Tools you hate but wont die to replace

[Shoreline_]

I have this 27 inch flex head Cornwell 1/2" ratchet I dont really like using but cant justify replacing it until it breaks and it wont break. I got it in a pinch because I had a job I needed it for and he shows up before Mac does in the week and I was nervous Mac wouldnt have it on her truck.

Its flex head but ball detent which turns out I dont care much for. Nor the square discomfort handle. Or the cheap head that works fine but its Taiwan I shouldve paid Taiwan prices.

 

[Kurt4440]

I will take it off your hands and give it a workout.
Just in the interest in science of course.

 

[loveinthe ruins]

Have a Danaher era MasterForce 115 piece mechanics set I bought from pawn shop for like 50 bucks. The 3/8 socket set is 12 point and I don't really like it. Bought some Wright 3/8 impact socket sets in SAE/Metric but haven't had the heart to pull the trigger on a nice chrome set koken nut grip in 1/4th or 3/8th CAT. The Allen wrenches are literally Allens, don't use them enough to replace them with bondhus/wiha etc.

 

[kbeefy]

So, tools you hate that just won't die.

I like it!!

None come to mind at the moment....

 

[richfinn]

I have this 27 inch flex head Cornwell 1/2" ratchet I dont really like using but cant justify replacing it until it breaks and it wont break. I got it in a pinch because I had a job I needed it for and he shows up before Mac does in the week and I was nervous Mac wouldnt have it on her truck.

Its flex head but ball detent which turns out I dont care much for. Nor the square discomfort handle. Or the cheap head that works fine but its Taiwan I shouldve paid Taiwan prices.

Why not sell it on eBay and buy one that you do like?

I would really like to replace my old rusty Vise, but I'm waiting until I retire in a few years time as I still work on other people's old junk sometimes and would like a nice clean workbench for my own projects when I'm a full blown old codger

 

[Dave455]

Get yourself a new one that you like, but hang on to the old one.

I always find there are jobs I need to do that I don’t want to use my best tools for!

 

[seber]

I can't say I hate it, but I use my electric impact wrench about once a month. I'd love to have a cordless but just can't justify the cost for the rare use. My pneumatic hasn't been used in decades.

 

[cody1325]

Hyper Tough 12V. Keep hoping one of those will break so I can buy Milwaukee, but they don't.

Also, I kind of want to keep the Hyper Tough ones because the batteries are pretty inexpensive at Walmart.

 

[M635_Guy]

I tend to get rid of tools I don't like - I'm twitchy and have enough problems getting things done...

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Little off topic..

I have a set of SAE Craftsman ratcheting open ends from the mid to late 90s. They are the ones that round off everything you use them on. My grandfather bought them for me for Christmas like 30 years ago so I won't throw them away. I remember the first time I used them i rounded a bolt head off and when I told him he just said "that's what happens when you buy cheap tools". I still have them in a pile in the back of my wrench drawer and I shake my head every time I look at them.

 

[Shoreline_]

Why not sell it on eBay and buy one that you do like?

I would really like to replace my old rusty Vise, but I'm waiting until I retire in a few years time as I still work on other people's old junk sometimes and would like a nice clean workbench for my own projects when I'm a full blown old codger

Oh I dont have time to follow through shipping stuff after I sell it. And its worth more to keep it than sell a used tool.

 

[Nick Rivers]

I have a set of Sears Craftsman Ratcheting Double Box End wrenches in the original plastic pouch. My Gearwrenchs have replaced them, but I hate giving up tools.....

Similar to these:

 

[cody1325]

I have a set of Sears Craftsman Ratcheting Double Box End wrenches in the original plastic pouch. My Gearwrenchs have replaced them, but I hate giving up tools.....

Similar to these:

I think all mine are Americraft. I still use the **** out of them as they are bent-head, compared to flat for my Gearwrench wrenches.

I ended up having a ratcheting wrench drawer in one of my boxes--these and Gearwrench populate it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I can't think of a single tool I hate?

