Useful tools

[eschertron]

When you use a good prybar you will wonder why you ever used a screwdriver.

You mean when beating the snot out of the amp chassis you've been struggling with?

[Enzo]

I have a good prybar, one of those flat deals that also can pull nails. It is useful because of its width, less likely to dent the wood. But a lot of times it is too big for a job. Like getting under the corner of a grille in a combo, or whatever. So a screwdriver gets drafted. I got free screwdriver sets from HF, so if I bend one, oh well.

[Steve A.]

It's not useful for amp work, but a good prybar set is useful. If I mess up a screwdriver I feel like I've abused the tool and the Craftsman guy is gonna give me the look when I return it. If I bend a prybar I expect him to be intimidated. When you use a good prybar you will wonder why you ever used a screwdriver.

I have prybars but they are too heavy to drag up to a rooftop in my 30 lb shoulder bag. The Xcelite 99 screwdriver set is great for many things but definitely for not prying open panels, etc. For that I'd carry up a Craftsman #41587 5/16" x 8" screwdriver which has never let me down. Heck, I use them inside tube amps to make sure that big filter caps stay discharged...





Sears.com


Another must-have tool in my 30 lb shoulder bag was 12" Knipex channel locks. Much lighter than regular channel locks and you could use it as a pipe wrench. Even worked as a lightweight hammer but I made sure not to damage my tools... those suckers are expensive!





Steve Ahola

[rjb]

Even worked as a lightweight hammer but I made sure not to damage my tools... those suckers are expensive!

Did someone say lightweight hammer?
I always carry one of these in my gigbag.

[Richard]

I never had to carry tools everywhere so I never gave weight much consideration, the Knipex stuff is super nice, though. I have their piano wire cutters, will cut up to 1/8".

[Enzo]

A lot of tools will cut piano wire, but not many will cut it a second time.

[Chuck H]

Did someone say lightweight hammer?
I always carry one of these in my gigbag.

Ah, the SM58. "I've" never managed to break one!!! Accidental drops, crushings and poor environmental conditions resulting in dents (large and small) scratches and oxidation and I've never had one NOT work, correctly!!! I can believe that someone, somewhere has actually used one as a hammer. Right before a gig. And then matter of factly plugged it in with NO apprehension.

[Richard]

A lot of tools will cut piano wire, but not many will cut it a second time.

I've got some tiny dikes that I use for guitar strings so I can cut close and not get into the headstock, but if someone used them on bass strings it would be like using mom's sewing shears on paper.

[Enzo]

Oooohhh, did I ever get scolded for that one. Not nearly as bad as when I used her pinking shears on paper.

[The Dude]

Same sort of deal here. My dad was a barber. You didn't dare use a barber scissors on paper!

[Steve A.]

Rockler Sandpaper Cutter $12.99

For $12.99 the Rockler sandpaper cutter is very handy and a fairly good deal unless you have to pay a lot for shipping. Gone are the days when your wife asks accusingly "You haven't been using my good scissors for cutting sandpaper again, have you?" Or possibly even worse: tearing them in half by hand after folding them to make a crease...

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-sandpaper-cutter


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Steve Ahola

P.S. There are plenty of DIY projects to build your own cutter if you search for "sandpaper cutter"...

P.P.S. If you order it from Amazon the shipping charge is $3.99 (same as a CD from a 3rd party seller there which IMO is outrageous!) Same price as ordering it from Rockler website... and they take PayPal (which Amazon doesn't.) I am fortunate to have a Rockler store in town which is on the way to my son's apartment. BTW I didn't see their sandpaper cutter the last time I was in their store so it is probably a fairly new item.

https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Sandp.../dp/B00JPCEWPI

[Steve A.]

I've got some tiny dikes that I use for guitar strings so I can cut close and not get into the headstock, but if someone used them on bass strings it would be like using mom's sewing shears on paper.

Me, too, but I forget to mark them as such so I have a whole sh^tload of questionable Hakko cutters...

Steve

[Richard]

Me, too, but I forget to mark them as such so I have a whole sh^tload of questionable Hakko cutters...

Steve

That's the worst, Still useful but not what it should be. Just not quite trash.

[Richard]

Me, too, but I forget to mark them as such so I have a whole sh^tload of questionable Hakko cutters...

Steve

That's the worst, Still useful but not what it should be. Just not quite trash.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I've got some tiny dikes that I use for guitar strings so I can cut close and not get into the headstock,

Me, too, but I forget to mark them as such so I have a whole sh^tload of questionable Hakko cutters...

Those little Hakko nippers are great, as long as you use 'em only on copper wire and small component leads only. Guitar strings, no way. Bass? You gotta be kidding! For strings I've been using full size dikes (diagonal cutters), a pair that cost me under $10 has lasted 25+ years so far so good, showing no nicks in the blades after cutting thousands of strings.

And I got a mini-dikes from Parts Express on special a couple years ago, dead cheap only $5. I avoid using those minis on steel string wire. They're quite nicely made especially for the price, and I even use 'em to cut my nails.