Tools you know you’ll never use

[theoldwizard1]

I have a couple of distributor wrenches ! I'm keeping them so my son will have to ask somebody what were they ever used for !!

 

[AJHD]

Don't think I have any tools that I will never use. But like others, I certainly have tools that see rare or only occasional use, or tools that I will use for future automotive projects/repairs/maintenance.

Things change when you don't turn wrenches every day for a living, even basic tools like sockets and wrenches go months without being used.

 

[johnwiz1]

I have a distributor wrench, a set of ignition wrenches and I think a ignition screw driver.

 

[1cargarage]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them. If you have to use a breaker bar on an 8mm nut/bolt, you're either going to twist it off or your 1/4" ratchet *****.
Maybe it could get used with a tap socket, as it will transmit torque in both directions without having to reverse the selector, but I don't think I've ever reached for a 1/4" drive breaker bar.
The only reason I have them is they came with sets/lots of tools and I'm not one to throw an innocent tool away.

 

[SuperCat]

I have an oil can spout for a round oil can somewhere, but I can't remember the last time I've seen a round oil can. I guess I'll keep it just in case I find a stash of old oil....

 

[ecotec]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them. If you have to use a breaker bar on an 8mm nut/bolt, you're either going to twist it off or your 1/4" ratchet *****.
Maybe it could get used with a tap socket, as it will transmit torque in both directions without having to reverse the selector, but I don't think I've ever reached for a 1/4" drive breaker bar.
The only reason I have them is they came with sets/lots of tools and I'm not one to throw an innocent tool away.

I have never used a 1/4” or a 3/8” breaker bar.

 

[Tduby]

There is a tool lending library near me. Useful as a free rental place when they have something I don't have and they do. And if I have something I don't want to keep I can give it to them with the concept of borrowing it back if I need it again in the future.

Damn that would be nice to have I could probably convince my dad to in-hoard his stuff if he new it could be useful to other people

 

[mazdeuce]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them.

I think that's why I like them. The good ones are beautiful, well made, and nearly useless. They're art.

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I've never parted with a tool or spare that didn't end up biting me in the ***. There's always a repurpose. My granddad told me to keep anything seven years. If I haven't used it by then keep it another seven years. As soon as you let it go you'll find a need. So true.

 

[joel63]

I have an oil can spout for a round oil can somewhere, but I can't remember the last time I've seen a round oil can. I guess I'll keep it just in case I find a stash of old oil....

I have 2 of those. They were used.

And 4 distributer wrenches. These were used.

Clutch type screwdrivers. Never used.

Various small engine tools. Some used at one time, but probably never again.

I sure there are many more, but those come to mind right now.

 

[joel63]

I've never parted with a tool or spare that didn't end up biting me in the ***. There's always a repurpose. My granddad told me to keep anything seven years. If I haven't used it by then keep it another seven years. As soon as you let it go you'll find a need. So true.

Very smart granddad.

 

[Ton ton]

There is a tool lending library near me. Useful as a free rental place when they have something I don't have and they do. And if I have something I don't want to keep I can give it to them with the concept of borrowing it back if I need it again in the future.

I wish I had a tool lending library.

 

[Jack84]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them. If you have to use a breaker bar on an 8mm nut/bolt, you're either going to twist it off or your 1/4" ratchet *****.
Maybe it could get used with a tap socket, as it will transmit torque in both directions without having to reverse the selector, but I don't think I've ever reached for a 1/4" drive breaker bar.
The only reason I have them is they came with sets/lots of tools and I'm not one to throw an innocent tool away.

I have a couple and use them now and then.


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[Jack84]

Tool i’ll never use. My torque screwdriver.






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[Ilikeike]

I have a torque apex bit and 1/4" drivers, since 1992. never used them, but they're too nice to toss mil spec...out of the old F4 Phantom kit.

drum brake spring pliers.

Dwell meter.

 

[DeeKay]

I bought a nut splitter years ago and have never found it useful.

 

[dscheidt]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them. If you have to use a breaker bar on an 8mm nut/bolt, you're either going to twist it off or your 1/4" ratchet *****.
Maybe it could get used with a tap socket, as it will transmit torque in both directions without having to reverse the selector, but I don't think I've ever reached for a 1/4" drive breaker bar.
The only reason I have them is they came with sets/lots of tools and I'm not one to throw an innocent tool away.

I have one. I used to use it a fair amount. It's a flex head, so you can use it with the handle extended to break something loose or snug it up. When the fastener is loose, you turn it straight up, and spin it on or off, rolling the handle between your palms. Lots of fastners around that dont' require much torque, and have long threaded parts, and that makes quick work of getting them off or on, especially when stuff is old and cruddy so they won't just spin on like they do when new. Nowadays, I'd probably be using a cordless driver to do those jobs.

 

[PugetDude]

I've given away a few specialty tools I know I will never use again to GJ members who had indicated they needed them for a specific project or vehicle.
Would be nice to have a dedicated thread to facilitate Pay it Forward...

 

[didit]

I sold my last Harley but still have the cam tools, wheel bearing tools and a few others specialty tools taking up space but never will be used again by me. Likely will sell or offer to trade for Ford flathead tools. My South Bend 10K lathe takes up too much space for the amount of use it gets now a days too.

