What Tool Is The Bane of your existence? I'll go 1st

[Punkinhead]

EZ-Outs. Great way to turn a broken off soft bolt into broken off piece of un-drillable high carbon steel.

 

[LWB]

Deck screws. The ones sold at the big box stores. Absolute garbage. They snap constantly.

GRK all the way even if they're insanely expensive. Torx drive all the way.

 

[neophyte]

The day a Brit teaches the world what to do with food...

 

[mike93lx]

Can't watch it now, but let me guess, it's something boiled?

 

[tarbellb]

No particular order, all of these I cringe thinking about using them
--------
Corded halogen lights

Corded small hand drills

Widow maker scissor jacks

Cheap hole saws

14in Abrasive saws

Craftsman Acetate screwdrivers

 

[PCustoms]

Another great thing about slotted fasteners is you can repair a deformed slot with a hammer (or grind a new slot).

If you grind the new slot perpendicular to the old slot you can use a Phillips driver and avoid all the headaches of the flat blade

 

[Beerhippie]

Any fastener used by electricians and electrical supply manufacturers--and the damned drivers that go with them.

#1 Robertson? Apparently, not used anywhere else. ECX! Did you know those come in THREE sizes--and most stores carry TWO. My multi-bit driver for electrical boxes has more bits than I use in the entire rest of the plant combined.

 

[AEAdam]

Engineers.

You missed the "hammer" part. I think you mean this:

Engineers Hammers. I mean, why 2 faces? I'm with you. Never understood these. Why is the better than a bal peen. Balance is different I know. I mean if it were BRONZE. That would be a different story altogether.

It almost sounded like you didn't like ENGINEERS (which sometimes feels like 1/2 of all GJ members)!!!

I personally LOVE engineers and have spent my entire adult life with them. Just today we spent 45 minutes discussing whether an engineering note on an engineering drawing, that has nothing to do with the part, can be removed by a senior engineer (me) or if its better for it to stay there for consistency (because engineers value consistency). 45 minutes I will never get back.

 

[PoorUB]

Small portable air compressors that use 2 pole (3450 RPM) motors.

The noise they make is so irritating that I want to set it on top of a box of dynamite and send it to the moon........

Years ago I wanted a small air compressor for air nailer use when remodeling. I shopped quite a bit and back then Rolair had a small hot dog tank with an oiled pump and a 1725 RPM motor. It was a touch over $200. I love it! You can stand right by it and have a conversation without yelling at each other. I don't believe they manufacture it any longer.

It is the same as this one, only with a 1725 RPM motor. Rolair

 

[timsch]

Quite a few Man-cards need to be handed over here

Robertson screws are very good unless cheaply made. Almost never have an issue with popout or stripping, unlike the much inferior Phillips, which as pointed out already, leads often to misery due to both poor screws & tools. IIRC, Phillips & Robertson were competitors around the wars, and Phillips got the upperhand in manufacturing precisely because the tool would pop out before overtightening. Too bad they became a standard overall.

Vice-grips are a must-have tool. Good for so many things. 3rd hand, hose clamp pliers, welding clamps (purpose made or not), attachment for a slide-hammer, the list goes on. Shame on you....

EZ-outs are essential, as is the know how about using them. Ham-fisters will suffer as warranted. Same goes for taps and chasers.

Flat blades have well enough been defended, so I won't pile on. Some connections in electrical work must be flat, IIRC, so another reason they're going nowhere. Better get good at them.... And yes, grind your tools into proper shape/condition.


Now, as far as bane of existence tools - None I can think of of themselves. The bane come from those who take a once proud line of tools and slap that brand on cheap import **** to wear as a skin-suit. Those behind that should be on a 10th level of Hell.

 

[JSGAuto]

No spill gas can.

I always make a mess.

 

[65ranchero]

Cheap *** tape measures. Springs that won’t retract, locks that don’t hold, a foot and a half of stick out before it limps over, annoying “EZ Read” fraction markings jumbling up the tape. Life is too short for that ****.

