tools
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
tools
Hey fellas I've got a question about what tools I NEED and what tools you recommend.
I have a socket set (about 200 pieces SAE/Metric, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive) SAE and metric end wrenches, a couple sets of allen wrenches, an electrical kit with a multi-meter, soldering iron, and various connectors. I've got a pretty full wood-working shop but most of that isn't going to help. Of course I've got a floor jack and four jack-stands, chocks, and a crawler.
I guess what I'm asking is, what tools do you have that I don't that you find the most useful?
I have a socket set (about 200 pieces SAE/Metric, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive) SAE and metric end wrenches, a couple sets of allen wrenches, an electrical kit with a multi-meter, soldering iron, and various connectors. I've got a pretty full wood-working shop but most of that isn't going to help. Of course I've got a floor jack and four jack-stands, chocks, and a crawler.
I guess what I'm asking is, what tools do you have that I don't that you find the most useful?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: I celebrate their entire catalog
I liked Clint Eastwood's line to the young kid in Gran Torino about tools. "You don't get them all at once, you get them as you need them and over the years you'll have a collection." Or something along those lines.
Don't forget some handheld torx drivers. They usually come in a set: T8, T9, T10, T15 up to T40. A lot of the interior is held in with torx bolts. And I believe your valve cover bolts are a T50, which you'll need in a 3/8 drive.
A good handheld shop light. Either a magnetic or finger grabber parts picker-upper for when you drop a nut or bolt deep down somewhere.
Most of my tools are Craftsman because I think they make good stuff and the price is right.
Don't forget some handheld torx drivers. They usually come in a set: T8, T9, T10, T15 up to T40. A lot of the interior is held in with torx bolts. And I believe your valve cover bolts are a T50, which you'll need in a 3/8 drive.
A good handheld shop light. Either a magnetic or finger grabber parts picker-upper for when you drop a nut or bolt deep down somewhere.
Most of my tools are Craftsman because I think they make good stuff and the price is right.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
with all of the above. in addition, here's a couple; inspection mirrors, torx sockets, allen sockets, flair nut wrenches, having a bad-*** compressor along with impact tools doesn't hurt either. as analog kid said, it takes years, and i've been "collecting" for better than 45...
Last edited by Joe C; Apr 25, 2010 at 09:02 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
with all of the above. in addition, here's a couple; inspection mirrors, torx sockets, allen sockets, flair nut wrenches, having a bad-*** compressor along with impact tools doesn't hurt either. as analog kid said, it takes years, and i've been "collecting" for better than 45... I got compressor w/tools for Xmas 2 years ago (of course, that's what I told the wifey I wanted) and what a difference. If you're planning on wrenching on your car, the torx socket set is a must- about $40 at Sears for an 8 pc set. You'll find there aren't too many allen bolts on the car, so the sockets aren't as important. GM loves torx!
2 multi side flair nut wrenches, 10mm/11mm and 12/13- should cover most brake and fuel lines.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
You will need not only a torque wrench, but a torque wrench that goes to 175 or 200 lbs ft. The rear axle nut has to be torqued to 168 lbs ft..
There are a lot of nuts and bolts that need to be torqued to (Inch lbs) so a torque wrench for that will also be needed .. A timing light also if you don't have one...Oh yea, Beer. Lots of Beer..
...WW...
There are a lot of nuts and bolts that need to be torqued to (Inch lbs) so a torque wrench for that will also be needed .. A timing light also if you don't have one...Oh yea, Beer. Lots of Beer..
...WW...
Last edited by WW7; Apr 25, 2010 at 10:17 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
You will need not only a torque wrench, but a torque wrench that goes to 175 or 200 lbs ft. The rear axle nut has to be torqued to 168 lbs ft..
There are a lot of nuts and bolts that need to be torqued to (Inch lbs) so a torque wrench for that will also be needed .. A timing light also if you don't have one...Oh yea, Beer. Lots of Beer.....WW...
There are a lot of nuts and bolts that need to be torqued to (Inch lbs) so a torque wrench for that will also be needed .. A timing light also if you don't have one...Oh yea, Beer. Lots of Beer..
...WW... 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,125
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Every thing said here is great, but one more thing, stay with American made tools. I would stay away from Craftsman tools as they are now made in China and you'll be running back and forth swapping tools when sockets and torxs break, and they will. Nothing is more aggravating than having to stop what you're doing and run back to Sears for another tool.
