Cheap tools saved the day.

[t100]

you know, sometimes, Snap On tools just ain't gonna cut it.

I'm changing a ECT this morning, simple enough job, shouldn't be taking more than couple minutes.

the location doesn't fit a wrench unless I remove bunch of stuff, a deep socket is perfect.

both my Snap On 3/4 and 19mm would not fit over the connector socket. the HF would work, if I'm very careful, but good old Cman came through like a charm.

moral of the story, don't throw away your cheap tools just because you've got the "Best".

 

[warmpancakes]

I always use a wrench on sensors, to make sure manifold doesnt strip

 

[Inkncraig]

I understand perfectly. The older craftsman sockets work great for those kind of things

 

[RECox286]

I went nuts trying to find a 13 mm that would fit a specific area. Shallow being

too short, deep being too long. I was going to modify a deep socket, when I

remembered I had a paint bucket full of odd stuff. I dipped into the mess, and

came up with a 3/4 length SK socket. Yeah, yea fer me ! Sometimes it pays to

not throw stuff away...just remember where you put it.

Uncle Bob

 

[Skin]

its got nothing to do with cheap or expensive, deep sockets, even craftsman, have a step in them these days to prevent bolts/nuts from sliding so far inside you cant get the fastener to start.

 

[kiatech]

I have 19mm cman socket that is the same way. its a -V- series socket. The hex part goes all the way back.

 

[nanofrog]

Sometimes it pays to not throw stuff away...just remember where you put it.

This is my problem; my memory is like... what a sec, what am I posting about again?

 

[Armed Bear]

I found a whole bunch of cheap rusty China made tools in my tool shed that somebody left behind, I'm definitely not gonna toss em out.....I got lucky though, theres a few in there that are USA made. gonna have to get the rust off.

 

[McFarmer]

My dad thought he was doing me a favor and bought a huge set of china 3/4 sockets while he was in Mexico, paid maybe $25 dollars. They work really great next to the press, I can find one to help press out anything. Also for driving on bearing races and installing the bearing cap.

 

[Kev442]

I often have to use a looser fit, cheaper wrench due to rust around here. I find that better than having to literally hammer my Williams onto the nut most of the time.

I mentioned last year that everyone should have a $7 set of those fully polished cheapie wrenches. They are very thin on the combo and saved me from having to grind a nice wrench down. I was belittled for even mentioning it. The tool snobs would rather grind down a $7 each name brand wrench. Whatever.

 

[Armed Bear]

it's always good to have cheap backup tools, they come in handy most of the time.

 

[wafrederick]

I had to remove a radatior shroud bolt in a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee once.Could not get my Craftsman 10mm combination wrench in there,the box end part.I knew I had a box of cheap throw away tools I kept around.Looked through that box and found a 10mm wrench in there,ground down the box end down just enough to clear and broke the bolt loose.There was no way I was not going to grind down the Craftsman wrench down for this job,I don't do this to my good tools with a warranty.I have one cheap big screwdriver just for the snap rings in the automatic transmissions,ground a notch on the side of the tip of the screwdriver.I twist the screwdriver pulling the snap ring out doing this in ever spot.

 

[greasemonkey44]

I mentioned last year that everyone should have a $7 set of those fully polished cheapie wrenches. They are very thin on the combo and saved me from having to grind a nice wrench down. I was belittled for even mentioning it. The tool snobs would rather grind down a $7 each name brand wrench. Whatever.

i keep cheap wrenches and sockets in the bottom drawer of my box
ive ground, cut, and bent enough wrenches and sockets
14mm sensor socket, 11mm thin wrench; custom 22mm 02 sensor wrench, shortened ratcheting 15mm, shortened ratcheting 10mm, and dozens more
im keeping my eyes on hot deals for more gearwrenches to modify

i keep the really cheap ones like you said because they are already milled super thin; its alot easier to make them even skinnier
ive been using a channelock adjustable lately with good sucess

 

[crewchief888]

what are these cheap tools everyone is talking about?




my cheap stuff is CM....

 

[t100]

HF and CM.

my HF wrenches are also my loaner tools which I can careless if they come home or not. Murphy's law #3 says always the expensive ones have legs.

 

[MattPersman]

yes when you do this for a living its strange to look at the random brand odd ball sockets you need for this job or that job.

 

[msrfrog]

Not for nothing , but I picked up a 3/8 impact extension set 4 pieces for like $7 at HF. They hold up better than my matco. They seem to be made of harder steel. The matco ones have gotten all mushed.

 

[thightower]

It is good to keep the cheap ones around. You never know.