The innovative or useful tools thread - Recommendations etc.

[DIYMechGuy]

PositronicRay said:

I just fish around in the general vicinity Mind you I did find a couple of old screwdriver bits the other day, lurking under the inlet manifold.

If you mean what I think you mean by that second sentence, if you drop something or push something, you'll usually hear it hitting the ground or bouncing against something metal on its way down, so what I have started doing (and call this obvious if you like), is keeping a smallish plastic container near where I'm working, and make absolutely sure that EVERYTHING that I'm working on, goes into it, nuts, bolts, screwdriver bits etc, that way, I can't possibly lose anything, except by dropping it!

[TartanPaint]

DIYMechGuy said:

If you mean what I think you mean by that second sentence, if you drop something or push something, you'll usually hear it hitting the ground or bouncing against something metal on its way down, so what I have started doing (and call this obvious if you like), is keeping a smallish plastic container near where I'm working, and make absolutely sure that EVERYTHING that I'm working on, goes into it, nuts, bolts, screwdriver bits etc, that way, I can't possibly lose anything, except by dropping it!

I'm sure everyone knows about magnetic parts trays, but just in case...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002QRYFJ2/

[PositronicRay]

TartanPaint said:

DIYMechGuy said:

If you mean what I think you mean by that second sentence, if you drop something or push something, you'll usually hear it hitting the ground or bouncing against something metal on its way down, so what I have started doing (and call this obvious if you like), is keeping a smallish plastic container near where I'm working, and make absolutely sure that EVERYTHING that I'm working on, goes into it, nuts, bolts, screwdriver bits etc, that way, I can't possibly lose anything, except by dropping it!

I'm sure everyone knows about magnetic parts trays, but just in case...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002QRYFJ2/

Yup got some of those Only one of the lost screwdriver bits was mine, I knew it was down there somewhere so it could stay until further notice.

[longshot]

Not exactly a tool but something I bought recently and is great stuff to use. Stays where you put it.

[mwstewart]

These are likely to be well known but I got my first set last week:


Fluid pipe clamps. The set contains a range of sizes suitable for brake pipes and the like up to the largest rad hose. I used a couple of them to swap a PAS cooler without loosing too much fluid (low side line so not a metal reinforced hose - they wouldn't work on those).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361312020505?_trksid=p20...

[N5 NRO]

I've found these pretty useful for diagnosing issues on my MG over the years:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/laser-2780-high-te...

[227bhp]

I cba to post a pic, but Ebay 'Tyre string kits', cheap and effective!
Saved me a couple of times lately.

[voicey]

Tyre strings are always handing to keep in the car.

Another tool I use a lot is a Wera Star Magnetiser - great for magnetising or de-magnetising tools as appropriate.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Scr...

[mwstewart]

Thanks chaps. String kit and magnetiser ordered.

The spark caps would have come in handy many times over the years.

[longshot]

Boroscope arrived today.

Just have to persuade my g/f to get it working on her android phone.

[Nealio]

Halfords Vortex socket set, also sold under the Draper Expert brand, same thing.





So useful in certain situations. All 6 point too.

[rhyspw]

http://uniburr.com/

[tapkaJohnD]

DIYMechGuy said:

Assuming of course that you know WHERE that "odd ferrous object" is?

I am planning on getting one of those boroscopes, but I can already see it being highly useful to have.

At least one thing I'd possibly use it for, is for reading part numbers on vehicles that are in awkward places to read! I've sometimes found that one a pain. Hopefully it would assist with eliminating awkward neck movements. Gotta be a good thing surely?

And so cheap as to be worth a punt. I bought one for less than £10, but there are none that work on an iPhone, only Android. I hoped it would work on my Kindle Fire, but it doesn't. Can't even download the programme. I could buy an Android phone!

Jhn

[Mags]

rhyspw said:

http://uniburr.com/

I like that but it's a bit pricey.

[battered]

Mags said:

rhyspw said:

http://uniburr.com/

I like that but it's a bit pricey.

Pricey indeed when a file will do the job on most occasions.

[gretsch drummer]

Nealio said:

Halfords Vortex socket set, also sold under the Draper Expert brand, same thing.





So useful in certain situations. All 6 point too.

I bought this ages ago thinking "That's amazing! I must buy it and use it all the time!"




I've never used it.

[underwhelmist]

I've mentioned it elsewhere on the site, but proper JIS screwdrivers for working on Japanese stuff. A revelation compared to bodging with Phillips screwdrivers.

I got some Vessel ones from Amazon, ace quality although they took a few weeks to arrive, having to come from Japan.

[buzzer]

underwhelmist said:

I've mentioned it elsewhere on the site, but proper JIS screwdrivers for working on Japanese stuff. A revelation compared to bodging with Phillips screwdrivers.

I got some Vessel ones from Amazon, ace quality although they took a few weeks to arrive, having to come from Japan.

every day is a learning day... I never knew that Honda used different heads on their screws, but now you mention it!

[Bungleaio]

JIS screws have an indent on the heads like this

[underwhelmist]

Bungleaio said:

JIS screws have an indent on the heads like this...

Yep, it doesn't seem to be very common knowledge though, I was quite surprised when I was told about them. Live and learn eh

Edited by underwhelmist on Saturday 4th June 00:43