Cheap tools that work well, what have you got ?

[rijidij]

We all know there's a lot of crappy cheap rubbish when it comes to tools, but occasionally you get something cheap that actually works well.
I'm not talking about things that need to be good quality, such as a torque wrench for example, more about tools that are non critical, or a bit of a gimmick.

Here's a few I've tried lately....................

This is an attachment for a pressure washer that mixes sand, or other blasting media, with the water to make it abrasive.


Wet Blaster (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pressure-Washer-Sand-and-Wet-Blaster-Kit-For-Karcher-K-Series/192363997630'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

146835

I found it works really well on alloy parts because it's not too aggressive.
Before blasting this side cover plate looked the same as the gearbox that it's sitting on.
It only took a few minutes to get it looking like this.
146836

Works well on surface rust.
146837

146838

It didn't do as well with the paint on this Defender panel,
it took a few minutes to do just this small patch back to bare metal.
But, I reckon with a better quality blasting media it would work better.
I was just using some brickie sand that I had. I sifted it through some fly wire.
146839

It used quite a bit of sand, so I installed a valve to regulate the flow.
146840

[rijidij]

Another pressure washer attachment.

This foam gun covers your car in foam before you wash it.

Snow Foam Lance Gun (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Snow-Foam-Lance-Gun-Soap-Cannon-Blaster-1L-For-Car-Pressure-Washer-Karcher-K2-K7/132555854385?hash=item1edcf1d231:g:lVwAAOSw8CZa3~K S:rk:6:pf:0)

146842

Again, this works really well for a cheap tool.

It's really hard to find a video online without an American talking about himself for the first half [bighmmm], so skip to about 1:30 to see how it works.

Foam cannon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxWwRTml1N8)

Different soaps get various results. I've been using some truck wash.

[rijidij]

I picked up this gas torch attachment at a swapmeet for $15.

It attaches to the butane canisters that go in those cheap stoves.

I've used it to soften hot dipped galvanised coating to remove it from threads,
and a couple of times to heat stubborn bolts that wont turn.
It's a handy little torch.

146844

146845

[gavinwibrow]

We all know there's a lot of crappy cheap rubbish when it comes to tools, but occasionally you get something cheap that actually works well.
I'm not talking about things that need to be good quality, such as a torque wrench for example, more about tools that are non critical, or a bit of a gimmick.

Here's a few I've tried lately....................

This is an attachment for a pressure washer that mixes sand, or other blasting media, with the water to make it abrasive.


Wet Blaster (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pressure-Washer-Sand-and-Wet-Blaster-Kit-For-Karcher-K-Series/192363997630'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

146835

I found it works really well on alloy parts because it's not too aggressive.
Before blasting this side cover plate looked the same as the gearbox that it's sitting on.
It only took a few minutes to get it looking like this.
146836

Works well on surface rust.
146837

146838

It didn't do as well with the paint on this Defender panel,
it took a few minutes to do just this small patch back to bare metal.
But, I reckon with a better quality blasting media it would work better.
I was just using some brickie sand that I had. I sifted it through some fly wire.
146839

It used quite a bit of sand, so I installed a valve to regulate the flow.
146840


Many thanks. Excellent simple idea (and with your recommendation). Your link says $34, but just ordered one for $25.99 free postage - there are even cheaper ones on e-Bay but plus postage

[gavinwibrow]

Another pressure washer attachment.

This foam gun covers your car in foam before you wash it.

Snow Foam Lance Gun (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Snow-Foam-Lance-Gun-Soap-Cannon-Blaster-1L-For-Car-Pressure-Washer-Karcher-K2-K7/132555854385?hash=item1edcf1d231:g:lVwAAOSw8CZa3~K S:rk:6:pf:0)

146842

Again, this works really well for a cheap tool.

It's really hard to find a video online without an American talking about himself for the first half [bighmmm], so skip to about 1:30 to see how it works.

Foam cannon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxWwRTml1N8)

Different soaps get various results. I've been using some truck wash.



Great Xmas presents for family - just bought a couple of them for son and SiL. Ebay prices vary from $19 to $99 in the quick look I had after purchasing your version.

