Hidden gems you’ve found

[Cthulhu!]

How long until Snap-on gets into skate tools...

[Slave IV]

How long until Snap-on gets into skate tools...

The day skateboarders are willing to pay more for their skate tool than their entire skateboard? Haha!

[Síota]

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With the recent talk of hardware and tools, I've been wondering why I haven't seen any really good tool specifically for swapping trucks out. Has anyone tried a fixed head ratcheting wrench like this?

If it works, someone should incorporate that ratchet into a skate tool or I'm just going to buy one and see for myself. Only thing is the head might be too big since the nuts are so close to the rest of the baseplate.

[close]

I use them ratchet spanners at work for some equipment, the head is bigger than normal boxed end ones, I'm sure it would hit the base plate.

[close]

Bummer, thanks for the info.

[close]

I'm back in work and it's slow so here you go, here is two 13mm spanners you don't really notice the size difference:



But on 10mm you clearly see the extra metal, threw in a 10mm spanner that I had to take a grinder to for some stupid design..

[close]

You had to grind the fixed head one for it to work? If some have features then yeah, no way the ratcheting head will ever fit. Thanks!

For a non skate thing at work. But yeah they are too thick and honestly too expensive for what you need for skating. Like if you really want just get an electric screwdriver and hold the nut wth a spanner...but be careful as the will sink bolts faster than you can imagine.

[moonordie]

How long until Snap-on gets into skate tools...

[Slave IV]

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With the recent talk of hardware and tools, I've been wondering why I haven't seen any really good tool specifically for swapping trucks out. Has anyone tried a fixed head ratcheting wrench like this?

If it works, someone should incorporate that ratchet into a skate tool or I'm just going to buy one and see for myself. Only thing is the head might be too big since the nuts are so close to the rest of the baseplate.

[close]

I use them ratchet spanners at work for some equipment, the head is bigger than normal boxed end ones, I'm sure it would hit the base plate.

[close]

Bummer, thanks for the info.

[close]

I'm back in work and it's slow so here you go, here is two 13mm spanners you don't really notice the size difference:



But on 10mm you clearly see the extra metal, threw in a 10mm spanner that I had to take a grinder to for some stupid design..

[close]

You had to grind the fixed head one for it to work? If some have features then yeah, no way the ratcheting head will ever fit. Thanks!

[close]

For a non skate thing at work. But yeah they are too thick and honestly too expensive for what you need for skating. Like if you really want just get an electric screwdriver and hold the nut wth a spanner...but be careful as the will sink bolts faster than you can imagine.

The one I saw was around $5 on Amazon. Probably not Snap-On quality but good enough for a skateboard tool. But since it don’t fit, pointless to think about anymore.

As for electric tools, I recently got an electric socket wrench for work that has very low torque that would probably be perfect for skate hardware. Only thing is you’d have to get a skinny extension or socket like the Silver tool for it to fit. Also kinda defeats the purpose of a simple skate tool so I guess something like the Silver is about the best we can get for ratcheting hardware tool.

[rocklobster]

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How long until Snap-on gets into skate tools...

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The day skateboarders are willing to pay more for their skate tool than their entire skateboard? Haha!

Why pay for your own tool when you can borrow a homie's tool indefinitely

[Sloppy Krooks]

I know graphic grip isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Powell grip is actually really, really good

[meeevs]

I use Wera kit at home/for my bike. I like some of their mini ratchets like this with a smaller head. This one takes square drive or a 1/4" adapter and you avoid bolt clearance issues etc by using a long bit.



I do however have an old Paris tool for my backpack for taking out and about. What I like about this one specifically is that the 10/32" socket has a hole in it so you don't have to worry if your bolts are slightly longer than the truck nylocs:



I think there are a few Paris-adjacent brands that have versions of this one.

[Osage]

I know graphic grip isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Powell grip is actually really, really good

 Used it once when I got a free sheet and it was great but it's like $15, which I just can't get myself to spend. If they just sold it at a regular price in black or with some small logo or something, I'd buy it.

[marcusbutler]

Does silver still have a patent or some shit on their skate tool? Why isn't any brand doing something similar.

[MrTad]

I do however have an old Paris tool for my backpack for taking out and about. What I like about this one specifically is that the 10/32" socket has a hole in it so you don't have to worry if your bolts are slightly longer than the truck nylocs:



I think there are a few Paris-adjacent brands that have versions of this one.

