Gimmicky tools you've actually found useful

I'll start.   Picked up this set of metric Gearwrench "QuadBox" wrenches.    2 wrenchs,  8 different sizes with a reversable switch.

For $15 at Advance Auto right now (ok...$19.99 and a $5 speedperk coupon that gets replaced 24hrs later)

Bought it to keep in the truck toolbag and used it on a recent junkyard visit.  worked quite amazing.

In reply to Grtechguy :

That's awesome- they need to make a 10/12/14/17mm "one wrench to rule them all" for Japanese stuff.

These paint lid things look like a gimmick next to the paint counter at LowesDepot.  Wish I had bought some earlier.

I bought a handful of weird ratchets from harbor freight, an extending one, a wobble headed one, an offset one and a passthru set.

I've used them all, best $35ish Ive spent really

It was a joke at first, but I have several of them now. A stubby ball peen hammer.

In reply to Grtechguy :

I have those, great gift from a friend when I was taking my miata apart for paint. 

I don't have a picture handy, but I picked up an extendable 2 sided ratchet at tractor supply one day cheap. 3/8" on one side, 1/2" on the other, 9 inch handle that extends to 18. I thought it would break the first time I tried to use it, but it's been great, especially on junk yard runs. 

Exhaust hangar pliers.

Shrinking disc for doing bodywork. Gets rid of those pesky high spots.

I love those paint can lip things also.  You have to cut them down to use them on quart cans.

I saw on one of those car show they where using tape to make a lip, but if it on the outside of the can it will still fill the "ditch".

I love the swivel head ratchet from HF. Surprisingly useful. And the pass-thru sockets- when you need them, you need them.  

I love the idea of the 10/12/15/17 wrench. Count me in. Also- that shrinking disc- source? I'm just finishing some bodywork on a 62 Midget, and that looks real useful.

About 30 years ago my MIL bought me this goofy pipe wrench that has a gear and a rack and automatically tightens as you pull on it. It’s  not very practical because it’ll destroy a pipe that’s really tight as it really does tighten as you pull on it, and continues to do so as you pull harder. I thought for sure it would break the first time I used it but 30 years and a bunch of 4’ cheater pipes later I still have it, and it’s my go-to when I come across something that really doesn’t want to loosen and I can afford to destroy it. 

Only pic I could find was an eBay auction 

This isn't the exact one I had, and lost, but it's pretty close. For probably 80% of applications, it works very well. 
 

well played sir

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

Exhaust hangar pliers.

Second exhaust hanger pliers. It's one of those things you wouldn't think would matter but speeds up work exponentially.

I'll add my favorite set of open end wrenches for AN fittings. Snap-on Four-way angle head wrenches. 

It's all about the angle of the dangle in close spaces, and these are perfect.

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

It was a joke at first, but I have several of them now. A stubby ball peen hammer.

In what situations do you use this instead of a normal hammer? 

I have used a mini sledge with a 3 or 4 pound head with a short handle and liked that a lot. They are nice when something needs a good whack but you need a little more accuracy, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what these would be good for.

The pass through ratchet sets are great to carry in a vehicle. No need for deep well sockets. 
 

I'll second the flex head ratchet. I've run into several bolts/nuts on my F150 that would have been impossible otherwise. The one I have is the HF half inch drive where the pivot is just off the head so the handle rotates around the fastener when it's folded over. 

An adjustable ratchet.  It works great on big screw hooks and eyes into wood. 
 

In reply to Teh E36 M3 :

Just do a Youtube search for shrinking disc and you will get all kinds of info and leads on them. 

In as much as I wont be without one anymore I will warn you that the learning curve is a bit like Hellen Keller learning how to use hand grenades on her own.

Pete

Thanks for filling me up with stocking stuffer ideas!

This thing.  Cutting flooring to go around something like a terlit, or a cabinet.  Making a pattern of something you want to copy.  It's wonderful.

I also have one or two of these.  SO handy for all kinds of things.