Your favorite tools for wrenching / tech tools for special applications

[SledgeHammer12]

Goplus Macpherson Spring Compressor:
You will not find a person on this planet that hates a cheap spring compressor more than myself. I actually had a harbor freight unit come apart a few years ago that injured my wrist. I still live with the pain today. This compressor has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. Cost is about $80-100, it is built like a tank and makes compressing a spring quick, easy and safe. Literally a no stress tool.
http://www.amazon.com/Goplus®-MacPh..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0447BPYNS64C63MVW3W3

Endoscope for android or other:
They are CHEAP and can be purchased on ebay. Lets you stick the camera into places normal cameras will not go (please keep it automotive ) They do not come with software, but if you download a free app called CameraFi / works perfectly
1 5 2 3 5M 7mm Android Endoscope Waterproof Borescope USB Inspection Camera USA | eBay

Thanks a lot for posting some of the cool tools that you have. I also do have the harbor freight spring compressor but don't like it because it doesn't feel safe. Wanted to get another one but haven't had the chance to browse around.

After I saw this thread I went ahead and ordered the spring tool and the camera for the android. Sure glad I never purchased the inspection camera from harbor freight.

Thanks for a really cool post.

 

[Jhelms]

Picked up this seal puller the other day. Works great! Removed a crank seal and two cam seals with it quickly and easily. One trick I found was to heat the seal with a heat gun prior to trying to pull it.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-58430-Shaft-Type-Puller/dp/B000FPYW4K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7ryeygpM2M

 

[Jhelms]

Used my AST funnel kit today. I've used it a few times now and it's great. Some nooks and crannies to clean when you're done but it's all clean oil.

Oh, and this 30 year old Taiwanese (one of my grandpa's old sets) impact socket was no match for the powww aahh of the Milwaukee!! :gun6:

They are some of the thinnest walled impact sockets I've ever seen. Very cheap.

DIG that funnel set - will order one up!

 

[fourfive]

Picked up this seal puller the other day. Works great! Removed a crank seal and two cam seals with it quickly and easily. One trick I found was to heat the seal with a heat gun prior to trying to pull it.

I came across that seal puller tool after I was already done with the crank & cam seals. Would have come in very handy.

What did you use to drive the new seals in? The seal drivers set I had access too wouldn't work with the crank & cam seals and the 36mm socket I had didn't fit. Ended up using a brass drift punch and small hammer working my way around the seal until it was seated properly. Took a while but it worked. Looking to find a seal driver set to make the job easier for next time.

 

[fourfive]

Used my AST funnel kit today. I've used it a few times now and it's great. Some nooks and crannies to clean when you're done but it's all clean oil.

You, [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION], [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] & [MENTION=123173]Jhelms[/MENTION] have unknowingly influenced me on more than a handful of tool purchases $$ I have made over the last couple years. They have also been some of the most useful tools when I'm working on my 4runner especially. :hatsoff:

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Ok that endoscope is awesome. It's also sold out. And I can't believe how cheep they are.


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[LittleCaesar]

You, [MENTION=69868]LittleCaesar[/MENTION], [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] & [MENTION=123173]Jhelms[/MENTION] have unknowingly influenced me on more than a handful of tool purchases $$ I have made over the last couple years. They have also been some of the most useful tools when I'm working on my 4runner especially. :hatsoff:

I feel loved. More like jealous, since I want the Metabo impact but have no need for it. It should serve you well for years.

I have the Blue Point version of this kit. It is OK but to be honest, the $15 Lisle seal puller is worth its weight all day, this not so much. I have had better luck with simply a 5oz rock hammer, freezing any new seals for a couple of hours, and then applying some grease on the inner lip and even oil on the outer. No leaks in about 120 different seal replacements:
https://www.amazon.com/PRIVATE-BRAN...id=1496258167&sr=1-1&keywords=crank+seal+tool

I would instead invest in one of these. Have used the heck out of it for a year and change. The ratchets are just gathering dust now. Supposedly Milwaukee is adding an under hood light to its arsenal, can't wait:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Cordless-1-4-in-Ratchet-Kit-2456-21/203111680

 

[thegipper]

The Milwaukee cordless ratchet is definitely the next tool on my list.....

 

[97t4r81]

While not a tool exactly, this is something I've come to keep on hand at all times in the truck or like now, while on a 1600 mile road trip.

Heavy 9mm rubber gloves from HF. Spent many a day with shitty torn medical grade gloves while working on my truck. Those are great for taking blood or wiping asses maybe — but not so much for wrenching and keeping nasty solvents/chems off your skin.

Finally found these heavy duty rubber gloves and haven't looked back. Added bonus is they are black, so you don't look like a serial killer walking around trying to cover up a crime scene.

Who doesn't like looking like a cereal killer? :smokin: I'm with ya, only complaint is that they fill with sweat till they're like water balloons

 

[marcus clarkus]

Endoscope for android or other:
They are CHEAP and can be purchased on ebay. Lets you stick the camera into places normal cameras will not go (please keep it automotive ) They do not come with software, but if you download a free app called CameraFi / works perfectly
1 5 2 3 5M 7mm Android Endoscope Waterproof Borescope USB Inspection Camera USA | eBay

I bought one of these after seeing it here and this thing is AWESOME!!!

The camera came with these little attachments you can stick on the end to help you grab things. I threw a screw underneath my stove and it was actually kinda fun to fish it out with the magnet. There's also a little hook which is nearly impossible to use, but I guess if you have enough patience you could fish something non-magnetic out with it. There's a mirror too (like the kind dentists use).

