Keeping up with tools

Walkin Horse · Jan 22, 2015

I do pretty good at keeping wrenches and such. The one thing I can't keep up with is a valve stem remover. I don't use one often so I can never remember my new hiding spot. Last I found it after checking a bunch of spots. When I got done with it i put it in my bib pocket meaning to put it away. Today I realized it's gone. Must have dumped it out taking my bibs off. I'm thinking about getting a dozen and putting them everywhere they should be. In the toolbox in the garage,in the mule toolbox, on my dresser, in the kitchen junk drawer and the glove boxes.. I even borrowed one from a friend and lost it. Has any body seen one that goes on a key ring? Like I said most other stuff I can keep up with tools.

pmsmechanic · Jan 23, 2015

I have make my own when needed. I live about 20 miles from the closest town so going to town for every little thing isn't an option. I keep metal tire valve caps in stock because I like at least one on every off road vehicle so that I can remove a valve if needed. I also keep rubber tire valve stems in stock because every once in a while I need one to repair a tire. So you screw a metal cap onto a used valve stem and flatten it a bit with the hammer so that it doesn't turn off and then you have a tire valve core remover.

It wouldn't be hard to drill a hole through one and add it onto a key chain.

bcp · Jan 23, 2015

Do you mean a tool to remove the stem from the wheel, or a tool to remove the valve core from a stem?
I have lots of these in various vehicles, tool boxes, etc.

Even have one on a tire, sometimes.

Bruce

Gunny · Jan 23, 2015

I keep the metal caps on all my truck and my UTV tires, then if I can't find one of my stem remover tools, one vehicle or the other is always close by. (I'm the same way about losing things, so when I take one off a tire to remove a stem, I don't let go of it until I screw it back on the tire I took it from)

I did paint my stem remover tools a bright orange so they show up better in the tool box drawer

Baby Grand · Jan 23, 2015

I keep 2 or 3 in the top drawer of a tool box where I have all my air tool stuff - line fittings, valve stem & core replacements, valve caps, arbor wrenches, oil for the air tools, etc.

But I feel your pain - last Summer I was doing a lot of OA cutting & hot forming and kept misplacing my striker-spark thingy. Finally I got a spare at the hardware store & hung it from one of the fluorescent fixture pull cords in the shop, right next to where I keep the torch. After doing that, I completely stopped misplacing the original.

Gunny · Jan 23, 2015

Wish I knew how many times I've looked for a particular tool, given up and bought a new one, then after the job was done, I found the original tool (and then remembered leaving it there)! The good point, if any, is that I now have duplicates of many tools

murphy1244 · Jan 23, 2015

They way I do my tools now is clean up when done and put each tool back into its place.

Walkin Horse · Jan 23, 2015

Baby Grand said:
I keep 2 or 3 in the top drawer of a tool box where I have all my air tool stuff - line fittings, valve stem & core replacements, valve caps, arbor wrenches, oil for the air tools, etc.

But I feel your pain - last Summer I was doing a lot of OA cutting & hot forming and kept misplacing my striker-spark thingy. Finally I got a spare at the hardware store & hung it from one of the fluorescent fixture pull cords in the shop, right next to where I keep the torch. After doing that, I completely stopped misplacing the original.

I got the striker thing covered. One time I was putting in some pipe at at a dry leaning supplier. I talked a guy out of several big diaper pins that they use on laundry bags. Then I put it on a belt loop.

I will try making a core removed like that. It would be nice in an emergency. I see other people have the same idea about buying a dozen and keeping them everywhere. I like the orange paint idea. Also I can drill a hole in one. I pictured something like a little loop off one side but hole will work. Then I can loose my keys.

DJ54 · Jan 23, 2015

I have a couple of them attached to a brass stem, off of like an old 10:00-20 truck tire tube. A spot of Loc-Tite on the threads to keep it on there. Pretty handy using one with a "handle". Less likely to drop, and roll under something, and easy to find in the tool box.

bigtiller · Jan 23, 2015

I never had a valve stem remover. A pair of pliers works nearly as well and I have them scattered all over the place.

Coyote machine · Jan 23, 2015

I'm with Murph on this one; I just never seem to do the clean-up afterwards, or put stuff back where it came from, but I'm getting there, eventually.:laughing:

DFB · Jan 23, 2015

I know where my tools are now...just where I left them! :laughing:

uglyboywith11fingers · Jan 23, 2015

I have a small workshop in the basement, do stuff there mostly in the winter... small tools, mostly.
In the garage (attached) where I maintain the cars, I keep socket sets, automotive tools, floor jack, jack stands, etc.
Out in the side yard is a 10 X 16 ft shed where garden tools, lawn mower, garden tractor, chain saws, etc. live. Socket sets, wrenches, etc. here for working on that equip.
Three years ago I built a small 16 X 32 ft barn (with loft, wifey uses the loft, a trade-off for permission to build the barn) out back of the house for the BX24 and all that stuff, so I keep more tools out there. I think I need another air compressor for out there.

Nothing wrong with lots of tools... improves the chances of finding the tools I need.

Pete

Walkin Horse · Jan 23, 2015

I had a friend who would come help me some. He increased his screwdriver collection at my expense. I've got shop tools and I've got mule tools. I put them back when done and am getting better with age. But that **** valve core tool never seems to get back in the right place. I need to go get filters this weekend I will get a couple. I'm going to drill a hole and put one on my key ring.

Oaktree · Jan 24, 2015

Don't think I've ever lost one of those...I have a drawer in my shop labelled "air" where I keep spare valve stem caps, air hose couplers, pressure gauge, etc. and the stem remover just goes in there.
Putty knives are a different story...they're forever walking off.

downsizingnow48 · Jan 24, 2015

I have the same "air" drawer! Works great.

sd455dan · Jan 24, 2015

Walkin Horse said:
I had a friend who would come help me some. He increased his screwdriver collection at my expense. I've got shop tools and I've got mule tools. I put them back when done and am getting better with age. But that **** valve core tool never seems to get back in the right place. I need to go get filters this weekend I will get a couple. I'm going to drill a hole and put one on my key ring.

key ring is a good idea, maybe pick up an extra remover and screw it on an old or new valve stem and then crimp the threaded portion .

at least that was a common way we did it in the tire shop -years ago.
It makes it harder to lose due to size and gives your hand a nice rubber handle to twist when removing the valve core. my:2cents:

pat32rf · Jan 25, 2015

I started out wondering how often this guy gets involved with valve jobs on his engines......
I keep used valve cores in glass jars on a certain shelf and in the jars are metal valve caps that have been screwed onto old valve stems. I also have a few of the proper remover tools that can be also used to seat the new rubber valve stems.