Customer Reviews

Unit Tool (Black)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This skate tool seems to be the most popular tool around these days and is stocked at most skateshops and webstores. I paid around $9 for mine, and while I don't exactly feel ripped off, the tool has some shortcomings.


The body of the tool is made out of some kind of nylon/plastic composite material that feels fairly durable and provides good grip while using the tool. At the top of the tool, you get a small L-shaped screwdriver/allen key combo for hardware. One of the edges of this part is textured to be used a griptape file. The textured grooves in the file weren't very deep to begin with but they did an adequate job filing griptape. After ONE application of griptape, some of the texture has worn off as well as the chrome plating on this part of the tool. Underneath the chrome, the metal is brass colored...not sure what the metal parts on the tool are made of but they look and feel cheap. Next time I'll probably just use a regular screwdriver for a griptape job or a real file. The philips head did do a good job of holding my hardware in place while I tightened down the trucks to my deck and didn't strip out the hardware.

Regarding the sockets on this tool, they could be better also. The small socket for hardware works fine with no real problems. The kingpin socket is okay, but you have to fiddle with it a little bit and be careful while tightening trucks like Indys that don't have a ton of clearance around the kingpin bolt. You could easily strip the kingpin nut with this tool. Basically, the plastic body of the tool rubs up against the hanger making it difficult to fit the socket on the nut. The axle socket is a real pain because it's too deep. If you push it all the way down on the axle to tighten your wheels you'll end up scraping or even denting the shields on your bearings. I recommend holding it very carefully just over the nut while you use it...a real pain with new trucks because of nylock axle nuts.

This tool also lacks a bearing pusher/puller and an axle re-threader. If you have inverted kingpin trucks you're out of luck here because there is no allen key in the tool that will work with that. I've heard people say that this tool was designed to be simple so it can fit in your pocket. I've got to call bull on that. The tool is still too bulky to fit in the front pocket of a pair of normal pants(i.e. not skinny or super baggy).

Overall this is a decent tool that will get the job done okay with some caveats but it won't do everything and it isn't the most portable tool on the market. If you've got more than $8 to spend, I'd recommend looking into something else.

This tool is pretty sturdy and it definitely has a bit of weight when you hold it.
I use this to tighten or loosen the board and it does it's job without damaging anything.
Getting the tool to align with nut is a little bit tricky but you get the hang of it very quickly.
If I lost it, I'd probably it again.

As soon as my speedily shipped tool arrived i was able to tighten my deck's hardware with the ease I'd been seeking for weeks! I will order at least one more for my fiance's long board, and I recommend two for anyone in need of a sturdy tool like this.

Good for the price. Fits all bolts and nuts. Gets the job done. If you need a good skate tool for a good price this is the one.

Does exactly what it's supposed to and includes everything you need to adjust or take apart your board!

I keep it in my backpack. :]

This tool is as basic as they get, and thats perfect. It has all the tools necessary for almost every skateboard, and it packs it into a good sized package. I had a small scare when I first tried to pull the Phillips screwdriver out because it seemed like it was stuck. After wedging a key under it, however, it loosened up and I had no more problems. I build skateboards, and i would recommend this skate tool to anyone as a no-frills solid piece of equipment.

I was skeptical about buying this tool at first because I thought it would break after using it, but it works really well. I also didn't have any problems with the allan tool like some others. Definitely worth getting.

if you constantly find making adjustments to your board and cant keep track of tools you need this even if u dont make adjustments much its worth it under 10 dollars and works on every part of your board