theoldwizard1
Well-known member
All my 1/2" drive stuff is in the bottom drawer of my lower tool chest except for the flip lug nut socket set.
Tools you always had but never used
- Thread starter bsaint
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I just bought an M18 mid-torque. The old CP will likely never see the light of day again !
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Drag link socket. I think I threw it out because I never saw a vehicle that used it !
I have a Snap-On version of the open end speed wrench and it's awesome for adjusting clutch cables on Harley Davidsons.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Piston hammer. I just use the hammer handle closest at hand 
Good one. I have a few different brands of this kind of wrench, from estate sales, and I have never used any of them.
As an estate sale shopper, I have a lot of tools that I have never used. Some I bought intentionally, and some that came in boxes of stuff. The windshield removal tool was already mentioned by someone else earlier in the thread…. I have a radiator fin straightener that I have never used. I bet that I could easily find 10-20 tools that I have never used without trying too hard.
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senlow
Well-known member
Of course. That's why the handle is urethane covered.Piston hammer. I just use the hammer handle closest at hand
Yep. Back in the 90s when I got my first air compressor, I went to a local "outlet store" and bought about every air tool they had. Everything they had that related to turning bolts was worthless. I still have the air drill, die grinder, blow guns, etc, and use them all the time (those tools are fine). But for some reason I still have that worthless air ratchet, butterfly and impact gun. I should scrap them, they are just taking up space. Check with me in another 30 years and see if it happened, lol.
seber
Well-known member
For years the butterfly wrench was my most used tool. After the M18 tools came out it got put away, never to be seen again.
This thread reminded me of another tool I never use. Guess I'll sell the amp chart recorder.
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A glazing point "stapler." It came from my grandparents' home, including a half box of points. The funny thing is that in the 30 years I've had it, I've had to replace true divided light window panes exactly one time. About 6 or 8 of them. And the F'in tool was elsewhere. I told my wife I was going to break one those panes just so I could use it. She informed me that I was not going to do that. I pick my battles carefully so I still haven't used it.
For me it's more like, "tools that I have that rarely get used".
Demagnetizer. Don't need to use it often but when I do I'm glad I have it. Just used it today but the last time I used it was probaly a couple of years ago. And when it does get used, just a quick swipe on each tool or part, then it goes back into the box & back in the drawer.
Demagnetizer. Don't need to use it often but when I do I'm glad I have it. Just used it today but the last time I used it was probaly a couple of years ago. And when it does get used, just a quick swipe on each tool or part, then it goes back into the box & back in the drawer.
I have these, in both Metric and Standard. I just had to have them, because they were universal (6-point, 12-point, etc.). Each wrench has four sizes. Not once have I never used them.
I keep a set of those (well the KS Tools equivalent) in my road box because it’s a very compact way to carry a decent range of sizes, they’ve been really useful a few times.
Coloshaver
Well-known member
14mm sockets and wrenches.
I have a brand new 3/8" butterfly impact that I got in a load of tools I bought. I have no idea what I would use it for but I just can't get rid of it. For the life of me I can't figure out an application I would use it on. What is their intended use?
Good question. I was going to buy one because it was cheap but couldn't think of a use for it that a regular impact couldn't do.
I guess if you encounter where you only have straight in access to something.
That was my only thought...straight line only access. I figure if I sell it I'll get maybe $5-$10 if I am lucky being it is brand new. If a situation arises where I need it, having one is much more valuable that $5-$10. So in the air tool drawer it stays.
I used my pass thru the other day for some bolts on a universal trailer tongue jack, has long studs that a deep socket won't fit but is slightly recessed bolts in a bit of C channel so a regular wrench doesn't fit nicely.
The other use is endlink bolts that have the little hex head in the middle, can put an allen key through the middle of it.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I do see the value there, but most of the time I forget I have them. I also noticed that singe they are spline, the Standard and Metric wrenches are basically the same thing, so they were ripping people off. Way to go, Sears.
Nothing Japanese for you.
Coloshaver
Well-known member
True that. German, Jeep and Ford.Nothing Japanese for you.
