tez929rr
Well-known member
I bought one of these based on a recommendation from a GJ thread and it sat unused in my toolbox for years. And one day I needed it and it was awesome. 
Confess: What Tool Did You Not Really Need But Bought Anyhow? (Silly Stuff Included)
- Thread starter LazKat
- Start date
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I bought one of these based on a recommendation from a GJ thread and it sat unused in my toolbox for years. And one day I needed it and it was awesome.
I've had one for years also. Definitely not used very often, but when you need it you're glad to have it!
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I can't imagine not needing and using a Superbar--or any of its knock-off kin.Most recently, I picked up one of these while browsing at the local ReStore...
Vaughan Grayvik 21" Pry Bar
Made in USA · Drop-forged & spring tempered steel for strength ~ Heavy duty ~ Three-in-one nail puller ~ Special angled "Shepherd's Crook" for leverage & powerhardwickandsons.com
It's a factory second, so it has a nice purple/pink paint job. I have a couple of shorter versions, but figured it'd be nice having a 21" version available for use on a future project. Just like that 13-5/8" long 4x4 off-cut, it'll sit around collecting dust for a few years until the right situation comes along and it'll be the perfect solution for the problem of the day.
That's a very useful rat. I use it more often than I expected.
I bought a Steelman Mini Engine Ear after seeing it on sale in a thread. I tried using a stethoscope, but it was just too loud with my tinnitus. The MEE works good and I can dial the sound down to a comfortable level.
Sooo.... When I found a Steelman Chassis Ear, I bought it. I had a specific job in mind. The wife's Altima had a rattling heat shield. I could never catch it in time and the rattle persisted despite tightening all of them. I suspected a cracked shield, but didn't see anything.
Now that I bought the tool to find the problem, it stopped rattling. That damn car is toying with me.
reader2580
Well-known member
I bought an M12 cable stapler to install the wire in my new 24x60x16 garage. I could just hammer in the staples instead of the $250 I spent on the stapler and staples.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
OBDII reader. When I bought my Van, it had the CEL lit and occasionally blinking.
Then I had the rig up on the lift for most of the winter and did a lot of engine work while waiting for the rebuilt trans to come back from the shop. Light has so much as flickered since.
Then I had the rig up on the lift for most of the winter and did a lot of engine work while waiting for the rebuilt trans to come back from the shop. Light has so much as flickered since.
RalphInCA
Well-known member
I am at the point where I have plenty of tools, but I sometimes forget what I have, and buy a duplicate. Especially specialty tools.
That’s most definitely a tool I did not need.
That’s most definitely a tool I did not need.
afazz
Well-known member
Here are two silly purchases for completely opposite reasons: Martinez M1 titanium framing hammer and Snap-on 16oz claw hammer. The Snap-on was a fanboy purchase and is objectively a terrible tool. Their tools are priced high and never the best value per dollar but almost always top quality. They rarely sell something bad… but this hammer is bad. Balance, finish, design, claw curve, nail grip, grip texture and durometer, vibration transfer back to your hand, handle shape…100% bad. The Martinez was a pure ‘want’ since I’m a DIYer and mostly focus on automotive metal fab, but it is very nice to swing. 100% good.
woody 73
Well-known member
Oh no, not again, I just bought a few used tools, I could not help myself, Dang two used packages of old craftsman pouches of hex kex keys, like I needed a hole in my head, but $2.00 per package, a dozen and counting. one proto-old school screwdriver, for $1.00, 50 and counting, and one pre-world war ll mac wrench for $1.00 dollar, making something like 3 more dozen examples. Oh, dear me I got it so bad, enough junk to last me 100 lifetimes.
Don't you guys laugh at this one, it's ok. i took my wife today to visit Warren G Harding's home, he died back in 1923, so the tour guide was holding up a few old tools of his and old woody's eyes were rolling in his head, while my hands were shaking wanting to touch these tools, but the tour guide was wearing white gloves ,while he was showing them off. Of course, old woody recognized them right away, I got it bad.
Do they make a 10-step program for tool alcoholic's, I need it bad.
