Ipassgas
Well-known member
Also my most useless tool. I bought it for myself though - on super clearance for $3.
I have tried to use it twice. Found it useful zero times.
What are/(were) your most USELESS tools?
- Thread starter GarageWarrior
- Start date
Also my most useless tool. I bought it for myself though - on super clearance for $3.
I have tried to use it twice. Found it useful zero times.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
Good for you as you're teaching them the correct way to be in a shop.
iron block
Well-known member
My most useless tool purchase, hands down, was the SPQR ClickAdjust tappet adjustment tool. "Operating time reduced to seconds - with accuracy guaranteed." "No feeler gauge required". "it's so simple!"
Baloney.
Used it exactly once, found that the play was so large that the whole thing was a joke. Back to box wrench and screwdriver and never looked back.
Baloney.
Used it exactly once, found that the play was so large that the whole thing was a joke. Back to box wrench and screwdriver and never looked back.
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jeff lary
Well-known member
I agree I love mine
I wrote the above in what I thought was a " quick reply to this message" the post I was trying to quote was sayin that he liked the robogrip pliers.
I wrote the above in what I thought was a " quick reply to this message" the post I was trying to quote was sayin that he liked the robogrip pliers.
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JJThrasher
Well-known member
Great for lube techs. I loaned mine to our quicklube tool box and now our two oil change guys fight over it.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
19/32 and 25/32 sockets. Ya they might be useful if I lost my mind and bought a flathead ford? Never have owned a ford, and the few recent ones I have worked on make me think I never will!
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
If you're talking about something like this, they're really nice if you're installing or replacing a bunch of outlet/switch covers. Or anything with a lot of screws that aren't super tight.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-6-in-Interchangeable-Rapi-Driv-Screwdriver-67100/202922672
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
For me, it'd have to be my Bionic wrench, bench buffer, and any multi-screwdrivers where the bits store in the hollow handles.
Also, I might as well get rid of all my flashlights besides my Craftsman C3 and mini Maglite. Everything else is always dead because I forget to charge them.
Also, I might as well get rid of all my flashlights besides my Craftsman C3 and mini Maglite. Everything else is always dead because I forget to charge them.
bottom feeder
Well-known member
I just finished reading through this entire thread and was surprised nobody mentioned the "Smart Wrench" (actually a socket). It's similar to the self-adjusting socket with the round metal pins, only the Smart Wrench had multiple V-shaped interior pieces that were supposed to lock on to whatever size bolt head or nut you pushed into it.
When I first saw them advertised on TV I thought they were ridiculous. However, a very kind and well meaning relative who has since passed away gave one to me as a gift, and I still have it. I tried it a few times just to see if it would work and it never did.
When I first saw them advertised on TV I thought they were ridiculous. However, a very kind and well meaning relative who has since passed away gave one to me as a gift, and I still have it. I tried it a few times just to see if it would work and it never did.
laser3kw
Well-known member
well, if you ran across my thread in the general tool forum, you would know that this is my most useless tool:
this is due to the air consumption listed is way misleading. You need a true 5 hp compressor or larger just to begin to use it.
this is due to the air consumption listed is way misleading. You need a true 5 hp compressor or larger just to begin to use it.
n20junkie
Well-known member
Plasma cutter.
Costs big money and I used many other tools that good as good or better of a job with less spark spray, less damage from the arc and less risk of setting stuff in fire.
Costs big money and I used many other tools that good as good or better of a job with less spark spray, less damage from the arc and less risk of setting stuff in fire.
Tony G
Well-known member
Maybe not useful these days but non ratcheting offset screw drivers were great for retightening loose 1 barrel Chevy carburetor bowl to base screws back in the day. It was common to find a carburetor loosely twisting several degrees and leaking vacuum when performing a tune up. A ratcheting version would not fit. Before that the larger offsets were good for adjusting steering drag links.
Firebird 1
Well-known member
Dremel tool. I have used mine less than half a dozen time in 10 yrs or so. And the bits/accessories are super expensive. Also a rotozip, same deal, used once or twice went back to a keyhole saw. Something I bought years ago was a "limited edition" polished case porter cable half sheet sander. I think I used it once. Not long after I bought it r.o. sanders came out. It is very pretty to look at though.
n20junkie
Well-known member
I iuse my cordless dremel almost every day, and have for years. Deburring tubes, fiberglass work, lexan stuff as well. For a race car builder they are damn handy.
I told my son he would probably never see a 19/32 heavy hex nut. A week later, I found one on the brakes of a 1951 Farmall tractor. I still haven't found a 25/32. Maybe someday I will.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Useless tools? Not very many.
