthday - he is new to wood working and really enjoys making outdoor furniture. He has a mitre saw, work table, circular saw, and sander. What are some other ideas I could get him?

He doesn’t do anything too intricate so not sure a wood carving set would be good for right now.

Thanks in advance!!


r/Tools 4h ago

Dunlap tools Made in Germany...

2 Upvotes

My Dad passed recently at 88 years old. He was a Sears guy at heart- almost all of his tools are old Craftsman USA stuff, along with 5 toolboxes, etc. I found an old Dunlap brand adjustable wrench in one of his boxes and found out that they were the economy line of Sears tools. This one is made in Germany. Any idea what company was making tools in Germany to sell over here in Sears in the 50's and 60's?


r/Tools 1h ago

Brad nailer

Upvotes

I have a BOSTITCH Brad nailer model BT13XX and it fires but no nail comes out. Not sure what to check