What's your favorite specialty tool?

[ToolGlutton]

I have own most of the ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers that I will need. Recently, I feel like I'm running out of ideas about which new tool to buy. My friends even suggest me to change my name to Toolmiser

That said, I set my new goal as buying specialty tools. So can you share with me what your favorite specialty tools are?

 

[sk farmer]

buy a bunch of us made vice grips before they disappear. then move to pliers and power tools. by the time you get all that stuff you will have found more wrenches, sockets, ratchets and screwdrivers that you need. and don't forget about more tool storage. it will never end.

 

[krusty the clown]

specialty tools will depend on the work you are doing. get two of everything if nothing else it will piss off the guy who don't like duplicate tools

 

[Fedwrench]

Since you're talking about specialty tools, favorites will vary by application and task performed. However, in the area of general specialty tools I like the Gearwrench Serpentine belt tool, Snap on's radiator hose pick tool, and Lisle's updated radiator filling funnel set.

 

[Vulturej]

I have a SLI Pro Vision scope that comes in handy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002WSBVQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[-B-]

75-80% of my tool box is specialty tools !

 

[DHCrocks]

my two favorite specialty tools are my rethreading set, can't count the number of times it saved the day chasing down f'd up bolts and nuts. and the Marson nutsert set, It's just so cool to set threads into a sheetmetal panel so you can use bolts instead of sheetmetal screws or washers and nuts on the backside.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

Since you're talking about specialty tools, favorites will vary by application and task performed. However, in the area of general specialty tools I like the Gearwrench Serpentine belt tool, Snap on's radiator hose pick tool, and Lisle's updated radiator filling funnel set.

I second the serpentine belt tool by Gearwrench. Besides the standard tools I like my Lisle brake caliper compressors (the squeeze type), hose pick tool, soldering gun, claw style oil filter wrench, and hose disconnect set.

 

[speed bump]

I second the serpentine belt tool by Gearwrench. Besides the standard tools I like my Lisle brake caliper compressors (the squeeze type), hose pick tool, soldering gun, claw style oil filter wrench, and hose disconnect set.

One of those compressors is on my list of things to buy when I find a deal on one.

Personally my recent direction in tool purchasing has been hooks, picks, awls, pliers and vice grips, precision measuring tools, grinding/cutting, and welding tools.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My ball-joint separators and my hub puller for pressing CV joints out of hubs. Lifesavers.

 

[Mike83]

I like the French made hose clamp pliers sold by Craftsman. I just bought them and use them a lot!

I also enjoy using my various bike tools like crank arm pullers and cassette lockring tool and accompanying chain wrench.

Also, not garage related, but I like using the various tools for wine bottles (openers, the vacuum sealer, etc.)

 

[Zeroek]

Snap on Solus Pro. It's not the best imo but ever since I bought one I've diagnosed so much junk that would have took me forever to diagnose without it.

 

[HandyManny]

I'd have to say mine are a Lisle battery terminal puller, and a Superior Tool handle puller. Though not the most graceful looking tools. Those things have saved the day several times on many pulling applications.

 

[billymade]

X2 on the craftsman hose clamp pliers; there is probably better versions sold by other companies (seems the craftsman are supplied by Mayhew, made in france) but at $39.99 I think they are the best price out there... they are almost required on the newer cars with the updated sprung steel clamps! They are a pain but can be next to impossible to get off in tight confined areas.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947390000P?keyword=hose+clamps+pliers

 

[peterbilr98]

i have a lot of heavy truck specialty tools i like my snapon pry bars.

 

[bgott]

A back scratcher. I had to give up using my long Snap-On hose remover tool, the pointed end is just too damn sharp!

 

[Monte]

 

[Chris Adams]

One of my favorite specialty tools is a hose spreader. Looks like a pair of pliers made from sheet metal, you put it between the end of a hose and whatever the hose is on, then it pushes the hose off the ******.
Saved me lots of scraped skin, broken hoses, broken fittings.
One of those tools you can never understand how you lived without.

 

[twostall]

One of my favorite specialty tools is a hose spreader. Looks like a pair of pliers made from sheet metal, you put it between the end of a hose and whatever the hose is on, then it pushes the hose off the ******.
Saved me lots of scraped skin, broken hoses, broken fittings.
One of those tools you can never understand how you lived without.

