That tool you have no idea you needed

[Dentaltec]

Name that one tool you added to your box that you never knew you needed until you bought it.

 

[buffalobill]

Streamlight microstream. Gotta see to work on stuff.

 

[Wesley B]

Calipers

 

[ezriderga]

If you’ve ever flushed the cooling system in your car you know what a mess it can be. I learned about this “tool” on another forum when I was replacing the heater core in my 1990 MX5 Roadster. I flushed the system 3 times before adding new coolant and never spilled a drop. Get this before your next coolant flush. You can thank me later.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6AS6LY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bwringer]

1/4" drive roto ratchet. (AKA "Swivel Head")

The're made in Taiwan and you can get them at Harbor Freight, Menards, Napa or just about anywhere for under $15.

Holy ****, it's the handiest thing in the world. One of those "where have you been all my life?" realizations.

I have at least three where I just leave the socket mounted, since they're sizes I'll need on just about every project -- one with a 10mm deep, one with an 8mm, and one with a 12mm.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Multi tool. Those oscillating bladed tools. Unbelievable!

 

[jchetty]

If you’ve ever flushed the cooling system in your car you know what a mess it can be. I learned about this “tool” on another forum when I was replacing the heater core in my 1990 MX5 Roadster. I flushed the system 3 times before adding new coolant and never spilled a drop. Get this before your next coolant flush. You can thank me later.

Amazing tool but when did they start making them translucent

I guess I will give mine again and buy this. I gave away my last one to get the newer one with the lid

The Swanson (aluminum & magnetic) led-torpedo, bubble level is amazing. I did one of the adjustable closets in a dark room. It was up in no time.

 

[bcradio]

track saw

 

[thursday]

Good thread idea, subscribed.

 

[mbshop]

I would guess most tools till you get them.

 

[Rico.]

It was about 10 years ago for me when I bought my first air compressor
and a load of air tools... An impact wrench and a blow gun are the closest
thing to witchcraft if you've never used them before.

Honourable Mentions...
High Quality sockets, ratchets and wrenches
Brake Clean
All my other air tools
Decent workbench
Lots of good lighting

 

[maydaymike]

1/4" impact driver.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[The Cobbler]

well, 30 plus years ago it was a cordless drill
late 80's a finish nail gun and compressor
8 ish yrs ago, an oscillating tool

ok, maybe these weren't tools that I didn't know I needed, but more like, how the heck did I get along without them

 

[larry4406]

I’m not getting the $40 translucent funnel to fill a radiator.

Turn oval shaped coolant bottle so major axis is parallel to ground then gently raise bottom with opening at high point and pour away with no burps or puking of jug. Meanwhile use $40 to buy beverage of choice.

 

[Roberts210]

I have a long list... air compressor, Lincoln AC/DC stick welder, angle grinder and probably some more I can't think of now.

 

[M_George]

My set of GearWrench ratchet wrenches. They've made life easier several times over the last year. never gave them a thought over my regular combo wrenches until joining GJ.

 

[jonesg]

Name that one tool you added to your box that you never knew you needed until you bought it.

I had an air hammer for yrs before trying it.
Then thought wow these things really work. Doh

 

[seber]

1/4" battery impact driver.

 

[four.cycle]

model 104 Posi-Lock puller

 

[Stadger]

Lisle wheel bearing packer.

 

[vavet]

Another vot for a battery powered impact driver. I always used my cordless driver as a driver for the screws, the impacter is so much better.

 

[ambenz]

Bought this tool this morning before the guests arrived for the big family get together!
Wouldn't you know it, my kitchen sink got plugged up!
Pistol Grip Drum Drain Auger

 

[93cummins]

Tape boss very handy tool I actually seen on you tube and picked some up as Christmas gifts for some friends and family this year
https://tapeboss.com/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Smallblock]

Multi tool. Those oscillating bladed tools. Unbelievable!

I'll agree with that. Always thought it was just a stupid gimmick. I got one harbor freight a few weeks ago and its pretty damn handy. Now I want a good quality one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[littleponderosa]

Flex sockets. Thought I could live without them. I was wrong.
Bill

 

[Granite80]

Snap on wobble plus extensions - who wudda thought...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Todd.Brock]

Astro Pneumatic digital tire inflator among others, but damn I if I don’t hate airing up the tires because I can use that thing. Next best thing would be Paslode cordless nail gun.

 

[PelicanPines]

Another vote for a MultiTool. I have a Fein Multimaster, Dremel Multitool and just got the Milwaukee M12 Multitool for Xmas with a box of 66 blades and grits... (gift from my Cat)

 

[WVBrady]

I’m not getting the $40 translucent funnel to fill a radiator.

Turn oval shaped coolant bottle so major axis is parallel to ground then gently raise bottom with opening at high point and pour away with no burps or puking of jug. Meanwhile use $40 to buy beverage of choice.

It's real use is in burping your coolant system when you have drained/flushed the system. You just leave it on the radiator as the engine is running and it keeps the radiator full as the burps come up. I just kluged one up with a funnel and some duct tape.

 

[kctyphoon]

Motive power bleeder kit. WELL worth the $50 even if it's just for your own car..

 

[ssdave]

1/4" insert bit ratchet. Got a mac MR5bd, liked it so much I bought a kit and converted one of my Snap-on flex ratchets to bit driver instead. Amazingly good for use on torx bolts.

 

[Two Door]

Oscillating tool and a reciprocating saw. Because there are situations you can't foresee for which they are the perfect answer. Again and again.

 

[Finky198]

If you’ve ever flushed the cooling system in your car you know what a mess it can be....
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6AS6LY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

^^^ Long over due I ordered 1 yesterday...


Def a big +1 for Snap on wobble plus and swivel sockets.

But My most used unknown tool find is def NES thread tools...
https://www.nes.co.il

 

[BeachBoy]

Impact screwdriver
Finger/gimball ratchet
Countersink tool

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[unslow1]

Snap on wobble plus extensions - who wudda thought...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I second this one. Awesome for rear-wheel drive transmissions.

 

[MushCreek]

I'll add to the oscillating tool group. Most tools I can see the use of, but this one surprised me. I got a Makita, and use it for all sorts of things. Oddly enough, I rarely use it for sanding, which is what I think they started out as. My Milwaukee M18 tools continue to amaze me. I built an entire house with them, and more recently added a 1/2" impact. It's a game-changer for me.

 

[Tonyuk]

Set of thin double open end spanners, inspection mirror, head torch, electric impacts, really long extensions, loads of those magnetic pick up tools, wire wheel drill attachments, portable pressure brake bleeder. Few others probably but those have been extremely helpful over the years and aren't stuff you think about starting out.

 

[intillzah]

Knipix pliers
Milwaukee 3/8 battery ratchet.

 

[marius_nortje]

Framing nailgun.got a 28* from northern tool few years back maybe use it 4 times but sure make things go faster

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[LeeG]

Knipex Pliers Wrench. I have one of the small 125mm ones that is very handy around the shop for use on all of the different metric/SAE nuts and bolts.