Favorite Tools

[Scout63]

In the garage, my most used tool is probably a short handled 3/8” ratchet or and my most fun to use tool is my points buzz box.  In the kitchen most used is a sponge and most fun (and probably least used and most abused) is my nitrous oxide whipped cream maker. I’m just saying.

[twodogs]

The bike lift, best investment to me.

[spmoto]

My work horse


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[spmoto]

And a few supporting cast members

[Trialsman]

For me, the two I can think of immediately are my 2" wide metal belt bench sander and the heat gun.  I use each almost every day.  The belt sander for shaping, taking off burrs, smoothing edges, etc.  I use it for sharpening TIG Tungsten by chucking it in a drill and using it as a cylindrical grinder for a perfect point.  As for the heat gun, yesterday I came in from working out in the cold and blew hot air under my coat to quickly warm up.  I use it for removing decal/vinyl, warming objects to paint, heat shrink tubing, contouring plastic like in wind screens, flashing off solvents, and much more.  If one ever breaks, I will (and have) bought another the same day!

[fotoguzzi]

I have 2 favs, don't use them much but really like my hoist and engine stand on wheels.

[guzziart]

In the garage, my most used tool is probably a short handled 3/8” ratchet or and my most fun to use tool is my points buzz box.  In the kitchen most used is a sponge and most fun (and probably least used and most abused) is my nitrous oxide whipped cream maker. I’m just saying.

LOL, I haven't heard the term "buzz box" in decades or maybe since I attended the Northrop Institute of Technology - Airframe & Powerplant Course in 1971...where I had to make one for use with magneto ignition engines!  These days I use a test light or vom for point work, don't recall whatever happened to my buzz box.

[lucian]

I really enjoy the ones you have to make yourself for a specific job,  a few of my favorite to use after many years:

   

[80CX100]

     By far, my 1/2" drive 24" johnson bars. Canadian Tire often has them on sale, under $10?, I've picked up a few so no matter where I am, if some fastener doesn't want to loosen, I've got the tool. It's not snap on quality, but even with a 3' pipe extension, I haven't broke one yet. Always have one loaded with a socket in my vehicles to confirm that the wheel lug nuts are tight.

     Second place would be a collection of gentler tools that won't damage materials, ie a monster wooden mallet and a few smaller ones, smaller hammer with a plastic head and a collection of brass chisels and punches.

     The bike lifts and wheel chocks are a given.

   

[Brand X]

My Brain,about 50% of the time.The other 50% it's my most hated tool...

My USA Built Curtis Air compressor would be hard to live without..That and my BFH... All things revolve around those 3 things..

[cliffrod]

So many tools.....

The two shop tools that are probably most central to everything I do are a pair of vises.  My 100 yr old Prentiss 5" swivel jaw swivel vise is great.  Big enough for most work but not too big to crush smaller items.  The rear swivel jaw is fantastic.  It is the center of my shop.   My small Hartmann quick release vise gets used for smaller items, much more than I imagined it would be used.

In the kitchen, my favorite gadget is my old fashioned crank apple peeler/slicer/corer.  19th century technology that makes fast work and less waste of prepping apples.  The heavy commercial-grade silicone mats for our sheet pans are even better and get used all the time.

[kellercycle]

I would have a hard time stating one tool or another is my favorite .My tools as a whole along with my lift have made me a decent living doing customer repair .All of the above is my answer .

[Bulldog9]

I think my favorite tool is my Klein multibit screw driver, has all the most common bits, 2 square drive, 2 torx, 2 slotted and 2 phillips screwdrivers, and 3-4 different hex heads.

But my favorite "Tool assortment" is my grandfathers mechanics toolbox. He was a Career NYC Cop, started as a beat Cop, then a MC Cop. After getting hit by a car, he had a desk job for a while, hated it, and got certified to be a mechanic and spent his last 5 years in his precincts garage. When he passed away, my grandmother insisted I inherit this GOLDMINE that ALWAYS has the exact tool I need when I'm faced with a challenge on a project. I keep the box as a virtual shrine, and don't add to it, or take things out. Is occasionally inconvenient, but rewarding.  My grandfather passed on to me the 'mr fixit' bug, and a love/passion to work on and wrench my own stuff.

