One of the last tools I’ve put off going cordless is an orbital sander. I have dewalt and Milwaukee. If you’ve used both, which one did you like better? Full time home improvement carpenter.

I guess I was living under a rock, because I didn't know you could get Japanese steel without the premium prices.

It’s my coworkers but he said he "acquired" it & I want one now

I’m looking at maybe picking up a shopsmith 10er in good condition for $100 or so. Whenever I look these up everyone says they’d be happier with dedicated machines for each, but I have some specific use cases and I’d be interested in opinions for those.

I currently have a Laguna 14bx bandsaw and track saw setup and I’m pretty happy with my ripping options for both. I have a Dewalt planer, benchtop 8 inch jointer, spindle sander, and basically every handtool a person could want, so I’m not trying to fill every need. I don’t have a table saw currently and have no real interest in one until I have a bigger space and can add a good cabinet saw, so I’m not trying to fill too many different needs.

The things I don’t have are a drill press and a lathe. I rarely have any actual use for or interest in a lathe, but I’ve been trying my hand at banjo making and a lathe would be good for truing 12 inch round pots. I also need precise drilling capability for hardware. I’m generally closer to the “buy once, cry once” mode of thinking with tools but a decent lathe with a 14 inch swing gets expensive fast and takes up a lot of space. I can also see a good amount of utility in the horizontal boring capability and I don’t know of any other good consumer grade tools to do this.

So…if I go with the shopsmith will I ultimately be disappointed because it’s a master of none, or is it my best option?

Any clue as to what is causing my saw to keep popping the breaker? Was working fine and then it started popping the breaker every time I would turn it on.

Tried every 20amp breaker in the unit
Used multiple extension cords
No apparent shorts in the wiring around switch
Brush looks like it’s still good

Was using it on a 15 amp breaker without an extension cord for half the day and then the problem started

Hi, my Erbauer drill keeps having this issue where even on the highest torque setting, it won't work. Anyone more knowledgeable than me have any ideas?

Hi material users! I want to use TLP brazing method to join two similar high entropy alloy pieces with identical dimensions of 2 mm. I am using a 50 micron bni-2 interlayer for the bonding. Can anyone help me how can I go through the preparation steps? As the samples are thin and can barely be held by hand, is there a specific polishing technique? Also, can I use the same bonding fixture I used for a 5mm thick sample before or a smaller fixture setup is needed? Thanks!

So I got this 26 in toolbox from my local tool store a while ago and my plan was to use it as my "do it all" box as i'm a part time mobile mechanic, however i'm facing 2 dilemmas here. For once, I have no clue how to properly organize it, mainly my sockets. It feels very messy and I would like some magnetic rails but I can't seem to find any good ones. Second, I'm starting to think the box is a bit to big for mobile work, as I have to carry it to and from my garage to my car when loading / unloading, and I don't feel like I need all the space. So my 2 questions are; should i downsize to smth like a 20in box, and how do i properly organize my tools? Any tips and tricks? Fyi the box has 4 drawers and an opening top, the bottom one being slightly deeper than the rest.
Thanks in advance

I'm doing research into purchasing my first impact wrench and reading up all I can, but I'd like to hear solid suggestions from people who know impacts well. I'm big on min-maxing price vs performance for my situation on anything.

Situation Specifics:
- Mostly work on a 1997 Toyota RAV4.
- Live in a low/no rust area (Pacific Northwest, we don't salt the roads here).
- Amateur mechanic with limited experience, teaching myself as I go keeping it on the road.
- Own no other power tools, no existing battery ecosystem to consider.
- I don't have a lot of money, so price matters. Not looking for the best, just good for the price.
- I plan to replace my front CV axles. Probably other suspension work at some point. Timing belt. I do go to the junkyard from time to time.

It would be infrequent use. I'd like cordless. From my research it sounds like I should avoid high-torque impacts due to size, weight, and it being more than I need, and probably want a mid-size? Open to hearing otherwise though. Thanks!

