Tools you always had but never used

[m6z]

Windshield removal tool.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[dscheidt]

One I think of is the little thumbwheel ratchets https://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-thumbwheel-ratchet-set-94011.html . bought a set, don't think any have ever had a socket on them. Maybe one day

I don't have those, but I do have a couple anvils from broken ratchets. I don't use them a whole heck of a lot, but they have saved a lot of fiddling when they're the right tool.

 

[dwasifar]

Security allen wrenches, Conduit bender, wood chisel, metric dye set, soft metal tubing bender, wood plains, heat gun, tire tread wear gauge, IC chip remover, chalk line holder, alligator clip jumpers, Feeler gauge, instruction manuals, metal files, and my engraver.
But the minute I sell or give them away, I am gonna need it!!!!!

I use my conduit bender and tire tread gauge regularly.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Windshield removal tool.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Just gotta build a demo-derby car. LOL

 

[Ronson25]

For me it 1/2 drive tools usually if i cant do it with 3/8 its time to grab 3/4 stuff

 

[Meursault74]

I dont understand those. You cant put any meaningful down pressure on the head due to the design. Thus if the screw is at all tight the driver just cams out.

What can they actually be used for successfully?

I have one of right angle opposing screwdrivers. But I had to buy this. This was actually a lower profile than the one I had which didn't fit into the gap.

Ratcheting Right Angle Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set, 8 Piece

Amazing deals on this 8Pc Right Angle Screwdriver Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I had to replace the igniter for my home furnace. Small Phillips head sheet metal screws held it in place. Easiest way to access it was with a right angle screw driver. That harbor freight tool just made it into the gap (a gas pipe was right above where it was screwed in). Screws were not torqued down super tight. So this tool worked fine. I'm not sure how else to get at those screws without disassembling other parts. A right angle screwdriver is the tool for that particular task.

Igniter

IG418 SUPCO Furnace Igniter Ignitor for Goodman B1401015, B140108S & Modine 5H075032B (replaces part 41-418, 271NM): Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

IG418 SUPCO Furnace Igniter Ignitor for Goodman B1401015, B140108S & Modine 5H075032B (replaces part 41-418, 271NM): Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Those igniters are made of fragile material, so you have to put them in carefully.

 

[Terra Nova]

Until very recently it was these. Thought they would be all sorts of handy. I was right, it just took close to 20 years for it to come true…

 

[Peter Burritt]

Those right angle screwdrivers with a Phillips on one end and a slotted on the other. I have probably a half dozen, I don’t know where they came from, and I’ve never used them.

I have one made by Vaco that I have used a few times. Case IH machines are full of smooth round-head slotted fasteners that are a pain to get off. They aren't carriage bolts (like John Deere machines use) and typically just spin if you try to get the nut off from one side. In tight areas where these fasteners are located I put the right angle screwdriver on the slotted side and ratchet on the other and cross my fingers that there isn't too much torque for the screwdriver to handle. If that doesn't work (Which is 90% of the time) I just go and get the torches.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Kobalt gear less ratchet. I thought for sure I would need it, but it has never been used. You don't realize how important the ratcheting feedback is when using a ratchet.

My Snap on tools. I never had them growing up, so got accustomed to my other brands, and now that I have them, they are too nice to use so I just collect them and look at them. I try to use them, but they just never seem to be the tools i grab. Even though they are great.

Ignition wrenches. I have two sets and have never used them, and to be honest, I dont even know what they are for.

Air ratchets, have a few, never think to use them.

End cutters. I have atleast 5 pairs of all different sizes and have never used one.

 

[rmdoherty]

That’s a hard one. I think I’ve used everything pretty much. Maybe adjustable wrenches because I only use those as the absolute last resort but always had them.

Adjustable wrenches are my last resort; you just can't trust them to stay at the point you need them. Nothing worse than a fickle tool.

 

[tyyost]

I have a 3/4” Snap On ratchet that I bought at a garage sale dirt cheap, and a bunch of big 3/4” sockets. I have yet to use any of them more than a couple of times (at most) since they were purchased, but I’m still glad that I have them. When you need that big wrench and socket, there really is no alternative.

Same here, I‘ve used my 1 1/2” a few times other than that I use them more on my shop press than on fasteners.

 

[RedneckWelder]

For me it's vise grips. I probably use vise grips once a decade. I think I usually cut or grind it if I can't turn it. But way early on in my pre teen wrenching years everyone had a pair so I bought mine from Bradlees and added it to my collection.

Vise Grips are one of the most useful tools I own, but I don’t hardly ever use them for their intended use. Just like I never use adjustable wrenches on normal bolts and nuts- they work great on plumbing, hydraulic lines, or bending thin metal.

 

[Geezer]

I bought the timing tool for the cruze 1.8s, thinking I'd clean up the local market. Then I realized people with chevy cruzes don't have any money.

And if their ignition switches won't work anyway then needing a timing tool is a moot point

 

[silkman]

 

[Bagherra]

stubby ratcheting wrenches for me...bought a set 3 yeas ago and still in the case...

 

[Madjik Man]

Ignition wrenches. I have two sets and have never used them, and to be honest, I dont even know what they are for.

This is my entry.

I have a set of ignition wrenches that came with my Craftsman mechanic set.

I think I only ever opened the pouch once or twice to look at them. Other than that they’ve never been touched.

I know what they’re used for, I just never have to grab them.

