r/Tools

Who ever came out with these bits first deserves some sort of prize medal, I may even argue the peace prize. I was putting up a metal pergola on a hot day and it made the job such a breeze. Such a simple, cheap but incredibly effective tool. The effort and time it saves you, it pays for itself in a single use.

I’m just upset I didn’t know these existed in earlier years of my life. I mean, instead of these companies putting the allen key in the box, why not just throw one of these bits instead and save the world the headache.

This driver was in a box of tools I got at auction.

It Is basically a long shaft 5/16 hex nut driver, but it has a post in the middle of the socket which is about 1/8” in diameter. The post is slightly magnetic and does not move in or out. I assume it is some type of security fastener driver, but I haven’t found a match searching on line. It’s like a pin hex fastener head, but on a driver handle.

EDIT: Additional information -
I was able to pull the magnetic center post out. It’s approximately. 1/2” long and is seated in what appears to be a nylon sleeve. The sleeve did not move when I tried to pull it out with a pick.

Google lens has not been any help.

There are no markings on the handle or the shaft.

Just curious what it might be.

This is an SD-6 Sectional Divider by Bridge City Tool Works, which I inherited. AI tells me it might have some value as a collector's item, but my question is: has anyone found this tool to be useful?

I need a new pair of tin snip/light metal cutters and my late fsther had these. Worth putting elbow grease into or nah? They don't actually have sentimental value

Finally got my dust collector setup finished, and honestly, I am pretty proud of this one. This started as a Harbor Freight dust collector with an upgraded impeller, and then turned into a full garage side quest.

I tried to include photos as I progressed, from the mounting and filter setup to everything finally being in place. I wall mounted the 2 HP motor on a 3/4 inch plywood board using a 2x6 French cleat tied into studs with 5/16 structural screws. I also added lower lock screws because I do not trust vibration, gravity, or my own optimism.

The cyclone is an Oneida Super Dust Deputy dropping into a plastic drum, and the filter is mounted on its own plywood backer with a shelf and gussets underneath sealed with gray foam marine/automotive weatherstrip and silicone.

This is a massive upgrade from the Ridgid shop vac setup I have been using for far too long and utilizing a "dead space" in the garage with the dust right tool attachment system. For now it runs, pulls air, and nothing has tried to leave the wall. That feels like a win.

We recently have obtained this vintage American drill press at my shop. It will primarily be used for cutting metal. It seems to be set to the slowest setting but seems entirely too fast to be cutting thick steel. How can i make it slower/ tips on restoration. Is there something obvious i am missing?

This is mine. Unsure of the weight but is usable with one hand (just).

Hi everyone, I was trying to remove a broken barrel adjuster from the rear derailleur of my bike. I thought this is easily going to be done with a screw extractor, but it broke inside. Am I cooked?

Thread is M4 and open on both side, tip of the extractor and part of the barrel adjuster (no 4 in last picture) are still in there.

I’m already regretting this Temu purchase however just in case it does have value I wonder if there’s anybody out there who could explain how the four metal strands are secured in place? I’ve been going through the Black & Decker plastic trim line like crazy and thought I would give these metal ones a try.

I only have one 4amp kobalt battery and 8 dewalt batteries. I am undecided on which fan I should get.

Basically title, they are the same standard, one shank reads 10mm the other 10.2mm (my caliper might be bad) one fits fine, the other wont go in or lock AT ALL. I have tried greasing and trying again. Am I doing something wrong or is this a manufacturing defect? The hammer drill is the Parkside Performance 3J one.

Big edit. I will likely read but not necessarily reply. Conclusion. The expected top 3 are the top 3. Bosch, ryobi and metabo are next, Honorable mention rigid and Hercules...

Lots of you didint read the fallowing and that shows.

Regardless. I ewillngo in store and put my hands on them, check sale and go for the best. What colo that is.... maybe later.

Yeah I know, the whole Dewalt vs Milwaukee vs whatever.... but it my turn and I cant see to find any good recommendations for my use.

