Most useful tool that you didn't realize you needed

[ls1dreams]

So I'm looking around for some gift ideas for my dad.

What random/odd tool purchase would you say has surprisingly given you WAY more use than you ever expected, or just enjoy using?

 

[BJ42LX]

Inexpensive and surprisingly helpful around the shop.

http://www.harborfreight.com/easy-sorter-funnel-tray-37081.html

 

[Sh1thead]

Plastic prying tools for interiors ... double as a marginal gasket scraper for soft metals.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Screw holding screwdrivers, the spring loaded kind. Extremely useful on my jetskis where the battery is hard to reach down in the engine bay.

 

[shoturtle]

So I'm looking around for some gift ideas for my dad.

What random/odd tool purchase would you say has surprisingly given you WAY more use than you ever expected, or just enjoy using?

What does he already have? I find laser levels useful. Also laser calk lines are great for putting up shelves.

Something people do not think about, but a good AA LED maglite or a high price surfire LED pocket flashlight are great to have, and are very useful.

And a gerber or leatherman has come in handy allot of times.

For powertools, a dremel or proxxon rotary tool, you can use them for so many different things form etching to polishing to cutting.

 

[Provincial]

I agree with BJ42LX that the HF sorters are very handy.

I have found that a hydraulic pallet jack is very handy around the shop. I even have started building stands for equipment with the pallet jack in mind. I can move heavy things around very precisely and easily with the pallet jack, up to about 3,000 lbs. It needs a hard surface, the smoother the better, but works on wood, steel, concrete, and even asphalt if it isn't too hot. I don't have to put casters on anything and can still move it around. The bases are more stable without casters.

By using blocking, you can support heavy items and move them. For instance, I removed and replaced a transmission from a Case 850 bulldozer with a pallet jack. By myself.

 

[Outlawmws]

Bench vise - probably my most used tool

B&D WorkMate 2XX or higher (the lower No models are glorified TV trays...) - I use most of my bench tools (grinders, mitre box, Arbor...) attached to one of my workmates

on the LED pocket light, I've been crying a Dorcy, single AA LED for about 8 years now. Use it multiple times a day.

 

[BWS]

Nice H-frame press........but that may not be in the budget?

Agree with others on the flashlite and/or lites in general.Not a day goes by we don't use a mini maglite.

 

[rodm1]

Mityvac MV8500 Silverline Elite

 

[camarotoolman]

6x48 belt sander, never thought I needed one till I finally got one. Now I use it alot.

 

[Fishey]

You can forget all other types of lighting nothing beats a surgical light with 4 wheel casters got our first one from a dentist customer and never looked back. Its like a billion times better then a flashlight with directed light and you can easily articulate it any way you want. Incredible amounts of light and you never feel any heat coming off of them.

 

[PCO6]

Heat gun. I never realized how many uses it could be put to until I got one.

 

[LSU]

Small Rigid Brand hand grinder. Got it really cheap at HD.

Spur of the moment purchase because it was on sale. My brother was with me and he bought one also.

It will grind, cut and wire brush.

Never thought I'd use it as much as I do and my brother agrees.

I've had folks borrow it to "finish" up jobs and they're amazed at the power and the different ways it is helpful.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I can't belive how much and how many things I've used this little tool.

http://www.stanleytools.com/default...1-399&SDesc=6"+Surform®+Pocket+Plane

I use it on wood, plastic, drywall and any other softer material that I might need to take down a little. I've had one for quite a few years and wish I would have gotten one sooner than I did.

 

[Honest Bob]

And a gerber or leatherman has come in handy allot of times.

I love my gerber multitool. I always hated the heavy leathermans and knock offs that my dad had and never thought I would own one until a coworker showed me how he could open his with a flick of a wrist. I was sold when I found out how light it was. I use it all the time at work instead of carrying around tools. I've used it for things above and beyond the purpose of the tool and it hasent failed yet.

http://www.gerbergear.com/Tactical/Tools/MP400_22-45509

 

[GarageEnvy]

Corner clamp for welding (if your dad welds). I bought one on a whim and use it all the time. It's not necessary but very handy and ~$50 so still in gift price range.

