My Top 5 Favorite DIY tools I never thought I would own

Рет қаралды 6,549

Күн бұрын

In this mid-week extra bonus video, I talk about my favorite DIY tools that have proven immensely useful, but that I never thought I would actually own.
Topo Toppers wedge camper build-out series:
• Topo Toppers camper bu...
DIY rear swing-out offroad bumper:
• DIY offroad rear bumpe...
DIY front bumper for my Nissan Frontier:
• Novice welder attempts...
Sleeping extension for my 5' contractor cap:
• I built a sleeping ext...
Similar budget drill press:
amzn.to/3Tl9Heo
Similar compressor/nailer kit:
amzn.to/430V7Ml
Similar rivet tool:
amzn.to/4bZrPBM
Similar budget angle grinder:
amzn.to/3TnWG3C
Everlast Cyclone 200es welder:
amzn.to/3wE7TUS
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Intro: (0:00)
Drill press: (0:56)
Multiple angle grinders: (2:48)
Pneumatic nailer kit: (4:25)
Rivet tool: (5:48)
Welder: (7:05)

Пікірлер: 73

@twiztidtrucker3989 4 ай бұрын

Wanted to take a moment to let you know that I started doing projects on my forester because of finding your channel. Keep up the amazing work!!

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Nice to hear, thanks for watching!

@xDarthRio 4 ай бұрын

My dad had a garage full of tools and was always doing a DIY project, he could build anything. Me, not so much. When he died I got most of his tools and I find myself doing some DIY projects myself. Just finished my patio furniture build and while I’m really bad at it, it was fun.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

If you're having fun, that's awesome. And it IS rewarding to use the finished product while having this intimate knowledge of every detail of its construction. :-)

@Introverted_Outlander 4 ай бұрын

Even though I currently don’t have it in my possession, it’s on long-term extended loan to a fabricator buddy, but for the last 25 years or so I’ve always had a tubing bender, as a former bicycle builder and sports product designer, it was invaluable to be able to bend, thin wall tubing without crushing it.

@marcericdavis 4 ай бұрын

Projects are the means, tools are the end.

@04JALD 4 ай бұрын

Been wanting to weld for years but haven't learned yet. I think things will change for me pretty quick because I want to build my swing away bumper too and front bumper too. Great job Donald

@drumspipes 3 ай бұрын

I have a central machine drill press that looks just like an older version of that one is probably more than 40 years old. I don't use it often, but it's a great tool when I need it.

@swidahooverlanding2867 4 ай бұрын

I do the same thing you did with the grinders but with drills. Nice to have options on drill size and/or a screw driver bit handy on projects. Nothing more annoying than constantly having to change out a bit or to a driver bit on a project. I have recently been picking up the Bauer line of battery powered tools. Never thought I would like the battery stuff so much. Now I can't get enough of them! HF keeps doing great deals on Bauer Tools and batteries that I can't pass up. Thanks for the video! George.

@brians7727 4 ай бұрын

For wood projects, I've found a Kreg pocket hole jig and the Ryobi Air Strike nailer to be game changers.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I think one day I'll need to step up my game to the pocket hole jig instead of my extremely rudimentary approaches. :-)

@dvonehrlich 3 ай бұрын

The best tools that I ever bought were a Dewalt 1/4” bit impact driver and drill with charger that were in a pack on sale. It seriously changed my diy life. Seriously cut out so much time and effort. 😊

@northstar8 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate the tone and humility on this, Donald. Nice to see someone surprised by their own ongoing learning turning in new directions! 🙂 Inspiring.

@johndej 4 ай бұрын

I think my favorite tool is a chop saw. I have two table saws but find that most of what I need to cut is small enough to do it on the chop saw. It's fast and easy. I actually had a welder for a while that belonged to my ex-SIL. But I didn't have any experience welding so I sold it. I wish now I'd kept it.