Assuming it's for small, e.g. vacuum hoses, Umm... where can I get a set?

 

[Rando]

my specialty tool is my Wife LOL jk im the specialty TOOL as she would say

 

[speed bump]

A couple other things that are really really really useful to have and will tie up you tool budget for awhile.

A good set of drill bits from tiny to 1/2"

Punches, chisels, lineup tools and other such striking tools.

I think between those 2 things I have a minimum of $300 worth of tools I want to get.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Blue-point magentic pick-up tool. Will even lift a 14lb conrod off a big ol' diesel engine.

 

[Bustawrench]

That said, I set my new goal as buying specialty tools. So can you share with me what your favorite specialty tools are?

 

[ToolGlutton]

Interesting tool. Thank you.

X2 on the craftsman hose clamp pliers; there is probably better versions sold by other companies (seems the craftsman are supplied by Mayhew, made in france) but at $39.99 I think they are the best price out there... they are almost required on the newer cars with the updated sprung steel clamps! They are a pain but can be next to impossible to get off in tight confined areas.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947390000P?keyword=hose+clamps+pliers

 

[stevejh82]

This one would rank up there as my favorite specialty tool...I hope you all think it is the same thing I think it is...

 

[MattPersman]

those hose clamp pliers for 40 bucks is cheap, super cheap, might buy a pair for home at that price

really one of the most important tools I have it my flashlight, its a Sunlite Slim, fits in my shirt pocket, lifetime warranty exchangeable from my snap on guy, uses 3 AAA batteries, 100 lumens which is a very nice amount of light. approx $45

I use the Snap On soft grip trim pad tools a lot also, great for getting wire connectors off, etc. if you do not have these they are nice, approx $25 each

 

[Brad54]

I'm actually doing a story for Muscle Car Review on 10 Must Have specialty tools for the hobbyist.
In no particular order:
Coil spring compressor
at least one real body hammer and utility dolly (instead of a ball pien hammer)
Dial caliper
Steering wheel puller
Set of alignment drifts
Quality brake line flaring set
Rigid or Imperial Eastman brake line benders
Gasket scrapers--the long handled ones. I have two: one I left alone, the other I rounded the corners on so it wouldn't dig into and gouge thin metal.
My new favorite tool is the brake line straightener from Classic Tube--run a bulk coil of brake line in one side, and it comes out the other side straight as an arrow.
Eastwood radiator fin pliers. GREAT when restoring a vintage vehicle.

I may end up making it 15 tools, because I've got a few others: brake spring tool, BIG honkin' ratchet (I've got a Mac 3/4-drive monster... if it comes out, something is going to come off or break, but either way I win)
tiny hammer (use it constantly)
Engine pre-oiler made from an old distributor
Multi-meter

-Brad

 

[goodfellow]

OTC ball joint press and all the adaptors. It's been one of the most handy tools in the inventory.

 

[Chris Adams]

Assuming it's for small, e.g. vacuum hoses, Umm... where can I get a set?

Lisle used to sell them, probably still does. Mine is OLD, works great.

It says on the patent it's for radiator hose seperation, but they mean the small hoses on the ****** cooler;
http://www.google.com/patents?id=_O...xKSvCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7

I use it from small vacuum lines to heater hoses. Even on a radiator hose I tend to use it to 'start' them, much better than prying, twisting etc.

 

[stioc]

You mean 'generic' specialty tools otherwise the tools are model specific. Here's what I find most useful:

MityVac
disc brake spreader tool
2-jaw puller set
ball joint press (did all the suspension bushings on my E36 using one)
shop press
measuring stuff (dial caliper, veneer calipers, angle gauge)
camber gauge and toe plates (were used all the time when I used to be a track junkie)
long extensions (I'm talking about 2ft+) and u-joints (for clutch work etc)

 

[Jared]

lots of different pullers,slide hammers etc.

 

[bgott]

My new favorite tool is the brake line straightener from Classic Tube--run a bulk coil of brake line in one side, and it comes out the other side straight as an arrow.

I watched a machinist friend of mine straighten some tubing awhile back. He rolled out 4 or 5 feet of tubing and rolled it back and forth over a table top while another guy took a piece of plywood and smacked the **** out of it. It worked pretty good.