Tools you never use

Lanso · Mar 22, 2017

I got this idea from someone else on this site and thought it was a great question:
What tools do you have in your nice wood tool chest that you never use?
Some of mine are the Starrett taper gages 267 & 269 for quick measurement of holes or slots, I bought them in the early 70s on the recommendation of my boss who found them so handy. I just never think of them until I pull open that drawer.
But - Today one came in very handy, first time in 45 years!

Tyrone Shoelaces · Mar 23, 2017

When I first started my apprenticeship my dad bought me a " Moore & Wright " automatic centre punch. I very rarely use it but it was the only tool he ever bought me so I'll keep it for ever.

Regards Tyrone.

steve-l · Mar 23, 2017

I have so many of those, it would take me forever to count them, but I hate, absolutely hate it when I need a tool and don't have it.

Rewt · Mar 23, 2017

I haven't used my metric thread file but once I think, years ago.

awake · Mar 23, 2017

Rewt, very similar situation for me. I've never found a use for my metric left-handed adjustable crescent wrench.

Booze Daily · Mar 23, 2017

I.D. mics. By the time you get into their measuring range I prefer to use a dial bore gage.

yardbird · Mar 23, 2017

Carbide scribe. I used it to lay things out in vocational school and have rarely used it since. I also hardy ever use my center punch anymore.

Brent

Conrad Hoffman · Mar 23, 2017

Ratcheting box end wrenches. No nut or bolt has ever been installed in a place with enough clearance to use 'em. I recently gave away the set I'd had for 30 years or so.

ewlsey · Mar 23, 2017

I tend to sell the things I never use. Like spring calipers. I had a whole set I just sold here. I think I might have used them once to measure a groove diameter.

Same with my T handle hex keys. Everything I work on is so damn tight that I needed more leverage than I could ever get with the T handle.

Chip Chester · Mar 23, 2017

Brass hand-made marking gauge, about 8" long. Picked it up in an antique store for just a few bucks. What caught my eye is that the hand-stamped date of mfg. was my son's birthdate, but nearly 100 years earlier. I've used it once in 25 years.

There's another little drilling item I have that remains un-used, as I don't know what it is... I'll loop back and post some pics later on.

Chip

HuFlungDung · Mar 23, 2017

I've got a sine bar that is still virgin except I wiped all the lube off it. I swear! It went no farther than that

ManualEd · Mar 23, 2017

Booze Daily said:
I.D. mics. By the time you get into their measuring range I prefer to use a dial bore gage.

I love my digital Holtests.
But God help you if you have the normal ones without a measuring unit for each anvil head.
Having to reset the barrel every time would drive me nuts!

clarnibass · Mar 23, 2017

Adjustable wrench.

J-Head · Mar 23, 2017

I thought a bore gage would be a great thing to have, but I never use it. I always use Starrett telescoping gages.

I also admit that I don't use plunger style indicators much either. I do use test indicators constantly.

dana gear · Mar 23, 2017

My family has been in the metal working trades dating back to the turn of the century.
There is some odd ball tooling and special cutters I just don't have the heart to toss but will never use.
If I had to pick the most useless of it all is a bunch of crane rigging that is rated for 200 tons.
Some of this stuff came out of the ship yards at the end of world war two.

Garwood · Mar 23, 2017

Burgmaster.

Kart21 · Mar 23, 2017

Garwood said:
Burgmaster.

That's nice, but your right

John Allan · Mar 23, 2017

Whitworth thread pitch leaf gages. Got them as an apprentice in a lot of used tools. Never have and expect never will use them.
John

James H Clark · Mar 23, 2017

Tyrone Shoelaces said:
When I first started my apprenticeship my dad bought me a " Moore & Wright " automatic centre punch. I very rarely use it but it was the only tool he ever bought me so I'll keep it for ever.

Regards Tyrone.

Strange, I bought a set of tools from a tool & die maker who decided to try to drink the county dry. It had a General brand automatic center punch. Handiest tool in any of my boxes. Use it quite often, I have owned it for 50 years, sharpened it twice in that time. I have many tools that I could lose tomorrow and never miss, but that one would have to be replaced.
JH

Lanso · Mar 23, 2017

Love your replies!
Since I started this thread I've used my taper gage twice.

Tools you never use

Cast Iron

Diamond

Titanium

Hot Rolled

Titanium

Titanium

Titanium

Diamond

Diamond

Diamond

Diamond

Stainless

Aluminum

Hot Rolled

Hot Rolled

Diamond

Aluminum

Aluminum

Stainless

Cast Iron

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