I know lots of us have a big tool collection for working on our toys. I thought I would start a topic relating to tools. Any tool related post is fair game.

I'm not a rich guy by any means but my collection of tools is probably the most valuable thing I own. Mostly Craftsman tools. I made it a point 20 years ago that I would have at least two wrenches and two sockets of every common size. Over the years that turned into me having 4 or 5 of each size (lose one, buy a replacement, then find the one I thought I lost). But I've always been aware of what sizes are more common and what sizes I rarely need.

So tonight as I was doing some tool organizing I noticed I have FOUR 9mm wrenches (didn't count the sockets, but I'm sure I have several). What struck me as odd is I cannot EVER, in a lifetime of turning wrenches, remember a time when I needed a 9mm wrench or socket. I guess I probably ended up with four 9mm wrenches because they came with "sets" that I bought.

I know this isn't the most exciting post in the world but I'm bored so it is what it is.

Got any other tool talk?

I have also collected many tools over the years to repair or maintain as much as possible around the house and vehicles. Started with a Craftsman 100 piece mechanic set and a 2 1/4 ton jack with jack stands. As time passed got some snap on stuff as well as other American made tools. Garage Journal is a cool website that I frequent to read about tools and other topics. I think you might enjoy KG.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28

The one that has always baffled me is the 5.5mm socket.

<< Use it all the time.

i have had the unique misfortune of having not 1 but 2 roll aways pushed out my garage. my tool collection still sucks, as i find it hard to buy more once again, only to fear them being stolen.

i have some power tools, hand tools, cordless tools, etc. but nothing compared to what i used to own though. right now the tool that has saved me the most in the past few months is my torx bit sockets. i dont know why, but it seems i have needed them the most lately.

i love tools, and if any ladies read this thread, you can never go wrong with buying a man tools!! ever...

i cant think of much use i have for my 9mm wrench either, but i can guaran damn tee you that if i through it out, i would need it 1 hour later!!

i use mine on my rc cars all the time. the lock nuts are all 5.5 mm. my 5.5 mm wrench is also common on my turnbuckles on my older rc cars as well.

I have those and have actually used them a few times (as well as the 4.5mm). But the 9mm???? Never needed a 9mm.

Awwwwww Tool Time
Gotta love it

Agreed. The wife knows that Christmas for me is all about tools.

I LOL at the 9mm comment. Of course, we have all had it happen... You have a tool for years that you never use. Then when you need it... it's gone.

I have always bought screwdrivers in sets or at least pairs but right now I have a friggin drawer full of straight screwdrivers and hardly any phillips. Where the hell do they all go?

Damn rookies!

9mm wrench is used all the time. Its the place holder between the 8mm and 10mm. It wouldnt look like enough tools with out the filler tools...


And nobody let Weaz in on the secret of the 5.5mm...

OK, that seriously made me laugh. Thanks.

I have recently be searching craigslist daily for snap-on tools. Have had craftsman all my life but am now a tool snob
Snap-on is expensive but I think most of it is pretty nice, really like the ratchets. Plus I've been getting them at or below craftsman prices.

I like to find not-so-common tools. Like a pin removal kit (for weather pack type connectors), Mac for $18, or a master radio removal tool set for $30. Tools I'll use once a year at best

*drool* tools

At work most of my stuff is Snap-on,been wrenching on BIG mining equipment for 16yrs.

But the stuff at home is everything from "fine China" to Snap-on. I have been real surprised at how well the china stuff has held up LOL

If you fined any extra 10mm sockets and wrenches send them my way. For some reason I never have any I have to buy new ones at lest 3 to 4 time a year.I'm thinking of welding them to the tool box so do lose them.

I respect the good tools from Snap On, Mac, Matco, etc. But most of the mechanics that buy those tools can write them off on their taxes. I'm not a mechanic by trade so I can't write the tools off, thus I buy Craftsman. Seems to me in the last 5-10 years the quality of Craftsman has gone down on some of their tools, but they're still good tools for the average mechanic.

I just broke a 1/2 drive 12pt 1 5/16th's craftsman socket removing the pitman arm on my buddies jeep today.

the only time i use my 9mm wrench is when i cant find a 7/16" wrench.

most American cars will use 8mm,10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 18mm, some times 19mm (same as 3/4") 21mm and 24mm.

then you get to jap-other cars you will use more 8,10,12,14,16,17,19 wrenches.

ohh and lots of interior bolts use the 5.5mm

Personally not too sure what good a 9mm is when you can't find a 7/16 I would personally use an 11mm in that situation

Just inventoried my 9mm sockets. I have NINE of these useless sockets! I have a few in 1/4" drive, a few in 3/8" drive and one in 1/2" drive.

I use those useless 9mm sockets all of the time!!

I'd love for someone to give us an example of a car that needs a 9mm wrench. Maybe the tool companies made this size just for the hell of it to increase sales?