I have no idea either, not for automotive use anyway. When I worked at a shop there was one there, I tried using it out of curiosity but didn't see what they would be useful for, thing wasn't very powerful either.
Hobby machinists commonly use them to build power draw bars assys. You could probably sell if for that application if you find someone needing one. Not that long ago I heard someone say that HF no longer sells them so they didn't know where to buy one for a reasonable price.
Essential for tri five Chevy owners. Kind of like a merit badge.
seber
Well-known member
Essential for motorcycle work where every screw must be hand torqued after it is driven. Use the butterfly to put everything together then go back and torque every screw. You don't need a torque wrench but you better not use an air wrench. Same goes for small aluminum engines like lawnmowers.
You could use an air/cordless ratchet instead if you're worried about over tightening and don't want to use a manual wrench or ratchet. Or even a regular impact turned down or impact driver.
It's the form factor itself that's in question here, not really the low power.
jsaw
Well-known member
I like go use it in confined spaces, and also it I have a rusted fastener , it works good to run the fastener back and forth when removing it. I use My butterfly quite a bit
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Ricky Joe
Well-known member
I guess mine would be a Blue Point Jack for 1930s Ford designed to raise the engine so the oil pan can be pulled without removing the hood. I’ve never had to pull the sump without the engine out of the car, but if I ever do, I’m ready!
Hypertherm Powermax45 plasma cutter. Got it for a good price on Ebay, added a 50 amp 240v outlet. Tested it out (worked great). Cut a LOT of scrap up. Never touched it since.
Edit - that was about 6 or 7 years ago, and it's still sitting....
Edit - that was about 6 or 7 years ago, and it's still sitting....
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Those were awesome in 1994. We used the **** out of those in electrical work… then… just like you said… regular ratcheting wrenches came out… and we never touched them again.I don't think I've ever used these. Too bulky for most applications and they were later replaced with std. ratcheting wrenches.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
Funny enough I use a drag link socket all the time at work, but not for automotive. Needed a large slotted screwdriver bit for working on sinks in a jail, and that fit the bill perfectly.
Well, have you built a shaving horse to sit on yet, silly? There's yer problem!
Just ten years ago I saw a 1/4" breaker bar at Sears and I thought... if things get tough, do you slide a very small pipe over it?
For me, the big mystery was always the speeder handle that came in my 199 pc. Craftsman tool set as a young man. I used it here and there but never got enthused about it. And this week I'm in the middle of a job where I'd like to use it and don't know where I have it...
The other end of the spectrum from this thread's question would be, "What did you buy, thinking, "Should I really be buying this? Will I really use this?" and it turned out to be fantastic and you've used it for so many things over the years." I've had that happen to me time and again since the 80's, starting with some 20-something piece Craftsman punch, chisel, and line up tool set. Up to this weekend with the 36" 1/2" indexable flex head Snap On ratchet I bought used based on the recommendation of GJ
The other end of the spectrum from this thread's question would be, "What did you buy, thinking, "Should I really be buying this? Will I really use this?" and it turned out to be fantastic and you've used it for so many things over the years." I've had that happen to me time and again since the 80's, starting with some 20-something piece Craftsman punch, chisel, and line up tool set. Up to this weekend with the 36" 1/2" indexable flex head Snap On ratchet I bought used based on the recommendation of GJ
Garcky
Well-known member
I used to use one all the time, whenever there was a situation with lots of small fasteners to remove or run im. Oil pans, transmission pans, and body panels. Anything where I had a straight shot and rows of fasteners. It would save a lot of time, compared to doing it with a speed handle. 3" extension and a socket. Zip, zip, zip. It was also great for removing head bolts after breaking them free, or running them back down before torqueing. But, that was back in the 1970s. I still have one in my box, but haven't used it in years. I don't have shop air in my home garage. So, I'm back with the speed handle - my second favorite tool of all time.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
Speed handle, spark plug gap tool, and since getting a 20v 1/2” impact: 1/2” air impact.
You never use your 1/2" air impact? Sell it to me. I have a fetish.
I've since added 5-6 more. I get them out of curiosity mostly.
