Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » The best cheap tools people aren't using 1 2 3

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 3:56 p.m. ditchdigger Dork

  The $10 blaster thread got me thinking. There are a metric crapload of awesome tools out there that a lot of folks just don't know about. Post your suggestions in here.

  I will start with this little sub $20 wonder

  Handheld deburring tools are cheap and easy to use and do a great job.

  Round holes, straight edges and ovals. Anything you can get the tip into can be made safer and more attractive.

  Most folks don't seem to know these exist and are amazed when they see how well they work. I can't imagine not having a few on hand at all times.

  Your suggestions?

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 3:57 p.m. Woody SuperDork

  I use one of those almost every time I drill a hole.

  Porsche. Everyday.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:01 p.m. Keith SuperDork

  On a similar note.

  

  Square left in 50 caution ocean!

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:01 p.m. ransom HalfDork

  I haven't used it for its intended purpose yet, and I'm sure it's not the coolest thing that'll make this list, but for two bucks this HF radiator hose pick makes me yearn for a speedy death way less frequently when playing with exhaust-hanger O-rings... It's nice to have a handled tool you can pull on something with.

  

  "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." - Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:02 p.m. ransom HalfDork

  Also, dental picks. I think I got the last set from HF. When they're handy, they're really handy...

  "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is." - Jan L.A. van de Snepscheut

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:05 p.m. RossD SuperDork

  

  These are just useful and cheap, but most people know of them.

  00100001

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:07 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

  ditchdigger wrote: The $10 blaster thread got me thinking. There are a metric crapload of awesome tools out there that a lot of folks just don't know about. Post your suggestions in here. I will start with this little sub $20 wonder Handheld deburring tools are cheap and easy to use and do a great job. Round holes, straight edges and ovals. Anything you can get the tip into can be made safer and more attractive. Most folks don't seem to know these exist and are amazed when they see how well they work. I can't imagine not having a few on hand at all times. Your suggestions?

  I don't know if i've ever even seen one of these.... I must have one.

  SCAVENGE THE SEA FLOOR FOR NUTRIENTS

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:22 p.m. ditchdigger Dork

  92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I don't know if i've ever even seen one of these.... I must have one.

  Then my work here is done

  "Sweat is what makes it rock and roll, otherwise it is just folk music with drums"

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:24 p.m. Basil Exposition Reader

  ransom wrote: I haven't used it for its intended purpose yet, and I'm sure it's not the coolest thing that'll make this list, but for two bucks this HF radiator hose pick makes me yearn for a speedy death way less frequently when playing with exhaust-hanger O-rings... It's nice to have a handled tool you can pull on something with.

  Aw, DUDE! That is awesome! I can't count the number of times I could have used that to get a radiator hose off! Gotta get me one...

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:44 p.m. Osterkraut SuperDork

  ditchdigger wrote: Anything you can get the tip into can be made safer and more attractive.

  I have nothing more to add at this moment.

  The hot wife thread is my to-do list.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:50 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  Hemostats.

  

  Good for a variety of uses.

  "That dog is about as subtle as a hand grenade in a barrel of oatmeal..." -Foghorn Leghorn

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 4:56 p.m. oldtin Dork

  

  Dental picks are a favorite too.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 5:20 p.m. NOHOME HalfDork

  Under the same heading as the de-burring tool ( I tend to chuck it up in the drill)

  X2 on the quality/look of drilled holes.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 5:36 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

  ransom wrote: I haven't used it for its intended purpose yet, and I'm sure it's not the coolest thing that'll make this list, but for two bucks this HF radiator hose pick makes me yearn for a speedy death way less frequently when playing with exhaust-hanger O-rings... It's nice to have a handled tool you can pull on something with.

  As mentioned in a previous thread, this tool is also useful for the "bitch-clip" on an E30 shifter assembly.

  I picked up something at Lowes the other day that looks promising: one of those multi-bit screwdriver sets with a twist - the end with the bit holder is a LED flashlight. It'll need a bit extension to really useful for much, but the idea has potential to get you out of a jam. I think it was $6 and came with a clip of driver bits.

