The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest What was the last tool you bought?

Just short of my upright band saw and cold saw, the quickest cutting tool I have is the portable band saw. Although, I haven't tried out my metal cutting skill saw yet. Can't remember the last time I used the plasma. Probably ever since i got the upright dialed in.

I've always said:
"It's a lousy project that doesn't require a new tool."

Rear Hub/Drum puller for spline type hubs.

Went to HF with my son in law (we both live where there isn't one). He was looking for a set of security bits and while browsing around I decided I needed a BFH so picked up a 4 lb engineer's hammer.

Kevin ... All these projects and living up there ... I'm utterly and completely gobsmacked you didn't already own a BFH ... How on earth have you done some of the most important jobs, like adjusting headlights? Opening locked cars? calibrating speedometers? Tuning carburetors?? Setting points?? Fixing electronics?? Dealing with Win10????

The BFH ranks at the top of my list of shop essential tools, followed only by a chainsaw and the Big adjustable wrench (Southern Maryland Tool Kit). With those three, I can do just about anything. If you can't get the job done with those three, the job probably doesn't need to be done.


JM

John
I have to admit that I now own TWO BFH's. The one I recently bought was the one handed version. I can now move on with my watch repair. The two handed version (actually a splitting maul) is more suited for computer repair, being just a touch overkill for watch repair. Percussive maintenance needs to be applied with precision.

My post should have been worded more properly "needed ANOTHER BFH"

BFW and BFH just worked out been in reading room saw a article on BFW and it all made sense

I actually bought a wrench yesterday at a swap meet in Marietta Ohio. Never seen 1 like it b4. No markings on either side. Seems to be a fits all sort of wrench. Maybe hamemade? Had to have it. It was in a box of stuff marked $5.00 Maybe it'll help me out at some point. Or not. Lol. Any info if someone knows something about it, would be appreciated.

That's basically just a curio. I've never physically seen one of those, but have seen a few advertised. Like all of the "fits all sizes" wrenches, they probably don't work all that well. Sears came out with their "universal" wrenches just before they went belly up. Coincidence? I think not.

Thanks for the reply, lol. I wouldn't expect it to loosen lugnuts, but maybe tighten a generator belt bolt if i get real lucky. Hahaha

You would think, with all the GM products I have around here, I would've gotten this tool a long time ago. A panel popper plier. Say that three times fast. But, no. I've spent my life and career breaking all those plastic keepers like on the 98 C3500, the 92 Vette, etc. From now on, no more broken plastic or door panels!!

That's a Double Alligator wrench. I don't what era it comes from but there are tool collectors that go nuts for versions that were produced by main line tool manufacturers back in the day. Search ebay to see all the various configurations. Good find.

SimS

Thanks SimS. I had no idea. Wow, there are alot of variations.

Bought a MasterCool flairing tool off Amazon, it's a universal set but I still had to order the 37 degree adapters to do stainless lines. Waiting on the adapters so I can continue on my brake lines.

My shop got that kit. We also got the Masterquip(?). I ended up using the latter to do my 37 degree stainless lines. I think this tool goes in the category of "I'll never do it the old way again!"

WOW... I used the flairing tool this afternoon, it wasn't on my brake lines but a steel line on a 52' John Deere model 40. Where has this thing been all my life, everything set up easy and a few pumps of the handle later and a new 45 degree double flair. Love this TOOL.

It is the cats meow to do flares with. Had one for several years now and best money spent for that occasional use.

Sears/Penske Automotive Analyzer 1970’s

New (old) tool to replace my missing Dwell/Tach. Has all the leads and fittings along with the instructions.

Just used an ARP ring compressor that I purchased some time back. Up till now I have always used an expandable type, the ARP tool is sized specific for the intended cylinder bore so it may not fit everyone's needs. I just want to let you know this thing works slick as snot. The Piston and rings just slide through and straight into the cylinder, no muss, no fuss. While I'm building a 327, the 4" bore being .030 over-sized, it's the same for many SBC's I may build later so I didn't think it to be a waste of money.

