Just realized my go-to chain tool is older than some mechanics in the shop

I was cleaning out my toolbox last weekend and noticed the date stamp on my Park Tool CT-3. It's from 1995. That tool has been through maybe 40 shops with me, and it still works fine. I looked up how many chains it can supposedly handle, and the old spec sheet said around 500. I didn't believe it so I called Park Tool's customer line, and the guy confirmed they tested them to about 500 chains back then. My current one has to be past that by now. Has anyone else got a tool they've used way past its rated life?

3 comments

3 Comments

morganl716d ago

Honestly I used to toss tools way sooner but this makes me rethink keeping my old Campy chain tool.

blairm776d ago

Yeah but you know Campy tools are made for Campy stuff specifically. Using that old chain tool on a Shimano or SRAM chain might mess up the pin alignment since the tolerances are different. Still cool to keep old tools though, just gotta know what they're meant for.

williams.luna5d ago

Oh man, I totally feel you on that. It's so easy to get attached to old tools even if they're not perfect for everything you've got now. I've got a few vintage Park pieces that I keep around more for nostalgia than actual use (they just feel right in my hand, you know?).