Useful hand tools beyond the normal set

[dtbingle]

Harbor Freight just sent out coupons for this weekend, good for 20% off (25% off for ITC members) any single socket, ratchet, wrench, or plier item.

I usually try to pick up a tool or two during these types of things that I don't really need, but might be nice to have at some point.
Toolbox is fairly well rounded with all of the standard length ratchets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/8" flexhead), sockets shallow/deep for those three drive sizes, standard length pliers, standard combination wrenches, etc.

My question: What tools in the socket, ratchet, wrench, or plier categories do you find very useful that's outside the basic set of tools?

For example, maybe a 3/8" long hand flex head ratchet? Or a stubby low profile 3/8" ratchet? Long 11-12" pliers with offset tips? Hose grip pliers? Swivel sockets? You get the idea....

 

[Firstram]

I picked up a 4:1 torque multiplier for cheap on ebay a while back, it has saved the day a few times!

 

[M6erfan]

Depends on what you work on. Next time you say to yourself "gee, I really wish I had a ______", buy it.

I'd suggest a hand impact driver like the Ko-ken Attack driver.

 

[ive]

I’d venture to say side cutter pliers. I don’t think that’s in the basic homeowner set. Nut setter screwdrivers as well.

 

[lardy1]

Read the recent threads regarding the Icon pliers wrench. If you don't already have that style of pliers, I'm pretty certain you will find them useful.

 

[m6z]

I was considering picking up this, but it's currently out of stock at my store.

Locking Flex Head Ratchet and Bit Set, 35-Piece

Amazing deals on this 35Pc Locking Flex Ratchet With Bits at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have the 1/2" drive and 1/4+3/8" drive extendable ratchets from Harbor Freight and they've gotten a ton of use. The 1/2" drive has really been stressed to the max and held up well.

The flex head ratcheting wrench sets come in handy quite often, if you only have standard ratcheting wrenches right now.

I would say it really depends on what type of work you do regularly, and what would be most useful to you.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I was considering picking up this, but it's currently out of stock at my store.

Locking Flex Head Ratchet and Bit Set, 35-Piece

Amazing deals on this 35Pc Locking Flex Ratchet With Bits at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I might have to look for one of those. I could've used it yesterday with the hex bits working on a commercial door, and those tamperproof torx would get a ton of use for me.

 

[Iridium rand]

There’s plenty, most you can usually get by without but make PITA jobs so much easier, heres a few off the top of my head:

-hand impact driver that you hit with a hammer and spare 5/16 bits

-thin as possible bit ratchet

-hose clamp and push pin pliers

-pliers wrench (you’ll never want to use a crescent again)

-magnetic power driver sockets and offset bit adapter (skewdriver type i mean)

-die grinder and carbide burrs

-screw removal pliers with vertical serrations on jaws, vise grip version too

-bolt biter sockets or any of your preferred type of extractors

-end nippers for when you need a different angle than side cutters

-high leverage/compound action side cutters, makes a HUGE difference when cutting a lot of hard stuff like fence wire

-rotator ratchet or swivel head so you can use it like a screwdriver when bolt is broken loose and rotators make it super easy when you have a tight swing arc

 

[Gurp]

Square Drive Socket Caps, 3 Pc.

Amazing deals on this 3Pc Square Dr Socket Caps at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I have a old craftsmen set at home and a westward set at work. Wouldn't believe how many times they have saved me.

 

[Ton ton]

The claw hammers@ harbor freight are pretty decent value. The wood handle ones are better than the fiberglass. I have used both versions.

 

[GeoBruin]

I was just at Harbor freight this morning and they've got a nice set of Icon branded flush cut pliers that look really nice. Of course the pliers wrench and Cobra copy seem like good choices and the raptor (parrot) looks neat.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Wobble impact extensions.

 

[drtyler]

The longer length versions of 1/4" and 3/8" drive ratchets are a must have, in my opinion.

You don't always have room for the 11" 3/8" drive ratchet, but it sure helps to have the leverage when needed. Same for the 8 to 9" 1/4" drive ratchets.

 

[marak]

Nylon jaw parallel jaw pliers.

Can be a bit pricey, but work well for loosening/tightening small nuts without mucking up the finish. Having the jaws stay parallel gives better holding strength in certain situations.

 

[engineer2]

Hose clamp pliers.

