Tools you know you’ll never use

[DGersic]

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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[Jack84]

Do tools you acquired as nice to have count? In that case I have some.


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[CGarage]

Sell it and put the use you had for it in the description. It will help someone with a Buick for sure.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I could never part with a tool lol no matter how much or how little it is used. That seems like it could be used on multiple applications though I have found most pitman arms take the same size puller from my experience that’s why I only have two one for work and one for home lol and they are the same size never have needed a different one. Instead of parting with tools i buy tools every week some off the truck the pawn shop and multiple places between work home and all of my vehicles I still have no room for all of them I just wish I had a garage at home lol. Some of them I haven’t used cause I haven’t needed to or have multiples of them.


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[ChevyEFI]

Because of infrequency of use, I rent those. Because the rentals ****, I buy them. They fail, and it becomes a rental situation thusly. It's compact, it works, and it may work on the rods too. Keep it.

 

[MikeF2316]

I would make the same logical argument to myself as you made, and then keep it. I still have a tool to adjust valves on a motorcycle I sold 25 years ago.

 

[DGersic]

Ok, back in the box it goes, along with the crankshaft seal installer for the Dakota V6, and the 700R4 shift seal installer, and other similar tools I may need again someday, but probably won’t.



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[Bighead38]

I have a 65 and 73 Oldsmobile. Never mind all the other junk I’m always working on. Send it to me and I will promise to give it a good home.

 

[Monte]

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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I bet it will work on all full frame GM cars up to 1996....so don´t throw it away.....yet...

 

[jonesg]

make the tool fit the job.
I welded a spacer ring to a rusted on snowblower wheel, then used a grinder to make the puller fit the spacer. Worked a charm.
A bit of imagination and can do attitude.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Being that I started about 10 years ago so, I figured I'd be able to make it through my career without a Northstar water pump socket. Unfortunately about 2 years ago I had to call the part store to order one. I doubt I will ever use that socket again.

 

[HenryAZ]

I've thrown some unused tools in with a larger item I was selling. They weren't related, but it added "value" to the sale. I was able to sell the big item more quickly, I believe, and I'm rid of some things I don't use. No money really for the unused things, but value for me in the sense it helped move the sale along.

 

[wood02]

I use to use my 12 lb. sledge hammer. I know I will never use it again. I have busted a lot of concrete with it in my day.

 

[RoninB4]

Point file, dwell meter, and a couple of Uni-syn gauges for synchronizing dual side draft carbs. Also have several shop made tools for bikes/cars I no longer own but I made all those.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

I have a really nice Mitutoyo inner bore micrometer... I'm sure I'll find something I want to measure some day.

Beyond that, I am currently invested about $2000 into some specialty tools for an engine which I don't even own... Apparently some people are making a killing renting them out. I'll probably just ebay them at some point.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Those pullers in the OP are pretty much always useful. I'm not sure how those things could possibly sit unused in other peoples boxes. I have a few different sizes and I use the different size ones on different things (usually comes down to just finding what fits a given application best) but to me, it makes no difference that they are sold as "pittman arm pullers" because I've never even used that kind on a pittman arm. I have 2 or 3 sizes of that style of puller and I've used every single one on ball joints in various cars.

For me, for the most part, the more appropriate answer is "everything SAE" - though I did pick up some concrete anchors to install my new air compressor and those are SAE. so I guess it's not 100% irrelevent. But close.

I don't have a lot of outdated tools (because I don't work on old cars), I don't think, so not too much else to answer here.

 

[Lassen Forge]

If you really want to get rid of it, donate it to an autoshop program at a local community college. The only problem is as soon as you do, you'll need it - your kid will buy a 90's GM or have some other application where they need or can use this puller. Or you will.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

 

[Mick56]

I've had a few tools that I didn't think I would ever use again, I threw them in with the car when I sold it.

 

[CJM8515]

yea SAE is about the only thing i havent used in some time. most everything is metric now

 

[FuzzyTiger]

For me, for the most part, the more appropriate answer is "everything SAE" - though I did pick up some concrete anchors to install my new air compressor and those are SAE. so I guess it's not 100% irrelevent. But close.

