Hobby Thread - September 19, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling lucky and decided on a tool plus theme for this Hobby Thread.

Tool plus? What's that? Tool content with additional bonus content! Hooray!

What time is it? Tool time!

[Top photo: Craftsman Hand Tools Catalog, 1964]

***

This started as a tool thread, but I found a few other things along the way that warranted space in the content. You're welcome to talk tools, screws, framing, cannons, whittling, art or anything else related or adjacent.

If you wish to stay on topic, I'm very interested in knowing what cheap tools perform just as well as expensive ones? This often comes up in the context of "what should I buy or not buy at Harbor Freight?" More below.

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What are you hobbying?

The theme may not be your favorite but give it a chance before you judge and bail out. Any adjacent hobbying is in scope, so jump in with your interests, stories and questions.

In any event, the thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something or be entertained. If not, offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Wow. Just wow.

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I don't know what this tool is or what it is used for but it is a combination of awesome and terrifying.

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This is a great topic - what cheap tools perform just as well as expensive ones?

I would not have guessed that a Forstner bit was on the list.

Higher price typically means more precision and durability. The more parts, the more risk with cheaper. The more that specific metals and materials matter, the more risk with cheaper. A clamp or extension cord from Harbor Freight probably works fine. A caliper, measuring device, a heavy-use table saw, or chisel might not.

Having said that, there are always exceptions and bargains. What cheaper tools or hobbying equipment or supplies or cleaners work just as well as expensive ones in your experience?

***

Screw knowledge

I never use Torx. Perhaps I should??

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Not sure where I got these photos, but they've been sitting in my computer folder waiting for the right opportunity to shine. Where did this wrench come from? I've never seen a wrench with Ford lettering. An old Ford toolkit? A Ford factory?

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I appreciate people that appreciate history. I appreciate people that can make things. I also appreciate clever people that can tell a story in an amusing and engaging manner.

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Impressive (well done theme, art and video). Could you do this?

JTB - this guy has a video for you:

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Cross stitch framing at home on a budget:

How about a professional frame maker? Lots of useful knowledge, but the jigs and templates in this video alone earned it a place in the content.

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If you're not a reloader, can you melt down spent bullet casings to make brass stock for hobbying? Turns out the answer is yes!

I know what you're saying. Isn't this the same guy that made his own cannon? Yes. Yes it is. I think making a cannon at home qualifies as hobbying.

***

Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a tractor theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comments from last week:

***

Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

***

Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Hand jobs?! On the hobby thread?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 19, 2026 05:30 PM (1Ff7Z)

2 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

3 Oops. Hand tools. Sorry.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 19, 2026 05:30 PM (1Ff7Z)

4 Torx screws are really the best, yes you should

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:32 PM (Ia/+0)

5 Welcome Hobbiests
Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

Win any battles lately, Skip?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 19, 2026 05:34 PM (1Ff7Z)

6 I don't know what that weird tool is, but five will get you ten it was made in Florida.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 19, 2026 05:35 PM (1Ff7Z)

7 Finger planes > toboggan planes

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 05:39 PM (wpRMV)

8 Do you have a Frod wrench, too?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 19, 2026 05:39 PM (Cqx++)

9 Couple days ago found a 1/2 wood chisel under the floorat a church proerty, It was pretty sharp and not rusted

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:40 PM (Ia/+0)

10 Can you wear a toboggan plane on your head?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 19, 2026 05:40 PM (1Ff7Z)

11 This post is sponsored by your friends at the People's Republic of Harbor Freight

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 05:40 PM (wpRMV)

12 My dad was unapologetic tool collector. We moved a bunch of times when I was growing up and his favorite hobby was home improvement. It got completely out of hand when they bought their first farm. He started buying tools for the tools.

And my best friend had a boat maintenance and repair business for 40 years. His last shop was an old car dealership that we turned into a boat and engine repair shop.

Between the two of their tool collections we could have built a space shuttle. I never had to buy tools, just borrow and put the damn thing back where you found it!

Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 05:40 PM (viF8m)

13 One of my indispensable tool is a wire wheel.

Posted by: fd at September 19, 2026 05:41 PM (MWfyi)

14 Every farm needs a cannon.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 19, 2026 05:41 PM (Cqx++)

15 Mounted on a bench grinder.

Posted by: fd at September 19, 2026 05:41 PM (MWfyi)

16
I'm beginning to enjoy "tools that run on a Ryobi 18V battery".

Her Majesty was the pioneer of battery-operated fans at dog shows. Home Depot had just just just started coming out with the 8-inch and 4-inch fans run on an 18V battery and she got one for Delilah while waiting for the Hound Group to go in. Handlers were very impressed and now they're ubiquitous.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 19, 2026 05:42 PM (eRlcH)

17 No games lately
But also.in last couple days used my spoke shave at work to shave off tops of floor joists

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:42 PM (Ia/+0)

18 I have a Kubota compact tractor. The company is headquartered in Japan, thus they are all metric. At least mine is. It's 14 years old.

So... I have a bunch of metric sized hand tools for it.

Including the infamous 10mm socket.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 19, 2026 05:44 PM (2Cry5)

19 Nobody has a 10mm socket.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 05:46 PM (viF8m)

20 I was looking through local Craig's List for grape crusher/destemmer and I found one. Unfortunately the hopper is about 4' long and heavy enough to need lifting equipment. It is far too much for what I want so I will be doing something else.

Posted by: Kindltot at September 19, 2026 05:47 PM (rbvCR)

21 You rich kids with your Kubota tractors.

When I was a kid, when the Peoples Commissar came to your door and ordered you to dig an anti-tank ditch on the outskirts of town, you showed up with your family's only tablespoon.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 05:47 PM (wpRMV)

22 4 Torx screws are really the best, yes you should

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:32 PM

Completely agree with Skip.

Once you start using Torx screws on the appropriate projects, you will never go back.

Build even a tiny deck, or a three-step stair riser (and replace the treads 10 years later) and you will never go back.

Driving torx screws is an improvement.

Backing out torx screws is nerdvana.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at September 19, 2026 05:49 PM (HlyYF)

23 I have standard and metrics sockets sets

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:51 PM (Ia/+0)

24 23 I have standard and metrics sockets sets
Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:51 PM (Ia/+0)

----------

Noted.

Posted by: Bob at the NSA at September 19, 2026 05:53 PM (wpRMV)

25 I have way too many tools

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:53 PM (Ia/+0)

26 My favorite wrenches are Gear Wrenches.

Posted by: Ronster at September 19, 2026 05:55 PM (IFwjj)

27 The other thing I learned (too late in life), is that you use a drill for DRILLING things, not screwing things.

You are DRIVING screws when building a deck or doing framing carpentry.

Use an impact driver!

You will get much more work done, AND your wrist will thank you if you put in a full day's work.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at September 19, 2026 05:55 PM (HlyYF)

28 Just looked at VW Beetle roll up tool kit prices on eBay. Eye opening.

Posted by: Anna Puma at September 19, 2026 05:56 PM (+hdxX)

29 25 I have way too many tools

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 05:53 PM

Does not compute!

That is like saying you have too many guns.

Unless you have too many exact duplicates of the same thing, I don't believe it is possible to have too many tools (or guns).

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at September 19, 2026 05:57 PM (HlyYF)

30 Dad was a huge fan of craftsman tools; really didn't buy any other kind. I still have a lot of his stuff from around the era of that catalog. They will probably go to my kids and grandkids.

Posted by: Cheerful Reprobate at September 19, 2026 05:58 PM (VtGHd)

31 Evening, hobby folk!

I just received my new AM-FM-shortwave portable radio, a Tecsun PL-330. First reaction: It's *tiny* -- not a lot bigger than my first 9-transistor radio when I was ten.

Second reaction: I read the manual and put in the battery, and it read "full charge." I went ahead and set some things up, and on shortwave pulled in WWV at 20mHz. The ticking and pinging are quite audible -- but the voice reading out the hour and minute is hard to discern. Maybe I need an extra antenna. The local FM stations come in fine.

Then I noticed the charge indicator was very low, and online I saw a detail not in the manual, that you should charge it before its first use. So now it's charging happily away -- the online resource said it might take 3.5 hours from low charge.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 19, 2026 05:59 PM (wzUl9)

32 Since I don't have to be fast or especially productive with woodworking, I prefer hand tools to electric. (A good table saw is the exception.) All my carving is done with hand tools. Using a Dremel or similar to carve never had any appeal.

