VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Tools In My Tool Box

Some of the most useful tools in my tool box are dental picks. I get the old ones my dentist discards but are still useful. They come in handy on many occasions and are great at removing carbon on cylinder heads and rust in small areas.

Bill,

That right there is a good tip. (no pun intended)

Seriously, I have seen the times when just such a devise would be handy. Kind of like a golf tee for stopping up a vacuum line. A threaded bolt just doesn't get it.

Thanks for the heads up on the dental pick. I'm going to see if I can get one. My dentist is kind of sour acting so I'll have to catch him in a good mood. If ever. He'll probably want to charge me for it.

Best,

Charlie

While not as durable as the ones from the dentist, Harbor Freight sells a few different sets. Search under “pick”.

HF has a few decent sets and one bad set. They have an orange handled set that used to have a free coupon on occasion. I had those bend and break on me. The other set with the metal handle seemed to work well. I bought this cheep set from Amazon (WORKPRO 9Pcs Precision Pick & Hook Set with Scraper, Automotive & Electronic Hand Tools, W000846A) and was surprised by it. It even came with a tray that fit my tool chest. I admit they are not as good as my friends high dollar set but they do every job I ask of them.

Workpro Pick set

I used to be able to get the real ones years ago. I just used one the other day to remove a stuck bobbin from my wife’s sewing machine!

There is a limited useful life to dental picks. I just ask for the ones they are going to throw away. Have a large assortment. Use one or more nearly every day. And for me the price is right. FREE for the asking.

My dentist and his staff gladly gave their old ones to me. They know I use them in the garage and really appreciate them giving me the picks. A while back, I had a "mishap" while working in the garage, and a quick trip to the emergency room was needed. While the doctor was attending to my needs, the conversation turned to what led me to being there, so I told him about using the dental picks my dentist gave me to remove some crud from a part I was working on, and a piece got reflected into my eye (yes, I did have on safety glasses, but s**t does happen). After the doctor removed the piece from my eye and left to treat the next patient, the nurse soon came into the room with a hand full of used surgical scissors, tweezers and hemostats for me. I guess the trip was worthwhile.