@lostinmt8370 4 ай бұрын

Excellent top 5 video with 100% agreement. I am behind on a couple but learned the value of the drill press. Just finished making brackets to hang a fold out shower directly below and off of my awning. I used my landlord’s drill press. Never could have done it with a hand drill. I would add a right angle drill and a right angle ratchet both battery operated to your list.

@scottminshall6420 3 ай бұрын

Donald, I have a pneumatic riveter and a battery operated one as well, I will tell you that I gravitate too the battery operated one more than the other. I bought the Milwaukee 12 volt it is nice and light and has not failed me yet on any of the rivets I needed to pull with it, I work in the aviation field so it gets its fair share of use. Good video!

@Introverted_Outlander 4 ай бұрын

When we used to build race cars in our shop besides typical grinder, welder, chopsaw, drill press, the most common tools we used was the pop rivet gun, the NutZert kit, and my electric terminal kit and pin out tool. The next step in your evolution would be to get yourself a harbor, freight, grizzly, milling machine, and lathe, and then a plasma, cutter or CNC plasma cutter. I’m seeing a lot of KZfaqrs that are using the little DIY CNC plasma cutter that uses your own existing portable plasma torch. But it sure is easy to fall down the rabbit hole of buying tools.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Those all sound like awesome additions to the shop!

@JL2OFFRD 4 ай бұрын

You did exactly what I did and ended up with three grinders each with a different use to save time and effort in changing wheels I eventually upgraded as they died to cordless

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Cordless would be nice. I've cursed at the tangle of cords on many occasions LOL :-)

@stphns1737 4 ай бұрын

When I remodeled an old house the brad gun saved my life. I am ready to take welding classes after watching your channel. Thanks for all of the tips.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Restoration/remodel of an old house many years ago was indeed the catalyst for my possession of this as well. :-)

@kevinthomson6324 4 ай бұрын

The multiple angle grinders is a clever idea. I keep meaning to buy a few but always end up saying to myself “there will be a better sale 2 weeks after I buy them.” So I’m still swapping disks

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I accumulated mine one by one over the course of probably two years. I thought adding just one extra would be enough. Then next project I added a third. Then in the middle of the rear bumper project, I finally went and bought a fourth, LOL. It seems to have stabilized at four. :-)

@clifford_overland 4 ай бұрын

I have a shop full of tools and I'd say the one thing in there that I thought I'd never own let alone use would be my sewing machine 😂😂😂

@insaynbcr 4 ай бұрын

I use my wife's sewing machine more than she does. So, I hear ya! 😂

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I can personally attest to the impressive sewing skills of @clifford_overland though I can't seem to convince him to darn my wool socks.

@insaynbcr 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest It might be the tone in your voice. 🤣

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

@@insaynbcr Probably doesn't help that I insist on referring to him as my personal seamstress. 😂

@insaynbcr 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Haha, that'll do it! 💯

@madcratebuilder 4 ай бұрын

Drill press, small vert mill, small laths, metal and wood, 2 grinders, large and small, welders, mig/tig and gas. Band saw, chop off saw. A bunch of cored, battery and pneumatic tools. They don't get used a lot but when you need them they are a life saver.

@bigriver3278 4 ай бұрын

You continue to impress me Donald. You're video production and content has steadily improved, as have your skills with new tools....most notably your welding. I always look forward to your content....thanks!

@jeffhildreth9244 4 ай бұрын

And then there are the woodworking tools : ) !!

@baron1c 4 ай бұрын

A welder is top on my list to get. But I need to upgrade my electrical system to handle. I only have 1x 20a circuit in my garage for everything. Sometime if my freezer happens to be running, and I start my chop saw, the breaker trips. And I have to go in the crawl space under the house to reset it. Not fun. Huge waste of time. Like changing grinder disks. Avoid at all costs 😂.

