A Conversation About Tools

[Tinybear]

Don’t really have paintball specific tools more than the Allen keys and screw drivers I keep in my paintball bin.

If I ever need more tools I’m a mechanic by trade and have complete tool boxes and kits and both my house and my old house and then obviously my majority of tools at my work.

[pirhana92]

I used to have an autococker valve tool in my kit, o-ring picks and a small pair of needle nose pliers.

[glaman5266]

I have most of the stuff that was already posted, but I'm lacking a drill press. Dunno what I'd use it for, but I want one.

A bench grinder comes in handy sometimes (used it earlier this week). As does my Dremel tool. Used my Dremel a while back to engrave some wood grips for a buddy of mine.

The toolbox I take to the field has allens, pliers, a crescent wrench, phillips & flathead screwdrivers, o-ring pick, thread tape, electrical tape, grease, spare macro & fittings, and a spare set of 9Vs. I may add to it depending on what markers I bring.

[Brokeass_baller]

I mostly use what everybody else has already said. So, I don't have anything real important to add.

But I must say, over the years of working on paintball stuff and being a tradesman working with my hands, I've become unusually fond of Bondhus Allen wrenches. They seriously never round out. They're fantastic. And they are made in Minnesota by American workers. It's weird how I've developed a loyalty to a brand of such a simple tool. Lol

[Brokeass_baller]

^Amen to that.

[flyweightnate]

I loved mine. Someone stole the whole set at a field once.

[Siress]

I've never had a Bondhus twist itself into a pretzel, like cheap-o allen keys, but I've had them snap apart. And you know what? That sort of brittle fracture is EXACTLY the kind of failure I want it to have... That kind of failure means it's not going to strip screw heads after it wears down, means it won't spring up and unload on my fingers given the chance, means it won't deform and get stuck in some odd angle... Definitely the best budget option. Wiha for when you've gone pro.

[nodak651]

I mostly use what everybody else has already said. So, I don't have anything real important to add.

But I must say, over the years of working on paintball stuff and being a tradesman working with my hands, I've become unusually fond of Bondhus Allen wrenches. They seriously never round out. They're fantastic. And they are made in Minnesota by American workers. It's weird how I've developed a loyalty to a brand of such a simple tool. Lol

Thanks for the tip. I'm in MN. Looking these up and buying some now based on your comment.

Edit: Ok I need help... pulled them up on Amazon and there are six varieties to choose from? Which would be best for paintball? All look the same to me!

https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-20199-Balldriver-L-Wrench-1-5-10mm/dp/B0948X6K4X/ref=asc_df_B00012Y38W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309735728871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10663993219551311902&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1019973&hvtargid=pla-427743181653&th=1

[Siress]

Bondhus 20399 Ball End L-Wrench DoublePK w/BriteGuard & GoldGuard Finish

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00132CGTW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FM213NX0Z2QADA2BB8PZ

[nodak651]

Thank you!

[Tarsun2]

good tools. not the cheap-o tools that are made from recycled bottle caps.

it makes a difference when a 10mm is actually 10mm and not just "close enough"...

an ice cube tray is pretty good for organizing parts and pieces while you're working. Wooden dowels are good as well. i use one with a point so it sits in the middle of the valve on the spyder and dosent move around when im tapping it out.

[Siress]

it would take the rest of the day to type it all out...

some lesser known tools, though:

• Clamping adjustable wrench with smooth jaws (e.g. Stanley 85-610). This is basically a handheld machinist vice.
• Brightly colored ball-end allen keys. These are easily found when dropped outdoors. I'll second Brokeass_baller and plug Bondhus TiN coated allen keys for ~$30, and if you have a more discerning pallet go for Wiha (~$100)...I haven't seen better.
• pruning shears. Common tool laying around that does a great job of cutting macroline. Not necessary, but nice to have when you're supporting a group.
• microfiber cloths. Absolutely necessary as a tool to ensure parts get cleaned without lint, and IMO necessary for cleaning off lenses as required.
• a bar mat if you're really going to work on stuff. These rubber mats are designed to catch liquid and keep it from spilling out. In this case, it catches small parts, tools, o-rings, et al. from rolling off the bench or through slats in the table, and you can toss it into the dishwasher as needed.
• For stubborn parts, a hand torch and a wood vice. "soft jaw" vices are, unfortunately for us, made of the same stuff that most paintball parts are made from: aluminum. In the metal working world, that's a soft material. :-) The torch is to soften any retaining compound that may have been put on threads. Red and green loctite are common on tank threads, and will likely cause destruction of a tank if heat isn't applied just right.
• Not just paintball, but these electronics repair kits are punching WAY above their $20 weight class.

[Grendel]

At home:

• All of them (I work on everything from electronics to diesel powered 4x4s so I have lots of tools with the exception of 10mm sockets and wrenches they are with my odd socks in another dimension)

At Field:

• Leatherman
• Hex Velocity Tool for down the barrel tuning with end cut for flat head (damn you Mike!)
• Stubby Philips/Flat head screw drivers
• Precision Philips/Flat head screw driver
• Nickle
• Traditional Allen ball head Head keys that fit my markers and no more
• T-handle Allen one for Cocker one for Mag
• 2x 6" Crescent Wrenches ( they are actually Crescents not just adjustable wrenches)
• Cigar cutter (Macro Line)
• Electricians Scissors
• Pipe Dope/Teflon tape
• Blue Loctite
• Electric Tape
• Small Strap Wrench
• Dental tool
• Stick of JB Weld
• Orings