New tool thread

Had the exact same experience with SK LP90's. New guts (took FOREVER to receive) and same problem. Finally just gave up. Total garbage and huge embarrassment for US manufacturing.

Also maddening because ratcheting mechanisms are not new tech. We know how to build them. It's akin to building an oval wheel.....I mean making dem suckers round is hard, pa!!

SK is dead to me. Too many fantastic options on the market, including Taiwanese. Can't waste my time with their crap any longer.
I share your frustration. I did have a little bit of success with my LP90 3/8 inch. See this post.

Post in thread 'Recently made SK tools - Quality?'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/recently-made-sk-tools-quality.373554/post-6632636

Maybe try what I did?
 
I share your frustration. I did have a little bit of success with my LP90 3/8 inch. See this post.

Post in thread 'Recently made SK tools - Quality?'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/recently-made-sk-tools-quality.373554/post-6632636

Maybe try what I did?
I had spent WAY too much time on it IMO. A refund wasn't feasible and I could see no scenario where it would work satisfactorily. I literally threw it in the scrap bin along with all the internals.

Also, I could get it "working" but the second it was under real load (like, actually using it) it would lock up again and I'd have to bang the head to free things up.

After several attempts at taking it apart, lubing things, mixing and matching parts and playing with spring lengths I finally decided to invest my time elsewhere, even if it's complaining on BITOG ;)
 
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I had spent WAY too much time on it IMO. A refund wasn't feasible and I could see no scenario where it would work satisfactorily. I literally threw it in the scrap bin along with all the internals.

Also, I could get it "working" but the second it was under real load (like, actually using it) it would lock up again and I'd have to bang the head to free things up.

After several attempts at taking it apart, lubing things, mixing and matching parts and playing with spring lengths I finally decided to invest my time elsewhere, even if it's complaining on BITOG ;)
Sometimes that's the best thing to do.
 
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Bought this from Harbor Freight, Maddox vacuum/pressure hand pump kit I got tired of the two man brake bleeding and first I bought some one-man bleeders (speed bleeders) but I guess I wanted to be down there at the brakes when checking for air bubbles. I found this vacuum pump and thought this might be easier than the speed bleeders (less steps to take) for changing the brake fluid, even the clutch pedal fluid. Came in a nice kit.

Here some pictures. quality of this seems solid. Got 10% off for this weekend.
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Bought this from Harbor Freight, Maddox vacuum/pressure hand pump kit I got tired of the two man brake bleeding and first I bought some one-man bleeders (speed bleeders) but I guess I wanted to be down there at the brakes when checking for air bubbles. I found this vacuum pump and thought this might be easier than the speed bleeders (less steps to take) for changing the brake fluid, even the clutch pedal fluid. Came in a nice kit.

Here some pictures. quality of this seems solid. Got 10% off for this weekend.
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Why not buy a motive bleeder then?

Pressure is better than vacuum IME.
 
Why not buy a motive bleeder then?

Pressure is better than vacuum IME.
No air compressor but thanks for showing me what else is out there. Looks like I have more homework to do since I was finding that some brake systems are not vacuum method recommended, something about the seals (have to go back re-read that).. I might just say screw it and install the speedbleeders and do it that way, at least I won't be doing anything odd to the system. but @JHZR2 thanks for showing me other methods where then I learned more about the pros/cons, I appreciate the help.(y)
 
No air compressor but thanks for showing me what else is out there. Looks like I have more homework to do since I was finding that some brake systems are not vacuum method recommended, something about the seals (have to go back re-read that).. I might just say screw it and install the speedbleeders and do it that way, at least I won't be doing anything odd to the system. but @JHZR2 thanks for showing me other methods where then I learned more about the pros/cons, I appreciate the help.(y)
My motive is hand pumper, no need for air.
 
Bought a 8.9" Merry Y75-225 short nose pliers at Amazon-US for $36. Shipped from Amazon-Japan and arrived in 7 days. Manufactured in Japan by Muromoto. My first impressions are very good: the pivot joint is perfect, not too tight or too loose, and the jaw tips are perfectly aligned.

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Bought a 8.9" Merry Y75-225 short nose pliers at Amazon-US for $36. Shipped from Amazon-Japan and arrived in 7 days. Manufactured in Japan by Muromoto. My first impressions are very good: the pivot joint is perfect, not too tight or too loose, and the jaw tips are perfectly aligned.

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Only 1 left in stock. https://www.amazon.com/室本-Mary-Y75-225-Strong-yattoko/dp/B007NU3AHA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G029XQZVWI9&keywords=Merry+Y75-225&qid=1695529385&sprefix=merry+y75-225,aps,124&sr=8-1
 
Just finished moving over to a 34" HF service cart from my old 5-drawer. The 25% no restrictions coupon pushed me over the edge putting the new cart at $450 (+ tax)

The larger carts are conspicuously missing a shelf or a side compartment for chemicals. I happened to have an extra HF shelf in orange NIB so I mounted that. I agree it looks funky but somehow I suspect it will function as a shelf just as well as any other color, although my aging eyes appreciate the contrast of small parts on brighter colors, making them easier to distinguish.....thus the orange is actually better for me.