I've made picture frames from white oak that have lasted for decades. Handsaw, chisels, scraper, and an antique wooden body hand plane did all the work. Power tools would have been faster but not better. Helps to be not in a hurry.

Posted by: JTB at September 19, 2026 05:59 PM (yTvNw)

33 30 Dad was a huge fan of craftsman tools; really didn't buy any other kind. I still have a lot of his stuff from around the era of that catalog. They will probably go to my kids and grandkids.

--------

Craftsman is now owned by Lowe's and made only of the finest Chinesium.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 06:00 PM (wpRMV)

34 >>Just looked at VW Beetle roll up tool kit prices on eBay. Eye opening.

If you find the tool that gives a Beetle an even slightly efficient heating system, buy it.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 06:01 PM (viF8m)

35 My entire deck, two levels and half surround an above ground pool, are all done with torx.

https://ibb.co/tT9MmHtJ

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 19, 2026 06:01 PM (2Cry5)

36 Bought a Harbor Freight pry bar. Their metallurgy is not the best.

Posted by: Ronster at September 19, 2026 06:02 PM (IFwjj)

37 A few years ago I bought a power drill at -- I think it was still Sears. From time to time I have use for it, and have to charge it each time, but that doesn't take long. At work in the summer of '23, I reconfigured an office/table that was using up space in our break room, so that we'd have room for the water cooler my boss wanted. The drill certainly came in handy with that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 19, 2026 06:02 PM (wzUl9)

38 There's nothing like having the right tool for the job. Don't know how many times I've been trying to do something, getting more and more frustrated and muttering "Why can't I get this right?" To find out that what I had in my hand wasn't cutting the mustard and was usually worn out. Chuck it in the garbage, go find a new one, and viola! Now things are cooking!

On a related note, was once at the hardware store with DH and looked at some multi-use multi-tool up by the register, wondering aloud what one would use it for. DH commented, "My dad told me once, never buy a tool that doesn't know what it does."

Posted by: tankascribe at September 19, 2026 06:07 PM (NtoJk)

39 Bought a Harbor Freight pry bar. Their metallurgy is not the best.
Posted by: Ronster at September 19, 2026

***
I came close to buying a tire inflator there. Then I went across the street and found a better price on pretty much the same unit at Home Depot. It's in my trunk now. It plugs into the "cigarette lighter," as we used to call it, and while I air up the tires, I run the engine so as not to deplete the battery. It comes in very handy. You have to stop at a tire store now to get use of an air hose, if you don't have your own inflator.

I'm so old I remember when gas stations had free air, and when others had those $1.00 inflator machines that never let you finish all four tires on the same buck. You always had to put another dollar in.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 19, 2026 06:07 PM (wzUl9)

40 I still have and use my Craftsman hand tools. I do have others, but my Craftsman ones are the best. I'm not sure I trust new ones.

Posted by: GWB at September 19, 2026 06:07 PM (kU0PQ)

41 That weird and terrifying tool is obviously a Chicago deep dish pizza cutter.

*winks, lays finger aside of mobster nose*

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 19, 2026 06:08 PM (kpS4V)

42 36 Bought a Harbor Freight pry bar. Their metallurgy is not the best.
Posted by: Ronster at September 19, 2026 06:02 PM (IFwjj)

----------

Do you even realize how many peasants farm implements were melted down to create that high-quality item?

Posted by: The Great Leap Forward at September 19, 2026 06:08 PM (wpRMV)

43 And this reminds me I need to break out my sawhorse set-up so I can trim a door. There is no easy, good way to plane the edge of a door - you'd think they made a jig for that.

Posted by: GWB at September 19, 2026 06:09 PM (kU0PQ)

44 As you might guess, I've always has a certain fascination with threaded fasteners.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 19, 2026 06:10 PM (2Ez/1)

45 Can't my iPhone do all of that ???

You want me use something I read in the history books called hand tools ???

