Amazon Stuff That Doesn't Suck

[jjeff]

For 20 bucks from Amazon this doesn't suck. Definitely beats old methods of using thread pitch gauges, taps , and dyes.

 

[California]

A comment on Amazon reviews: Sort by Most Recent.

This gets rid of the 'Free if you review it' complimentary reviews. And cases where recent sales are junk sold under an outdated description - which happens.

 

[GeneV]

A comment on Amazon reviews: Sort by Most Recent.

This gets rid of the 'Free if you review it' complimentary reviews. And cases where recent sales are junk sold under an outdated description - which happens.

Yep I always do it like that too

 

[ponytug]

For 20 bucks from Amazon this doesn't suck. Definitely beats old methods of using thread pitch gauges, taps , and dyes.

Thanks for this. That looks nice. I had been reluctant to try similar ones because I was concerned that the gauges were made out of a soft aluminum and I wondered how they would hold up. Do you have a link?

All the best, Peter

 

[jjeff]

Thanks for this. That looks nice. I had been reluctant to try similar ones because I was concerned that the gauges were made out of a soft aluminum and I wondered how they would hold up. Do you have a link?

All the best, Peter

Haven't used it much so cant speak for durability of threads yet I would want the threads of this to get screwed up before a tapped hole anyway, but it definitely works much better than previous methods Ive used to determine size and especially thread pitch plus I don't have to worry about screwing up threads using taps, dies, or hardened thread restorers. It's also much easier to determine thread pitch over pitch gauges I previously used. I do however wish it had more sizes up to 9/16ths. But for now I'm really glad I bought this including the plastic organizational case it came in. Can't find my Amazon link but depending what you do I recommend getting a larger kit with more sizes.

 

[Joel/ak]

Been lucky on alot but the best so far isn't really all that big.

I totally despise those California compliant (or whatever you call them) gas caps on fuel cans that hardly work worth a crap.

I get the old style flex style off of Amazon. 3 pack, course and fine threaded nuts and 3 vents.

Sometimes it's the small things in life

 

[California]

We don''t like them either.

 

[jjeff]

Curious if anyone owns ,uses, or used a similar 52cc pile driver from Amazon? Thoughts? Initially I'd be using it to drive old sign posts found on my property up north.

 

[5030]

Looks like a great way to get Carpal Tunnel.

 

[2manyrocks]

Idk, manual post pounder gives me more of a workout than I ever wanted.

 

[jjeff]

Anyone ever see the size of actual steel road sign posts? They make consumer grade fence t-posts look like tooth picks. Lol. probably go with option 2 using my old gas powered two man earth auger that also can be quite the work out.

 

[2manyrocks]

I had a gas handheld auger. Thought it was going to save so much work. Then a few rocks convinced me otherwise.

 

[oldtimer 66]

I have been using these since 2018. Approx. $2.50 each in a 10 pack. Can beat them.​

Copy the below and put in the search bar.

Benchmark Abrasives 4.5" x 7/8" Premium High Density Jumbo Zirconia Type 29 Flap Discs 4 1/2 for Angle Grinder, Sanding Discs, Finishing - Grinding Wheels 4 1/2 Inch (10 Pack) - 40 Grit​

 

[jjeff]

I had a gas handheld auger. Thought it was going to save so much work. Then a few rocks convinced me otherwise.

My two man did save me some time despite hitting lots of rocks, dropping 8" sono tubes 54" for a deck up north. I'm kind of certain I won't be able to use it like I did in the past at least with a 8" auger on it, especially in soil up there.

 

[wolc123]

Anyone ever see the size of actual steel road sign posts? They make consumer grade fence t-posts look like tooth picks. Lol. probably go with option 2 using my old gas powered two man earth auger that also can be quite the work out.

My biggest problem with the cheap pile driver was the crappy job on welds. They left all the “bird crap” in place on the welds.

I didn’t have any work gloves up at my father in laws place a few falls ago. He asked me to drive in “consumer grade” t-posts all the way across the end of the lake up by their retirement home.

