r/Tools

Im going to be getting a set of ratcheting wrenches and im trying to decide between a set that is fixed head but reversible vs a set of flex heads that arent reversible. Im really leaning towards the flex heads, but my one irrational concern is the fact that (with a non reversible) if you back a bolt out and dont have enough clearance to get the wrench head out, it cant be reversed to turn the bolt back in. Ive heard horror stories of guys having to cut the wrench head in half to remove it. I say irrational because its such a low percentage occurrence, but the thought of all the extra work I could cause myself has me wondering if I should just go with the reversible set. Am I being overly cautiou? Should I just get the flex heads because they're more versatile, or get a good set of fixed reversibles instead? Any brand recommendations are also welcome.

If this is too out of whack for a tool specific sub, I understand and I'll delete. Just wanted to try something.

Hello guys! Here is the thing.

I have an old (10ish years) bosch GSR 1440-Li, which works with 14,4v lithium batteries. BUT these batteries are not like the old NiCd with the rounded socket; they are dimensionally the same as the actual 18V Lithium batteries. Also, searching a little about my drill and this idea, I found that in other countries the model is GSR 1800-Li and it's marked as 18V.

A few days ago, I started having issues. The charger made some fireworks inside and stopped working, and one of the batteries looks like it has lost some juice. Bosch discontinued this product almost 8 years ago, and here (Argentina) I couldn't find any original replacement for the batteries or the exploded charger.

With the thing that my batteries look physically the same as the modern 18V ones, and my charger says in the front 10,8-18V 1,4A, I went to the local bosch service centre, told him the same story, and he sold me a modern 18V charger and told me that it works with the 14V batteries, but couldn't tell me if I can use the 18V batteries in my drill.

Any advice or experience would be awesome!!

These are the same ones Tekton rebrands. I have several and have been happy with them.

How would you wash the padding in a toolcase?

I’m an apprentice and just got a toolcase. It’s owned by the shop so have had at least one owner before me. From what I have heard from my coworkers the previous owner wasn’t a very clean person in general. The tools is extremely dirty as you can see in the picture (the one on the left is cleaned while the right is not).

I can work my way through the tools but I would also like to clean the foam or whatever you call it. What would be the most efficient method for getting it clean without destroying it.

Anything you guys think I should change? Open to suggestions! Automotive tech.

I have an unusually difficult to reach set of screws on a wall sconce lighting fixture. I need a right angle screwdriver, but I need the length after the top bend to be about 4 inches vs the 1.18” shown in this diagram.

Do these exist? I’m having a difficult time finding them.

Thanks!

In case anyone is interested, here is a comparison between the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh ball joint separator and the one from gear wrench.

$5 separate the two...

Gearwrench is $27 on Amazon

Pittsburgh is $22 at HarborFreight.

I had the Pittsburgh one for 6 years.

Overall, the Pittsburgh is decent tool.

The nice thing about the Pittsburgh version is the thinner head . The Gearwrench is slightly thicker.

But what makes the Gearwrench better is the adjustment bolt..

The Pittsburgh one is thinner and more proned to binding , and in my extreme case the threads are stripped.

On the Gearwrench the adjustment bolt is bigger and less prone to binding. And Gearwrench is lifetime warrantied.

For $5 difference, well worth the Gearwrench.

The left one is my new everyday brute-force combo plier. I used them all afternoon. A game changer, much easier on the wrists. The right one is for terminations and panel work.

NWS ErgoMulti VDE (1406-49-VDE-200) right side NWS ErgoCombi VDE (1096-49-VDE-200), left

I'm trying to recreate this tool that installs air vent grommets on drums because I don't want to spend $22 plus shipping to buy it from this company.

I can get the bolt and washers but I'm not sure if the "domed" nut they're using is one you can buy or if they've manufactured it. I assume they just file the edges of a hex nut or modify a cap nut.