Favorite gimmicky tool?

[FigureItOut]

The thread about your most hated gimmicky tool got me thinking, some of these might accidentally turn out to be useful. This will be a short thread I'm betting.

I'm not sure it counts, but I have this little Ryobi driver, it's advertised for driving wing nuts. I use it mostly for driving eye lags, planter hooks, garage hooks and the like, and it's very effective. When I think of it, I use it to twist or turn other random things for which there's no real right way to do it.

Have you bought or received any gimmicky tools that have earned their place in your box?

On another note, any examples of solid, reputable tool makers producing an "innovation" that belonged on late night paid programming?

 

[BMack37]

Engineer screw extractor pliers. No second thought, this is my favorite specialty pliers. These are fantastic and I will praise them any time I get the chance.

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L6HJAA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FigureItOut]

Engineer screw extractor pliers. No second thought, this is my favorite specialty pliers. These are fantastic and I will praise them any time I get the chance.

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L6HJAA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Also known as vam-pliers aren't they. I've been eyeing those.

 

[four.cycle]

actually, both of those look kind of interesting, particularly the pliers.

typing "gimmicky" into the "search" box brings up some hilarious results, for those who are in need of a good laugh.

the pliers are an online-order thing only? tell me how they work removing the #10 pan-head self-tapping sheet metal screws that affix the sheet metal belt guard to the bottom of a 20-year-old lawnmower deck.



(as I recall, I used a 1/2" cold chisel on a couple of them.)

 

[BMack37]

Also known as vam-pliers aren't they. I've been eyeing those.

Vampliers is the US distributor, I believe. They're more expensive than the Engineer models, Engineer is the OEM, in fact Vampliers has "Engineer" on the handle. The Engineer pliers head cover is sold separately but the Vampliers set includes it, even then buying separate the Engineer model is $8.50 cheaper, nearly 30% off.

I used a thinner gauge paracord to make a lanyard that I can wrap around the handle to keep the jaws closed. The grip is grippy enough to keep the lanyard in place.

One thing to keep in mind is that on the standard size, the jaws are not meant to touch, but it would have to be a REALLY small screw to effect usability...smaller than a Ph #00. I've never encountered one.

Stop thinking and buy them! They really are great pliers.

 

[rlitman]

Engineer screw extractor pliers. No second thought, this is my favorite specialty pliers. These are fantastic and I will praise them any time I get the chance.

Looks like a decent idea. But if you didn't know, curved jaw vise grip pliers all have the same style of teeth in the tips of their jaws (straight jaw vise grips are smooth here).

 

[tarbellb]

Craftsman Clench Wrench!

Seriously, this thing has got me out of a few predicaments. Not for wrenching on cars, but when doing a random job onsite and you run into some hex... metric or SAE it works great!

 

[BMack37]

Looks like a decent idea. But if you didn't know, curved jaw vise grip pliers all have the same style of teeth in the tips of their jaws (straight jaw vise grips are smooth here).

Just looked, none of mine(curved and straight) have these teeth. I have mostly Irwin of various generations, all with metal non-grip handles. What brands do you have?

Even if they did, I think I'd still prefer these because they don't lock. These dig in really well and it's about as quick as turning a screwdriver once you break it loose. You can also use it to put anything cylindrical that might be stuck, I've even used it on capacitors that are glued/silicon-ed in...normally using regular pliers you'd burst the cap.

 

[bushmechanic]

Craftsman Clench Wrench!

Seriously, this thing has got me out of a few predicaments. Not for wrenching on cars, but when doing a random job onsite and you run into some hex... metric or SAE it works great!

I keep two of the folding models in my glove box along with a multi-tool and Gearwrench micro-driver when I'm traveling. The places I've been; I've used the stuff more than once.

It's not ideal, but for a quick bit of repair, it's one heck of a combination with a little multi-tool in tow.

As for the wrenches specifically, those things are outstanding when you're working on something that isn't overly critical, especially just oddball stuff at home, and your wrenches are just far enough away to be annoying.

They'll scratch hardware plating, but if it doesn't matter, or you're so exhausted you just don't care, they're great. They'll take a hell of a lot of force.

Here's the micro-driver:

Not sure how much of a gimmick it is, but I use the hell out of that thing. Between all three, half the time it's just easier to reach in the damned glove box than open a drawer in the garage.

 

[jkwilson]

Robo-Grip Pliers. They aren't often the right tool, but when they are they are hard to beat. Taking apart things that are rusted, broken, bent etc., they will get a hold on it faster than channel-locks or vice grips. I keep them in the box I carry on my 4-wheeler.

The wing-nut driver is like one I made out of a small 1/4" socket many years ago when my wife wanted me to install about a million cup-hooks for curtain tie-backs. After I got three of them installed, my fingers were sore and I was in the shop making a tool.

 

[rlitman]

Just looked, none of mine(curved and straight) have these teeth. I have mostly Irwin of various generations, all with metal non-grip handles. What brands do you have?

Even if they did, I think I'd still prefer these because they don't lock. These dig in really well and it's about as quick as turning a screwdriver once you break it loose. You can also use it to put anything cylindrical that might be stuck, I've even used it on capacitors that are glued/silicon-ed in...normally using regular pliers you'd burst the cap.