I am stressed out and need to see my therapist for help because using my "Brain" to think gives me a headache...... Where is my Mommy !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jackson K. at September 19, 2026 06:10 PM (o/m3N)

46 36 Bought a Harbor Freight pry bar. Their metallurgy is not the best.
Posted by: Ronster at September 19, 2026 06:02 PM
++++++

Standard HF protocol:
Buy five, take four back.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 19, 2026 06:11 PM (2Ez/1)

47 That plane is giving me shop class flashbacks.

{{{triggered}}}

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 19, 2026 06:11 PM (kpS4V)

48 That angle grider would not last long with that saw blade

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:11 PM (Ia/+0)

49 44 As you might guess, I've always has a certain fascination with threaded fasteners.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 19, 2026 06:10 PM (2Ez/1)

---------

It's probably why all the smoking hot babes buy you drinks at the singles clubs.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 06:11 PM (wpRMV)

50 Duty cycle. Harbor freight is a supplier of light duty tools therefore cheaper. You can get lots of decent tools there cheap if your application is not a heavy duty application. Also, I buy HF when I know there's a high probability my tools will be stolen.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at September 19, 2026 06:14 PM (5C90x)

51 Watching the cannon video on big screen

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:14 PM (Ia/+0)

52 I used to work construction and the only thing good about Crapsman was they would replace them with no questions WHEN (i don't say if) they broke. Their skilssaws were really weak but we kept a few around for jobs that might damage the saw, like cutting through old flooring with nails and there was always a burned up one or 2 in there waiting to be taken back. Same with their tape measures, no matter what brand tape measures had a couple month lifespan, so might as well get a Crapsman and when the end broke off, as it always did, just trade it in. Usually we'd wait until we had a few. Otherwise, avoid.

Posted by: docweasel at September 19, 2026 06:16 PM (IuCAX)

53 Sad news... Sherline, one of the two remaining US manufacturers of hobby machine tools, is going out of business. That leaves Taig. Everything else is Chinese crap and (the last I looked) the Chicoms weren't making anything that a) would work in a limited space and b) wasn't total junk completely unsuitable for machining metal. You've gotta go up to one of their 7x mini-lathes for that, and it's not easy keeping one of those on a closet shelf.

I've got a Sherline lathe and mill set up, along with some old-school Unimat equipment. Haven't had much time to mess with it this year due to health issues, but I hope to get back to it this winter (it's a good indoor hobby for winter).

Some say that the advent of cheap 3D printers hastened the decline, but I'm skeptical -- they're really complimentary processes. I've got a Bambu 3D printer too. Printers work by adding material, lathes and mills work by removing it.

Sherline is still selling stuff until they run out, so if you've been thinking about it...

https://www.sherline.com

These things just exude quality, like old school Hewlet-Packard before Carly the Cunt took over.

They're not cheap, so don't expect them to be.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 19, 2026 06:17 PM (qlLNh)

54 Actually, and not hard to believe me, wondered what it would take to make a smooth bore cannon

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:17 PM (Ia/+0)

55 Those metric tools I have for the tractor include deep and shallow sockets, open ended - ratcheting wrenches and a selection of torx. Those are mostly from HF. The other stuff is Craftsman... when Sears was still a thing.

Sort a pain in the ass to store. My Craftsman double stack toolbox is packed with this stuff I can hardly move that damn thing even with it's wheels.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 19, 2026 06:18 PM (2Cry5)

56 The ending of the NC State/Vanderbilt game is one for the books.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 06:19 PM (viF8m)

57
That plane is giving me shop class flashbacks.

The Plane!
The Plane!

Posted by: Bleeding tattoo at September 19, 2026 06:19 PM (Cqx++)

58 Tools! Hand tools, power tools, anvil/forge and horseshoeing tools.

I lack a 3 ton jack.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 19, 2026 06:20 PM (UdrMW)

59 Circa 1983 I was helping FIL tear down an old shed. In the dirt I found an ancient hatchet head, sans wooden handle. Cleaned it up to reveal the CRAFTSMAN logo.
He said I could keep it.
Naturally I thought of the lifetime warranty and figured I had just scored a free hatchet.
Thankfully, I thought better of it and simply fitted a new wooden handle to it.
Still have it today. Looks cool and always gives me an excuse to tell the story whenever I use it.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 19, 2026 06:20 PM (2Ez/1)

60 Those who have ever worked on old British motorcyles and cars know that in addition to metric, the Brits used at least FIVE incompatible sets of threads, none of which were compatible with US SAE threads.

Because of course they did.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 19, 2026 06:22 PM (qlLNh)

61 I saw Three Ton Jack open for Meat Loaf at The Whiskey in '81.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 19, 2026 06:23 PM (wpRMV)

62 TRex,
Thanks for including that 7 days to learn woodcarving video. It does a nice job showing how some of the tools cut, the proper way to use a mallet (gently), the idea of following wood grain, etc. without getting into too many weeds. The guy has an eye for design, judging by his experience with linocut, but that doesn't help with new to him tools. The first project was a good example on how to use small gouges. I also liked that he used thinner basswood pieces to build up a block, which saves some money.

