what is the most surprising essential item in your tool box?

[John_in_VA]

5 minutes ago, Son of Marty said:

A couple of these paint can openers 48 cents at lowes, great for fishing out retaining rings like in the shifter or opening imported beer or domestic beer if your cheap.

 

 

Au contraire!  It must be a fancy domestic craft beer if it's not a twist-top!!

[Son of Marty]

[visionaut]

1 hour ago, irdave said:

 

I think they're talking about the toolbox at home, not necessarily what you have in the car...

Doh! When I think toolbox, I think portable. At home we gots cabinets…

 

Okay - so 4 of these are surprisingly used and 1 is my most unsurprisingly least used. ?

Edited June 28, 2021 by visionaut

[Dick R]

That big socket must be the least used.  I'm not sure what a 36mm fits, but it's something large and that hopefully means rarely used.

[PapaG]

1 minute ago, Dick R said:

That big socket must be the least used.  I'm not sure what a 36mm fits, but it's something large and that hopefully means rarely used.

Rear axle.......

[TobyB]

I never use those little socket spinners.

I always think I will, but I don't.

 

I am learning how to use screwdriver handles for sockets.

THOSE, especially with some extensions, are kinda nice.

 

t

 

['76mintgrün'02]

Speaking of extra extensions... this surprised me when it crawled out of my tool box.

 

It's essential for those really hard to reach fasteners.

 

I was also surprised to find this little guy on top of my bench last week.   

 

 

On a slightly more serious note, I use those calipers in the background of the video so often that they feel essential.  They're not metric, but neither is my brain.

 

I recently learned that the Makita 1/2" electric impact driver (that came in the box that the snake's hiding under) packs more of a wallop than my pneumatic ones do.  The little Makita 18 volt impact drivers are definitely essential in my shop.

 

Tom

[Leucadian]

My little magnet tool also came with a extendable mirror, and a mini claw grabber.  It's the holy trinity of grabbing small objects.  

 

[visionaut]

2 hours ago, PapaG said:

Rear axle.......

Yessiree.. BTDT, got my drawer prize ?

[visionaut]

1 hour ago, TobyB said:

 

I never use those little socket spinners.

I always think I will, but I don't.

 

That’s why it’s surprising to me too. Got it as a gift. But I’ve started pulling it out of the drawer any time I’m working with my 3/8”bits/sockets - and since it’s right there, I find myself using it..

[JerryC]

1/4" drive sockets fit into tight spaces quite a bit better than 3/8". The seemingly tiny extensions can take a fair amount of torque.

Jerry

[bobthomas]

On 6/27/2021 at 7:34 PM, zinz said:

Telescoping mirror... and a bright flashlight. This is my current favorite flashlight from Harbor Freight, rechargeable, magnetic, and three levels of brightness and focus. 

 

Oh... I’ve carried a stubby hammer in my tool kit for ages. 

Ed Z

That HF light is a nice piece. I bought one last winter and like it a lot.

[bobthomas]

Small tube of KY jelly. it's a good lube, especially for radiator hoses & such.

[Dudeland]

On 6/27/2021 at 2:43 PM, jgerock said:

Air cooled VW specific tools (S-P brand) like their flywheel lock. It works on the M10 flywheels.

I always wondered if the VW lock would work on our cars.  Thanks

 

[Dudeland]

3 hours ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

Speaking of extra extensions... this surprised me when it crawled out of my tool box.

 

It's essential for those really hard to reach fasteners.

 

I was also surprised to find this little guy on top of my bench last week.   

 

 

On a slightly more serious note, I use those calipers in the background of the video so often that they feel essential.  They're not metric, but neither is my brain.

 

I recently learned that the Makita 1/2" electric impact driver (that came in the box that the snake's hiding under) packs more of a wallop than my pneumatic ones do.  The little Makita 18 volt impact drivers are definitely essential in my shop.

 

Tom

That makita 1/2" 18v is a beast.  I have a collection of air impact guns collecting dust.  I got it to get the rear axle nuts off my car for the 1st time in 20 years,  tappity tappity and off they came.