 

[silkman]

There’s plenty, most you can usually get by without but make PITA jobs so much easier, heres a few off the top of my head:

-hand impact driver that you hit with a hammer and spare 5/16 bits

-thin as possible bit ratchet

-hose clamp and push pin pliers

-pliers wrench (you’ll never want to use a crescent again)

-magnetic power driver sockets and offset bit adapter (skewdriver type i mean)

-die grinder and carbide burrs

-screw removal pliers with vertical serrations on jaws, vise grip version too

-bolt biter sockets or any of your preferred type of extractors

-end nippers for when you need a different angle than side cutters

-high leverage/compound action side cutters, makes a HUGE difference when cutting a lot of hard stuff like fence wire

-rotator ratchet or swivel head so you can use it like a screwdriver when bolt is broken loose and rotators make it super easy when you have a tight swing arc

As said above, the bold ones are lifesavers for me.

To add:
-Thin jaw crescent wrench, every other crescent/adjustable wrench has been replaced by Knipex pliers wrench, but the latter doesn't fit everywhere.
-Extra long 250mm or more 1/4" ratchet and 1/4" hex impact extensions. I use these all the time in the car and in places where the dewalt impact 1/4 hex won't fit. True lifesaver, but you need to make sure they lock well, you don't want to lose a bit or a socket in the depths of the engine bay.

 

[dtbingle]

Making this thread was a bad idea for the wallet haha.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Bought a few items that would've helped in previous PITA situations as @M6erfan suggested. Also, wrote down a few more from the suggestions for future pickups.

Here's today's haul:
Harbor freight Icon hose pliers and locking flex head bit ratchet (link here and here)


Was also going to purchase the Icon 11" long reach pliers, straight and bent, but $25 ea was a bit on the high side and the $5.99 pittsburgh ones felt too cheap.

Ended up ordering the Sunex 3600V plier set instead (4pc long reach/long nose 11" - link here), ~$15 ea seems more appropriate.

 

[speed bump]

1-1/8 wrenches for every place you touch a regulator, 1-5/16 socket, 19 or 21 mm sockets and. 24 inch breaker bar for the car.

 

[captain14]

I have the 1/2" drive and 1/4+3/8" drive extendable ratchets from Harbor Freight and they've gotten a ton of use. The 1/2" drive has really been stressed to the max and held up well.

The flex head ratcheting wrench sets come in handy quite often, if you only have standard ratcheting wrenches right now.

I would say it really depends on what type of work you do regularly, and what would be most useful to you.

I was just looking at this 1/4 and 3/8 extension ratchet this afternoon on the website after reading the email….

 

[m6z]

I grabbed the last parrot nose pliers at my store. Seemed worth $20 on sale.

My store's inventory is still pretty spotty. Icon pliers section was pretty much bare. They did have a few different sizes of snap ring pliers, but that was it.

 

[Old Donn]

A pair of Channelock or Knipex pliers, (whatever your preference), would be a good addition.

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO, for the homeowner/shade tree mechanic, 1/2" ratchets and sockets are a waste of money. The only 1/2" tools I use are a Sunex flip lug nut set and a HF extra long breaker bar. The rest of my complete 1/2" set is in the back of the bottom drawer of my roll away.

One tool I should have bought long ago is an extra long needle nose pliers set from HF. Great for getting into tight spots. If you work on small engines a lot, hose pliers are useful.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The flex head ratcheting wrench come in handy quite often, if you only have standard ratcheting wrenches right now.

I would almost call it a life saver or at least a double duty tool. My "go to" 3/8" ratchet is quite short. My flex head 3/8" ratchet gives me a lot of extra torque and I don't need a breaker bar.

 

[WWheeler]

I'd strongly suggest a nice pair of angled side cutters (diagonal pliers). I highly recommend Snap-on 312CF, KNIPEX 7421250, or Klein D2489ST as they were all made to handle cutting a lot more than wire which is important because a good pair of side cutters are a go to for tackling cotter pins, grabbing and pulling and twisting just generally chewing through a lot of stuff you run into needed to get the job done. The kind of stuff that will destroy the jaws on most side cutters on day one, those three can last years of that type of abuse.

EDIT: Since the OP mentions Horror Fright, I see they have a pair of 'Doyle' brand that look the part just a little shorter at 8" than ideal. How long will they hold up to typical (ab)use? I have no idea. They are cheap at under $20 and say they have "100% Lifetime Guarantee" so there's that.