9mm is roughly the same as 11/32, 11/32 would be the proper wrench size for an 8-32 nut

If you can't tell I don't have an 11/32 wrench

I work for a Honda dealer and have never used a 9mm. Wait I used it to press out a bushing once. There is nothing wrong with Craftsmen. When I started that was all I had.

Ditto...

There used as a pry bar or chisel.

If you have kids or a wife, there is your answer. Lots of electronic things require a phillips screw driver to replace the batteries.

I bought a set of screw drivers a while back and I think only 3 remain (8 or 10 driver set). Only 1 phillips remains.

I worked with a guy who had a toolbox full of Snap-on sockets and wrenches, even though we were electronics techs. I told him I really liked the feel of Snap-on ratchets, but not the price, so I bought my socket set from Harbor Freight. Plus it helps when people start looking through co-worker's toolboxes for their missing sockets/wrenches if you have an off brand different from theirs. Nobody ever wanted to steal my cheap Chinese sockets and ratchets.

The funny part is, one day he's talking trash about my sockets and especially the ratchet. I told him they come with a lifetime warranty, and I've never broken a socket or had the ratchet give me any problems. I hand over the ratchet, and he comments how it really does resemble his Snap-on ratchet in shape and finish. Then he started using it on a nut that had low resistance, and he realized his ratchet would spin the nut backward but mine had much finer teeth in the ratchet and much lower internal resistance, so it ratcheted the nut on while he had to hand turn the socket until there was enough resistance for his ratchet to start ratcheting.

He never talked trash about my socket set again!




This same guy bought the first folding camp chair I'd ever seen and brought it to work to show it off. It had the Chargers logo on it and he paid something like $55 or $65 for it. I thought that was ridiculous. About 3 or 4 weeks later, I bought an identical chair, but in blue without the Chargers logo, for $7 at Walmart.

I told him not only is it identical construction, but it doesn't have a crappy team's logo on it and it was only $7. I think I hurt his widdle feelers with that one.

Click to view attachment

Still have my box and tools from mekanikin 25 years ago. Anyone remember the SK tools. Always liked the action on their ratchets. Heres a fun trick. See if you have any of these type of screwdrivers in your drawer. depending on weight of the screwdriver and tube diameter of the blowgun you can blow air past the ridges and get it to not only float but spin at a pretty good rpm.

My Dad started buying me tools when I was 3. I still have the first pair of pliers he bought me.

As a kid, tools were more appreciated than toys. I now have tools that I bought and never used...but as mentioned...If I get rid of them...I'll need them 10 minutes later.

I mainly buy Craftsman but the quality has slipped over the years. No matter what people say...you can't beat Snap On.

I do buy some cheap Harbor Freight stuff from time to time to make special tools. Over the years I have made money making special and one off tools for people. Back in my jet mechanic days, I made a fair amount of money off the Navy building and selling the rights to them to make my job easier. Can't get the angle on something...cut, weld, bend, grind..presto! Don't forget to re-harden the steel.



So what about power tools? I'm a Milwaukee guy, but like Ridgid, DeWalt, Porter Cable...I NEED a 12" compound, radial arm power miter...NEED I say!!!...

Welders...Miller...hands down.

Compressors....Craftsman should be shot!

I have been trying to build a tool chest for Glamis. Over the last few years I keep adding stuff it seems like every trip I need tools for the bikes or the trailer. Last year we had a problem with the Gen and I needed a voltage tester and didn't have one now I do. How big is your Glamis kit and what have you found you cannot live without?

Funny I always go through years where I have all phillips or all straight screwdrivers

Over the years I have owned all brands of tools and as a young mechanic you dream of all snap on or mac or matco tools and I have owned them all and of the ratchets the snap ons were the worst junk ever. The best were the proto(so smooth) and the strongest were the old craftsmans, the snap ons would skip when under load and switch directon, just hated them. The snap on sockets were always good, the wrenches were ok, open end side was always real weak and would spread. Snap on impacts were junk and felt horrible in your hands, ingersol had the best inpacts and still do. As for wobble sockets the mac were the best, snap on after getting sued put the retaining ring around the pin which made them too bulky.

I use mostly cheap tools/what's on sale for my work set. While I might get compensated if they get blown up on a call, takes too long to get paid back from the city, so cheap stuff works fine for what I do.

Except for pliers, use them the most and good grip, secure feel when wearing gloves, is key when working on a device.

Usually Craftsman at house, Husky harbor freight for toyhauler, (not so bad when you lose a tool to mother G, or give one to a stranded duner.

in my baby book my mom made she wrote at age 2 my favorite toys were daddy's tools. as a kid growing up i made my christmas list with the sears/craftsman tool catalog.

as a professional wrench turner i moved up to MAC and snapon as most of my craftsman stuff would wear out or break too quickly. craftsman screwdrivers are the worst. i would buy 2 or 3 sets at a time becasue they always broke at the wrong time, then i bought a set of mac screwdrivers and have had the same set for years now. i also dont use my screwdrivers for anything but they're designed purpose, i have prybars and punches and chisels to use instead of abusing the screwdrivers. i currently no longer turn wrenches for a living, but i still wont buy anything but mac or snapon mechanics tools.

i do have some harbor freight stuff that has been very good, like their impact sockets. i was quite impressed in their performance, never had one break even with my big mac impact on them. they're hand tools though i had many failure with tme just using them by hand.