[p38arover]

Why can't people post threads in the correct area, e.g., Tool Time? :firedevil:

[rangieman]

Why can't people post threads in the correct area, e.g., Tool Time? :firedevil:
If they did retirement would be boring [bigrolf]

[Bigbjorn]

Why can't people post threads in the correct area, e.g., Tool Time? :firedevil:

If they did, then moderators would be out of a job.[smilebigeye]

[rangieman]

If they did, then moderators would be out of a job.[smilebigeye]
It will never happen [wink11]
Plenty of tools around to keep them occupied[bigwhistle]

[bee utey]

Some vice grips for clamping hoses deep in the engine bay:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/15-380mm-Long-Nose-Vice-Grip-Self-Locking-Pliers-Tightening-Clamping-Handtools/172863399281?hash=item283f762571:g:QsUAAOSwvfZaMGy I:rk:14:pf:0 (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-15-Long-Nose-Locking-Pliers-Long-Reach-Vice-Grip-Welding-Pliers-Vise-Grips/282572074484?hash=item41ca9badf4:g:MnEAAOSwhilZaax o:rk:11:pf:0)
Very Chineesie but entirely adequate for the job I ask them to do. [smilebigeye]

[JDNSW]

We all know there's a lot of crappy cheap rubbish when it comes to tools, but occasionally you get something cheap that actually works well.
I'm not talking about things that need to be good quality, such as a torque wrench for example, more about tools that are non critical, or a bit of a gimmick.

Here's a few I've tried lately....................

This is an attachment for a pressure washer that mixes sand, or other blasting media, with the water to make it abrasive.


Wet Blaster (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pressure-Washer-Sand-and-Wet-Blaster-Kit-For-Karcher-K-Series/192363997630'ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649)

146835

I found it works really well on alloy parts because it's not too aggressive.
Before blasting this side cover plate looked the same as the gearbox that it's sitting on.
It only took a few minutes to get it looking like this.
146836

Works well on surface rust.
146837

146838

It didn't do as well with the paint on this Defender panel,
it took a few minutes to do just this small patch back to bare metal.
But, I reckon with a better quality blasting media it would work better.
I was just using some brickie sand that I had. I sifted it through some fly wire.
146839

It used quite a bit of sand, so I installed a valve to regulate the flow.
146840

You should never use silica sand - i.e. brickies sand as a blasting medium (unless using water as the carrier not air). It is a very effective way of getting silicosis with even short term exposure for both the operator and anyone downwind. Silicosis is a form of permanent lung damage that is progressive and fatal.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

a different type of cheap tool--
5 years now (24/7, sort of ) and not problem,,,
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carmechanictools.com%2Fimages% 2Fw%2F51beOOwQqSL.jpg&f=1

[V8Ian]

a different type of cheap tool--
5 years now (24/7, sort of ) and not problem,,,
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carmechanictools.com%2Fimages% 2Fw%2F51beOOwQqSL.jpg&f=1
How many did you buy, Pedro?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

aparently 3,, ?[bighmmm]

[travelrover]

a different type of cheap tool--
5 years now (24/7, sort of ) and not problem,,,
https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DI79jr8-JMo7YSyjiH0DgQHaHa%26pid%3D15.1&f=1https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.carmechanictools.com%2Fimages% 2Fw%2F51beOOwQqSL.jpg&f=1

I bought one of those around three years ago ($20 or $30) but can’t get any meaningful data out of my MY99 Td5 Defender:-(

[bsperka]

I bought one of those around three years ago ($20 or $30) but can’t get any meaningful data out of my MY99 Td5 Defender:-(Td5 is not obd compatible.

[travelrover]

Td5 is not obd compatible.

Yeah bsperka, that's what I thought (or certainly the early ECU's) but I hear stories of people getting some useful data. I actually bought it for our (now gone) Audi A3 which you can get meaningful data from.

[loanrangie]

1m of clear tube and a small nescafe jar with lid is the best 1 man brake bleeding tool.

[bsperka]

Yeah bsperka, that's what I thought (or certainly the early ECU's) but I hear stories of people getting some useful data. I actually bought it for our (now gone) Audi A3 which you can get meaningful data from.I use a cheap obd tool to clear the 3 amigos when they appear. So not completely incompatible.

[travelrover]

I use a cheap obd tool to clear the 3 amigos when they appear. So not completely incompatible.

Which app do you use?