There are some wonderful YT videos on basic woodcarving. Doug Linker and Gene Messer come to mind.

Posted by: JTB at September 19, 2026 06:23 PM (yTvNw)

63 I so.far have played with lead and plumbing solder, but know lead ingots take a long time to cool

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:24 PM (Ia/+0)

64 I'm beginning to enjoy "tools that run on a Ryobi 18V battery".

The only problem with those (any brand, not just Ryobi) is that you're tied into that brand's system. I have a bunch of 18v Ryobi stuff and it's fine but I wish I'd opted for the 40v instead.

On the topic of old tools, I picked up a Stanley 519 brace with Brazilian rosewood fittings for $10 a few weeks ago and a full set of Irwin bits for about $24. They all have a bit of surface rust but I can deal with that.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 19, 2026 06:24 PM (vTZFs)

65 Harbor Freight is good for light use and/or disposable items. I mean, why spend good money on high-end plastic sheeting, rubber gloves, rope, and a hunting knife when all are just going to be burnt or thrown in a hole in the ground?

Posted by: PabloD at September 19, 2026 06:24 PM (CoKDD)

66 I sometimes buy a one-off tool from HF. USUALLY it works the one time that I need it.

Never, never, never anything that's safety-critical, though.

You might feel comfortable crawling under a vehicle on HF jackstands, but not this cat.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 19, 2026 06:26 PM (qlLNh)

67 Handiest thing I have purchased lately is a Ryobi 6 in chainsaw.

Posted by: Ben Had at September 19, 2026 06:28 PM (UdrMW)

68 I know there are good reasons to have battery power tools but I'm not on a remote job site. The ones I've had never held up long term. I would rather run an extension cord if needed. My corded electric hand drills have lasted for decades.

Posted by: JTB at September 19, 2026 06:29 PM (yTvNw)

69 14 Every farm needs a cannon.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.

15 Mounted on a bench grinder.
Posted by: fd

That doesn't seem like the optimal mounting solution.

But maybe I shouldn't argue; I'm not the guy with the cannon.

Posted by: mikeski at September 19, 2026 06:30 PM (VHUov)

70 Good evening Horde. Thank you for choosing the Ace of Spades for your hobbying needs.

I asked Grok about the Ford wrench and it said:

It is a contract-made tool produced for Ford by a supplier (most commonly Moore Drop Forging Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, often identified by an “M” or circled-M stamp on the reverse) and branded with the Ford name for inclusion in factory vehicle tool kits.

The “Ford” stamp on the shank is the period branding Ford specified for owner-supplied tools. Similar wrenches appear in Model T (1908–1927), Model A (1928–1931), later V-8 car, and Ford N-series tractor (1939–1952) kits.

Does that resonate with anyone?

Posted by: TRex - wrenching dino at September 19, 2026 06:30 PM (XfIK1)

71 Harbor Freight also has a loyalty program that periodically gives you useful/useless shit.

Examples are; a pack of microfiber towels, a little extensible wand for picking up screws or other small metal objects off the floor, a set of drill bits, some screwdrivers and so on.

All I purchased was a fan.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 19, 2026 06:31 PM (2Cry5)

72 The only problem with those (any brand, not just Ryobi) is that you're tied into that brand's system. I have a bunch of 18v Ryobi stuff and it's fine but I wish I'd opted for the 40v instead.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 19, 2026 06:24 PM

I think RIDGID has a lifetime warranty on the batteries for their power tools. Plus the calendar.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 19, 2026 06:32 PM (2Ez/1)

73 I was at an arts festival and one lady had a bunch of North African, Tibetan, and other ethnic jewelry for sale at ridiculous prices. They were really cool but I wasn't going to pay what she was asking.

