To save time and aggravation, let's list junk tools that will annoy, damage or send parts flying, or possibly even cause injury due to poor design and construction.
I'll start with my latest adventure in semi-internal engine repair, an on-engine valve spring compressor. If you want to do this job, don't get a tool that looks like this:


They launch parts, keepers, themselves, etc.
Spend the money and get a high quality one, not the $20 special from auto bone or schmuck's.

 

Lets not leave out those Chinese-made harmonic balancer pullers or any others made to do serious business work for a "budget" price!

 

im gonna have to add the sledge hammer handles that are so cheap the first time you use it it breaks and gives you a splinter the size of a tooth pick.

just one of many i will never buy or recomend

 

Almost any 'revolutionary' tool offered by Sears.

My wife got me some kind of adjustable wrench from them that actually looked to be well made. But. it's only use seems to be slipping off of anything that requires serious torque. It has adjustable jaws, but the're enclosed so you put it over a bolt/nut rather than sliding it on. I don't think that they sell them any more. ( They've probably also discontinued the Robo Grip pliers and many other similar items)

Anything 'As Seen on TV'
My most recent memory was something called ( I think) the Gator Grip. It was some kind of universal socket that was filled with little pins that would conform to the shape of a damaged fastener.

I don't think that they sell them any more either. It's possible that they might have worked to some extent. However, I think that anything that's initially promoted by infomercial has to have a factory cost of .01 or less. To get there, they usually substitute chewing gum for metal.

My final offering is one that I've never used, but I can't believe that it would work well. I have seen sockets that had gaps that lined up with the edges of a fastener. The explanation was that all of the force would be concentrated on the flats, and that they wouldn't slip. I kept envisioning the gaps as weak ponts, and figured that they would allow the contact area to shift -- thus making them useless if you ever really reefed on them. I'm open to correction by someone who has actually used them.

ford2go

 

I've never had any reason to complain about Snap-on's flank drive sockets or wrenches......

Is this what you mean?

 

ArdWrknTrk,

It was hard to tell from the on line pictures, but they may be the ones. If they are I stand corrected. I just couldn't see how they wouldn't flex because of the cutout areas. But, as noted, I've never tried them.

ford2go

 

brake spring pliers are worthless hunks ok crappy metal. i have yet to find anyone who knows how to use them.

 

Spring pliers can make like easier but if you don't know how to use them then they are worthless, Toss them in the trash, or do a few more brake jobs to learn how to use them.

 

short barrel air hammers, they just make a lot of noise and a little vibration

 

Westward pliers suck.

Home Depot tool exchange policy changed, so they suck.

Other than that, I don't own crap tools.

 

My grandfather told me a while ago that he couldn't afford cheap tools. The more experience i get with both good quality and cheap quality tools, the more inclined I am to agree.

 

Well Said !!!!!

Im going to nominate any craftsman electric tool.

 

count me as one who knows
they are only good for some truck brake work

 

Think one would be hard pressed to find a tool companies who does not manufacture their tools either in Mexico, or overseas. The quality control of the high end brand tools is likely better than the garden variety HF brand tools. JMHO

 

Autozone flarenut wrenches = junk