I usually use a decent sized set of channel locks for that, although the right tool certainly looks easier.
I usually use a decent sized set of channel locks for that, although the right tool certainly looks easier.
Rumnhammer wrote: The only bad thing about it is that it leaves these razor sharp toe nails all over the place for you to step on the next time you are barefoot in the garage at 1am looking for a flashlight
BAM! I have an answer for everything.
Flush cut wire snips. Great for zip ties, cuts it flush so no sharp as hell end sticking out to make you bleed next time.
In reply to nutherjrfan:
WD40 is the exhaust hangar weapon of choice. Actually, cheap knockoff 'Lubricant'.
java230 wrote: Flush cut wire snips. Great for zip ties, cuts it flush so no sharp as hell end sticking out to make you bleed next time. Amazon $6.25
Brother, you need one of these.
One squeeze of the handle and it pulls the cable tie tight and snips it off flush.
Huckleberry wrote:Rumnhammer wrote: The only bad thing about it is that it leaves these razor sharp toe nails all over the place for you to step on the next time you are barefoot in the garage at 1am looking for a flashlightBAM! I have an answer for everything.
I have one of those devices as well, it's the random one that gets missed by the broom that get in your foot. If you are cutting sheet steel it is easier to get them all using a magnet, but it's usually the aluminum toe nails that get missed with the broom that wind up in your foot.
I use these everyday for work being in the Low Voltage Biz. The best ones I have used are the ones from Harbor Freight, will cut 14/4 speaker wire all day and only cost 3.xx. they will usually last a few months of heavy use before leaving a strand or two hanging. Most of the more expensive ones will usually snap a jaw off within a day or two.
java230 wrote: Flush cut wire snips. Great for zip ties, cuts it flush so no sharp as hell end sticking out to make you bleed next time. Amazon $6.25
Safety Cable Gun
We had these at my previous job and man did I love them. Put the long nose on it and as long as you can slip the wire through you can wire anything anywhere. They're spendy though.
MulletTruck wrote: I use these everyday for work being in the Low Voltage Biz. The best ones I have used are the ones from Harbor Freight, will cut 14/4 speaker wire all day and only cost 3.xx. they will usually last a few months of heavy use before leaving a strand or two hanging. Most of the more expensive ones will usually snap a jaw off within a day or two.
That's because you're using them on wire. I can see why you'd want to in your case though. We used these:
on zip ties only on aircraft. When used on plastic only they last for years which was the primary purpose in our case.
Flush cuts just don't have material on the cutting edge like cross cuts pliers do so wire indents into the jaws surface. People that used them on .032 safety wire and I had words a few times. Sort of like the people that use tin snips to cut picture wire.... gah.
pinchvalve wrote:These look like an alternative to Channel-Locks, but it is really a different animal. I like having both.
I use Knipex at work. I do NOT let other people touch them. Everyone seems to think they are pliers and try to use them as such.
As for my own tools that I wish I knew existed before
I love my Japanese pull saws.. but the one with the "woodpecker tooth" is the best.
It literally lets you start the cut mid plank instead of at the end
Ooo... yeah, Japanese pull-saws are great. Even the cheap ones from a home center work well.
Ashyukun wrote:Ricky Spanish wrote: powered ratchetInteresting (or perhaps not) story regarding those... I've had one for nearly a decade- one came as part of the Craftsman air tools package I got shortly after starting to work on cars purely because it was just a bit more expensive than just getting the impact gun alone. I essentially never used it- I just didn't see the point. Until last year when I was working on the PA Ultra and was getting tired of wrenching in an odd position putting the heads back on- and decided to grab the air ratchet. It made that FAR easier. Still don't reach for it as often simply because most of the time I don't have the compressor up and running- but if I do, I remember it's there to make repetitive wrenching (like removing all the head bolts) far less annoying.
Mine is electric.
These are some of my favorite pliers ever.
Parallel jaws make life so much better, especially with AN fittings.
Interior trim removal tools:
They're basically an assortment of plastic pry bars that won't mar interior surfaces. I first got these when I did car audio installs years ago. They are surprisingly useful for other things, though. Basically, any time you need to pry something somewhat delicate apart, use these things.
I just used one a few days ago to help disassemble a steering wheel.
Rumnhammer wrote:Huckleberry wrote:I have one of those devices as well, it's the random one that gets missed by the broom that get in your foot. If you are cutting sheet steel it is easier to get them all using a magnet, but it's usually the aluminum toe nails that get missed with the broom that wind up in your foot.Rumnhammer wrote: The only bad thing about it is that it leaves these razor sharp toe nails all over the place for you to step on the next time you are barefoot in the garage at 1am looking for a flashlightBAM! I have an answer for everything.
Then you need one of these.
Magnetic brooms are the goods for getting rid of swarf off your floor.
In reply to daeman:
Unless it's aluminum 
What about this exhaust and tailpipe cutter? To be honest I'll only use it to shorten the entire system so that I don't get busted for dumping the old one in the apartment dumpster. https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-2031DD-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Cutter/dp/B000M93OUM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
, hmmm good point, obviously I'm doing great with reading comprehension....
Shop vac is the answer to aluminum shavings.
Or a flamethrower.
In reply to nutherjrfan:
Not sure, but I doubt it can work any worse than the 4-cutter non-chain style cutter. I'm tempted to give it a try.
nutherjrfan wrote: What about this exhaust and tailpipe cutter? To be honest I'll only use it to shorten the entire system so that I don't get busted for dumping the old one in the apartment dumpster. https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-2031DD-Exhaust-Tailpipe-Cutter/dp/B000M93OUM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I used to work for the Postal Service as a mail truck mechanic. We used those cutters to change kinked tailpipes on LLV's. I can't imagine how many hundreds of them I changed. It's a good tool.
Around here, the short stroke exhaust cutting tools are called "cash machines" for catalytic converter thieves.
Since this came up in another thread...
16-Piece Locking Lug Nut Master Key Set
I picked this up after encountering a car with wheels on it that I wanted in a junkyard but could not get because it had locking lug nuts and the key was nowhere to be found in the car. It should handle the majority of locking lugs out there so I won't have to worry about that again.
In reply to Ashyukun:
Reminds me, these work great for lost lug keys. Reverse thread impact sockets.
MulletTruck wrote: I took one of these and made a little arbor for doing bodywork, Its like a hand held planishing hammer.KyAllroad wrote:Not an automotive tool but when I discovered this little gem (came free with the N88 framing nailer). When you need to drive a nail and nothing else fits, this thing is the bees knees!
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