PSA: Hard to find tools
 

I thought I'd start a thread of places to check for hard to find tools. Please share your experiences as it'll help others when they are searching, as I couldn't find much when searching.

Yesterday I had my motorcycle in pieces and needed a 12mm hex bit socket or 12mm allen key. I searched Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Home Depot, Sears, ... before realizing I should try Princess Auto. I knew Princess Auto would carry it, yet its way out in Coquitlam which sucks to get to, so I figured I'd try Lordco first before driving.

Lordco has virtually every socket anyone could need: regular sockets, bit sockets, torque sockets, ... and in tons of sizes, even rare large and small sizes. I've been in Lordco many times yet didn't realize this cause its all kept behind the counter. So if you ever need a weird socket, good chance Lordco will have it and will be open.

Fastenal apparently carries a variety of hard to find tools as well, yet their hours suck (M-F 7-4).

Excellent idea for a thread. Do PA hand tools have a lifetime warranty like snap-on, craftsman, mastercraft etcetera?
Posted via RS Mobile

I'm sure there are restrictions for PA's warranty but I've yet to come across an instance where they've refused to honour it.

12mm hex bit socket and 12mm allen key seem kind of common and I'm surprised Canadian Tire and Sears did not have it.

Don't forget you can always try Peter at BFB Handtools. He did save me on Sunday when I wanted some quality snap ring pliers.
http://www.bfbhandtools.com/

Lordco also carries tamper proof torx by JET.

^ And inverted torx bits. Those took forever to find.

Threres also Summit Tools near Boundary and First which is very handy for me. Similar to princess Auto but more geared towards construction tools.
Posted via RS Mobile

I was working on my car a few weeks ago, when I ran into something that required a 27mm socket.
Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Lordco didn't have it but I ended up finding it at where my buddy works, West Can Auto Parts.
I was very surprised a 27mm socket was that hard to find.
Posted via RS Mobile

Another place which popped in my mind is Midland Liquidators on Kingsway. They have a bunch of mechanics tools and pretty cheap too but a little more than Princess Auto.

I like Canadian Tire's specialty tool rental program. Cant beat free rentals.

Anyone know where I can find a belt tension gauge?

My oil filter requires that size I think, and I remember it being very hard to find.

NAPA lists NBH KR1 and NBH KR2 on their site. May come up as KR1 or KR2.

They have a assortment of mechanics devices and attractive bargain too but a little more than Princess Auto.

Anyone know where I can pick up 1 external torx E8 socket? I don't want to buy an entire E-torx set if I don't have to.

anyone know where to get a piston ring compressor for a vw VR6 engine? my friend is looking for one. the deck is on an angle to the cylinders, 15 degrees or something..