Topic: Cool Tools.

[HondaMan]

Does anyone use any kind of magnifier? Ageing eyes and shrinking electrical & carb parts seem to make one more useful than ever nowadays. I do have a big Sherlock Holmes style one, and a little jewellers one, but often think something hands free would be better, one that's either on a stand or wearable. Has anyone found any good types?

My kids bought me one at COSTCO a few years ago. Circular LED lamp with a large magnifier in the middle. It’s on a 24” + 24” articulated arm and clamps to one end of my bench. I’ll take a picture, next shop day. Fantastic device, I use it constantly. Even when not using it, I keep the top cover closed, but turn on the light for extra brightness!

I used to have an old round florescent lamp/magnifier like you described that my dad had on his fly tying table, one that took 20-30 seconds holding the button to start the lamp......but the bulb finally died and in a move, it got tossed.
Now, my eyes are dimmer than in my younger days and could benefit from a lit magnifier these days..... I guess I'll have to keep a watch out for another

I have one of those, just bought the first new circular lamp for it last month since 1986 when I got it. It was getting hard to 'start', had to hold the switch down for 3-4 seconds and sometimes wouldn't light. New circle lamp fixed it right up!
It helps me build Transistor Ignitions, among other things.

[Alan F.]

Today I used a new tool, for the first time. Found it in some junk I bought ages ago. It’s a thin, wire cable (looped end, rubber covered) that screws into an inner tube valve stem, when the valve is removed. You feed it through the rim hole first, then into the valve body. Pulling the valve through is a snap.

WHY DID I NOT BUY ONE OF THESE 50 YEARS AGO!

Thanks for that reminder, I bought one on ebay a few years ago and it was stolen off my porch, I just bought another one.

[RAFster122s]

OfficeMax carried them, or at least used to.
If it is made in China then check prices for the one at Harbor Freight, return it if the lense has distortions. Get a better one, or buy the one at OfficeMax.

[BenelliSEI]

Working on a tiny carburetor today (neighbour’s Honda generator) and used this weird little screwdriver. The centre section of the blade is spring loaded. When you insert it into a slot head screw, you click the end and it twist locks to the screw. Brilliantly handy to start screws in places you can’t reach into.,,,, I use it every time to put the plugs back into carbs after removing the synchronizing tubes. Second picture shows how the centre portion twist to lock in place. Once the screw is started, you just pull off the driver and finish off with a normal driver. Brilliant.

When I worked with an old electrician, he used it to start screws in electric panels (often live ones!). He gave me this one. Easily +50 years old. No idea who made them, faintly stamped “Made in USA”. Ideal Tool Co. maybe? Anyone know?

[seanbarney41]

Wow! Benelli...I was just gonna post the exact same tool!  And I use it for the exact same purpose!  Re-installing those plugs on roundtops is neasrly impossible for fat fingered guys without this tool.  I just got one for my own after borrowing a shop mates for years now.  Got mine through snap on dealer.  It was about 30 bucks.  I remember my dad always had one that he used for working on piano actions...he was a piano tuner/technician.

[newday777]

I also have one of those spring loaded screw starters that I bought back in 76 when I worked at the Honda shop. I haven't used it in a while and it may be out in California in my storage unit?
I also bought it off the Snap-on truck having seen one of the guys outback using one to start a screw or maybe a jet.

[BenelliSEI]

Wow! Benelli...I was just gonna post the exact same tool!  And I use it for the exact same purpose!  Re-installing those plugs on roundtops is neasrly impossible for fat fingered guys without this tool.  I just got one for my own after borrowing a shop mates for years now.  Got mine through snap on dealer.  It was about 30 bucks.  I remember my dad always had one that he used for working on piano actions...he was a piano tuner/technician.

That’s funny! Both of you say “Snap On”, I’ll check their catalogue. Screw-starter sounds good too.
I used it a few weeks ago, reassembly of an old kettle. It’s perfect for places that your fingers just can’t reach.

[newday777]

Snap-on had all the cool tools and the truck came to the shop.

[RAFster122s]

A racket where they sell you the tool on a weekly payment plan and repossession for lack of payment. Friend runs a Mac Tool truck and often gets payment in unconventional means, boom sticks sometimes, other bartering of payments...

[BenelliSEI]

Snap-on had all the cool tools and the truck came to the shop.

They still do, around ere. The guy I race with has a repair shop and the Snap On truck lives in our tiny village! Stops by once a week to have a coffee, on the evenings we work on the Lexus. He calibrated my torque wrenches (both ancient Snap Ons) for free!

Both my torque wrenches were the latest “click style” when I bought them, 50 years ago. I only have a few Snap On Tools, but no question they are the real deal.

[seanbarney41]

A racket where they sell you the tool on a weekly payment plan and repossession for lack of payment. Friend runs a Mac Tool truck and often gets payment in unconventional means, boom sticks sometimes, other bartering of payments...

What's more of a racket to you?   A salesman that won't do very good in his line of work without excellent service and back-up of the quality he stands for?  or  A big box store in every town selliing chinese garbage that may do a job once, if your lucky?  I will take the snap-on racket.  Thank you.  Of course, no one has to buy anything they can't afford.  We are not talking about $10k tool boxes.  That is just dumb if you can't afford it.

