Non-traditional tools

[DrEntropy]

'k.

I've the epoxy paint on stand-by... gotta get the B done so's to move the Elan out before I can do the job tho. Time. sheesh.

 

[tony barnhill]

This morning I went to remove an MGB door - screws wouldn't budge so it was impact hammer tiem...however, today I tried something new: I took the end off one of my old impact hammers and put it on the end of a long 1/2" breaker bar & inserted a #3 posidrivein the end of it...5 minutes and all the screws were loose.....pulling up on that breaker bar was easier than hitting that impact wrench with a BFH!

 

[DrEntropy]

Leverage in action! Pal Archimedes would be proud. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

Yep, & I never noticed that the 'head' on an impact wrench fits a 1/2" breaker bar or ratchet perfectly!

 

[roger_abbott]

My favorite labor saver is a cotter pin puller. It looks like an awl with the last inch or so bent at a right angle. Put the point in the eye of a cotter pin and it comes right out (usually). However, its best use for me has been to break the seal between a radiator hose and whatever the hose was clamped on. Insert the point under the hose and work the tool around the metal tube to which the hose is attached (after removing the hose clamp, of course). Once the seal is broken, the hose comes off fairly easily.

 

[kennypinkerton]

Pair of needle nose pliers has always worked nicely for pulling cotter pins for me. Old worn out (no sharp edges) flat head screw driver is good for seperating hoses from there embeddedness to the metal pipes they've learned to love so much over the years.

 

[Banjo]

I've always used side cutters to pull out cotter pins. I just grab either side of the head and lever it out. Most pins will move long before you cut through them. of course your only squeezing the cutters hard enough to get a bite.

 

[GregW]

This has to be my all-time favorite non-standard tool. It is designed to fire a dart through a drop ceiling (40’ or so), attach a cable or wire on and reel it back. (there is a bracket, but you must supply the flashlight). If you have a playful cat, they love it..

 

[Scott_Hower]

[ QUOTE ]
This has to be my all-time favorite non-standard tool.

[/ QUOTE ]

I laughed out loud seeing that and so did my 6yr old son. "Dad - we NEED THAT". So you pop a tile out, aim and fire?

Will search for a few of my favorites.

 

[GregW]

[ QUOTE ]
So you pop a tile out, aim and fire?

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, that is how you would use it as intended. I was working on a movie where we had to hang China ball lights and cloths lines across an alley. We climbed up the fire escapes, fired the dart across the street, then reeled the ropes and pulleys back across. It was a real timesaver.

 

[jackq]

Hemostats!! I had a pal that worked at the local military base hospital and he was always bringing me "retired" tools from the o/r or dental clinic. Mirrors, picks etc. but the best are hemostats. Clamps off fuel and other small hoses, holds electric wires for repairs or soldering, great for when you work alone.

 

[LLAngus]

I got a roll around IV holder (hospital style). I use it to paint small parts and turn it every which way then roll it into a corner without touching the parts.