OT: What is your favorite tool in the garage?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: OT: What is your favorite tool in the garage?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Poane on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 08:25 pm:

OT: What is your favorite tool in the garage? Sorry if this is a repeat.

I find the magnetic wrist band a very valuable tool especially for me because I am always dropping screws, nuts and bolts!

Still looking for the perfect flash light or light source when under or around the car.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Dufault on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 08:33 pm:

A head mounted light - something like this?

http://www.hydroponics.net/i/135059


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 08:36 pm:

Nitrile gloves. I may go through a pair an hour when heavy into the oil and grease, but at a dime apiece, I can almost afford them. Pull them off, wash your arms, and you're ready to approach your woman's soft parts without her being put off by rough hands.

They're as cheap as 8 cents apiece at Harobor Fright.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 08:40 pm:

Headlight removal tool from Bobs's

Bob Jablonski


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 09:44 pm:

My belt sander. Great for adjusting valves, taking a little off a castellated nut so the cotter pin lines up, cleaning up dings on the heads of hex bolts, etc.

With a 80 grit belt it will do some things a grinding wheel won't.

Ricks - gotta get me some of those nitrile gloves. Where do you get them ?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 10:17 pm:

The proper tool for any job I need to do!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 10:25 pm:

I cant find it at the moment but my lead hammer.
You can wap the crap out of a shaft or part and the hammer takes all the dent.Ricks,do those gloves affect your grip any? I have trouble gripping small parts even bare handed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jack Daron - Brownsburg IN on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 10:43 pm:

I have an old pair of duckbill pliers that use the heck out of.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 11:08 pm:

:-) My favorite tool is the one that I just used and can't find. :-)

I use some endearing names for it - so it must be my favorite!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John F. Regan on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 11:19 pm:

My metal lathe. Every day I turn it on to make something. My best friend Tony Verschoore went with my wife to pick one out for me for Christmas many years ago. I must have said it hundreds of times before that "I wish I had a metal lathe" then on Christmas morning - what a surprise. A 12" x 36" 220V powered geared head metal lathe. Not many men can say their wife bought them a metal lathe for Christmas and kept it a surprise.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 11:20 pm:

My favorite tool is my KR Wilson combination machine (with all the tooling). I love using that thing. My most important tool is my air compressor. I can do nothing without it. If it tears up, Ive told the wife we will have to take out a loan and finance a new one because the world would stop turning and come to an end with out it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 11:23 pm:

John: You better do whatever it takes to keep her. She sounds like a keeper to me...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 12:59 am:

Bud, I get the gloves in boxes of 100 from Harbor Fright. HF is everywhere, like Radio Shacks used to be. They come in S, M, L, and XL.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-mil-nitrile-gloves-powder-free-medium-100-pc-68496-8478.html

I was using the XL until in the last year, as I've lost 50 pounds, so the L fit good now. I have been using them for about 15 years, so no problem gripping small parts. I don't think they would take much getting used to. Don't try to apply tape with them on, though.

The gloves at HF used to be made in Thailand and Indonesia, where they have rubber, and need industry. Now the dirty ChiComs have even taken that away.


Late one night in Peoria, Jun, 2000.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 01:30 am:

I use my new SawStop table saw about every day. Also my 2 wood lathes for making pens. I also use lots of nitrite gloves because you can't even think of working on the T without getting your hands black.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 01:32 am:

Ralph, how old is that picture?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 01:45 am:

13 years


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 02:40 am:

I'm somewhat embarrassed to mention it but the one "tool" I use more than any other is super glue. Every car I have owned in the past 30 years has had things repaired with super glue. Radio knobs, emblems, felt window trim, etc etc. Like duct tape, I am never without at least a couple fresh, dollar-store tubes of super glue.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Henrichs on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 03:14 am:

Hal,

I agree: I use the top of the line Sawstop my lady bought for me a couple years back. After that any of the wood working equipment/tools. Just have to finishing building kitchen cabinets so I can do more "T tinkering". I like all my wood/mechanic/electronic tools. Almost as bad as collecting T stuff.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 03:35 am:

"What is your favorite tool in the garage?"

My son in law?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 03:48 am:

My favorite tool is the vice :-)
I think every part in my projects sturdy enough to be clamped in the vice has been there at least once for some adjustment, filing, bending or pressing bushings out or in..
vice
Here the main leaf from the front spring was gradually bent (with an old exhaust pipe for leverage) until it could be mounted upside down for 1" more lowering :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 08:36 am:

My favorite tool is my indestructible Walker floor jack. It goes great with my T but I use it whenever I change the oil in any of our vehicles.

With the ratchet wheel I can raise it just about as quick as a new hydraulic jack but the solid mechanical linkage just feels so much safer. I've seen several other hydraulic jacks slowly let cars or heavier trucks down - very scary. If something comes off that Walker jack, it'll have to slip cause the jack itself isn't coming down.

