Rarely used tools that save the day

[global72]

Today I had a small project. I needed to tear down and clean up a machine for debossing leather goods. The very first step in the process was removing 4 screws. They were frozen solid. So I went in the tool box and grabbed the impact driver and problem solved.

I tore it apart a bit more and noticed someone had cross threaded a bolt hole at some point in the past. Back into the tool box grabbed a tap cleaned it out and problem solved.

While I was finishing the project I started thinking about how difficult it would have been without those 2 tools and what other tools I have that I rarely use anymore that save the day when I need them.

I was wondering what some of the tools others have that rarely get used but when needed would be very difficult to get buy without.

 

[bgott]

I have a 36" pipe wrench that I picked up at an estate sale for $5. It is used primarily to hold down the loose top of the washer. The other day I actually needed it, as a wrench, to disassemble a rusty blacksmith's leg vice.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Since I have access to a shop, there are probably a lot of my home tools that go unused unless an emergency hits.

Here a few months ago, I picked up a 24" Crescent brand adjustable wrench. (only if something at my brothers farm, or the shop calls)
Flare tools, for single and dual flares. (heard a friend who was so proud the other day, he fixed his brakes, but used compression fittings)
Taps (mostly use thread chasers for cleaning)
etc.

How about the tools that we know we WANT, but will probably sit around forever?

 

[The Muffin Man]

For completely rounded bolt heads, I like to use Knipex's Cobra pliers and Bahco's pipe/adjustable wrench to remove them. Hydraulic nut splitters also make rounded nuts a walk in the park.

My Bosch 1/4in impact driver also is very efficient at removing corroded and over torqued screws and small bolts.

 

[jwitt]

My torch. It doen't get used that often but when I need it I'm sure glad that it's there.

Jim

 

[84TurboBuick]

I used to wonder about all the "odd" stuff that was laying in my box that I never seemed to pull out and put to work.....

After I started working on my Grand National... I found tons of uses for that stuff!!

 

[Titus]

10mm shorty gearwrench. The coilpack on my Miata is attached at a tight blind point on the back of the head. There is no room for a socket. There is no room for a standard length wrench. There is only room for about a 25 degree arc. It takes a bit just to get a wrench on to the bolt due to the blind limited access. a 10mm shorty gearwrench makes a quick job of it, and I took this for granted. The wrench recently grew legs, and I had to remove the bolt without it. It took about 20 minutes with a non-ratcheting shorty wrench (and that was after waisting 10 minutes trying to find the missing wrench, and another 20 minutes trying to get something else to work). Fight to get the wrench on. Turn about 1/15th of a turn. Remove wrench. Repeat. 100 times.

 

[knucklehead]

48" aluminum ridged pipewrench. great for tweeking warping steel when welding or just for bending things. same for 24" crescent wrench. snap on collet type stud pullers, rarely used but they are priceless.

 

[Paumanok]

10mm shorty gearwrench. The coilpack on my Miata is attached at a tight blind point on the back of the head. There is no room for a socket. There is no room for a standard length wrench. There is only room for about a 25 degree arc. It takes a bit just to get a wrench on to the bolt due to the blind limited access. a 10mm shorty gearwrench makes a quick job of it, and I took this for granted. The wrench recently grew legs, and I had to remove the bolt without it. It took about 20 minutes with a non-ratcheting shorty wrench (and that was after waisting 10 minutes trying to find the missing wrench, and another 20 minutes trying to get something else to work). Fight to get the wrench on. Turn about 1/15th of a turn. Remove wrench. Repeat. 100 times.

Haha, been there, and I thank the smart dude who invented ratcheting wrenches

 

[Fedwrench]

Three things come to mind. First, my SK turbosockets are great for removing damaged fasteners. Secondly, I have some thread chasers that are specifically made for AC fittings. These have saved my **** more that once repairing damaged connectors where someone else cross threaded it. Lastly, I have a set of wheel stud thread chasers that can wrap around behind the damaged area and rotated outward to retore the threads. These three tools are mistake fixers but, have made my life easier when following a careless guy trying to beat flat rate. They gather alot of dust between uses but when needed, they save the day.

 

[wreckercologist]

My ball joint press I got from Mac is a infrequently used tool, but a real time saver none the less. Same goes for the shops Hydraulic flaring tool, that thing is the cats ***!

I don't use my Mac micro-turn wrenches much, but when I need them, they work like a champ!

I've got one of those Serpentine belt hook tools that I've never used on a belt! I use it to pull wiring and hydraulic lines and to retrieve dropped parts/tools!

 

[plinker]

Bolt-outs or equivilant
Rethreading kit

Other stuff I cant think of at this time.....

 

[Nik_95Cobra]

My Snap-On long ball allen sockets don't get used a whole lot but are GREAT when you need them.

 

[tw33k2514]

The pipe I keep next to my breaker bars....that has come in handy a couple times.

 

[-B-]

impact driver
24" adj wrench
hemostats/ kelly clamps

 

[rhandwor]

My taps and dies have gotten me out of many jams. My torch has done the same thing.

 

[stricht8]

Air saw for getting into tight spots that a cut off tool can't.