@zealousoutdoors 4 ай бұрын

I've been welding for over 20 years, and have used every big name brand grinder there is. I have found those cheap Black & Decker grinders to last the longest. My last one lasted almost 15 years, while I've burned up my Milwaukee and Dewalt grinders as quick as 6 months. I have even had a Dewalt that lasted one week, but I chalked it up to factory defective. Back in the day B&D was a industrial brand with great quality.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Good to hear. It's funny, when it runs, my old Black & Decker sounds somehow better, more solidly built than the much much newer ones I got from HF. I would not be surprised if it outlasts them all.

@jeffhildreth9244 4 ай бұрын

Black and Decker is now a "was". No thanks.

@idahoverland_208 4 ай бұрын

1) I recommend anyone starting out and needing a saw to skip the miter and table saws and start with a track saw. 2) Add two drill/drivers to save time between drilling and screws. 3) Pocket hole jig. 4) your right on with the compressor set. I think a welder will be my #5 verity soon.

@om617yota8 4 ай бұрын

Bench grinder! Same idea as the drill press vs. hand drill, just in a grinder. A lot of things it really is easier and safer to have the grinder stay put and manipulate the object being ground, even if it's small and you have to hold it with vise grips. I'd also add putting locking wheels on my benches and cabinets when possible. It's nice to be able to move them around the shop, lock the wheels, and they stay put.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I came reeeeally close to buying a bench grinder off Craigslist a couple months ago...seems both safer and more effective for many of the tasks I do with a grinder in one hand and a tiny part - yes, in vice grips haha - in the other hand. I definitely will add one before my next major welding project (whatever that turns out to be). Mobile benches with locking wheels is a brilliant idea. I'd love to at least get the welder onto some kind of mobile cart for sure.

@slol144 4 ай бұрын

Sadly, I can do a top 5 drill list, my last one purchased was a small mag drill. My favorite is the 70yo Milwaukee core drill that requires two people to operate and it will kill or maim if not used correctly. Cordless is great for general use but corded is the way to go when working with metals and way cheaper. You don't mind the cords when you see the high priced high amp batteries. $300 battery that might last 5 minutes of heavy use will buy a lot of HF grinders with attachments.

@chuckrf1502 4 ай бұрын

Let’s hear more about that vintage jigsaw, Donald!

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Haha, well, long story, but "my" (much newer) jigsaw is currently in my ex-wife's possession. I found this old one at my local re-use/recycle facility for $9. Buying this was the path of least resistance, LOL

@scottalpine 4 ай бұрын

That’s a great list. I would suggest that your #6 should be a hand torch. With some heat and a good bench vice you can do a lot of custom bending on metal projects. Those flapper pads are fantastic for really getting an almost machined look on a grind job. I worked in the steel industry for over 20 years and the one thing I wish I had at home was a hand torch. No big deal when I could use one at work but now that I’m out of that field I keep thinking how great a torch would be to own at home.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I have a torch, but I have to admit it never occurred to me to use it for bending metal. Now I'm really curious to play with that a bit.

@scottalpine 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest It will make a world of difference.

@insaynbcr 4 ай бұрын

I did the same thing with my air die grinders. Got tired of swapping bits, cutoff wheels, wire wheels, etc. I think I have like 12 or 15 now some straight, some with 90° offset. On a side note if you are ready to dive into the world of plasma cutters, I am about to upgrade from my older Miller Spectrum 300 to a Miller Spectrum 625 X-Treme.

@PrimalOutdoors 4 ай бұрын

Plasma Table

@softroadingthewest 3 ай бұрын

I'm gonna have to sell some plasma first LOL

@ryanbirol3542 4 ай бұрын

Hi there, I’ve been really enjoying your videos. Small question. I see you run Falken AT3Ws. Do you have SL or LT rated ones?

@louiskudlak2241 4 ай бұрын

Can’t have enough toys in our man sheds 😂😂😂😂😂

@lenward474 4 ай бұрын

DRILL press no....but press yes...used it alot to remove and repress small bearings ..also chuck a motor armature and you have a lathe to sand,polish armature...who knew ...

