# Things that require non-standard or unconventional tools **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 16, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098 "2005-01-16T23:02:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/21 "2005-01-17T05:16:13Z")
How about the schrader valve wrench - the thing that removes the valve in the air stem of your tires. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_from\_Texas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Lee\_from\_Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lee_from_Texas)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/22 "2005-01-17T05:19:52Z")
The water meters for houses in some cities have an unusual connector that the average Joe can’t access. It also means that a plumber installing a “rough”\* can’t water-test the system. \*A Plumbing Rough is installing drain pipes (along with pipes to “catch” things like commodes, showers, tubs, etc) in the dirt before the foundation is poured. In order to test the system for leaks, plumbers will seal the outlet and fill the system with water. If they get the water from a meter box, the city considers it theft. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/23 "2005-01-17T05:30:34Z")
> [@Blown & Injected](#): > > How about the schrader valve wrench - the thing that removes the valve in the air stem of your tires. Hell, if you have a Dremel with cutoff wheels and grinders, you can make one of those in about ten minutes from a small - say 1/8" - hex nut driver. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/24 "2005-01-17T05:38:25Z")
true but it does answer the OP I have machined custom wrenches for fire suppression systems. While it is not a common tool - actually non other like it, it is not made to prevent somebody just walking by from messing with it ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/25 "2005-01-17T05:46:49Z")
For some unknown reason, certain McDonald’s Happy Meal toys are put together with screws with a triangular-slot head. Again, it’s trivial to make the tool with a Dremel grinder, but I have to wonder why they felt the need to use such an odd screw. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/26 "2005-01-17T05:49:58Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Diceman, > > Ever seen a toilet stall missing its panels? Neither have I. See how good those special screws work?? 🙂 Actually, they’re to keep away the tigers… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/27 "2005-01-17T05:51:17Z")
[hijack] While we are on the subject of Dremels and their capabilities, I thought I’d take this opportunity to brag about how I created from (almost) raw materials a copper retaining clip for a shower cartridge. The water had frozen and forced the cartridge out of the housing, destroying the old clip. I was unable to find a new clip without buying a new $150 valve. So I took a 1 1/4" copper coupler, cut it in half, hammered it flat, and proceeded to [use my dremel to carve out a new clip](http://www.gabemartinez.com/pictures/CJM/2004/camp060304/DSC04580.html) . I rule. [/hijack] Just so I can say something of relevance to the thread, I also have taken an old metal handle from something or other, cut it off, and remade the tip to serve as a tool for installing and removing a [Loop-Loc](http://www.looploc.com/home/flash_body.html) pool cover. And all without the use of duct tape! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/28 "2005-01-17T05:51:54Z")
Lots of movie theater seats use the same screws, for the same reason. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/29 "2005-01-17T05:51:57Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Actually, they’re to keep away the tigers… 😉 [obvious straight line] I’ve never seen a tiger in a public restroom! [/obvious straight line] ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/30 "2005-01-17T06:33:20Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > [obvious straight line] > > I’ve never seen a tiger in a public restroom! > > [/obvious straight line] See how well it works? (not previewing to reduce the chance of someone else saying this) ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/31 "2005-01-17T06:50:44Z")
That’s only because Hobbes didn’t need to pee while you were in there also, **QED**. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/32 "2005-01-17T06:55:07Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > That’s only because Hobbes didn’t need to pee while you were in there also, **QED**. 😉 Hey, it’s not **Q.E.D.** but [**Qadgop**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=297221) who’s having problems with Calvinists! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/33 "2005-01-17T12:59:18Z")
> [@Fuji Kitakyusho](#): > > Fords. Holy Cow! This is exactly what I was prepared to write. I cut my teeth on 1960’s Mustangs, it was always a running joke with the guys about how you needed a special “Ford tool #3769a” to fix something. Say…your not from Missouri…are you? ---
**Author:** ![Thin\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Thin\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Ice)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/34 "2005-01-17T13:28:12Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > For some unknown reason, certain McDonald’s Happy Meal toys are put together with screws with a triangular-slot head. Again, it’s trivial to make the tool with a Dremel grinder, but I have to wonder why they felt the need to use such an odd screw. Maybe the company was just using up screws left over from another production run. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/35 "2005-01-17T14:34:59Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Try to take apart something assembled with an Oetiker clamp unless you have an Oetiker tool. (Without destroying it, that is) 😉 (Used in some automotive and self-contained breathing apparatus) I’ve removed and re-used any number of those clamps. Just loosen the crimp with needlenose pliers and/or a hefty pick or screwdriver, and you get enough slack to undo them. Once they’re apart, it’s not hard to reshape the crimp area so as to be able to recrimp it. You get a nicer crimp when installing them if you use the right tool, but you can certainly get a functional crimp with the clever application of the right sorts of pliers. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/36 "2005-01-17T15:36:38Z")
> [@CynicalGabe](#): > > Those bathroom screws you mention actually can be removed. I have a special drill bit/socket that grips the head and backs it out. Ahem. And you have the special drill bit/socket because . . .? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/37 "2005-01-17T16:43:18Z")
[quote=PoorYorick] Ahem. And you have the special drill bit/socket because . . .? [/quote Because steel security doors use the same screws. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/38 "2005-01-17T16:46:27Z")
Thanks, **CynicalGabe**. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/39 "2005-01-17T16:48:33Z")
All the restrooms where I used to work had those great big, huge-roll toilet paper dispensers. It took a big plastic key to get in, but the cheap latch was balky, so the janitors had ripped the covers off every one. The one-way screws in the stall walls there had shallow, rounded heads. Apparently, some guys amused themselves by backing out the “tamper proof” screws with Channellock® arc joint pliers. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098/40 "2005-01-17T17:57:17Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > A recent thread about fire hydrants mentioned the pentagonal wrenches needed to open most hydrants. This got me to thinking: what other things are manufactured requiring custom tools to work with, expressly so Joe Public can’t tinker with them? I came across an '82 Chrysler once with a power steering hose that required a 23/64" wrench to remove the fitting. And no, that doesn’t translate directly to any common metric size…9 mm is too small and 10mm is too big. The car was built in Canada but everything on it used regular inch measured (imperial?) wrenches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-require-non-standard-or-unconventional-tools/285098.md?page=3)