Cheap-Ass Tools: Mini Suction Cups
By Rick Reimundez
I’ve been looking for a solution to help me move around smooth granite tiles while installing them. The Anver Hand Suction Cup that we reviewed previously might work, but I’m way too Toolmonger-cheap to spend $40 for it. But these mini-suction cup handles from Hawk might do the trick. They’re small (at 2-1/4”), but they’re strong enough to hang on to 50 pounds of tile or glass.
I want to be able to use the suction cup on a tile that’s already stuck onto the mortar if I need to reposition them — or put a bit more thinset underneath, etc. To pick up the tile I would just squeeze the handle to create the suction, and then when I spread the handles apart, they would release.
They cups are made of natural rubber, with molded ABS handles, so they should last a while — assuming I don’t get mortar all over them. They claim that you can use them to pull dents from sheet metal as well, so I might need to give that a try before taking my ride to the paintless dent removal guy.
And considering that these street for just $6, I can’t go wrong. Oh – and that’s $6 for not one, but two suction cup handles.
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September 22nd, 2007 at 8:31 am
I’ve got a pair of Harbor Frieght’s 4 1/2″ version. I bought them to move plate glass on a house but have used them for all sorts of things. My favorite use is moving file cabinets, instant handle. Very handy for the price, although I would not trust them for the full 50 punds with something fragile.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:18 am
i use one of these on the front door so my dad can shut the door from the outside. he is in a wheelchair.
September 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
I’ve used one of these to pull a few dents out of a car. You’re only going to be able to pull some pretty specific sizes and types of dents, but when you get lucky, it suddenly becomes the best $6 you ever spent.
December 23rd, 2007 at 1:10 am
yea but can you spiderman\mission imposable\ james bond your way up a glass building with these?