[RAFster122s]

It was a bit tongue in cheek but I didn't put any icons on it to indicate. Paying over time can suck you in. It is good quality tools and a convenient way to pay or get the tool you need right away.
Sorry to rile you up...
Some get in over their heads, lack of good money mgmt skills.

[simon#42]

A racket where they sell you the tool on a weekly payment plan and repossession for lack of payment. Friend runs a Mac Tool truck and often gets payment in unconventional means, boom sticks sometimes, other bartering of payments...

What's more of a racket to you?   A salesman that won't do very good in his line of work without excellent service and back-up of the quality he stands for?  or  A big box store in every town selliing chinese garbage that may do a job once, if your lucky?  I will take the snap-on racket.  Thank you.  Of course, no one has to buy anything they can't afford.  We are not talking about $10k tool boxes.  That is just dumb if you can't afford it.

Yes you tend to get what you pay for and my snap on tools have worked every day for 45 years . Expensive but still worth it .

[dave500]

i just bought a cheap set of tamper proof screw drivers for weirdo little carbs you find on garden equipment,has 8 types big/small spline,big n small "pacman" D and double D flats etc,lot easier than poking about with tweezers or mini pointed pliers!

[Tracksnblades1]

It was a bit tongue in cheek but I didn't put any icons on it to indicate. Paying over time can suck you in. It is good quality tools and a convenient way to pay or get the tool you need right away.
Sorry to rile you up...
Some get in over their heads, lack of good money mgmt skills.

I’ve had good luck purchasing slightly used, some never used,  Snap On and Mac tools primarily after the repo’s.
I’ve saved a lot on good tools by offering cash to the truck for the lot with the intent to sell off duplicates. It usually take a few week before they accept, because your offer sets the bar and they are salesmen. I’m pretty good at keeping everything, not to good at selling any of it..

My Son likes to buy and sell the toolboxes…😁

[dave500]

years ago,i mean years ago i found in my travels as a dumpster truck driver an old worn out snap on issue wind breaker with official fully sewn patches etc,i took it home and decided its #$%*ed and #$%* and crap and tossed it in the bin,coupla days later after a beer or two i thought hey those were neat patches so i fished it out and unpicked those snap on patches,i had a brand new unworn black work type shirt and paid a pro seamstress to sew them onto it in the same positions as they were on the windbreaker,ive worn it for years now riding and even going out to pubs etc!at a local pub a guy quizzes me where i got that shirt?he said hes spent thousands of dollars with snap on and only has a #$%*ty printed white tee shirt,i was a bit drunk and told him im special!

[BenelliSEI]

Dave..... great story!!

[Stev-o]

i was a bit drunk and told him im special!

You are special, Dave!  Cool shirt....

[RAFster122s]

I'd say you are special Dave, that is cool!

[Tim2005]

Update, yes I got one of those magnifiers and it has proved pretty useful, particularly for doing some fine paint repairs. In retrospect, I'd suggest getting the type with a freestanding base rather then a clamp, as  it's often not quite where I want it, and also I could use it when working on the car too.


Next tools topic- soft handles. Or, more relevantly, tools without soft handles. Has anyone found nice resin-type screwdrivers etc.? I just prefer them as that surface can be cleaned properly; no matter what I do with the soft ones I just get grubby hands as soon as I use them for the smallest of jobs.

[Stev-o]

Has anyone found nice resin-type screwdrivers etc.? I just prefer them as that surface can be cleaned properly; no matter what I do with the soft ones I just get grubby hands as soon as I use them for the smallest of jobs.

I like my Craftsman screwdriver set, same basic tool for the last 50 yrs or so [my Dad had them too]
Very reasonably priced...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-12-Piece-Acetate-Handle-Screwdriver-Set/1000595951

And if you have a Honda, you should have some Vessel screwdrivers too. I misplaced my #2, so just ordered another one. I KNOW it's in the shop somewhere...

https://www.amazon.com/Vessel-Megadora-900-Screwdriver-Original/dp/B000TG8OTY/ref=asc_df_B000TG8OTY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1779842945931420302&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028314&hvtargid=pla-421878978938&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63364097444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=309869401414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1779842945931420302&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028314&hvtargid=pla-421878978938

[BenelliSEI]

Grubby toolsare OK. Means they are getting used! I do like my Craftsman set too......

[Don R]

 My deep channel unistrut trolley and chain hoist. The strut is lagged and bolted to another strut above the joists.  I've picked a big block with it, leaves little safety margin though. 

[Don R]

 I also found this pic of my extended boom cherry picker. It can go 10' high or through the trailer door to pick a transmission. It greatly reduces the lifting load so common sense must prevail.

[BenelliSEI]

I also found this pic of my extended boom cherry picker. It can go 10' high or through the trailer door to pick a transmission. It greatly reduces the lifting load so common sense must prevail.

My son and I used to get all the gals in the house to stand on the back of the hoist for that stunt. They were not pleased to be used as counter weights!