Favorite Tool
12-23-22, 04:31 PM
#1
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Favorite Tool
Everyone has that one tool, that one you reach for for about everything.
Mine is a box end crescent wrench.
Stanley - The Claw is it's actual name, but what it is, is a box end crescent.
I watch for them on ebay.
I have a 10", 2-8" and 2-6" and I use them constantly.
One of these is at 3 bucks right now...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...0&LH_PrefLoc=2
Mine is a box end crescent wrench.
Stanley - The Claw is it's actual name, but what it is, is a box end crescent.
I watch for them on ebay.
I have a 10", 2-8" and 2-6" and I use them constantly.
One of these is at 3 bucks right now...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...0&LH_PrefLoc=2
12-23-22, 05:03 PM
#2
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For framebuilding my fav is my hand scraped cast iron flat surface.
For bike wrenching it's a 8,9,10 "Y" wrench
For general life stuff it's an Explorer Swiss Army Knife (by Victorinox of course), and yes, those are unicycle build plans...
For bike wrenching it's a 8,9,10 "Y" wrench
For general life stuff it's an Explorer Swiss Army Knife (by Victorinox of course), and yes, those are unicycle build plans...
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12-23-22, 06:49 PM
#4
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Having been a stagehand for near 50 years, I got in the habit of carrying a multi-tool of some sort. Before Leatherman and the like were invented it was a Victorinox Champ SAK. Later Gerber, SOG or Leatherman. Never liked Leathermans. My current go to that I carry is a Gerber Truss MT, this being the design who's assorted tools open outward so no need to open up the pliers to access a knife, etc.,, They discontinued this design apparantly, too bad, best MT I've used.
12-23-22, 07:25 PM
#6
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+1 on the 8-9-10 Y wrench. I'm still using the one I bought at Yellow Front back in 1980-1981 or so. Used it quite a bit this afternoon, in fact, stripping an old swingset-steel Huffy.
12-23-22, 08:05 PM
#7
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These days I am pretty much specializing in wheel building although I still do some general bike work. I do get the most satisfaction from using my wheel building tools.
Last edited by Dan Burkhart; 12-23-22 at 09:01 PM.
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12-23-22, 09:24 PM
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hard to say favorite but best decision/purchase was to quit goofing around with DIY stand and getting a Park PCS 10 stand
I now wish I had a park wheel building stand, but don't do enough of that to justify
I now wish I had a park wheel building stand, but don't do enough of that to justify
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
12-23-22, 09:55 PM
#9
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My Park PRS-6 (pre-1996). I use it nearly every day.
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12-23-22, 09:56 PM
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Bike specific: EVT Ultra True Arc hangar alignment tool
not bike specific: Knipex 7” Pliers-wrench
the EVT is both a beast and precise at the same time. It is a joy to use.
the Knipex is great to have at the volunteer co-op. It will grab 14 and 15mm axle nuts as well as threaded headset and Ashtabula locknuts.
not bike specific: Knipex 7” Pliers-wrench
the EVT is both a beast and precise at the same time. It is a joy to use.
the Knipex is great to have at the volunteer co-op. It will grab 14 and 15mm axle nuts as well as threaded headset and Ashtabula locknuts.
12-23-22, 10:00 PM
#11
Newbie
I like the specialized bike tools that are made for the specific job at hand. Like my cotter pin removal tool, which I haven't used for a long time, but I know it's down there in the bottom of the bike tool box, waiting for the day I decide to take up another vintage Raleigh.
12-23-22, 10:04 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by Steve B.
Having been a stagehand for near 50 years, I got in the habit of carrying a multi-tool of some sort. Before Leatherman and the like were invented it was a Victorinox Champ SAK. Later Gerber, SOG or Leatherman. Never liked Leathermans. My current go to that I carry is a Gerber Truss MT, this being the design who's assorted tools open outward so no need to open up the pliers to access a knife, etc.,, They discontinued this design apparantly, too bad, best MT I've used.
My experience was the Leatherman had a harder tool steel and the phillips bit lasted longer than the Gerber.
Guys liked the Gerber because they’d screw around with whipping it open like a switchblade or something.
12-24-22, 12:27 AM
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At the shop, I like to slide a Park pedal wrench under the top of a new bike box to pop it open. Very satisfying.
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12-24-22, 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by SkinGriz
Haven’t used a MT in 16 years.
My experience was the Leatherman had a harder tool steel and the phillips bit lasted longer than the Gerber.
Guys liked the Gerber because they’d screw around with whipping it open like a switchblade or something.
My experience was the Leatherman had a harder tool steel and the phillips bit lasted longer than the Gerber.
Guys liked the Gerber because they’d screw around with whipping it open like a switchblade or something.
12-24-22, 07:58 AM
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pedal wrench - it's a skinny old French unit but it works great
also, I'm glad that I dumped all my assorted & poorly stored allen wrenches into a big clear plastic snack container. they are all in there. it's OK if I have to hunt for the correct size & some are labeled w/ a piece of masking tape. but there's no more hunting for that other set of allen wrenches cuz I can't find the size I need. of course I carry a bike specific, folding allen set, that looks like a pocket knife, in my rack trunk
also, I'm glad that I dumped all my assorted & poorly stored allen wrenches into a big clear plastic snack container. they are all in there. it's OK if I have to hunt for the correct size & some are labeled w/ a piece of masking tape. but there's no more hunting for that other set of allen wrenches cuz I can't find the size I need. of course I carry a bike specific, folding allen set, that looks like a pocket knife, in my rack trunk
12-24-22, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
My Park PRS-6 (pre-1996). I use it nearly every day.