The Ace trucks skate tool is another version of the Paris tool. Also the Ace AF1 version of the tool has a axle and kingpin re-threader built in too.

[munchbox]

how often are yall setting up new boards?
cause i really dont mind taking the time with each
im also not being paid to move fast
and or have another setup ready

am i missing the point
i do skate ventures which are “tougher” to install

[Slave IV]

how often are yall setting up new boards?
cause i really dont mind taking the time with each
im also not being paid to move fast
and or have another setup ready

am i missing the point
i do skate ventures which are “tougher” to install

For me, not very often. The point to me was about making better tools if possible but it seems like my specific thought of having the ratcheted head doesn't work with what's currently available so I'm over it. I was willing to spend around $5 just for the wrench itself if it did work but not willing to spend $20 for the Silver tool unless something happens to my current skate tool. So yeah, it's not a big deal at all.

[JimmyFive]

The Independent (and pretty sure Bronson - NHS) skate T tool with the "bearing saver" lip on the axle nut socket! I don't know why other tools don't have this feature built into the axle socket. It's simple but effective.

It's a simple T tool with everything you need apart from an IKP Allen key. The "bearing saver" lip on the axle socket stops the edge of the socket from damaging or bending the shield/rolling elements of the bearing. It means you don't have to be too careful when you loosen or tighten the nut if you're swapping out wheels or bearings.

[JimmyFive]

Modus Bearings . The blues are so much better than Bones Reds.

+1 for Modus Blues. Best bearing in the price range. I've been skating them for a year of solid use and they keep getting faster.

I'm also a recent convert for SKF bearings, currently breaking in a set on my cruiser. Smooth, fast and silent. They also have a "lifetime guarantee".

[moonordie]

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Modus Bearings . The blues are so much better than Bones Reds.

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+1 for Modus Blues. Best bearing in the price range. I've been skating them for a year of solid use and they keep getting faster.

I'm also a recent convert for SKF bearings, currently breaking in a set on my cruiser. Smooth, fast and silent. They also have a "lifetime guarantee".

Wonder if anybody in here tested thar guarantee

[rikki]

Pals, like said above, the Indy T-tool is the bee's knees and really all you need and goes well with Ventures too.

[Texas_Tone]

I’m into the silly novelty tools, I have a D-tool from carpet company that’s the shape of a weiner, got the evisen butterfly tool, and I got the old world industries pipe tool, T-tools are cool and ge the job done, but are kinda boring, plus I get a chuckle when I hand someone a dick shaped skate tool

[rocklobster]

I’m into the silly novelty tools, I have a D-tool from carpet company that’s the shape of a weiner, got the evisen butterfly tool, and I got the old world industries pipe tool, T-tools are cool and ge the job done, but are kinda boring, plus I get a chuckle when I hand someone a dick shaped skate tool

Picked up a Blueprint one for nostalgia's sake

[meeevs]

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I do however have an old Paris tool for my backpack for taking out and about. What I like about this one specifically is that the 10/32" socket has a hole in it so you don't have to worry if your bolts are slightly longer than the truck nylocs:



I think there are a few Paris-adjacent brands that have versions of this one.

[close]

The Ace trucks skate tool is another version of the Paris tool. Also the Ace AF1 version of the tool has a axle and kingpin re-threader built in too.

That would make sense, yeah.

 I've not ended up needing a rethreader in a long time, but I've got dies in the toolbox at home anyway. Cool to have on hand though.

[swongolianbbq]

Here's what I was talking about earlier

Bearing press that puts the pressure on the -outer- race, vs. putting the pressure on the inner race which can fuck up the bearing sometimes

I found some washers with a slightly smaller OD than a 608 bearing, and use a smaller washer and an Ace axle rethreader on top

I put one of the big washers on the axle, then press the bearings in by hand with that, then seat them real good with the other washers and rethreader. Not as big of a deal on softer wheels, works great for seating bearings evenly on harder wheels tho

Not a huge deal but it's nice to not force the bearings on using the inner race and potentially fucking em up from day one, nice to keep all the pressure on the outer race

Which is funny cause I don't run shields but hey they still last for years and sound awesome. I just shake em up with some acetone every couple months and spin em dry with canned air

Suppose it doesn't really matter because they're removed by leveraging the inner race anyways usually, but maybe it'll make em last a little longer

[meeevs]

In one of my earlier skate madnesses I found a second hand bearing press on eBay for cheap (they seem to be a lot more common/less expensive generally now). It's served me well. I did have a friend who had a specific bearing madness, ended up getting precisely cut washers and spacers to reduce sideways slop, that sort of thing.