 

[mryyc]

I picked up an Oscillating tool for a specific job and have been surprised at how many other places I've used it just in the first few weeks.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...uke+M12+Multi+tool&storeId=10051#.UE9OmaTyZ4E

 

[E.rodz]

a good cordless led. light greatest tool ever, my other is my cell phone,being able to take picts. of a project as your doing it priceless and having the capabilty to look up salutions to problems while your laying under a car pricless.

 

[tribbles]

3/8" speed wrench. Helped me keep my sanity chasing threads on this motor.

 

[metaleltr]

Bent needle nose, grab them more than my straight ones now.

 

[adamsredlines]

I never thought I would use a 3/8 impact until I found a Mac at the flea market. Its likely my favorite tool now.

 

[dirtmister16]

ratcheting screwdriver. snap on hard handle. found out that thing is been soo handy its not funny.

chain hoist to lift the mower to save my body.

getting a bigger truck so i don't have to jack it up to do oil changes lol.

lift table for the mowers/atvs would be good. a decent one runs around 1000 bucks.

1/2" speed wrench, works great for running down wheel cover nuts. the plastic ones going over the actual lug nut. i love that thing for that use.

idk ill keep thinking.

 

[metaleltr]

ratcheting screwdriver. snap on hard handle. found out that thing is been soo handy its not funny.

chain hoist to lift the mower to save my body.

getting a bigger truck so i don't have to jack it up to do oil changes lol.

lift table for the mowers/atvs would be good. a decent one runs around 1000 bucks.

1/2" speed wrench, works great for running down wheel cover nuts. the plastic ones going over the actual lug nut. i love that thing for that use.

idk ill keep thinking.

I just turn the socket by hand for the plastic lug covers.

 

[mrstrictlygm]

Swanson Speed square.

 

[DaleK]

Depends what he does. Most useful tool I've found recently is a Husqvarna Sharp Force file/guide for my chainsaws. Wish I would have found it long ago.

Otherwise the ones that have surprised me are telescoping magnet/probes and extra magnetic trays.

 

[unslow1]

You can forget all other types of lighting nothing beats a surgical light with 4 wheel casters got our first one from a dentist customer and never looked back. Its like a billion times better then a flashlight with directed light and you can easily articulate it any way you want. Incredible amounts of light and you never feel any heat coming off of them.

I have always wanted to mount one on a rafter. Just in front of where a hood would open.

 

[Interex]

1/4" impact.

Never knew what I was missing until I got my Milwaukee M12 impact.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

1/4" impact.

Never knew what I was missing until I got my Milwaukee M12 impact.

What he said!!

My 1/4" impact is my best friend around here.

 

[JeremyManning]

a good set of ignition wrenches, you don't need them often but when you do you are glad you have them.

 

[jmm]

Besides a well built flashlight (it falls off the gantry all the time), a good HEADLAMP! Sister got me a nice one for christmas. Thought I'd never use it, HA!

 

[cheechi]

Head lamp
Speed square
retractable pencil pull
Oscillator/multi tool
tool belt (never thought I would really need one)
Slide hammer


WHITEBOARD

 

[ManoNegra]

ratcheting wrenches
tap/die set
micrometer (set) and/or caliper
impact screw driver
good voltmeter
set of pitch gauges
set of feeler gauges

all of these I've found to be extremely useful around the garage

 

[mypov]

1/4" impact
1/4" ratcheting screw drivers from MAC with the flexible shaft...

3/8" mini ratchet
1/4" thumb ratchet

 

[Jack Olsen]

I think these have all been mentioned, but:

Magnifying lamp
Impact driver
Hammer drill
A good pair of shop scissors

 

[metal1313]

right now my little streamlight protac hl...600 =lumens when i need it, yet small enough to drop into my pocket. i also love my gearwrench ratcheting screw driver set, i use it all the time

 

[neonnblack]

offset double box wrenches saved me alot of hassle the other day.

 

[countryroad82]

Cordless 1/4 impact then my sandblast cabinet would be my top picks.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Dewalt 18V impact driver.

 

[CORTEZSS69]

My Snap On orange handle straight pick that I found in the road about ten years ago. I use it all the time for stuff.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.sears.com/grey-eagle-5in...-SPM198325152P?prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

I received some of these Racheting Clamps on year and thought "cheap ****" and threw them in a drawer. Over time I've come to really like them because of the adjustable force they provide. Haven't broke one in 10 years or so. The kit I received has 10 -15 clamps in it.