Why are left-handed mechanic tools so expensive?

[The Duke]

Thats a mexican socket set.....

I bet it's better quality than a Chinese one.

 

[The Duke]

Yup. Too expensive for the purpose. Besides, the small local shop (next one 90 miles away) had only one in stock. It might seem that one would be enough but not so. To unwind the bolts enough to remove them the head of the bolt is tight against the radiator so the box wrench must remain on the shaft of the volt until the bolt is removed. Then, when putting them back on, the wrench gets put on the bolt before squeezing the bolt between the radiator and the fan, Once it's started in (finger right doesn't work in that limited space though a monkey with very small paws might succeed).

Why a Javelin? Initially because my wife loved the look the V8 power and the 4-on-the-floor transmission which I think was something after-market (we bought it used and restored it). She also loved that as she approached almost anything from behind they'll pull off to the side and let her zip on by. She never got a speeding ticket - I think she out-ran 'em!


View attachment 658417

Hmm... javelin..AMC.. you need 4 concrete blocks or the weight thereof in the trunk so the rear wheels get proper traction. 2 45-lb Olympic barbell plates work too.

90-400 lbs extra in the trunk is what a Javelin needs. My friend had the "light tan" model.

 

[badbob85037]

View attachment 657820
I have a whole toolbox full of left-handed wrenches and other tools.
Over the years, I've spent twice as much as my right-handed fellow mechanics on tools.
It's such a ripoff.....

To solve this problem do what I do, use both hands.

 

[Blues Man]

I have boxes of left handed nails no one will buy from me

 

[The Duke]

To solve this problem do what I do, use both hands.

My favorite tool is the pipe I slip over the end of the wrenches. I break things.

It seems wheel lugs and header bolts are my nemesis. Yeah, impact wrenches work, but 19 year old me did not know about those things. I broke a lot of things. EZ out ain't so easy.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

My favorite tool is the pipe I slip over the end of the wrenches. I break things.

Ahhh...the ever effective cheater pipe....
I've twisted off many a chuck wrenches over the years.

 

[Alan Stallion]

Left-handers are obviously an oppressed minority. They need to start some mostly-peaceful riots. Make sure you get some left-handed Molotov cocktails, else it might blow up in your face.

 

[Concerned American]

Ahhh...the ever effective cheater pipe....
I've twisted off many a chuck wrenches over the years.

You put a cheater on a chuck key? Wow, you must have worked where I worked. I've seen more ruined drill chucks from over tightening.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

You put a cheater on a chuck key? Wow, you must have worked where I worked. I've seen more ruined drill chucks from over tightening.

You obviously dont know what a machinist is referring to when we say chuck wrench.

 

[Concerned American]

You obviously dont know what a machinist is referring to when we say chuck wrench.
View attachment 678114

I never had need for a cheater on a lathe chuck key either. But looking at the condition and safety of that lathe, I don't doubt you had a problem. Who lets a lathe get rusted to that degree and open gears in the head are absolute stupidity.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

I never had need for a cheater on a lathe chuck key either. But looking at the condition and safety of that lathe, I don't doubt you had a problem. Who lets a lathe get rusted to that degree and open gears in the head are absolute stupidity.

I machined for over 30 years.
Dont try and tell me how to use a chuck.

 

[Devils_Advocate]

Do you have a bucket of steam I can borrow or some light bulb grease?

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

I never had need for a cheater on a lathe chuck key either. But looking at the condition and safety of that lathe, I don't doubt you had a problem. Who lets a lathe get rusted to that degree and open gears in the head are absolute stupidity.

Do you know how to use a buck chuck? Or a four jaw....I doubt it.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

Do you have a bucket of steam I can borrow or some light bulb grease?

No...but I can loan you some decimal points.

 

[petro]

 

[petro]

Do you have a bucket of steam I can borrow or some light bulb grease?

Well, one is available...

I put that shit on everything.

 

[Devils_Advocate]

Well, one is available...
View attachment 678127

I put that shit on everything.

Yeah, use for car lights…

 

[petro]

Yeah, use for car lights…

The package also says light bulbs and flood lights.
Works great for sticky bulb threads.
So does Vaseline.

 

[Concerned American]

I machined for over 30 years.
Dont try and tell me how to use a chuck.

So did I, and I NEVER used a machine that was in that condition even in the first job shop that I ever worked in. Where is the machine shop that uses that kind of equipment. OSHA would have a field day.

 

[Concerned American]

No...but I can loan you some decimal points.

I bet you have a box of ohms, a plank stretcher and a sky hook too.