Tools you bought but don’t use?

[M_George]

I picked up this Craftsman right angle drill attachment about 10 years ago, thought it might come in handy some day.

Well... today was the day. I needed to screw in a few drywall screws in between a pipe and old iron radiator in a 120 year old house in Pa.

This thing just earned it's keep today!!!

 

[isb cornbinder]

Read my signature. I have lots of one use tools.

 

[M_George]

Read my signature. I have lots of one use tools.

And that one use can be a real life saver...

 

[SuperCat]

I was at the flea market last year and I saw a Williams DBE 31/32 wrench. Never knew that size existed because I had never seen one before. It might be handy, I thought, in case I ever encountered a worn/non-standard nut or bolt that was just a bit less than 1 inch or just a bit more than 15/16. Have I ever needed it? Nope. Do I expect to need it? Nope. Am I going to let it go? I haven't decided yet, but not likely. Do I have a storage problem? Well...I'm taking the 5th on that.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

Nut drivers. I have a full set from my grandfather and literally have never used them once. Inevitably the hex is on too tight to only have the leverage of a screwdriver, so I wind up using a socket and ratchet. A waste of a small drawer in my box.

 

[bwringer]

My hydraulic press is one of those things that gets used maybe once or twice a year and otherwise takes up a large-ish whack of space.

It's already paid for itself many times over, and it's the sort of thing that when you need it, you REALLY need it. So I doubt I'll ever get rid of it. But it's just sort of... there. I put locking wheels on it earlier this year, so it's at least a little less obnoxious to work around.



I have to agree with you on the nut drivers. Most sizes are completely useless, so I got rid of my sets.

I have three -- 1/4", 5/16"/8mm (same driver), and 10mm.

 

[ftb]

SAE and Whitworth spring to mind. Not that I completely don't use them - just a few sets too many!

 

[joseywales]

Tools I don't use? According to my wife, all of them. Yet somehow things in this house continue to get repaired. Must be gremlins.

 

[anndel]

Power Probe IV. So far nothing I couldn't diagnose with my test light and DVM.

 

[Moose Legs]

The majority of my metric sockets and wrenches. The other day I needed a deep 10 mm 1/4 drive socket, went to look for mine, and then realized I didn’t have one because I never needed one before.

 

[oldwino]

The majority of my metric sockets and wrenches. The other day I needed a deep 10 mm 1/4 drive socket, went to look for mine, and then realized I didn’t have one because I never needed one before.

Guess we’re the only two here that don’t use much metric. Bought a cheapy set of Gearwrenches for one job. Haven’t used again for five years or so. Of course my newest vehicle is nearly 50 years old

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Other than my nail guns, most of the air tools I bought for one use and never touched them again: air hammer, needle scaler, DA sander. With the amount of battery and corded tools I have that also do the job without waiting for the compressor, my air tools never get used.

I'm starting to look into battery powered nailers as well, the only things holding me back are the cost and mainly, the size/weight compared to pneumatic nailers.

 

[WVBrady]

I picked up this Craftsman right angle drill attachment about 10 years ago, thought it might come in handy some day.

Well... today was the day. I needed to screw in a few drywall screws in between a pipe and old iron radiator in a 120 year old house in Pa.

This thing just earned it's keep today!!!

How do you keep it from twisting? Mine has a handle.

 

[cgrutt]

Not proud to say have damn near a garage full of tools that never get used. Well not enough anyway. Bought a "Wood Rat" system many years ago that I never set up. About $1000 maybe more. I admit it I just love tools! Could be worse...

 

[freudianfloyd]

Bought a multi-tool because everybody was saying how useful they are. I have had it about 2 years now, and the only use it has gotten was when I brought it home and wanted to see how good it worked. Made a few cuts in a scrap of wood, and it has been in it's case ever since. I also own a dremel that has never been used. I got it as a gift about 20 years ago, and have yet to find a use for it.

 

[PelicanPines]

Bought a multi-tool because everybody was saying how useful they are. I have had it about 2 years now, and the only use it has gotten was when I brought it home and wanted to see how good it worked. Made a few cuts in a scrap of wood, and it has been in it's case ever since. I also own a dremel that has never been used. I got it as a gift about 20 years ago, and have yet to find a use for it.

I have 5 Multi Tools - Fein, Dremel, Milwaukee, Dewalt, Neo. I use one of them every week on something. I fix things... make things better... remodel trim work... I also do a lot of tile work... but don't use my Multitools on actual Tiles. Can't imagine fixing grout or remodeling wood trim without having 3...

Two best blades I got... FULL circle medical blade... and Right Angle blade for tight spots and to remove the plastic dividers from blow mold cases.

 

[ftb]

Power Probe IV. So far nothing I couldn't diagnose with my test light and DVM.