Don't you guys laugh at this one, it's ok. i took my wife today to visit Warren G Harding's home, he died back in 1923, so the tour guide was holding up a few old tools of his and old woody's eyes were rolling in his head, while my hands were shaking wanting to touch these tools, but the tour guide was wearing white gloves ,while he was showing them off. Of course, old woody recognized them right away, I got it bad.
Do they make a 10-step program for tool alcoholic's, I need it bad.
A Snapon claw hammer is
A Snapon claw hammer is a hilarious concept. Was it marketed for automotive work?
Here are two silly purchases for completely opposite reasons: Martinez M1 titanium framing hammer and Snap-on 16oz claw hammer. The Snap-on was a fanboy purchase and is objectively a terrible tool. Their tools are priced high and never the best value per dollar but almost always top quality. They rarely sell something bad… but this hammer is bad. Balance, finish, design, claw curve, nail grip, grip texture and durometer, vibration transfer back to your hand, handle shape…100% bad. The Martinez was a pure ‘want’ since I’m a DIYer and mostly focus on automotive metal fab, but it is very nice to swing. 100% good.
A Snapon claw hammer is a hilarious concept. Was it marketed for automotive work?
afazz
Well-known member
I agree
it does say “for general automotive use” in the catalog. I did use it to pound in some nails to hang a calendar and some keychains, so that’s pretty general.cody1325
Well-known member
I've got two of them (one from when Lowe's was blowing out Vaughan at a time when it was nearly sure the whole Marshalltown deal was gonna fall through), and then one I found randomly at a Sam's Club for $10 along with my first good hammer in a gift set as a teenager.
I have almost all the the Hyper Tough branded WIldes, but these prybars see quite a bit more use.
TailGunner3000
Well-known member
A massive posi-lock gear puller. Don't know why I bought it and have never used it. But I think I justified it at the time by telling myself it would cost about 4 x as much new.
Haha, I did the same thing but literally bought just one #2 Phillips
FullRaceMerc
Well-known member
x2. Have had one in my daily tools since the 80s. Frequently loaned short term to those who show up unprepared.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Pretty sure there are at least three in the shop right now. Hanging drywall, mounting doors, opening crates, pulling nails... just so many uses.
Higgins
Well-known member
The good news is I have sooooo many crescent wrenches i can drop a few along the path to the garage. That way when knight comes i can find my way home to the garage !!Today I was robbed at gunpoint, (teasing), the very nice man handed me two tools, a very large American made aluminum pipe wrench (retail new $100.00 dollars) and a very large crescent wrench (retail new $50 dollars) at his garage sale and he had them marked at $5.00 each tool. Oh, **** I need those like Madonna needs a comeback tour because she is broke, (teasing). Sigh (I gave him his asking price and now I have 40 pipe wrenches and 40 crescent wrenches) I did not need them but that deal I could not pass up.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
On his white charger?
david3921
Well-known member
Knight would be a cool name for a black lab.
I have mine at the top of the pegboard in the shop.So many things but this one stands out. I really did think I had a project where I'd need it. But, it only serves as a reminder of a dumb purchase.... Looks impressive in the toolbox drawer though!
Always gets a raised eyebrow or a chuckle from the customers.
We affectionately refer to it as The Persuader
I buy tools that will make jobs I have done before easier the next time I do it or tools that appear to make a job that I plan to do easier. I don’t collect tools to display them in drawers and show off here, but I do spend money on things that are not necessary, like modifying my cars and traveling.
at least it prob only set you back like 10 bucks after couponsSo many things but this one stands out. I really did think I had a project where I'd need it. But, it only serves as a reminder of a dumb purchase.... Looks impressive in the toolbox drawer though!
crewchief888
Well-known member
bought a tubing nother when i was putting a cage in my '88 s-10 blazer. usd it once , then went back to an angle grinder. been sitting on a shelf ever since.
cant ever recall buying any tools i didnt have a use for in the past 50 years since i started buying tools.
cant ever recall buying any tools i didnt have a use for in the past 50 years since i started buying tools.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Not any more!
geartow
Well-known member
A matco 1inch drive breaker bar. Didn't have any sockets or extensions for 10 yrs after buying it.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
But you never broke or bent it, either!