dsgreen3
Well-known member
I'm interested in specialized tools that you may not use every day, but when you do need them they are the best way to get the job done. They could be anything from roller chain tools to locking extension.
Tools that save your bacon
- Thread starter dsgreen3
- Start date
In The Doghouse
Well-known member
The tool that compresses the spring in GM door hinges. Very difficult to install without the proper tool.
steveo3002
Well-known member
mig welder for snapped bolts /studs
Tony G
Well-known member
The most recently used was the Time-Sert thread repair kit. We have a fleet of Detroit Diesel DD13's with aluminum oil pans. The drain plug hole is not steel lined and after many oil changes the threads are shot. The use of this kit saves about $1600.00 for a new pan.
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
Hagatronics
Well-known member
Nutsert blind rivets. For fixing items to sheet metal is really helpful. On our cheap-arsed race car have mounted a fire extinguisher, window nets, false floors and all sorts of plates and panels.
Got an ebay kit that works great.
Got an ebay kit that works great.
toddoky
Well-known member
2 and 3 foot long 1/2" drive extensions for transmission work.
Oscillating tool . invaluable when needed
crewchief888
Well-known member
line sockets are the one thing that comes to mind.....
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
^^^^ agree with this. I own a Fein and two cheapos. One is corded one is lithium battery.
Also want to give a shout out to my *** long flex head box wrenches
Finky198
Well-known member
12 lbs Slide hammer , 20 ton Hydraulic press , 48pc Rethreader Kit
and just about everything else listed so far...
and just about everything else listed so far...
mrjaw14
Well-known member
This. It's saved me a few times getting into places and cutting things other saws can't get to
619DioFan
Well-known member
Press , master thread repair kit , dremel , 48'' mayhew pry bar , 3/4 inch drive x 40'' long breaker bar. these items have saved me more times than I can count
wafrederick
Well-known member
The twist sockets for removing damaged and rounded off nuts and bolts.I used to pound on a smaller socket before getting these for this.
bczygan
Well-known member
The tool that saves my bacon is a George Foreman grill. It cooks from both sides and drains the fat, leaving perfectly crisp bacon.
Now I gotta go get me some....
Bill
Now I gotta go get me some....
Bill
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Dirtydan69
Well-known member
In my trade I would have to agree. Especially in doing new trim work next to old. Cutting out old stubborn faucets, changing out door jambs, the list goes on and on. Most places that I used to use a sawzall, full size or mini, I now use my Milwaukee 18v oscillating tool. It's fanfuckingtastic! I never owner a Fein but have used them. I started with the Dremel version then the Bosch cordless, I have two, one in the truck and one in the garage. But once I saw a guy on the job using the Milwaukee I bought one and use that 99% of the time.
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davethorik
Well-known member
I have the same Milwaukee 18v, it does come in handy. Just wish blades weren't so damn expensive and lasted longer.
Weird Tolkienish Figure
Well-known member
I bought a handheld cordless Milwaukee rotary tool thingie that I use to cut **** like metal that has saved me already many times that I have bought it.
Dirtydan69
Well-known member
Amazon.
Mgnu
Well-known member
Ditto on the rethreader. Just had to clean up 2 lug studs on my trailer. Would have been a big pain in the **** without that kit.
A handheld impact driver.
It's not used very often, but when it is, it's invaluable and often the tool of last resort.
I would never be without one.
This ^ with a 2 lbs sledge has always worked for me weather on a harley or auto. rngr1
georgiadave
Well-known member
A coil nailer for Hardieplank
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
^^ That's a good one too.
I'll add tweezers to the list. Just never know.
I'll add tweezers to the list. Just never know.
bczygan
Well-known member
This thread has convinced me to start a needed tools list.
Thanks!
Bill
Thanks!
Bill
MDK22
Well-known member
Double cut domed carbide burr just a little smaller then major sizes of bolts. ie 1/8, 3/16, 7/16, 11/16. These will cut just about anything and make short work of it as well.
Snap-On SR40k Extractor Set Anything else just doe not work nearly as well. These work on super hard and stainless steel bolts.
Matco 51pc Thread restore kit with 3 thread files Has saved my bacon at least 20-30x
Matco Spindle die set aka die add on to smaller set has saved other peoples bacon 10-15x and me once
13pc Turbo aka (twist) socket set impact Hammer these babys on and if it dont come out it wasnt planning on it without breaking anyway.
Nicholson Mini File Set I can fix small burrs in tight places quick with these and it saves me a lot of time.
