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Ive just been moaning on another thread about s**t tools, so heres a couple of thoughts on those tools Ive been fortunate enought to discover in my prof capacity.

1; The VAR 'third hand' caliper brake tool. The grand-daddy of third hands, a masterpiece of engineering. mmmmmm

1. The Bikesmith cotter press. If you work with cotter pins, you'll never look back from this one. Smooth, non-impact removel and replacement of any cotter pin, no matter how badly stuck.
   
2. Jackson engimeering (small old Leeds firm) Bottom Bracket Cup Remover. After recycling over 4000 bikes, it's never yet failed to remove a fixed cup from a frame. Bike shops brought frames to us, because we had this tool!
   
3. MAFAC tool pouch. 1950s to 70s, the standard set for continental cycle tourists, all in a little rubber pouch. Pay a fortune on fleabay, but dont be tempted to sell youre if you ever plan to go beyond the M25.
   
4. Zip ties! Nuff said.
   
   

So what are yours??????

When I was running BikeRescue, the bike recycling scheme, we got lots of stuff powdercoated, and really it depends whether the coater has a brain.
We have had mudguard stays, little brackets, racks, levers - you name it - coated with good results.
Rules; Tell the coater you dont want it thick, point out any makers stamps you atill want to be able to see, or show him where you DO want it thick, to cover pitting (it shows through otherwise).
ALWAYS fill threaded holes with an old bolt, lightly screwed in, a few threads deep. This applies to frames too, always use a couple of old BB cups and headset cups to preserve threads and reamings.
Stems should be masked at the point where you want to insert up to, and the handlebar hole stuffed with paper (and dont forget the slave-bolt in the clamp!)
Handlebars should be masked at the stem clamp area.
Pedals should be dismantled, and holes stuffed. I presume youre not intending to do the axles.
Soldered items will melt apart! We found this out with a batch of old Raleigh Superbe chaincases, which arrived back in pieces! The curing temp is hot enough to melt solder, but not brazing.

99 percent of tyre levers are shit. Ive found (and we are talking workshop use with 5 different mechanics here) that the more claims made by the manufacturer, the shitter the lever. Same goes for magazing tests. If the magazines really rate the new wunderlever, ans especially if they give them away with subscriptions, you know its headed straight for the bin!
Moped tyre levers, steel, for workshop use, small alloy for emergency toolkit, but most of the time you wont need them if youve learned the proper ways.
(If this was a Brompton forum, id be recommending motorcycle levers with 6 foot long extensions!)

Im tearing out the lasr remaining hair on my head, trying to upload some photos. they're Jpegs, under 200kb, but even individually, they just fail.
Any ideas?

The Sachs Duomatic is an 'invisible 2-speed' with kickback change and no cable. Also has coasterbrake. Rare and so desirable that Sturmey have just replicated it. The Pashley Guvnor Ltd has one.
Frame is 1979 Claud Majestic in sky blue metallic, lovely nick. New wheel builds, new pasela tyres, French NorthRoad bars, GB Spearpoint stem, MAFAC Racer brake, bar-end brake lever.
£500. Brooks Swallow saddle £50 extra
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/3933501977_6146cb4ac4_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4404248156_54bc230446_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3934286076_8fce170313_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/4084547530_89fa40c3e4_o.jpg

Electro... Have a good look at that frame cos the photo looks like it's had a 'header' Fork looks bent back. Check carefully!
Otherwise, a nics bike.

Sorry Joe, I sholud have said "While admiring....AND a lovely white Holdsworth", cos it is! Next visit mid march for a week, then over easter, then possibly permanent. Now what am i gonna turn into a polo mount?

Last Friday, while admiring a lovely JRJ outside the Windmill in The Cut, I was greeted by Skully, and invited to join for a pint while awaiting the start of CritMass round the corner. the Mass was duly missed as others showed up, and an informal LFGSS pub meet gathered momentum.
It was my first 'live' encounter with forum members, and I just wanted to say thanks for making me so welcome. Even if I had to eat most of the communal hobnobs myself!
I'll hopefully see you all again soon. Tweed run? Polo?
Andy (was on the brown Bob Jackson).