Most useful tool you overlooked at first
- Thread starter texchappy
- Start date
hofferwood
Well-known member
x10 on the oscillating multitool.
My son got one a couple of years ago. I told him I didn't see much use for it so he swapped it for something else.
Then last year I picked one up at HF, put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Then a few months ago, I walked by a display in HF where they had them in sale for $15. Forgetting about the first one at home, I bought another one, put it in another drawer, and forgot about it too.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I had to cut a section of backsplash out of a countertop so I could install a range for my BIL. I couldn't get any saw I had in under the cabinets to make a neat cut on it. After fussing and cussing it for a while, I remembered. Went home and got it, came back,did two dive cuts with the oscillating tool, and had it out, neatly.
A few days later, I found the first one I bought. Gave it to my son.
Except for my step bits, it's about the handiest tool I have.
My son got one a couple of years ago. I told him I didn't see much use for it so he swapped it for something else.
Then last year I picked one up at HF, put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Then a few months ago, I walked by a display in HF where they had them in sale for $15. Forgetting about the first one at home, I bought another one, put it in another drawer, and forgot about it too.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I had to cut a section of backsplash out of a countertop so I could install a range for my BIL. I couldn't get any saw I had in under the cabinets to make a neat cut on it. After fussing and cussing it for a while, I remembered. Went home and got it, came back,did two dive cuts with the oscillating tool, and had it out, neatly.
A few days later, I found the first one I bought. Gave it to my son.
Except for my step bits, it's about the handiest tool I have.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Duck Bill pliers. Try a pair you'll be amazed!
mossyboy6
Well-known member
pick set
cordless impact
nice adjustable wrench
cordless impact
nice adjustable wrench
Thanks for all the excuses to buy tools er I mean answers to my questions
Saying that, I can think of several jobs recently that I could have used one. Who all makes 3/8 drive stubby ratchets?
I have a Gearwrench and really like it.
sdguy55
Well-known member
I had a lot of people give me **** about owning an air ratchet (heavy equipment mechanic) and then one day my buddy was doin a radiator on a truck and was struggling big time. Hooked up my air ratchet and whizzed everything off. Next time the snapon guy was in he bought one. Now he says he doesn't know how he got on without it.
firecracker
Well-known member
Like many others mine is my cordless impact driver, years ago (30 or more) I got a Makita cordless driver the one with the battery in the handle,it was great but the impact drivers are far better inside and outside.
I never thought I needed or wanted a 12v set of tools. I have a lot of 18v I'm fine right? So much easier to get stuff out, carry more in the bag, get into tighter spaces, you name it.
My cordless oscillator gets more use than my Fein. My cordless dremel has seen more use in the past 2 years than the corded.
Air. Aside from getting lugs off, I never thought I would use air as much as I do. I pick up air tools to play with & mod now to have another option when im in the garage. Actually, my air powered oscillator has even seen more use than the Fein has too. I use it mostly for sanding though so the ones with motors dont get dirt inside.
My cordless oscillator gets more use than my Fein. My cordless dremel has seen more use in the past 2 years than the corded.
Air. Aside from getting lugs off, I never thought I would use air as much as I do. I pick up air tools to play with & mod now to have another option when im in the garage. Actually, my air powered oscillator has even seen more use than the Fein has too. I use it mostly for sanding though so the ones with motors dont get dirt inside.
Gearwrench Roto ratchet
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/r...ratchet/stockdetails.jsp?view=null&part=81225
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/r...ratchet/stockdetails.jsp?view=null&part=81225
Bill Ramsey
Well-known member
Zeke
Well-known member
Winner!
Pipe wrench....It is my friend. Its my red solo cup. Why its even red like a solo cup. Its there for me when I can't find the right size tool for the job. Always willing to try hard for me. I abuse it and it likes it. A ridgid brand pipe wrench can be your friend too...just give it a chance.
celticbhoy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 540
Flare Crow's Feet set. You may not use them very often but when you need to get a flare nut line fitting off that's hard to get a wrench on, these will save your ***.
Another tool that I overlooked way too often has been my LED work light. It's ridiculous how much I love this thing.
Another tool that I overlooked way too often has been my LED work light. It's ridiculous how much I love this thing.
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Like many others mine is my cordless impact driver, years ago (30 or more) I got a Makita cordless driver the one with the battery in the handle,it was great but the impact drivers are far better inside and outside.
You listed my slap the forehead moment, for over two decades I looked at those weird things thinking why would someone buy one of those when you could buy a perfectly good cordless drill. I bought my first cordless impac driver three years ago and it was a Makita 14.4V impact driver and used on a job where I had to drive over a 1,000 2-1/4" screws through 3/4" plywood into 2x stock. After I drove the first one I was amazed and immediately knew I had too long been overlooking a critical tool. I now have 8 impact drivers and that Makita 14.4V is my favorite.
