Your Favorite Hand Tool?

by "Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
Published 07/06/2017 at 15:58

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STARS: 3

Of course there would be many, but pick the one tool in your toolbox that is your favorite to use. This one, I bought in Germany in 1990, when I lived there. So it has sentimental value as well as superb utility. And it’s great for applying even, moderate torque. I use it frequently and I simply enjoy using it.

Replies (73)

"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
07/06/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 3

3/8" drive torque wrench. Just something really satisfying about final torquing stuff. Head bolts, main studs, suspension parts, whatever.

Clicks mean forward progress. Or something like that.

"EL_ULY" (uly)
07/06/2017 at 16:04, STARS: 8

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
07/06/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 2

Vice grip

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
07/06/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 0

I use this thing like once a day

"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
07/06/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 1

Ratcheting wrenches! (flex-head, of course)

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
07/06/2017 at 16:07, STARS: 1

24" pry bar. Everything from tearing up siding to getting tree stumps and rocks out of the ground.

"Nibby" (nibby68)
07/06/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0

perfect for cutting up humans for a delicacy

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
07/06/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 2

I would post a photo of a 10 mm end wrench but I can’t find any on the internet.

I have the Ace hardware version of these hex wrenches, have used them for almost 20 years. Looks exactly the same down to the color of the plastic wrench holder.

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/06/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 3

You’re doing the Lord’s work EL_ULY. God bless you.

"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
07/06/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0

My dad has an old wood handled JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screwdriver that I absolutely love. For those not familiar the JIS looks just like a Phillips head but is slightly different and superior in every way. It’s an absolute lifesaver working on old Japanese motorcycles. It’s spent a few years being secretly swapped between our toolboxes until I finally gave in and let him keep it. I really should just order my own.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 1

Oh man, that’s a tough one. If I have to pick one single tool, I reckon it’s my S&K 3/8" flex head 70 tooth ratchet. I found it in an abandoned house. It’s my go-to ratchet.

"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
07/06/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 3

dont know if it counts as a hand tool per se, but the oxygen, propane torch is one of THE greatest tools i have gotten to know. it cuts, it welds, you can bend metal with it, shrink metal, use it to remove stuck bolts, cook /reheat lunch/coffee/tea . BAR NONE, greatest “hand” tool i have ever owned....... second in line 9/16 1/2 stubby box end wrench....... and third in line, fencing pliers, you can make just about ANYTHING out of a length of barbed wire/coathanger, pliers, and some creativity/determination.........

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
07/06/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 1

my simple 10 piece 3/8th 6 point metric craftsman socket set. its not glamorous but if you have a Toyota truck its pretty much all you need.

Shockingly durable, with just enough spare case space for adapters and extensions.

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile)
07/06/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 2

Can’t really articulate much of why I like it, but there’s a double-box-end 9/16-1/2 in my dad’s toolbox with offset ends that is my go-to for either of those two sizes. The right mix of weight, handle length, offset, etc. Dimensions similar to this:

...but with a forged/pebble finish and a little shallower angle on the offsets.

There’s also an old electric “Bulldawg” impact I like. Not that strong, but ergonomically just right, and I like the sound.

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/06/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 2

"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
07/06/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 1

If you’re gonna cut stuff up at least do it right and use a Sawzall, a corded one, not that wimpy battery powered garbage.

"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
07/06/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 0

I’m not a fan of allen wrenches with ball ends

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
07/06/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 1

At present, a Vessel Megadora JIS driver:

It fits in the hand nicely, has a good weight and grip to it, and it’s got the best fastener engagement of any screwdriver I’ve ever used. JIS and Philips compatible too.

"KevlarRx7" (kevlarsupra)
07/06/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 0

A old locking yoke bar (from a farm I worked on) used it for digging, hammering, and adding length to breaker bars ect. But someone robbed it from my driveway.

Literally lost without it.

