Random cheap tools that make life easier

NDSpeed

NDSpeed

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So working in the local rent a bay garage,

I got to use two tools that are fairly cheap, that I wish I had before.

I have been using pry bars to get the stupid exhaust isolators off for years.

Why because that’s how the “professional mechanics” on YouTube do it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077P7R1ML/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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One of the best "sleeper tools" I have is is the HF pneumatic needle descaler. Think I paid $20 ten years ago and it's still going strong. It is the only pneumatic tool in my set that survived being under salt water from hurricane Sandy.

I've been using it quite a bit on my current frame swap project.
image_11986.jpg
 
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tworley said:
I bought these at Home Depot for much less than the link, but they make crimping wires a breeze. No need to worry about the terminal coming off at any point in time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X7GCK29/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Click to expand...

I have those, they are fantastic.

Also, these are a must have for working with electrical connectors:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T6972Z4/?tag=wranglerorg-20

They seem gimmicky, but believe me, they've come in handy more times than I can count.
 
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InOmaha said:
My little robot looking magnifying glass holderator thingy bob.

I got it for Christmas a couple years ago and use it for lots of fine work. It's magnetic and sticks to my vise. Good for soldering stuff back together or working on something with tiny screws.

Helping Hand Magnifier
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Got one of those myself. Had it for years, no more burnt fingers and hours of swearing because you didn't have enough hands!!
 
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I was gifted a $12 angle grinder (HF) and some attachments last year, one of the most unexpectedly useful things I’ve had in a while for the Jeep. It’s great for paint prep, rust cleanup, trimming, etc.
 
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Magnetic trays / mats!!!

I have a maniacal amount of these. When I work under the hood I pop at least four of them down to keep nuts and bolts separated and organized as I work. Water pump bolts go in this tray, intake manifold bolts go in that tray, etc... Then I lay a flexible magnetic pad down near where I'm working so I can place my tools down right in front of me without having to worry about them falling into the depths. The best part is when you are done you can just slap them on the side of your tool box or nest them together and they don't take up a lot of space.

This is a great thread.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VZIY9U/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BC6T5XR/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G1114WY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G162R79/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0096725UQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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I have a couple of those magnetic trays and a magnetic mat. The trays are always full of something so I forget to use them. I have a set of plastic trays and bowls too.
 
Awesome thread!

Don't know what it's called but the V fork shaped screwdriveresque thing you use to pop out those press in plastic fasteners. Speaking of which, I can't find the damn thing! LOL
 
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matkal said:
Awesome thread!

Don't know what it's called but the V fork shaped screwdriveresque thing you use to pop out those press in plastic fasteners. Speaking of which, I can't find the damn thing! LOL
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Lady on a cooking contest last night, you remind me of her. She was running around asking everyone for the wine opener. Later she said she gave up engineering to open a bakery. Seriously, you're an engineer and you don't know what a corkscrew is?
 
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InOmaha said:
My little robot looking magnifying glass holderator thingy bob.

I got it for Christmas a couple years ago and use it for lots of fine work. It's magnetic and sticks to my vise. Good for soldering stuff back together or working on something with tiny screws.

Helping Hand Magnifier
Click to expand...
I've been meaning to get something like this for a while. It would have made some rewiring jobs I've done lately a hell of a lot easier.

qslim said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4VW4T8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Click to expand...
And that would have been nice to have when I was accessing my gas tank a few months back. Fortunately, I was able to make a screwdriver work, but this may be worth the investment for later.


These are also a few cheap things I've found to be very handy for some odd jobs:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K8G383K/?tag=wranglerorg-20


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LI2TT6/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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