What tool or gadget did you use way more than expected this year

[Alan]

Have you ever bought a tool or gadget thinking it would just sit in a drawer, only to find it’s become your absolute favorite? It’s funny how some random item can turn into your go-to for just about everything. So, what’s the one thing that surprised you by how much you used it this year?

 

[LogLife]

My MVP is this small multi-tool I got on a whim. Didn't think much of at the time, but I carry it every day. It's helped me out way more than I thought it would.

 

[HArborist2]

I picked up this little magnetic tray thinking I wouldn't use it much. Joke's on me, it's on my workbench daily now. Never saw that coming.

 

[kevinj54]

I picked up this little magnetic tray thinking I wouldn't use it much. Joke's on me, it's on my workbench daily now. Never saw that coming.

Yep, them things are great for keeping small parts & screws from rolling off the bench.

 

[HArborist2]

Absolutely, those trays really do earn their keep fast.

 

[kevinj54]

I have one of the round metal ones but recently got a Milwaukee, Kind of rectangle & plastic lined. The rectangle will take longer screws etc.

 

[Alan]

Those tiny magnetic trays are surprisingly useful. Once you’ve got one on your bench, it’s hard to imagine doing any work without it.

 

[Paul]

I don’t have any magnetic ones , but having lots of little trays and dishes to put parts in is kinda my thing.
We just retired some salad bowls work great, look great lol.

 

[Alan]

Haha, that’s fantastic! I really love the idea of using salad bowls as holders for parts, whether they’re magnetic or not

 

[Leon Couper]

My Mityvac 8500 Vacuum gun for testing carbys.

 

[Alan]

Great, those tools often surprise you, they end up being way more useful than you thought they would be.

 

[Leon Couper]

Yes as far as I am concerned they are a must for doing two stroke engines up.
When rebuilding a carby you have to pressure test them when finished and also
to test your crankcase seals, they are worth there weight in gold.

 

[Alan]

Really appreciate you sharing it those tools become must-haves super quick.
Once you start, you'll ask yourself how you ever lived without them.

 

[Ralf1e]

My Mityvac 8500 Vacuum gun for testing carbys.

Same

 

[choppychuckle]

Also found a simple magnetic tool holder. I thought it would just be a nice to have, but now it’s my favorite tool for keeping everything organized and close by

 

[Paul]

My wife is replacing all of her baking pans.
Yippee more little parts bins for me lol.

 

[Paul Cox01]

My Mityvac 8500 Vacuum gun for testing carbys.

Do you believe a vacuum and pressure tool like the Mityvac is an essential tool for the average small engine owner/repairer? Do you use when you run out of other options or when you begin to trouble shoot?

 

[Paul]

Absolutely not
It should one of the first things that you use for diagnostics

 

[Leon Couper]

As I stated a mityvac 8500 or any type vacuum tester is a must because you tell me how
else are you going to tell if your needle valve is not bypassing. I work on the theory make
sure there is no leakage before you put carby on. Whats the use of putting it on and find
it bypassing. And also anybody buying a vacuum gun be on the cautious side. You may
see me pushing mityvac 8500 as I find them very reliable and run a Schrader Valve to
let off pressure and I find reliable. I brought a cheap vacuum tester off of the internet
which let me down as it was leaking so them you don't know them weather its your carb
or the gun and in this case it was the gun. Can tell you at has saved me time and time again.

 

[Paul Cox01]

Thanks for the information. Looks like I need one in my tool supply!

 

[Alan]

Thanks for the information. Looks like I need one in my tool supply!

I genuinely think the Mityvac 8500 cuts down on a lot of guesswork and frustration

 

[kevinj54]

Yep, that mityvac is a nice tool.

 

[Ralf1e]

Do you believe a vacuum and pressure tool like the Mityvac is an essential tool for the average small engine owner/repairer? Do you use when you run out of other options or when you begin to trouble shoot?

I use it from the start to test fuel lines and if carb is holding pressure.

 

[Ralf1e]

My wife is replacing all of her baking pans.
Yippee more little parts bins for me lol.

I look for these types of pans at boot/yard sales. Great oil catchers.

 

[Paul]

Yep also great for washing saws

 

[Alan]

I look for these types of pans at boot/yard sales. Great oil catchers.

Those pans are just right strong and the perfect size for collecting oil without any mess. Smart find.

 

[kevinj54]

I use it from the start to test fuel lines and if carb is holding pressure.

They also useful for testing vacuum advance & many other auto type stuff.

 

[Alan]

Absolutely, they’re super handy for that kind of testing.