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
07/06/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 3

Vessel Impacta JIS impact screw driver. Very high quality tool that came in weird Japanese packaging. Also, there’s nothing more gratifying than getting forty-five year old engine case screws to loosen without stripping them out.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0

We need an image.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0

Nice ergonomic handle on that guy.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 1

I have had several Craftsman ratchets of that design fail under occasional use. Newer Craftsman ratchets, of different design, are improved. But yes, highly utile.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 2

The Phillips head screw needs to go away and be replaced by Torx.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 1

And all the better because it was a find. Makes it much more special, doesn’t it? Not something you’d have gone out and purchased.

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
07/06/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 1

I’ve heard that as well, but I’ve been using this one for years without a hickup. I have a backup with me on my kit though.

"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
07/06/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 2

10mm socket. DUH!

#memes

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
07/06/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 0

They are great for bolts at angles, I use them on bicycles almost exclusively.

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
07/06/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 1

I have one of these in the mail. Hoping it will be a great pair to the megadoras!

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 1

Yup. An Oregon redneck — Oregon has a specific ilk of rednecks — once told me that he achieved his spiritual oneness when he had one of his guns in his hands. I told him I got the same satisfaction from my cordless drill. I think he thought I was making fun of him, but I was totally serious. I would show the exact same model of drill, but I was thinking of automotive maintenance in the original post.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 0

Is that the new one?

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1

Yeah, definitely. Everything is better, when it has a story attached to it :)

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
07/06/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1

This is my 2nd choice. my Bondhus Metric T-handle hex set. Oh man these are satisfying tools to use, but I don’t use them as often as I used to.

"Justino6969" (justino6969)
07/06/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1

My Strat will always be my most prized possession.

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
07/06/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1

The best is when you think they’re phillips heads and they’re actually JIS heads. I swapped the screws out for allen heads. Torx are the best.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 16:28, STARS: 0

I’d like to see what that looks — looked — like.

It looks like you have not been approved for authorship yet. You might shoot an email to oppomoderator@gmail.com and ask them to bestow you accordingly.

Give the Oppo Manual of Style a quick read (takes about two minutes):

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/a-slightly-revised-oppositelock-handbook-for-commenting-1750418920

Tell them you’ve read it.

Cheers!

"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
07/06/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 1

torx is horrible....... just close enough to allen wrenches to get the whole mess stripped out. still like the old phillip.....

"Nibby" (nibby68)
07/06/2017 at 16:31, STARS: 0

sawzall is good for limbs but it’s not delicate enough for finer pieces

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/06/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 1

This is a relatively new horn for me. I’ve had the same Bach Strad for 40 years, but I just switched to this Yamaha a couple of months ago. It’s amazing.

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/06/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0

This is a relatively new horn for me. I’ve had the same Bach Strad for 40 years, but I just switched to this Yamaha a couple of months ago. It’s amazing.

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
07/06/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0

Yup.

"jariten1781" (jariten1781)
07/06/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 1

My 10 lb maul was a life saver. Lived in a house with solely a turn of the century wood burning stove for heat for a number of years. Went through a number of axes, hydraulic splitters, manual splitters, etc trying to find anything to make the prep easier. Eventually found a fiberglass handled 10 lb maul that was like a miracle...split 2-3 foot diameter 12 inch rounds like butter no matter how knotty they were. Looks like the picture but much more worn with a slightly larger head...apparently there’s no pictures of that weight/style on the internet.

"KevlarRx7" (kevlarsupra)
07/06/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0

Thanks for that, I’ll take a look into it,

I badly outlined it, but it’s super strong and the perfect length for pretty much anything, best of all it was free.

"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
07/06/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0

Just like this, but with the JIS head. It might actually be a Phillips head, but the shaft for the driver is square, not round like most, and it works incredibly well.

Edit: Tried to post an image but Kinja.

"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
07/06/2017 at 17:18, STARS: 1

I’m usually in too much of a hurry to worry about being delicate.

