The "OMG" Tool Thread

[Don53]

Another vote for cordless impacts.

And a magnetic pickup tool (with light). It's rare I work in an engine compartment and don't drop something down into the bowels where only a magnet on a long stick will be able to fish it out.

 

[tripplejl]

When I discovered my wife was pregnant with twins I thought OMG that's a tool I should have left in the wrapper.

 

[Olafur]

This one is easy since said tool has been living on my forehead for the past 4 years. There is a reason for that!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6165062&postcount=24

 

[stioc]

Like most here I have a lot of tools; including Knipex stuff, ratchets, cordless, pneumatic, power tools etc BUT none of these made me do the OMG thing. However, what comes to mind are a couple of simple things that did:

1. Remote controlled wall-mount shop vac with 20ft hose

2. Home made circular saw guide (my first one was several years ago)

3. A cheap beater shop-truck. Mine's a '85 Toyota long bed with a carbuerated 22R and a 5-spd. Anything you wouldn't mind scratching or denting.

 

[KM223]

When I discovered my wife was pregnant with twins I thought OMG that's a tool I should have left in the wrapper.

I'm betting they are the best projects you ever made with that tool!

 

[tripplejl]

I'm betting they are the best projects you ever made with that tool!

Absolutely and by far the most expensive to date.

 

[orca8589]

The original (Jamestown, NY) 4-in-1 screwdriver.

It turned out to be a lot more useful for other jobs: the main shaft has 5/16" openings, and they fit over push tacks perfectly. I'd help my wife decorate for events and weddings, and I could hang strings of lights and other decorations fast using the 4-in-1 to push the tacks in. It also fits over small wire nuts and other small fasteners as well.

And I just found out this summer that Dewalt makes a 1/4"-hex adapter that fits in the large recess of the handle; one screwdriver handle can handle almost everything.

~Chris

 

[IndyGarage]

Jawhorse is the single new tool that I've used in the last 10 years that made me think "how did I get along without it"

 

[ToddW]

Jawhorse looks "handy" lol

 

[balrog]

Alligator forceps. Great for grabbing small parts or wire in places with space restrictions.

 

[Ram Hemi]

Tap sockets

 

[2oolhound]

Sawsall. When I had to rip out a plaster, lathe and stud wall in an old house and watched my buddy rip down it in seconds with one through nails too, that was an OMG moment. I owned one practically by the next moment. Love that thing.

 

[RedF]

Plierswrench was one for me. I work on all kinds of fittings and valves.

Also, carrying a Leatherman. The tool you have beats the one you don't. It's saved me countless trips for a flat screwdriver or pliers, or whatever.

 

[taumac]

Garland split head hammers. I have a number 2 with with lead inserts and my number 3 with rawhide and rubber inserts.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Knipex Cobalt mini bolt cutters have saved me from destroying countless sets of dikes as well as my hands. Relamping the plant meant cutting lots of aircraft cable and safety chain. Saved a ton of time with those.

Klein 11 in One driver. I never bought into the multi bit screwdriver thing, but saw so many guys at work carry them, i decided to try it. I still carry a couple standard drivers, but the Klein gets the most use by far. When I have to climb in a press or I'm up on a crane trolley, it's much easier to bring that and my meter than either a handful of drivers or one driver and another trip to swap it for the right one when I invariably bring the wrong one.

Add another vote for the 1/2" DeWalt cordless impact. Makes tire rotations much quicker and easier. Heck of a lot quiter than firing up my compressor too.

 

[anndel]

Love my hands and eyesight! Without them I couldn't wrench.

 

[Sycan]

IMT 7000lb crane on my service truck. I make a living with the truck and that crane has allowed me to take on jobs I couldn't have done before.

Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

 

[Ign]

^^^we dropped my first Bridgeport into place with a crane like that. They ARE handy!