Oh, I see that you use all the free Harbor Freight coupons for them.

 

[Beerhippie]

I shopped quite a bit and back then Rolair had a small hot dog tank with an oiled pump and a 1725 RPM motor.

I had to buy a small, quiet comp for installation in a tavern beer keg cooler (to power pneumatic beer pumps) that shared a wall with the bar. The owners didn't want to listen to a comp running. I found what's probably the same Rolair and, with the cooler door closed, it was impossible to hear. Even inside the cooler with the door closed it was easy to carry on a conversation without yelling. Great comp!

 

[drokihazan]

Drill bits ..... all of them...every last one ever made!
Spent an hour yesterday drilling 12 holes in a cabinet to put in RivNuts, I swear the drill bits were softening as soon as they touched paint on the sheet metal.

This should not be your experience. With a center punch and a spritz of Tap Magic, Vortex Point Norseman go through sheet metal like most bits go through hardwoods. Great drill bits completely change the experience of putting holes in metal.

 

[AEAdam]

Can't watch it now, but let me guess, it's something boiled?

This made my day. Still laughing about this.

BTW- I lived in England for 5 years over a 7 yr period and spent every summer there for like 9 yrs. I actually like the food in England (never got to Scotland, so I'm keeping it to England). It's not what is was post WW2, at least not in the country where I was. I did have a British coworker tell me he "didn't like spicy food, like stuff with black pepper". Ok Cod and Chips it is. OR a chip butty (so wrong).

 

[Max]

. Just today we spent 45 minutes discussing whether an engineering note on an engineering drawing, that has nothing to do with the part, can be removed by a senior engineer (me) or if its better for it to stay there for consistency (because engineers value consistency). 45 minutes I will never get back.

You got off easy with only 45 minutes. It should have been two hours to talk about change control, alternative documentation, and the like.

 

[redwrench60]

I have a buddy that I hate going over to his house to help with a remodel because all of his tape measures are cheap promotional items, or the worst you can buy. If i know why I am going over there I grab one of my Stanley tapes.

You’re damn right! The guys I work with know they will get the stink eye from me if they hand me anything other than a Stanley FatMax when I ask for a tape. Now, if they hand me a cheap ************* tape I’ll spike it in the nearest trash can with all the dip spit and snot rags and tell ‘em there, I just saved your life.

 

[hailwood1965]

Torx sockets a close second.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have to say my amex card, almost everything I buy goes on it.

 

[logical]

Can't watch it now, but let me guess, it's something boiled?

I was over there in 2020 and thought COVID had taken my sense of taste....and then I remembered where I was.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Don't get me started on that subject. They are called chips not fries, chips. Another British invention. You lot had the spuds (potatoes) we showed the world what to do with them.
Some of the forrins even put mayonnaise on 'em.
Wrong. Salt and vinegar served up in newspaper.
That is all.

Gotta get your daily dose of heavy metals.

 

[The Bean]

The Basin Wrench.


End of discussion.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Anything Swiss army tool / does a bunch of things poorly type tool. Vice grips are crappy clamps and terrible pliers.

Now wait a minute there puppy. I'll have you know I've got a leather-man-like tool in the AV cabinet that is perfect for beating the ****, er, performing percussive maintenance on recalcitrant TV remotes.

 

[jives]

Drywall anchors. So many different kinds, all are terrible. So many holes in my walls. . . .

 

[a6hux]

Scissor jacks, very dangerous!

 

[coldh2o]

If you grind the new slot perpendicular to the old slot you can use a Phillips driver and avoid enjoy all the headaches of the flat blade that crappy design.

 

[NFT5]

?

Yeah, McDonalds have been trying to change our language for the last 40 years or so, too.

Customer: G'day love. Big Mac and chips, thanks.
McDonalds staff: Large, regular or small fries and Coke for your drink?
Customer: Nah, Just the burger and chips thanks. And some tomato sauce as well?
McDonalds staff: Just one Ketchup, sir?
Customer: Nah, tomato sauce.


