The tool you bought that proved a revelation ??
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The tool you bought that proved a revelation ??
Simple idea, have you ever got by without a tool for so long then bought by it and found out that it's a very useful tool? I recently bought molegrips for an issue I had (now resolved). I've never felt I needed them until I found my usual tools wouldn't work. I tried them and problem solved in seconds when I'd been taking ages getting nowhere. I have no doubt that they'll be used a lot, so much so they're in a set of drawers by my back door.
So, have you had a similar tool based revelation? What was it and why? Preferably cycle maintenance related but not exclusively because I guess we're all info DIY for house and other areas too.
So, have you had a similar tool based revelation? What was it and why? Preferably cycle maintenance related but not exclusively because I guess we're all info DIY for house and other areas too.
Last edited by Graham on 13 Jun 2020, 9:46am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Title
Reason: Title
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- Location: South Birmingham
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Water pump pliers https://www.gassafetyshop.co.uk/Products/Expert-Waterpump-Pliers
Brompton, Condor Heritage, creaky joints and thinning white (formerly grey) hair
""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
A pop riveter is ideal for attaching mudflaps to mudguards.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
I had to buy a rivet gun for a car job. It ended up being used extensively for other DIY jobs.
One of these was to add corrugated plastic sheet to the outside base of my Carradice panniers to protect the cotton duck when the bags were put on the floor.
One of these was to add corrugated plastic sheet to the outside base of my Carradice panniers to protect the cotton duck when the bags were put on the floor.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Toe straps. I've never used them for the intended purpose, but they are so useful at home and on the road. Hold the front wheel from swinging on the stand, fitting tight tyres, attaching stuff to a rack, holding broken bits together... I can't remember how I got my first pair, they might have come with a box of secondhand bits, I've now got a few.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
For decades I have fiddled to set brake pad toe in. Last year I spent a few quid on aJagwire Brake Pad Toe-in Tuner Tool. Worth every penny.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2255911723
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2255911723
geomannie
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Toe straps. I've never used them for the intended purpose, but they are so useful at home and on the road. Hold the front wheel from swinging on the stand, fitting tight tyres, attaching stuff to a rack, holding broken bits together..
Far better than metal or plastic trouser clips
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Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Tangled Metal wrote:Simple idea, have you ever got by without a tool for so long then bought by it and found out that it's a very useful tool? I recently bought molegrips for an issue I had (now resolved). I've never felt I needed them until I found my usual tools wouldn't work. I tried them and problem solved in seconds when I'd been taking ages getting nowhere. I have no doubt that they'll be used a lot, so much so they're in a set of drawers by my back door.
So, have you had a similar tool based revelation? What was it and why? Preferably cycle maintenance related but not exclusively because I guess we're all info DIY for house and other areas too.
I have at least four Molegrips stashed in various spots around the house, shed, in the car.
Mike
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Hi
Headtorch. Perfect for seeing into those shadowy nooks and crannies while working on the bike, I think that cables get thinner and clamp bolts smaller as I get older
Regards
tim-b
Headtorch. Perfect for seeing into those shadowy nooks and crannies while working on the bike, I think that cables get thinner and clamp bolts smaller as I get older
Regards
tim-b
~~~~¯\(ツ)/¯~~~~
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Conversely (apologies for thread drift), the tools you're really glad you've got although you hardly ever use them? I was well chuffed a while back when I needed a bearing puller, and to my surprise, was able to go straight to it, though it was at least fifteen years since it had last been used.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Cordless drill/driver,how I ever managed my job and their many uses about the house and on the bike I'll never know,great for starting off nipples on spokes when wheel building
A small multitool with most allen key sizes sits on the bench permanently,very handy.
I can confirm toestraps due to their quick release and infinite positioning can be indespensible at times.
Head torch
A small multitool with most allen key sizes sits on the bench permanently,very handy.
I can confirm toestraps due to their quick release and infinite positioning can be indespensible at times.
Head torch
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"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
"All we are not stares back at what we are"
W H Auden
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- Posts: 9505
- Joined: 13 Feb 2015, 8:32pm
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
Mike_Ayling wrote:Tangled Metal wrote:Simple idea, have you ever got by without a tool for so long then bought by it and found out that it's a very useful tool? I recently bought molegrips for an issue I had (now resolved). I've never felt I needed them until I found my usual tools wouldn't work. I tried them and problem solved in seconds when I'd been taking ages getting nowhere. I have no doubt that they'll be used a lot, so much so they're in a set of drawers by my back door.
So, have you had a similar tool based revelation? What was it and why? Preferably cycle maintenance related but not exclusively because I guess we're all info DIY for house and other areas too.
I have at least four Molegrips stashed in various spots around the house, shed, in the car.
Mike
And they come in different sizes too!! I might have need of a few more having learnt that!!
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- Joined: 13 Feb 2015, 8:32pm
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
tim-b wrote:Hi
Headtorch. Perfect for seeing into those shadowy nooks and crannies while working on the bike, I think that cables get thinner and clamp bolts smaller as I get older
Regards
tim-b
I often thought that a torch for that use would be better placed below your eyeline so that the light gets to what you're working on sand reflects back to your eyes. I've used good headtorches placed in the designed for location when checking cars or van out. Usually I don't illuminate what you need to so usually I end up holding it lower down. Perhaps a neck torch???
That's not as daft as it sounds. I've read respected outdoor journalists giving the advice of wearing your headtorch round your neck when night navigating to reduce its impact on your night vision. Also use a green or blue light since red light makes OS gradient lines disappear.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
I echo the sentiments on water pump pliers, toeclip straps and headtorches. For brake pad toe-in, I once read a handy tip of using a couple of thick elastic bands tied into a loop and slipped over the end of each brake block.
Not a tool but a material - I bought a large spool of paracord and for me, it comes in handy at a similar rate to duct tape, especially in the garden.
Not a tool but a material - I bought a large spool of paracord and for me, it comes in handy at a similar rate to duct tape, especially in the garden.
Disclaimer: Treat what I say with caution and if possible, wait for someone with more knowledge and experience to contribute.
Re: The tools you never needed until you got then use a lot thread!!
I hate using traditional chain whips for cassette removal and frequently skin my knuckles. Using one of these https://www.decathlon.com/products/chain-whip-cassette-remover was an eye opener. Recommended if it fits your cassette/cassettes.
(Note - link is to US site as UK site temporarily down. The tool is normally available in the UK).
(Note - link is to US site as UK site temporarily down. The tool is normally available in the UK).