Best Tools I Ever Bought

[bikeworkshop]

Knipex make some lovely little bolt croppers about 8" long
Articulated jaws, fit in the hand lovely and totally ideal for mudguard stays, which will ruin your lovely cable cutters.

@bulgie if you're selling your shares, let me know, I'm buying!

 

[Canuk]

I've got a (still sharp and operational) pair of Knipex pliers from early 1960. Inherited from a motorbike daft grandad who was mad enough to buy (repeatedly) MZs when he knew they were risky propositions every time!

 

[zerogravitas]

Have we discussed the Knipex Pliers-Wrench yet? In case you don't know, despite sounding terrible, they're actually the best tool I've ever used for soft alloy headset nuts. Expensive, but everyone who'd tried one raves about theirs.

View attachment 924828

Like an adjustable, but it applies force holding the jaws closed as you squeeze, so the size is always exactly right. Any fixed-size wrench has to be a little loose, or else it can't go on the nut (interference fit).

If you have one you'll find yourself using it all the time. No I don't have stock in the company!

What size are you using for headsets?

They are a brilliant tool - I have a little pair (~150mm) I use at work for various jobs and I've always wanted some for home!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Useless tools we should never have bought:

Basically, if you can't seat a tyre with your hands, you won't be able to seat it with this tool.

Maybe it's for people without hands, but it's hard to imagine how that would work

 

[Glug]

What size are you using for headsets?

They are a brilliant tool - I have a little pair (~150mm) I use at work for various jobs and I've always wanted some for home!

I did some research the other day:

"Knipex pliers wrench" -parallel jaws
150mm opens to 27mm
180mm opens to 40mm
Opening width taken from the Knipex web site.

But I also spotted "Knipex style" 180mm on Ebay for £25 instead of £50.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186912158216
​

 

[bikeworkshop]

I did some research the other day:

"Knipex pliers wrench" -parallel jaws
150mm opens to 27mm
180mm opens to 40mm
Opening width taken from the Knipex web site.

But I also spotted "Knipex style" 180mm on Ebay for £25 instead of £50.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186912158216
​

I'd stick with the proper tool though - there's quite a lot of stuff happening in there meaning it's expensive to do properly.
Mechanics are never sorry they got the best tool, and they hold their value, rather than breaking or wearing out, so end up cheaper in the long term

 

[bulgie]

What size are you using for headsets?

They are a brilliant tool - I have a little pair (~150mm) I use at work for various jobs and I've always wanted some for home!

I bought a 250, that's what I use. My wife kept borrowing it, and I need to always know where mine is so I bought her a 150 which she loves, so mine is safe now!