Most important, but least used tool?

[ddawg16]

One of these. It hardly ever get's used but when it does it saves my bacon.

Another vote for that bad boy

 

[NotOrganized]

I have so many tools and rarely use them. Implements for the tractor that don't get used for years at a time. Still when I need to use something, its satisfying to know I have what works. If I don't. i put it on my wish list. He who dies with the most tools wins!

 

[jsmeece]

BFH! When you need that big hammer you are glad you have one (rusted on brake rotor).

 

[Cleave]

Upon brief consideration of the question, the answer becomes obvious, and is the same for everyone.

The least used tool is one I've never used.
The most importance a tool can have is when you need it right now, to do an important task, and can't possibly improvise.

So, the most important tool that I use the least often is one that I don't have, don't know I need, but one day will really need, right now, then go out and pay retail for it, use it once, and put it on the shelf.

 

[Qualitytools]

My wood working tools that I have accumulated over the years as I tend to do more work on cars than.......However, when I need them, Yeah glad I have them. Several tools here mentioned already, craw foot, obstruction wrenches, etc.....

OK so I watched the video and where can I get one of each of his specialty grabbing tools? I know he said they are used in the medical field but how does one get his hands on one?

 

[2manytools]

A second set of hands to help when its tough to do something solo. My kids 4 & 5 yrs old are not quite there yet, in a few years they will be invaluable in the once in a while I need their help.

Often my brain.

I was going say my brain, but sometimes that is the problem. So, combining those answers, I may have to defer to a 2nd opinion (which should result in a 2nd set of hands on the job )

BFH! When you need that big hammer you are glad you have one (rusted on brake rotor).

didn't work on mine, I started cussing at the BFH. had to loosen the nuts, then drive & turn the wheel back & forth. wish i went that route at first

 

[isb cornbinder]

My 16 inch South Bend lathe absolutely fits this situation. I have a much smaller British lathe that gets used much more often.
The South Bend is important, just not so often. It is not for sale.

 

[LS3]

1-1/4” deep socket for the crank bolt on mopar engines. I don’t use it often, but I’m glad I have it.

Funny! That is actually my most used socket lol

 

[LS3]

For me I would say an Air Arc (carbon arc gouging) don’t need it all the time but it’s a real time saver when you need to remove a lot of material quickly, fix cracks, or someone’s mistake lol.

 

[Robby321]

Easy one for me. FAST ACCESS TO 911. Only needed once (so far, and thats enough), but lets put it this way. I sure do have a shiny white knee cap! And zero probs bleeding! Volunteer Fire fighters/Medic here in 5 minutes! Love our little rural community....and they like my shop too!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Have to be My highly prized seal protectors and drivers for automatic transmission repairs. They are mostly plastic, and have few, if any other uses.

 

[restorick]

Intriguing idea for a discussion from Adam. What's your least used, but most important tool?

Mine is an obvious one. I don't use a torque wrench all that often, but when I truly need it, it's for something damned important...


To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

..

Depends if you're asking me...

... or my wife!

 

[IndyGarage]

Easy one for me. FAST ACCESS TO 911. Only needed once (so far, and thats enough), but lets put it this way. I sure do have a shiny white knee cap! And zero probs bleeding! Volunteer Fire fighters/Medic here in 5 minutes! Love our little rural community....and they like my shop too!

That's why I suggest keeping Celox on hand.

 

[IndyGarage]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010MR9L78/?tag=atomicindus08-20

sorry about the double post

 

[rustyzman]

"My wood working tools that I have accumulated over the years as I tend to do more work on cars than.......However, when I need them, Yeah glad I have them. Several tools here mentioned already, craw foot, obstruction wrenches, etc.....

OK so I watched the video and where can I get one of each of his specialty grabbing tools? I know he said they are used in the medical field but how does one get his hands on one?"


At least for the smaller one, here is a source.
https://www.sciplus.com/11-stainless-steel-alligator-forceps-4252-p

Very fun store to noodle through if you are ever in the area of one.

I have a few different styles myself. Very handy for delicate work.
The stapler, that might be a tougher one to find....

 

[patchap]

.308

 

[tutti57]

I couldn't think of anything yesterday then used this today. When a ratchet is too thick but you a wrench won't work.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Extendable magnet for lost nuts/bolts
Small set of "easy outs"
Digital Caliper
A rusty steel pipe I use for leverage with my socket wrench, life saver.

 

[CAF51]

A snap on TM84. They say it's for carbs, but I pull it out whenever I need to remove a band clamp in a tough spot. Perfect design for not slipping off the screw the with that shrouded flat blade.

 

[Bighead38]

A snap on TM84. They say it's for carbs, but I pull it out whenever I need to remove a band clamp in a tough spot. Perfect design for not slipping off the screw the with that shrouded flat blade.

