Show us your tools!

[PristineSound]

There is a "Show us your Cars" thread.
There is a "Show us your bicycles" thread.
There is a "All About UFO's" thread.
There is a "Watches! What do y'all have on your wrists?" thread.

All the threads above are active and none has been banned, so is it safe to assume that this thread well be welcomed? If anything, this thread is more relevant to audio as you need tools for DIY speakers.

After some back and forth between DeWalt and Milwaukee, I recently upgraded to DeWalt after many years of using some cheapo Black & Decker. The old Black & Decker I had was the Matrix platform, it was a very versatile and affordable platform of multiple tools, but over the years, I've outgrown it; as you do more and more projects around the home, the more you realized how cheap and low-quality cheap tools are.

Anyway, using these quality DeWalt for the first time reminded me of getting high quality speakers for the first time.

 

[xanalog]

My tools are soooo old that none of my toolboxes have any power tools, in them!
Start out accruing tools as a P/T Sears car-mechanic (50% discount on Craftsman tools) and working as a machinist (Starett/Mitutoyo level) during college.
For one of our cars water-pump replacement ($1200 @dealer), I needed a hefty 30mm wrench (during removal) and a 30mm socket (1/2" for replace).
Of course, I have an old 1-3/16" socket and a wrench but they ain't no 30mm.

@$20 (why bother for a single 30mm@$9)

@$11 (I am okay)
Newest additions to my tool family.
But my old manual (SnapOn) torque wrench (1/2") is NOT getting replaced.
No Way!

 

[PristineSound]

My tools are soooo old that none of my toolboxes have any power tools, in them!
Start out accruing tools as a P/T Sears car-mechanic (50% discount on Craftsman tools) and working as a machinist (Starett/Mitutoyo level) during college.
For one of our cars water-pump replacement ($1200 @dealer), I needed a hefty 30mm wrench (during removal) and a 30mm socket (1/2" for replace).
Of course, I have an old 1-3/16" socket and a wrench but they ain't no 30mm.
View attachment 504566@$20 (why bother for a single 30mm@$9)
View attachment 504567@$11 (I am okay)
Newest additions to my tool family.
But my old manual (SnapOn) torque wrench (1/2") is NOT getting replaced.
No Way!

Craftsman is now own by Stanley Black & Decker the same company owns DeWalt, Porter Cable, Stanley, Black & Decker. It's a good thing for Craftsman, because when Sear used to own the brand, they used ODM to make their tools, but now they have their own R&D and manufacturers.

When Sears own them, they had a great reputation.

Few things are more satisfying than having the right tool for the right job.

 

[tineared]

There is a "Show us your Cars" thread.
There is a "Show us your bicycles" thread.
There is a "All About UFO's" thread.
There is a "Watches! What do y'all have on your wrists?" thread.

All the threads above are active and none has been banned, so is it safe to assume that this thread well be welcomed? If anything, this thread is more relevant to audio as you need tools for DIY speakers.

After some back and forth between DeWalt and Milwaukee, I recently upgraded to DeWalt after many years of using some cheapo Black & Decker. The old Black & Decker I had was the Matrix platform, it was a very versatile and affordable platform of multiple tools, but over the years, I've outgrown it; as you do more and more projects around the home, the more you realized how cheap and low-quality cheap tools are.

Anyway, using these quality DeWalt for the first time reminded me of getting high quality speakers for the first time.

View attachment 501057

There is no single tool manufacturer whose line is the best at everything (surprise)
Milwaukee makes excellent corded power tools, but their cordless line is not built to the same standard.
DeWalt makes very good power tools, both corded and cordless, but their drill bits and saw blades are generic and no better than no-names.
Bosch makes the best drill bits and saw blades, but all of their power tools suck.
All power tools from Makita are pretty much as good as it gets. There are a few high-end brands like Festool that I hear people rave about, but I have no personal experience with due to their high price.
In other words, tool companies are pretty much like audio companies. You need experience and research to figure out which company makes the best tool that you need.
If I were to show you my tools, I would need the next 15 pages of this thread to display them and it's more work than I am willing to do
The best advice I could give is for cordless tools, Makita and DeWalt will take the most abuse and have the widest assortment. I use Makita and they just last forever
Do yourself a favor and stick to a single brand for the sake of the batteries

 

[PristineSound]

There is no single tool manufacturer whose line is the best at everything (surprise)
Milwaukee makes excellent corded power tools, but their cordless line is not built to the same standard.
DeWalt makes very good power tools, both corded and cordless, but their drill bits and saw blades are generic and no better than no-names.
Bosch makes the best drill bits and saw blades, but all of their power tools suck.
All power tools from Makita are pretty much as good as it gets. There are a few high-end brands like Festool that I hear people rave about, but I have no personal experience with due to their high price.
In other words, tool companies are pretty much like audio companies. You need experience and research to figure out which company makes the best tool that you need.
If I were to show you my tools, I would need the next 15 pages of this thread to display them and it's more work than I am willing to do
The best advice I could give is for cordless tools, Makita and DeWalt will take the most abuse and have the widest assortment. I use Makita and they just last forever

I am in agreement with your assessment. The tools that I used the most are either DeWalt (just recently switched to), Metabo (formerly Hitachi) and the value brand that's high quality is Ridgid. Makita is just too expensive for me. The tools that I used occasionally, I won't spend too much money on, are Ryobi, then there some no name tools I buy from Amazon, but I make sure those no name are at least brushless motor.