Tie rod sockets. I have several, courtesy of Dear Old Dad. I've never in my life seen a tie rod that had an adjustment. Must be a WWII military thing.
I can think of several disappointing ones, though:
1. Every rechargeable battery I've ever owned, in particular the ones exclusive to my two cordless drills. The drills were dead every time I needed them; and once fully-charged, would last almost long enough to finish the job. I would end up dragging an extension cord (or air hose) and using a real goddam drill; one having an external source of reliable power. With three or four times the torque, and one-hundreth the headache.
2. A "Vortex" device which accepts compressed air at the inlet in the middle, and dispenses hot and cold air at opposite ends. I have mostly used it to cool off in summer heat. The idea is that the cold-air end will chill automatic chokes so they can be rapidly re-tested instead of letting the car sit overnight. Great idea, not actually cold enough in practice.
3. Consumer-grade Chilton, Haynes, and other "light" repair manuals. They tell you how to do most of the stuff you already know, and fail to mention all the stuff you actually need help with.
4. The Harbor Fright air ratchet I bought in '84. What a weak-*** piece of junk. I could hold the socket with my hand while the ratchet head vibrated but didn't move far enough to engage the next tooth.
5. Every universal-joint or universal-joint socket I ever saw that used roll-pins to hold the thing together. Outright dangerous--they don't just fail, they explode, leaving sharp bits 'n' pieces that slice skin.
6. Cheap multimeters. What good does it do to take a measurement of something when you already know the meter isn't trustworthy?
7. Single-stage air compressors. Even worse: Single-stage air compressors that run off of a fifteen- or twenty-amp 120V outlet. They give good air tools a bad name.
Tie rod sockets. I have several, courtesy of Dear Old Dad. I've never in my life seen a tie rod that had an adjustment. Must be a WWII military thing.
I can think of several disappointing ones, though:
1. Every rechargeable battery I've ever owned, in particular the ones exclusive to my two cordless drills. The drills were dead every time I needed them; and once fully-charged, would last almost long enough to finish the job. I would end up dragging an extension cord (or air hose) and using a real goddam drill; one having an external source of reliable power. With three or four times the torque, and one-hundreth the headache.
2. A "Vortex" device which accepts compressed air at the inlet in the middle, and dispenses hot and cold air at opposite ends. I have mostly used it to cool off in summer heat. The idea is that the cold-air end will chill automatic chokes so they can be rapidly re-tested instead of letting the car sit overnight. Great idea, not actually cold enough in practice.
3. Consumer-grade Chilton, Haynes, and other "light" repair manuals. They tell you how to do most of the stuff you already know, and fail to mention all the stuff you actually need help with.
4. The Harbor Fright air ratchet I bought in '84. What a weak-*** piece of junk. I could hold the socket with my hand while the ratchet head vibrated but didn't move far enough to engage the next tooth.
5. Every universal-joint or universal-joint socket I ever saw that used roll-pins to hold the thing together. Outright dangerous--they don't just fail, they explode, leaving sharp bits 'n' pieces that slice skin.
6. Cheap multimeters. What good does it do to take a measurement of something when you already know the meter isn't trustworthy?
7. Single-stage air compressors. Even worse: Single-stage air compressors that run off of a fifteen- or twenty-amp 120V outlet. They give good air tools a bad name.
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58Yeoman
Well-known member
I have/had a 19/32 1/2" drive socket, and it cracked. I can't even remember what I used it for. Sears didn't have a replacement. They gave me a metric equivalent.
gearheads78
Well-known member
30" Shear/Press brake/Slip roll from HF. Takes up room and completely useless for what I do.
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-shear-press-brake-and-slip-roll-5907.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-shear-press-brake-and-slip-roll-5907.html
Those are among my worst too...thankfully I was able to return them, and got the ratchets instead, which are awesome.
Only purchase that may have been worse was the Crescent
SAE/Metric Quick-Convert T-Handle Nut Driver Set, bought them for my mobile box, thinking I'd save myself carrying two sets...They are now on display to remind me that universal tools aren't.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
30" Shear/Press brake/Slip roll from HF. Takes up room and completely useless for what I do.
http://www.harborfreight.com/30-inch-shear-press-brake-and-slip-roll-5907.html
What did You find to be the biggest downfall on that machine? A good one would come in handy at times; so if in the market for a machine, it helps to know what short ******* may be shared with competitive brands.
