Not so common must have tools

[nevertoomanytools]

What tools do you have that aren't that common (well at least that most people don't have) that you cannot live without? Specifically for mechanical/body work?

One of my favorites is my cable operated hose clamp pliers... saves me a ton of time/headache on hard to get to radiator hose clamps.

Not exactly uncommon but I also love my m12 ratchet... that thing is awesome.

 

[drink]

It might be common among some people but I am not so sure a lot of people have one. I have a valve spring tool for servicing the overhead valve Tecumseh small engines. It is the funky looking black tool next to the drawer pull beneath the tappet wrenches.

 

[drink]

I got a nut cracker also! Who else do you know with a nut cracker? My nut cracker is still in its factory packaging next to the measuring tape. Have you ever had to crack some nuts?

 

[abvw]

Snap-on FZ1 90 degree extension adapters.

 

[unslow1]

Snap-on FZ1 90 degree extension adapters.

Thank you! I've been trying to remember what those were called for about a month.

 

[drewvdw]

Those hose clamp pliers are wonderful to have.

I'll toss in my borescope. It doesn't get used much, but is sure is good to have.

 

[drewvdw]

Snap-on FZ1 90 degree extension adapters.

I've seen those, but never understood what they're for.

 

[zkling]

Where do you draw the line at common? Common to who? To the average John Smith home owner a flex head ratchet, 3/8" impact or line wrenches are "not" common.

 

[drewvdw]

True. To me, 3/4 drive tools, wrenches, and sockets up to 2" and 45mm are common...I also work at a Case Construction Equipment dealership, not an auto shop.

 

[woody 73]

At least for me and something I use all the time is a must have tool that I think (key word) most people do not own or have hanging on their wall is the following tool:

http://www.threadtoolsupply.com/wall-mounted-thread-checker.html

Mind you I am sure plenty of guys own something like that product in their toolbox maybe the ones on a string, but I find myself using it all the time in my small man cave.

 

[mrvm]

.

Not exactly uncommon but I also love my m12 ratchet... that thing is awesome.

Glad you like the M12 ratchet. I tested one out but I couldn't justify the cost over a proper high quality fine high tooth count ratchet that ratchets so smoothly and accurately.

 

[Finky198]

I got a nut cracker also! Who else do you know with a nut cracker? My nut cracker is still in its factory packaging next to the measuring tape. Have you ever had to crack some nuts?

What is that the break glass in case of emergency tool


My Blue point flex head stubby reversible ratcheting wrenches (boy that's a mouthful)

 

[Milton Shaw]

Milwaukee right angle drive for 1/4 inch bits. Home Depot for about $25 or so. MiniMag flashlights the 2AAA battery ones as they are about the size of a pen/pencil and fit shirt pocket so well. I have three or four I have worn the switches out and haven't sent back for warranty. Pocket voltage indicator--many brands available for about $25, save yourself from a lot of shocks when you think you have hit the right breaker. Pocket magnet/screw starter was another item that I used a lot.

 

[carcajou]

I have an O ring sizing cone that i bought from a Cat dealer. Not something i use often but it sure comes in handy when i need it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

a flash light with batteries that are not dead

 

[coondog]

a flash light with batteries that are not dead

I have two different streamlights for this exact reason. I start feeling the pressure when I know I;ve been using it all morning. "it could die at any second"

 

[coondog]

For me its the Snapon stubby Allen sockets, metric. They are in sizes 3mm to 10mm and the 7,8,9,10mm are in 3/8" drive. The smaller sizes are 1/4."
Seems like a must have set for transmission work when trying to get a fill plug out of the side of a case when its on a lift running and you are trying to check the level before it gets too hot. I seem to use at least one of these on every european car I work on, whether it be a valve cover bolt on a maserati, or a transmission pan on a bmw

 

[Farmall450]

Tecumseh tool for carburetors, kinda hard to avoid.

 

[Jeeper]

A nice quality head lamp. I have a zebra light and it was one of the best tools I have purchased in the last few years. Light wherever I look.

 

[Roberts210]

Valve adjustment tool for my old engines.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

A circuit tracer (aka fox & hound). Used to find out what circuit breaker controls a receptical. You plug the transmitter in the receptical, then you move the receiver around the breaker panel until the tone comes on, telling you that you've located your breaker.

