Throwing Away Tools

[cody1325]

On a related note--how do I get the handles off **** screwdrivers? Need a few file handles, and that box full of cheap and broken screwdrivers has more than what I need--and file handles have gotten a tad pricey locally.

 

[Old Man Roger]

On a related note--how do I get the handles off **** screwdrivers? Need a few file handles, and that box full of cheap and broken screwdrivers has more than what I need--and file handles have gotten a tad pricey locally.

Vise grips and a pry bar. Clamp down close to the handle and squeez the two together.

 

[PFSard]

On a related note--how do I get the handles off **** screwdrivers? Need a few file handles, and that box full of cheap and broken screwdrivers has more than what I need--and file handles have gotten a tad pricey locally.

Last week, I clamped an old screwdriver's steel tightly in a vise. Tapped on the handle with a hammer and a punch made from an old ratchet handle. Took less than a minute to have the desired product in hand.

 

[Oldsmobile]

The socket set would be perfect for a travel kit

Hey, @NUTTSGT, don't forget to stick a ratchet in there before you might have to use that socket set.

 

[micromind]

There are good reasons for using cheap tools for a travel kit. But I have the opposite view. The last thing I need is a tool that fails when I am fifty miles from the nearest store or service center. Where you drive will make a difference. Probably not an issue for those near the East or West coast. I often go past a sign that says "No services next 120 miles".

This^^^^^^

I don't get why everyone has chintzy tools for their travel kit. I have my best tools there, my cheap ones are in the garage; if I break one I can go out to the van and get another. Can't do that on the road.

 

[Leon bee]

^^^^ This X2. My travlin box has old tried and true pieces I've had for years.

 

[seber]

On a related note--how do I get the handles off **** screwdrivers? Need a few file handles, and that box full of cheap and broken screwdrivers has more than what I need--and file handles have gotten a tad pricey locally.

Slip a box end over the shaft and clamp the shaft in a bench vise. Now you can pry it off using the box end to avoid concentrated and damaging force.

 

[liliysdad]

My travel boxes all have good tools in them. Not new and shiny, not SnapOn, but good. As I upgrade the tools in my box, the remains get repurposed for travel boxes. The side of the road or off in the sticks is the very last place I want to deal with Chinese nonsense.

The box in my Jeep has Williams ratchets, a couple of 52s and a newer pseudo-SnapOn flex head, pre-SO Williams Superenches, S-K and Craftsman sockets, etc. Nothing exceedingly awesome, but nothing cheap. Last I checked, I don't think I have anything in that box that's not US made.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I usually donate used lower grade tools. But growing up living on stuff bought at garage sales gave me an appreciation of not wasting things.

The only time I remember losing it at work was seeing a coworker dumping 10lbs of Bondus hex keys in the trash because he did not want to put them back in their holders. At his salary level it may have made economic sense, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[johnre]

What is this concept of "throw away" that you speak of? You're going to have to explain it to me.

 

[humber2]

I keep several large worn out screwdrivers handy for opening and stirring paint cans.

YMMV

 

[dchawk81]

I keep several large worn out screwdrivers handy for opening and stirring paint cans.

YMMV

Daddy?

 

[cody1325]

I keep several large worn out screwdrivers handy for opening and stirring paint cans.

YMMV

Those I get with bad tips almost automatically become prybars. I even have a pretty meaty large slotted driver the handle broke off long before me--and it's always coming in handy.

 

[shoggoth80]

Clean up what's usable, gift it on.

 

[Spire]

Case in point, needed to cut off a 1" combo wrench to tighten a hydraulic fitting on a snow blower. I had an Armstrong, a Husky and a CE Tools China made. Would never cut the Armstrong, really didn't want to cut the Husky (one of a set), but once I found the CE in a spares drawer, all was good. Didn't have to disassemble the entire machine to tighten a single fitting.

 

[Richsgarage]

I keep a spot in my toolbox for old tools that I may be able to make something with. Like these cheap impact sockets... That I should have thrown away... but one day I decided I needed to make a couple drill chuck tools. They are 3/8" drive. Now I can use a 3/8" drive ratchet to tighten my drill chucks. So tired of my wrists getting sore. Mission accomplished. Every time I throw away something I "think" I may need... within two weeks... I would have used that. So... The point of the story is.... If you "think" you may use it someday... keep it. If your gut says.. "no" throw it away.

 

[Richsgarage]

I keep a spot in my toolbox for old tools that I may be able to make something with. Like these cheap impact sockets... That I should have thrown away... but one day I decided I needed to make a couple drill chuck tools. They are 3/8" drive. Now I can use a 3/8" drive ratchet to tighten my drill chucks. So tired of my wrists getting sore. Mission accomplished. Every time I throw away something I "think" I may need... within two weeks... I would have used that. So... The point of the story is.... If you "think" you may use it someday... keep it. If your gut says.. "no" throw it away.

