Best tools you've purchased or acquired?

[kneedownnate]

I know we all have at least one.  That one tool you see in your collection and think "that was my smartest purchase".  Ok, it could have been given to you or left in a parts truck you bought.... it's probably happened to many of us.  Doesn't necessarily have to be one either, could be a top 5 if you want.  My latest purchase wouldn't stop staring at me from the sale flier, and I finally had to break down and buy it the day before it went off sale.  I'll start:

Matco 9 way slide hammer puller set.  I didn't even notice everything it could do when I bought it, but I know it'll prove invaluable when I get in a pinch and need it.

Mac flywheel holder.  No more trying to find a place to wedge a screwdriver to hold the flywheel still when removing pulley bolts, clutch or flywheel bolts.

Craftsman blade and anvil tube/hosing cutters.  This was one of those gifts my mom gave to me and I was at what I'd use it for.  That quickly went away the first time I had to cut a radiator hose or fuel line, and they've since been nearby any time I have a need for tools.

Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches.  I went a looong time without these, then saw them on sale for 1/2 off when I went to pay my bill at sears one day and couldn't resist.  5* swing arc (or whatever the hell it's called) was very tantalizing, and I can tell you it's hard to go back to any coarse thread ratcheting tool after using a fine tooth tool.  I've been keeping my eyes on ebay for a set of good quality fine tooth ratchets, but they still sell for a premium used.

Craftsman aluminum fast pump jack.  I had the same 90lb harbor freight jack so many of us have had and it served me well, but I again was at sears paying my bill, saw this jack for like $50 off and ended up coming back later to buy it.  It'll hit most jack points on my first gen with one full pump, but where it really shines is under a lower vehicle where you can barely pump it. 

So what are your favorite, can't live without tools?

[Tool Pimp]

So what are your favorite, can't live without tools

ALL OF THEM!! If I had to choose Id go with my Matco 1/2 cordless impact 

[jimbo74]

i have a set of craftsman 3/8 drive metric standard length and deep sockets, from 10-19mm

also have a snap-on 3/8 drive ratchet that has the body of a 1/4 drive

10 pc metric gearwrench ratcheting wrenches, got them @ sears on sale for under $30 last thanksgiving (same set is usually like $80-90)

[Thomas P]

  Ratchet wrenches, I have stubbys, and normal they are the !!

I know that carpentry tools may not apply, but since im a contractor I have tons of carpentry tools and I have to say that my 12" sliding miter saw, on a MSUV is my favorite (miter saw utility vehicle)

[Homefries]

Picked this up for $40 brand new at a yard sale.  This has gotten me plenty of free  from my friends.  Well worth the money IMO.

[KDXSR5]

I have two complete 41 pcs sets of Snap-on tap and die sets; one metric, one standard. I found them at a house I helped clean out. Looked brand spanken new. I LOVE them, I now use them all the time to clean up threads and bolts. About $400 new.

[kneedownnate]

I have two complete 41 pcs sets of Snap-on tap and die sets; one metric, one standard. I found them at a house I helped clean out. Looked brand spanken new. I LOVE them, I now use them all the time to clean up threads and bolts. About $400 new.

Oooh, good one!  It's tough to beat a quality tap and die set, except when you buy a 40 piece set and find a very common metric tap isn't included in the set

[zuksarge]

mine is my Lincoln MIG welder. It has served me well and I have used it to make tools like the two different spindle nut sockets

[WHITE_TRASH]

My most used tool is my hammer I made at the farm I used to work at.  1x.120" handle with a 32 oz head.  Wasn't heavy enough so I welded a 6" long 5/8" bolt into the head.  The handle is a bit longer than normal and hollow so its a perfect cheater bar for ratchets etc.  The last time I used it was to dismount a set of 38" sx's... I used it like a slide hammer on my tire spoons to get the next bite to get them off the wheels. 


I have those crapsman ratchet wrenches too.  Not to bad but I've warrantied them a LOT...


The strangest tool I never thought I'd use but do constantly is a craftsman  rechargable impact driver 1/4"  I have drill bits that fit into its arbor and it never fails to drill into something with its impacting action. 

