I've always collected antique tools and hardware. Sometimes the old stuff is a bit too used or a bit too odd for delicate stuff, but it serves me well the majority of the time.

One of my pipes was feeling particularly patriotic on the 4th, decided to try and copy the nice fountains that some of our neighbors were setting off. It burst and I ended up with a bathroom full of water. I got lucky, the pipe looked easy to replace and I quickly found a new part at the local big-box hardware store.

The one tool I didn't seem to have was one of those slip-nut wrenches, or whatever you call it. You use it for messing with those really slim nuts that are on some of the pipes under your sink. I had to buy one.

The damned thing didn't even have flat/flush jaws. They were so cheaply made that the insides of the jaws were rounded and offset, making it impossible to get a grip on the nut. It took a good bit of grinding to fix, I feel bad for the poor schmuck who bought one and didn't have an angle grinder.

This morning I was looking through a basket of rusty junk steel that I keep around for sculptures and whatnot, happened to find an antique one of those wrenches. The a thin layer of rust had frozen it up, but the thing was still many times better than the shiny turd that I'd bought already. Thicker parts, steel instead of pot metal, and wider jaws that were already flush. I've got the wrench in an electrolysis bath to remove the rust, should be good as new after. I'm almost excited to replace another pipe like that, just so I can enjoy a well-made tool.

Long story short: New tools suck.

Complaint over.

Sounds like you're talking about a basin wrench... all you need to do is grab the points on the hexnut... hand tight is usually good enough... but I do agree that quality has has gone downhill... 😟

Just looked it up, it is a "slip and lock-nut" wrench. I just don't understand how that piece of garbage made its way to the store.

Slip nuts, and quality tools.

Question teedubya in 3.......

2.........

1......

Just bought one of those, myself, to swap out all the toilet tank innards. Replaced all the tank seals, too, which is why I needed that.

Yup... they suck.

How is your electrolysis bath set up ?

Look at the bright side. You helped a five year old chinese kid keep their job.

[quote=Covfireman]How is your electrolysis bath set up ? [/quote]

Pretty standard, need help with one? There is a ton of great info around online.

^^^ where???

On YOUTUBE?

I always by old tools and find rusted shut " frozen "

Tools at the junkyard.

What about mechanics oil bath basins ,

Do those thing vibrate the rust loose or is it all chemical...

What is in an

Electrolysis bath?

The science mumbo is my girlfriend's forte, I can just tell you this: electricity forces rust off of steel. No vibration and no dangerous chemicals. Just a big bit of electrified water. Done with care, electrolysis is an exceptional tool for the rusty man's work.

Look up "how to build electrolysis bath" on Google. As always, be safe.

Thanks!!' -^^^

WILL do...

If it works and is cheap I CAN MAKE TONS OF $$$

[quote=Hmhaines]I've always collected antique tools and hardware. Sometimes the old stuff is a bit too used or a bit too odd for delicate stuff, but it serves me well the majority of the time.

One of my pipes was feeling particularly patriotic on the 4th, decided to try and copy the nice fountains that some of our neighbors were setting off. It burst and I ended up with a bathroom full of water. I got lucky, the pipe looked easy to replace and I quickly found a new part at the local big-box hardware store.

The one tool I didn't seem to have was one of those slip-nut wrenches, or whatever you call it. You use it for messing with those really slim nuts that are on some of the pipes under your sink. I had to buy one.

The damned thing didn't even have flat/flush jaws. They were so cheaply made that the insides of the jaws were rounded and offset, making it impossible to get a grip on the nut. It took a good bit of grinding to fix, I feel bad for the poor schmuck who bought one and didn't have an angle grinder.

This morning I was looking through a basket of rusty junk steel that I keep around for sculptures and whatnot, happened to find an antique one of those wrenches. The a thin layer of rust had frozen it up, but the thing was still many times better than the shiny turd that I'd bought already. Thicker parts, steel instead of pot metal, and wider jaws that were already flush. I've got the wrench in an electrolysis bath to remove the rust, should be good as new after. I'm almost excited to replace another pipe like that, just so I can enjoy a well-made tool.

Long story short: New tools suck.

Complaint over.[/quote]

What do you collect?

I collect hand tools made by Indestro and Duro Chrome. Along the way, I have acquired a bunch of pieces made by other brands.

J

[quote=Mr. Jones]Thanks!!' -^^^

WILL do...

If it works and is cheap I CAN MAKE TONS OF $$$[/quote]

Just taze them Bro.. 🍺

Agree, me and my dad where just talking about how craftsman tools are not made like they used to be. Old craftsman was equal to snap on but for the general public. If it said craftsman, and it broke, you could walk into the store and replace it no questions asked.

Agree, me and my dad where just talking about how craftsman tools are not made like they used to be. Old craftsman was equal to snap on but for the general public. If it said craftsman, and it broke, you could walk into the store and replace it no questions asked.

I still have an old tractor wrench my great grandfather made by hand. Probably won't ever have a need to turn bolts that big but it's still impressive quality to say the least.