Mechanics (pro and shadetree): What's your favorite non-standard/specialty tool?

[Drewser]

The biggest issue with the Milwaukee stuff is that once you have the batteries and chargers and are inured to the price point, you start picking up tools because "well, I mean, I can envision having a use for that".
See the angle grinder mentioned above.
And then me - an hour ago, I arranged to buy a right-angle ¼" impact (2667-20).

Then you start buying their Packout system and it gets worse and worse...

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Dads craftsman set from the 60’s are amazingly slim yet very strong.

I love those little pocket flat-head screwdrivers with a magnet on the top, would be lost without mine.

The old craftsman's were great all their new stuff isn't that great sadly. At least for screw drivers and ratchets. The best part about it is if one breaks I walk into the local fleetfarm and they give me a brand new one because of the lifetime warranty. I've been slowly switching to Menards masterforce as they have the same gig, and its better quality imo. The masterforce power equipment is about as good as my dewalt stuff I'd say (decently close at least). We used masterforce drills and impacts daily for steel roofing and they were great. They switched drill designs and we had a couple issues with those specific ones (mainly with how the bit clamping mech works, they would just clamp wierd after lots of use...only happened on a couple), but Id hope they changed or fixed that issue by now. It was with the super long drill version they have, they still worked just not as smoothly. The stubby ones we never had an issue with. Still would recommend their stuff for a good alternative.

 

[braddies]

Stubby 1/4" drive 10mm socket with a magnet inside

 

[Tdijarhead]

A telescoping magnet, I also was one of those air hose/tool guys since forever until I traded a lawn mower for a Dewalt impact. I don't use my Mac impact air gun nearly as often now. A flexhead ratchet and one of those cheap harbor freight ratchets that have a flex head and bend in the middle.

These are so handy.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...h-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

 

[Nuje]

I don't recall seeing those there; might have to grab one next time I'm there.
This is the one I referenced earlier

 

[ts888]

I'd have to say my PowerProbe is among the most useful tools that not everyone has. I also have sets of stubby (like 10-12mm tall) hex, Torx and triple square bits that get used frequently, allowing fasteners to be removed that would otherwise require taking a lot more parts off first. They can all be turned with a ratchet handle or a box end, that allows for crazy tight clearances, like some of the bolts on the turbos on Ford v6's in F150's, or half of the fasteners in the engine compartment of most V6 Sprinters.

 

[STDOUBT]

Tekton SRH01224 1/2 Inch Drive x 24 Inch Ratchet
Lets me turn the crank from above while I gaze patiently into the flywheel window!
I also really like my little Sturtevant dial torque wrench.

 

[Zak99b5]

Sawzall. Bought it for the house, but I use it working on cars much more frequently (northeast rust).

Irwin bolt-outs. Again, rust.

Tire hanger that threads into a lug bolt hole. Makes reinstalling wheels so much easier, and much cheaper than a stud conversion kit.

Second floor jack.

 

[Nuje]

Tire hanger that threads into a lug bolt hole. Makes reinstalling wheels so much easier, and much cheaper than a stud conversion kit.

Oh yeah - I forgot about those.
Being a cheap SOB, I found that the subframe bolts have the same M14x1.5 thread, so chopped the head off a couple of old ones, grinding wheel'd off the threads on the upper part, then dremel'd a slot in the top for screwdriver - boom.