Here are some tools I thought we could talk about today.
Some are new, others holiday tool deals, and all are interesting – or at least I think so.
Bosch 12V Brushless Flexi-Click Drill Driver Kit with Oscillating Multi-Tool – $149
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Bosch’s multi-head tool kit bundle is on sale again.
Tsunoda Cable Tie Cutter – $19
These cutters are available in 3 sizes. They’re meant for flush-cutting cable ties and also have a pliers-like gripping zone for pulling them tight.
Bosch 100ft Laser Distance Measuring Tool – $39.97
This is my favorite low-frills laser distance measurer. I bought mine two years ago for the same price.
Koken 1/2″ Sliding T-Handle – $70
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This looked like an interesting take on a T-handle socket driver. There are a bunch of others on Amazon. I didn’t try this one yet, I went with the traditional T-handle socket driver at a lower price.
Markal Pro Lead Holder Pencil – ~$15
Markal specializes in metal-marking supplies, or so I had believed. There are lots of construction mechanical pencils on the market today, this one has a metal barrel.
Husky Pivoting Head Screwdriver – $14.88
I came across Home Depot’s newest holiday season tool gift. Is this Husky screwdriver an useful innovation, or a gimmick – what do you think?
Swanson Speed Square 2-Pack – $10.98
This is a 2-for-1 deal on the Swanson made-in-USA rafter square.
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless Ratchet and Impact Driver Combo Kit – $199
This combo kit, with a brushless ratchet and impact driver, always seems to be a popular holiday season deal.
According to my notes, it was $249 two years ago and also $199 last year. See Hot Buy: Milwaukee M12 Fuel Impact and Ratchet Combo Kit.
Knipex Cobra ES Long-Nose Adjustable Pliers – $43
You probably have Knipex Cobra pliers, or other adjustable pliers like it. Did you ever wish it had longer jaws? The Cobra ES pliers might come in handy. There are more sizes and styles on Amazon and elsewhere.
The “SBA” retail-packaged version was recently priced lower. The link above has been changed back to the bulk packaging version. I sometimes forget to do so, but it’s often worth double checking that you’re getting the lowest price on the same exact tool.
If you enjoyed this collection of “tool picks,” here are more:
NoDak Farming
Kinda nice to see a Tsunoda tool highlighted. It’s my intention to eventually own a Tsunoda side cutter. And I have a needle nose plier picked out that I want to own made by Fujiya. And as part of my foray into made in Japan tools, I did recently splurge on a Tajima chalk line.
Stuart
Once I learned about the brand (fairly recently), I splurged a bit to try them out. It’s good to explore new brands, and I’m surprised I didn’t find this one sooner.
ebt
This is why I like your site, Stuart. I never would have learned about Tajima, or Vessel, or other international tool brands besides the big names ones like Makita, Ryobi, Metabo, etc.
I have some ARS Japanese-made hand pruners that just feel right, lock easily and are super sharp. Compared to some Fiskars and no-name Garden catalog tools, nothing seems to be made as well as the Japanese version.
Stuart
Thanks! Honestly, it’s a big part of the fun.
I’ll have to take a closer look at ARS, I’m not familiar with them.
I bought a selection of Felco pruners to test out, and was shocked about how much better than are than the others I’ve used before. I keep waiting for the blades to dull and the experience to change, but that still hasn’t happened yet. I’m curious to see how ARS pruners compare.
MM
ARS is fantastic. They are the OEM for several Stihl products. Quality is right up there with Felco. The hedge shears HS-KR1000 are a great introductory tool. Stihl sells them as their “Precision Hedge Shears”, though they cost less from ARS. They are extremely lightweight but don’t give up anything in the cutting department.
Nick T.
I love my vessel e-assist screwdriver, best 45 dollars spent ever!
Rob
I’ve been using 6in bent nose tsunoda pliers and the above cables tie cutters (5in) for 3 years now and am totally happy with them. I have a bunch of knipex stuff but for small pliers being used with less force I didn’t think it was worth the extra for knipex and my only non adjustable knipex pliers has noticeable play in the pivot. After 3 years ny tsunoda sets still have no play in the pivot, sharp cutting surfaces and only a little wear to the pliers teeth at this point. I would rebuy them again in a heartbeat if I lost either and will be purchasing tsunoda for non adjustable pliers going forward.
The cable tie cutter is extra clutch bc the rounded side allows you to grip the cable tie tail and twist for final tightening with 1 hand vs squeezing both hands into a confined space.
Daniel
I concur. I have also been using the 5in Tsunoda for three years. Great flush cut zip tie plier. The inside griper for tightening is not something I’ve seen on any other flush cut.
I also have the HF Icon knock off of the Snap-On flush cut and the Tsunoda by far are a better tool and I reach for them every time over the Icon.
Saulac
Pulled the plug on the Cobra ES for the gripping screw heads function. Understood that it does not do that function as good as the Twin Grip since the special tooth (?) are on only the upper jaw, but I feel the angled head has more access. Want to hear from those who have tried both.
