Tools you did not know you needed (potential Xmas ideas)

[Rannsachair]

Not sure if this thread has been done before, but what less common tools do you have that are really useful at times.

I can start with:

Spring puller (i use it for motorbike stand springs) either bought or home made:

Teng Pick set - handy for lots of things - removing o-rings, clearing orifices etc:

Cheap stud extractor set - did a great job taking out the broken studs on my broken trident exhaust studs:

A tool I bought is Schipol airport duty free about 30 years ago - originally for listening to hydraulic components, but hand for listening to old motorbike engines and rumbling bearings:

Veritas Optical center punch: as my short sighted vision has aged they are a great help to accurately punch centres:

Right angled drill head (was given it) helped me out a few times where a drill would not fit:

A set of spit ring spanners - saves rounding off pipe fittings like on brake pipes (I picked up these Geodore's cheap from my previous employer, etched exp Eng):

I am sure there are lots more really handy tools we do not all have that make some jobs much easier.

 

[Rrobson]

Some useful tools in there.

Something I fancy trying are these

I can see them being really useful when a socket and a uj just won’t go in. Although they may just be a waste of money

 

[Turbo]

Recently bought my first set of wobble extension bars for my socket sets, used them last week & they are fantastic.

 

[Alan Reynolds]

Not sure if this thread has been done before, but what less common tools do you have that are really useful at times.

I can start with:

Spring puller (i use it for motorbike stand springs) either bought or home made:

Teng Pick set - handy for lots of things - removing o-rings, clearing orifices etc:

Cheap stud extractor set - did a great job taking out the broken studs on my broken trident exhaust studs:

A tool I bought is Schipol airport duty free about 30 years ago - originally for listening to hydraulic components, but hand for listening to old motorbike engines and rumbling bearings:

Veritas Optical center punch: as my short sighted vision has aged they are a great help to accurately punch centres:

Right angled drill head (was given it) helped me out a few times where a drill would not fit:

A set of spit ring spanners - saves rounding off pipe fittings like on brake pipes (I picked up these Geodore's cheap from my previous employer, etched exp Eng):

I am sure there are lots more really handy tools we do not all have that make some jobs much easier.

Yep, a good spring puller saves the knuckles if you are tempted to use pliers, Picks are always useful. Dead jealous of your ML7. The one I inherited has had a real hard previous life. I must investigate an optical centre punch. Are transfer punches worth buying?

 

[Arc Tourist]

Not sure if this thread has been done before, but what less common tools do you have that are really useful at times.

I can start with:

Spring puller (i use it for motorbike stand springs) either bought or home made:

Ooooh ! Brought back a memory of an old girlfriend who use to carry a hay hook and kept one by her nightstand.

 

[Pete.]

Some useful tools in there.

Something I fancy trying are these

View attachment 258921

I can see them being really useful when a socket and a uj just won’t go in. Although they may just be a waste of money

They'll be worth every penny by the 12th time the damn socket falls off the UJ.

 

[Turbo]

If you work on cars another useful item is a set of trim removal tools. On my new van you need to prise off a panel to access the fuse box!

Another very useful item is a pair of mig welding pliers, I have a pair of SWP ones.

 

[Wallace]

Cordless hot air gun for heatshrink. I have a Veritable punch, wish I had one 30 years ago!

 

[skotl]

Bought these two things a couple of weeks ago to fit a bunch of internal doors, and the job would have been even less pleasant than it was without them.

Squidy blow up wedges:

And a door mortise jig - for cutting hinge rebates, latch rebates and latch holes:

Wedges:

eSynic Air Pump Wedge Up Bag Wedge Pump Alignment Tool for Home Use Door Window Installation and Auto Repair--2PCS: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Door jig:

Lock Fitting Jig DBB - JIG1 Door Lock Mortiser Kit With 3 Cutters 18/22/25mm | eBay

 

[atomant48]

Nice stuff there. I’d add a pass through socket set - I got a sears one I think it is for the 2 jobs it’s been needed for in the last 10 years it’s paid for itself. Springs to mind as I got a halfords email yesterday and they seem to do them now.

 

[Rannsachair]

Nice stuff there. I’d add a pass through socket set - I got a sears one I think it is for the 2 jobs it’s been needed for in the last 10 years it’s paid for itself. Springs to mind as I got a halfords email yesterday and they seem to do them now.

i never knew they existed, that is my xmas sorted from the wife https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand...ric-vortex-socket-set-1/4in-3/8in-217695.html

 

[northwest]

I came across these some time back:

and found some really good quality 1/4" drive sockets in this style. They are nut retaining sockets and hold nuts and bolts while you are trying to fit them. I have deleted the link because I really don't need any more sockets, really don't. In fact, I might even sell some!

 

[steveo3002]

I came across these some time back:

and found some really good quality 1/4" drive sockets in this style. They are nut retaining sockets and hold nuts and bolts while you are trying to fit them. I have deleted the link because I really don't need any more sockets, really don't. In fact, I might even sell some!

to retain a nut or bolt into a socket ,simply tear off a corner of newspaper /tissue and place over the head then onto the socket , sounds a bit daft but works like magic , its free and the paper falls off and blows away with no fear of dropping something in a hidden area

 

[northwest]

to retain a nut or bolt into a socket ,simply tear off a corner of newspaper /tissue and place over the head then onto the socket , sounds a bit daft but works like magic , its free and the paper falls off and blows away with no fear of dropping something in a hidden area

You see, I know this. But it's another tool man! Dedicated to the job, no good if you do not have the correct dedicated tool,innit.

Even if you never use it.

 

[addjunkie]

I agree on the pump wedges if fitting lots of doors, great tool.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Some useful tools in there.

Something I fancy trying are these

View attachment 258921

I can see them being really useful when a socket and a uj just won’t go in. Although they may just be a waste of money

The problem with the UJ type is the tend to “lock up “ when used at any angle more than a few degrees. Far better are the type that are more like a CV joint

 

[Rannsachair]

If you work on cars another useful item is a set of trim removal tools. On my new van you need to prise off a panel to access the fuse box!

Another very useful item is a pair of mig welding pliers, I have a pair of SWP ones.

I have a cheap set:

 

[8ob]

I am going to throw in a terminal crimp removal/release kit, very handy bit of kit for popping out those crimps and cleaning/re tensioning them
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383571779511

 

[Rannsachair]

A couple more.

Lockwiring pliers and jigs for drilling nuts and bolts, handy on vibratory old motorbikes:

And this one was an extravagance , a brake pipe straightening tool, for straightening brake pipes, bought when I was re-plumbing my defender and wanted nice straight runs:

it does the job, but for all it has been used not sure if it was worth buying: https://www.carbuilder.com/uk/brake...pAtFGJYylLKaAPOItHz4OAb4R37N3E70aAmSmEALw_wcB

 

[Munkul]

I've asked the wife for a leatherman skeletool.

My brother bought himself one last year, and I've been envious ever since. It's just the right size and weight and strength to be a genuinely useful set of pliers, pick, driver etc, whilst not weighing too much to carry every day.

she wasn't keen on buying me tools, until I pointed out that pretty much anything I need/want, I buy myself anyway