Show us the "Luxuries" you own

[The Critic]

I think most of us have tools in our collection that are not completely necessary. It might be a special service tool to do a job that could be done using standard tools. Or an electronic torque wrench when a conventional micrometer style will work.

So show us some of the luxuries you own. The holidays are here and it might spark some ideas for a tool purchase.

 

[JeffKeryk]

 

[Trav]

I don't have any, everything I own I use. I do have a few OE small tools like Hazet valve adjustment wrenches for old MB diesels I don't use much anymore but they are no longer made so I keep them, a Rotunda VV carb tool set in perfect condition that has not been used in over 30 years that may end up on flea bay one of these days if I remember to do it.

 

[Lenny5160]

These valve spring tools are probably the only tools I own that are much nicer than they need to be for the job.

 

[atikovi]

Air compressor, cordless impact, driver and ratchet, computer, internet, digital camera, etc. How did anything get fixed 30 years ago?

 

[The Critic]

Air compressor, cordless impact, driver and ratchet, computer, internet, digital camera, etc. How did anything get fixed 30 years ago?

Agreed. But stuff wasn't as complex 30 years ago and labor times were also more generous.

 

[RyanY]

Cell phone

 

[atikovi]

Agreed. But stuff wasn't as complex 30 years ago and labor times were also more generous.

It's all relative. 30 years ago shops started getting out-of-warranty cars with fuel injection, distributorless ignition, coil on plug ignition, electronic throttle bodies, ABS, etc. It must have seemed complex then as the new stuff now does for us.

 

[Trav]

Air compressor, cordless impact, driver and ratchet, computer, internet, digital camera, etc. How did anything get fixed 30 years ago?

We used bigger hammers.

 

[dlundblad]

I have an 18.1 CFM air compressor that is more than I’ll ever need. It’s connected to a reel with 3/8”x50’ hose. The whole thing is overkill. The compressor was a wedding gift from my brother. The reel was given to me by my uncle because it was too big for his needs.

The setup is mostly used for cleaning mower decks.

 

[JHZR2]

Luxuries? I dont know how to classify that. I do have stuff that is more professional grade, higher end, more substantial than I needed, which I justified because of COO, I liked it, may need it again, etc. Some stuff I may use once or may never use, but bought because I thought it was a good idea or Id be doing a project with it...

 

[IndyIan]

I was going to say my chainsaw, but then I went to get a picture of it and found this...

Normally it is a bit overkill, but for this tree it earned its keep! It was Ash so I just flopped the rounds over and split them with the maul.

 

[4WD]

Well, I used to crawl out in the mud to lock the front hubs … now:

 

[JTK]

Tis the season where my 3.5 snowblowers are a luxury over shoveling. The 0.5 one is inop at the moment.. Probably indefinitely.

 

[Tjbouwhu]

Hands down,
Funny thing is I thought it was pricey when I bought it, and it was pricey…after having it the past 10-12 years I have no idea how I did without it the prior 25?

 

[AutoMechanic]

I have a 20 gallon air compressor at home. Most would consider that a luxury for home use. My dad bought it in 1997 from Sears still goes strong this day.

 

[classic70]

Milwaukee M12 grease gun. I could get by with a manual one but...
Cordless impact wrenches, ratchets.
I could probably get by with a lot less chainsaw than my 039 and cs-590

 

[Traction]

A couple years ago I bought a 6:1 torque multiplier. Didn't really need it and haven't used it yet but thought eventually it could be used on really tight big fasteners like a pinion nut, crank bolt, or axel nut. It was made by Wright tool company and with 200ftlb on the 1/2in drive input, you get 1200ftlb on the 3/4 drive output. It also has a conversion chart to use a torque wrench and a degree wheel. They are like $1200 new and I bought it used for $350 and can always get my money back out of it.

 

[RooflessVW]

Every aircraft mechanic either has them, or envies the man that does.

 

[D60]

Even though I've had it since '09 I've always kinda felt my 2 post lift is a luxury. I won't even do an oil change on a creeper anymore.

I guess the topside creeper is also a luxury for work near the firewall on trucks.

I've got the WIF wrench for Dmax fuel filters but plenty of guys get by with pliers.

Typically if there's a specialty tool for something I want it. Some of that is because I like tools and some of that is because at 1a on a Sunday morning I like to have more than one way to skin a cat.