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Sept 1, 2013 12:50:59 GMT
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Silly tool designs - when they're made specifically for a job, but do the job so damned poorly you wonder if the person who designed them has ever even laid eyes on a car, let alone tried the job the tool is meant for My prime example, is the valve spring compressor handle: Bought one of these double-ended jobbies for a very deep-seated valve head  After compressing each valve, I lost a bit more skin off my knuckles from where the handle nearly crushes your hand between itself at the top of the compressor. Solution? Slightly longer, differently shaped handle. Never implemented Second example, hydraulic jacks, and using the end of the jack handle with a slightly crimped tube to act as a release key, rather than just a small lever on the valve  Anyone else feel like venting some frustration?  |
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You're like a crazy backyard genius! |
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Sept 1, 2013 13:31:22 GMT
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Hammers made to miss the frikken chisel and aim for you hand is my pet hate, i swear it aint me ! trapped many a finger in a spring commpressor now i just use the flat of my hand to close them (after giving the valve a tap to free the cap off the valve)  |
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R.I.P photobucket
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Sept 1, 2013 15:54:46 GMT
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Second example, hydraulic jacks, and using the end of the jack handle with a slightly crimped tube to act as a release key, rather than just a small lever on the valve Hmmmm... Though that solution is better if you lift a RWD car on the diff - I would not like to crawl under the car to lower it back on the ground ;-) |
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mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
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Surely someone, one day, will make a remotely useable adjustable spanner..?
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I nominate a junior hacksaw, whoever designed the handle is a complete bellend. Made of smooth metal so has no grip and slopes in the direction that you will be applying most force, trying to operate one normally is bad enough but when you have hot sweaty hands and tough metal to cut through it's utterly hopeless!  |
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Dom
Part of things
Limey
Posts: 617
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Tyre pump connectors. The ones at petrol stations  Went for a quick top up the other day let out 0.5bar trying to get it on, then discovered the machine was out of order! Luckily I had a pump in the car. |
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fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
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I nominate a junior hacksaw, whoever designed the handle is a complete bellend. Made of smooth metal so has no grip and slopes in the direction that you will be applying most force, trying to operate one normally is bad enough but when you have hot sweaty hands and tough metal to cut through it's utterly hopeless! I was going to suggest this the daddy long legs of useless tools Unless your into blisters between the thumb and S shaped cuts |
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'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
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Second example, hydraulic jacks, and using the end of the jack handle with a slightly crimped tube to act as a release key, rather than just a small lever on the valve Hmmmm... Though that solution is better if you lift a RWD car on the diff - I would not like to crawl under the car to lower it back on the ground ;-) If there is a slot on the end of the jack handle you could still use it to turn the lever from a distance if you have to, however my favourite ones are the ones that allow you to twist the handle to lower the jack, you don't suffer the issue of the jack handle coming out when you pull the jack along then. |
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Easy-outs. They're not easy to use, and in my limited attempts at using them they haven't ever gotten a bolt out.
In addition, although they're not tools I would like to nominate the use of flat head screws (anywhere) and Phillips-head screws on large, tight fasteners in cars, especially where they secure the door hinges to the body! Once they're done up tight a few times and get stuck/rusted in there, these are always a pain to get out!
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Sept 2, 2013 10:28:50 GMT
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I always hated the old pillar jacks that fitted to holes in or just below the sill. If you hadn't got them perfect on the ground there was a chance that the top could catch car bodywork. Very little room between body and the hex on the top to jack up either. I've still got a couple lying around - don't know why !  You used the starting handle as a wheel brace / jack handle which it wasn't very good at either function. I always changed them for a proper wheel brace and a proper starting handle - yes got quite a few starting handles as well ! SOV-ppBRyegL8LkQ~~60_12.JPG) Paul H |
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