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-high-leverage-diagonal-cutting-pliers-with-angled-head-63826.html

 

[Crazyjake8493]

IMHO, for the homeowner/shade tree mechanic, 1/2" ratchets and sockets are a waste of money. The only 1/2" tools I use are a Sunex flip lug nut set and a HF extra long breaker bar. The rest of my complete 1/2" set is in the back of the bottom drawer of my roll away.

One tool I should have bought long ago is an extra long needle nose pliers set from HF. Great for getting into tight spots. If you work on small engines a lot, hose pliers are useful.

I have a few different pairs of the extra long needlenose pliers and though they don't get much use, they've been priceless when I've needed them. I've used the just as much for electrical work as I have around the shop, pulling wires out of deep boxes or fishing wires in walls and such.

For homeowner use I agree 1/2" drive might not be necessary, but anyone who does their own automotive work at home beyond oil changes and brake jobs should have a 1/2" drive set of impact sockets and a 1/2" breaker bar. Especially if they plan on getting an impact wrench.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I rarely use regular ratchets. It’s almost always a long handle flex head because of the amount of leverage you get from them. I use a regular ratchet or stubby when I need something for a tighter space. Now im usually working on rusty Michigan vehicles so the extra leverage is needed

 

[ex-x-fire]

Gearwrench set 81602. Saved me a few times in tight spots. You can use the bits with sockets and wrenches.

 

[Ton ton]

I use 1/2" pretty regular either with impact gun or long handle ratchet. I'm not a mechanic either.

 

[VolvoRyan]

IMHO, for the homeowner/shade tree mechanic, 1/2" ratchets and sockets are a waste of money.

Shirley, you can't be serious.

For example, maybe a 3/8" long hand flex head ratchet? Or a stubby low profile 3/8" ratchet? Long 11-12" pliers with offset tips? Hose grip pliers? Swivel sockets? You get the idea....

Pretty much all of these. What are you working on? Try to remember the last time you had to find a workaround or skinned your knuckles, then ask if a tool will solve that problem.

Probably the least glorious, but most useful tool buys is a complete set of extensions.... from real short to as long as they make.

-Ryan

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Not a HF buy but more of a pawnshop/flea market/yardsale thing--

Got a tool that needs a particular size wrench or screwdriver to change tooling or make an adjustment? When you get the chance buy the individual one cheap. Often you can get a better one than came with the tool.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

For HF one of my better purchases was a set of long handled hose pliers. Not just for hoses--I used them multiple times to hold a nut somewhere so I could put the bolt in from the other side.

 

[kbeefy]

Plier wrench (knipex/icon)
XL 3/8 ratchet
Stubby 3/8 ratchet
Hose Clamp pliers
double jointed extended reach pliers
soft jaw water pump pliers (cannon plug pliers)

 

[snickers muncher]

The HF extendable 1/2 ratchet is very handy. Once I got a long flex head 3/8 ratchet my others rarely got used.

 

[unslow1]

The HF extendable 1/2 ratchet is very handy. Once I got a long flex head 3/8 ratchet my others rarely got used.

I keep them in the vehicles. They are very handy for changing tires.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

i always keep a extra set of those cheap HF wrench sets for when I need a wrench that has to be a shorter length, say when you need a 2" long wrench you can take a cut off wheel to one of those wrenches and make the exact wrench you need without to much economic pain. saved me more than once

 

[Kscardsfan]

Articulated long reach needle nose pliers are damned handy when you’re in a narrow, small, deep space and gotta grab something.

 

[f121]

First thing I would buy starting out would be a long handled 1/2” ratchet. Then a decent set of big pliers, big wire cutters and needle nose pliers. Then a 18” pry bar. After that, 3/8 flex ratchet, impacts , etc

 

[crewchief888]

i always keep a extra set of those cheap HF wrench sets for when I need a wrench that has to be a shorter length, say when you need a 2" long wrench you can take a cut off wheel to one of those wrenches and make the exact wrench you need without to much economic pain. saved me more than once

most of the wrenches ive cut off have been CM and SK DBE's. i learned the hard way a long time ago using a cheap wrench for a cut off. i have some bonney service wrenches in larger sizes

 

[ATC]

One of the handiest tools I had in my first tool kit was a 8" pry bar. Saved the abuse on screwdrivers.