My hands were blistered and torn by the time I finished that job. Fortunately, he had ear plugs for hearing protection. Those cheap pile drivers are also very loud, especially when you work for hours, with them.

By contrast, the cheap hand-held t-post pullers work extremely well. Much better in fact, than a tractor and bucket chain and hook. So much so, that my father in law never asks me to help him with that “pulling” job.

All of those “consumer grade” t-posts are reusable when you use that, unlike the tractor for pulling (and sometimes for pushing), which can often mangle them beyond effective reuse.

No big deal with the cheap pile driver any more though. 5 minutes with a hand file (after my blisters healed), and it’s just as good as the antique “made in USA” one that I use at home. Still not good enough for my father in law to use himself though, especially now that he just turned 80.

 

[jjeff]

My biggest problem with the cheap pile driver was the crappy job on welds. They left all the “bird crap” in place on the welds.

I didn’t have any work gloves up at my father in laws place a few falls ago. He asked me to drive in “consumer grade” t-posts all the way across the end of the lake up by their retirement home.

My hands were blistered and torn by the time I finished that job. Fortunately, he had ear plugs for hearing protection. Those cheap pile drivers are also very loud, especially when you work for hours, with them.

By contrast, the cheap hand-held t-post pullers work extremely well. Much better in fact, than a tractor and bucket chain and hook. So much so, that my father in law never asks me to help him with that “pulling” job.

All of those “consumer grade” t-posts are reusable when you use that, unlike the tractor for pulling (and sometimes for pushing), which can often mangle them beyond effective reuse.

No big deal with the cheap pile driver any more though. 5 minutes with a hand file (after my blisters healed), and it’s just as good as the antique “made in USA” one that I use at home. Still not good enough for my father in law to use himself though, especially now that he just turned 80.

Seems most I've been looking at come with ppe including gloves which I'm sure are high quality and durable like the tool kits included . I'm a self proclaimed pro using a grinder with a flap disc to mitigate the poor Chinese welds. Anyways thanks for the input. On fence, (pun intended) lol, if I want to go with gas or electric or anything at all. Probably gas so I don't have to lug my generator around the woods. Need it to work for one interesting project for me anyway to use up a bunch of old galvanized steel road sign posts and old 20+ ft long green 2x12s. If it still runs and operates somewhat reliably after my initial project up north I foresee me using quite a bit on my hobby farm/ thriving unintentional wildlife sanctuary down state.

 

[jjeff]

I have been using these since 2018. Approx. $2.50 each in a 10 pack. Can beat them.​

Copy the below and put in the search bar.

Benchmark Abrasives 4.5" x 7/8" Premium High Density Jumbo Zirconia Type 29 Flap Discs 4 1/2 for Angle Grinder, Sanding Discs, Finishing - Grinding Wheels 4 1/2 Inch (10 Pack) - 40 Grit​

I buy all my consumable grinder accessories on Amazon including 4.5" wafer/ cutoff wheels. It's definitely nice they sell in fairly affordable quantities. Can't recall the last time I bought / overpaid for one or two wafer wheels or flap disks from a brick and mortar store. What I found on Amazon selections seem to be almost as durable as higher quality name brand grinder consumables.

 

[jyoutz]

I buy all my consumable grinder accessories on Amazon including 4.5" wafer/ cutoff wheels. It's definitely nice they sell in fairly affordable quantities. Can't recall the last time I bought / overpaid for one or two wafer wheels For flap disks from a brick and mortar store. What I found on Amazon selections seem to be almost as durable as higher quality name brand grinder consumables.

The HF Hercules grinder accessories are top notch and cheaper than most stores and often Amazon when they’re on sale.

 

[jjeff]

The HF Hercules grinder accessories are top notch and cheaper than most stores and often Amazon when they’re on sale.

Can you get 25 4.5" wafer, cut off wheels for 20 bucks?

 

[ponytug]

Can you get 25 4.5" wafer, cut off wheels for 20 bucks?

Well, last time I bought them at Amazon, the ones that I bought were $12 for 25...but price and quality certainly varies. Those are/were fine.

YMMV!

All the best,

Peter