[80CX100]

My Brain,about 50% of the time.

     This is true  Patience and wisdom have been the greatest additions to my tool box.

     I may work slow, but I don't break or screw things up as often as I used to,,, usually, lol 

[Canuck750]

The best shop tool I have ever had is the Vapor Blast cabinet I bought about 5 years ago from Vapor Honing Technology, I use it most every day I am in the shop, endless uses for cleaning all kinds of metals and plastic. A unique hand tool is a pin wrench for opening up the caps on shock absorbers such as the early Ikon type found on the V7 Sport.

[henwilv]

Knife and fork!!

[AJ Huff]

My favorite.





-AJ

[twowheeladdict]

My favorite tool is the Variable Speed Oscillating Multi-Tool.  There first one I ever saw was from Rockwell.  Mine is a HF knockoff.  So many uses and has saved so much time!

https://www.amazon.com/Rockwell-RK5151K-Sonicrafter-Oscillating-Oscillation/dp/B01HD4EQTG/ref=asc_df_B01HD4EQTG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310828259700&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2040185739165390601&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013669&hvtargid=pla-435564744208&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=65583250281&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=310828259700&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2040185739165390601&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013669&hvtargid=pla-435564744208

It gets in places where other tools don't. 

[Rich A]

I have a set of 1/4" mid-length sockets that I bought in Moscow and a Try-square I bought in Tokyo. Neither are anything special, but I like them because of the pleasant memories of where I got them.

Rich A

[Ratso88]

+1 on the 1/4 drive ratchet and 6" extension.

I learned a while ago that if you're going to be handling tools all day pick up the lightest that will do the job.

After that would be the Beer Fridge in the shop 

[n3303j]

10 gallon Harbor Freight parts washer.

Makes all the other jobs so much easier if the assemblies or parts are well cleaned first.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Blister pack of 3 at Costco. With batteries. Cheap. (Guzzi content) 

[twowings]

 A real, quality grown-up torque wrench 

[John A]

And a few supporting cast members

Nice power hammer in a desire able size. Where is the forge? I like the non farrier anvil , not common around here.

[larrys]

Too many tools to choose one favorite. The payoff is having that tool that only does one specific thing sitting in a drawer for twenty years, and a task comes up for it and no other tool that you have will do the job.
Larry

[blackcat]

The best shop tool I have ever had is the Vapor Blast cabinet I bought about 5 years ago from Vapor Honing Technology, I use it most every day I am in the shop, endless uses for cleaning all kinds of metals and plastic. A unique hand tool is a pin wrench for opening up the caps on shock absorbers such as the early Ikon type found on the V7 Sport.

I was just going to post the same thing about the Vapor Blaster, even though mine is the inferior bench top model it still is quite the tool.

[sidecarnutz]

Too many tools to choose one favorite. The payoff is having that tool that only does one specific thing sitting in a drawer for twenty years, and a task comes up for it and no other tool that you have will do the job.
Larry

I agree with Larry. I often buy tools because I think they are unique and cool and will be handy someday. Then me or my son runs across a problem that requires something special to work on it well. AND I have it covered.
Love my extended gear end wrenches for tight spaces. They were perfect for doing the break in service on my RE 650GT. Large Torx sockets for shock bolts on a 2014 Dodge van? Had that covered. Extractor sockets for a rusted nut? No problem.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Insert juvenile laughter about “favorite tool”. 

Seriously though, it’s less one specific one and more having
access to the right tool for the task for me.

[Moparnut72]

You need a tool? Check ot North State Auctions in Oroville Ca. Machine shop retirement. Couple of huge lathes, ? feet long, to just drill bits. I have been drooling but due to a major slide and undetermined length of road closure I will have to forgo. However I do not need a 10' lathe.
kk

[wrbix]

If favorite tool can be judged by that which I spend the most time searching for then it’s a 3/8 inch drive 10mm socket…..where is that damned thing?!