Absolutely right. I recently came to that realization and pulled out all my SAE stuff from my toolbox. Saved a ton of space and I haven't had to go look at them in weeks.

 

[pwschuh]

If I had a specialty tool for a specific car and sold the car, I would present the tool to the new owner and explain what it was for.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few sockets i bought over 20 years ago that sit never used in my box. they were bought for a specific engine's head and rod bolts.
i left there before i got a chance to use them.....


ive picked up some stuff over the years dumpster diving or cheap at a pawn shop/yard sale, i'll probably never use, or dont really have a reason to use. they sit in one of my boxes in the garage.

 

[m6z]

You may never use it for it's intended purpose again, but it may prove useful again in some other application.

 

[Movin/on]

Saved a Landis pipe threader from the scrap yard Think it's for up to 4" pipe. This thing is 5 ft. long and around 4ft. tall. All cast iron. 3" flat belt to a large chain drive then geared. I got it with about 15 sets of dies. Never will use it but it's really a nice antique piece of Machinery. I've also got the operations manual.
Second: a 18" JET COM (cut off machine) 10HP 3400 RPM electric motor. 18 inch abrasive discs.
Third: Sharpe rite stroke metal shaper.
Forth:3 Petxco type bench mount metal edger's.

I'll have to dig in and get a few of my "never will use" hand tools. I've got space to store these so it's kind of like keeping a piece of history.

Movin/on

 

[MikeF2316]

Point file, dwell meter, and a couple of Uni-syn gauges for synchronizing dual side draft carbs. Also have several shop made tools for bikes/cars I no longer own but I made all those.

That reminds me, I have 2 timing lights, mine and my dad's. I can't see ever using either again. I haven't had a car that needed a timing light in more than 20 years.

If you really want to get rid of it, donate it to an autoshop program at a local community college. The only problem is as soon as you do, you'll need it - your kid will buy a 90's GM or have some other application where they need or can use this puller. Or you will.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

This is kind of a rule. The fastest way to find a use for something is to get rid of it.

 

[bwringer]

I have this Motion Pro 90 degree carb tuning screwdriver with assorted bits for twiddling the adjustments on deeply buried carburetor banks.

It's beautifully made, and a pleasure to hold and spin.

However, thus far it has proven entirely useless. I've tried using it while adjusting mixtures on several motorcycles, and it just doesn't work for any of them. It can't, actually, you know, reach and turn the screws on any motorcycles I've ever worked on.

Sure is pretty, though.

 

[Iowafox]

Hey I have a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme I could use this tool if you wanted it gone!
But yes I have a few tools like that. One is something most people have is the old style brake line flare tool. I have one I never used and i just got a inline flare tool that works 100% easier. I will odds are never use the old one again. Same as a few sockets I modified for a special job as well as wrenches. I made them work for what I needed and then now they just sit as a reminder of what I did and they have a story to tell. I am sure as the years go by more and more I will have alot more of these tools. Odds are I will keep them all and pass them down to my kids someday.

 

[DGersic]

You may never use it for it's intended purpose again, but it may prove useful again in some other application.

That’s what worries me. If I keep it, I know I’ll never need it. If I sell it, I’ll need the damn thing and I’ll have to go buy another one. The new one will, of course, be made of Chinesium, and will fail on first use.



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[DGersic]

I have this Motion Pro 90 degree carb tuning screwdriver with assorted bits for twiddling the adjustments on deeply buried carburetor banks.



It's beautifully made, and a pleasure to hold and spin.



However, thus far it has proven entirely useless. I've tried using it while adjusting mixtures on several motorcycles, and it just doesn't work for any of them. It can't, actually, you know, reach and turn the screws on any motorcycles I've ever worked on.



Sure is pretty, though.

That thing looks pretty, indeed, but I can’t see how you would ever actually use it.



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[DGersic]

Hey I have a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme I could use this tool if you wanted it gone!
But yes I have a few tools like that. One is something most people have is the old style brake line flare tool. I have one I never used and i just got a inline flare tool that works 100% easier. I will odds are never use the old one again. Same as a few sockets I modified for a special job as well as wrenches. I made them work for what I needed and then now they just sit as a reminder of what I did and they have a story to tell. I am sure as the years go by more and more I will have alot more of these tools. Odds are I will keep them all and pass them down to my kids someday.