 

[MBfreak]

Dwasifar. Hitachi scope sleeping
qSomeone gave me a Hitachi oscilloscope once, and I never used it in the 10 years I had it. Don't know if that qualifies.uq
I am the happy owner of a 2 channel 20 MHz smaller Hitachi benchtop scope. Really good. Made 1989 and still perfevt. It has a built in NiCad accumulator with internal charge circuit that lasts around 1 hour.Amazingly, it is the original accumulator, date stamped october 1989 and no leaks, full power.
If you feel like getting rid of your sleeper Dwasifar I would be most pleased to buy it. But, freight to Sweden kills the prospective deal.
Ola

 

[autobon7]

Adjustable wrench for sure......cannot remember last time it moved. Very early Gearwrench pass through ratchet/socket set. Sold it a few months ago.

 

[Robinson1]

Havent used my 1/2" air inpact in atleast 2 years. Always grab the cordless one.

Have a palm nailer thats never been hooked to an air hose. Bought it for a project that never happened.

Ive got a Tekton master set of 1/2" chrome sockets. Not a single one has ever turned a bolt.

 

[nadogail]

I bought some Clutch Head screw drivers during the 1950's, they see almost no use; once a neighbor with an older Chevrolet Station Wagon wanted to work on his tail lights and he had never seen a Clutch Head Screw before.

 

[RJMadigan]

Over the forty plus years that I turned wrenches professionally I think I used everything on a more than once basis. The only exception being nut runners. Never did seem to take those out of the box so they're the shiniest tools I own. As others have said the Matco 3/8" air ratchet was a waste of cash, never did use it much, slow and weak. Had a cordless 1/4" ratchet that was a waste of money.

Now that I'm retired I have to go through the drawers on my big box just to see what I have. Don't use much of it regularly now but I'll be damned if I'm getting rid of anything because, well, you never know, right?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought a Walker Turner band saw welder. It appears to be almost never used. I have never used it.
Make me an offer and it could by your new shop machine. (maybe)

 

[Milton Shaw]

Piston ring compressor and grove cleaner. Used it once nearly 50 years ago. Others I don't use anymore are Ford upper control arm alignment tools used on 65 and up large Fords. I have bought tools to do just about any job a good DIY're could use. I have tools for carpet work, drywall, painting, concrete, siding, metal working, welding, machining, plumbing, some electronics, sewing, and many more areas. I bought a Ridgid Pipe thawer for $5 without cables. Bought the cables and haven't had to use it since although I came close at a friends house,(got her to use an old electric blanket on the frozen area next to her drive way.) Lots of money ******* in tools and just about to the point of trying to sell some of them. But not yet..

 

[ecotec]

Over the forty plus years that I turned wrenches professionally I think I used everything on a more than once basis. The only exception being nut runners. Never did seem to take those out of the box so they're the shiniest tools I own. As others have said the Matco 3/8" air ratchet was a waste of cash, never did use it much, slow and weak. Had a cordless 1/4" ratchet that was a waste of money.

Now that I'm retired I have to go through the drawers on my big box just to see what I have. Don't use much of it regularly now but I'll be damned if I'm getting rid of anything because, well, you never know, right?

Electricians use nut drivers often.

 

[Al Borland]

I've got a hammer. It was my Grandfather's, My Father broke the handle on it. My (deceased) brother put a new handle on it in shop class. I have it, but, it's not for using.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My unimat lathe. It's cute, and looks nice, but never found a good use for the thing... not powerful enough to do firing pins, so, well... it made a good dust collecor.

 

[Outahere]

9mm socket
9mm wrench

 

[davethorik]

I picked up a snap-on sll80a number of years back used for a good price, and took it to work. used to use it a lot more, it did a great job and I like using it. but i moved departments now it pretty much is drawer jewelry in my box. getting rid of it? heck no lol

 

[dchawk81]

I've had a brand new engine stand for probably 7-8 years that's never seen a power plant. The project it was bought for never transpired.

 

[joel63]

I've had a brand new engine stand for probably 7-8 years that's never seen a power plant. The project it was bought for never transpired.

I've been there with a Diesel compression test. Gone now.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I guess there’s a few of these threads, I’ll go with the oldest.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I bought a Walker Turner band saw welder. It appears to be almost never used. I have never used it.
Make me an offer and it could by your new shop machine. (maybe)

I would if I were not on the opposite end of the continent.

 

[darkzero]

I guess there’s a few of these threads, I’ll go with the oldest.

So annoying when there's multiple of the same threads. Funny thing is the threads were created not that far apart from each other. They should be merged IMO.

 

[Outahere]

 

[DAustin]

You Win!

 

[Mavsman]

Snap on FH80MP multi-position head ratchet. I don’t even know why I bought it

 

[MJK]

Stubby ratcheting wrenches. Bought them 15 years ago. Tossed them a couple years ago. Could have used them today. But I kept the crows feet!

 

[rharman]

My unimat lathe. It's cute, and looks nice, but never found a good use for the thing... not powerful enough to do firing pins, so, well... it made a good dust collecor.

I've always wanted one of those. I have NO idea what I'd use it for... Just always wanted one. And, the mill too.

 

[Junkman]

FH80MP - I have all three 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" and they have saved me more time than I can remember. My only fear is that I will break one and not be able to get a replacement for it. I didn't know that Snap-On has come back with them.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have these, in both Metric and Standard. I just had to have them, because they were universal (6-point, 12-point, etc.). Each wrench has four sizes. Not once have I never used them.