I had a big antique(?) Chinese/Tibetan pendant of a man riding a qilin (a mythological beast, like a Chinese unicorn) that I've been meaning to make into a necklace for ages. I attached an amethyst necklace, made a tassel to hang from it, and now I have a classy and luxurious bit of swag.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 19, 2026 06:32 PM (kpS4V)

74 Republic of Harbor Freight
Posted by: Cicero

Might want to check that, Most their stuff is Taiwan.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 19, 2026 06:33 PM (NnhvP)

75 Farmcraft did a good job on that cannon

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:33 PM (Ia/+0)

76 53 Sad news... Sherline, one of the two remaining US manufacturers of hobby machine tools, is going out of business.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 19, 2026 06:17 PM
***
That is sad news indeed.

Posted by: TRex - milling dino at September 19, 2026 06:34 PM (XfIK1)

77
I think RIDGID has a lifetime warranty on the batteries for their power tools. Plus the calendar.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

Lifetime on the calendar?

Posted by: Bleeding tattoo at September 19, 2026 06:36 PM (Cqx++)

78 74 Republic of Harbor Freight
Posted by: Cicero

Might want to check that, Most their stuff is Taiwan.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 19, 2026 06:33 PM (NnhvP)

'National' Republic of Harbor Freight.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 19, 2026 06:37 PM (zZu0s)

79 My mom gave my baby brother her grandfather's corn shucker, which still is one of the coolest tools still in use.

My dad said his favorite is his channel lock.

My brother's is a ratcheting screwdriver. (He got me a pink one labeled "hers", which I use all the time.)

My favorite tool is either that or the electric drill/driver Dad bought me).

Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 19, 2026 06:38 PM (R1oF5)

80 "Does that resonate with anyone?
Posted by: TRex - wrenching dino"

I figured it was from some old tool kit but didn't know the vintage. In have a few like that, one that says "Austin" in almost the same script.

Posted by: fd at September 19, 2026 06:39 PM (MWfyi)

81 I asked Grok about the Ford wrench and it said:

A few months ago, my son-in-law -- who is also a hand tool geek -- and I went to an event by the Midwest Tool Collectors Association under the impression that it was a general hand tools event. In fact, it was specifically a group of old wrench collectors. The wrenches were old, not the collectors. OK, that too. Anyway, the array of 19th and early 20th century special purpose and proprietary wrenches was mind boggling. Some of them were little works of industrial art in and of themselves. I don't need another time consuming, space consuming, and dollar consuming hobby but if I did, that could be it.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 19, 2026 06:40 PM (vTZFs)

82 I think that big blade attached to the angle grinder is used to cut concrete our asphalt or something. Never used one, but I can't imagine it could be for anything else.

I hope somebody who knows tells us what that is.

-----

OT question for Wolfus,
I am watching a season 4 episode of 'Have Gun Will Travel' episode on INSP.

When did Hey Boy become Hey Girl, who is a lot better at English and a lot cuter? Never seen her before.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at September 19, 2026 06:41 PM (6ydKt)

83 19 Nobody has a 10mm socket.
Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 05:46 PM

My bro said he uses that size the most but the 8mm has been replaced.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 19, 2026 06:41 PM (R1oF5)

84 Cars used to come with a toolkit and a manual. Some of the manuals had EVERYTHING In there. Jay Leno sometimes shows the manuals for his old cars in his videos.

I don't care what anybody says Jay is one cool car guy.

Posted by: fd at September 19, 2026 06:42 PM (MWfyi)

85 The one thing we need is a left-handed monkey wrench.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 19, 2026 06:43 PM (viF8m)

86 Ryobi 18v Tire Inflator. Used it I think ten times, certainly no more than 20; attempting to attach it to lawn tractor tire the clasp ( it clamps on to the valve stem ) fell apart.
The thing is spring loaded or under some form of pressure causing the tiny and small parts to fly everywhere.
_more than slightly pissed.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 19, 2026 06:44 PM (+yTe/)

87 My guess is that Ford wrench was bent to get to something on a Ford where a straight wrench couldn't or not well getvto.
Do have at least 1 , maybe 2 twisted box wrenches

Posted by: Skip at September 19, 2026 06:45 PM (Ia/+0)

88 I think that big blade attached to the angle grinder is used to cut concrete our asphalt or something. Never used one, but I can't imagine it could be for anything else.

My assumption was that it was an old sawmill blade that somebody mounted on the grinder (or vice versa) for LOLs. But your comment made me go back and re-look. I don't think a sawmill blade would have negative tooth rake like that so I really don't know what it is.

Posted by: Oddbob at September 19, 2026 06:45 PM (vTZFs)

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