1/2” drive, 24” breaker, Eastwood
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New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
1/2” drive, 24” breaker, Eastwood
Picked up a cheap caliper. At least this one is metal so it feels sturdier than my old plastic one.
This thread is draining my wallet. But most satisfying. 
I have that same dish. Got it for free.
Left on the frame of my Tundra by a Toyota “technician“ who also managed to ding the oil cooler when changing the oil. I reckoned he owed me the dish, at least...
Left on the frame of my Tundra by a Toyota “technician“ who also managed to ding the oil cooler when changing the oil. I reckoned he owed me the dish, at least...
JHZR2
Staff member
Actually have a set of three coming in the mail. Wouldn’t you know once I bought a set (used) online, I’d happen upon a used, like new one in the size I really wanted nearby??!?
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Warranty replacement Craftsman tools. There is more to come this is just what wasn’t on back order. I’m still waiting on a ratchet. I find it awesome that they sent a whole set of picks for one pick. They said they don’t have any individual ones and since it’s covered under warranty they would send me a whole set. The socket I busted on I think Monday on a GMC Sierra drain plug that was extremely tight we ended up having to use a 18 inch 1/2 breaker bar to get it loose. That’s the second replacement 15mm they have sent because I broke another one about 6 months ago that I keep here at home. The screwdriver is broken a little bit on the end.
Below is some tools from a member on GJ he wanted me to have.
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Very nice! Planning some engine work?
JHZR2
Staff member
No I just wanted one of these for whatever I might wish to check out, sometimes not even automotive. I’m thinking I can use them for brake measurements.
The plastic ones are good and close enough for watch case measurements.Picked up a cheap caliper. At least this one is metal so it feels sturdier than my old plastic one.
My wife said: “Now you won’t have to borrow my makeup mirror to inspect the 240s.”
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Craftsman 17mm deep impact socket. 1/2 drive. Picked this up mainly for VW lug nuts because at work we have had a ton of VW come in and I mean a ton just like Toyota it seems every other one is one of those two.
My coworkers are like just use an 11/16 but I tell them I’m one to have the right tool for the job the 11/16 is too big by a little bit. Just enough to where I’m not comfortable using it especially with an impact. I’m the only one in the shop with metric impact sockets the rest of the guys use the SAE equivalent but not every size has one that’s exact. I chose to pay the extra $1 for the Craftsman since they have been good to me about warranty. This time when I checked out they asked for my phone number so if it breaks they can look it up and not have to worry about the receipt.
The Kobalt selection is getting slim again with many items on sale wonder if they are going to get rid of it? I hope not they have some nice stuff.
I realize in a pinch you can use an SAE socket in place of a metric socket and vice-versa, but to make a habit of doing so IMO is not smart. Most good mechanics use the right tool for the job. Good on you for getting the right tool for the job. I'm glad I can still do most if not all of my own work.
Wow! I could easily get by without SAE impact sockets but I can't imagine doing anything without metric. At least, for cars built in the past 30 years...are your coworkers like 80+ years old?
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Haha they are just cheap I guess lol. They are all in debt 10s of thousands of dollars on the Snap-on truck so they said they can’t afford anything else. And they all have about 5 or more kids to take care of lol. I have both SAE and metric in my home and work boxes. I had to use the SAE the other day to put a water pump on a 1997 Dodge Dakota that was towed in but that’s the only time I’ve used it at work in a long while since we mostly do imports and new stuff. The oldest worker we have is 61 he has worked here since he was 20 in 1980.
Yeah, my SAE stuff is being relagated to the low use tool storage box.
Calculator says .6875 for 11/16 and .669 for 17mm, so you are doing the right thing. Unlike people like me, you are actually going to use the tools a lot more, for more years.
Beautiful. Thanks to Astro14 for the recommendation.
I can see using SAE on metric in a pinch, maybe. For a true mechanic doing it on a daily basis, my gut screams HACK, and I'd rather not have him work on one of my vehicles. Flame suit on!
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Yep. Only in a pinch and even then I’m very careful with it. I said well you should of bought metric in the first place working on new stuff and imports. I don’t trust any of them. We had the new guy round off a drain plug today because he grabbed a 9/16 instead of 14mm. Then he also done the same thing on an air gun fitting. I hate having to go back behind him and fix everything he messes up. He also ended up not putting oil in a car so I got to do that too. Thankfully we caught it before it was too late because new cars have an oil pressure warning light. But I am promised an advancement to a brand probably by the beginning of August so I’m ready for that.
That's my point, some shops will stick that drain plug back in, call it a day and it becomes the "next guy's problem." That seems to be the new norm. My buddy is $1350 into a hacks attempt at repairing his AC. Two compressors and a condenser, no leaks and it's still blowing hot. This is after diagnostics and the mechanic stating it's not the blend door, or relay. lol Tomorrow it is going back for some additional troubleshooting. I'm not going to get into the what should have been done, I'm only bringing up the fact that the industry is loaded with hacks unfortunately. They give good mechanics a bad name and reputation.
