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  #1  
Old 05-29-2018, 10:09 PM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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Default gimmicky tools that actually work

Do you have any tools that look gimmicky, yet work great for their job?

One of the ones I have found is a set of Knipex pliers wrench. It's a great tool. I find myself reaching for that tool quite often when doing repairs.
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Old 05-29-2018, 10:15 PM
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HalfBreed HalfBreed is offline
 
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An aerating tool from Lee Valley. It only does 2 holes per stomp, yet works a treat.

Not sure of a multi purpose though.
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  #3  
Old 05-29-2018, 10:53 PM
trailraat trailraat is offline
 
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The Pulaski. Axe on one side hoe on the other. You can chop and dig quite effectively. Use it all the time around the house when working on the yard.

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  #4  
Old 05-29-2018, 11:09 PM
MRM MRM is offline
 
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The "As Seen On TV" Power Jaws pipe wrench from the early 90's has been a last resort more than once over the years. Total gimmick tool, but works as advertised.


https://www.toolsource.com/ball-join...-p-116993.html
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  #5  
Old 05-29-2018, 11:14 PM
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CaberTosser CaberTosser is offline
 
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I have three sets of those same Knipex pliers (2 in the 10" and a 12"), love 'em. I wish they made them in 15"or 16" too.


The small spring-loaded close-quarters tubing cutters that just about every plumbing tool company makes are great, they seemed gimmicky in the beginning but now they're must-have's. Same goes for a self-lighting torch, I like these units by Turbotorch, hooked up to Mapp gas I can solder and braze to my hearts content and its not just and on/off like with some trigger actuated torches, I can dial in the flame : http://www.airgas.com/p/VIC0386-0851...86-0851:nosale


I've found these Milwaukee USB power source adaptors to be pretty handy, you can use them to power or charge your phones or iPad's etc. Mine was handy when I had my engine cowling off and had no cigarette lighter port to charge from for quite a while. I have them for both Milwaukee's 12V and 18V batteries:

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...ear/49-24-2371

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...ear/49-24-2310

I'm really fond of these brass hose quick-connects, just like an air compressor connector and made of brass instead of those Gardena brand ones that I can't look at without being sure I'll break them like a bull in a china shop:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...t=2,2280,33160

For gardening I have one of these valves on the working end of the hose upstream of the quick-connect so I can easily change hose attachments. I then have the corresponding fittings on the various attachments including my pressure washer. I also have them on hoses on my service truck as they are very useful tools:

http://www.dahlvalve.com/products/mi...121-04-04F.php
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Last edited by CaberTosser; 05-29-2018 at 11:31 PM.
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  #6  
Old 05-29-2018, 11:22 PM
fed fed is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaberTosser View Post
I have three sets of those same Knipex pliers (2 in the 10" and a 12"), love 'em. I wish they made them in 15"or 16" too.


The small spring-loaded close-quarters tubing cutters that just about every plumbing tool company makes are great, they seemed gimmicky in the beginning but now they're must-have's. Same goes for a self-lighting torch, I like these units by Turbotorch, hooked up to Mapp gas I can solder and braze to my hearts content and its not just and on/off like with some trigger actuated torches : http://www.airgas.com/p/VIC0386-0851...86-0851:nosale
If your looking for those knipex tools look for a tool truck. They all carry that brand and can get you anything from them. The truck today had probably a 24" or so better pair of chanell locks on there. Worth looking into if you want some?
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  #7  
Old 05-29-2018, 11:41 PM
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CaberTosser CaberTosser is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fed View Post
If your looking for those knipex tools look for a tool truck. They all carry that brand and can get you anything from them. The truck today had probably a 24" or so better pair of chanell locks on there. Worth looking into if you want some?
Checking Knipex's website I don't see any models longer than 300mm, which is the larger pair I have.

http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id...500&artID=2959
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  #8  
Old 05-30-2018, 12:14 AM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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I do use the hose quick connects, bu I get them from Gregg's. Those are great to have as well. They're brass with a rubber grip.

U want to get the quick connects for an oxy acetaline torch hose as well.

Lock and lube grease gun adaptors are great. A lot less grease winds up on the ground. And a Milwaukee m18 grease gun... Saves a lot of time when one has 400+ grease points on a drill... It pumps out grease like it's possessed... Or on speed...

Oh, and those socket adapters for an impact screwdriver make doing a lot of things so much easier.

Last edited by amosfella; 05-30-2018 at 12:20 AM.
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  #9  
Old 05-30-2018, 06:11 AM
canuck canuck is offline
 
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Get yourselves a pair of these, they are pretty cool

https://surewerx.com/jet-equipment-t...t#.Ww6UKEgvzIU
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  #10  
Old 05-30-2018, 08:32 AM
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Puma Puma is offline
 
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Default Dog Bone Wrench

Don't know if its a gimmick tool, but I love my Dog Bone Wrenches.

They were made by Craftsman, prior to Stanley wreaking the brand.

Keep one in my tractor tool box, and one in my flat deck tool box.

Last edited by Puma; 05-30-2018 at 08:37 AM.
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  #11  
Old 05-30-2018, 09:18 AM
Iron Brew Iron Brew is offline
 
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K. You guys got me researching Knipex. So... Does anybody have a review on the mini set? Seems to me they would be convenient for the job.