Do yourself a favor and stick to a single brand for the sake of the batteries

Precisely why I had to spend a lot of thought on which brand to get when I moved on from Black & Decker. I made sure that is the brand that I can stick with for all of my cordless tools.

 

[Palmer]

Just got one of those, they do show up on eBay every now and then, love it. Doesn't take a hold of the thinnest of things, but it helps a lot...

Cheers

 

[tineared]

Just got one of those, they do show up on eBay every now and then, love it. Doesn't take a hold of the thinnest of things, but it helps a lot...

Cheers

View attachment 504805

That is one cool looking wrench. I'd be afraid to use it for fear of scratches...

 

[DWPress]

Not enough bandwidth here for my tool collection. I've built a few timber frame homes and a few more stick built fancy things so quite a garage full of stationary and portable kit and no room to park the cars. Tools for engines and mechanical things too, the tractor is a tool, and plenty of specialized tools for my letterpress business from presses to remelt furnaces.

If you're into tools no matter what size space you have, it'll fill.

 

[xanalog]

Just got one of those, they do show up on eBay every now and then, love it. Doesn't take a hold of the thinnest of things, but it helps a lot...
View attachment 504805

I haven't a clue what that tool is specifically made for but here is a tool (in one of my 'collections') that you are welcome to guess its intended purpose/usage!

ADD: Ooops! Forgot the spoiler: Bicycle disc brake re-alignment/straightening tool.

 

[Palmer]

If my name were Ike, I'd guess it'd be for a bike...

Cheers

 

[tineared]

OK

View attachment 505315

 

[Mr. Widget]

After some back and forth between DeWalt and Milwaukee, I recently upgraded to DeWalt after many years of using some cheapo Black & Decker. The old Black & Decker I had was the Matrix platform, it was a very versatile and affordable platform of multiple tools, but over the years, I've outgrown it; as you do more and more projects around the home, the more you realized how cheap and low-quality cheap tools are.

Most of my power hand tools have cords and are thirty or more years old. They are mostly commercial duty so for this DIY warrior they simply forever. I do have one newish cheapie Black and Decker angle grinder. The power switch on my Milwaukee failed and I haven't gotten around to repairing it yet.

Top shelf is electronic measuring and below that are the power tools.

 

[tineared]

Most of my power hand tools have cords and are thirty or more years old. They are mostly commercial duty so for this DIY warrior they simply forever. I do have one newish cheapie Black and Decker angle grinder. The power switch on my Milwaukee failed and I haven't gotten around to repairing it yet.

Top shelf is electronic measuring and below that are the power tools.

View attachment 505317View attachment 505319

I became spoiled with cordless screwguns and drills and eventually purchased Makita cordless versions of all but the largest power tools. It was an expensive transition, but worth it for the convenience. Life without cords is good!

 

[Andysu]

rigol ds1054z 4 channel oscilloscope

 

[xanalog]

rigol ds1054z 4 channel oscilloscope

May I ask why the Rigol brand?

I've been eye-ing some 200MHz, >12bit, 2channel, o'scope, with <5m/cm V-sensitivity, FFT, SigGen, FrqLo @<100Hz but haven't landed on one that would be less than $400USD.
Now you know why I am asking.

 

[LTig]

I've been eye-ing some 200MHz, >12bit, 2channel, o'scope, with <5m/cm V-sensitivity, FFT, SigGen, FrqLo @<100Hz but haven't landed on one that would be less than $400USD.
Now you know why I am asking.

Which one did you find for $400 or above?

 

[Andysu]

 

[rdenney]

Sheesh. The internet isn't big enough for me to show you all my tools. Maybe just a taste. I'll list them by category:

Machine tools:
Lathe:

Mill:

Drill press (one of two):

Grinding station (L to R--cleaning and deburring, grinding HSS tools with aluminum oxide wheels, more cleanup, and grinding carbide tools with silicon carbide and diamond wheels):

Cordless tools:

Electronics bench tools:

Watchmaker tools (sorry for the extreme wide angle):

Mechanic tools:
SAE box:

Metric box:

Metrology and main bench (missing the Gerstner box which is now on the bench):

There are also categories for bicycle tools, woodworking tools, musical instrument tools, and categories I've forgotten I own, plus...

...let's just say the internet isn't big enough to show them all.

Rick "happiest when out in the shop" Denney

 

[rdenney]

May I ask why the Rigol brand?

I've been eye-ing some 200MHz, >12bit, 2channel, o'scope, with <5m/cm V-sensitivity, FFT, SigGen, FrqLo @<100Hz but haven't landed on one that would be less than $400USD.
Now you know why I am asking.

I can take a shot on that one. Pros argue between Rigol and Siglent, and really both are decent and usable. I have the Rigol DHO804, which may be the least expensive 4-channel O-scope that is actually worth buying for serious use. It's priced at a little over $400, but I think the bandwidth is officially only 70 MHz--plenty for what I do. The DHO812 is 100, and 2-channel, for about the same price. 200MHz bandwidth may blow your budget for something new in the box.

I but I find the modern digital storage scopes are menu-intensive and complicated. For most routine measurement, my go-to is an old HP 54622A, but it's also limited to a 100 MHz. (It's also about a dollar or a bit more per MHz of bandwidth, vs. $4 per MHz for something new.)

Rick "on EEVblog, the Siglent fan boys would be here in 3...2...1..." Denney

 

[rdenney]

Which one did you find for $400 or above?

The Rigol DHO900 models that are over 200 MHz bandwidth are about double that.

Rick "glad to be working only on audio stuff" Denney