Special Tool

[VicParticipant @vic]

I bought one of those Parkside multi bit sets five or six years ago and included was something I wasn’t sure I’d use until today. It made replacement of these rusty old screw eyes with new stainless steels ones a quick and easy process. 😉

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

And I bet there are some folks out there who don’t know what that odd shaped bit is for?  However, it’s often the wrong size for your selected cup hooks.  Maybe they’re out there somewhere, but I’ve never seen a set of them.  But to be fair, I’ve never looked.  Guess what I’m searching for next!

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

Got one of those in a set of 1/4″ hex security bits, never could figure out what it was for. Now I know, thanks Vic! Mine is only 7/8″ across the ears and the slot is 5/32″ wide so would only do smallish eyes.

John

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Ooh, I’ve never seen one of those previously.

And here’s me making do with a tommy-bar!

 

One of the most useful “special tools” I had was a plastic claw that would grip a screw-driver up to perhaps 3/16″ diameter, and the neck of the screw.  The latter function was by three claws with an internal taper so it would unclip itself as you tightened the screw.

I bought it from a filling-station shop, but lost it long ago and have never seen an equivalent.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I’m another ignorant person who didn’t know what the things were for, never to old to learn.

[James AParticipant @jamesalford67616]

So that’s what it is for. I have one in a screwdriver set that I was given and I have never know what it was.

James.

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Another school day.  I like those.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

I had one of those some years ago, no idea what it was for until a friend told me.  Useful, but the problem with it was that it was made of metal with the ductility of a decent bit of cheddar cheese.  Didn’t last long!

I made a replacement, a short length of 20mm bar with a 6mm slot across one end.  A 10mm AF  hexagon for the drill chuck (or tap wrench) at the other end.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

John-

Thaty reminds me of the “special tool” I needed to reach the ‘Torx’ screw in one of the clamps holding my car-battery in place. It was deep down a narrow recess. The other was easily accessible.

My ‘Torx’ set is the angled type, looking superficially like Allen keys.

A piece of steel tube with a hole and hacksawn driving slot in one end, a generous helping of adhesive tape to hold the key in the slot, a tommy-bar at the top end…. and a few minutes’ work saw the new battery secured to the shelf .

[Author]

Posts