Battery Terminal Spreaders

[Norm's Coupe]

Some tools are hard to find. I've stopped at several auto parts stores the past week or so looking for a Battery Terminal Spreader and Cleaner. Not one store has them. Went online and found them on Sears website. Called a local Sears store and they said they were an online item only. Finally called the Bumper to Bumper store this morning to see if they had them. Didn't think they would have them in stock since it's a small store, but called anyway. He didn't have them either, but........said he could order a pair for me. So.........I pick them up there either Wed. or Thur. Still about $7 or $8 cheaper than what they would have cost me online.

[Young Ed]

Norm's Coupe

Zen Master, I breathe vintage mopar!

Join Date: Oct 2006

Posts: 6,744

Special Tools

In this post, I'm not talking about any specific tool. Just making the comment as to how I look at most of them. I think most of them are just a gadget and are not really needed. This goes for all types of tools.

For example:

Look at the rotary cutting tools. To me they are nothing more than a small Dremel type tool, or electric drill. The only difference is, they simply hold a drill bit designed to cut out patterns in wood for example. To me these are just a gadget. I can by just the wood cutting drill bit, put it in my Dremel type rotary tool, the drill press, or my hand held electric drill and do the same thing as the special tool does. So.........why go out and buy the special rotary electric cutting tool, when all you need is the drill bit?

Now, this certainly doesn't mean that all special tools are gadgets. Just most of them.

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

Now, why did I know that someone was going to go back to that post.:D

I still stand by what I said in that post though. But.......sometimes, a special tool does help. I have three of the brush type cleaners. I was looking for this one though because of the spreader. My cables have never fit the battery post like they should. Tried spreading the terminals other ways, but, still not good enough. So.........I need the "special tool" in this case.

[Young Ed]

I figured if I didn't Don C or Tim would have. And I agree sometimes its nice to spoil yourself with a special tool. I have a $45 wire stripper tool. Im sure I didn't need it but when I was wiring my entire car it was sure useful.

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

I have a coupe of pairs of strippers like yours. Both were gifts though. Before that I had a pair of the real cheap ones. That said, I rarely use wire strippers. Usually, I'll just use a pocket knife to strip the wire.

[P-12 Tommy]

Back when I was a younger dude I would use my teeth. Don't trust 'em now:D

Tom

[Plymouthy Adams]

Ed..I have been busy this morning or I would have posted a comment...but sometimes there is just no substitute for the proper tool...of course there are ways to get by, go around etc but this is another area where you oft times just flat out gotta pay to play...I have speciality tools out the yang..once in a blue moon devices..(got that coming up the 31st by the way) but when ya need them and they be handy..like icing on a cake..only makes it sweeter..

[Young Ed]

With wiring my entire car from scratch using a cheap one or a knife wasn't going to cut it for me. I also bought that much better terminal end tool. That one was great too except my first one was defective. The two blades for the cutter part at the end didn't line up so it wouldn't cut anything

[TodFitch]

Back when I was a younger dude I would use my teeth. Don't trust 'em now:D

Tom

At first I though your comment was about spreading battery cable ends... Stripping wire would make more sense though...

[Don Coatney]

I figured if I didn't Don C or Tim would have.

Not me! No sireee! What my buddy Norm says is well..........What my buddy Norm says! Take it for what it is worth$

[dparksie]

I have an old wire stripper but usually just use them for crimping. I like a utility knife for stripping. My father when he retired gave me his old tools, valve spring clamps and alot of others from his days swinging a wrench in the 60's and 70's. I like the feel of the old tools brings back the memories and sometimes having the right tool is the only answer.

[BobT-47P15]

Hopefully, the proctologist hasn't included this tool in his collection...........

[JoelOkie]

Ouch! It's bad enough when they start to pull that little glove thing down on their finger....in the minds eye it always seem like they are gloving up clean to their elbow....