Tool remorse depository...

[wyo george]

First off, I don't want this thread to be about bashing brands or griping about companies. I wanted to start this thread to discuss tools that you bought then later wished you had not along with the reason. We have a similar thread on a motorcycle forum I frequent and it's good for the new guys to read through before purchasing upgrades as it lets you know what didn't work out for other folks.

So please, no bashing on brands, just honest reviews on specific tools you wished you had not bought.

I'll toss out a few to get started.

- First off is my Cornwell service cart. It's a nicely made, very sturdy cart that would work great for some people's uses. For a home garage though I wish I had not bought it as it takes up the same space as a tool chest, but without the storage capacity.



- Secondly is my little Speed Blaster. I Bought it thinking it would be useful to blast small parts, but in reality a blast cabinet is much nicer for small parts and not much more expensive. For anything larger than an intake manifold I just use my giant blaster out behind the shop and the job is done within a couple minutes. I've had this Speed Blaster for about eight years now and I think I've used it twice and both jobs would have been better suited to the cabinet.


That should get the ball rolling; anyone else care to share their tool remorse stories?

 

[bobbycos]

Ford ignition module bolt tools , one from Blue Point and the other from KD, last time i used them Bill hadn't met Monica yet

might put them up for sale, just might

 

[toolslut6.0]

Snap on 1/2 breaker bar. I think I've used it 3 times since I got my mac long handle ratchet. Mac has a smaller head and just as durable as the breaker bar. If I need to get something loose that is stuck good I go up to my cat 3/4 inch drive ratchet with the 3 ft handle

 

[Gmonkee]

The bodywork tools, never found a full time job opp to put them to use.

Used files. Name brand or preferred COO aside they're all at half life or less and not worth any price. New Asain made files may not last decades like the old ones did but they cut while new.

The most of the specialty tools that were badly needed on a job then purchased later, just in case. Well, that usually never happened and I took a loss on resale years later. I'm still clearing them out of the back corners of the bottom drawers in the tool kit.

Bargain packs of nameless pliers, generic vise grip clones and every cheap but cool looking new ratchet that crossed my doorstep. In the end none proved to be a bargain or worked as well as promised. Most were utter ****

Cheaper screwdrivers and sockets -usually- proved to be of value as users and I got my money back out of them easily. Home or shop use most proved more than adequate and some are still in use years later.

Expensive screwdrivers on the other hand didn't seem to last any longer in use. It was normal that they wore out in about the same time without justifying that greater cost.

Most of all EVERY multi tool, X-in-one and miracle tool I purchased to get better range of use with fewer tools in my younger years.
Lead alloy 'steel', bulky, bad ergonomics, major design flaws and generally useless all plagued them. My attempts to save money this way were a major loss of money shortly thereafter. It took me years to learn this was not the route to happiness.
Even the venerated Leatherman where it proved value for lack of any other tools at the moment proved to be a poor mechanic tool in the garage.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford ignition module bolt tools , one from Blue Point and the other from KD, last time i used them Bill hadn't met Monica yet

might put them up for sale, just might

7.5mm IIRC ?

 

[turbowoodworker]

My Delta medium duty wood lathe fits the question. I never really got into woodturning the way I thought I would. Maybe someday. Besides it kills the hoarder in me to think of selling it for 40 cents on the dollar.

 

[Davefr]

The older style of ratchet wrenches (too bulky):

The sidewinder (seemed like a good idea but never used it):

These crank speed handles (rarely used them):

Knipex needle nose with jaws that don't close all the way at the tip:

Expensive "boutique" Phillips #2 screwdrivers - any brand (the stubborn screw still manages to damage the tips with a camout):

 

[bigfunwmu]

I've got a full size 3/8 air rarchet that has sat in the box since I got my mini and a cordless. Thats the most expensive regret I have right now. I'm sure there will be more in the future....

 

[tjmonsen5]

1/4 inch extension with the screwdriver handle, and a 1/4 square drive on top. Never used it, probably paid about 25 bucks for it too. Snapon. Also got the stubby version as well, haven't used it either.