"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
07/06/2017 at 17:25, STARS: 1

"bshappy" (bshappy)
07/06/2017 at 17:39, STARS: 1

A must have for working on my FJ40. Too bad the previous owner(s) didn’t know that...

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
07/06/2017 at 17:49, STARS: 0

O I’ve used it on cars before.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
07/06/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 2

I love my S-K tools. My grandfather left me a ton of their tools in his old toolbox when he moved into assisted living. I gave my brother a set for being my best man at my wedding.

"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
07/06/2017 at 18:38, STARS: 0

I’m okay with hex, although those get rounded pretty easily as well. Squares and triangles are the best, but for some reason they’re still not popular.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 18:52, STARS: 0

That’s awesome! I only have a few, but they are great tools. Especially the old ones.

"Birddog" (maintmgt)
07/06/2017 at 18:54, STARS: 2

Smooth jaw Channellocks. I work with a lot of chrome and stainless plumbing fixtures and these are the best.

Honestly, all true Channellocks are worth their weight in gold on the job.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 2

A few years ago I went all Channellocks for everything I could. It was money well spent.

"Birddog" (maintmgt)
07/06/2017 at 19:08, STARS: 1

Channellocks and Ridgid. There are no substitutes in the trades.

"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
07/06/2017 at 19:34, STARS: 1

This is awesome, 14 bucks at a flea market, thing is built like a tank.

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
07/06/2017 at 20:10, STARS: 1

I have a bunch of old SK tools both from inheritance and lucky yard sales, they’re the bomb.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:11, STARS: 0

Or Pozi-Driv...

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
07/06/2017 at 20:12, STARS: 0

I stopped using/recommending craftsman when I broke a friend’s <1 year old ratchet by hand. Apparently I can apply more torque to a stuck fastener than it can handle. Fortunately there was a sears a couple miles away - the only thing worse than breaking your tools is breaking someone else’s.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:12, STARS: 1

I’m thinking mainly about deck screws and such. Phillips always strip out and the bits don’t hold up, unless it’s #3 Phillips, then you’re generally okay.

You never claimed your prize in the 9C1 lottery.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 0

Old school wooden handles.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 0

Same.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:16, STARS: 0

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:18, STARS: 1

Agreed, but I do not think the Channellock brand is all that it once was.

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/06/2017 at 20:23, STARS: 1

I’m not endorsing Craftsman tools; they just happen to be acceptable and somewhat readily available. And they have a lifetime guarantee.

"Birddog" (maintmgt)
07/06/2017 at 20:23, STARS: 1

I can’t argue that. I’ve busted knuckles on a few new tools. They’re still more consistent than Craftsman or others outside of Knipex.

"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
07/06/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 1

totally agree - I have two favorites, a couple Channellocks and my ancient, original Leatherman I daily carry in my work bag. Both have saved my heiny multiple times.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 20:37, STARS: 0

Yes! When it was time to buy a tubing cutter when I was working on my house, I didn’t even consider anything but Ridgid.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
07/06/2017 at 20:38, STARS: 1

Nice! I really need to scare up some more of them.

"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
07/06/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 0

yeah, i started reading the thread, and seen that Manwich really won according to the rules. no worries.........

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
07/07/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 1

craftsman 3/8 11' ratchet 44833. It’s about as old as I am and the first thing I grab starting a project.

(not my photo)

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
07/07/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0

Ratchets have been around for 75 years? ;o)

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
07/07/2017 at 18:50, STARS: 0

haha give a take about 4 decades.

"BayAreaMiataBoi" (bayareamiataboi)
07/08/2017 at 03:35, STARS: 0

Short-offset 1/2" and 9/16" wrench. Found in one of my five Pintos, unrusted. Great for working on American cars, because none of my work-on-car buddies has one of these in his tool box.

Not my brand, but you get the idea. . .