Yup. I've used my Probe twice. Test light + voltmeter it is for me too.

 

[jives]

Yankee screwdriver. . .love the tool. . .but rarely grab for it.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Air Nailer/Stapler. Was $5 with a coupon at HF, hasnt been used.

Snap On Torx Screwdrivers. Seemed like a great idea at the time owning a late 90's dodge pickup. I reach for a torx socket or bit in my electric driver and havent touched the screwdrivers.

Snap On Ratcheting Screwdriver. It's just cumbersome to use and I'd rather use my normal drivers or the electric driver. Got it for $20 so not out a lot of money though.

 

[Luked]

Reviving an old thread since I’m currently in purge mode of unused and duplicate tools replaced with cordless.

Sold off 3 sets of various style SAE wrenches (kept one), Ryobi corded corner sander, Dewalt corded orbital sander, hi-lift jack, box full of low voltage tools not used in years, nut drivers, entire set of Dewalt 18v tools that served me well for 12 years (now replaced with 20v xr) Still going through my “hoard” but it’s getting more manageable and it’s fun to find things that have not seen daylight in a while. I’m finding some peace as items leave for new homes while taking comfort in keeping the tools I use regularly

 

[AreYaSerious]

Rodder from harbor freight. Used once, but works great. Everyone else uses it, so whatever.

 

[Steve22629]

My problem is not tools that I have and seldom use. It is tools that I seldom use, forgot I have them, then buy another one.

 

[Dakkyz]

Torx Security L keys, socket reducers.

Tons of whitworth Sockets and Wrenches, Tons of SAE Sockets and Wrenches useful once every blue moon.

 

[atikovi]

This Ribe socket set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DKLT58/?tag=atomicindus08-20 I bought recently and will probbaly never use. It was under $12 when I ordered it.

 

[seber]

This thread got me to thinking about it.
1/4” torque wrench. Something that small I just do by feel.
Ratcheting screwdriver. My hand ratchets just fine.
Composite ratchet. The backward lever is just too much.
Studfinder. A hammer and my ear are faster and more accurate.
Router and extensive set of bits. Had them for 30 years and have never used them.
Laminate trimmer. Bought just before laminate went out of style.
Rotozip. Multitool has completely replaced it.
Spline sockets. Bought just in case.
Not worth the trouble to sell them but maybe I'll consolidate them all to one place.
Deep reach bar clamps.

 

[atikovi]

1/4” torque wrench. Something that small I just do by feel.

Great until that transmission pan bolt mysteriously starts turning easier than it should.

 

[Handyandy23]

Great until that transmission pan bolt mysteriously starts turning easier than it should.

I agree on that. If anything the higher torque stuff I feel safer 'doing by feel' rather than the low torque. Pans / valve covers are always really low torque and I'm always surprised by how early the torque wrench clicks out. I'd have over-tightened them for sure.

OTOH, a suspension bolt with a torque of 150 ft-lbs I will still use a torque wrench usually, but in a pinch I know that 150 ft-lbs is "a **** ton", and I can just tighten it down really good. Not much risk of breaking it or wrecking something just by cranking on it.

 

[bonneyman]

Tools I've bought that I haven't used?

My plumbing tools......thankfully!

 

[Jeffh40]

Tools I've bought but not used?

That stack of 30 round magazines I bought during the Obama years.

 

[PartsGuy]

I have never used any of my speed handles. I have never used any of my distributor wrenches, and I have 5 different styles.

Only five???? Jeez, what a newb!
(And I don't have much use for the dozen or so I have accumulated over the years, either!)

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

An easy one. the 3/4" socket set. When I bought it, it was just a Taiwanese ratchet and one socket. Now I think it's complete up to 2".

 

[toolaholic]

Wright 3/4 ratchet and breaker bar, ez red extra long 1/4 drive flex head ratchet , axle nut sockets ,Power steering pump pulley puller/installer, lisle spark plug thread and o2 thread chaser( thank god I never needed them. My latest : Powerbuilt 640811 Back-Tap Thread Repair to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014FGVVW/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Hope I never use it. I have been successful (knock on wood) changing plugs in aluminum heads. Hope the streak continues . Thought it was a nice just in case tool.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Air Nailer/Stapler. Was $5 with a coupon at HF, hasnt been used.

Snap On Torx Screwdrivers. Seemed like a great idea at the time owning a late 90's dodge pickup. I reach for a torx socket or bit in my electric driver and havent touched the screwdrivers.

Snap On Ratcheting Screwdriver. It's just cumbersome to use and I'd rather use my normal drivers or the electric driver. Got it for $20 so not out a lot of money though.

Quoting myself here.

Since this post I have used the **** out of that $5 HF nailer/stapler making raised beds for the garden and redoing bunks on our boat trailer. One of the best $5 I've spent.