Thanks
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  #12  
Old 05-30-2018, 12:16 PM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Brew View Post
K. You guys got me researching Knipex. So... Does anybody have a review on the mini set? Seems to me they would be convenient for the job.

Thanks
I've never used the mini set, but the heat treat on the pliers wrench and the cobra pliers dad got (Yes, I'm using his tools all the time) seems to be very good. The teeth haven't flattened out on the cobra pliers, and there's no gnarling on the pliers wrench, and I've used it hard on some nasty stuff.

They're dad's favorite tools as well.

I like the cobra pliers better than Channelock, as the pliers have a finer adjustment to get the jaws gripping in a more comfortable position for the handles than a channelock set does.
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  #13  
Old 05-30-2018, 01:15 PM
josey josey is offline
 
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Does a breakfast sandwich maker count? I love that thing!
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  #14  
Old 05-30-2018, 01:29 PM
Capt. awesome Capt. awesome is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by josey View Post
Does a breakfast sandwich maker count? I love that thing!
I gotta second that. great to have for a Saturday morning to make a few sandwiches to take hunting
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  #15  
Old 05-30-2018, 01:33 PM
Norwest Alta Norwest Alta is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt. awesome View Post
I gotta second that. great to have for a Saturday morning to make a few sandwiches to take hunting
I'll third. Wish it made 2.

Slap chop is junk.
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  #16  
Old 05-30-2018, 01:41 PM
josey josey is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Norwest Alta View Post
I'll third. Wish it made 2.

Slap chop is junk.
Dude!!! https://www.amazon.ca/Hamilton-Beach...ch+maker&psc=1
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  #17  
Old 05-30-2018, 02:00 PM
Norwest Alta Norwest Alta is offline
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Quote:
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Thanks I'll tell the kitchen boss. 😁
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  #18  
Old 05-30-2018, 03:48 PM
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ÜberFly ÜberFly is offline
 
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X4 👍👍
And we have the double!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by josey View Post
does a breakfast sandwich maker count? I love that thing!
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Old 05-30-2018, 04:55 PM
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Quote:
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Just ordered this bad boy. Thanks for the link.

Dodger
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  #20  
Old 05-30-2018, 05:58 PM
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Grizzly Adams Grizzly Adams is offline
 
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Don't know about gimmicky, but just bought a nail puller that comes with the California cancer warning.

Grizz
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  #21  
Old 05-30-2018, 07:23 PM
Blockcaver Blockcaver is offline
 
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The cheap plastic "folding post level" for installing fence posts plumb that Peavy sells works great and will also level a horizontal pipe brace. Plumbs in two directions. Was <$5 and it got used around our build all the time.
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  #22  
Old 05-30-2018, 10:58 PM
fishtank fishtank is offline
 
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Is fence pliers consider a gimmick tool ? I have one in my garage ... mostly use it as a hammer ..
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  #23  
Old 05-31-2018, 06:51 AM
josey josey is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fishtank View Post
Is fence pliers consider a gimmick tool ? I have one in my garage ... mostly use it as a hammer ..
No gimmick tool. It's the larger version of a leatherman :-) "Farm size leatherman"?
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  #24  
Old 05-31-2018, 07:03 AM
Newf Newf is offline
 
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I’ve got a pair of those flip grip pliers that get used pretty often.
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  #25  
Old 05-31-2018, 07:50 AM
amosfella amosfella is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by josey View Post
Does a breakfast sandwich maker count? I love that thing!
Congratulations on your nuptuals!!!
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  #26  
Old 05-31-2018, 07:52 AM
josey josey is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amosfella View Post
Congratulations on your nuptuals!!!
Not sure if I understand. Wedding gift? Nope, I definitely bought mine for myself.
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  #27  
Old 05-31-2018, 08:08 AM
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CaberTosser CaberTosser is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by josey View Post
Not sure if I understand. Wedding gift? Nope, I definitely bought mine for myself.
He was getting at the same thing about the old politically incorrect joke: “Why does a bride wear white?”

A: So the dishwasher matches the other appliances

The sandwich maker he referred to is bipedal, kisses you and collects shoes and purses.
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  #28  
Old 05-31-2018, 08:16 AM
josey josey is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cabertosser View Post
he was getting at the same thing about the old politically incorrect joke: “why does a bride wear white?”

a: So the dishwasher matches the other appliances

the sandwich maker he referred to is bipedal, kisses you and collects shoes and purses.
tsk!
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  #29  
Old 05-31-2018, 08:22 PM
rockydave rockydave is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaberTosser View Post
Checking Knipex's website I don't see any models longer than 300mm, which is the larger pair I have.

http://knipex-tools.com/index.php?id...500&artID=2959
I have a pair of knipex that are 22" or 560mm long, bought them thru g2s catalog
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  #30  
Old 05-31-2018, 11:25 PM
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I wouldn't consider Knipex Cobras or their plier wrench a gimmicky tool. They've been around for a long time and are the best slip joint pliers there is. I put my Channellocks in the garage sale box a few years ago when I got these.
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