Im no a professional, but I do a lot of mechanic and metal fabrication. I have been rocking a house name drill set (mastercraft 20v basically Canadian Hercules) for years the battery are going dead and the performance are a bit lacking. Prior to that i had the craftsman stud battery set, and before that the long handle makita.... so it a very good time to invest into something that will blow my mind.

Since i prefer corded tool and even air power, I dont have a big need to get fully kited on cordless, but some are a nice to have.

I primary need a impact driver, and a drill driver. The drill will see some big twist drill and some holes saw. An impact wrench would be my 3rd tool, a ratcher pr impact ratcher would be nice. The rest, grinders, sawall, skillsaw, sander and stuff are probably not on the list. I dont have them now, and have the corder one.

What im looking for.

In the drill. True variable speed trigger, my old had very distinctive speed at different position, basicallyhaft or full. 2 or 3 speed gear box if that a thing. Able to run cool on had long operation.

In the impact driver and wrench. Torque limiting setting would be nice. My old set are pretty weak, that is sometimes nice. But more power when you do need it

I also looking for ruggedness. I have a graveyard of broken body. I never burned a motor or a gear box (i know were the limit is) but i did drop them from some height and parts when flying.

Relatively fast charging or bigger capacity battery. Right now i run 8 battery on 3 charger, and i often find myself out of charge in a few hours of heavy drilling.

Is fuel or XR worth it? Or they are extreme use, and i can get what I want with the reg brushless stuff.

Regardless, I have no brand affiliation. I get the tool that work for what I need. That sais im ready to move away from house brand. Rioby is kind the lower limit. But im open to the dewalt xr (so far prefer) Milwaukee fuel, makita (insure), rigid (if the are recommended) idk much about flex and metabo. That about the extend of brand we have here.

Tltr, i need a new drill, impact driver. And looking for recommendations, any brand. Is the fuel/xr are worth the extra. Or stick with the reg brushless.

Handle with care ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝❤️

I was given this old wood body hand plane and I was planning on restoring it. I always like to see if I can find any original pictures or information online when I restore tools to give me a frame of reference for what it should look like, but I can’t find anything on this brand. I can see that there’s some text on the blade, but I can’t quite make it out because of the rust. Could this just be a one-off that was made by an individual, or has anyone else encountered something made by C.A. Ahlstrom?

Update: I wasn’t expecting my first Reddit post to get this much attention, but I guess when you’re dumb people like to tell you so. Anyway a 3 jaw puller did the trick, not without a bit of a fight. Fair to say I’ve learned my lesson and won’t be using Cr-V sockets on the impact again, the correct 17mm impact socket is back on. Thanks all for your help.

I had a 17mm wheel bolt that itself was seized and I banged on it for a long time numerous times to get it off and now the 17mm socket is seized on. Any idea of how to remove it from the impact wrench drive? I’ve tried with a pry bar with no luck. Hesitant to use heat on it, is that my only option here?

Edit: appreciate all the helpful ideas, you guys are awesome (the purse / sarcastic / ryobi / skill mocking remarks less so, but it was expected).
I do have good impact sockets I would usually use, it was a few weeks ago late at night and I was tired / being dumb as my 17mm impact was on another tool.
I’ve tried dropping from height onto concrete a few times, and tried banging it in the opposite direction on a bolt a few times, and the pry method hasn’t got me anywhere. I think I might have to order a 2 jaw puller to get it off.

Edit #2: I’ve been at it an hour trying and repeating all the ideas, I really thought the vice and sledge hammer with a hole punch / old large bolt would do it. I’ll try some heat on the socket and try that method again. I was going to buy a 2 jaw puller, but I think I’d rather just destroy the socket and buy another 17mm socket. Although if I resort to that option I may need some real help with an angle grinder (which I don’t have).
Until then, I’ll go back to trying more brands of purse, because so far none of my wife’s purses are doing the trick.