Tool Talk

[Blue XJ]

I have an ACE hardware brand set, which according to the box are rebadged Gearwrenches, and a few other sets of Gearwrench, one with a flex head on it.   I like those the best, can really go at it from any angle and they get a good hold on the bolt/nut.     Only issue I've had with them is the mechanism gets dirty and they no longer ratchet, usually a good blast of brake cleaner fixes that problem.  I found a set of stubby Gearwrench ones on clearance at Advanced Auto a few years back for $8 a set, had to buy a few sets.

[Minuit]

Sometimes my non-reversible Gearwrenches get locked up and won't turn in either direction. A smack to something solid gets them working every time. Otherwise, no problems and I've used them a bunch. An indispensable tool for sure.

[Blue XJ]

Yep, I've had good luck banging them on the ground to get them going again too!

[gogmorgo]

Something I figured I should share with the group.
I’ve struggled with finding good non-messy ways of filling things like diffs and manual transmissions inside the vehicle, where a gear oil bottle doesn’t quite have clearance to get inverted and squirted into the diff.

This “lower unit pump” is a boat thing. Something to do with outboards I think, but I’m not a boat guy. But basically it turns an oil bottle into a pump dispenser. You choose the combination of straws to fit the oil bottle, screw the pump onto it, push the hose to wherever you need it, and pump until it’s up to the correct level. There’s a couple adapters in the pack for getting the hose onto something on the boat motor but they’re not needed for filling diffs. 
There’s other tools to do the same job, but this is ~$10, you don’t need to worry about transferring oil between containers, and when I’m done it sits in an old oil jug with a hole in it for the hose, so it drains down without making a mess. 

[DirtyComanche]

On 5/27/2020 at 11:09 AM, gogmorgo said:

Something I figured I should share with the group.
I’ve struggled with finding good non-messy ways of filling things like diffs and manual transmissions inside the vehicle, where a gear oil bottle doesn’t quite have clearance to get inverted and squirted into the diff.

This “lower unit pump” is a boat thing. Something to do with outboards I think, but I’m not a boat guy. But basically it turns an oil bottle into a pump dispenser. You choose the combination of straws to fit the oil bottle, screw the pump onto it, push the hose to wherever you need it, and pump until it’s up to the correct level. There’s a couple adapters in the pack for getting the hose onto something on the boat motor but they’re not needed for filling diffs. 
There’s other tools to do the same job, but this is ~$10, you don’t need to worry about transferring oil between containers, and when I’m done it sits in an old oil jug with a hole in it for the hose, so it drains down without making a mess. 

 

I didn't know they were selling those, likely because they're in the marine section that I rarely browse.

 

I'll have to pick up a couple.

[gogmorgo]

I actually think I saw it on an end display in the automotive section. But the Hinton store is one of those smaller ones where everything is organized more for fitting lots of stuff in not much room than it is for easy finding. Not quite on the level of Dauphin, but getting there. So maybe in other places it’s in the marine section? The SKU is 28-3050-8. $12.99. The reviews suggest it’s garbage for doing what it’s actually supposed to, but so far it’s been great for filling diffs.
 

[silvertwinkiehobo]

There are cheap auto versions of those, they last about two to twelve uses (I think I got one to do 8 or 9 services before it went bad), but having a pump like that really does help sometimes.

[Pete M]

my newest set of tools.    trim removal stuff.  the one with the arrow is just plain awesome for christmas trees!

 

[derf]

Where did you get those?  I need a set.

[DirtyComanche]

On 7/11/2020 at 7:58 PM, gogmorgo said:

I actually think I saw it on an end display in the automotive section. But the Hinton store is one of those smaller ones where everything is organized more for fitting lots of stuff in not much room than it is for easy finding. Not quite on the level of Dauphin, but getting there. So maybe in other places it’s in the marine section? The SKU is 28-3050-8. $12.99. The reviews suggest it’s garbage for doing what it’s actually supposed to, but so far it’s been great for filling diffs.
 

 

Oddly enough Fort St John has 27 in stock.  Prince George has 0.

 

[Pete M]

8 hours ago, derf said:

Where did you get those?  I need a set.

