I went on a Channellock pliers kick years ago and ended up buying 10 different pliers and 3 different sized of oil filter wrenches. I like their stuff and never had any issues with them other than the blue rubber handles are hard to keep clean. I have that set of needle nose pliers you have there and they have been great.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
I just got the IR Power Socket I ordered and used it. I am amazed with this tool, I was doing rear brakes on a 2002 Saab SE that had not had the wheels off in 6 years, to make things even better they did not follow the FSM which requires never seize on the cone part of the wheel bolts.
The Makita, Proto high power 1/2 impact would not budge them so move on to a 3/4 drive but the socket was too thick so I used an adapter which promptly broke. Next up 1/2 breaker bar, no go, add 4 ft pipe and broke the Proto USA made impact socket partially rounding off the bolt in the bargain.
I hit the bolts with a big air hammer and nothing, penetrating oil over the weekend, tighten then loosen, no progress so now I am really sucking wind. The next step is a smoke wrench or hole saw, both will destroy the wheel which is scarce in nice shape.
I saw this is made in 17mm so I got it, it fits the bolt and in the hole very snug no wiggle room. Hit it with the same Proto impact and 5 seconds later the partially rounded one was out, the others took a few seconds. Not cheap but very well made and it works better than advertised.
This tool is perfect for Euro cars with lug bolts and aluminum wheels with seized lugs.
The Makita, Proto high power 1/2 impact would not budge them so move on to a 3/4 drive but the socket was too thick so I used an adapter which promptly broke. Next up 1/2 breaker bar, no go, add 4 ft pipe and broke the Proto USA made impact socket partially rounding off the bolt in the bargain.
I hit the bolts with a big air hammer and nothing, penetrating oil over the weekend, tighten then loosen, no progress so now I am really sucking wind. The next step is a smoke wrench or hole saw, both will destroy the wheel which is scarce in nice shape.
I saw this is made in 17mm so I got it, it fits the bolt and in the hole very snug no wiggle room. Hit it with the same Proto impact and 5 seconds later the partially rounded one was out, the others took a few seconds. Not cheap but very well made and it works better than advertised.
This tool is perfect for Euro cars with lug bolts and aluminum wheels with seized lugs.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Some new tools today from Advance Auto and Auto Zone. I didn’t pay for the “magnetic nut cup” lol. Made a coworker replace it after he decided he would fill it up with brake cleaner and it completely destroyed the plastic on it. He thought it was funny but I didn’t it’s a wonder I didn’t throw more of a fit about it. He used the strong brake cleaner from the aerosol cans not the crap they give us to put in our sure shot cans. I said can’t you go one day in your life without soaking something in brake cleaner and now I look bad because you have blown through ten cans in two days. I told parts keep it behind them now and make people ask for it. I like running the show but man some of these “kids” kill me. He didn’t change one bit when we moved down to Toyota. I can’t wait till he goes to Chevy and I go back to Subaru lol.
Anyway rant over about that lol. I got the extension because I actually don’t have one that small at least not at work. The wrench because I needed the 7 to complete my long set to go with the Carlyle and Snap-on ones I have. Now I just need a 9. The screwdriver was also bought by wreckless brake cleaner tech because he owes me for some other stuff so I told him add that to the tab and I’ll deduct the price a little bit cause I’m a nerd for screwdrivers lol.
What percentage of the techs you know would be allowed to work on one of your personal vehicles?
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Very few. If I let any of them do anything because I do my own work. But I understand the question that’s very few. Some of them are good friends but absolutely horrible technicians.
Interesting! More mass. Makes me wonder what would happen if you used a long deep impact socket with a vise grip plier locked on the outside, with the impact gun.
Sutures
I have a 19mm for Honda Crank Bolts, Pleasantly surprised how well it works!
I've seen those advertised and always wondered how they worked. They are priced just high enough that I haven't impulse bought any. Glad to know they work as advertised.