Newest tool? A long 12-point 10 mm combination wrench for a Dodge diesel starter. I had never seen a 12-point bolt head before. And what's this mm stuff?? Come on, Cummins.

Cummins has been metric for a while I think. I have a 90's skid steer with a Cummins diesel and it's all metric fasteners. The rest of machine uses SAE. Go figure.

SimS

I just bought a CDI 3/8" 10-100 ft-lb torque wrench. We all ready have a 250 ft-lb wrench. And I bought a 6 piece set of flare nut/line wrenches from Gear Wrench. I still have a list, but I'll wait until the next SS check.

Just purchased Shrinker/Stretcher set from Eastwood

Yep, Craig best way to install pistons. I’ve had a set of those for years, and also one that is adjustable for different sizes that I got for the 30 over 455 olds.

1968 vintage Rajah crimping pliers, complete with its original box and a handful or two of Rajah spark plug connectors of various styles. The crimping pliers are designed to make the star-shaped Rajah crimp on their full cylinder connector sleeve.

Purchased a 18 volt Milwaukee grease gun a couple of weeks ago, and one of the best tools I’ve ever bought! Makes it sooo much easier to grease all the fittings on all farm equipment and my old truck.

I just got my Precision Matthews 12" X 36" Lathe with 2 axis DRO. I'm not a machinist but that never stopped me. It's a little bigger than I planned but when I bought my mill I now wish I would have went a step or 2 up the ladder. The 12" lathe is a larger platform than the 11" and jumps up to a 220V 2hp motor. The 12" also has a coolant system. I have a lot of Grizzly equipment in my cabinet shop and a Grizzly mill. The PM lathe has power cross feed. Also PM takes them apart cleans them and dials them in.

Accel Spark Plug Wire crimper. Probably only a one use and goes in the tool box to gather dust.

I got a used 5 H.P. Emglo Air Compressor, 50? gal tank.

Just bought a new scanner since the last one I used broke on me. Well, it was outdated anyways.

Bought some of those hex drive drill bits the battery drill chucks scuff up your bits so bad when they slip ...an old machinist told me to soak the drill press chuck (jacobs)in diesel fuel just lower it into a can of D.F. for the weekend. Also said tighten all three positions on the chuck ! with diesel lube works good helps protect your number and letter bits !

Just bought a new Ingersoll Rand 90 degree die grinder. My Harbor Freight one still works but does not have the safety lock trigger and was always concerned for an accident to happen. The IR is much quieter and more powerful. So powerful that it shreds roloc discs very easily @ 90 psi.
$54.00 on Amazon.

That can make you jump! When you set down a die grinder and it starts operating on its own!!

Very timely,
I was operating a HF die grinder yesterday with a carbide bit inside the cab. . Set it down on a HF moving blanket and next thing you know leaned on the trigger and it went full tilt, luckily it spun into the blanket and stalled itself. It would of been a mess if I would of hit it directly with my butt cheek. Definitely will be being more careful in the future.
Steve

An excellent gun screw driver set, my Craftsman drivers have been well taken care of. Hand me downs from my dad and brother. They do wear out after 56 years. Doc

Just bought an Eastwood Contour SCT, it's a drum type sander/stripper. the online reviews were great. I'm going to try it out on my leaf springs this weekend, I'll let you know about the results.

The last three;
Knipex adjustable wrench. Fantastic
Channel Lock cutting pliers. Great
HF Spline Splicer. Unused as of yet

I picked up a little ring, dolly, pointer, hammer head type of body dolly. Hopefully, it will help get in to those tight spots.

I just purchased a better wet/dry vaccuum, 6 point deep and standard impact sockets (imperial), ratcheting wrenches, a nice breaker bar, and some needle-nose pliers.

Local FB marketplace purchase. Paid $5 and it actually works and has the original owners manual! This one is more compact than my other Sears model. The last one is much quicker for a spot check.