 

[winlinmac]

To answer OP's question, when its sourced from Harbor Freight or at the checkout counter at CVS, lol

 

[Old Man Roger]

I keep a spot in my toolbox for old tools that I may be able to make something with. Like these cheap impact sockets... That I should have thrown away... but one day I decided I needed to make a couple drill chuck tools. They are 3/8" drive. Now I can use a 3/8" drive ratchet to tighten my drill chucks. So tired of my wrists getting sore. Mission accomplished. Every time I throw away something I "think" I may need... within two weeks... I would have used that. So... The point of the story is.... If you "think" you may use it someday... keep it. If your gut says.. "no" throw it away.

You might be over tightening your chuck.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Where they eventually end up embedded in your shin--like silverware in the lawn at the pub when I'm mowing.

Baling wire from my (now ex) wife hanging it over the top wire of the fence when feeding horses instead of throwing it on the junk pile in the shed. Corkscrewed its way into the bottom of my right calf. ER doc had to make an incision to “unscrew” it from my leg. Had to cut the excess off with what must have been the world’s dullest side cutters because there was so much sticking out of my leg she couldn’t see where it was at on the X-ray. Th side cutters were so dull she was shaking the wire in my leg making it hurt even worse. It finally cut through the wire right before I was gaining to tell her to stop and send the wife up to ACE to get a new pair to donate to the ER.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have exactly the opposite problem. I give away basically brand new Milwaukee tools when they release an upgraded version. Just gave away a M12 stubby version 1 when they released the new version 2. Same story with the 7 1/4" circular saw and the left sided 6 1/2" circular saw. When the new ones came out the old ones had to go. For some reason I have to have the latest and greatest and whatever isn't goes out the door. Needless to say my friends love me.

 

[Beerhippie]

I have exactly the opposite problem. I give away basically brand new Milwaukee tools when they release an upgraded version. Just gave away a M12 stubby version 1 when they released the new version 2. Same story with the 7 1/4" circular saw and the left sided 6 1/2" circular saw. When the new ones came out the old ones had to go. For some reason I have to have the latest and greatest and whatever isn't goes out the door. Needless to say my friends love me.

Can I be your new friend?

 

[finn]

I quit carrying tools in the truck ten years ago when I realized I had carried a travel box for ten years prior to that and never had to use any of the tools.

Vehicles are pretty reliable, and have been for fifty years.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I quit carrying tools in the truck ten years ago when I realized I had carried a travel box for ten years prior to that and never had to use any of the tools.

Vehicles are pretty reliable, and have been for fifty years.

As best I can tell, I haven't worked on anything roadside since 1990. I carry a single 10mm wrench, a screwdriver and some duct tape.

 

[MovingAlong]

How do you get past the guilt of throwing stuff away?

Might want to talk with someone professionally about this. Feelings this deep deserve more attention than from strangers on the internet...

As best I can tell, I haven't worked on anything roadside since 1990. I carry a single 10mm wrench, a screwdriver and some duct tape.

Went through this riding old motorcycles. Realized what my priorities were and my limitations. Pared the travel kit down to a Visa card, $100 cash and a cell phone.

 

[seber]

I quit carrying tools in the truck ten years ago when I realized I had carried a travel box for ten years prior to that and never had to use any of the tools.

Vehicles are pretty reliable, and have been for fifty years.

I don't carry tools for the truck. I carry them for whatever trailer I am towing. Or what might be on or in it.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I own many really nice tools so it feels silly to keep very subpar tools around..... However, the painful truth for me is that shortly after I dispose of them, I need to do something rather destructive and one of those old beaters would have been my first choice. I can keep an old junker around for 15 years, get rid of it, and the next week need a junker.

I have removed many sub-par tools from my inventory in the last few years. OK, there are a few that I use so rarely that I keep them around because it hardly seems worth it to invest in something better.

Lately I have been bemoaning my ability to perfectly mark a spot to drill so I have been considering an optical center punch set. Never used one, but, do I buy a Fowler 52-500-075-0 ($90 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Fowler-52-500-075-Optical-Center-Acrylic/dp/B00B5HPW3W?tag=atomicindus08-20) but I think it is the same as this on Zoro (https://www.zoro.com/fowler-on-mark-optical-center-punch-525000750/i/G0943889/) or go for the Grizzly (https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H5781-Optica-Length-Punch/dp/B00012YFIA?tag=atomicindus08-20) cheaper or the HHIP? Initially I was just basing prices off Amazon and the Grizzly and HHIP are cheaper, so the cheaper tool or the Fowler? Is one junk? Ugg, what to keep, what to pitch, which tool to buy....

 

[Ohio Andy]

On a related note--how do I get the handles off **** screwdrivers? Need a few file handles, and that box full of cheap and broken screwdrivers has more than what I need--and file handles have gotten a tad pricey locally.

I think the way snap-on does it is they put the driver portion into a vise and they take a wrench of an appropriate size so that it will push on the handle and then they knock it off with a mallet that is softer so it won't damage the wrench. I've seen it done. I've never done it.

 

[Beerhippie]

I quit carrying tools in the truck ten years ago when I realized I had carried a travel box for ten years prior to that and never had to use any of the tools.

Vehicles are pretty reliable, and have been for fifty years.

I often wonder just how many hours I've spent on roadside repair... you need more "interesting" vehicles!

