Tools break.&nbsp; but as to the chain tool and pumps:<br>I like the Park&nbsp; tool (CT-3?- threaded replacable pin).&nbsp; before I hand someone a chaintool at the Bikechurch, or use one, I look at two things: spin the handle to see if the pin is bent, and look closely at the end to see iff it&#39;s mushroomed.&nbsp; if either is the case, use in that condition can brake the pin or cause it to become stuck in the chain/unthread itself, etc.- all negative situations.<br>
<br>if the pin is mushroomed, grind the edges off to a little bevel. (we have a terrible little hand crank grinder for such tasks).&nbsp; If it&#39;s bent, replace it.<br><br>as far as pumps go. . . silca pumps are the most durable and most servicable.&nbsp; generally, the presta chuck is ruined by folks shoving it on a schrader valve-&nbsp; clear labeling and user education is the answer.&nbsp; I am generally responsible (as oposed to irresponsible) for the pumps here, and they need frequent maintenence- my complaint is about the lack of good schrader chucks.<br>
<br>josh<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 9:53 AM, Sherief &lt;<a href="mailto:sgaber@gmail.com">sgaber@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Hello all,<br><br>This is Sherief from the Austin Yellowbike, and I was hoping to pool the thinktank&#39;s experience with shop tools prone to breakage and the like.&nbsp; We&#39;re currently having huge issues keeping up with Chain Tools and Presta Valve pumps especially... it feels like not a week goes by without at least one of each of these tools breaking.&nbsp; W/r/t the chain tools, we recently switched from the nicer Park tools to the cheapest we could get out of the catalog, but with the way those break there&#39;s effectively no net savings and even when they are functioning the new cheap ones are no good.&nbsp; We try to make sure people know how to use the tools before they do, etc.&nbsp; But my question(s) today is: Do people have any similar experience out there with broken/breakable tools-- specifically good ways to prevent these breakages?&nbsp; Does anyone have any recommendations for good chain tools /PV pumps that can withstand a bit of overeager volunteerin
 g?<br>
<br><br>Best,<br><font color="#888888">Sherief<br>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><br>Joshua Muir<br><a href="mailto:joshua@santacruzhub.org">joshua@santacruzhub.org</a><br><br>Frances Cycles &nbsp;-- &nbsp;<a href="http://francescycles.com">francescycles.com</a><br>
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