I've got Peterson (but only straight jaw, so no teeth in the tips), Irwin of all sorts and generations, and Craftsman (mostly of the previous generation with the dipped black grips that were excellent, and a couple of the current generation that are total ****), plus Chinese **** that nobody felt good enough to put their name on which doesn't count as a tool (though useful for welding to jigs, being left out in the weather, being used as replacement handles, etc).

I will admit though that using the tips of Vise Grips to turn out a screw is not that convenient, because they grip at an offset angle, and not straight on. So it isn't as simple as turning a screwdriver.

 

[Finky198]

I'm a sucker for good extractors set or specialty socket I have a decent collection now all different brands sizes styles but now I seem to always have the right one for the job so if there reasonable and Fairly well made then I don't mind because they have bailed me out numerous times

Even the grip tite and gator sockets have helped a few times of course the turbo sockets the HF version of turbo sockets there's a whole bunch but all different stuff left handed drillbits all sorts of **** it's cheap but knowing how to use it having a little patients it always seems to work out in the end

 

[Hinrix6]

I received a Black and Decker Gyro cordless screwdriver. At first I thought it wouldn't be very useful, but I am amazed at the amount of power that it has as well as how long the battery lasts. It is just a great tool to have in the house.

 

[itsvegas]

I received a Black and Decker Gyro cordless screwdriver. At first I thought it wouldn't be very useful, but I am amazed at the amount of power that it has as well as how long the battery lasts. It is just a great tool to have in the house.

Picked up one of these and its great for stuff around the house!

 

[Bdgjr215]

Craftsman Clench Wrench!

Seriously, this thing has got me out of a few predicaments. Not for wrenching on cars, but when doing a random job onsite and you run into some hex... metric or SAE it works great!

I have a set those .They are legit tools very sturdy i keep them in my truck
The big one doubles as a hammer also

 

[rodsnratfinks]

The Black & Decker Workmate

My first brush with these was on a deck remodeling project a couple of years ago with my father-in-law. Prior to that I was aware of the Workmate but always thought they were kind of a gimmicky joke. Boy was I wrong! I can't imagine life without a few of these around the garage and I now use them for everything. I especially like the old-school models with the cast aluminum risers and marine plywood tops. I've restored two of them now.

What kinds of things do you use them for?

 

[Youngguns]

Knipex pliers-wrench?

 

[shanny19]

Just don't "get" the workmate, and the love it gets here. But then I don't "get" screwdriver-handled prybars either, and a few other GJ must-haves.

It's cool that you guys who love them love them so much, enjoy!

My gimmick would be a SKIL dial-a-size piece of **** adjustable hole saw with only 3 cutters that has seen me through 5 whole-house remodels.

 

[BikerDad]

FastCap SpeedRollerPRO.

 

[ohblondi]

I ridiculed the Kobalt ratchet with the handle you can turn to move the ratchet head.

However I was trying to replace a sensor on a friends Jeep and didn't have enough room to move my SK Roto head. That ratchet saved me.

 

[Steevo]

Engineer screw extractor pliers. No second thought, this is my favorite specialty pliers. These are fantastic and I will praise them any time I get the chance.

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L6HJAA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is that what these are?:
https://sdwike.smugmug.com/photos/i-gsCdTtF/0/L/i-gsCdTtF-L.jpg

I picked them up a few years back and never knew what their intended use was.

 

[Steevo]

I've got a couple:

The Screwball Screwdriver

Invented by Lloyd Smith and produced by S/V Tool Company of Newton, Kansas. Rights to the tool were later sold to Craftsman but S/V Tool (who was later bought up by Fiskars) continued to produce them for Sears.

I used to laugh at these things and shun them at garage sales until I finally picked one up and used it a few times.

Let's just say that I don't laugh anymore, and I never leave one behind when I come across it at a sale. Don't knock it till you've tried it. It might just make you a believer too. This thing is no joke. If you can get past the "fishing bobber" outside appearance, your wrists will thank you.


The Black & Decker Workmate

My first brush with these was on a deck remodeling project a couple of years ago with my father-in-law. Prior to that I was aware of the Workmate but always thought they were kind of a gimmicky joke. Boy was I wrong! I can't imagine life without a few of these around the garage and I now use them for everything. I especially like the old-school models with the cast aluminum risers and marine plywood tops. I've restored two of them now.

I have had my workmate (just like the one pictured) since it was given to me as a gift in the early/mid 1970's, and I still use it at least 50-75 times a year.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Is that what these are?:
I picked them up a few years back and never knew what their intended use was.

Those are gas pipe pliers.

 

[BMack37]

Is that what these are?:
https://sdwike.smugmug.com/photos/i-gsCdTtF/0/L/i-gsCdTtF-L.jpg

I picked them up a few years back and never knew what their intended use was.

I'm not sure of the intended use but the Engineers are a bit deeper cut on the tip and they're pretty sharp. I bet those would work better than normal pliers on extracting screws. Here's a picture of the Vampliers version of the large size(not the size I linked to). I can't take a pic of mine right now, this is not my picture.