MNBikeCommuter,
I'm with you there and will let necessity (thrift) be my guide. Thankfully my pedals came off like butter (see below). But, if I start groveling and scavenging, no doubt I'll be schooled in seized pedals, BB's, and the like.

Amesja,
Thanks for the tips.
My greatest general peeve for tools is the size markings, often miniaturized unreadable micro etched or stamped numerals. Yes, many tools are familiar by profile, but invariably when I need to read the sizing, it's dim lighting, awkward positioning, and urgent grasping. If one is going to place markings on the tools, make them real-world readable. Cones, rods, and lenses would be grateful.


Surreal,
Thanks for the head's up: the Snap-On 15mm wrench indeed works perfectly on my current 25x year old French pedals which fortunately were not over torqued.
Is adjusting cones an occasional occurrence that would warrant packing cone wrenches in an emergency tool kit?
Yeah, I just need to get a better replacement skewer (without threads poking out) and I'll have completed my bizz with this LBS. Whether it was a scam, incompetence, or a little of both is hard to say. Vent yes, but no need for me to go postal in there. Look how well behaved I've been and my reserves of restraint: I haven't even posted the business name.
And, I now have my hubs done (until I do the freewheel) and I have the time to buy cone wrenches more in tune with my budget (even if it's the same endlessly fascinating laser cut, phosphate finished, non-hardened, doubled ended, lightweight for carrying, highly regarded, yet slightly overpriced, Park wrench).



I'll post a pic of this bike and some specific overhaul issues on a new thread. Thanks for all the great advice.