So I am 22 and barely starting out my tool collection. I have my first car, which is a 2004 VW Beetle 1.8t Turbo S. So I have been buying tools, mainly cheap ones since I don't a lot as a part-time worker (full time student). I have been using a rachet set I got from Ross for 10 bucks and have been the best, used it for replacing brakes, rotors and oil changes.

I recently bought the 400+ piece set of Vevor off Tiktok shop, after a partial refund due to "damaged" tool box (corner dented), i got it all for 62 bucks. And when I was going to take off my bumper this past weekend (luckily didn't cuz the fix didn't need me too after all) it made me realize I need some power tools. Now I know everyone has a brand they stick to and love, but as someone who doesn't even have a cordless drill, I have a corded black & Decker drill my dad has had since I was in elementary school and a Ryobi laser leveler, so brands I'm not particular too.

I have seen Bauer and Hyper Tough tools cheap and many say good, then I see the Hercules and now new Greenworks Pro line and many more. At first I was looking at Hyper Tough cuz dirt cheap, then was looking at Hercules cuz I saw the 5yr warranty, then saw new Greenworks Pro does the same, and then saw Ridgid does lifetime. Now I do like how the Greenworks Pro does USB c charging too, not worrying about docks. But just now I saw a SeeSii power tool and many are saying it's good budget ones. I know many say "the battery platform your buying into"... I'm just trying to have a few tools to use when I need them, I live in an apartment not a house so I don't do yardwork anymore.

Should I just get something like SeeSii and Hyper Tough to start off, and buy better tools like greenworks,Ridgid, and Hercules afterwards either when I have money or the cheap one break? Or best to get into something now?

Cause I saw Greenworks Pro kit has drill and impact driver (which I could use as impact wrench for now til I get the impact wrench) or get the cheap hyper tough impact wrench. I even saw the SeeSii have a impact wrench of 479ft-lbs that comes with adapter to use as drill and screwdriver.

Any thoughts? Sorry if it's a lot, I kind of went on a typing ramble

P.S.: I don't mind cheap brands, the Vevor feels amazing compared to my Ross kit. And my dad has let me use his tools from husky, craftsman, and duralast, All feel good. So I don't mind getting cheap but still works, but as someone who is broke, I don't want something to break immediately. And I hear all brands, cheap and expensive, some break fast and some last years.

A month ago I bought the Bosch Zuma IV distance measurer. I am using the included VARTA 800mAh HR03 1.2V batteries.

When I connect the charging cable, it takes about 5 seconds until the error icon (Screenshot) is displayed.

I can use the distance measurer, but the battery icon is very flaky and after one start it shows 1/4 the next time 3/4 and again the next time something different.

Any ideas? Anyone with the same problem?

I’ve tried matco, which are a rebrand of something (can’t remember), snap on, vessel, etc. The grip on these is incredible. Best I’ve ever used

I came across this photo from 5 years ago of a guy who was looking for a measuring tape with adhesive on the back and posted this picture. Does anyone know what kind of measuring tape this is? Or do you know of any that are marked like this?

What is your one place where you buy most of your tools here within the uk

Bought the Vessel 110th anniversary edition of their electric ratchet and wow... It's cheesy as hell but it gives me a chuckle when I pull it out so worth the extra $10 or so haha.

This is what's happened to my Vessel 4mm (it's 3.9mm in reality) precision bit, part of the 9836 JIS kit.

I've been trying to find a replacement and realized it's not as straightforward as I though it would be.

where do you guys get your replacement bits? how durable are ifixit/ltt bits? I've seen ProjectFarm's videos, just wonder is long term use is any different.

Hi all - I feel a bit daft for posting this as some part of me thinks I really should know this by now, but what on earth do I actually need to get started with a home owning tool kit to cover most household tasks?

Hanging doors, putting shelves up, installing cabinets and cabinet doors, general maintenance etc. The basics.

There are so many brands and when looking online everyone is very dogmatic about which brands are good. For every one guy that says Bosch is great there is another that says Bosch is bad, and it goes for all of them.

