Share unique tools others may not know about

[garfieldzzz]

I got one I‘ve postet at some point somewere else here.
A thread fixing roller tool. It has three hardend rollers to restore threads. Ive bought it to fix two trailer axles where some ***** banged on the thread end and made an M24 to an M26.. This tool plus a thread file and a proper die fixed the issue.
Main problem was to be able to fix the thread inside to outside
The tool was 350, two new axels would have been about 1500.

 

[Oregon Dave]

Here's one I built yesterday:



The silver part is a "faucet adapter" for use in cleaning a draft beer system. The brass is a 1/8" NPT Schrader "tank valve". The stem of the adapter was just the right size to run a 1/8" NPT tap down. As I turn the reg down to 30 psi before using the tool, it's strong enough.

I needed it as nights are starting to get down to freezing here. I was cleaning a couple of our "jockey boxes"





we use for event serving. We store them in an unconditioned Conex, so they need to be blown clean of any water this time of year.

The adapter replaces one of the faucets, allowing me to use our filtered plant air to blow the water out instead of wasting CO2 like I've done in the past. For a little extra insurance, I squirt some ethanol into the lines before closing them up.

Sorry, I didn't catch the address.

 

[signcrafter]

Have another one from today. Was installing a shop heater for a guy and had to cut the vent into his roof. Cut the hole and then gently lift the shingles around it so I can pull the nails out and slide the flashing up under the shingles. To nail the shingles back down you have to pull the shingle up pretty far in order to swing a hammer which risks damaging it. Saw this little thing and it works great for this. Has a slot to hold the nail and then you place this under the shingle and hit on the flat part that is set back. No risk in lifting upper shingle to much and no risk of hitting upper shingle while swinging hammer. Well worth the 20 or so bucks to do roof repairs and cutting in new vents.

Roof Shingles, Shingle Removal Tool, Roofing Tools, Pitch Hopper, Shingle Nail Installer, Roof Shingle Nail Puller, Nail Remover Pry Bar For Safe Roof Shingles Replacement Roofing tools and Equipment - Amazon.com

Roof Shingles, Shingle Removal Tool, Roofing Tools, Pitch Hopper, Shingle Nail Installer, Roof Shingle Nail Puller, Nail Remover Pry Bar For Safe Roof Shingles Replacement Roofing tools and Equipment - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Keiba Metapen pliers for repairing radiator fins

Metapen | Product Information | Maruto Hasegawa Kosakusho

This is the website of Maruto Hasegawa Kosakusho, a metal processing manufacturer that manufactures "work tools" such as pliers and nippers.

www.keiba-tool.com

 

[KnurledNut]

Keiba Metapen pliers for repairing radiator fins

Metapen | Product Information | Maruto Hasegawa Kosakusho

This is the website of Maruto Hasegawa Kosakusho, a metal processing manufacturer that manufactures "work tools" such as pliers and nippers.

www.keiba-tool.com

Best used in conjunction with the proper fin comb.

 

[four.cycle]

^ OR the Shaeco condenser fin attachment for your oscillating "multi tool":

Condenser Coil Connection

 

[jeffmoss26]

Another locksmithing must-have. Naturally tap and die is not rare but the thread size sure is - 1-5/32" x 32

Mortise Cylinder Lock Tap & Die Set - HPC & ESP by Hudson Lock, LLC

When mortise cylinders and lock cases are new they screw together without a problem. However, often times a mortise cylinder is forced out of a lock without loosening the retaining screw. Other times an inexperienced person will force a mortise cylinder into a lock crooked. These actions result...

www.hudsonlock.com

 

[david3921]

^ OR the Shaeco condenser fin attachment for your oscillating "multi tool":

Condenser Coil Connection

I watched the training video at the above website. Super simple tools and process with amazing results.

 

[CGarage]

This thread should be stickied.

 

[four.cycle]

I watched the training video at the above website. Super simple tools and process with amazing results.

RE: Shaeco / Condenser Coil Connection -

I spoke with the owner's wife on the phone at length when we first learned of that product line here. That gizmo is a major game-changer for the HVAC industry - instead of changing out the entire condenser core, field servicemen can "repair" the things in pretty short order.
Initial cost for the $90 widget apparently pays itself back in a relatively short time. (Like... one or two jobs.)