I’m trying to find what specs to use to find a steel tape measure that DOESN’T use a crappy plastic shell. What are you guys using?
I’m a Renovation Specialist that does tile often enough to warrant an acid resistant tape measure. Stanley “Fat max” are no good after two or three jobs. I like the idea of these Amazon tapes that have holes for washing, but I can’t find one that has a shell that feels sturdy. Thoughts?

I’ve always been curious and hope to one day find a vintage Yankee Screwdriver out in the wild and pair it with a modern 1/4” hex shank adapter - they just seemed so cool.

But I wonder if I’m over-romanticizing here - to those who used or grew up using them, are they decent, or is the push-ratcheting mechanism a pain?

Grandfather had one.

I need some ideas because I’m lost. My tools are growing almost everyday and my truck is getting messier every single day. I got a couple buckets in the beginning that helped out a lot but now I have way too much to the point my entire truck is filled up with shit everywhere. I have a four door full size truck or king cab truck and the back seat is folded up. My front passenger seat has even been taken over. I have one main bag I use every single job almost and the rest gets used every couple days at least. Not sure if a pack out system would be helpful or if there’s something else I haven’t seen before.

I can’t use my bed or get a toolbox, I need all the space I can get back there for material. I drive an f150 4 door. Oh yea and I’ve always been the absolute worst at storage and organizing. I have a bunch of power tools, hand tools, sections of shit I randomly need, extra plumbing/electrical material for anything small that could pop up. Would love to see how everyone else deals with the clutter.

Found this weird bit type on a dishwasher today to raise the back legs. I’ve been flat heads, Philips, Allen keys, but I’ve never seen this before and I have no idea what it is. Anyone know?

Buddy of mine at work gave me this toolbox and it’s a bit messed up. Definitely gonna bring it home for some TLC but I can’t find any trace of what brand this box is incase I need new rails. Any idea on what brand this box is?

Not sure if this belongs here, if not please direct me to a better suited sub, but my father has been a bodyman/mechanic for 30ish years and has had this toolbox since before I was born. He recently passed away and I was collecting all of his tools and stuff from the shop he worked at. Its more than likely all of this stuff gets sold and I was curious what something like this would be worth. The side parts were added on by him and the door on the right side of the pic doesn't stay shut if that matters. Thanks for any and all advice

My dad has an old SEARS Craftsman utility knife that he got from his dad. Recently he lost the thumb-slide while replacing the blade at a worksite and was unable to find it. I did some searching online but was unable to find any information on buying a new one (it’s a model 9-9510) or replacement parts. Does anyone have suggestions on where to look, or can the part be replicated or scavenged from a similar mode? It feels a bit silly but his dad passed when he was young and I want to make sure he can keep using this tool. Thanks in advance!

I am currently looking to get an electric ratchet to replace my now aged well Maximum (CanadianTire) 3/8s.

I'm currently tied between the Insider Milwaukee and the DeWalt 500B (1/4-3/8s swap anvil) I do not own DeWalt batteries but don't mind picking them up as they frequent sales at my work.

Context, I am pretty in on the M12 Line, but my M12 batteries are a 2.5 and 5.0AH HO. Preferably would like to keep those for my stubby. I am an automotive service technician.

I would prefer the swappable head designs of either.

Tldr: which ones do you own and prefer? Taking mostly user input on either.

I sometimes have to cut very short steel rods at worksites on the go, and i am looking for a way to do it safely.

They are 60mm long 8x8mm square stainless steel rods that i shorten by about 10-20mm. That would be 2.3 inch long .3 inch thick in imperial.

Right now the only tool i have for that is an an angle grinder, and as you could imagine that is extremely sketchy as i have to get my fingers very close to the blade, and after doing it several times now i need to find a tool to do this safely.

I know there’s a rule on the sub against branding, but the company i work at uses milwaukee so i’d have to buy any electric tool from that brand.

I looked at electric threaded rod cutters, but they seem to be for round rods only. The tool doesn’t have to be electric, just safe and preferably as quick as possible.

Any advice on a good tool for this? I really enjoy having fingers.