High Temp Epoxy Putty For when your co workers accidentally put holes in radiators. Does not contain steel so ya no rust.
Proper Safety Glasses (List of standards you want: ANSI Z87.1 +, MIL-PRF-31013, EN166, 169, 170 & 172, CSA Z94.3-2002) - So many times at this point I can't even count. You want all of that cause without your eyes it will be harder to tune out your wife, watch football, and drink beer.
3m 6700 Full Face Resperator - has saved my lungs after being the go to guy for DPFs also used when doing mold removal with straight or 1:1 bleach.
Craftsman 3lb drilling hammer Small enough to be useful in tight spots and heavy enough to move some metal when need be. I use this a lot at least 2-3x a day on a slow day and over 100x in a bad day(Why the hell would engineers design this like this)
Torch and Mini Torch - Yeah, who doesn't like fire. PS it will cook your bacon too.
Tap & Dies - I have Irwin which have failed me 20-30x times but, good HSS (High Speed Steel) ones are worth the cost and actually do their job. Got no name HSS ones so no clue might have to take a pic and have people help me identify.
Snap-On SR40k Extractor Set Anything else just doe not work nearly as well. These work on super hard and stainless steel bolts.
Matco 51pc Thread restore kit with 3 thread files Has saved my bacon at least 20-30x
Matco Spindle die set aka die add on to smaller set has saved other peoples bacon 10-15x and me once
13pc Turbo aka (twist) socket set impact Hammer these babys on and if it dont come out it wasnt planning on it without breaking anyway.
Nicholson Mini File Set I can fix small burrs in tight places quick with these and it saves me a lot of time.
High Temp Epoxy Putty For when your co workers accidentally put holes in radiators. Does not contain steel so ya no rust.
Proper Safety Glasses (List of standards you want: ANSI Z87.1 +, MIL-PRF-31013, EN166, 169, 170 & 172, CSA Z94.3-2002) - So many times at this point I can't even count. You want all of that cause without your eyes it will be harder to tune out your wife, watch football, and drink beer.
3m 6700 Full Face Resperator - has saved my lungs after being the go to guy for DPFs also used when doing mold removal with straight or 1:1 bleach.
Craftsman 3lb drilling hammer Small enough to be useful in tight spots and heavy enough to move some metal when need be. I use this a lot at least 2-3x a day on a slow day and over 100x in a bad day(Why the hell would engineers design this like this)
Torch and Mini Torch - Yeah, who doesn't like fire. PS it will cook your bacon too.
Tap & Dies - I have Irwin which have failed me 20-30x times but, good HSS (High Speed Steel) ones are worth the cost and actually do their job. Got no name HSS ones so no clue might have to take a pic and have people help me identify.
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bczygan
Well-known member
line sockets are the one thing that comes to mind.....
What are line sockets, and how have they saved you?
Bill
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Mgnu
Well-known member
I really need a good tap and die set that is better than the Chicom **** which breaks tapping a beer can, all without taking out a 2nd mortgage to acquire said set. Anyone got recommendations?
tatra
Well-known member
Chinese fingers along with aforementioned magnets.
My Sawzall really came through in a pinch today. My neighbor and I were doing ball joints on his car today. The left side would not seperate from the lower control arm no matter how much being beaten with a pickle fork, soaked in penetrating oil, or being sworn at we employed. We ended up cutting the ball stud in half with the recip saw, and using the ball joint press to move it. Sometimes, you just have to do things the hard way.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
FullRaceMerc
Well-known member
Thread files. I actually used one Friday when one of the guys buggered up threads on a stud sticking out of concrete. It's probably been 2 years since the previous time.
The wise guy response is "My fridge normally saves my bacon".
The wise guy response is "My fridge normally saves my bacon".
what i call "fishing pliers" not used but maybe monthly, but sure as hell are handy when needed
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5JM0O/?tag=atomicindus08-20
i'd use the **** out of them, if i had some...lot easier than busting out the entire tap/die set and rethreading the bolt...gotta do that to a stud for a fuel tank strap tomorrow morning, actually
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5JM0O/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Thread files. I actually used one Friday when one of the guys buggered up threads on a stud sticking out of concrete. It's probably been 2 years since the previous time.
The wise guy response is "My fridge normally saves my bacon".
i'd use the **** out of them, if i had some...lot easier than busting out the entire tap/die set and rethreading the bolt...gotta do that to a stud for a fuel tank strap tomorrow morning, actually