  Dental pick sets are so cheap, buy multiples - because you'll eventually break and or misplace one of them.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 7:27 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  

  You should see what that thing can do the the flesh of your hand! I recommend dulling the point a bit.

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 7:29 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  Oh, and one of these:

  

  I use it for all kinds of stuff, including shoveling snow, swatting bugs, masking when spray painting, moving dead "presents" my cats leave, scooping smelly "presents" the dogs leave...

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 7:38 p.m. ThePhranc New Reader

  Keith wrote: On a similar note.

  What is this called? I need one to put the 323 manual rack into my mx-6. Do they come in different tappers?

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 7:40 p.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

  Osterkraut wrote:

  ditchdigger wrote: Anything you can get the tip into can be made safer and more attractive.

  I have nothing more to add at this moment.

  I tell the ladies this any time I get the chance.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 7:46 p.m. HiTempguy Dork

  ThePhranc wrote: What is this called?

  A reamer. NOT a ream-her, two different things!

  Rallying; It's like skydiving, except you have to dodge trees on your way down!

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 8:35 p.m. fifty Reader

  Impact screwdriver, for removing stubborn or stripped screws. $8 at H-F

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 8:43 p.m. nocones HalfDork

  ditchdigger wrote: The $10 blaster thread got me thinking. There are a metric crapload of awesome tools out there that a lot of folks just don't know about. Post your suggestions in here. I will start with this little sub $20 wonder Handheld deburring tools are cheap and easy to use and do a great job. Round holes, straight edges and ovals. Anything you can get the tip into can be made safer and more attractive. Most folks don't seem to know these exist and are amazed when they see how well they work. I can't imagine not having a few on hand at all times. Your suggestions?

  Where can I get one?

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 8:55 p.m. Taiden HalfDork

  I am in love with this thread. Here is the $10 spot sand blaster I picked up today

  Taiden wrote: No, you should not try to do an entire car with this kit. It's just not designed for it. But I will say that for doing spot rust repair (quarter panels, roof rack mounting points, rocker panels) this thing is AMAZING! Pair it with a good face shield and a decent respirator and I must say. This is the best $10 I've ever spent. Wire wheels and flap discs have a horrible time actually removing the deep rust. They can take care of the brown crap on the outside, but if you don't get it to bright shiny metal the rust always comes right back. A spot that would have taken me hours to get to the point of shiny metal now takes me about 1 minute. The only other tool I bought that was a better deal was my 1/4"x20tpi tap and handle I paid $3 for. Anyway, that's my semi-rant about this thing. Here's a photo and a link http://www.tractorsupply.com/sandblasting-tools-accessories/clarke-abrasive-spot-b...

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 10:05 p.m. Keith SuperDork

  ThePhranc wrote:

  Keith wrote: On a similar note.

  What is this called? I need one to put the 323 manual rack into my mx-6. Do they come in different tappers?

  T-handle reamer. It's intended to make a round hole bigger while keeping it round. Or you can use it to round out a hole that's got that weird Wankel rotor shape that some drill bits make. Also good for self-defence. Quick, name a science fiction novel in which the T reamer gets a mention.

  I bought an H-F impact screwdriver. The bit broke in half the first time I used it. I am not impressed.

  Square left in 50 caution ocean!

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 10:16 p.m. oldtin Dork

  Copper welding spoon - keeps the weld flat on the backside - piece of copper pipe and a hammer is all you need to make one. My fancy one has electrical tape wrapping for a handle.

• 

  Aug. 17, 2011 10:24 p.m. ditchdigger Dork

  nocones wrote: Where can I get one?

  http://www.amazon.com/Allstar-Performance-ALL11036-Deburring-Tool/dp/B003BZR1FS/re...

  "Sweat is what makes it rock and roll, otherwise it is just folk music with drums"

1 2 3  

You'll need to log in to post.