 

ebay.  amazon should have them too.   

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Trim-Removal-Tool-Pry-Plier-Door-Panel-Dash-Radio-Audio-Interior-Clips-Kit-U/123926961580?hash=item1cda9f5dac:g:TckAAOSwctddZjuW

[derf]

40 minutes ago, Pete M said:

 

ebay.  amazon should have them too.   

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Trim-Removal-Tool-Pry-Plier-Door-Panel-Dash-Radio-Audio-Interior-Clips-Kit-U/123926961580?hash=item1cda9f5dac:g:TckAAOSwctddZjuW

Awesome.  Thanks.

[yxmj]

In my family it is an unwritten rule that nobody buys me tools….since they usually pick out “Gimmick” tools sold on late night TV…..My daughters boyfriend did not know and purchased me one of these…

I do not know the name for them I call them “Dog Bone” wrenches. It road around in my tool bag for a couple of years before I finally used it. Now it has become one of my go-to tools (so much I grabbed another)

It gives you 8 deep sockets on a swivel wrench platform…..If you had to grab one tool it would be one to go for (for scale it is about 12" long)

[mjeff87]

^^^^I've got one of those, but in vintage Craftsman.  My wife's grandfather passed several years ago, and we were cleaning out his basement.  He wasn't much of a tool person/handyman and didn't have much, but he had one of those.  There's no date stamp on it, but I'm guessing it was from the 60's-ish.  I took that plus a vintage Craftsman 1/2" ratchet.  I was using the ratchet a couple months ago and snapped the pawl inside the head (I need to take it apart and fix it someday).  I don't use the dogbone wrench at all.  It just sits on the workbench as a remembrance of him.

[Pete M]

made myself a little scrub brush to do the inside of the backup light lens.    improved version on the left. 

[derf]

On 7/14/2020 at 7:11 AM, Pete M said:

 

ebay.  amazon should have them too.   

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Trim-Removal-Tool-Pry-Plier-Door-Panel-Dash-Radio-Audio-Interior-Clips-Kit-U/123926961580?hash=item1cda9f5dac:g:TckAAOSwctddZjuW

BTW, I had a chance to use the pliers on some wheel well liners on the XJ this last weekend.  It made getting those christmas trees out so much easier.

 

I highly recommend the kit.

[Pete M]

I used them to pull the retainers for XJ hood insulation the other day.  took seconds to remove it all and no damage to the insulation  

[Manche757]

On 7/27/2020 at 11:56 PM, Pete M said:

made myself a little scrub brush to do the inside of the backup light lens.    improved version on the left. 

 That might win a prize for most creative use of old tooth brushes.

 

Any new tools of interest or new uses for old tools?

[Pete M]

made myself a door removal tool.   it's a cheap 1/4" ratchet/bit combo tool and then I cut down a torx bit so that the tool easily fits in the door jamb.  I also carry a 1/4" breaker bar to start them. 

 

 

 

 

[Torq_Shep]

I wish I had this last night... Although I usually just put a ratcheting wrench on the socket and it works okay... Just bought a long T40 on Amazon last night to make sure I can get the door re-aligned after I finish replacing BOTH hinges and install the brace.

[The86manche]

If you have deep pockets, this is a fun tool to have.

Hand held spot welder. I don't remember the brand though. Wired for 220 and many settings for different metal thickness and clamp times.

Many accessories too, different shape and sized ends.

[Jesse J]

welding helmets. new filler . new electrodes. a professional car clean and detail isn't a tool but a nice gift. mac/snapon gift cards

[Pete M]

should probably add this li'l guy in the tool thread   inner tie rod tool

 

 

[Torq_Shep]

I just did the inners on my van. But I rented the parts stores fancy phallic shaped puller. 

[JMO413]

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q2B1TBP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_l3a0FbX1ZZGEW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

So far I have cut off 2 lower quarter panels outer and inner, a few large chunks of the rear floor, cut out a chunk of rocker inner & outer, trimmed the new panel to fit. It has worked awesome and still ready to go. The best part of these is they don't get smaller while you use it. I will report back when it dies.