If it needs to be mentioned: The item is produced in country. The owner of the company is a former military combat veteran.

Condenser / Condenser Coil Connection, Greenwood, IN 46143 / https://www.condensercoilconnection.com/ / est. 2019 / "Shaeco" condenser coil straightening tool / patent 11986913 May 21 2024 Donald Wayne Beechler /

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

This thread should be stickied.

There are a couple like that.

I suggest one sticky thread to act like a signpost.

 

[drokihazan]

Schley Tools 15900




You can put the male one on the end of a socket you need to hit with a hammer to avoid damaging the socket. or you can put an extension between them for long-distance bonking of things.

Eric O at South Main Auto uses these a ton

 

[Schurkey]

"Magnetic" "timing light" for spark-ignition engines. Also works for Diesels using different probes. Snap-On MT1480.

Needs a receptacle for the magnetic probe on the timing cover. GM (and others) used to provide this on select models. Probe detects the cutout in the damper--the "timing mark". Machine compares the time delay between the inductive pickup on the plug wire, versus the timing mark spinning past the magnetic probe. Gives a readout of RPM and timing advance--excellent for verifying initial advance, plus centrifugal advance. One needs to input the offset in degrees between "TDC" and the angle of the receptacle for the magnetic probe. This offset varies among manufacturers and engine models.




When used with Diesel engines, a luminescence probe is screwed-into the cylinder in place of the glow-plug. Machine calculates timing based on the onset of combustion (light in the chamber) versus the timing mark spinning past the magnetic probe. This photo was taken without entering the magnetic probe offset--so it's showing "Offset Error" on the display.

 

[drokihazan]

I use my 5.5mm ALL the time. It's the nut size for a 3mm bolt. In fact, I've bought a number of 5.5mm wrenches as singles for just that purpose.

I don't remember ever using a 5mm or 6mm though.

Land Rover engine cover bolts are 6mm, there's some 6s holding Land Rover body panels on. I've never used a 5, but 4, 4.5, 5.5, 6, used those a bunch. I use 5mm allen more than any other allen size though

 

[Jeeper99]

I got one I‘ve postet at some point somewere else here.
A thread fixing roller tool. It has three hardend rollers to restore threads. Ive bought it to fix two trailer axles where some ***** banged on the thread end and made an M24 to an M26.. This tool plus a thread file and a proper die fixed the issue.
Main problem was to be able to fix the thread inside to outside
The tool was 350, two new axels would have been about 1500.

That thing is awesome. I wanted one till I saw the price. I have a nes external thread repair kit https://www.nes.co.il/ similar though slightly different. The nes kit is $600 for threads up to 6", the silbertool kit is $5,200 for up to 4 3/4" OD. Having to have different dies for each thread pitch really runs up the price. Both appear to have some issues getting to the bottom of a thread when working up against a shoulder.



Rotary thread die grinder bits have also gotten me out of a bind.

https://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Thread-RTK2-1-Restore-Threads/dp/B085LRZZPS?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[garfieldzzz]

That thing is awesome. I wanted one till I saw the price. I have a nes external thread repair kit https://www.nes.co.il/ similar though slightly different. The nes kit is $600 for threads up to 6", the silbertool kit is $5,200 for up to 4 3/4" OD. Having to have different dies for each thread pitch really runs up the price. Both appear to have some issues getting to the bottom of a thread when working up against a shoulder.



Rotary thread die grinder bits have also gotten me out of a bind.

https://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Thread-RTK2-1-Restore-Threads/dp/B085LRZZPS?tag=atomicindus08-20

I only have this size, neither the small or the big one. What I do have at work are the NES ones in Hazet livery the small and the medium one. They also work fine if a thread is damaged to recut a section. The real nice feature of the Silbertool is that it pushes bent threads back in to its original shape rather than cutting back.
You can work up to a shoulder to a certain degree as long its not a big one, if there is a recess/relief cut big enough it mostly works also on bigger shoulders as its the bolts for the rollers do not stick out the back.

