5 Tools You Are Using Wrong
 

5 Tools You Are Using Wrong
By Brian Dally

Are you using these common tools the way they were intended? Find out inside.

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1: Crescent wrench... which is NOT the correct name, by the way, it's called an 'adjustable wrench', as Crescent is a brand name, much like Xerox or Coke... is bad. Don't use them, throw them away, get yourself a real set of wrenches and sockets, ya heathen. Extra 10mm sockets too.

2:Torque Wrenches... don't drop. Treat kindly, they are in fact precision instruments, and harsh handling will make them useless. Have them calibrated from time to time to ensure you're not dialing in 20lbs and you're torquing to 50 or such. And torque in stages, not straight to yield. 20, 50, and then 75 if that's the final torque, for example. And DO NOT USE THEM FOR BREAKING BARS OR ANY DISASSEMBLY WORK. They are there to fasten and torque and THAT IS ALL. Your pocket book will thank you for not buying more torque wrenches. (Personal note: Use the right size for the job. A 1/2" torque wrench doesn't do in/lb very well. Might want a 3/8 or 1/4 one for that. And the less extensions and avoidance of wobble/universal joints is better.)

3: Taps: Do NOT use a drill with them. And use some cutting oil. Back out of long threads to clean them out and go back in several times.

4: 6 versus 12 point sockets: THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. 6 points on hex heads. 12 points on 12 point heads. Don't be dumb/desperate/both. The right tool for the right job. Yes, the 12 points 'fit' on a hex, but they're wrong and won't torque right.

5: Pickle forks: Just say no. Until you just gotta say yes, of course, but you must be that kind of desperate and going to replace more than the ball joint/tie rod end, I'm bettin'. Otherwise, keep the nut on the end of the part, whack with a large hammer. It'll pop right off. If it don't, you got issues.

There y'all go. :nice: