Mechanics: what are your most common tools?

A read on corded vs non-corded. One thing missing, cost and longevity?

Cutting the Cord: Corded vs. Cordless Power Tools | Builder Magazine | Power Tools, Tools and Equipment, Cordless Tools, Electrical, Power Management, Mark Clement, Metabo HPT, Bosch, DeWalt Industrial Tool Co, DeWalt, Milwaukee Tool, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp, WORX

 

Much better Mendel pic.

When the leading manufacturer says Milwaukee Tool is fully focused on pursuing the cordless jobsite ... and it will discontinue corded products if demand for a cordless edition outperforms the corded tool" you know the reliability is high and the extra cost is worth it to the consumer.

Safety is dramatically increased without a cord. Especially from trip and fall hazards to electrocution elimination. Safety rarely has to compete in the cost value proposition.

 

Thanks.

 

Batteries are expensive when you use them twice a year and replace them every 4-6 years. (I don't know about you but I sure don't have many pre-2015 tool batteries still in service)

...and batteries are cheap compared to a new face after tripping and falling on an extension cord.

 

I have this urge to snag corded power tools, while they still exist.

With a corded tool, you put it away, and a year later it’s just as it was. With battery powered, you’ve got wake-up chores, or maybe need a new battery, or they’ve become obsolescent, and you’ve got to buy another tool, with new format batteries, and charger.

Some hyperbole more’n likely coursing through the above…

 

Worst case, your heirs will just trim the cords down to 2" when the little tennis-ball-sized Mr. Fusion reactors become available to keep them going.

I eagerly await electric power tools crossing the next boundary: delivering more power than an ordinary 120v receptacle, for larger applications. An overnight charge for a couple of hours' operating, not unlike an electric car. Air tools were popular because they could use a similar accumulation strategy for greater overall power, but they still suffered the tether penalty.

I guess there are already a few battery tools that have put their toe over the line, riding lawnmowers etc... but I'm hungry for the rest.

 

The battery age.

 

Most common tool is a socket set...

 

Ahhh - I remember the days when my tools were photogenic....

Now days, I'd be ashamed to let anybody see them.

 

I mostly use my multimeter, 10mm swivel, 12mm swivel socket, flat screwdriver, pliers, Ryobi 344 ratchet + whatever special Prius tool the particular job calls for.

 

Those are the best kind. People can tell you actually use them.

 

Why, when you can buy em one at a time, as you need them, at exhorbitant prices.

 

I use my brain first along with physics chemistry and past experience prior to picking up the first mechanical physical tool

 

That'll never catch on.

 

That’s the truth most never heard of RTFM

pick up the scan tool read code replace all parts that display codes.

 

Not really hyperbole. If I made a living with my tools and used them every day, almost everything would be cordless. But I just don't see how the typical homeowner can justify going cordless on a tool that gets used just a few times a year. As @Leadfoot J. McCoalroller pointed out, the batteries have a finite lifespan.
Having said that, I do have a Ryobe cordless drill & impact driver set with two lithum batteries that was $99. I have to say, I surpised myself with how much use I get out of the impact driver. With socket adapters, it really helps speed up vehicle work.

There was a time not to long ago that those corded impacts (by Dewalt, Porter Cable, etc.) only had about 150 ft-lbs of torque. A friend of mine had one and I found it to be practically useless. It seemed every time I needed an impact driver, it was for a large fastener, and that electric driver just rattled on it. I ended up buying a Husky pneumatic impact driver from Home Depot for $99. It has 550 ft-lbs and has done everything I've asked of it.
If I didn't have a compressor, I'd definately buy the driver you got. At 450 ft-lbs, that's a useful tool!

 

1 the internet
2 1/4" ratchet
3 camera/video
4 multi ended screwdriver

 

Though cordless tools do have a lifespan, what they lose in longevity they more than make up for in portability.

The lithium batteries hold their charges very well, and I never have any "start-up tasks" before I grab it and start a job. Much easier than grabbing a mile of extension cord or dragging out a gas-powered generator or compressor (which have their own, much more substantial maintenance issues!)

I have a 40-acre property where using corded electric or air tools is simply not a practical option. Sure, I could go out and buy a gas-powered compressor or generator - but at what additional cost? My 10 year old Porter Cable Lithium power drill has done all I could ask of it - and for less money than a quality corded drill. That included drilling 3/4" holes through railroad ties. Even working on my cars would require a 100+ foot long extension cord to get from the house to the driveway.

Don't get me wrong, I love my old Skil model 77 worm-drive circular saw - but it doesn't like running off of long extension cords (even 12ga ones) and big electric tools challenge the abilities of smaller generators.

Finally, corded tools have lifespans as well. I've thrown out many more corded drills and circular saws than I have discarded cordless tools.

 

I'm really shocked at how much tools have gone up.

My tools from 40+ years ago are all Snap-On and I paid dearly for them then.

These days, buying a replacement socket or two to replace worn or missing ones is eye-popping.

As always though - their warranty is ironclad. I got free replacement on 4 screwdrivers because the handles dried out and cracked on the original ones. No argument, no fuss, just send me four new ones.

 

I have about $100,000 worth of SnapOn tools, if I bought them today.
Never had any problems replacing anything.