 

[KnurledNut]

Something you don't see every day...
Starrett blunt tip brass oil gauging plumb bob (inage).
It's used with a corrosion-resistant stainless oil gauging tape to measure fluid levels in storage tanks.

 

[Lorydr]

A handy wrench for some under sink plumbing duties. And a handy wrench for holding small panel, box connectors, while tightening nuts.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

And a handy wrench for holding small panel, box connectors, while tightening nuts.

Thumbturn pattern pipe wrench.

Still available made in Sheffield, England where they were invented in 1875 apparently - https://footprint-tools.com/product-category/pipe-wrenches/ . The thumbturn is an updated design.

Company History - Footprint Tools

footprint-tools.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I suggest one sticky thread to act like a signpost.

I'm surprised it hasn't been done before.

You can create one yourself and petition Ryan or of the mods to Sticky it. I don't tend to hang out up here, but I did just what I think you are suggesting for the Vintage Tools Discussion forum, where I do mainly hang out, linked here.

1. Start a new thread (called 'General Tools Forum Thread Index' or 'General Tools Forum Thread Guide' or something like that or whatever you want or think is best), but keep it in draft, don't post it until you're ready.

2. Open GJ in another browser window and find all the threads deserving of the Index. Typically, those that are very active, popular, etc, of long duration and staying power. Copy and paste the URL of those threads one at a time into your draft thread. Make sure you copy the URL from its position at the top of the first page. This could take quite awhile. Generally speaking the most popular and active and longest threads tend to hang around pages 1 through 5. Go deeper (pages 6 through 20) to find those that are worthy but maybe not quite as frequently active. Etc.

3. Arrange the threads/links in your draft thread in alphabetical order.

Done. Post it.

If the mods allow it, you may be given editing privileges to keep it updated.

I constantly use the A-Z Index of Threads at the top of the Vintage board Sticky to find and access threads that are no longer active on Page 1.

The Watch and Alerts functions are extremely helpful for customizing GJ to your own preferences, but having a fixed list of threads that defies the forum wanting to put everything in descending order by time is very useful.

Just an idea. I followed a link to this thread from a post about some old VBW pipe tongs down there and saw your suggestion, which I obviously endorse.

 

[four.cycle]

@YesIHaveAHammer -

Typically, those that are very active, popular, etc, of long duration and staying power.

number of replies to any given thread is one of the ways to weed out threads that just didn't have staying power.

... and be sure to check the list - follow the link in the first post to download the most recent update in notepad *.txt format (I just uploaded an updated list.)
I endeavor to include - if and where possible - the link to the appropriate GarageJournal.com thread (or post, as the case may be) - on every brand name I can - for exactly the same reason you think an "index" would be a good idea.
Using @Private Lugnutz 's "Sticky A-Z Index" and the LIST should steer you right to where you need to be on most any vintage tool.
Being able to do the same with the brands only mentioned in "General" would be of great benefit to other users.

BK

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I might just do that one rainy day. But if anyone else is keen please do go ahead.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Just working on the list is a full time job.
We also need somebody who knows how to use "PhotoShop" or some sort of software like that who is willing to take the time to edit, crop, sort/collate, and organize several hundred "LOGO" images and put them together here on a page in some manner that's actually useful, as opposed to the hodge-podge mess currently on the site (or AA's very incomplete, albeit organized graphic chart of logos and herald marks.)

(current count in the LOGO folder: 557 photo images 10/28/25)

 

[Schurkey]

This thread is responsible for me buying

and

Both have arrived, neither has been put to use, yet.

 

[ricleh]

Split rethreading dies



Snapon screwdriver/ratchet handle remover and installer


Tap holder with depth stop for very small taps


Hardinge height gauge for metal lathe cutting tools


Fireball tools old style hex key holders

 

[Beerhippie]

This may not be the most obscure tool ever, but I was using it today to make a couple of concentric gaskets:





Perfect concentric gaskets every time. A lot of concentric gaskets are used around a brewery.

