just for fun... favorite hand tool

[telectrix]

as title. what is your favorite hand tool that you've had for donkeys. i'll start with my trusted weller soldering iron, bought in 1974 and still going strong. it's on about it's 12th tip, but can out perform any of these modern wimpy irons. same as this one, but 240V.
Weller 8200 k 120-Volt 90/125 Watts Soldering Iron Gun Dual Heat Expert | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weller-8200-k-120-Volt-90-125-Watts-Soldering-Iron-Gun-Dual-Heat-Expert-/113033135543

 

[Dave OCD]

Had this over 20 years and used every day, only for fixings usually.

 

[telectrix]

had same. 25 years old.gave it to my lad a coup[le of years ago, just after getting the snap-on man to replace the ratchet mechanism for free under the lifetime warranty

 

[Dave OCD]

Yep they're a lovely bit of kit Tel, my ratchet is still holding on even though it's had a heck of a lot of use. I've probably gone through about 150PZ 2 bits over the years.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Yep they're a lovely bit of kit Tel, my ratchet is still holding on even though it's had a heck of a lot of use. I've probably gone through about 150PZ 2 bits over the years.

I probably loose that many bits a year lol

 

[Dave OCD]

Harder to lose in my good old Snap On Lee, it's magnetic which is a great advantage.

 

[Andy78]

I've got plenty of favourite tools, but none I've had Donkeys years. Partly because I had all my tools nicked a decade ago, and partly because I'm younger than Tel's soldering iron.

 

[happysteve]

From my dad, retired joiner. Vintage unknown, probably '60s or '70s.

 

[LankyWill]

Just one is hard for a tool tart Tel, had these 200mm pliers for two years now and their my favourite. They feel like an extra limb and are surprisingly comfortable, had the snips but they’re crap compared to my trusty 180mm knipex clutters.

I bet Pete is in bits trying to choose one, probably in cold sweats in the garage loosing his mind.

 

[Squid]

Used to be my Elliot Lucas pliers or CK side cutters from the 80's but they have worn badly so are secondary tools, my favourite or precious tools are my Stahlwille pipe/five hole wrench which I thought I lost recently and was shocked to find that a replacement was about £100 owned it since 1983 also my hammer fibreglass shaft fantastic to use and owned since about 1982. If I lost either of them two I would cry.

 

[telectrix]

From my dad, retired joiner. Vintage unknown, probably '60s or '70s.

View attachment 42624

i'd say that was 30's or40's.i remember from childhood my dad had a couple just like that, and they were fairly old then. he was building furniture in the 30's before he buggered off to Egypt and Libya, something to do with the Afrika Korps being naughty boys.

 

[Squid]

@telectrix as a data cabler I used a 240V soldering iron but for temp or repair work I also had a Portasol with a fine tip, still have it after 30 years, it leaks and doesn't hold the gas but its a nice tool to use, I have a newer version quick start but old skool is kool,

 

[Deleted member 26818]

This is my favourite:

Well, at any rate, most used.

 

[Rpa07]

This is my favourite:
View attachment 42630
Well, at any rate, most used.

I know, right? My horse has always got stones in his hoofs and then the fish need the hooks taking out - it’s non stop in the centre of Bristol!

 

[ruston]

I have one too , not as good as that , but worth it's weight in gold.
Ps . Had it over 30 years

 

[telectrix]

hooves is the plural of hoof. ,

 

[Rpa07]

You really know your tools are an extension of your hands when second fixing.
I do like my long nose pliers as I use them so much and are really manipulative (?) but they are only forge steel make and I apologise not!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I actually have two of the knives.
Keep one for when I send the other off for repair.

 

[Rpa07]

you’re serious about your multitool Spin - that’s admirable!

 

[PEG]

This could go on a bit...

