What's your favourite special tool?

Post by **NZJLY** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 7:43 am

As I was swapping motors over, I got to wondering - what are peoples special tools, that make life easier when working on their moggies?

I have a 1/2 inch drive Whitworth set, and a set of spanners, so the big jobs are taken care of

Mine is a wee socket 17/32 inch 1/4 drive. I got it out of a cheap and nasty socket set, but it is perfect for undoing 1/4 Whitworth, and at 1/4 drive it is small and compact.

What tools do people have that make life easier for them?

John

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:27 am

Mines a hub cap remover from my old 1500 (FWD) Triumph.
Removes without damaging the wheel paint.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:39 am

My only 'special' tools are:

1/4" Whitworth socket, ring spanner and OE spanner

Big socket (is it 33 of 37mm?? I forget) - that fits the steering wheel nut and brake m/c reservoir cap.

Claw hammer - for removing hubcaps without damaging the paint.

Crow bar - for manipulating the torsion bar allowing the correct fitting and removal of m/c bolts without any hassle.

Anglepoise lamp with a klow energy bulb. I use this as a lead light and with the non-element bulb it can survive falling off the car onto the concrete floor (many times) without damaging the bulb. Also it doens't get hot so no burn marks recieved when leaning on it.

And finally, a ciggarette lighter socket on flying lead with big crocodile clips that fit battery terminals - allows to use 12V stuff like tyre pump etc... on cars that have no 12V socket.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:41 am

My Irwin Bolt grippers have got almost completely rounded nuts and bolts undone.
Other than that, the best thing I bought over the last year was a Clarke tool chest- I can now find all of my tools when I need then ;-)

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:04 pm

rayofleamington wrote:
Big socket (is it 33 of 37mm?? I forget) - that fits the steering wheel nut and brake m/c reservoir cap.

I use a spark plug spanner for the brake m/c cap as I find it fits perfect.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:39 pm

A Clarke spot welder gets my vote

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:04 pm

use a spark plug spanner for the brake m/c cap as I find it fits perfect

Oops - poor explanation on my part - I meant the plug on the back of the reservoir (needs removal if you fit a remote reservoir)

Post by **mal** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:15 pm

Don't know if it qualifies as a tool but my daughter bought me one of those high powered lights that strap around your head ( elasticated ) I find it very useful as it leaves both hands free

Mal

Post by **Relfy** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:03 am

Mine is the bit of scaffolding pole that I slot of spanners/ratchets and helps me get leverage for all sorts of things that I'm not strong enough to undo being a 'weak female'. ;)

Although I cant really include it as its not technically 'mine', I borrowed it off a friend who no doubt pinched it from somewhere else...

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:58 am

all sorts of things that I'm not strong enough to undo being a 'weak female'.

Careful - the feminist police will shoot you - they shoot everyone else who dares to mention that ;-)

As for 'nicking tools' - you will find all sorts of useful things at autojumbles and car boot sales. You get a lot more tools per quid there than at the big shops.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:40 am

I think we should start a thread on "tools we would most like" my vote goes to flexible drives for my sockets and the bearing drift set in the Frost catalogue.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:29 pm

The seat cusion from my dear departed Grandmother-in-laws armchair. Makes sitting on a driveway bearable in all weathers.

Oh, and the kettle of course. I can't do a single thing unless the kettle had done it's bit.

Post by **paulk** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:11 am

My 2lb Thor Copper/rawhide hammer

You can beat stuff to death and still not mark it , great for recalcitrent drums and suspension components with ideas above their station.

The handles good for whacking stuff too.

Another favourite is the 2lb Dead blow hammer. Basically a hammer with 1lb of lead shot loose in the head so when you hit stuff the shot absorbs any rebound. means you can really clobber stuff and not bounce off and trash another part of the car.

Also like my standard 2lb ball and pein hammer. but no other reason than its really beat up.

hmmmmm I seem to have a theme here.

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:55 am

and the kettle of course. I can't do a single thing unless the kettle had done it's bit.

Completely agree Peetee