 

[fourjeepin]

My skil belt sander. I bought it a year or two out of school (about Y2K) when I had very limited funds. It has never been great but keeps on truckin. One day it is going to let the smoke out or I’ll run across a great deal one a better one.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Why not sell it on eBay and buy one that you do like?

I would really like to replace my old rusty Vise, but I'm waiting until I retire in a few years time as I still work on other people's old junk sometimes and would like a nice clean workbench for my own projects when I'm a full blown old codger

You never are fully retired till you’re in the nursing home or 6’ under. I retired a couple years ago and seems like I have less time for things for me because I am doing things for others. Yes I know, that’s on me but working with my hands all my life it’s hard to just up and do nothing

 

[redwrench60]

Life is too short and there are enough challenges in life. I understand for something expensive or hard to find, but we’re talking about a ratchet here. Give it away or wing it in the scrap bin.

 

[Hakeem]

I have a steel handled Husky hammer that works just fine. I’ve had it for years and it hasn’t died yet but I want a Estwing so freaking bad. I always thought I’d replace it once it finally wore out or I lost it but I don’t work construction anymore so I’m probably stuck with it for life.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

You never are fully retired till you’re in the nursing home or 6’ under. I retired a couple years ago and seems like I have less time for things for me because I am doing things for others. Yes I know, that’s on me but working with my hands all my life it’s hard to just up and do nothing

Amen!

More to do now that I’ve retired from two jobs. What has gone down is the stress. Stuff gets done when it gets done, and if something I’m working on isn’t going right and it has me frustrated I can have a beer or a cup of coffee and take a nap.

 

[cody1325]

Little off topic..

I have a set of SAE Craftsman ratcheting open ends from the mid to late 90s. They are the ones that round off everything you use them on. My grandfather bought them for me for Christmas like 30 years ago so I won't throw them away. I remember the first time I used them i rounded a bolt head off and when I told him he just said "that's what happens when you buy cheap tools". I still have them in a pile in the back of my wrench drawer and I shake my head every time I look at them.

So I'm wondering, what did Facom do on their design that these don't do. To me, these always seem like a bit of a gimmick/last ditch over Gearwrench/ratcheting wrenches in general.

My skil belt sander. I bought it a year or two out of school (about Y2K) when I had very limited funds. It has never been great but keeps on truckin. One day it is going to let the smoke out or I’ll run across a great deal one a better one.

Mine's about 20 years older, and nearly unkillable. It resurfaced a really badly weathered picnic table using 80 grit Bauer/HFT belts in no time flat.

 

[fourjeepin]

Little off topic..

I have a set of SAE Craftsman ratcheting open ends from the mid to late 90s. They are the ones that round off everything you use them on. My grandfather bought them for me for Christmas like 30 years ago so I won't throw them away. I remember the first time I used them i rounded a bolt head off and when I told him he just said "that's what happens when you buy cheap tools". I still have them in a pile in the back of my wrench drawer and I shake my head every time I look at them.

I also have a set of these and almost never use them. I keep them for the box end though as they are longer than my other combination wrenches

 

[charbar]

If I don't like a tool I usually give it to a friend and buy something else. Sometimes will try to trade it in on the tool truck depending what it is. But I also make a living with my tools so if there is something that isn't up to my expectations it just makes my job more difficult and aggravating.

 

[Model A Fan]

I tend to get rid of tools I don't like - I'm twitchy and have enough problems getting things done...

That is Garage Journal Heresy

Just kidding, I have a bag of tools I put together for a friend to give away...but its difficult to "cull the herd" so to speak. I have the "what-if-I-need-this-itis" when it comes to getting rid of things.

I have had lots of random tools rolling around in my garage for years, so its time to move them to my friend who has a really sorry set of tools I used the last time I visited. So he gets a major upgrade to duplicate Craftsman.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought a set of Performax from Menards as a back up set or needing a second wrench in a box. The first one I used, slipped off an oil drain plug. I thought it was me, and tried it again. Slipped off again and it was the correct size.

In the scrap bucket they went. Hated and didn't trust them. Gone.