 

[firworks]

My most used uncommon tool is a pair of 1-2-3 blocks. I'd say if you don't have some, GET some. They can be had pretty cheap. They're used by machinists in fixturing but it is really handy to have a precision 1", 2", and 3" reference just ready to go. They are especially awesome for woodworking. I use them whenever I combine miter gauge and fence for accurate cross cuts. You can clamp it to your fence in front of the blade, that way you are past it when you actually engage the blade and there's no chance of binding. Since it's an extremely accurate 1", you just clamp it to your fence and if you want 20" long, set your fence to 21" and you get a precise 20" cross cut. I like it a lot better than using a tape measure to set my fence when using a little offcut clamped to the fence or something. I also use them to square glue ups and all kinds of things.

 

[four.cycle]

offset-head open-end "obstruction" wrenches.

 

[Gotmayhem]

For me its the Snapon stubby Allen sockets, metric. They are in sizes 3mm to 10mm and the 7,8,9,10mm are in 3/8" drive. The smaller sizes are 1/4."
Seems like a must have set for transmission work when trying to get a fill plug out of the side of a case when its on a lift running and you are trying to check the level before it gets too hot. I seem to use at least one of these on every european car I work on, whether it be a valve cover bolt on a maserati, or a transmission pan on a bmw

Funny, I have the same set for the same reason. I also cut slices from allen keys for this purpose, little inch long bits that are just enough to get a wrench on. I have a bunch of these in 8,12,14mm etc. All the sizes that BMW loves to use on their transmissions, diffs, and transfer cases. Also, the stubby 7mm is a godsend for rear brakes that have the shock right behind the slide pin.

 

[ddawg16]

Impact screw driver. The old style....you use a hammer

 

[Tenex]

Almost no one I know outside of this forum is familiar with Knipex. If only they knew how valuable the pliers-wrench really is.

 

[PJNJ]

Slide hammer, top dead center whistling indicator, Mityvac, motorcycle carb jet cleaner wires, Dremel and Milwaukee right angle adapters, Wright 3/8 in 1/4 body ratchet, mini impact - Astro Pneumatic Nano, thread restorers, half moon wrenches, indexing wrenches, etc. and etc.

 

[rharman]

Impact screw driver. The old style....you use a hammer

When you need it, you need it. Nothing better for the task. I still have the one I bought about 45 years ago. Couldn't count the 6mm screws it's been intimate with.

 

[hautpot]

offset-head open-end "obstruction" wrenches.

Even better if they are in the beloved Flank Drive Plus variation, yet they are discontinued unfortunately.

I like torque adapters, ignition spanners, moon obstruction spanners, FZ936A Ratchet Head , twist removal sockets, slugging spanners, torque screwdrivers, torque multipliers, manual impact driver, or 0° extended length ring spanners.

 

[martin666]

Door hinge wrenches, I use them on cylinder head bolts and barrel base nuts on pre 84 Harleys. Best style of wrenches I've ever used especially if motor is still in frame

 

[Empty Pockets]

Impact screw driver. The old style....you use a hammer

I have 2 of them..... handy

 

[Empty Pockets]

I really love my 3/4 drive socket set. Comes in handy when New Holland equiptment goes down

 

[gtlaw]

Bit ratchet

I have the gearwrench pictured and the kobalt equivalent. There are a ton of times I don't know what I would do with out these

 

[Finky198]

I really love my 3/4 drive socket set. Comes in handy when New Holland equiptment goes down

Yup they can be a total life save built a big set of USA craftsman a few years back. They have bailed me out on occasion

Also +5 on the hand impact koken and cman here

 

[tooljunkie4]

Door hinge wrenches, I use them on cylinder head bolts and barrel base nuts on pre 84 Harleys. Best style of wrenches I've ever used especially if motor is still in frame

What is the part number on the painted Snap-On wrench in your photo?

ETA: Thanks, martin666.

 

[martin666]

tooljunkie4, part # is...S 9607

 

[toolaholic]

Slide hammer, deep offset sk ratcheting g pro wrenches, alltrade upper control arm bushing service kit, harmonic balancer install kit, harmonic balancer puller kit

 

[shockwave]

For me it would be my 1/4 snap on universal sockets

They are slightly uncommon

 

[sometoyotaguy]

Tecumseh tool for carburetors, kinda hard to avoid.

I stole one of my wifes crochet hooks to do the same thing.

 

[jerseykat1]

SO ball joint press. It's the best one. I don't have this set yet but I want it. Only problem is that i have a hard time spending 700 bucks on it. I'll get it on eBay for 500 soon.

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