So we've all been there, right? That bolt that's just a little too far around that corner to get to and a ratchet just won't cut it... or that crazy flat thing needed to open up the plug on a pipe cleanout... maybe you just wanted a bottle opener that nobody else had. In any case, some tools just suck and others are either super expensive or just unobtainable. Me? I'm more on the side of thinking that some tools are just too expensive for what I need them to be. Other times it's either late and nobody is open to get the right tool of just out of not wanting to drive all the way into town. Either way, I've made up some tools of my own that have been quite handy.
Instead of ransacking my shop looking for everything, I figured I'd just post up stuff as I come across it. The latest are a couple real dusies that I've been using just about everytime I go out there.
Mini anvil:
Yup... it's a chunk of beam that I cut down to size. Really doesn't matter what shape it is though. All I use it for is smacking things around. Simple and to the point for what it needs to be.
8" bench vise:
A bench vise is a real pet peeve of mine. First off, you could pick up a small, cheapie one every year that'll only get bound up and find new ways to get you all fired up. Sure, one could drop $600+ for a nice Wilton or pick up one used but still... good luck finding one for cheap as they never really wear out. Second, the dang handle on the end of them. Always flopping around... always in the way when the jaws are tightened down... sometimes you need to really crank down on something so you're tempted to use a "torque multiplier" and then just end up bending the handle so is doesn't even move like it should anymore... What I wanted was cheap, no dumb handle to get in the way, cheap, easy to maintain, and cheap. This was my solution.
This is where everyone else chimes in. What neat tools have you put together to make your life easier?