I'm often driving around where there is no cell reception and often very little traffic--if it breaks, it's up to me---or a very long hike.

My "carry" box has gotten much smaller over the years as I realize just exactly what I need for a particular vehicle--and I no longer work on any rig but my own.

 

[micromind]

As best I can tell, I haven't worked on anything roadside since 1990. I carry a single 10mm wrench, a screwdriver and some duct tape.

Don't forget the WD40........

 

[Ohio Andy]

I'm often driving around where there is no cell reception and often very little traffic--if it breaks, it's up to me---or a very long hike.

I used to drive through the mountains where there was no cell perception even on the expressways, I assume they have it now but they surely didn't back then.

I have a ham radio license and I had a radio in the car, specifically 2 m and 70 cm. One time there was a very large car. Pileup and I was able to reach out to people that were 30 miles away and they called in emergency services.

Some repeaters but even have phone patches but usually you needed to be a member to use it.

You don't need a very high license to be able to use a 2 m radio with a decent amplifier that will really reach out. Then again, if you're down on a gully that probably won't help. And unless they have repeater set up that you're able to hit, you need to have someone listening.

Lot of the guys listening are retired and helping ing motorists is probably the highlight of their day. Long before GPS's were a thing I had to get in someplace and I didn't have an app and it was very convoluted. They had guys with maps spread out on tables talking me through things turn by turn. The GPS and cell phones with internet on them have really changed things.

 

[mslim]

Or repurpose it.

Yeah I have a usa Stanley slotted screwdriver with a buggered tip and bent shaft that my go to pry tool.

 

[finn]

I often wonder just how many hours I've spent on roadside repair... you need more "interesting" vehicles!

I'm often driving around where there is no cell reception and often very little traffic--if it breaks, it's up to me---or a very long hike.

My "carry" box has gotten much smaller over the years as I realize just exactly what I need for a particular vehicle--and I no longer work on any rig but my own.

I have everything from a 36 Ford pickup to eighties and nineties Mustangs to Super Duties that are25 years old to a couple of six month and 14 month old Mavericks, and more.

The last time I recall breaking down was in 1970 when I ran out of gas on the bridge in my 55 Chevy, and then again when the same car broke a pinion tooth in front of mt then girlfriend’s, now wife’s house later that same summer.

 

[Beerhippie]

I used to drive through the mountains where there was no cell perception even on the expressways, I assume they have it now but they surely didn't back then.

I have a ham radio license and I had a radio in the car, specifically 2 m and 70 cm. One time there was a very large car. Pileup and I was able to reach out to people that were 30 miles away and they called in emergency services.

Some repeaters but even have phone patches but usually you needed to be a member to use it.

You don't need a very high license to be able to use a 2 m radio with a decent amplifier that will really reach out. Then again, if you're down on a gully that probably won't help. And unless they have repeater set up that you're able to hit, you need to have someone listening.

Lot of the guys listening are retired and helping ing motorists is probably the highlight of their day. Long before GPS's were a thing I had to get in someplace and I didn't have an app and it was very convoluted. They had guys with maps spread out on tables talking me through things turn by turn. The GPS and cell phones with internet on them have really changed things.

I did carry one of those "emergency" CB radios back when I was working in the woods. Better than smoke signals, I guess. Loggers and trucker still use CB out here.

As for GPS vs paper maps, I'll stick with my paper. The local S&R guys have a category of incidents they call "death by GPS" where someone blindly follows GPS directions until they're far in over their heads. Happens several times a year, but really bad in winter when the damned machines will send you over a seasonally-open road--in the wrong season. You'd think the big snow drift across the road with no sign of tracks would be warning enough, but....

 

[Beerhippie]

I have everything from a 36 Ford pickup to eighties and nineties Mustangs to Super Duties that are25 years old to a couple of six month and 14 month old Mavericks, and more.

The last time I recall breaking down was in 1970 when I ran out of gas on the bridge in my 55 Chevy, and then again when the same car broke a pinion tooth in front of mt then girlfriend’s, now wife’s house later that same summer.

I suppose you fix things before they break?

WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?!?!?!

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

The last time I had to fix something roadside was when I broke a sepentine belt on the old Focus we had about three years ago. Got towed to an OReilly’s and bought a new belt and a 15mm impact socket to use on the tensioner. Had all kinds of sockets in the road bag but the chrome 15mm was a 12pt and just slipped on the worn tensioner. The 15mm stayed in the bag until we sold the car. Now it’s with my other impacts.
About 3 years before that I had to drop the fuel tank on the Jeep Liberty that we had before the Focus. I had put a new tank on it and apparently hadn’t gotten one of the fuel lines clicked into place and it came off about 40 miles from home on US 41. I dropped the tank got the line back in place and used a ratchet strap to hold the tank in place until I could get a jack under it at home and get the straps bolted back into place. Before that I couldn’t tell you when I had to do a roadside repair probably my old ‘78 Grand Prix that always had my toolbox in the trunk.

 

[MovingAlong]

Got towed to an OReilly’s and bought a new belt and a 15mm impact socket to use on the tensioner.

This is a good point worth highlighting, most places that sell parts also sell the tools to install them with...