 

[Ruger_556]

3/8 cordless impact (I won't say brand but it was a good one). Too big to fit where I'm using 3/8 drive and too gutless to do anything where it fits. Plus, I always have an air hose out already anyway so I end up just using my 2115Ti

 

[bobbycos]

7.5mm IIRC ?

yup, exactly

 

[rsanter]

The cold heat soldering thing.
Seemed like a great idea and I would have used it but the damn thing just don't work

Bob

 

[David Jackson]

I have bought those one man brake bleeder outfits in the past; and they just don't work; at least in my experience.
Another sad tale is a lovely to look at set of SK flare nut wrenches in their own pouch. Pretty, shiny, and they just slide around the flats of the flare nuts. Cost about $50 a few years ago; kind of soured me on new SK tools.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Craftsman RoboGrip pliers bought new back in the late 1980's.

I can put them around my thumb and squeeze as hard as I can and no "Owie!". LOLZ.
But true.

Off to the Island of Misfit Tools...err...toys they went along with the "Charlie in the Box." LOLZ Rudolf TRNRD.

 

[Packard V8]

My Delta medium duty wood lathe fits the question. I never really got into woodturning the way I thought I would.

Watch for a 3-jaw chuck, compound rest and a jackshaft for the Delta. With those, I use mine for light metal work, plastics, polishing, drilling and most everything other than wood turning.

jack vines

 

[bcradio]

For me it would have to be the cordless tool craze from a few years back. I bought quite a few cordless tools as it was/is the "cool" thing to do. Now many of these are specialty type tools that never saw much use and now the batteries are bad. These include: Cutout tool, oscillating saw, all my 36v DeWalt stuff (too big and if I need the power I have corded since batts were always empty when needed).

Worst part is many of these were the only versions of these tools I had with no corded backup.

Now I only buy the minimum cordless (mainly drill and impact driver) and go corded for all else.

Also my DeWalt cutoff saw was a dumb purchase. Takes up a ton of room and cuts pretty badly. Got a new Milwaukee porta band that is sooo much better and smaller. Cuts a million times better and doesn't take up half the garage like a regular band saw would.

 

[bobbycos]

The cold heat soldering thing.
Seemed like a great idea and I would have used it but the damn thing just don't work

Bob

i got that too and used it once in the past like 10 years or so

 

[erty67]

The sidewinder (seemed like a good idea but never used it):

ditto. I had to have it, but never even put a socket on it.

 

[skyking]

Large condom !

 

[2oolhound]

small and medium condoms , heh heh

 

[bobcatdan]

I've got a full size 3/8 air rarchet that has sat in the box since I got my mini and a cordless. Thats the most expensive regret I have right now. I'm sure there will be more in the future....

My air ratchets are probably rusted tight by now. I used the 1/4" a fair amount when I fist bought it, then I got my beloved makita impact driver in 2000. That is about the last time I used the ratchet. Then for some reason I bought a 3/8" ratchet. If I use it once year that is lot. Both are the very pear head Mac ratchets and they weren't cheap.

 

[wyo george]

I use my 1/4" a lot, even with a cordless, but I doubt my 3/8 has been hooked to an air hose in 10 years or more. It's been so long I forgot about having it when I was thinking of tools to list!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[btbsandman]

Buying Passthru socket set and CM RP ratcheting combo wrench set.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ford ignition module bolt tools

"Back in the day" many Ford engineers who lived around metro Detroit always drove with a couple of spare TFI modules and a 7.5mm nut driver. Many cars "found dead on the road" were fixed during rush hour by these Good Samaritans.

Chrysler engineers carried spare ignition coil resistors !

 

[turbowoodworker]

Watch for a 3-jaw chuck, compound rest and a jackshaft for the Delta. With those, I use mine for light metal work, plastics, polishing, drilling and most everything other than wood turning.

jack vines

Thanks Jack. Good idea but I use my 1950's era Shopsmith for polishing, sanding. But the three jaw and the variable speed may come to good use. Thanks

 

[warmpancakes]

"Back in the day" many Ford engineers who lived around metro Detroit always drove with a couple of spare TFI modules and a 7.5mm nut driver. Many cars "found dead on the road" were fixed during rush hour by these Good Samaritans.

Chrysler engineers carried spare ignition coil resistors !

