Crank arms
 

Any way to get these off without the specific tool?

No

only if they're outboard or have self extracting bolts in place.

if they're square taper, not without running a huge risk of damaging the frame/bb/crank.
i'm sure it's possible, but don't expect to use a hammer or crowbar.

take off the bolts and try riding gently around the block. maybe up some slight inclines or down some small curbs. can't guarantee that you won't damage something, though.

Alternately he could just suspend the bike horizontally by one of the cranks and then jump up and down on the frame

If you care about your bike at all then spend the whopping $12 and buy the tool.

No No No. Riding around with loose cranks will destroy them. You'll deform the crank arm, thus ruining the crank.

I'll order one. Is there any other vital bike specific tools I should consider? I can take my bike to the LBS for any bottom bracket stuff but is there something I really need for any other parts on the bike?

I'd ride to the LBS instead of around the block, make sure the bolts aren't totally loose, so the crank arms stay attached. Once you get to the LBS, pull off your cranks and toss them in the trash, purchase a replacement set and put them on. This way you will save the cost of a crank-puller ($14) or the cost of labor ($5) if you were to have the LBS pull them off.

Chain tool
15mm wrench
bottom bracket tool is very handy IMO
allen keys

that should allow you to do most basic things yourself. A torque wrench is very useful for reinstalling cranks. It's not totally necessary (I've replaced cranks without them) but if I were for instance installing a 200 dollar pair of cranks I'd want to make sure they were tightened correctly so I don't strip them.

Why are you taking the cranks off anyway?

Sure, but if you intend to use the cranks again, you'll want to use the proper tool.

New frame want to use the old cranks.

Order one?

Why the F does everyone want to mail-order everything? That's just stupid (sorry man). It's not like you live in the god dammed wild west and all you have is a Tradin' Post and a Sears catalog.

Just about every bike shop has these in stock on the shelf. You can have it in about 15 minutes if you leave now. Or you can order it online and save about a dollar.

Sorry man. I'd just got off the phone with AT&T trying to pay my bill. I got all pissed off.

Because if I bought everything from the LBS, I'd be completely ****ing broke. Depends on where you live. LBSs around here don't have half the stock of online stores and the prices are outrageous. When you pay $70 for a tire , $10 for a tube, $12 for a brake cable, and $20 for basic handlebar tape, etc., ordering online is really the only option worth considering.

**** it just use a big hammer.