The innovative or useful tools thread - Recommendations etc.

[aide]

Adjustable Mirror, magnet and a pickup tool are handy.

[aide]

Helicoil set is useful as well

[Gerradi]

Got those damned lower ball joints out Ok ...but broke the ball joint splitters & breaker bar knuckle ...( & my shoulder)...

[Davie]

Further inspired by Pistonheads, this week has provided...

Pela 6 litre fluid vacuum
Mityvac hand vacuum pump
Ceratec brake grease
Sealey tap and die kit
Anodised deep sockets for alloy wheels

eBay and a quiet start to 2017 has a lot to answer for!

[sparkythecat]

A brake spring tool makes far easier work of reassembling drum brakes than a pair of long nosed pliers.

[darthbuttchin]

They're simple tools, but I'm really impressed by my 18" breaker bar - I'd never come across them before, but when I borrowed a neighbour's when trying to remove a knackered caliber bolt (in conjunction with an impact socket), I was floored by how well it worked, so had to get one of my own.

Also, not really a tool, but my inspection lamp (http://www.rolsontools.com/72-led-inspection-lamp-4aa-batteries.html) has been a godsend. It's not expensive, but has a hook and magnets, so can be placed pretty much anywhere, and is really bright, so it's no longer a case of stopping once the light starts to go, or worse still, turning the iPhone flash on and trying to work one handed.

Got a torque wrench on order, so looking forward to trying that out when it comes (always torqued to 'ugh' and a bit in the past).

[one eyed mick]

If you think an 18" breaker is good do the job properly and buy a 24" one !!

[tight fart]

You should try a 36" !!
Ok we'll stop that.

Not sure how useful this will be, I wanted one a few years back but they were in the several £100s pric bracket.

Lidl had them this week at £12.99!

[227bhp]

They're ok as long as you don't need accuracy. No doubt you will have already pointed it at various different surfaces in the same room and found it gives different readings. One of the best uses I found was telling me which cylinder wasn't firing by pointing it at the manifold. Saved some burned fingers....

[sparkythecat]

CrutyRammers said:

I use my sheet metal saw a lot, doesn't seem to be something you can buy anymore, it's "vintage" apparently:

I've been keeping an eye out for one of these since I first saw your post. I've only just managed to bag one on Ebay.

[ffc]

Power bleeder for brakes/clutch making it a one man operation.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

[tapkaJohnD]

Half the price at Halfords: http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-...

[227bhp]

ffc said:

Power bleeder for brakes/clutch making it a one man operation.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

Given they only fit certain cars they aren't very good, If they sold it with a variety of different caps like Eezibleed it would be of more use.
I don't think it really qualifies for this thread.

[melhookv12]

227bhp said:

Given they only fit certain cars they aren't very good, If they sold it with a variety of different caps like Eezibleed it would be of more use.
I don't think it really qualifies for this thread.

You'll be surprised how many modern cars and vans this fits. I use one. Fit's VAG. FORD, Various French cars. Get your point as you need to know if it fits your own car.

[voicey]

227bhp said:

ffc said:

Power bleeder for brakes/clutch making it a one man operation.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

Given they only fit certain cars they aren't very good, If they sold it with a variety of different caps like Eezibleed it would be of more use.
I don't think it really qualifies for this thread.

As the post above says, it fits a lot of cars. If you're struggling for fitment then Alba sell a range of compatible adapters.

[petrolbloke]

Nothing too fancy but this has come in handy recently:
http://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-1/2-sp...

Unlike most sockets, you can get a spanner on the top of it. That then allows you to get a hex bit through the socket to stop the strut from spinning round when you're trying to undo the nut. 21mm is the right size for my Octavia mk1 and Clio mk2 and probably a fair few other cars as well. Cheaper than buying a swan neck spanner and probably easier to find.

[JohnGK]

Just found this thread and has cost me a fortune, it's like being in the sweet shop when you're a kid.

I Like this,
http://www.ledlenser-store.co.uk/rechargeable-head...

especially with my deteroriating eyesight, rechargable and AAA's.

And this for my aircraft inspections.

http://www.ledlenser-store.co.uk/torches-c70/t7m-l...

Do a google and you'll get them alot cheaper, I got both mine for less than £30.

[227bhp]

voicey said:

227bhp said:

ffc said:

Power bleeder for brakes/clutch making it a one man operation.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

Given they only fit certain cars they aren't very good, If they sold it with a variety of different caps like Eezibleed it would be of more use.
I don't think it really qualifies for this thread.

As the post above says, it fits a lot of cars. If you're struggling for fitment then Alba sell a range of compatible adapters.

Yes and it doesn't fit a lot of other cars, who is this 'Alba' who sell a range of adaptors for it?

[tapkaJohnD]

petrolbloke said:

Nothing too fancy but this has come in handy recently:
http://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-1/2-sp...

Unlike most sockets, you can get a spanner on the top of it. That then allows you to get a hex bit through the socket to stop the strut from spinning round when you're trying to undo the nut. 21mm is the right size for my Octavia mk1 and Clio mk2 and probably a fair few other cars as well. Cheaper than buying a swan neck spanner and probably easier to find.

It's a convention that spark plug sockets have a hex on top, as well as the rubber sleeve inside
This MAY be so that a spanner may be used if the square drive on a ratchet wrench would touch the top of the plug, but that's a guess.

John

[Krikkit]

227bhp said:

voicey said:

227bhp said:

ffc said:

Power bleeder for brakes/clutch making it a one man operation.

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=20&am...

Given they only fit certain cars they aren't very good, If they sold it with a variety of different caps like Eezibleed it would be of more use.
I don't think it really qualifies for this thread.

As the post above says, it fits a lot of cars. If you're struggling for fitment then Alba sell a range of compatible adapters.

Yes and it doesn't fit a lot of other cars, who is this 'Alba' who sell a range of adaptors for it?

Bit pricey, but quite a few: http://www.albadiagnostics.com/product/37/multi_ve...

The universal ones look quite good, anyone used one with success? I have an Eezibleed which is a godsend when it fits the reservoir, but a faff when it doesn't quite fit etc.