Chevy guys Carrie spare 700r4s

 

[supersteve]

I have bought those one man brake bleeder outfits in the past; and they just don't work; at least in my experience.
Another sad tale is a lovely to look at set of SK flare nut wrenches in their own pouch. Pretty, shiny, and they just slide around the flats of the flare nuts. Cost about $50 a few years ago; kind of soured me on new SK tools.

+1 on the brake bleeder things, bought a set of four hose-looking things that supposedly clip onto the bleeder ******, f#@&%ng worthless.
I think you may have gotten some bad S-K wrenches from the Bad Old Days of S-K, mine were purchased in the early 90s and they are a great counterpart to my Snappy line wrenches: S-K straight, Snappy offset.

the Island of Misfit Toys

That's what we call our sales department (new car dealer). Most of them have records.

 

[vandezand]

Got this toolbox 2 years ago for fathers day from sears. I wish I would've went with a harbor freight 44 and saved some money/got more storage

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

-Blackhawk indexing head ratchet. Never used it, but I hang on to it anyway. Not too upset as I bought it for the sockets that it came with.

-Craftsman mini pliers set. Never felt the need to use them; I might transfer the to my gunsmithing box to see if they get use there.

-Whia precision screwdriver set. Once again, I never use them as my Proto screwdriver set seems to handle everything. I hang on to them as I know someday I will need them.

I have a bunch of tools that I bought that I knew would get rarely used, or only used once. I don't regret buying them.
-Seal driver for my Dana 50 front axle shafts
-Kastar power steering pump pully puller
-Eastwood brake line tool (awesome by the way)
-Craftsman hose pinch pliers set
-Craftsman rounded nut removers (never used them........yet).

 

[crewchief888]

nothing comes to mind...




i dont really buy tools and equipment i dont have an immediate use and space for.

 

[K-Dog]

The cold heat soldering thing.
Seemed like a great idea and I would have used it but the damn thing just don't work

Bob

Yeah, the commercial makes that thing look like its the **** now doesnt it.

I think I threw mine away. Literally THREW away with force and vigor.

I also bought one of those vacuum pumps you use to fill a radiator. It was more of a headache that it was worth to me.

 

[Kent_B]

"Back in the day" many Ford engineers who lived around metro Detroit always drove with a couple of spare TFI modules and a 7.5mm nut driver. Many cars "found dead on the road" were fixed during rush hour by these Good Samaritans.

Chrysler engineers carried spare ignition coil resistors !

In another lifetime, we used to carry one of those resistors in the glovebox of the tow truck. If I remember right, the Balkamp number was ICR-24. Strange, the things you remember.

 

[jsaw]

+1 on the brake bleeder things, bought a set of four hose-looking things that supposedly clip onto the bleeder ******, f#@&%ng worthless

Another vote for the one man brake bleeder.

 

[rusty65]

Mine would have to be my Snap On hand impact driver set bought bnib off CL for half of list for $300 I have only used it twice

 

[Cosmicowboy]

Off to the Island of Misfit Tools...err...toys they went along with the "Charlie in the Box." LOLZ Rudolf TRNRD.

Nobody wants a Charlie In The Box! haha

I bought too many successively larger portable toolboxes before I finally got a tool chest unit.

 

[Davefr]

Mine would have to be my Snap On hand impact driver set bought bnib off CL for half of list for $300 I have only used it twice

These hand impact drivers don't get used too frequently but sometimes they're absolute lifesavers and the ONLY tool that will work!!

 

[Dust Devil]

These hand impact drivers don't get used too frequently but sometimes they're absolute lifesavers and the ONLY tool that will work!!

Bearing retainers inside engine cases.

 

[Farmall450]

1/4 inch extension with the screwdriver handle, and a 1/4 square drive on top. Never used it, probably paid about 25 bucks for it too. Snapon. Also got the stubby version as well, haven't used it either.

Same here...relatively useless.

 

[Farmall450]

Mine would have to be my Snap On hand impact driver set bought bnib off CL for half of list for $300 I have only used it twice

As Dave said sometimes when you need one you can't go anywhere else to get the job done.

 

[losabio]

FH80 - I wanted to take a chance on a comfort grip to see if I liked them, and as it turns out, I do not like them at all. I do not like the super lightweight handle + heavy ratchet head feel one bit. Wish I would've gone with the FL80 instead.