TheGrooveking
Andersonfarms
Well-known member
My own tool box. Spur of the moment buys.... 5/16 bit ratcheting wrench for impact driver bits. Snap on ratcheting screwdriver! And a good set of open end wrenches
And my leatherman! If I break one I have to go buy one when I send it in for warranty because I can't go for a day without it
And my leatherman! If I break one I have to go buy one when I send it in for warranty because I can't go for a day without it
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mrborohachi
Well-known member
2x joint long needle nose pliers, I just wish they make a 90deg bend one. When you work on japanese cars and your trying to get a the sprung hoseclamps on IACV or vacuum hoses you'll wonder how you ever lived with out them.
https://www.google.com/search?q=cre...28,d.cGE&fp=c3f68e7d98a6553b&biw=1280&bih=642
https://www.google.com/search?q=cre...28,d.cGE&fp=c3f68e7d98a6553b&biw=1280&bih=642
woody 73
Well-known member
Years ago maybe around 1995 I picked up a drill guage, the kind with all the holes that you can figure out what size bits you have. Wow nothing like taking all the guess work out of a box of drill bits...
carcajou
Well-known member
cordless impact driver and those super thin zip disks on my angle grinders, couldn't live without them. My Milwaukee 1/2" and 3/4" 18v impacts are getting lots of use too!
lilscorpion
Well-known member
It was one of those "came in a set purchases" that seemed neat. never used one before when i got it. Dewalt impact driver + a few bits = damn useful. 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" Sockets, drill bits, hex bits, taps, spade drills, every screw type you can imagine, torx, etc. It's been used on so many projects it almost doesn't seem fair that it cost less than $100. This tool alone is the reason why I purchased just about every other 18v Dewalt tool. I have one of the first ones (much older than the one in the picture) and it works like the day I took it out of the box. I've dropped it on its head too many times to count too. Each time I picked it up assuming it was the end only to find it didn't give a **** about stupid things like deceleration trauma.
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06 DIESEL
Well-known member
Half moon ratcheting wrenches are one of those tools that you hardly need, but when you need one they are worth their weight in gold.
Dust
Well-known member
Extra long (16") hose pliers. Hoses buried under the cowl? No match for these babies.
3.6/4.0 volt cordless screwdriver. Worth its weight in gold. Nay, platinum. You do any trim work at all, this will be your best friend. And his best friend, which always tags along, is this guy with all your favorite bits ready to go. (I bought that kit just for the case. Well worth the ten bucks.)
Titan's 1/4" drive stubby ratchet. Picked up by impulse at Pepboys, and even though I cringed at the twelve dollar price, it has become my go-to 1/4" drive ratchet. Perfect size for confined work, and is pretty damn stout.
3.6/4.0 volt cordless screwdriver. Worth its weight in gold. Nay, platinum. You do any trim work at all, this will be your best friend. And his best friend, which always tags along, is this guy with all your favorite bits ready to go. (I bought that kit just for the case. Well worth the ten bucks.)
Titan's 1/4" drive stubby ratchet. Picked up by impulse at Pepboys, and even though I cringed at the twelve dollar price, it has become my go-to 1/4" drive ratchet. Perfect size for confined work, and is pretty damn stout.
mebuildit
Well-known member
Trying to buy duplicate or triplicates of various air tools. That way I don't have to stop and change bits, sanding discs. This saves me a lot of time.
greasemonkey44
Well-known member
deadblow ball pein hammers
i can swing a normal hammer pretty hard; but put a dead blow in it and i can smash the hell out of it with no stress
i can swing a normal hammer pretty hard; but put a dead blow in it and i can smash the hell out of it with no stress
1Garageman
Well-known member
First, great thread idea!
1. Air Compressor, I use it so much with all the tools I have with it. With out a doubt
one of the best investments I have EVER made!
2. Porta Cable drill. Got it for Christmas and love it!
3. Oscillating multitool, another Christmas present I thought that i'd never use, boy was I wrong.
1. Air Compressor, I use it so much with all the tools I have with it. With out a doubt
one of the best investments I have EVER made!
2. Porta Cable drill. Got it for Christmas and love it!
3. Oscillating multitool, another Christmas present I thought that i'd never use, boy was I wrong.
Itsahobby
Well-known member
Speed handle, the battery never goes dead.
the gypsy
Well-known member
Unibits also work well in plastics.
PinkLinc
Well-known member
Fine toothed ratchets
Prybars
Hook/Pick Set
Dead Blow Hammer
Unibit
Prybars
Hook/Pick Set
Dead Blow Hammer
Unibit
crewchief888
Well-known member
hmmm.. 
i dont overlook any tool that makes my job easier/faster/ less stressful.
over the years multiple 4 1/2" electric grinders,
multiples of die grinders, sanders, air grinders
probably most recently
transfer punches
automatic center punch
ball joint kit
i dont overlook any tool that makes my job easier/faster/ less stressful.
over the years multiple 4 1/2" electric grinders,
multiples of die grinders, sanders, air grinders
probably most recently
transfer punches
automatic center punch
ball joint kit
O RLY
Well-known member
Handled window scraper for reg/inspection stickers.
Wayfastwhitie440
Well-known member
Everything on the tool trucks. When I first started in the business I fought they were crazy and that looks like a waste of money. Now I have to have it all. Atleast when I can find it really cheap and know I could use it.
I know this is going to be a just me thing but I love rubber gloves. I don't wrench for a living but I do have 2 girls and when I have to stop working to ref, change a diaper or fix food it is nice to not get grease all over.
Yeah I'll go along with this. I hated my dad's corded recip for the longest time cause it was hard to put it and keep it where you want. My cordless recip was better, but then less powerful. Got a 12v hackzall and man that thing is perfect for a lot of spots.
Can't really say I 'overlooked' it because I had wanted one for a long time, but MAN i should have bought it a lot sooner.
And yeah, those unibits are great for plastics.