Hose Picks: Favorite Types? What's a Complete Set?

[oldschoolcraft]

From GJ recommendations I picked up a standard size Mayhew Dominator 4-piece Pick set a few years ago. I dont do much car repair work, and grabbed them for the first time recently doing radiator hose changes. Which is when I realized they were not the right tool for the job. I misunderstood these to be "hose picks" but they seem to be more general purpose picks.

Fortunately, I was replacing the radiator hoses so the ones that didn't come off easily, I cut with a razor blade. But I want to have the right tools for the future, so researched on GJ and came across a hose "spoon", which is more flat like a curved screwdriver. They come in two shapes, one for pulling and one for pushing, depending on where you are relative to the hose.

I've also been eyeballing mini pick sets, though I now realize they aren't for hoses. Not exactly sure what they are for, I'm guessing miscellaneous mechanics needs. I previously had the Snap On 4-piece mini pick set in my wishlist, but Tekton has US-made picks very cheap, except a couple posters here said they broke on them.

I have three questions:

1) What is a reasonably complete pick set if I want to have everything important where I'll never hit a scenario that I thought "damn I wish I had a different pick". From other posts, I think the following would work:

• 4 Piece Mayhew Dominator Standard Full Size Pick Set
• A set of extended length Picks
• A set of micro picks
• A pair of these hose spoon "picks"

2) What is a mobile mechanic's minimalist pick set include? If you have a small tool bag/box with just the basics, what is considered the most useful shapes, lengths, sizes of picks to have? If you had to pare it down to the fewest number?

3) Other than sliding under hoses to remove them, what are other uses you have for picks?

 

[Fedwrench]

1. It depends on what work you do as to what style and how many picks you might need. I probably use my small 4-5 piece pick set more than any other length aside from hose picks.
2. not a mobile tech. I think the 45 degree angled pick is the most useful. I seldom use the hooks,
3. hose picks are also great for disconnecting buried connectors.

 

[Git]

I have both sets. I use the mini-hook set all the time - fuel lines on my yard equipment and they just come in handy for all sorts of reasons

 

[Etchase]

Unless it’s the third exact same copy of one you already have, I think you need to buy every pick you see. Ullman was selling its small metal handle 4 pc pick set for under $10 a year ago. I like them. And I have two sets they were USA made at the time, not sure if they still are.

 

[swsman]

I made my own out of some old screwdrivers. Made two sets and gave one of them to a friend.

Plumbers torch and bench grinder plus some needle nose for bending the tips.

Green and blue handle towards the middle of the drawer.

 

[big bab bob]

From GJ recommendations I picked up a standard size Mayhew Dominator 4-piece Pick set a few years ago. I dont do much car repair work, and grabbed them for the first time recently doing radiator hose changes. Which is when I realized they were not the right tool for the job. I misunderstood these to be "hose picks" but they seem to be more general purpose picks.

Fortunately, I was replacing the radiator hoses so the ones that didn't come off easily, I cut with a razor blade. But I want to have the right tools for the future, so researched on GJ and came across a hose "spoon", which is more flat like a curved screwdriver. They come in two shapes, one for pulling and one for pushing, depending on where you are relative to the hose.

I've also been eyeballing mini pick sets, though I now realize they aren't for hoses. Not exactly sure what they are for, I'm guessing miscellaneous mechanics needs. I previously had the Snap On 4-piece mini pick set in my wishlist, but Tekton has US-made picks very cheap, except a couple posters here said they broke on them.

I have three questions:

1) What is a reasonably complete pick set if I want to have everything important where I'll never hit a scenario that I thought "damn I wish I had a different pick". From other posts, I think the following would work:

• 4 Piece Mayhew Dominator Standard Full Size Pick Set
• A set of extended length Picks
• A set of micro picks
• A pair of these hose spoon "picks"

2) What is a mobile mechanic's minimalist pick set include? If you have a small tool bag/box with just the basics, what is considered the most useful shapes, lengths, sizes of picks to have? If you had to pare it down to the fewest number?

3) Other than sliding under hoses to remove them, what are other uses you have for picks?

