Discussions
Explore the latest discussions related to this domain.
What are some of your favourite utility tools/websites?
Main Post:
I'm thinking of stuff like JSON formatters, text diff websites, word counters etc. but also more complex stuff like Terraform visualisers or other tools like that.
Would like to make a list of useful tools like this.
Top Comment:
Looking for tool brand
Main Post:
I recently bought a house and don’t have any tools. I was wondering what brands I can look into that will last me a long time.
Top Comment:
Best quality for the money are usually Japanese brands.
You can order straight from amazon.co.jp
Yen is very bad compared to $ or € so their stuff is very cheap (despite the postage costs). Postage is super fast and Japanese Amazon does not mess about like the US one does.
Vessel screwdrivers are by far the best for the money (classic crystaline, the heavy duty powergrip, the megadora...). Anex screwdrivers as well. Koken makes just about the best sockets in the world. For wrenches I'd probably go with KTC. KTC (kyoto tool company) has a complete catalogue and offers pretty much anything too. Their highest end stuff is branded Nepros and those undoubtedly are too nice to use (pricey too), but regular KTC is just as good (although not as pretty). Tsunoda pliers are exceptional. Very good are also all other Japanese pliers like Merry, IPS, Engineer... Lobtex Lobster also makes nice wrenches.
If it is made in Japan, I was never disappointed.
For European - top end brands are Hazet, Gedore, Stahlwille, USAG and Facom. Followed by some other brands that in some cases make exceptionally good products and in other cases are a bit meh. For example I wouldn't advise for Wera sockets, but definitely for Wera allen keys (screwdrivers too, although their handles are meh and I much prefer Vessel for the sheer variety they offer for a much better price). Bahco is overall quite good, especially their 80 tooth ratchets (snap on dual 80 mechanism is used inside of those). Unior makes nice wrenches and sockets. Beta can be really good...
Knipex makes awesome pliers. Very pricey but for some cases very worth it. Cobras really bite crazy.
US brands - well, made in USA is usually quite good. Bondhus makes awesome allen keys. Snap On... Well, other very good brands are Wright, Proto and Williams. I'd avoid Mac and Snap On for the most part. Most things out of them are the same as their "industrial" brand counterparts like Williams for Snap On and Proto for Mac. Mac catalogue especially is also shared with USAG and Facom, and out of all those 4 brands Mac is the most pricey - for example, the Mac RBRT wrenches are sold with the USAG name in Europe for a third or almost a quarter of the cost they go for with a Mac name.
People who swear by tool brands, what is your prefered brand and why?
Main Post:
I sold all my power tools reacently, and now when i got some money i thought id maybe try out a new brand. I had bosch before :)
Top Comment:
For cordless tools, I went with Makita. I was comparing the DHP486 (big 18V hammer drill) with the Milwaukee equivalent. The Makita has a name brand Japanese chuck and is heavier for the same torque output, so in my mind it's probably built stronger. The Makita kit was a bit cheaper too.
For corded and hand tools, I buy whatever is a good value for money. I'm willing to spend a bit more to get Nepros or Koken, because you actually get what you pay for. Unlike Snap-On, for example. Snap-On is really good stuff, but in my mind the quality is just not proportional to the price.