One use tools that just sit around

[dlundblad]

I have wire warehouse style shelving in my garage full of cases of 1 time or seldom use tools. The shelf itself takes up a good bit of room, but it's better than the alternative.

 

[billt460]

I have a hydraulic wire crimper kit, along with a set of crimping dies, that does a beautiful job. I bought it because I was installing battery maintainer leads on all of my vehicles. It worked beautifully. But admittedly I haven't used it since.

 

[John105]

Special tool (knock-off) to remove Moen faucet cartridges. The first one I took out was brass, and I had read these might be tricky (maybe the plunger comes out can't remember). So I bought the tool and used it, and it did work. But subsequent cartridges were plastic, and they always come out easily, so never used the tool again...same with a thread chaser when I installed the Draw Tite hitch. Car was 10 years old and holes severely rusted. In that case, I used the actual bolts with WD40, and gently turned them in and out, I mean really gently. Once they did, I used the chaser thread tool, and that was the only time the set has ever been used....

 

[dubber09]

'Milky' Hi TrQ 18V or angle grinder for me.

 

[billt460]

Special tool (knock-off) to remove Moen faucet cartridges.

I forgot about that one. I purchased one of those as well. It really comes in handy. I found when replacing the cartridges, to apply a liberal amount of grease all around the O-Rings and in the area in between. They slide easier, and for a much longer time, than if you just use the small amount they put on them at the factory.

 

[D1dad]

When I turned wrenches I bought a press specifically designed to pop rotors off a mid-90s Honda Accord. The first time I used it at work the manager of the shop said that since it worked so fast he was taking hours off the bill. I just looked and said "never using this again."

I’ve got a similar tool. Here in Ohio it’s called an 8lb sledge.

 

[Tomioka]

BMW M54 fan clutch wrench/pulley holder.

Tight area to fit an adjustable wrench, uncommon size in rent-a-tool kits. Makes majority of engine work way easier and so I can speedrun waterpumps in record time.

 

[demarpaint]

I have an A/C leak sniffer. New in box. I have had for about ten years now.

I have one and used it three times in about 5 years. Once for my 88 E-150, once for the 08 Liberty. Lets just say it saved me a fortune. There are few of one time use tools I have that ended up being used more than once and when they were used they paid for themselves and then some.

 

[blkwtr]

Two years ago I had a 20 year old R22 heatpump go out. I had quotes to replace it with a Bosch inverter from $14,000 up to $20,000 so i decided to replace whole thing myself. I spent $2,000 and bought the best gauges, torches, pumps, etc. that you can buy (Fieldpiece and Yellow Jacket mostly). I installed the whole thing for $7,000 includes the cost of the equipment that i haven't used since.

 

[D60]

^^ that reminds me I got the spring tool for rubber boots on front load washers. I hope I never need it again, but it was helpful one time:
Post in thread 'What are you working on today?' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-are-you-working-on-today.331303/post-6656497