It still makes me laugh when I think about the first time I got to use that jack. I was about 10 years old in my grandfather's shop. We were lifting the "Blue Jewel" a 1970 Oldsmobile 98, my dad drove it in high school and had a love/hate relationship with it. It's still one of the biggest cars I've ever seen. I barely managed to get it up pumping the jack - that car weighed SO much. The funny part came when I went to let the car back down. I stepped on the little foot pedal and started working the handle. My dad said "You can go a little faster . . ." because I was moving it down about 1 click per 2 seconds. So I started really moving it and my dad didn't get to finish saying "but be careful . . ." Because it will run away with you, is what he would have said but the handle started moving at a blur and I couldn't really let go. It shook me like a rag doll and scared the crap out of me, along with dropping car a bit faster than would have been preferred. The dust settled and I was still holding onto the handle feeling beat to death, with my dad and granddad laughing so hard they were in tears. It was a good minute or two before he finally got out "Are you ok?" I was fine. I'm pretty sure that it wasn't until about 8 years later bodyboarding in Hawaii in waves taller than my house in a shorebreak onto sand that I experienced anything nearly as violent as that jack shaking my teeth out.

Since then, the grease has thickened up a little bit and the jack isn't quite as ready to run away with the operator as it used to be. I'll try and post some pics of it later.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Tillstrom on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 09:56 am:

I agree with the metal lathe (don't use mine that much) but when you need it you need it. I also agree with the table saw. My third favorite would be oxygen acetylene torch (blue tip wrench).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By justin cox on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 10:00 am:

A hammer---Like they say if it can’t be fixed with a hammer, you probably have an electrical problem.

Beer opener has to be a close second…


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 10:32 am:

I've learned that there's a lot to be said for vintage tools. They simply work very well. My favorite is the Marquette Tire Tool.



That clever thing will peel a tire off a rim in no time and, if you warm the tire up beforehand, it'll put a tire on a rim almost as fast.

And for those times when the Marquette won't quite do it, I have a set of tire irons that were designed especially for the Model T.



Sorry to say that the nice old couple that used to make these have disconnected their phone.

On my wish list is one or two Sioux Bead Breakers. They'd be faster and easier to use than C-clamps.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les Schubert on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 10:46 am:

Oxy acetylene torch and cutting attachment. Usually the heat is all I need to undo rusted stuff (never find that on a T project eh). I've had it for 40 years and certainly don't use it every week but when I need it I need it!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 10:48 am:

From October to March, it's the heater.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 11:30 am:

What ever I can find that fits and works for what I'm trying to repair, plus some BLUE air thrown in to help. All in a day (or three) of tinkering.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Don Booth@ Bay City, Mi on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 11:47 am:

Me puter...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 11:55 am:

This Walker floor jack was given to me about 25 years ago by a friend who claimed it came from a Staten Island N.Y. Chevy dealership. It didn't work at the time but I managed to find a hydraulic re-build kit at an obscure store on Staten Island and it's worked well since. It's only about 4" high collapsed at the front wheels and has almost a 2 foot lift. Don't know it's age and I don't care. It's not going anywhere.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary H. White - Sheridan, MI on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 11:59 am:

Used to be Band Aides. Not so much any more. Now I'd have to say my cordless drills.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 12:12 pm:

I second the vintage tools. Guess I'm just not in a hurry anymore. I use wrenches more than sockets and ratchets anymore and I don't remember the last time I used my air ratchet. I have a neat little valve spring compressor made especially for the T. Don't use it often, but it is a really neat tool.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse--Granville,Ohio on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 02:14 pm:

Heres one of my favorites---a small but tough cresent wrench. opens to about 1/2 inch. Usually keep it in my pocket. Bought it on a model A tour in Sweden---Paul


cresent


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Goelz-Knoxville,TN on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 02:32 pm:

1/4" Skil electric ratchet, great for running down bolts or nuts especially fine threads, you still need to tighten everything down.

Rick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Seth - Ohio on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 03:48 pm:

The three chairs in my shop in which my friends sit and chat with me or give me a hand with my cars. Their friendship is the best tool for the soul


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Doleshal on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 03:54 pm:

CRESCENT HAMMER!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.V. Anderson on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 04:14 pm:

My brain, followed by my metal lathe, drill press, bench vise, a set of special tools I made for early coil work, my field coil winder, and old T parts. Nothing like some unusable T parts to make special tools and fixtures from.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Doleshal on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 04:34 pm:

Seriously; I would have to say my 1920's tire mounting machine is pretty high up there. Lathe & Mill, So are the dozens of home-made tools, jigs & fixtures that I have made every time I found something to be "inconvenient". A modified deep impact socket for taking cam nuts off with an impact wrench is pretty darn handy.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ROBERT J STEINER on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 04:39 pm:

my cell phone to call for help!!!!!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 06:19 pm:

My SouthBend 9 inch lathe. Next is my Miller Tig welder.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Missett Wyoming, PA (NE) on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 07:45 pm:

Slightly OT but I recently totally straightened out my garage after 15+ yrs of threatening to do so. I was always able to go right to whatever I was looking for and now that it is "straightened out" I can not find anything and it's making me nuts.(go figure) My favorite tool seems to change with my age and now seems to be my LED worklight. (go figure again:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison_Rice Minnesota on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 08:09 pm:

2 1/2 ton air jack and my refridgerator.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 08:31 pm:

My AIR COMPRESSOR. WHEN THE TIRES ARE LOW AND THEY all DO LEAK, IT IS MY FRIEND. And it works quickly and needs no up-keep


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 08:41 pm:

I'd have to go along with Mike on the refrigerator. Next would be the radio. If I had air conditioning in the shop, I think that would get elevated to my number one favorite. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 11:02 am:

Ken

If you can close off and AC just part of you shop, you'll find that ducking in the AC for even a few minutes every so often is a huge help when that thermometer hovers near 100!

My workbench, grinder, vise area, etc. has a small 5000 BTU window unit, the main garage does not. Still, it's a lifesaver!


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