Some of you might have noticed that I have started posting to social media again. And if you haven’t, I figure that either you’re not following me yet (@ToolGuyd), or you’re not really into social media – but that’s okay, it’s why I do these summary posts.
If you’d like to follow along with new posts, here are links to our channels:
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And if the answer to this is “false,” and you don’t have any hemostats in your tool box, you can fix that – Buy Now (curved forceps) via Amazon. I borrowed one from my father a long time ago, and have purchased a couple more since. They’re not quite tweezers, and certainly not pliers, but something comfortably and usefully in between.
I bought these 12 years ago, just before starting ToolGuyd.
ToolGuyd is nearly 12 years old?!! And what an experience it has been!
I received this Craftsman Professional Vibrafree sander nearly 11 years ago, one of my first-ever review samples, and it’s…
oh, I really didn’t like the special sanding discs.
You can still buy them from Rockwell, whose parent company made this sander for Sears and Craftsman, but I still very much prefer common, popular, and easy-to-find standards.
If you run out of a grit of the special 2-piece sandpaper that this sander takes, good luck finding it at any stores.
Which corded sander would I buy on a budget? Bosch’s 5″ ROS sander, regularly priced at $69.
My Milwaukee Tool M12 Fuel oscillating multi-tool review sample saw some more use this weekend. *thumbs up* so far, and I’m liking the blade change mechanism.
The first post shows the very significant size difference between older-style Craftsman and Channellock mini adjustable wrenches.
This image below shows the max opening differences.
I like small tools and cannot lie.
Choices are good! I tend to use 3M/Scotch Super 33+ and Super 88 electrical tape, and was wondering about what pros might prefer. (You’re of course encouraged to chime in here!)
Throwback to when I compared the size of Milwaukee M12, Dewalt 20V Max Atomic, and Makita 12V CXT cordless drill/drivers.
For a moment I thought this was a duplicate of the screwdriver pics/post above, but it’s not – this is a full-size Phillips #1 screwdriver next to a precision-style #1 screwdriver.
Topping off my tires, and apparently I was wrong to place it down on the FlexVolt battery. With a large battery, the inflator is supposed to be laid down on its back.
“Daddy, why do you keep buying more tools?”
This Craftsman tape must have been sitting on the shelf for two years. It definitely wasn’t from the 2019 holiday season, and I realize now how to tell. Last year, Stanley Black & Decker changed their marketing from “standout” to “reach,” which is the standout spec plus 3 feet.
Read More:
Why are Dewalt and Craftsman Advertising Tape Measure “Reach” Instead of Standout?
Once Again:
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I like to treat social media as a sort of “behind the scenes,” or “review in progress” sort of outlet, which is sort of what I originally envisioned for the forum. But, social media seems more effective.
I hope you’re all well and safe!
Nate B says
I use Scotch 35 for most things, especially color coding; it holds well enough and it removes cleanly. I use 33 when I need the adhesive, and rarely touch the 88 anymore.
I also have some Taeyoung electrical tape which is as thin as 88, but I like the stretch characteristics better, and it doesn’t peel itself off quite so much as it relaxes.
The Craftsman Pro 73574 strippers (the small-gauge counterpart to the ’73 you pictured) are my favorite ever. I was lucky enough to score a bunch of ’em before they went away, which are tucked in the back of a cabinet as spares now.
I, for one, hate the Teeny Turner! If it was based on standard 4mm hex bits, it would be one of my favorite tools; it really is a great form factor. But special-snowflake bits mean I can’t use the handle with the rest of my menagerie, and it just frustrates me every time I see it.
Stuart says
I use my smaller gauge Craftsman Pro a lot! I needed this one for working on RC battery cables, before pulling out a heavy duty Klein, but I use my smaller wire size Craftsman Pro for many more projects.
Jared says
I would read a toolguyd post about the differences between, and the utility of, electrical tape variations.
Shane says
Second.
Bob says
Congrats on almost 12 years!
I guess I never knew taping an outlet was considered controversial? I have seen it done on individual switches or outlets in multi gang boxes. I guess as extra precaution to keep wires from shorting? Or is that a band-aid for shoddy wire management? Genuinely don’t know. I’ve done it on a few occasions when the box was really tight.
We can all agree that crappy no name electrical tape is just miserable to use. Doesn’t stretch right. Glue on the tape doesn’t hold. I like the 3m tape quite a bit. Come to think of it does 3m make a product that isn’t the best or at least really good? They always charge more but I think its usualy worth it. No I don’t work for 3m lol
Stuart says
Thanks!!
Maybe not controversial, but polarizing. I’ve seen many arguments for it, and others against, saying it’s not necessary.
Corey Moore says
Tends to boil down to those who just it as a crutch while ignoring the common issue of sparkies making lazy, terrible terminations lol It’s an annoyance also how often someone uses the wrong tape and you have to peel/chip out rotten tape. One of those “both kinda right” issues- no reason not to, but by properly terminating you shouldn’t need to. We’ll find anything to fight about as sparkies lol
Jared says
I’m not an electrician but have certainly changed out lots of outlets, switches, light fixtures etc. I have never come across one wrapped in tape. I didn’t even know of the practice until I read Stuart’s post about the rubber-band like alternative from Ideal (post here: https://toolguyd.com/ideal-armourband-electrical-outlet-tape-wrap-replacement/).
I understand the precautionary idea behind it, but I imagine it must be annoying when changing out one that’s wrapped.
What about the quick-wire holes on the back of most outlets? E.g. where you can just push in the stripped wire end and not use the screws on the side. Would someone still wrap the outlet just to cover the unused screws?
Also – any reason NOT to use the quick-wire holes? Are they just as secure and do they offer just as good of contact?
Adam says
The older spring-loaded quick-wire holes were a problem, at least from what I saw working with my dad. The newer style that’s secured by the screws seems to work fine.
Corey Moore says
That’s another matter of preference and experience lol There was a common issue with the stab style back in the day, but with ever-growing standards and testing anything certified by Underwriters Laboratories should be 100% perfectly safe, as is. Electrical can be one of those high-stakes environments though, where one bad experience for a person will often (understandably) result in a “fool me twice” mentality, and we’ll die on whatever hill we’ve got an opinion on, be it tick-tracers, breaker styles, taping, and methods on anything you can think of. End of the day, if it meets the required standards you’re good, and if anyone wants to go above and beyond for any reason other than just up charging a customer- more power to them.
David Zeller says
I love it when you do these posts. I seldom go into Instagram, and I never see your posts there.
Thanks for putting these summaries together. And congratulations on being almost a foot years old!