@sagebrushbob2321 4 ай бұрын

I have all of your 'top 5'. Almost. Now I feel deprived. I only have three angle grinders. (sniff 😥). I've looked at the air and battery powered rivet guns, but just can't make myself give up the trusty old manual one that's still going strong.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Oh I absolutely would not be looking at a powered riveter if my manual one hadn't broken. It certainly got the job done and it's pretty rare that I use it. I have a hazy idea for a project that may involve a lot of rivets and if that moves forward, definitely gonna treat myself to power riveting. :-)

@erichughes9098 3 ай бұрын

😎👍

@eldonfox 4 ай бұрын

You'll probably want to get a pneumatic pop riveter over the electric. Pneumatic tend to be smaller and easier to get into tight places with.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Also, after I shot this video, I went and looked at Dewalt's 20V riveter and was stunned at the price. Pneumatic looking way better for that reason also, haha. :-)

@jeffhildreth9244 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Outrageous ! I believe it is the batteries that are the majority of the cost.

@GeorgeLoch 4 ай бұрын

I love having an air compressor but the first pancake I bought was super loud so I opted to get a quieter one from Harbor Freight and it is so much nicer. I have felt the same about welding but, I haven't gotten to the point where I felt comfortable jumping in. How did you first start?

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

I just went and got the little Titanium 125 from Harbor Freight and started messing around with it. I mean, I watched hours and hours of KZfaq videos first. I was a little freaked out by the amount of electricity and heat in play to melt steel, but once I saw that I could nonetheless actually do it (albeit verrrry roughly at the beginning) it quickly felt way less intimidating. It was still rough going at the beginning, plenty of frustrating moments (which still happen honestly). I think the better the gear you can get into from the beginning, including the welder itself, gas shielding if you can afford it, and a good mask, that probably makes for a better learning process than trying to learn while also fighting the cheapest possible equipment.

@1mellowcat 4 ай бұрын

Is the cat not allowed in the workshop?

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

He absolutely is allowed (except when I'm welding) and he loves to be in the garage when I'm working on projects. He just apparently had better things to this particular morning...probably sleeping off his night prowling the neighborhood. :-)

@1mellowcat 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Good to hear. He seems like an attentive supervisor. We're still camping out of our Forester, but very much enjoy seeing where you've taken it from there.

@TheCreateOutdoors 4 ай бұрын

Even worse along the lines of using a hand drill on metal: I couldn't count the number of times a hand drill has snagged on the metal I'm drilling into and ripped the drill out of my hand. Never a fun time.

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

LOL oh yeah, that too! :-)

@barnetts9812 4 ай бұрын

Wait 'till you get into cordless tools. No more plug, unplug, trip, untangling

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Indeed, I've got a few and I love them!

@MSchumacherfan 4 ай бұрын

Cheap don’t last usually

@insaynbcr 4 ай бұрын

In many cases you are correct. As a DIY using on occasion and not a professional using daily, cheap can and does work. I have more than a dozen HF air die grinders that I picked up over time for as low as $9 on sale and as much as $25 normal price. They even have a silly card attached to them that says "oil daily, or void the warranty". I can honestly say, oiled on day one and never again. Some of these are 15+ years old and still work just fine. I use them pretty heavy in the warmer months when I am knee deep in projects.

@timjchick 4 ай бұрын

Great idea on having multiple grinders for the different types of discs. I bought a used Hilti hammer drill to use for a project 20+ years ago. I don’t use it very often but when I run into a situation where I need it it does the job. Several friends have borrowed it for their own projects and it keeps chugging along. One of my more recent specialty tools is a nutsert tool. I put nutserts on everything now. Lol

@softroadingthewest 4 ай бұрын

Haha, I have yet to fiddle with nutserts but seems very potentially useful!

@om617yota8 4 ай бұрын

@@softroadingthewest Don't get the Harbor Freight nutsert tool, the handles are too short for proper leverage. Speaking from experience! Great in my every other way, though.

@timjchick 4 ай бұрын

@@om617yota8 I got my nutsert tool from Amazon. The one I bought had a lot of positive reviews.