 

[1cargarage]

I have one. I used to use it a fair amount. It's a flex head, so you can use it with the handle extended to break something loose or snug it up. When the fastener is loose, you turn it straight up, and spin it on or off, rolling the handle between your palms. Lots of fastners around that dont' require much torque, and have long threaded parts, and that makes quick work of getting them off or on, especially when stuff is old and cruddy so they won't just spin on like they do when new. Nowadays, I'd probably be using a cordless driver to do those jobs.

That's what 99% of people use a ratchet for. Exactly to my point of why the 1/4" breaker bar is "useless".



If you have a round/swivel head ratchet...

 

[jgromada]

I bought a Ridgid Soil Pipe Cutter in preparation for a job replacing the cast iron drain pipe in my house. A new one costs over $500 but i found one on eBay for around $150. I ended up not using it and having a plumber do this as part of an even bigger job.

No issue i will put it back up on eBay and flip it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I don’t think I’ve used this in 30 years, but you never know.

 

[guitarbutt]

I have a couple of distributor wrenches ! I'm keeping them so my son will have to ask somebody what were they ever used for !!

I didn't know those existed.. My 87 truck has a distributor and it would have been handy to have. I'm ordering one now

 

[Oldsnapper]

1/4" drive breaker bars. I don't even know why they make them. If you have to use a breaker bar on an 8mm nut/bolt, you're either going to twist it off or your 1/4" ratchet *****.
Maybe it could get used with a tap socket, as it will transmit torque in both directions without having to reverse the selector, but I don't think I've ever reached for a 1/4" drive breaker bar.
The only reason I have them is they came with sets/lots of tools and I'm not one to throw an innocent tool away.

I don't use it much any more but I used to use mine to break loose diff pin lock bolts in GM rear wheel drive axles. I was just starting out in the trade as a mechanic and could't afford a long handled 5/16 Snap On wrench so I used what I had. 1/4" breaker bar and 5/16 socket just fit in. Not enough length to get 3/8 drive in or enough clearence to use a ratchet.

 

[got2boostit2]

Those darn Gearwrench selectable wrenches, just don't like them and have not used the set I bought.

 

[dalepres]

I wish I had a tool lending library.

My guess is that it would turn out like any other tool lending: the tools would forget the way home.

 

[bonneyman]

My homemade carbuerator adjustment tool.

 

[Patrick73RS]

What do you do with a tool you’ll know you’ll never use, or never use again?



Case in point. This is a pitman arm puller for an early 1970s GM. I had a ‘73 Buick that would fail the steering box lower seal about once a year. I got pretty fast at popping off the pitman arm, digging out the failed seal, and reassembling.

I sold the Buick in ‘92. I don’t have, likely never will have, anything that this puller fits. But, for some reason, I still have it, and can’t quite get rid of it.

Keep storing it, moving it around the garage? Or sell it?




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DM me and tell me what you want for it. I restore old cars

 

[DGersic]

I didn't know those existed.. My 87 truck has a distributor and it would have been handy to have. I'm ordering one now

I have several, in different shapes. But, I also have a car with a distributor, so they’re useful.



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[Chipm]

What about BUYING tools you'll probably never use? I have been shopping for the BMW E36 rear trailing arm bushing tools. I used one way back in the day and it was so much better than all of the aftermarket ones that came later. I will probably never so a set again, but I want that tool kit.

 

[RoninB4]

What about BUYING tools you'll probably never use? I have been shopping for the BMW E36 rear trailing arm bushing tools.

-It's not a fun job. I replaced all the rubber on my E36 but don't recall what I did with the tools. I believe I made all the tools for the job. I do recall using a hole saw to core the old bushings, feeling it was easier that way for some reason. Good luck.

 

[PMD1966]

Set of bits for clutch head screws. Have only seen clutch heads once in my life (76 yrs old), but I am ready if I see them again.

 

[Chipm]

(E36 trailing arm bushings) -It's not a fun job.

It is a breeze with the dealer tool. Three bolts to drop the carrier, hook up the puller, zip it out and in. I've also done the sawzall/homemade tool way and there is no comparison. It has probably been since 1997 or so and I am still enamored by that tool set.

 

[RoninB4]

It is a breeze with the dealer tool.

-Looked it up on bimmerworld and it looks simple enough. I probably balked at the $100 price and made something. My bushings were rather corroded/frozen in place from too many Chicago salted Winters.

 

[Chipm]

-Looked it up on bimmerworld and it looks simple enough. I probably balked at the $100 price and made something. My bushings were rather corroded/frozen in place from too many Chicago salted Winters.

The one on Bimmerworld is aftermarket. The dealer one was six or eight p/ns that added up to several hundred dollars back in the '90s. That is why the sawzall method and aftermarket options became so prevalent. The aftermarket ones work pretty well, and I've sone a bunch of bushings with them. But my brain is just fixed on the quality and ease of use of the dealer one. Like I said, I'll probably never so another set but for some reason I want that tool kit.

 

[Shoreline_]

I have some Rotunda stuff for the first gen Escape I most likely will never need again. All those have rotted out.