Favorite, most useful tools in your box

[Johnny248]

Among the thousands of dollars in tools which I've purchased over the years that live in my tool box, ive compiled a top 5 of my favorite, most useful tools that I've accumulated. Wonder what everyone's top tools are...


5. Remote hose clamp tool - fighting for hard to reach clamps is a breeze with my remote locking hose clamp pliers. These things save so much time and busted knuckles.
4. 3/8 Cordless impact - I use this everywhere. So much easier to get to bolts and other things without having to drag an air hose around.
3. No spill coolant funnel - Anyone that ever does cooling system work should own one.
2. 3M hub resurface tool - Makes easy work of cleaning up hubs and rotors while doing brake work.
1. Gear Wrenches - By far my favorite tool. Such a simple idea that seemed to take so long for someone to create and perfect. I use my gear wrenches on everything. They save so much time that it's not even funny.

So that's my list. What's yours???

 

[wsar10]

I guess it depends on what tool box, and what business your in
Hobby
Business
Electronics
Gun box
General

I guess the overall census would have to be a DMM, I have many but I always rely on my 10+ year old FLUKE 77/73,at work its hands down my GW GDS-820C.

 

[morepwr]

A good set of ratcheting wrenches. I love how those fit in places where you cant get a socket.

 

[Eddie]

Electical or duck tape
screw driver, flat blade 1/4 inch
wire ties
flash light.
cell phone

 

[gfh77665]

Ruger 9mm.

 

[Dave Sherman]

X2 on the Gear Wrenches. Many times I've had a nut or bolt that was too close to something to use a socket, but took a long time with a combination wrench.

Telescoping magnetic pickup tool. You have no idea how many times that's helped me retrieve a lost nut, bolt, or socket from some tight spot.

Long 1/2" drive breaker bar and deep well 6 point sockets. For those really stubborn nuts and bolts.

Craftsman Bolt-out sockets. For rounded off bolt heads and nuts.

Automatic wire stripper. First time I ever used one, I knew I had to get one.

 

[bepperb]

Johnny,

I'm interested in how the 3M hub resurface tool is better than a cup wire brush.

Obviously a 7 in one screwdriver, a 3/8" ratchet, a pliers, zip ties (or Duct tape) and a tape measure fix 98% of things.

Most non-obviously useful are:

-Kreg Pocket hole jig
-4 foot section of cast iron pipe
-99 cent plastic "veneer gauge" or poor man's micrometer
-a good wire stripper instead of ruining a scissors and/or diagonal cutting pliers
-I probably accomplish nothing useful but seem to spend a lot of time with a Dremel rotary tool.

 

[crw]

+1 on the remote hose clamp tool. Absolutely indispensable.

I think we're talking cars here, and looking for something more than a fundamental screwdriver. ;-)

 

[EricF]

Mine would be

Gearwrenches
12" long needle nose pliers
20+yr old snap-on ratcheting screwdriver
craftsman 3/8" extensions with locking release
craftsman 3/8" fine tooth ratchet. (it's 30yrs old, only fine tooth they made at the time).

I like what the guy in Gran Torino said to the boy.
All you need is a pair of vice grips, duct tape and WD-40.

 

[94astro]

Gear wrenches
Beer opener

Not necessarily in that order

 

[Charlie1935]

Chair to sit in when taking a break and a pipe to take a smoke while on break.

 

[eljefino]

Cheap Husky stubby wrenches. I got some on a post-xmas clearance and they're the tool to grab when "not 100% serious". They leave my main-line ones clean and organized. Also use them for brake lines when "working wet".

Flex-handle fine-tooth ratchet from the Lowes lawnmower section. Just the right length/leverage for brake caliper bolts without bonking the other end on the fender liner.

One-piece 2 lb hand sledge.

2 "AA" 150 lumen LED flashlight w/ aluminum body

magnetic pickup telescoping doohickey

Three-ton service jack (not in box).

All are fairly recent acquisitions, save the hammer, and all do something I could have kludged before but save me a slight amount of time or contortion. In the spirit of this thread, I smile every time I select something that gives me this bonus feeling.

 

[dparm]

10mm socket. I swear to God, I could disable 80% of any vehicle on the road today with that.

 

[shDK]

Originally Posted By: EricF




I like what the guy in Gran Torino said to the boy.
All you need is a pair of vice grips, duct tape and WD-40.




Brilliant movie by The way.

Here vi have a saying..using duct tape is like alcohol and violence. If it doesent work you haven't used enough.

 

[wsar10]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Ruger 9mm.


The GLOCK stays on my person....not in a box !

 

[artificialist]

Mac brand sockets. They remove damaged bolts that regular sockets can't.
LED underhood lightsaber. I can see everything, I don't risk breaking any glass bulbs, and it uses a rechargeable battery.
Knipex plierwrench
Large hammer
Large prybar

 

[Trav]

Dead blow hammer
3/8 cordless impact
Irwin rounded nut/bold removers
Ratcheting wrenches
Plastic panel clip removal pliers
20 degree offset needle nose pliers
Cordless soldering iron
Telescopic magnetic pick up tools

Not in the box but i wouldn't be without them.
Oxy Acetylene Torch
Mig welder

 

[Johnny248]

Adding to my list would be my

5lb hammer
Torches (Michigan cars are awesome)
Multi meter
Impact swivel sockets

And I would die without my 18v Li Makita drill

 

[zzyzzx]

Long arm swivel head 3/8" ratchet.
Really long breaker bar.
Fluke 77 meter.
Needle nose pliers.

I'm going to have to get one of those cable operated hose clamp removal tools.

 

[Gabe]

My Matco ratcheting screwdriver (ODRPSG1) has really been impressing me lately. It is able to turn at 3:1 which really speeds up work.