I have two sets of flaring tools. The cheap auto parts store set is the one that gets lent out to people that I don’t know well enough to loan good tools to.

Homemade tools are different. I have a few of those too, definitely never going to be used again for what I made them for, but I’ll keep those. Someday, they’ll turn up here in a “what is this” thread.

Maybe we should start a picture gallery of homemade tools, so our heirs, or auction attendees, can figure out what these things were for.



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[DGersic]

Those pullers in the OP are pretty much always useful. I'm not sure how those things could possibly sit unused in other peoples boxes. I have a few different sizes and I use the different size ones on different things (usually comes down to just finding what fits a given application best) but to me, it makes no difference that they are sold as "pittman arm pullers" because I've never even used that kind on a pittman arm. I have 2 or 3 sizes of that style of puller and I've used every single one on ball joints in various cars.

For me, for the most part, the more appropriate answer is "everything SAE" - though I did pick up some concrete anchors to install my new air compressor and those are SAE. so I guess it's not 100% irrelevent. But close.

I don't have a lot of outdated tools (because I don't work on old cars), I don't think, so not too much else to answer here.

The HF ball joint tool works surprisingly well on ball joints.

Full set of SAE tools here, that get plenty of use between the hot rod and the rusty Dakota. The Dakota is mostly metric, but rust has reduced the fasteners to “whatever you can get to fit or hammer on” size.




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[ssdave]

I'm continually selling tools that I don't need. My thought is if there's any doubt, sell it. Here's the rationale:

Most of us store 95 things for every 5 that we use. Most of them could be sold for 20% of their value to replace them easily.

So, sell all of them for 20% of value, and rebuy the few that you need for 5% of the total lot value. You're money ahead, and didn't have to store them all.

 

[harley jim]

I have two sets of flaring tools. The cheap auto parts store set is the one that gets lent out to people that I don’t know well enough to loan good tools to.

Homemade tools are different. I have a few of those too, definitely never going to be used again for what I made them for, but I’ll keep those. Someday, they’ll turn up here in a “what is this” thread.

Maybe we should start a picture gallery of homemade tools, so our heirs, or auction attendees, can figure out what these things were for.



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Got you covered

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434692

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[wafrederick]

Clip removal and installation tool for holding the final drives in GM 4T60E transaxles made by Kent Moore.Have not done a 4T60E transaxle for a long time and have used it a few times

 

[SuperCat]

I vote for keeping that stuff and/or repurposing it as needed in the future. Many tools can be used a lot of different ways or modified to fit a specific job. You already paid for it, so get as much value out of it as you can.

 

[rharman]

I would make the same logical argument to myself as you made, and then keep it. I still have a tool to adjust valves on a motorcycle I sold 25 years ago.

Not too long ago I tossed the mag puller and case splitting tools from my 1973 Husqvarna... Clutch holder from my 1976(?) YZ-125 Monoshock too.

Still have the dial indicator, plug adapter, and points checker for timing them should they ever reappear in my life.

Not mine but representative pic.

 

[dffay]

My dad, ever the salvage yard cruiser, got a freebie deal on a brand new tool set.
It’s a Teletype machine repair kit.

Uh.......sure.

 

[brollona]

That thing looks pretty, indeed, but I can’t see how you would ever actually use it.



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Ha, I almost bought similar tool some time ago. It looks cool but I started to think where will I need it and I couldn't think of anything that I cannot reach with screwdriver or bit ratchet. So thank God I didn't get it.


The tool that I have and still never used it, is set of retaining ring (circlip) pliers. When you need them they are life saver but so far I never needed it for my home use. Few things that I have done on car or motorcycle never required that tool.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My dad, ever the salvage yard cruiser, got a freebie deal on a brand new tool set.
It’s a Teletype machine repair kit.

Uh.......sure.

You can always put it on a ham radio flea market site... lots of hams use old TTY machines, and I bet you would get something for it.

 

[Jland]

yea SAE is about the only thing i havent used in some time. most everything is metric now

Man I hear that a lot, funny thing is my sickle bar mower, tiller, harley, radial arm and table saw, band saw, bench grinders....on and on are all sae