Re:Tools that changed your life!

This is actually an idea from Tyler
Think it would be great if we'd share pictures, links, feedback from tools that make your life a lot easier. I've seen quite a few on the forum and some of them can really change your LIFE...... :woohoo:

For 30+ years I used a a very good Sykes-Pickavant brake flare tool, it was really good and produced beautiful flares but it was a bench tool.

About two years back I bought one of these originally just for under car work. It works well on all types of brake pipe and is ideal for splice repairs brake pipes (using approved female to female join unions) where complete replacement would entail removing or dropping a major unit.

This signal cable tracer is one of the best tools in my box. Cuts wire tracing time down incredibly. Best of all the Harbor Freight model works better than any high end tracer that I have used. It's only $25. The long flexible sensor works much better to encompass those large wire looms. It sends an audio tone down the wire and when the
receiver stops beeping that is where your open is. No one should be without one in my opinion.

I have the same tool different brand name.

This Lisle spark plug removal set has saved me TONS of time.



That porcelain remover they added in the newest version of the kit is a game changer.

I don't care to admit how many I've broken But I've gotten a lot better about not breaking them in the first place (engine temperature, decarbon procedures, impact wrench). Still, having that set in my toolbox has made me pretty fearless when it comes to Triton plugs.

AIR HAMMER BABY!
AKA: the "I Win Hammer"
You wouldn't believe the things I can do with this thing! If I lost all my air tools, I'd buy one of these before an impact gun even!

Noah wrote: AIR HAMMER BABY!
AKA: the "I Win Hammer"
You wouldn't believe the things I can do with this thing! If I lost all my air tools, I'd buy one of these before an impact gun even!

As a guy who is always filming in shop environments. I HATE THAT TOOL!!!!!

ScannerDanner wrote:

Noah wrote: AIR HAMMER BABY!
AKA: the "I Win Hammer"
You wouldn't believe the things I can do with this thing! If I lost all my air tools, I'd buy one of these before an impact gun even!

As a guy who is always filming in shop environments. I HATE THAT TOOL!!!!!

LOL! I know you do, sorry brother!

Noah wrote: AIR HAMMER BABY!

Bwahahahaha :lol: I can totally see you ripping something apart, an air hammer in each hand, laughing manically. :evil:

But for real, I love my PH3050, except that the grip is falling off mine...

Tyler wrote:

Noah wrote: AIR HAMMER BABY!

Bwahahahaha :lol: I can totally see you ripping something apart, an air hammer in each hand, laughing manically. :evil:

But for real, I love my PH3050, except that the grip is falling off mine...

Mine too
I used RTV silicone to hold it on, that worked for a month. Now I have mastic tape on there and it doesn't budge.


The adjustable "Ferocity" of the tool is key! I dial it down to Tickle to vibrate more delicate things like the PRNDL switch on say a Taurus transmission, and all the way up to Murderize to pop loose ball joints and tie rod ends and chisel out old wheel hubs. I have attachments to cut sheet metal, pop axle shafts, you name it. I don't even use a ball joint press to pop out older style Honda lower ball joints anymore.

One of my guys likes to say "Uh Oh! Captain is going to get the Thousand Ways To Use Hammer!"

And while I may not laugh like a maniac when I use it, I'm certain there is a glint on psychosis in my eye :evil:

I bought one of these last year. It saves a lot of mess and time, CVJ Boot Tool - Air operated


Link to UK seller page

Andy.MacFadyen wrote: I bought one of these last year. It saves a lot of mess and time, CVJ Boot Tool - Air operated

Link to UK seller page

I admit, I had no idea what that was until I clicked the link. (even though you put it right at the top of the post :S ) What a cool tool, I didn't even know there was such a thing!

Noah wrote: I have attachments to cut sheet metal, pop axle shafts, you name it.

That reminds me! I saw one of these in a trade magazine the other day:



www.tooldesk.com/automotive/LOCLT855-The...LTI-Tools-LT855.aspx

Can't decide if I'm ready to drop $200 on something that may not work, but it looks sweet.

I don't even use a ball joint press to pop out older style Honda lower ball joints anymore.

Same! I just did a set on Friday. Everyone looks at me like I'm an animal. :dry: Whatever.

Andy.MacFayden wrote: I bought one of these last year. It saves a lot of mess and time, CVJ Boot Tool - Air operated

This may sound silly, but it works, right? :lol: I had a coworker that tried one, and swore up and down that it was a piece of crap, tore boots, blah blah blah. User error?

Tyler wrote:

Noah wrote: I have attachments to cut sheet metal, pop axle shafts, you name it.

That reminds me! I saw one of these in a trade magazine the other day:

www.tooldesk.com/automotive/LOCLT855-The...LTI-Tools-LT855.aspx

Can't decide if I'm ready to drop $200 on something that may not work, but it looks sweet.
?

:ohmy: I may need to wipe myself and return the wife's anniversary gift!

These wrenches changed my life! I don't buy into the whole "splined drive" thing, but I've gotta say, these make short work nearly any hard to reach fasteners and have never rounded a bolt or nut that wasn't going to be a nightmare in the first place. Platinum reversible double box end flex head wrench 5 piece set.

Anyone who works on cars every day owes it to themselves to try these wrenches, seriously, a vital part of my tool box. That said, try to get them from a reliable tool vendor who won't have trouble honoring the lifetime warranty.
They are double ended
8mm-10mm
12mm-14mm
13mm-15mm
16mm-18mm
17mm-19mm
A 7mm-11mm would be a nice addition but I cant complain. They even grab those inverted Torx bolts for which I can never seem to find the right socket

As long as you use decent quality stretch boots and the temperature is above freezing it works great. I used to hate spending an hour trying to get the circlip on the drive shaft spine to slide into the CV. A friend had one and I used it a couple of times but had to spend so long cleaning before returning it that I decided it was time to get one.

When I built my shop I installed 4 of these under each lift (2 in the front and 2 in the rear) and have chains made up that go from front to back and chains to go diagonal. These can be added to an existing floor if you want to have someone core bore the floor I use them mostly to pull lower control arms down most of the time I put pressure on the lower control and tap ball joint or control arm with a hammer and ball joint pops loose from lower control arm . Very seldom use any other type of tool to get ball joint loose.

Ephratah wrote: When I built my shop I installed 4 of these under each lift (2 in the front and 2 in the rear) and have chains made up that go from front to back and chains to go diagonal. These can be added to an existing floor if you want to have someone core bore the floor I use them mostly to pull lower control arms down most of the time I put pressure on the lower control and tap ball joint or control arm with a hammer and ball joint pops loose from lower control arm . Very seldom use any other type of tool to get ball joint loose.

That's a nice set up, you can accomplish all kinds of pulling, holding and straightening with those.

Ephratah wrote:

Cool...............

Ephratah wrote: When I built my shop I installed 4 of these under each lift (2 in the front and 2 in the rear) and have chains made up that go from front to back and chains to go diagonal.

VERY cool. Can't tell you how often I coulda used something like that!