9mm wrench was for the bottom bolt on the knock-off 990 u-brakes that were stock on lower-end GT and Redline freestyle bikes in the mid-90s, and fit some of the yoke pinch bolts on older cantilever brakes (but most were 8 mm). Since I quit working as a bicycle mechanic I've never seen another use for them...which is probably why I have 5 or 6 and only a couple 8s and 10s.

Just a basic garage mechanic on my own stuff and have had craftsman.They have done well for my needs.I think mine was a 240 kit about 14-15 years ago came with most of metric and standard wrenches and sockets including deep and some 12 point and 6 point as well and 1/4,3,8,and 1,2 plus other misc stuff.

I have since added a few pieces here and there oh nad had to buy a gm power steering pump remover years ago for a head gasket repair on my old burban havent used it since.

Dont be such a tool..

Costco is still selling a hitachi dual bevel 12" sliding miter saw for $399. I bought mine 3 years ago and it was $200 less than the cheapest I could find it online. I have been using it fixing up my house and it works great.

Anyone else guilty of using a ratchet to loosen REALLY tight bolts when you should be using a breaker bar? Then we wonder why the ratchet broke. Sure, most decent ratchets will put up with that for a while but eventually it will mess them up. Now I carry breaker bars in my main mobile tool box and actually use them for tight stuff.

On a side note a couple of years ago I broke a 1/2" drive Craftsman breaker bar. Took it back to Sears and they no longer had that exact size, the current ones are longer, so that's what they gave me. Sweet, free upgrade.

Proto used to be OK, however, Stanley tools bought them out a few years ago, and they went in the crapper..

Never bought one since..

On cheap Chinese tools like from Harbor Freight...

Some are decent quality, especially the heavier duty stuff that is hard to break regardless (like the 3/4" drive socket set I bought). I needed a HUGE metric socket once, went to sears and was shocked at the price for one socket. Went to Harbor Freight and got an entire set of 8 3/4" drive sockets, a ratchet and a breaker bar for just a few dollars more than the ONE Craftsman socket. I've used this set many times and there's no way I'm strong enough to break them without a mega cheater bar.

I also have some of the Harbor Freight power tools as "throw away" tools. They usually last a while and if they break just buy another one.

However... recently my "good" snap ring pliers that I have had for over 20 years broke. In a pinch I bought snap ring pliers from Harbor Freight. Big mistake. They are junk. I barely got a job done because of how poorly they worked. What should have been a 30-second job removing two snap rings took me over 15 minutes of messing around. Not good.

I've had a set of Metrinch 1/2" sockets that are the best sockets I own. I've had this set for nearly 20 years after my grandfather gave them to me for Christmas when I was a kid. I have used them for everything after many other craftsman and harbor freight sockets have busted. Never had an issue with them.

Also I have a cheap stanley 3/8's extendable swivel ratchet that I bought from wal-mart ten years ago and has been used as a breaker bar, hammer, and pry bar. It has never failed and has become my favorite ratchet for the smaller nuts and bolts.

Craftsman ratchets suck. But most of my tool collection is craftsman.

I have a 5.5 1/4 drive swivel. I use it on a regular basis.







I remember both of those...and I have some in my home tool boxes.

Its mostly Snap-On at work. Thank gawd I bought all my stuff ages ago. I cant afford the prices today!

That right there is exactly why I buy Craftsman. Break it and get a replacement on the spot no problem.
I used to buy some Snap On but when I had a problem I hated waiting for the truck to come around.

I thought a breaker bar was your biggest ratchet with a 3 foot piece of tubing slipped over the handle? What am I missing here?

9mm wrench is pretty common on auto lube (automated grease pumps). A lot of the fittings they use are 9mm. Most of these are on german made ag equipment.

man i love me some hand tools. my wrenches, sockets and screwdrivers are mostly Craftsman with some Matco here and there that i inherited from the bro-inlaw. also got a 8' long Matco rollaround box from him.

i love wrenching on stuff just to see how it works and could not live without my tools. i also like making tools for special purposes, like CVT clutch pullers and holders, most of the time i will look up a specialized tool on the net and make one myself. i have to make one soon to remove the front pinion seal on my Dodge, already have a few pics save on the computer. i recently made a couple of tools to remove a plastic valve cartridge for work. i fine tunned it and bought some rubberized coating and we used the crap out of it. it worked better than the one we bought.


harbor freight is an ok place for tools. i seem to get alot of fab time out of their $17 grinder and then change the brushes and its good for another year or so. i have a milwaukee and Dewalt grinder but like the HF lightweight $17 grinder better. mainly because it has a button that stays on and you dont have to hold it down. it popped out of my hands a couple of times while using it and made some sweet marks on the garage floor before i could pull the plug.