As we all know, not all needs are answered by over-the-counter tools. As one example, my Z-friend Dieter Roth made his own special wrench for one particularly annoying Z job (halfshaft U-joint bolts, IIRC) by simply grinding off the excess metal from a standard open-end wrench so that it would fit inside the limited-clearance space.  For my own efforts, I've enjoyed constant use over the years from a 18" length of 1"-dia aluminum tubing (from a TV antenna mast) that I squashed one end of so that it would fit over the end of open-end and box-end wrenches to give extra leverage.

What's in your tool box?

When I need to stretch out a spring instead of pliers/vise grips, I use a wire like drop ceiling hanging wire. Sort of like a clothes hanger. Put the wire through the spring end and double it over for a pull handle and pull it out to the the set hole. Works great.

 A 1/2" x 3' length of garden hose that I use as my go-to stethoscope.

I love making tools and jigs.  My latest was a modification to the spindle pin puller I made.  Since I already had the puller, I made another sleeve and turned it into a rear outer bushing puller.  It made removing the OE bushings almost easy.

9 hours ago, siteunseen said:

When I need to stretch out a spring

For a spring that are in a gearbox base plate i use a side cutting pliers, just cut halfway into it, your not gonna hurt it just stretch it.

The best made tool was a apparatus to grip the crank on a 300zx(tt) z32 for taking of the balancer (necassary when changing the timingbelt)  without taking everything of and the starter also to block the crank!  I block the crank with my own made tool that clicks into the holes in the balancer/pulley.

(It's a horizontal beam fits to the stabilizerbar and has two steel round "fingers" that go into the holes of the balancer.  simple but effective..  saves a lot of time, because you don't need to take the starter off!)

I’ve made dozens of tools over the years. It would be safe to say they are all equally valuable, as all were created when there wasn’t a tool available to do the job. 
 

I’ve made tools to remove spring eye bushings for leaf springs and install new ones for heavy trucks. This was so I didn’t have to remove the spring to take it to a press.
 

I made a tool for checking and adjusting air brake slack adjusters.

I built a gage for checking the toe on my race car, but it can be used to check toe on any vehicle.

Along that line I made a number of tools to aid in setting and adjusting all of the suspension on the race car, camber, caster, square.

Dozens of jigs and fixtures, for drilling or assembly. Stands for spare engines and transmissions.

My tool box is loaded with modified wrenches and sockets. I have bought a number of wrenches just to be modified for a single job.

I built a cart for a suitcase MIG welder that also carries the argon bottle, and storage for a welding hood, gloves and leather coat, clamps, spare wire, consumables and nozzle dip.

I made a tool for holding L series cylinder heads for porting work, so I don’t have to chase it around the workbench.

Another tool for holding a Z strut and spindle for mocking up brake caliper adapters and cooling ducts, and checking wheel to brake component clearances. It also is useful for mounting a wheel for polishing.

The list goes on . . . . 

 

 

 

Wheel bearing race drifts:

1" black iron pipe coupling (ground a tad smaller)

 

2" pipe nipple with threads ground a tad smaller.

Edited July 2, 20213 yr by 240260280

I made this for pulling the rear axle. The round hole serves a dual purpose. Either to hold a breaker bar to allow removal of the axle nut or to use with a slide hammer to pull the axle.

 

This is all really good stuff.  Hopefully, we'll end up with an inventory of, 'Why didn't I think of that?' items that will save others a lot of time, grief and/or money.  They might even inspire some new ideas.  Pictures help, if you've got them. 

SU Jet Sleeve alignment tool. @dk240z kindly made me a nicer version on this lathe back then!

Edited July 2, 20213 yr by 240260280

Jet alignment Tool

6 minutes ago, Namerow said:

This is all really good stuff.  Hopefully, we'll end up with an inventory of, 'Why didn't I think of that?' items that will save others a lot of time, grief and/or money.  They might even inspire some new ideas.  Pictures help, if you've got them. 

I think @zKars can fill 10 pages!

4 hours ago, 240260280 said:

Wheel bearing race drifts:

1" black iron pipe coupling (ground a tad smaller)

I wondered why I had a cast iron pipe fitting in my Z parts drawer! You told me about how that reducer would work, and it did. Thanks again.