I got by for years as a full time tech on busses with a 1000 hoses with just one Snap on hose hook and a couple of slightly modified screw drivers

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I got by for years as a full time tech on busses with a 1000 hoses with just one Snap on hose hook and a couple of slightly modified screw drivers

Was it the push, or the pull version of the hose hook?

Sounds like you eventually got more? If so, which of the new ones that you later got did you find the most useful that you wish you had sooner?

 

[Steve_P]

I have the ullman short and long pick sets; I almost never use the long. I have the Tekton and now use these the most because I like the handles. I have the large Mayhew Dominators and almost never use them. For hoses, get the two piece Lisle "spoon" set with the ends like slotted screwdrivers.
Doing it again today I'd buy the Tekton set, long Ullman set for that rare occasion, and the Lisle hose pick set.

 

[richfinn]

This one is my absolute favourite, I have the other hose picks in the set and the long version too, but this is the one that I keep in my tool bag though (controversial I know on GJ but I would just own this version if I had my time again!!

I don't know why exactly, but the shape and strength is pretty much perfect for what I do (the long one is nice too). I tried a couple of cheaper copycats but went back to Snap-On and now I have two of them, I use it for many other things beyond it's intended purpose so I always keep a spare

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[ChevyEFI]

2) What is a mobile mechanic's minimalist pick set include? If you have a small tool bag/box with just the basics, what is considered the most useful shapes, lengths, sizes of picks to have? If you had to pare it down to the fewest number?

A general hose pick and a set of mini picks is going to cover a lot of ground.

In the home garage, I have a well-used Craftsman and a Ko-Ken hose pick (remember the ebay seller in Mexico who had odd Ko-Ken items you don't often think about?)

And a HF 4-set of mini picks and a Wilde 4-set of minis w/ metal handles.

Regarding hoses, use pliers, pinch the side a bit and break contact from the ******. Then grip the hose and rotate it to loosen fully. It kept me from getting wiser and knowing I needed a hose pick.

Extended length could round things out but I am guessing mobile mechanics don't carry them unless there is a large application.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have the old school version of the SGA173BR with the black hard handle called the A173A. Back then they were only making two radiator hose picks; a short one and a long one. The long one was the A1710. The newer ones like the SGA1714B with the flat spoon type end would probably be safer for the hose. The round picks put more of a strain on the hose I think.

 

[Wamsutta]

This little MAC with the old fashion comfort grip hard handle looks seriously tempting.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I really like these hose spoon two pack sets that Lisle and Snap On make, but they seem to only come in the soft comfort grip. I really prefer the hard handles. I store my tools more than I use my tools because I'm not a pro mechanic, and I'm afraid in 10 years the soft rubber part of the handles will be breaking down. I want them to look and feel the same in 40 years from now since I dont use them a lot, but when I do use them, I need them to work perfect.

I started becoming interested in these Snap On handle swap threads, looks like I could heat the handles, yank them off and replace with a hard handle.

 

[Tynee]

Is the Lisle 31920 What y'all are talking about being the "spoon" type hose picks? Anybody know anywhere they are still in stock, or another alternative? Looks like Lisle quit making them.

 

[jbltwin1]

I have the snappy hose pick in orange and one from mac, I think. Also, don't pass up the dependable cotter pin puller hooks. Sometimes the shorter hook comes in handy. I've got the black handle snappy version of that and a PURPLE one that I THINK is Matco. Not sure. I use them for a LOT of stuff, including pulling up the edge of carpet loose from tack strips. Mike.

 

[j3rf]

Is the Lisle 31920 What y'all are talking about being the "spoon" type hose picks? Anybody know anywhere they are still in stock, or another alternative? Looks like Lisle quit making them.

Those are designed to remove o-rings without damaging them. The "spoon" radiator hose remover set is 82130.

82130 Radiator Hose Spoon Set, 2pc.

Designed to Remove Radiator Hoses from Fittings and Clamps.

www.lislecorp.com

 

[Tynee]

Those are designed to remove o-rings without damaging them. The "spoon" radiator hose remover set is 82130.

82130 Radiator Hose Spoon Set, 2pc.

Designed to Remove Radiator Hoses from Fittings and Clamps.

www.lislecorp.com

Many thanks.