Tools to avoid

[rwarre]

Starting the tool buying process. Any tools out there that I should know about and avoid. Thanks

[N131RV]

Well, I think you can never have too many tools.
But I would avoid:

• the left handed monkey wrench
• the unthreaded frobulator
  and of course, my personal favorite,
• the snipe adjuster.

Tongue firmly in cheek.

[vmirv8bldr]

Tools to avoid.... Cheap tools. (Inexpensive tools are ok, but don't get poor quality *cheap* tools.)
example: Cheap drills often "wobble" because the chuck isn't straight. Good drills are straight, and make holes easier to drill precisely.


I haven't found a need to avoid any tools per se. Get one of the RV toolkits from a respectable vendor such as Avery or Cleveland. More often, I've found myself "making" or altering existing tools for some purpose, and outright buying additional, "optional" tools. In fact, these vendors usually have some discount or sale going on during OSH and/or other large gatherings, like SnF.

All of the tools have been easily worth what was paid.

My #1, wouldn't live without it, tool is the pneumatic squeezer. Expensive, but worth EVERY penny!

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by vmirv8bldr

My #1, wouldn't live without it, tool is the pneumatic squeezer. Expensive, but worth EVERY penny!

And heavy as a hippo!! The hefty weight has kept me from using this tool. Whenever I have used my hand squeezer for items in tight places I have wondered how I could have gotten the pneumatic squeezer into that space. Usually the answer is: "I couldn't".

Everyone's preference is different but this would not be my choice for tools "I can not live without". In fact, I might be inclined to say the pneumatic squeezer would be one I would say to avoid. No offense to those of you who love it but it is a very expensive tool with a restricted usability window. Yes it is nice to have when you need it but the reality is in building the RV's you really don't need it.

My .02!

[FredMagare]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

And heavy as a hippo!! The hefty weight has kept me from using this tool. Whenever I have used my hand squeezer for items in tight places I have wondered how I could have gotten the pneumatic squeezer into that space. Usually the answer is: "I couldn't".

Everyone's preference is different but this would not be my choice for tools "I can not live without". In fact, I might be inclined to say the pneumatic squeezer would be one I would say to avoid. No offense to those of you who love it but it is a very expensive tool with a restricted usability window. Yes it is nice to have when you need it but the reality is in building the RV's you really don't need it.

My .02!

It's a personal preference, but the pneumatic squeezer can turn a three-handed job into a two-handed one! So worth it, I've got two with three different yokes. (If I'm using one yoke mainly but need another for a specific rivet I can just grab the other squeezer.)

[jmartinez443]

I would definitely put the pneumatic squeezer in the must have column.

I never bought the aluminun snips. I use a jig saw or a band saw with 24TPI blades for cutting my parts (here's how I cut my stiffeners http://www.rv8alog.com/empennage/rudder/r1.htm).

The next two tools go in the nice to have (but I'm glad I bought them) category: pneumatic cleco pliers and pneumatic popriveter. Only get these if you have an extra couple of hundred dollars to spend.

[Yukon]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

And heavy as a hippo!! The hefty weight has kept me from using this tool. Whenever I have used my hand squeezer for items in tight places I have wondered how I could have gotten the pneumatic squeezer into that space. Usually the answer is: "I couldn't".

Everyone's preference is different but this would not be my choice for tools "I can not live without". In fact, I might be inclined to say the pneumatic squeezer would be one I would say to avoid. No offense to those of you who love it but it is a very expensive tool with a restricted usability window. Yes it is nice to have when you need it but the reality is in building the RV's you really don't need it.

My .02!

Got to disagree on this one. Pnuematic squeezer is the best thing since sliced bread! Well worth the money, and very few places you can't use it.

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by FredMagare

It's a personal preference, but the pneumatic squeezer can turn a three-handed job into a two-handed one! So worth it, I've got two with three different yokes. (If I'm using one yoke mainly but need another for a specific rivet I can just grab the other squeezer.)

I agree that it is a personal preference. I also do not down play anyone's opinion who thinks it is a good tool. But at $450+ your two pneumatic squeezers you mention with the third yoke is approaching a price range that would draw the attention and chastisement of many a household financial analyst (read as WIFE!!). I have a hard time justifying one of these expensive tools, let alone two of them!

[vmirv8bldr]

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

I agree that it is a personal preference. I also do not down play anyone's opinion who thinks it is a good tool. But at $450+ your two pneumatic squeezers you mention with the third yoke is approaching a price range that would draw the attention and chastisement of many a household financial analyst (read as WIFE!!). I have a hard time justifying one of these expensive tools, let alone two of them!

You: "But honey, this thing will allow me to dimple and rivet about twice as fast as otherwise, and my forearms won't be burning. That means I can spend significantly more time with you, and still have strength to give you a backrub!"

Treasurer: "Will two of them double that affect?

**Chose words wisely. say that you will BE ABLE TO, but don't actualy commit to it, or your forearms will be burning from the daily backrubs!

[RScott]

They Yard has rebuilt pneumatic squeezers for $295, including a yoke. You might be able to get them to substitute a larger yoke for a few bucks more. That's not much more than a Cleaveland Main Squeeze, $235, which would be my manual squeezer of choice. You can also buy them thru Ebay.

The comment about multiple yokes is invalid, because whether you use a manual or pneumatic squeezer, you will still need the same yokes.

I don't remember anywhere that I couldn't use my pneumatic squeezer where I would also have had a problem with my rivet gun. In other words, I don't see an access advantage with a manual squeezer.

I would avoid any squeezer that does not accept Chicago Pneumatic 214 pneumatic squeezer yokes, i.e., Tatco and others. If you start with a manual and get smart later you want to be able to use your yokes in your pneumatic.

Some will say to avoid an alligator style pneumatic squeezer, but a friend has been happy with his. They are a little cheaper on Ebay.