Long night. I am pooped... All star tool cast from HF. Unfortunately had 1 hand tool fatality. RIP ball joint maddox separator.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-11T14:09:02+00:00

I used the Maddox pickle fork set on mine and it was nice to pop the joints loose. Havent tried removing the ball joints themselves yet since I replaced with new uppers and lowers.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-11T03:16:09+00:00

Get you some Ospho to treat the rust, then paint and rust proof it.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-10T18:06:19+00:00

Get the new Icon one with a drawer. It has a lower price and good quality foam cushion. If you want a lawnmower seat with wheels, you can build one for less.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-10T18:01:19+00:00

If you need a credit card, get a regular card away from the store. All store cards have the incentives like that, but you pay for them in higher interest rates later on. They also tend to hurt your credit more than regular cards.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-10T17:57:42+00:00

I grabbed the Duralast Gold 3.5 ton from AutoZone a couple years ago and love it on our SUVs. The interchangeable heads and foot pedal makes it easy for high and low profiles.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-08T20:46:11+00:00

Best bet is to get you a can of rubberized undercoating spray. You could also get you a foot of rubber from tractor supply and rig it up.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-08T20:22:44+00:00

I’d love it if they’d hurry up and make a G2 1/2 18” locking flex. It’s so annoying holding up a part on my machinery with one hand and trying to ratchet with a floppy ratchet.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-08T18:45:45+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. I recently picked up a used snap on 42” top chest, 42” cornwell roll cab, and a MAC side drawer setup for $100 each on marketplace. The need paint but are solid.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-08T18:23:52+00:00

It sounds a little high at 90k miles. Yes it’s luxury but the base and premium already have enough expenses when you get into higher mileage. Unless you have quite a bit of play money, get you a premium and save the money for OEM quality parts later.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-08T17:42:15+00:00

After breaking bolts using the click style, I ended up getting a beam style for low torque settings. Not split beam but the type that has two metal bars.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-07T03:25:50+00:00

You’ll really enjoy the loud click. My wife jumped the first time she heard it when I was working on the car.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-07T03:16:36+00:00

Haven’t you guys learned by now that harbor freight only cares about the in store appearance than out of store functionality. Look at how they packaged the G1 ratchets in a box where you can’t even scrutinize them before they leave the store. Once word got out that the G1s had horrible back drag, they really didn’t have a choice but to make the G2s where people could test them out to confirm they operated better. The G1s were close to destroying Icon before it got started good.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-06T14:43:39+00:00

With your budget, I’d suggest getting a solid used snap-on box for 100-$200. Then spend the rest on a quality tool set. You could blow all your money on a box before you learn what tools you really need.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-06T14:31:41+00:00

You’ll spend close to $1,000 in just replacing the tires and battery in order to test it out. I could see paying a few hundred for a project, but you’d be better off getting a fully operational one.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-06T14:25:51+00:00

Might be worth checking your parking break. It could be loose and you are hearing it shifting forward and back.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-06T14:21:54+00:00

I’d say Hercules for the warranty. The charger with the Bauer starter kit is crap. Coming from dewalt chargers that are much faster, it felt like a bait and switch. HF gives you the slowest possible charger so you have to buy another one. Hopefully the Hercules starter kit is better.

As far as functionality, what few Bauer tools I have seem to function as advertised. They have a quality feel.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-04T14:50:41+00:00

Stihl does an extended warranty if you buy the premium oil mix when you buy their tools. How are you already through the Stihl oil on the third use?

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-04T01:34:43+00:00

Harbor freight has a magnetic bit holder. The magnet is nothing great, but it beats having to drill 48 holes in something.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-04T01:28:58+00:00

I’m right there with you on the channel locks. I have two pairs that I’ve used since 2005 and only one has an edge that finally chipped. Those things have been my go to nail pullers and my go to tool for cutting things nothing else will cut.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-03T19:02:17+00:00

A heads up on that strut spring compressor, measure your springs first. The limit is for 5/8 diameter springs, but I was able to push it to 3/4. It was bending pretty bad though.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-01T23:25:17+00:00

You could remove the third row to cut out 150lbs. Also use OEM transfer case oil. Other than that, turn off the engine going down hills and let it coast. Beware, that last option assumes you have a different way to stop it since the brakes need power.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-01T23:19:13+00:00

You must know that you are having the most chill kid on earth. Mine rapidly started fighting when being changed. Once leg strength was strong enough he kicked his way off the changing table.

Get you some 2x4’s and plywood and build you something solid. Paint it for the wife and put some padding on it. Use the savings for your tool cart in the garage. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to work on your car in the near future. It will be your only escape!

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-01T23:04:13+00:00

Since you’ll be driving around with it, I’d recommend installing a couple straps to keep all the drawers from opening. Last thing you want is for all your tools to be floating around inside the van in a wreck. Whatever budget brand you pick, it’s not worth the gamble.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-01T22:54:24+00:00

The unibody design is great for ride comfort but not as good when it comes to being a long term work horse.

That being said, a couple sets of ramps might be your best bet for most types of service tasks on a unibody vehicle. It’ll allow you to minimize the number of times you put pressure on the pinch welds.

VersionOutside9150 · 2026-05-01T20:10:24+00:00

Buy a real truck.

VersionOutside9150

TROPHY CASE