Creeping around the corner with the little mirror:

The camera packaging said to download "CameraFi" but all the reviews said the ads are obnoxious and pop up over the screen while you're trying to use the camera, so I decided to skip that. I found an ad-free alternative for $1 called "USB Camera Standard" from Infinitegra, Inc. (Download the free 60 second trial called "USB Camera Trial" first to make sure it works on your phone -- hint: plug the camera in before you open the app)

The image quality is about like an old flip-phone camera. Definitely worth the $12 though! Thanks for posting this

 

[99Runnr]

Man it's been a year since I posted in this thread. I was amped up about my first cordless/first ever impact tool back then from Dewalt. In the last year, I've had carpel tunnel surgeries on both hands, trigger thumb and injections on both hands, and a shoulder surgery. My Dewalt impact failed, and after 4 weeks of no tool, my replacement/repaired tool failed after just 2 more weeks.

So, I graduated to Milwaukee Fuel series tools. They have been AWESOME tools. I have the sub-compact 1/2" brushless impact, full size 1/2" brushless impact (1100 ft lbs), 1/4 drive brushless and compact impact, as well as some drills, cordless reciprocating saw, light, so on. I started collecting them and the variations of battery sizes about 9 months ago. Use them everyday and use them hard, never a single hiccup.

You can find these tools for killer prices lightly used on sites like Offerup and Craigslist sometimes. Although I bought most of mine new online for ~$100-$130. They are so versatile with good extensions and wobbly adapters, I literally built my entire new 4runner with a cast on one hand as I was recovering from surgeries.

 

[Slowgoat]

Man it's been a year since I posted in this thread. I was amped up about my first cordless/first ever impact tool back then from Dewalt. In the last year, I've had carpel tunnel surgeries on both hands, trigger thumb and injections on both hands, and a shoulder surgery. My Dewalt impact failed, and after 4 weeks of no tool, my replacement/repaired tool failed after just 2 more weeks.

So, I graduated to Milwaukee Fuel series tools. They have been AWESOME tools. I have the sub-compact 1/2" brushless impact, full size 1/2" brushless impact (1100 ft lbs), 1/4 drive brushless and compact impact, as well as some drills, cordless reciprocating saw, light, so on. I started collecting them and the variations of battery sizes about 9 months ago. Use them everyday and use them hard, never a single hiccup.

You can find these tools for killer prices lightly used on sites like Offerup and Craigslist sometimes. Although I bought most of mine new online for ~$100-$130. They are so versatile with good extensions and wobbly adapters, I literally built my entire new 4runner with a cast on one hand as I was recovering from surgeries.

Hate to hear that about the dewalt stuff.

I've had good luck so far with my milwaukee tools too. Love those!!

 

[LittleCaesar]

That stinks about the Dewalt. I have loved mine for years but will say that it seems Dewalt engineers their products very well when first introduced, then they can go downhill with time.

I have some Milwaukee M12 Fuel and non Fuel items. I am really psyched to try this thing:
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2125-21xc

 

[diverscale]

Picked up this seal puller the other day. Works great! Removed a crank seal and two cam seals with it quickly and easily. One trick I found was to heat the seal with a heat gun prior to trying to pull it.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-58430-Shaft-Type-Puller/dp/B000FPYW4K

This tool really is a must have. Not just that it make seal removal easy, if used correctly, you will not and just cannot damage the surrounding wall and create a leak.

 

[99Runnr]

Hate to hear that about the dewalt stuff.

I've had good luck so far with my milwaukee tools too. Love those!!

I just had people tell me Dewalt stuff isn't the same quality it use to be. I had little/no prior personal experience to that impact/drill set. I used it a lot before it failed for a few months. Once it failed running up lug nuts though, it then failed again running up LBJ bolt's. I couldn't wait weeks without one as I was casted up from surgery. So I took a friends advice who wrenches from home on a business level and tried Milwaukee Fuel line.

Now the same size Milwaukee brushless impact makes just under 3x the power that Dewalt 1/4 drive did. Plus it hasn't failed with way more strenuous tasks. Anything it won't handle, I touch the 1100 ft lb tool to and it's never failed. My friend had a seat belt bolt seized on his car and it wouldn't budge with a 3 foot breaker bar. My impact removed it in seconds. It also sat on my diff drop spacer a second too long when I just swapped gears. Here is the aftermath of that, the things have SERIOUS guts.

 

[absalom]

My single most used tool is actually my headlamp. I don't know how folks can work on cars, or anything, without one of these puppies perched on their head.

This is the exact model I use:

Gallery

 

[Bumbo]

I find myself doing a lot of electrical work, projects, upgrades...

I have grown quite fond of my meters and electrical tools.

I also have a pretty healthy assortment of crimpers, strippers, and other electrical hand tools...

Just a weekend warrior here, but I decided it was also time to up my torque wrench game... I moved from all Hazard Fraud wrenches to Precision Instruments.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I've only had this for a week and used it darn near every day while tweeking the 4Runner. It's really good for the spring tension hose clamps. Especially the ones buried in the back of the engine. It's a really long needle nose pliers.

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[AntleredRuin]

A go-to tool that I have no idea how I lived without: an oscillating multi-tool. This with a few different size plunge blades have helped me significantly with so many things, (not even all car related) from trimming the core support for my tranny cooler and replacement radiator, to cutting wood trim for cabinets and exterior siding, to removing a severely rusted on metal hose for my washing machine so I didn't have to replace some piping in my utility room.
Flipping lifesaver of a tool.

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[kball]

Who doesn't like looking like a cereal killer? :smokin: I'm with ya, only complaint is that they fill with sweat till they're like water balloons

Those gloves are great but my arthritic hands don't like them. They are so tough it actually hurts trying to put them on! The 7 mil blue gloves are perfect to me. They last and don't hurt to put on.