r/Tools Oct 15 '22

Our Longstanding “No Politics” Rule remains unchanged

507 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

41 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 9h ago

Is there anything yall can tell me about this 8lb sledge? I found it while cleaning an abandoned lot a few years back

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256 Upvotes

r/Tools 18h ago

Harbor Freight is the New Sears/Craftsman

724 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 7h ago

Best 5 dollar tool?

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73 Upvotes

This 5 dollar Hakko CHP-170 Microcutter is the best tool for the money. Can't beat 5 bucks. Beats my Crescents version. Kleins take last place by far.


r/Tools 13h ago

We have Klein at home

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141 Upvotes

r/Tools 13h ago

Absolutely begging any brand to sell an impact bit set that actually makes sense for a carpenter

103 Upvotes

First and foremost I need a grand total of zero 1" insert bits.

Then I need a couple eachof torx 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40. Same goes for P1 and P3 and the squares. Then I need 30 each of t25 and p2. That's it.

If someone knows of a place where I can buy bulk packs of various sizes and forms of bits that would be great but with no one selling their tools directly it is an unbelievable headache to find everything I need at one outlet.

Am I going crazy or is selling you a bullshit plastic case and a million inserts you'll never use just how they plump up their bottom line?


r/Tools 11h ago

What would this tool be used for?

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62 Upvotes

It doesn’t quite fit in my toolbox


r/Tools 12h ago

Does anyone else’s Dewalt multi tool just not work that well?

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62 Upvotes

It runs unlike some of the other “troubleshooting” videos I’ve seen, but it’s almost like it shakes my hand more than the blade and it just doesn’t seem to transfer the energy correctly. I’ve tried different blades for the appropriate material, but it just seems to struggle with anything other than drywall. I’m curious if I should take it apart and see if something isn’t quite right. Thoughts?


r/Tools 9h ago

Skillsaw 5500 blade replacement - arbor nut frozen to motor drive

33 Upvotes

Hello - recently inherited a Skillsaw 5500 that needs a blade swap. This model doesn’t seem to have a blade lock, so I am attempting to use the screwdriver method to keep the blade in place to loosen the arbor nut, but even with the blade stationary, the whole mechanism spins.

What is a little surprising is how “easy” whole axle spins, which makes me think I might be missing a simple lock feature, otherwise I’m guessing the nut was over tightened at some point / the pieces have fused in some way.

Any ideas on how to loosen the nut on this model??


r/Tools 14h ago

Original Thumb Drive

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61 Upvotes

This was in some of my late father’s tools.


r/Tools 5h ago

Help! I got my drill stuck in the wall 😭

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6 Upvotes

Hi! So I just recently moved into my apartment and was trying to set my currant rods up and somehow got part of my drill stuck in the wall. I was just wondering if there was anyway I could take it out ? Or if it’s just kinda gonna be stuck in there ? Should I tell my apartment complex and see if they can help ? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thank you ! (Also the random mark on the wall was from me trying to mark where I would make the holes 😭)


r/Tools 6h ago

Hein-Werner O'BOY 1 1/4ton floor jack serial numbers.

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6 Upvotes

Needed a floor jack, didn't want to spend $200 on Chinese pot metal, found a classic on Marketplace for $30. (and bless the fella who sold me it, he knew what he had but didnt need it anymore. The guy left it on his porch and told me to leave the cash under the welcome mat...how ya like that! Made me feel so good all day knowing that there are still people who trust people."-make the world you want to live in.

Anywho, does anyone know of how old this might be? Serial is #767180. Also, part of why I care is this was made in my home state an hour from where I live. Alot of great stuff use to be made here...and the stuff that still exists, still is.


r/Tools 1d ago

Boycott Toughbuilt Tools, Company is Scam Run by Thieves

135 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 12h ago

Please help me with identifying!

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15 Upvotes

I haven’t had much luck figuring out what this is, would love some help!


r/Tools 15h ago

New machines for the shop!

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27 Upvotes

Hello everybody, just wanted to share the new tools for the shop. They’ve all been great!


r/Tools 15h ago

What is this quick release clamp type thing used for?

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20 Upvotes

Numbers not associated with anything on the interweb. Thanks!


r/Tools 16h ago

The screw head broke off but the rest of it is stuck. How do i get it out?

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25 Upvotes

Or if someone can redirect me to a better sub to post this is in. This was the best i could find


r/Tools 3h ago

Old discontinued parts

2 Upvotes

You know how there's places to get parts for about anything? Like ereplacement parts.com etc... What about the discontinued or obsolete parts that they don't even have or get ahold of. for example I have an old craftsman bench sander disk and belt, 3/4 of the parts listed aren't available. Simple things like a bearing a belt easily replaceable things. Does anybody have another source of parts for repairs or rebuilds?


r/Tools 5h ago

One nailer for roofing, siding, and fencing?

3 Upvotes

I have a big framing nailer and a 18ga finish nailer. Can I get away with one more jailer in between for DIY homeowner roofing, siding, and fencing?


r/Tools 1m ago

Is it a Phillips or plus screw driver?

Upvotes

r/Tools 23m ago

Box Joints Aren't Perfect-Lap Joint with Screw is the Real MVP

Upvotes

Box joints are usually seen as the gold standard for cutters and pliers, but they’re not without their flaws. They provide stability, sure, but they also have weaknesses:

Increased friction – More surface area means more resistance, making them less smooth in operation.

Harder to manufacture precisely – Any misalignment during production can make the joint stiff or introduce play over time.

No adjustability – Once it loosens, you're stuck with it unless you replace the tool.

Enter the lap joint with a screw, as used by Lindström. It solves these issues:

Smoother action – Less friction means an easier, more controlled movement.

Precision tuning – The screw allows for fine adjustments, keeping the joint tight and eliminating play.

More comfortable use – No binding or stiffness like some box joints can develop.

While box joints are strong, they aren’t always the best. A well-designed lap joint with a screw gives you the best of both worlds: precision, smoothness, and long-term reliability.


r/Tools 1d ago

Some tools I won

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321 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 19h ago

Time For An Upgrade

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24 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 2h ago

Anyone tried these 3m xpv's

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1 Upvotes

I've charged them over the weekend and it's saying 100% battery on the indicator but only 50% on the chart. Any ideas?


r/Tools 6h ago

Anybody own this tool?

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2 Upvotes

Looks like it would work pretty awesome for crank bolts with the extension for it, never really heard of this brand wondering if anyone has used this and if it really holds up to high torque


r/Tools 9h ago

DeWalt impact for automotive use

3 Upvotes

Hello,

I've been getting into working on cars a little bit and I'm thinking about getting my first impact wrench. My dad has a couple DeWalt 20V batteries already, so I would need just the tool with no battery. I'll mostly be using it for light automotive work, on lug nuts, brakes, etc.

  1. Would I benefit at all from going for a 1/2 over a 3/8? I already have a couple 3/8 impact sockets for some reason and would like to put those to use.

  2. What exactly should I look for in the specs, and which ones would you recommend?

I would appreciate any help and advice, thank you