[JM]

You should totally skate it like that and see if anyone says anything.

[Plan9Customs]

Here's what I was talking about earlier

Bearing press that puts the pressure on the -outer- race, vs. putting the pressure on the inner race which can fuck up the bearing sometimes

I found some washers with a slightly smaller OD than a 608 bearing, and use a smaller washer and an Ace axle rethreader on top

I put one of the big washers on the axle, then press the bearings in by hand with that, then seat them real good with the other washers and rethreader. Not as big of a deal on softer wheels, works great for seating bearings evenly on harder wheels tho

Not a huge deal but it's nice to not force the bearings on using the inner race and potentially fucking em up from day one, nice to keep all the pressure on the outer race

Which is funny cause I don't run shields but hey they still last for years and sound awesome. I just shake em up with some acetone every couple months and spin em dry with canned air

Suppose it doesn't really matter because they're removed by leveraging the inner race anyways usually, but maybe it'll make em last a little longer

Simple and effective. Reminds me of the bearing press I made when I did the bearings on my 66 c10.
Thanks for sharing that.

[swongolianbbq]

Rad! You're welcome

To the poster before you, that shit doesn't turn at all like that hahahh

plus I got the madness, I be finding where the thread starts on my kingpin and axle nuts, putting a sharpie dot on it, and turning everything the same amount of times. (Which also helps me tell if my nuts are tightene/loosened from landing primo, or if I got axle slip or whatever, I can just check if the sharpie spot has moved)

I would not be able to be rocking some goofy shit but yeah that's just a cheap way to press/seat bearings super straight without putting pressure on the inside race

[JM]

To the poster before you, that shit doesn't turn at all like that hahahh

lol

Sounds like good idea. I have the Indy tool, have never thought too much about damaging the bearing. I guess it has happened enough to people to warrant it, though.

I just the crank the nut down till the wheel barely doesn’t spin, then back off half or quarter turn to give it like 1/2 mm of play. Once someone in forum said this a few years ago and never had problems, I just do it too, now.

And hidden gems… probably mini logo bearings: can pop rubber shield off and clean! Pretty good for $10 (well. They used to be $10)

A lot of the good hidden gems have already been listed, including mini logo.

How about rechargeable battery operated power drill? That shit is way quicker than hand tool. No idea why I didn’t do tha when I was younger 

Wait a minute… better one: the bones bearing cleaner. The little plastic bottle with the metal screw and washers that hold your bearings in place. That’s an amazing cleaner with acetone, and then finished up with the bones lube drops.

[Plan9Customs]

From some random bmxer, toggle bolts for coping. Tried it today and easier than L bolts and with four 1/4” 90# bolts it doesn’t budge and I even tried slamming it on a test piece with a 5# sledge and shit didn’t break come loose.
Thanks rando bike guy.

[Richard Skidder]

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaner from Temu. It was $5! I use it to clean bearings. Remove the shields and clean them separately in Dawn. Place the bearings with the rolling elements facing down. Fill with isopropyl alcohol until it covers the bearings. Turn it on. A few minutes later all the debris is in the bottom below the strainer. Most effective/effortless way I have ever cleaned bearings.

[MOE SYZLAK]

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Modus Bearings . The blues are so much better than Bones Reds.

[close]

+1 for Modus Blues. Best bearing in the price range. I've been skating them for a year of solid use and they keep getting faster.

I'm also a recent convert for SKF bearings, currently breaking in a set on my cruiser. Smooth, fast and silent. They also have a "lifetime guarantee".

[close]

Wonder if anybody in here tested thar guarantee

If I remember correctly the modus bearings are lubricated with grease instead of oil

[Bobby Goes Nuts]

Pals, like said above, the Indy T-tool is the bee's knees and really all you need and goes well with Ventures too.

Do you still scratch the truck with the inner bolts? I got a Silver tool because I saw Kader use one in a clip, but the tool and trucks still got scratched from tightening the inner bolts. Allen key and mini wrench from Diamond hardware work on the bolts and wheels, but I still need a tool to adjust the nut on the kingpin.

If someone starts another hardware company, they should recreate the Diamond wrench with a third head that can adjust the kingpin nut. I might do it if I have free time at the end of December.