Looks like the socket my old man uses down the distributor hole.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Fire extinguisher.

Smoke/CO detector.

Plunger.

Are you certain the plunger is on your list of least used?

 

[JRC3]

My *****.

 

[House Frau]

12 Gauge Remington

 

[Handyandy23]

My *****.

Winner

 

[freudianfloyd]

Small torch tip cleaning set. Every small engine that somebody throws away or sells for dirt cheap because they cant get it to run is usually fixed by a thorough cleaning of the carb, and these work great for getting in the small passages.

 

[tarmy]

Patience...

Often, when trying to get er done...mistakes get made or safety measures (think chainsaws or welding) may get overlooked.

Every time I slow down just a bit...things tend to go smoother....

 

[tutti57]

Small torch tip cleaning set. Every small engine that somebody throws away or sells for dirt cheap because they cant get it to run is usually fixed by a thorough cleaning of the carb, and these work great for getting in the small passages.

Years ago I bought a tool that was advertised as a carb cleaning tool for motorcycles, I learned recently that it's a torch tip cleaning set. But, hey, what ever it works on!

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[kjdhawkhill]

Often my brain.

Ding ding ding. Especially for those who've learned how to do things, rather than how to do things, safely.

 

[BarryWells]

Cyl Leakdown tester

 

[mgilde13]

One that comes to mind for me is my Cricket squeeze ratchet. It's great for those tight spots where you can only get one or two clicks with a standard ratchet. A few quick squeezes and the fastener is out. I don't need it but a few times a year, but when I do, it's nice to have.

 

[McFarmer]

Posiloc puller. Man when you need something pulled, it,does it.

 

[bulletpruf]

One of these. It hardly ever get's used but when it does it saves my bacon.

Ditto!!!

 

[dscheidt]

I have an Earthquake one man auger. It gets used every few years or so. When it comes out of the shed for use it certainly makes my life better. I can't imagine how long it would take to dig a hole I auger handles deep with it using a regular posthole digger...Let alone 6 or more. Makes me hurt thinking about it.

You must not have clay. I rented a similar tool when I built a fence for my yard. I could dig the holes using a shovel, digging bar, and two sizes of clam shell post hole diggers in half the time as using the auger, and less lifting, because the auger had to come out of the whole every couple of inches, and the clam shell to pull out the loosened soil. The amount of torque they can supply is limited by the expected strength of the operator, because the operator has to resist it. That's not enough to deal with tough clay, rocks, or roots. In sand, they're probably okay. The ones that mount to a tractor or skid steer are great, because the tractor is heavy enough they can use real torque.

 

[sherlocktk]

A strap wrench. This is one of thoes things I have thrown in the top of my tool bench that I rarely need but it sure does come in handy trying to stabalize some weird big object.

 

[mark#3]

Kroil penetrent/torque wrench

 

[matt_i]

Its either an inductive timing light or a rotary laser level.

Ok so I have a lot of old stuff that uses distributors....

Also it might be awhile before I build another building but trying to establish depth to dig down in a 4-1/2' deep trench there's nothing else quite like it.

 

[JRC3]

You must not have clay. I rented a similar tool when I built a fence for my yard. I could dig the holes using a shovel, digging bar, and two sizes of clam shell post hole diggers in half the time as using the auger, and less lifting, because the auger had to come out of the whole every couple of inches, and the clam shell to pull out the loosened soil. The amount of torque they can supply is limited by the expected strength of the operator, because the operator has to resist it. That's not enough to deal with tough clay, rocks, or roots. In sand, they're probably okay. The ones that mount to a tractor or skid steer are great, because the tractor is heavy enough they can use real torque.

I have some rock hard clay in spots, almost like concrete and it's a handfull when I hit it. Lucky for me it's mostly 3' or so deep and for most postholes isn't an issue. Even then the auger is still better than using a shovel and clamshell only, even though they are still used. Not to mention a spud/digger bar...Another seldom used but important tool.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Defibrillator.

 

[dutchgray]

You must not have clay. I rented a similar tool when I built a fence for my yard. I could dig the holes using a shovel, digging bar, and two sizes of clam shell post hole diggers in half the time as using the auger, and less lifting, because the auger had to come out of the whole every couple of inches, and the clam shell to pull out the loosened soil. The amount of torque they can supply is limited by the expected strength of the operator, because the operator has to resist it. That's not enough to deal with tough clay, rocks, or roots. In sand, they're probably okay. The ones that mount to a tractor or skid steer are great, because the tractor is heavy enough they can use real torque.

I have seen the two man versions spin both round on the dirt when it catches in a hard bit of clay. You either need to do it by hand with digging tools or use something with hydraulics if you are on heavy clay.

 

[crewchief888]

as mentioned before,
crowsfeet, and a 4x torque multiplier