Also have used the snappy Torx screwdriver set more. A few applications had too tight of quarters for a socket set. Glad I had them.

The screwdriver is somewhere in the box, still unused.

 

[Fulcrum]

I’ve got a few. They take space, I use them maybe once in a blue moon. At a push. Effectively forcing myself to use them for the sake of it. I don’t *need* them. What to do? Sell up? Doesn’t make sense. Still I never reach for them. Ratchets, ratcheting wrenches, some screwdriver sets. They are all different in some way (shorter, longer etc) but they aren’t first choice. They are a liability and money spent. They don’t earn their keep. What is the consensus?

Edit: I’m talking about some sets bought on a whim. They are not duplicates - selling those would be an easy decision. They are just some variations of the same that I already have and use daily. But they end up just being tossed about in the drawers 95% of the time.

If you haven't used something in a year, chances are you won't unless it's a specialty tool. I have a couple of T6/T7 mini-screwdrivers that have been sitting for a long time unused, and I just ended up needing them to open a ratcheting screwdriver to clean/regrease it.

 

[Den69rs96]

I bought a Lisle pneumatic fan clutch removal kit that I have never used. I just picked up an Astro fwd bearing removal/install kit and I don’t even own a car that requires it, but after watching Eric O use the OTC hub grappler I wanted one.

 

[seber]

I agree on that. If anything the higher torque stuff I feel safer 'doing by feel' rather than the low torque. Pans / valve covers are always really low torque and I'm always surprised by how early the torque wrench clicks out. I'd have over-tightened them for sure.

OTOH, a suspension bolt with a torque of 150 ft-lbs I will still use a torque wrench usually, but in a pinch I know that 150 ft-lbs is "a **** ton", and I can just tighten it down really good. Not much risk of breaking it or wrecking something just by cranking on it.

I have no way to judge 150 foot pounds but 30 inch pounds on a 6 inch wrench is five pounds force. Almost anyone should be able to do that by feel if you think about the math first. It won't be perfect, but torque rarely is. For that you need angle or strain gage.

 

[_Riddle]

Was organizing the tool box to make room for new hook/pick sets and realized I've only used my Bondhus extra long ball ended allen set once. I needed one for a hard to reach crank position sensor bolt so I bought the whole set figuring I'll need one in another size eventually. Haven't found a need for it again yet but maybe one day! The long torx set from VIM also doesn't see much use but it's really great when I do need it.

I also have 2 sets of Vampliers that I bought and used once (which didn't do what I needed them to). Ended up removing the stripped screw with vise grips instead.

 

[m6z]

Tools I don't use? According to my wife, all of them. Yet somehow things in this house continue to get repaired. Must be gremlins.

This.

I sold my old toolbox and bought a new one this year. The old box was going to end up in front of a doorway at our new house, so I bought a narrower one.

She's been giving me **** about it for months now.

 

[jseymour]

I've some hand tools bought for me for Christmas I've rarely, if ever, used. Mostly "trick" tools that my wife thought looked handy/interesting and either the "tool guy" at the store or some other shoppers in a tool crib told her were great. There are others like those that have turned out handy.

Tools I've acquired but never used? First there's the micro-plunge router I bought when I thought I'd get into fine woodworking. It's been sitting in the box, after being played with a bit, for probably twenty years. Good news, though: It'll be real handy for making the dados I need to make for an upcoming project. (I've already done some experimental practice joints with it.)

Bought around the same time: A Delta Sharpening Center. I was doing a lot of tool sharpening at the time. Unfortunately, not long after acquiring it I figured out fine woodworking in an uninsulated, unheated garage was a non-starter and I didn't have the patience for the hobby, anyway. So it's sat unused ever since. (Along with my Japanese water stones and a bunch of other sharpening tools.) But I'm thinking I may get back into sharpening, again. We'll see.

Recently acquired, used: A Porter Cable biscuit cutter. Acquired a couple months ago for the same project as above, because I thought I'd use it. We'll see.

There's a farm jack out in the shed that I thought I was going to use to correct a foundation problem with the shed in which it's sitting. Yeah... no. Wrong tool. Way wrong. This is one of those "Now that I have it, I hate to get rid of it, because I may need it some day" tools. I think it's going into the next garage sale, though.

A seriously heavy-duty, fiberglass articulating ladder. Thing weighs a ton. I've replaced most of its functionality with a newer aluminium articulating ladder. That thing definitely needs a new home.

Other than those: I've got a lot of tools of all kinds. I guess I'm a tool junkie . But, other than the list above, I use them all. Some only rarely, but, when I need one of those tools I'm sure glad I have it! The right tool for the job can turn a PITA job into, if not a joy, at least not as much a PITA

 

[socalboy]

Fire extinguisher