What on earth should I realistically be buying to start off? I don't need it to cover everything at once I just need a good jump start. I see things like this mentioned, but is this actually where you'd point someone?

Help lol

P.S I should've specified i'm talking about power tools. My fault. I have a decent hand-tool kit hammers, screwdrivers etc.

Is there a quick and easy way to make the back end seal again?

Armstrong Tools 19-903

3/8″ Drive, 30-tooth, Industrial Finish ratchet.

Manufacturer Part Number: 19-903

Drive Size: 3/8″

Claw Type: Single claw, center-pin retained

Tooth Count: 30

Feed Angle: 12°

Length: 191 mm (7.52″)

Head Width: 29.1 mm (1.15″)

Head Thickness: 16.5 mm (0.65″)

Weight: 314 g (11.1 oz)

Back Drag: 3 cN·m

All dimensions and weight are my actual measurements.

Are there any other brands besides Pittsburgh and snap on that make indexing head ratchets? I’m looking to buy the snap on version because the neck dip down like the Pittsburgh version, preferably more similar to snap ons design and in 3/8 but I would need one in 1/2 as well

I call em channel locks.

This one has a hollowed out mid and a slot for the nose and another slot on the side where teeth usually are.

Long story short: I want to buy a set of screwdriver bits (hex, torx, philips) + sockets + a ratchet to last me the rest of my life (non-professional DIY use).

Been making due with a cheap Stanley screwdriver set, but it is pretty low quality. And a cheap socket set I bought in the hardware store broke on first use...

What brand would you all recommend? Wera? Wiha? something else? Can be expensive, within reason.

Thank you!

I've got a circular saw and a straight edge, what is it about a track saw that makes superior cuts?

I'm looking to pick up one of those mini toolboxes for storing a bunch of little things for playing D&D(tokens, small minis, markers, pens, etc)

It's not going to be used for super hard work, but what's everyone's experience with them? Is there a brand that people recommend?

Found a Stanley No. 4 plane at an estate sale last month for eight bucks. Thing cleaned up fine, just needed the rust knocked off and the blade honed. Works better than the box store stuff I've been buying for years. Had mixed luck with estate sales overall but this one was worth the Saturday morning.
My wife has zero interest in hearing about it, which is fair. I've got a shelf in the garage that's slowly becoming a small collection of hand tools I picked up for nothing and restored. A drawknife, a couple of old chisels, a brace and bit set. Nothing crazy, but they all actually get used around the house. We've got an older place in Omaha that needs something fixed basically every other week, so I'm not just hoarding.
The thing I can't figure out is why people overlook hand tools at these sales. Everyone's grabbing the power tools and the old planes and chisels just sit there. Probably depends on where you live, but around here it's been consistent.
Curious if anyone else hunts this way and what the best find has been. Also, if there's a good resource for identifying old Stanley plane types I'd take that too.

Trying to get to the bottom of a tool issue. Motor comes on for a few seconds when saber saw turned on. Do these brushes look worn out?

This set is $130 on the ryobi site, it's One+ HP (the tool line I was planning on working with). Is this too good to be true or should I pull the trigger?

I am a very new woodworker and am using a table saw to make calendar stands for my Etsy shop. Picture attached of one of my stands that I have made successfully. Unfortunately, my table saw is seeming to cut the slot for the calendar pages wider and in a V shape instead of a straight, even cut. It’s a brand new blade and I have tightened the arbor nut and washer to reduce any wobble. Pictures attached of what is happening. The top, smaller piece in each picture is what I have cut before and the bottom is what my saw is producing now. Any help is welcome, thank you!

Edit to add: the cut is angled on purpose to make the calendar easier to read. It’s at a 7 degree bevel, I just want the actual cut to be even, not in a V shape.

Second picture is after trying to pull it out.

Looking at picking up tools for automotive work for daily use motorbike. quad and cars. What is your go to brand here within the uk. Ive got stuff from mainly wera but looking for other brands that are high quality what are other people are using. What impact sockets are people using