Milton Shaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,836
One of the best tools I have never had to use is a 100' flat plumbers snake. Just having it has assured that I have never had clog/root problem in any lines. That has been hanging on the wall 40 years and Never had to be used at my house.. It has been loaned out several times on weekend emergency panic clean outs with basement back ups from upstairs toilets. Milwaukee 1/2 inch hammer drill. Great drill k for wood and metal but even in hammer mode does not drill concrete/brick like a Milwaukee SDS or SDS Max. That hammer drill takes at least 10 times as long to drill concrete as SDS and you are always having to stop and tighten the drill chuck at least 2 times on each hole..
glentre
Well-known member
Most useless tools........anything with the name "Black and Decker"
Glen
Glen
My old buddy who had a tool repair business called these **** and pecker.
beelsr
Well-known member
This boot expander. When I first opened my shop I got a rig in with a torn CV boot. Thought I was supposed to just change the boot, realised later that it's better to change the whole axle. Used once. Cost like $250 and did a $50 job. It's a wonder I survived that first year.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
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beelsr
Well-known member
I was looking for one of those to put in the "Home Colonoscopy Kit" I made up for my ister-in-law.
Snap-on air gasket scraper. Sometime in the 70s I think. Still have it along with that way expensive Snap-on timing light that I haven't used in 20 years.
Maybe time for A CL ad & see if some dimwit with $ needs them.
Lots of small Snap-on stuff that caught my eye and turned out to be more useless than useful.
Joe H
Maybe time for A CL ad & see if some dimwit with $ needs them.
Lots of small Snap-on stuff that caught my eye and turned out to be more useless than useful.
Joe H
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Those pneumatic gasket scrapers needed to be tamed down using an inline pressure regulator.. I still have the broken remains of the one I bought.
Does that timing light have the degree advance ? I still work on some old relics on occasion, and could use one..
Yep, I am actually looking for one.isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I bought a Snap-On crimp and strip combination tool, number PWC28A. I am sad to see MADE IN USA on the tool. This tool does not do anything well, if at all. I cannot return the tool because I cut the useless wire-cutter end off.
I will edit in a picture when I get home for supper. GRRRRR!!!
I will edit in a picture when I get home for supper. GRRRRR!!!
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Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
ISB, mine was made by AMP and you're right about its crimp and strip functions but I keep it around to shorten small screws. Saves having to get out a file or die to clean up the threads after cutting.
gtae07
Well-known member
I have a tool like that and it doesn't cut aerospace screws worth a ****. It crimps and strips poorly too, so I got real crimpers and strippers.
Most useless tool I have is three strap wrenches. Two didn't work at all, and the third stretched too far and broke.
Now, if we get into tools I own but have not used yet...
Most useless tool I have is three strap wrenches. Two didn't work at all, and the third stretched too far and broke.
Now, if we get into tools I own but have not used yet...
BoilermakerFan
Well-known member
+1! I had a Fram oil filter on an old 351W block I could not get off the block. Tried two different filter wrenches, then bought a Husky rubber strap wrench. All it did was mangle the filter. I finally just punched my HD Milwaukee screwdriver through it, then hit it with my 16oz deadblow to break it free.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
Here is another useless vintage tool that was given to me by a friend's mother. Yes, it is a hand cranked ********. She told me it did not work for her because the gears are very loud and cranking like mad was distracting.
To adjust the intensity of the vibe, the rotating disc can be set off centre.
To adjust the intensity of the vibe, the rotating disc can be set off centre.
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Mine has an aluminum handle and I was able to improve the grip by filing grooves in the handle.
Even with a regulator it was useless, but I only worked on Jags. Maybe for cast iron heads it's good for something.
Yes, light has an advance gizmo. Been so long since I used it I don't remember how it works. Might have the instructions in the case, or not.
Joe H
Yes, light has an advance gizmo. Been so long since I used it I don't remember how it works. Might have the instructions in the case, or not.
Joe H
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Before I owned a pressure washer I bought a Sears Hydro Wonder Washer II. You hook it up to your garden hose and your compressed air and then....
... you make a lot of noise. It has a siphon connection so you can add soap, degreaser or maybe bleach to clean something. As a pressure washer it won't even remove mildew from concrete. It has two valves to control the water and air but they just change the noise.
These are the only two pictures I will ever have of this waste of money because it went in the garbage after I removed the quick connects.
... you make a lot of noise. It has a siphon connection so you can add soap, degreaser or maybe bleach to clean something. As a pressure washer it won't even remove mildew from concrete. It has two valves to control the water and air but they just change the noise.
These are the only two pictures I will ever have of this waste of money because it went in the garbage after I removed the quick connects.
6768rogues
Banned
Power roller painter. Bought one years ago because we wanted to paint all our rooms. The first one didn't work right and died. Returned it and got a second where the button stuck and it pumped paint all over my arm before I could turn it off. They are a nightmare to clean. Took it back for a refund and went back to a roller and frame.
The modern stuff is pretty bad, but they used to make good tools.