I also just happened to have the red MAC tray from the pawn shop, so I mounted that on the left. It obstructs the handle somewhat but I never use the actual handle to roll these carts around anyway -- I just grab the upper lip or side(s). I'll move it down if necessary but I want to see how I feel about having the chemicals up higher first.

And I know it's blasphemous to some but I pull the lids. I don't need to lock it and the open lid is just too "muchy". It makes the cart feel much larger and it's too tall when open to easily roll under vehicles on the lift unless they're at max height. I understand a lot of guys like the lids and that's cool -- you do you. We all customize our setups to our liking.View attachment 176049View attachment 176050
Quoting myself for a small update: not surprisingly the provided casters are REALLY marginal once loaded, and I do NOT have the cart heavily loaded. Just basic sockets in all three drive sizes, some wrenches, cordless impacts in bottom drawer. But most drawers are nowhere near capacity in either weight or volume.

Anyway, if you care to look at the pics in the quote above, you can make out I had already upgraded the casters on my old green cart to SCC units and they were quite nice. I swapped those onto my new blue cart and it's WAY better. Can now steer and maneuver it where as before it would roll but changing directions was a bit like the Titanic trying to avoid an iceberg.

I don't know the exact weight rating or specs on the SCC units but they're the same size as stock and look like so:
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1/4" Snap on, I don't like the soft grip much but I like QD so picked this up on Ebay with plans to swap the handle with the hard handle non-QD I picked up off Ebay a few weeks ago.

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Got these for my mobile bag.
 
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Wheel bearing hub removal tool. Saw the South Main Auto video using the OG Lisle tool a few days ago,



and found that Chinese knockoff on Amazon for $49, or half the Lisle price. Only do a wheel bearing maybe once a year, if that often, but better to have a tool and not need it, then.......

Also have this LTI Hub Shocker which still took over 2 hours to get a hub off,

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after which I picked up the Astro Last Chance tool featured on SMA too,

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I'm set for any wheel hub removal challenge now.
 
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New to me tool. Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brushless 1/2 drive impact. Have the exact same one at work but always have to bring it home to work on dad’s rig so I wanted one for the house. @The Critic gave me a great deal on it with the battery so I couldn’t say no. Haven’t gotten any new tools in awhile so this is nice. Now I don’t have to worry about bringing mine home. This one does feel way heavier than mine but probably because I don’t use mine a ton ever since I got my 3/8.

Some people on another forum asked me awhile back why I haven’t been buying tools it’s because the pawn shop I was using closed up and the tool trucks hardly ever stop now and I’m just trying to get all my debts paid off as well as pay off my credit cards so kinda put all the tool buying on hold except for necessities. I also just bought an $1,100 phone outright too so that’s another reason I’ve been saving for it for a long time. I’m trying not to be stupid with money anymore I’ve got most things I need. Though not all but certainly am working to get the rest of the things I need. I’ve already got most special tools just have to get a few more. The Snap-on man stopped Thursday and tried to get me to buy a bunch of things but I already had everything he was trying to sell me and I don’t need more debt anyway.
 
Wasn't it just a few weeks ago you were saying you didn't have any credit cards and maybe should get one to build your credit? And now you need to pay off your credit cards plural? Something doesn't add up. And as Yoda wisely says, "do or do not, there is no try".
 
Wasn't it just a few weeks ago you were saying you didn't have any credit cards and maybe should get one to build your credit? And now you need to pay off your credit cards plural? Something doesn't add up. And as Yoda wisely says, "do or do not, there is no try".
I’ve had two for a couple weeks now. Haven’t said anything here though. I was taking enough heat for the phone so decided to wait to mention the cards. After I talked it over with my dad he changed his mind and he said I should get them just had to be responsible. I was pretty surprised at the amounts I got too. Now just need to get that balance down. I’ve used both a little bit more than I wanted but it’s been nice. And I’ve been making 2-3 payments for the last two weeks or so since I built a balance on them. The one that gave me the online card while I waited on the hard copy I got a little carried away with but luckily it’s in a manageable amount now.
 
I’ve had two for a couple weeks now. Haven’t said anything here though. I was taking enough heat for the phone so decided to wait to mention the cards. After I talked it over with my dad he changed his mind and he said I should get them just had to be responsible. I was pretty surprised at the amounts I got too. Now just need to get that balance down. I’ve used both a little bit more than I wanted but it’s been nice. And I’ve been making 2-3 payments for the last two weeks or so since I built a balance on them. The one that gave me the online card while I waited on the hard copy I got a little carried away with but luckily it’s in a manageable amount now.
Well, you might as well burn the book and plan on being broke and near penniless all your life, to be brutally frank, barring an unforeseen miracle. Good luck. You definitely will need it absent major changes.
 
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