[94MtnYote]

 Jackson Auto darkening helmet w cutting torch and grind mode, b-day gift from my girl!
Bosch 4 1/2 ''  hand grinder,  just a great tool
  Ruger 10/22

[kneedownnate]

I've been lucky with the craftsman ratchets.  I have the metric and standard sets and have only had to return the 14mm once when it was locking up.  I've gone in to return a 3/8 ratchet (I've gone through probably 8, 3 of which were within 2 weeks) and am surprised at the attitude I sometimes get.  Sometimes they're cool about it, apologize and get you another, but occassionally the older guys will look down their nose at me like I'm trying to scam them.  Sorry if you can't always feel what I do, but when you can only get one or two clicks and it skips and starts busting you up, it's time for a return.  I got a broken 3/8 mac ratchet super cheap off ebay, had the mac guy fix it and began using it mostly so I don't have to worry about returning the craftsman ratchet again.

[WHITE_TRASH]

I have an older craftsman 3/8 that still works. I am careful with it beings its old and still has a metal direction lever on it.. I wasted 4 of those plastic levers in ONE day changing the plugs on my 84....  3+1" of extension to clear the headers would put the head of the ratchet at the bottom of my inner fenderwell and when Id turn it it'd shear that damned lever off..   



Oh and my ratchet wrenches... The only one I havent warrantied yet is the 5/16".. I put that one on some screwdrivers with a hex on the shank and REEF on them with no breakage yet.. Go figure.

[boggerunner]

my snapon 1/2" impact

[KDXSR5]

my snapon 1/2" impact

Those are so awesome, I have one of those too!

[BigMike]

Tools? Who uses tools? When you've got my guns, tools are no longer required

[79coyotefrg]

[Duffil]

Tools? Who uses tools? When you've got my guns, tools are no longer required

BigMike is so bad, he'd eat the boogers out of a dead mans nose...and ask for seconds.

I love my Snap-On Torq-o-meter that I got a while back for free.  Dial type torque wrench from like 1975.

[crawlerdan]

my grandpa used to own 3 mac trucks in the 50 and 60s and 70s

so i have alot of old mac tools

including a impact gun from the early 70s

[David]

Craftsman 5 hp air compressor with a bunch of air tools and my trusty Mig welder, the mig was a Christmas gift from my son and grandson. And two sets of metrics from tiny to real big.

[Doof]

my dad just gave me a 3/4" drive ratchet, breaker bar, and sockets from 11/16- 2"

orgasmic when i opened it up and saw it... also my grinder and hammer, and air compressor... o biggest and best of all

my shop , it where i keep all my tools and toys of the sort.... if i remember ill take a pic when i get it cleaned up and show you guys what im talking about

[krawlz]

My most recent purchase.  Sweet!   

The dog is new too.

[solar86yota]

One of those magnetic Telescopic tools. (Hercules)  :bowdown:This thing has saved my bum so many times!  I dropped a nut down my steering shaft, BROKE PCV VALVE IN HALF and got is stuck in the valve cover, dropped many bolts in the Radiator, countles other stupid things that this cool little tool has saved me on!

[Bazzi]

my faworite tool is my old old old hammer....   cordless impact wrench.... tig/pin welder and a tool I bought for the company and have been using alot around the truck.... magnetic driller.... LOOOOOOVE that tool.

[CTENG in KS]

Hmm favorite tool is a toss up between my new plasma and STEP DRILL BITS!!!  They are the shizzle.  Just got a set, never used them before.  What was I thinking using std bits!!??

[BLACKDOG]

My hammer, grinder with a cutoff wheel

I've got a stanley ratchet that just won't give up.  I've broken all of my other ones, and broken some sockets with the stanley, and it still works just fine.  I've even been seen jumping on a cheater bar trying to break a bumper bolt loose with it, and the bolt broke, not the ratchet. 

[Doof]

Picked this up for $40 brand new at a yard sale.  This has gotten me plenty of free  from my friends.  Well worth the money IMO.

dude what the hell is that tool?

[Rockcrawlintoy]

a tire groover

[DTB]

my trusty BFHs  ( I have 3 of them)   

[Toymin8r]

My



It doesn't drive nails too good though! 

[DTB]

thats deep right there