MM
I was confused for a moment: I have a pair of Cobra ES, I’ve had them for years, but I was puzzled what you meant by the special screw-gripping function. Mine (product no. 87 51 250) have straight jaws without that feature. It looks like Knipex has updated the product line at some point because when I google that part number now I can see what you mean!
This looks like an upgrade to the ES design. Most of the time I use mine more like needle-nose pliers, where I grip with the tips of the jaws. I rarely use them on nuts, pipe/fittings, etc. Having that V-groove in the upper jaw would be a welcome addition.
PW
Was looking at that Husky screwdriver in person and on the fence.
I previously bought a holiday promo Husky ratcheting screwdriver and regretted it. The prior version has interchangeable driver shafts. The shafts have a 1/4 hex male end with a ball retention. But the driver doesn’t have any kind of receiver for the ball retention – so the driver shaft is just friction held and falls out easily. It’s like they cost cut one last manufacturing step.
It’s really frustrating because otherwise I really like the screwdriver. The handle design is comfortable and it has a decent action.
I saw this new rotating handle design, and I’m leery of what similar hidden compromises might have been made. From handling it in the store, it seemed definitely built to a price point.
Sometimes Husky tools are a good value, and sometimes the cost engineering is too overboard, and I can’t always tell where holiday items lie.
Hank.H
That Husky is a cheap knock-off of the Felo pivoting and racheting version (F64539) if you wanted a hex bit locking model with proper quality controls and effort. Find em on KC Tool or Haus of Tools these days. I’ve enjoyed mine so far this year.
fred
Based on its UPC – the Husky is made by Hangzhou Great Star
blocky
I had that Felo, purchased from KC Tool; it fell apart under light-duty use the third time I used it. Still have the pieces somewhere. Of course, it was one of the metal joint arms that simply snapped at the pivot. Couldn’t believe it, but it was way outside of any possible warranty period bc it was a tool I just kept in my bike box for occasional tuneups.
It kind of ruined my estimation of the brand even though I know NWS is the OEM for many of their pliers and the wood-handled screwdrivers are well-regarded. I have no idea who makes that screwdriver for Felo. Anyways, I won’t touch anything with that design with a 10m pole.
Alternatively, this Bahco has a smooth ratchet, a solid handle-adjustment mechanism and has been quite fun to own:
https://www.amazon.com/Bahco-808050P-Ratchet-Screwdriver-Swivel/dp/B002SH4JIW/
Wayne R.
The Husky tool design looks like it might be occasionally useful, but terminally fiddly. And that’s before quality issues…
fred
Along with pretty nice but standard sockets – Ko-Ken make and/or rebadge several oddball tools. They have a line of wrenches and sockets to work on studs and threaded rods. They sell sockets for use with weld nuts and wing nuts. They make double-jointed universals, sockets to hold round threading dies, universal sockets for Whitworth-standard nuts, and this bit for rebar twist ties:
https://hausoftools.com/products/koken-bd003e-i-1-4-inch-hex-dr-form-tie-length-70-mm
NoDak Farming
Koken also has their Zeal, or Z-Series, sockets and ratchets. The sockets are supposedly supreme. They make more contact and have tighter tolerances, among other features. They are made with automotive standards in mind. As opposed to general maintenance, multi-use sockets. I have read others opinions that Americans accept Snap-On sockets as the best. The rest of the world accepts Koken as the best. And I’ve been meaning to buy one of those double-jointed universals that you mentioned.
Speaking of high standard tools, Deen Tools copies some Koken, Snap-On, Nepros, and other brands of tools. And they explain their logic and business model plainly. Their stuff is very nice. But still expensive.
S
I was unaware about Deen tools.
Thanks for another rabbit hole!
John
Forgive my density, but is there an easy method to find the bulk fulfillment packaged version of tools on Amazon?
Stuart
Buy this version, and it’ll likely be packaged in a small card box: https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-87-51-180-Cobra%C2%AE/dp/B0FKBZBS8T/?tag=toolguyd-20
Buy this version, and it’ll be sold attached to a retail packaging card: https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-87-51-180-SBA/dp/B0FKBYXDRK/?tag=toolguyd-20
87-51-180: bulk packaging
87-51-180-SBA: retail packaging
Usually retail packaging costs more. Bulk packaging means more items can fit on a warehouse shelf or bin.
Sometimes there’s an option, and one is less expensive than the other. In this case, there’s a $3 difference.
Wayne R.
Right now the diff is $0.79.
Stuart
Thanks! It looks like the retail card version went back to its regular price.
JJ
I’d rather not see Husky building a tool to that specific price point
Jared
You might already have mentioned it, but I spotted some Knipex “2025 Holiday TwinGrip Pliers” today with black dipped handles. I didn’t realize Knipex was doing holiday stuff too.