 

[mikey03]

I will take it off your hands and give it a workout.
Just in the interest in science of course.

I said that to my friend who was tired of his wife

 

[mikey03]

I can't think of a single tool I hate?

Robogrip pliers?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Robogrip pliers?

Never owned a pair

 

[rust in the eye]

I've been culling less favorite and re-buying in more favored brand or style. None "hated"
For some reason I developed an aversion to raised panel wrenches late in life so have sold off most all of mine sans one SAE set that I'm reminded should go.

 

[Packard V8]

My Ryobi stuff dies regularly, but there always seems to be a critical mass remaining, so that replacing a battery or a charger is less expensive than replacing it all.

jack vines

 

[Wrench97]

Craftsman branded slip joint pliers, I have them at home from presents from the kids over the years.
I think there is one pair on each floor and 1 in the garage...always too small and the teeth don't grip......

 

[micromind]

I still have some of the cheap chintzy sockets and wrenches that I bought back in the 70s, back before I even knew what a quality tool was.

I've never thrown away any tool that still works so I still have them but they get used so infrequently that they'll never break or wear out, though I did break the 11/16" open end wrench recently. 1" pipe plug that had rusted in place. I couldn't get it loose with just the wrench so I did what any red-blooded person would do; I used a 3' pipe for more leverage.

The cheap wrench broke but the Wright took it right out using the same pipe..........

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Robogrip pliers?

Love mine. Bought another pair at a yard sale to carry in my camper.

For typical use, they aren’t much, but in a situation where you need a serious grip on something that flexes, they are great.

 

[Nick Rivers]

Robogrip pliers?

I got a set of those as a Christmas present from an old girlfriend. They sat in my tool cabinet drawer for 20 years. I "gifted" them to my better half when we bought the house. Ended up designating the next to the last drawer in one of my tool cabinets for her tools. She tells everyone that I reserved one of my tool drawers just for her!

 

[Al Borland]

Save the tools you hate and take them to work to loan to people you hate.
I call it "Tools for Fools".

 

[DAustin]

A cheap set of screwdrivers my daughter bought me back when she was in elementary school, over 30 years ago. The kind you used to see in the 5 for $1 bin, the ones with the small see through yellow handles and the blades that twist the first time you use them hard. She was so proud she had bought me tools; I remember the look on her face the first time I used them (gently) on something. I still have them in my toolbox right next to the Snap-on ones. I hardly ever take them out, but sometimes if she's over and I'm working on something I'll take one out and do something small with one. She will say something like "Wow, are those the ones I bought you back at school, do you still like them?"
How can I say no.

 

[LOW1]

I had two corded jig saws, an older Bosch and a Makita. I love the Bosch and tolerated the Makita. After 10 years the Makita last week kicked the bucket. No tears were shed and I did not need grief counseling. I replaced it with a cordless Dewalt.

 

[crerus75]

A cheap set of screwdrivers my daughter bought me back when she was in elementary school, over 30 years ago. The kind you used to see in the 5 for $1 bin, the ones with the small see through yellow handles and the blades that twist the first time you use them hard. She was so proud she had bought me tools; I remember the look on her face the first time I used them (gently) on something. I still have them in my toolbox right next to the Snap-on ones. I hardly ever take them out, but sometimes if she's over and I'm working on something I'll take one out and do something small with one. She will say something like "Wow, are those the ones I bought you back at school, do you still like them?"
How can I say no.

I have a couple of tape measures, a pocket screwdriver, and a couple of other tools that my kids bought from school sales for me over the years. They're exactly the quality you would expect, but those tools will go into the casket with me when I finally kick the bucket. They're terrible and I love them.

On the other hand, I have an old Easco 3/8 flex head ratchet that I don't particularly like. The detent spring is weak so the head flops around, but overall it's been just about indestructible. This thing has been with me through automotive school and jobs at three different shops over the years. The handle is long enough to give good leverage, and it actually works pretty well even though it feels junky and looks like a factory second. I still end up using it a lot but if it dies I'm replacing it with something like an SK.