12-24-22, 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
For general life stuff it's an Explorer Swiss Army Knife (by Victorinox of course), and yes, those are unicycle build plans...
inherited my Dad's knife collection. he had a little baggie of extra toothpicks & tweezers. now I have to find my knife that is missing both
12-24-22, 08:18 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
pedal wrench - it's a skinny old French unit but it works great
also, I'm glad that I dumped all my assorted & poorly stored allen wrenches into a big clear plastic snack container. they are all in there. it's OK if I have to hunt for the correct size & some are labeled w/ a piece of masking tape. but there's no more hunting for that other set of allen wrenches cuz I can't find the size I need. of course I carry a bike specific, folding allen set, that looks like a pocket knife, in my rack trunk
also, I'm glad that I dumped all my assorted & poorly stored allen wrenches into a big clear plastic snack container. they are all in there. it's OK if I have to hunt for the correct size & some are labeled w/ a piece of masking tape. but there's no more hunting for that other set of allen wrenches cuz I can't find the size I need. of course I carry a bike specific, folding allen set, that looks like a pocket knife, in my rack trunk
12-24-22, 09:15 AM
#19
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I have three:
The Park AWS1 4-5-6 mm allen Y-tool. Mine is so old and been used so much that I "dremeled" a thin slice off the 4mm to reestablish a sharp tip.
The Park PFP-4 floor pump refitted with a Hirame presta valve chuck. It's in nearly daily use for years
The "Wrench Force" (aka Feedback Sports) repair stand. Wrench Force was a Trek house brand and It was a super bargain years ago when Trek was closing them out and getting out of the tool business. Mine came with a crude but usable wheel alignment attachment, a carrying case and a handlebar/fork holder to keep the front wheel from flopping around when the bike is off the ground.
The Park AWS1 4-5-6 mm allen Y-tool. Mine is so old and been used so much that I "dremeled" a thin slice off the 4mm to reestablish a sharp tip.
The Park PFP-4 floor pump refitted with a Hirame presta valve chuck. It's in nearly daily use for years
The "Wrench Force" (aka Feedback Sports) repair stand. Wrench Force was a Trek house brand and It was a super bargain years ago when Trek was closing them out and getting out of the tool business. Mine came with a crude but usable wheel alignment attachment, a carrying case and a handlebar/fork holder to keep the front wheel from flopping around when the bike is off the ground.
12-24-22, 09:22 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by aggiegrads
not bike specific: Knipex 7” Pliers-wrench
It would be hard to pick just one size. The 7" is a great all-arounder for a lot of stuff, but I also find myself running into situations where the 5-inch (86 03 125) is just dynamite.
For a couple of the sizes I have, I've also purchased the soft jaw covers.
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12-24-22, 09:40 AM
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1. Leatherman Juice CS-4. EDC on or off the bike.
2. Knipex 6" pliers
3. Crankbrothers M10 Multi Tool
Maybe not a "tool," but my Bike Hand gets more use than any other thing on the list except the Leatherman.
2. Knipex 6" pliers
3. Crankbrothers M10 Multi Tool
Maybe not a "tool," but my Bike Hand gets more use than any other thing on the list except the Leatherman.
12-24-22, 10:39 PM
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Favorite all around Tool? Probably my mill, but possibly only because I don’t own a lathe.
Favorite bicycle tool is probably a dial indicator. I’m not sure it lets me true wheels substantially better, but it does make it substantially faster and easier.
Also on the incredibly handy list is a decent pair of digital calipers. I’d list the surface plate, but then I’d need to list the plethora of things that go with it, even if I didn’t do that for the mill.
Favorite bicycle tool is probably a dial indicator. I’m not sure it lets me true wheels substantially better, but it does make it substantially faster and easier.
Also on the incredibly handy list is a decent pair of digital calipers. I’d list the surface plate, but then I’d need to list the plethora of things that go with it, even if I didn’t do that for the mill.
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12-25-22, 09:25 AM
#23
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Probably my mini Snap-On 1/4 Bit Ratchet, it gets quite a bit of usage. I would say my Abbey Chain Tool but I don't use it quite as often but it does feel good in the hand and operates so smoothly.
12-25-22, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by aggiegrads
Bike specific: EVT Ultra True Arc hangar alignment tool
not bike specific: Knipex 7” Pliers-wrench
the EVT is both a beast and precise at the same time. It is a joy to use.
the Knipex is great to have at the volunteer co-op. It will grab 14 and 15mm axle nuts as well as threaded headset and Ashtabula locknuts.
not bike specific: Knipex 7” Pliers-wrench
the EVT is both a beast and precise at the same time. It is a joy to use.
the Knipex is great to have at the volunteer co-op. It will grab 14 and 15mm axle nuts as well as threaded headset and Ashtabula locknuts.
Originally Posted by John Valuk
I first became aware of the Knipex pliers wrenches just a few months ago, and I have really been impressed by how useful I have found them to be. In addition to tightening and loosening fasteners and fittings that have "flats", I have found them to be great for bending metal.
It would be hard to pick just one size. The 7" is a great all-arounder for a lot of stuff, but I also find myself running into situations where the 5-inch (86 03 125) is just dynamite.
For a couple of the sizes I have, I've also purchased the soft jaw covers.
It would be hard to pick just one size. The 7" is a great all-arounder for a lot of stuff, but I also find myself running into situations where the 5-inch (86 03 125) is just dynamite.
For a couple of the sizes I have, I've also purchased the soft jaw covers.
12-25-22, 11:49 AM
#25
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Originally Posted by Dan Burkhart
I do get the most satisfaction from using my wheel building tools.
