Seldom used tools that you're glad to have when you need them

[cgrutt]

So needed to use a screw extractor set that hardly ever gets used yesterday and boy I'm glad I had it. I'm restoring a vintage drill press and a dog point screw on the upper bearing collar for table lift assembly was sheared off. After fussing with it for about an hour I filed off what little remained of it, center punched and drilled a small hole in it and easily removed it with the screw extractor. I think I only used the extractor one other time. It worked great!

So what tools do you guys hardly use but are glad you have them when needed?

 

[Wes J]

8 point sockets. Everyone should have them. Every once in a while I run across a square head adjusting screw or drain plug that has already been mangled by some ape with an adjustable wrench. An 8 point socket makes it a non issue.

 

[cgrutt]

Ha! I didn't even realize that's what eight-point sockets are for, LOL... I think I have a few and never use them. There are some square headed bolts on this drill press that I'm working on, I'll see if they fit. Thanks!

 

[Jim C.]

Ha! I didn't even realize that's what eight-point sockets are for, LOL... I think I have a few and never use them. There are some square headed bolts on this drill press that I'm working on, I'll see if they fit. Thanks!

Just wondering what you were using to turn those square head bolts if you weren't using 8 point sockets?

 

[Ledaku]

36" socket extension.

 

[cgrutt]

Adjustable wrench. They came out easily.

 

[Bierisch]

Just wondering what you were using to turn those square head bolts if you weren't using 8 point sockets?

12 point sockets?

 

[bwringer]

20 ton hydraulic press.

I don't use it all that often, but it's paid for itself soooooooo many times over.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

Yes 8 point sockets are great to have, I use them a lot and not many people know what they're actually for. My seldom used tools are Fuse Buddy kit for chasing shorts and a bolt out set. I got both the Irwin and the Craftsman (old set) and they work great. Craftsman ones are great for tight spots.


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[AV tinker er]

Left hand drill bits.

 

[cgrutt]

Left hand drill bits.

That extractor set uses left hand bits!

 

[Zeke]

Long thin magnetic pick up.

 

[G_P]

8 point sockets are definitely handy. Sometimes a square fastener or drain plug is in a location that makes using an adjustable wrench difficult or impossible.

 

[bushmechanic]

Long thin magnetic pick up.

I've never had one of those when I needed it.

...Always seem to be tripping over them when I don't, though.

 

[dutchgray]

I'm going to say Crowsfeet. I have only ever used them a few times but they have got me out of trouble those few times.
Also 48" pipe wrench, if that won't undo something it gets cut out.

 

[Finky198]

12lb slide hammer... Bought it a few year back, doesn't see much light but each time I'd be screwed without it.

So far I have to agree with All of the above. I used and own them all lol.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

toilet plunger

 

[Dave455]

Universal Whitworth sockets!

I need to use these very rarely, but when I do, usually for removing some part from a machine without stripping the whole thing, they are invaluable!

 

[Duker]

Not sure it's a "tool" but a drain snake..... Between my wife and two daughters and all their associated products it has saved the day a few times.


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[Zapp Branigan]

85% of my tools fall into this category.

 

[bobcatdan]

85% of my tools fall into this category.

I would agree, not everyday I use a ball joint press, spindle rethreader, but setter, oil pressure gauge, timing light, flaring tools, 2" wrench, batter cable crimper, vavle spring compressor, Dana 60 axle nut socket, O2 sensor socket, 12 ton puller, hammer drill, Deere engine baring tools and 500 more tools, but when I needs, glad I have it.

 

[WWShop]

I would have to say my dewalt trigger clamps. We had a cabinet door crack a few days ago and I was able to glue and clamp it overnight.

 

[Finky198]

Agreed ^^^ up 2

We have a few friends that hang out at the shop and are constantly asking what's that for or how often do you use it. Lol but if it's profitable than thats what I care about.

 

[BFHtime]

Kool tools braided line tool. Great for custom lines. Not cheap but if I use it once the time saved is about worth the cost of the tool.

I agree with magnetic pick up tool on a wire.

 

[AV tinker er]

toilet plunger

Genius.

 

[PelicanPines]

1/4 inch drive 9/16th socket... Had to remove the 3 point hitch side plates from my tractor today... without that socket... I would have had to remove the rear wheels.

I literally have owned the socket for 30+ years and have used it twice. Once to put this 3 point hitch on... and today... taking it off.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a couple brake pressure testers from Waekon that I've only used a handful of times over the last 15 years but, when I needed to diagnose a weird brake concern, they did the trick.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Handguns.

 

[crewchief888]

I would agree, not everyday I use a ball joint press, spindle rethreader, but setter, oil pressure gauge, timing light, flaring tools, 2" wrench, batter cable crimper, vavle spring compressor, Dana 60 axle nut socket, O2 sensor socket, 12 ton puller, hammer drill, Deere engine baring tools and 500 more tools, but when I needs, glad I have it.

i've said this many times,
i use 5% of my tools 95% of the time,
the other 5% of the time i need 95% of my tools....

 

[rambo19]

irwin bolt grippers.

 

[malibu101]

i've said this many times,
i use 5% of my tools 95% of the time,
the other 5% of the time i need 95% of my tools....

EXCELLENT summation of this topic!

 

[Pipe]

Handguns.

A snake got the business about 3 hours ago.

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[Farmall450]

:

 

[gilraine]

seal puller, ball joint press,torch.fan clutch wrench.

 

[Farmall 1066]

50 ton press, angle drills, porta-power, portable welder.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Camera bore scope.

 

[NKlamerus]

Super Glue Accelerator

 

[fastbike02]

Not sure it's a "tool" but a drain snake..... Between my wife and two daughters and all their associated products it has saved the day a few times.


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Amen I don't understand how a person can loose so much hair and not be bald

 

[L.Cheapo]

Amen I don't understand how a person can loose so much hair and not be bald

I tell my wife this on a daily basis.

Just wondering what you were using to turn those square head bolts if you weren't using 8 point sockets?

When I was a teenager, I had never seen an 8 point socket. Guess what? A 1/2" extension turned backwards with an adjustable wrench on the square end can remove the drain plug of a lawnmower!

12 point sockets?

Actually not the correct tool. A square fastener has 90* corners. A 12 point socket is two hexagons, so the angles are 120*. Will it work? Usually. But not really the "correct" tool.

To stay on topic, my Snap On CJ2002 puller set. I've used it half a dozen times in the 2 years I've owned it, and its more than paid for itself at this point.

 

[bwringer]

Metric thread file.