I needed two of the gasket shown for an electropneumatic valve that's the heart of one of our grain weighing/delivery systems. Ordering them would take days (at least) to get here, but five minutes and the problem was fixed.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Toptul 1/4" Square Drive & Bit Holder Swivel Wrench (AREA0808)

https://www.toptul.com/en/2-2179-114368/product/1-4-Square-Drive-Bit-Holder-Swivel-Wrench-id325472.html

 

[Skyman]

Tool for removing and installing wiper arms on vintage American vehicles (extra black tubing applied to prevent scarring the finish on the arm):

 

[geneg]

Tool for removing and installing wiper arms on vintage American vehicles (extra black tubing applied to prevent scarring the finish on the arm):

I've had one of those for over 40 years. Always able to find it after I used a screwdriver & channel locks to remove the arm.

 

[PZ 1]

Cross-posting from the New Tool Arrivals thread. Needed to gap a bunch of plugs down and picked up this little tool - definitely nicer and more repeatable for the small gaps I need to run. Pretty inexpensive on Amazon - as low as $15: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CTZ4NZJ?tag=atomicindus08-20

This was the old standard. Quick and easy, select the gap, stick the plug in and squeeze.

 

[PZ 1]

I bought one of these and use it in my drill press frequently when trying to clean up oddly shaped pieces. I dont have a lathe to chuck up dowels etc so i find this help. Used it once on my battery power drill at slow speed did a fair job.

ArtyMaster 2 inch Mini 3-Jaw Self-center woodworking chuck. M18X1.5mm Thread and 0.4 inch connector Mini lathe Chuck - Amazon.com

ArtyMaster 2 inch Mini 3-Jaw Self-center woodworking chuck. M18X1.5mm Thread and 0.4 inch connector Mini lathe Chuck - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

There are also these drill press lathe attachments that could be used with those. They are available from different places.

Shop Fox D4088 - Lathe Attachment for Drill Press - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>D4088 Lathe Attachment for Drill Press</h1> <h2>Perform vertical spindle turning on your multi-speed drill press.</h2> <p>The Shop Fox D4088 Drill Press Lathe Attachment allows wooden workpieces to be turned on a drill press in the same manner as a wood lathe.</p> <p>Items such as small...

www.grizzly.com

 

[KnurledNut]

Toptul 1/4" Square Drive & Bit Holder Swivel Wrench (AREA0808)

https://www.toptul.com/en/2-2179-114368/product/1-4-Square-Drive-Bit-Holder-Swivel-Wrench-id325472.html

In the USA, O’reilly Auto Parts offers something similar:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...EdXgAfZrndodUdrBYcBy_zINY6cjzwyfagowPO3TranO1

 

[Skyman]

For removal of cylindrical glass fuses that were used in older vehicles:

 

[Skyman]

For those times when you need to hold a fastener (a nut, in this example) in a place that's difficult or impossible to access in a normal manner:

 

[RTM]

For those times when you need to hold a fastener (a nut, in this example) in a place that's difficult or impossible to access in a normal manner:

I bought a home made version from a guy for about 1/4 the cost 10+ years ago. Used it once, glad I had it.

 

[bonneyman]

For those times when you need to hold a fastener (a nut, in this example) in a place that's difficult or impossible to access in a normal manner:

I made one out of scrap pieces. I wanted one that was longer than the store bought variety. Will reach 13 inches into a spot, with a grip range of 1/4" to 9/16".
I called it "vise on a stick". (Though the forum gave it the name "nut grabber")!

 

[four.cycle]

^ "Tite-Reach" -
TR / TR Tools LLC, 608 15th St. SE, Orange City IA 51041 / https://tite-reach.com/ / "Tite-Reach" Extension Clamp /

 

[drokihazan]

For those times when you need to hold a fastener (a nut, in this example) in a place that's difficult or impossible to access in a normal manner:

Loading...

b2b.snapon.com

I have one of these, Snap-On YA207. It's sort of the same idea, you put it on a wrench and it holds the nut in with a magnet so you can slide the wrench into wherever and hold the nut in place.

 

[Skyman]

That seems like a good solution, too. Either one is better than a piece of tape on a wrench, which is how I did it when I was a young pup.

 

[Beerhippie]

That seems like a good solution, too. Either one is better than a piece of tape on a wrench, which is how I did it when I was a young pup.

Y'mean I was s'posed to out grow that sorta thang?