Bane of my existence tool?
I have a small set of 1/4" sockets that live inside, in a drawer of my desk, for occasional use. Once again I went to use them this week and the 10mm socket didn't fit over the nut I was trying to undo. Really have to chuck them in the bin.

 

[pcrov]

These scissors.

I hate the **** out of these scissors.

 

[472scout]

Yeah, McDonalds have been trying to change our language for the last 40 years or so, too.

Customer: G'day love. Big Mac and chips, thanks.
McDonalds staff: Large, regular or small fries and Coke for your drink?
Customer: Nah, Just the burger and chips thanks. And some tomato sauce as well?
McDonalds staff: Just one Ketchup, sir?
Customer: Nah, tomato sauce.

?

 

[billp603]

SAE Allen keys! I work in an industrial factory and hex head SHCS, BHCS are everywhere, if it's 100% metric I know the sizes well, but for SAE it's always the 3rd or 4th one I try. And we have a mix of equipment so sometimes it trying both type.
The sets of L shaped keys that are pain to get in and out of the holder are the worst and having a complete set intact is a challenge. I do have the little Wiha ratchet and bit set that is so much better than the L keys

 

[NFT5]

?

Ahh, Hungry Jack's, aka Burger King. Well they were a bit smarter, realising that calling them chips and improving the seasoning actually made a much better product. Just like the burgers, they're better at Jack's. Now, if only they could improve the service levels they'd give the Golden Arches mob a decent run for their money.

 

[seber]

Butyrate screwdriver handles. Just one of those abominations sneaks into the garage and the whole place stinks for weeks.

 

[Toold_up]

The sets of L shaped keys that are pain to get in and out of the holder are the worst and having a complete set intact is a challenge.

Yes, L shaped Allan keys are known as knuckle busters! I hate those damn things. Sometimes it's the only tool that fits (engineers... ) and it's always a miserable experience.

 

[woody 73]

Ok listen up me hearties of the GJ.
Some of you will not agree with me and that is ok, but these are my opinions and mine alone.

Those brand-new no spill gas cans, oh sure someone a few years ago while smoking a dozen cigarettes, with a few Bic lighters blew themselves up, lost the garage, all the tools and they never found his body, his wife, the neighbors, the postman and crazy Karen down the street; so new laws took effect, well call me crazy but those dam things leak all over and kill me. Now I hunt for all those old gas cans, you can all call me crazy if you want.

Back in the day we had tent tool sales and they sold buffalo tools, well maybe not the best ever made, I'm sure some of you built f-15 airplanes but they never lasted me a few weeks at best.

Craftsmen rob grip pliers, sure some of you love them, but hell what were they thinking, enough said.

Oxwall tools, wow sheet metal stamped junk that exploded the moment you used them, still lots of GJ members love them, not sure why but it is what it is.

That's it for now my wife wants her computer back.

Oh, any wrenches coming from India, from years ago boy they spread apart for me just looking at them, but I am guessing someone on the GJ built the blackbird airplane with them, but hey all the more power to you.

 

[micromind]

I agree about the new-fangle gas cans.....they're horrible!

 

[jabberwoki]

Old school drop lights... god i hate them.

 

[mervyn]

The flat head screw driver isn’t the problem, it’s the flat head screws.

Exactly. I toss most every one I come across in my nut and bolt collection.

 

[mervyn]

Grease guns. Hate em !

 

[Beerhippie]

Old school drop lights... god i hate them.

You mean the ones that are always pointed the wrong direction?

 

[mervyn]

Drill bits ..... all of them...every last one ever made!
Spent an hour yesterday drilling 12 holes in a cabinet to put in RivNuts, I swear the drill bits were softening as soon as they touched paint on the sheet metal.

Quality bits are the answer. I broke down and bought some Drill Hog bits a couple years ago.

Drill Hog®

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