Repair/mechanic tricks and or tips?

[mars1952]

Don't buy those cheap imported wrench sets.......I know they look real nice and they are 1/3 the price......but don't do it.

We all are tempted. I fell in the trap one time in my younger days, a set of combinations from 1/4 to 1 1/4......real pretty and dirt cheap. I knew better, and really didn't need them, but they glittered so enticingly. A moment of weakness and bad judgement.

I gave the whole set to a poor schmuck aquaintance that has never owned a decent tool in his life. He was as happy as a pig in poop.

Keep you cheap wrenches and save them to loan out. We call them brother-in-law wrenches around here Also cheap wrenches and sockets can be driven onto undersize nuts and bolts. When I double up a combination wrench I us one of my disposable import wrenches as the lever. The imports are usually softer and don't mark up my Snap-Ons.
Marshall

 

[mars1952]

How about when your pulling/pushing on a wrench and the bolt/nut is real tight, look where your hand is going if it slips! That my tip for now
Jim

Hi Jim: To prevent busting your knuckles push from your shoulder with your elbow locked. You will have much better control of where your hand goes after the nut breaks loose.
Marshall

 

[mars1952]

Use rubber surgeon glove for removing oil drain plug and for removing oil filter. Gloves protect, give better grip and provide some insulation against the heat.

Ralph

Hi Ralph: That's a good idea. Using gloves will kepp your skin in better condition and recent studies have linked contact with petroleum oils with rheumatoid arthritis. My Dad was a mechanic and ended up crippled with rheumatoid arthritis. I use Purple Nitrile gloves. I buy them at Sam's Club but I would like to find some that are a little thicker.
Marshall

 

[mars1952]

What did you find wrong with them? I have been using a set like that for several years, with no problem.

Hi: There are some usable imported wrenches out there. I have some stuff made in Germany that are just as good as American made but they weren't cheap. Some of the stuff made in Japan is OK but good luck with the warranty. The really bad wrenches are the ones made in China, Taiwan, or anywhere in Asia. They are usually very soft or very brittle. They are thick and fat and do not fit in tight places. I you really apply some torque they will round over the nut or bolt. Anyway American tools are better so BUY AMERICAN TOOLS so your neighbors will have a job!
Marshall
Sorry I almost started to rant.

 

[mars1952]

When changing a thermostat in an engine, press the flap open just enough to get an aspirin in to hold it open. Some engines will have an air pocket and can't get the coolant system full until it's run. With the aspirin the coolant will fill the system before starting the engine. The aspirin will dissolve and the flap will close.

That is a brilliant idea!
Marshall

 

[mars1952]

Don't buy those cheap imported wrench sets.......I know they look real nice and they are 1/3 the price......but don't do it.

Hi deiselsmoke: Here is another reason not to buy imported tools. When it comes time for you are your descendants to sell your tools you will get a much better return on your American made tools (especially Snap-On and MAC). Anyone that has sold used Chinese tools knows that they are almost worthless. Snap-On and MAC tools are like money in the bank. I had a set of Snap-On wrenches that I bought new about 30 years ago. I sold them on ebay when I upgraded to the new series of Snap-On and I got over 5 times what I paid for them (about 50% of what the new wrenches cost today). Snap-On and MAC wrenches that are kept in good condition rarely fall to less than 50% of their new replacement cost. Buying American made wrenches is like putting money in the bank.
Marshall

 

[mjarrels]

I'm cheap... when ever I buy gas or diesel, I peel off a few paper towels from the despenser... haven't bought shop towels in years.

mark

 

[Kendall69]

When you have to solder copper pipe, and you can't get it to stop dripping
( when it keeps dripping you can't get the pipe hot enough)
I was taught to shove bread up the pipe to stop the drip long enough to solder, then when the pipe is together, the bread will dissolve and be flushed, through the first open valve.

I was sucked in one night by the info commercial, BUT -
Probably the best wrench and sockets I have ever used is the metwrench.
Metrinch-tools - IF THIS CAN'T DO IT, NO TOOL CAN
I have them all, Sears, mac, snap on etc., and time after time I use the metwrench as my go to wrench more than the others. With the small set they cover a whole tool box worth of others. The Metrinch Wall Drive Profile was designed to provide a greater area of force application, compared with that applied by conventional tools. No more slipping off and racking my knuckels.
Talk about a guanantee, I called them and told them I lost a wrench from the set, and they sent me a replacement for free. NO ONE does that.

 

[greenedeere]

NAPA tools are cheap and have a broke,lost,abused, warranty for life at the NAPA store I use.

 

[workinallthetime]

SNAP ON FLANK DRIVE HERE !!!!
those have served me for 12 years 5 days a week, never broke one, never had to replace one due to wear. BUT i also own a set of GEAR WRENCH metric and standard which i use as much as the flank drives. the open end is useless in most situations due to flex but the ratchet end is awsome !! have the striaght ones and the swivel heads.
1000.00 for met and standard flank drives now days
300.00 for gear wrench