I have a Bahco nail puller,which i tightened,honed and painted as a kid,and they have pull hundreds and hundreds of nails,some with no heads,from below the surface,and i NEVER lose the smile,on a successful retrieve

I also have a set of screwdriver blades and a handle,in a plastic roll-up,which i bought when i was about twelve. The smallest,electrical type blade,was ideal for solderless nipples,on me Bultaco Sherpa,and whilst holding one in some mole-grips,i shoved it straight through the palm of my left hand,and out the other side prompting my younger sister to swoon.......she is now in charge,on the renal unit

There are also the many items,which once proven as worthy,are then replaced over the years...Bahco adjustables,mole grips nee visegrips,Snapon linesman pliers,Facom hammers,etc

If we all found ourselves on a desert island,you'd all be begging to swap your Iphones,for me spoke-shave

 

[ruston]

You really know your tools are an extension of your hands when second fixing.
I do like my long nose pliers as I use them so much and are really manipulative (?) but they are only forge steel make and I apologise not!

I have a set of Beta , well two sets actually, one set is new it is only ten years old.
The other set I have had for over 25 years and will still cut the ribbon in alarm cable. They are about 4 inch jaws and about a quarter inch wide , they are indispensable.

 

[Rpa07]

hooves is the plural of hoof. ,

How would ewe know?
Go on, say something (I’ve got 6 posts til 3000 - I’ve got all night!)

 

[ruston]

I'll put a pony on it he does know!

 

[Andy78]

Forgot about knives. I've had this Webley lock knife for about 20 years. It made it from my fishing kit into my tool box and became my standard cable knife. Very good solid tool that's taken some abuse.

I got given a leatherman rev about a year ago, and that lives in my trouser pocket and does come in handy now and then

I've also ordered a handful of Opinels today but they will not be for work.

 

[Rpa07]

I love knives and torches, my Uncle Henry by Schrade has been with me 28 years, such a heavy knife for a lock knife.

Forgot about knives. I've had this Webley lock knife for about 20 years. It made it from my fishing kit into my tool box and became my standard cable knife. Very good solid tool that's taken some abuse.

I got given a leatherman rev about a year ago, and that lives in my trouser pocket and does come in handy now and then

I've also ordered a handful of Opinels today but they will not be for work.

View attachment 42632

 

[Andy78]

View attachment 42633 I love knives and torches, my Uncle Henry by Schrade has been with me 28 years, such a heavy knife for a lock knife.

Yeah looks heavy, all that brass in the handle. Bet it goes another 28 easily though.

 

[Rpa07]

It’s one of those tactile items that you’ll have in your hand whilst watching TV!
Cue @elsparko or @SWD with a smutty comment!

 

[Andy78]

It’s one of those tactile items that you’ll have in your hand whilst watching TV!
Cue @elsparko or @SWD with a smutty comment!

I know what you mean. Hard to resist a good fiddle sometimes

 

[Rpa07]

And it turned out to be you - who would know!

 

[Strima]

Leatherman Wave for me. I rarely use it now but when I was in a green skin it was used daily from cutting rope to opening tank hatches and of course opening beers!!!

 

[Rpa07]

3000 posts I can go to bed now - night night!

 

[Squid]

I have one too , not as good as that , but worth it's weight in gold.
Ps . Had it over 30 years

Have you ever used it though?

 

[Squid]

Never been refused a pay rise and handy for dealing with non compliant customers who want to screw you on payment terms......

 

[Toneyz]

Pete must be dribbling by now all these tools.

 

[Toneyz]

From my dad, retired joiner. Vintage unknown, probably '60s or '70s.

View attachment 42624

My Dad has one of those notice how these old tools are built to last, solid.

 

[elsparko]

andy78's favourite hand tool is his tampon applicator

 

[Pete999]

Elliot Lucas Insulate pliers long gone sorry no pic, so I didn't need to go to the garage, no cold sweats either

 

[ruston]

Have you ever used it though?

Not at work, but most days when tinkering. It is not as versatile as @spinlondon , but very useful.

 

[Squid]

Leatherman Wave for me. I rarely use it now but when I was in a green skin it was used daily from cutting rope to opening tank hatches and of course opening beers!!!

View attachment 42634

Looks nice in black, I have an original Leatherman and a silver wave as well as the Skeleton, sad really..........

 

[Strima]

Looks nice in black, I have an original Leatherman and a silver wave as well as the Skeleton, sad really..........

I've had several of the originals and a couple of Waves, they do break with enough abuse however I was using them outside of what they were designed for...

Much better than Gerber.