Tools that younger people would not recognize.

dwco5051

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Sep 14, 2008
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2,556
Twice in the last few weeks I have seen posts on different sites where someone found or inheirited a speed wrench and did not know what is was for. I wondered how dumb people could be that don't know what that simple item is as I probably have at least four in different sizes in my tool boxes. Then as I am not that often prone to due I got thinking about when the last time I actually used one and could not remember when. First pneumatic and later battery powered tools have taken over its primary use.

Then I remember my oldest stepson looking for something in a tool box back in the spring and held up a pair of brake spring pliers and wanted to know what they are for. Had to explain and also show a brake adjustment spoon and the tool to remove the clips over the springs so the pins would hold the shoes against the backing plates. Now I am wondering what other tools youngsters would not recognize are in my shop. Dwell meters, distributor wrenchs, timing lights, and the short piece of speedo cable I brazed a piece of Allan wrench onto and fitted the other end with a wooden dowel handle to set points.

What other tools do you have still have that young people would not know their use.
Screenshot 2026-07-11 17.42.19.png
 
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FLATHEAD

Rear Admiral
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Dec 29, 2002
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4,030
Push drill. We used these back in the day to drill pilot holes. Same premise as yankee screwdriver but with drill bits.

IMG_8295.jpeg
 

Pmt133

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Jan 6, 2022
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I still have a few spouts laying around for oil cans. Those are from way before my time though.
 

MikeSchinlaub

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Jan 14, 2025
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Ha I wonder if its a coincidence that shortly after we started seeing battery powered wrenches we also saw a proliferation of thread repair kits advertised 😁
I doubt it. The risk with power tools is more creating heat and seizing the not to the bolt. I remember doing some fake logs from the log ride at Indiana Beach. For some reason, the bolts for the wheel brackets just kept seizing. I think I even seized one without even using a power tool.

This was like 12 years ago, so I'm willing to believe it was somehow my dumbass teenage self's fault. :)
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Gave Dads speed wrench to my brother.

Cabinet maker friend has a whole arsenal of push drills and push screw drivers
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
17,224
I doubt it. The risk with power tools is more creating heat and seizing the not to the bolt. I remember doing some fake logs from the log ride at Indiana Beach. For some reason, the bolts for the wheel brackets just kept seizing. I think I even seized one without even using a power tool.
The odds of seizing stainless hardware is 98% no matter what methodology of loosing or tightening is used.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
17,224
Old school…before non-contact was the norm
IMG_4218.jpeg


Then there are tools that everyone recognizes yet few know its usage.

IMG_4217.jpeg
 
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Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
Messages
14,149
Tach dwell meter
analog volt/ohmmeter and ammeter
allen key with flex handle for setting points on a Delco window distributor
adapters for the flex handle for setting fuel mix on Quadrajet carbs
special wrench for distributor lock down bolt, one end for Chevrolet the other for Ford
go/no go feeler gauge for setting mechanical valve lifter clearances on air cooled VWs, Japanese cars
drum brake tools (still used for parking brakes inside the rotor hat)
vacuum/pressure gauge for testing fuel pumps, looking for vacuum leaks (still used on EFI vehicles so they should know that lol)
beam/pointer torque wrenches
Factory shop manual in paper no computer needed
I have them for every car I owned up to my 1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee, the one for my 2007 is on the computer and is 7,800 pages.
started with this one in 1972:
vw2.jpgVW1.jpgvw2.jpg
 
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Pmt133

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
1,680
Tach dwell meter
analog volt/ohmmeter and ammeter
allen key with flex handle for setting points on a Delco window distributor
adapters for the flex handle for setting fuel mix on Quadrajet carbs
special wrench for distributor lock down bolt, one end for Chevrolet the other for Ford
go/no go feeler gauge for setting mechanical valve lifter clearances on air cooled VWs, Japanese cars
drum brake tools (still used for parking brakes inside the rotor hat)
vacuum/pressure gauge for testing fuel pumps, looking for vacuum leaks (still used on EFI vehicles so they should know that lol)
beam/pointer torque wrenches
Factory shop manual in paper no computer needed
I have them for every car I owned up to my 1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee, the one for my 2007 is on the computer and is 7,800 pages.
started with this one in 1972:
View attachment 417794View attachment 417795View attachment 417794
I actually had to adjust the rear drums (yes some still have that even in 2026) on my girls corolla a few months ago. Found the spoon in the drawer of dads tool box lol.
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
5,943
I
Tach dwell meter
analog volt/ohmmeter and ammeter
allen key with flex handle for setting points on a Delco window distributor
adapters for the flex handle for setting fuel mix on Quadrajet carbs
special wrench for distributor lock down bolt, one end for Chevrolet the other for Ford
go/no go feeler gauge for setting mechanical valve lifter clearances on air cooled VWs, Japanese cars
drum brake tools (still used for parking brakes inside the rotor hat)
vacuum/pressure gauge for testing fuel pumps, looking for vacuum leaks (still used on EFI vehicles so they should know that lol)
beam/pointer torque wrenches
Factory shop manual in paper no computer needed
I have them for every car I owned up to my 1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee, the one for my 2007 is on the computer and is 7,800 pages.
started with this one in 1972:
View attachment 417794View attachment 417795View attachment 417794
I have that book just because I saw it at a used book store and thought it was cool
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,927
Gee, I was one of the last generation to use a slide rule. I would recognize it, but I doubt I can remember how to use it. Calculators became cheap, and killed it off.
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
5,943
Gee, I was one of the last generation to use a slide rule. I would recognize it, but I doubt I can remember how to use it. Calculators became cheap, and killed it off.
If you're a geek the calculator wars of the 70's is a fun rabbit hole. I'm sure some on here remember it in real time:
 
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