I have every one they make and they are butt savers. I pull honda crank bolts with my cordless impact with the 19
I have a 19 from Lisle for Honda crank bolts and it works okay but I think this type may work better. I had seen these some years ago but even then they not cheap and I thought they were a bit gimmicky even when I was putting it on the gun I though this is probably going back to Amazon tomorrow. No way this thing is a keeper, I will add a couple which I need most.
New inexpensive flex head ratcheting wrenches from Amazon. The fractionals are ProStormer ('cause that's cool....I guess?) and the metric set is Duratech, but sans the internal water pump that creates a milkshake so I figure that's good.
I decided I needed flex heads other than my Williams reversibles because the reversible head is sometimes too long or too bulky.
I'm unwilling to pay GearWrench prices for Chinese garbage. Here I paid Chinese garbage prices for Chinese garbage, so that checks out!
DuraTech non-reversible head vs Williams reversible head. Notice both width and length from the pivot. If you ever do a CHT sensor on a 3V 5.4 you'll discover why it matters ;(
I decided I needed flex heads other than my Williams reversibles because the reversible head is sometimes too long or too bulky.
I'm unwilling to pay GearWrench prices for Chinese garbage. Here I paid Chinese garbage prices for Chinese garbage, so that checks out!
DuraTech non-reversible head vs Williams reversible head. Notice both width and length from the pivot. If you ever do a CHT sensor on a 3V 5.4 you'll discover why it matters ;(
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
A couple more this weekend for the collection. The 7/8 I purchased because I have to put new brake hoses on dads big rig. I do have a cheap 7/8 at home but I don’t want to round the fittings off. I don’t really want to bring home my 7/8 from work either. I could not locate a 7/8 or even a 22mm line (flare nut) wrench anywhere I figured Napa would have them but I was wrong so I purchased this in hopes it will work too. It has like a flank drive open end. I ordered a USA made set of SAE line wrenches from eBay too that has a 7/8 but I think he was wanting to do them sooner than they will be here as he is out of service till they are fixed because he got a write up from the DOT. He is going to drop off a trailer tomorrow then he is out till it’s fixed. So I’ll probably pull them off tomorrow after work and then he will have them made Tuesday and hopefully we can get them back on.
Also checked Northern Tool and came up short. So while I was there I got a couple needed sockets for home. The 8mm will definitely get used all the time. The 20mm is a fill in for my at home shallow set one of many of them haha but I didn’t want to pay $6 for 3 or 4 of the same sockets when I have only used 20mm a handful of times. The 23mm however does have a use and that’s for the differential plug on my Mazda. I have two twelve point versions but don’t really like using 12 point if I don’t have too this is the first time ever seeing a 6 point this size in any store.
I will post pictures of the flare nut wrench set when it arrives it’s nothing fancy but one of my favorite USA made brands and it has original packaging which is a plus to me.
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2021
- Messages
- 445
napa p/n fnw2428 in stock in most of the distribution centers for a 3/4x7/8 flare nut wrench
A Koken 13.5mm square socket, 1/2" drive. Bought it at kokenusa for a little under $13 (free shipping, no sales tax).
It does fit easily and precisely in the surprisingly clean fill plug on my Subaru rear differential, but it would not fit easily in the much dirtier drain plug. I can see the 13.5mm size being very useful if the plug has been mangled/enlarged by the combination of thread locker on the plug (instead of sealant) and misuse of a 1/2" drive ratchet (no socket).
https://kokenusa.com/products/drain-plug-male-socket-1-2sq-dr-13-5mm
It does fit easily and precisely in the surprisingly clean fill plug on my Subaru rear differential, but it would not fit easily in the much dirtier drain plug. I can see the 13.5mm size being very useful if the plug has been mangled/enlarged by the combination of thread locker on the plug (instead of sealant) and misuse of a 1/2" drive ratchet (no socket).
https://kokenusa.com/products/drain-plug-male-socket-1-2sq-dr-13-5mm
For the outbacks 3/8 drive fits better, on these the exhaust pipe come up right near the drain plug a 3/8 with a 3/8 extension just fits.