I'm Biased, I work for;
I'm Biased, I work for;
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 3
From: Supreme Soviet Peace-Loving Pipple's Kollektive of Seattle Wa
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
thank you
I appreciate all of the advice. I got the FSMs for my '96 a few days ago hence the sudden flury of questions from me in the forum. I live in on-base housing and I have a pretty full woodshop so a "real" compressor (I mean at least 5.5 hp and 10 CFM @ 90) doesn't have anywhere to live. I have a small pancake Bostitch that I use for nail guns and it works decent for my impact gun. Are those air ratchets worth it? What brand is the best for the buck?
So flare nut wrenches, torque wrench, socket extentions, torx bits, and money...lots and lots of money. Thanks for the ideas fellas and I'll keep my ears open.
Scrappy
So flare nut wrenches, torque wrench, socket extentions, torx bits, and money...lots and lots of money. Thanks for the ideas fellas and I'll keep my ears open.
Scrappy
Last edited by galt1074; Apr 25, 2010 at 03:57 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
I appreciate all of the advice. I got the FSMs for my '96 a few days ago hence the sudden flury of questions from me in the forum. I live in on-base housing and I have a pretty full woodshop so a "real" compressor (I mean at least 5.5 hp and 10 CFM @ 90) doesn't have anywhere to live. I have a small pancake Bostitch that I use for nail guns and it works decent for my impact gun. Are those air ratchets worth it? What brand is the best for the buck?
So flare nut wrenches, torque wrench, socket extentions, torx bits, and money...lots and lots of money. Thanks for the ideas fellas and I'll keep my ears open.
Scrappy
So flare nut wrenches, torque wrench, socket extentions, torx bits, and money...lots and lots of money. Thanks for the ideas fellas and I'll keep my ears open.
Scrappy
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
All very good advice above. Just remember Rome wasn't built in a day....and like was stated above from Gran Torino, collecting tools is a lifetime endeavor. And some things you may only need once....like the big socket to remove the rear axle nut ( I don't even remember the size....bought it around 2002, used it twice).
I've also gotten a lot of use out of my Mighty Vac hand held vacuum pump. Great for diagnosing vacuum issues, bleed brakes, etc. A couple of large C clamps for compressing brake pads are a big help too. And as everyone above mentioned, a large selection of Torx sockets, a torque wrench capable of 200 ft lbs, fuel pressure gauge, etc.
Happy wrenching.
I've also gotten a lot of use out of my Mighty Vac hand held vacuum pump. Great for diagnosing vacuum issues, bleed brakes, etc. A couple of large C clamps for compressing brake pads are a big help too. And as everyone above mentioned, a large selection of Torx sockets, a torque wrench capable of 200 ft lbs, fuel pressure gauge, etc.
Happy wrenching.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Just to add to the good advice so far, one tool that I wish I had gotten years ago is a radiator pressure tester. I have always guessed and hoped that I didn't have coolant leak, now before I go on a trip, I just pump it up and see.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Don't forget the magnet on an extension, you're gonna drop things where your hands and fingers don't fit. A set of easy-outs cause you're gonna break something off and then you'll break the easy out trying to remove it. Nothing gets an easy out......out. Hardest metal know to man. Some beeswax to put on the end of the torx bits and phillips screwdrivers. Holds the bolt and keeps it from falling off the driver until you can get it started down in that hole.
Many extra 1/2", 9/16". 10mm, 13mm, 14mm, sockets. Every time you use one of these it evaporates. They must because they cannot be found. They just go away.
How come my list only pertains to things that can go wrong. Geesh, is it me?? Just keep buying tools as you go along because you'll NEVER have everything you need.
I have Snap-on, Proto and Mac tools but I will say that the ones that I use most often are the Pittsburg brand from Harbor Freight. They are thin wall sockets, laser etched and I have never broken one. Don't buythe wobble extensions from there though because they break with only the slightest effort.
Good luck on your tool quest.
Many extra 1/2", 9/16". 10mm, 13mm, 14mm, sockets. Every time you use one of these it evaporates. They must because they cannot be found. They just go away.
How come my list only pertains to things that can go wrong. Geesh, is it me?? Just keep buying tools as you go along because you'll NEVER have everything you need.
I have Snap-on, Proto and Mac tools but I will say that the ones that I use most often are the Pittsburg brand from Harbor Freight. They are thin wall sockets, laser etched and I have never broken one. Don't buythe wobble extensions from there though because they break with only the slightest effort.
Good luck on your tool quest.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 64
From: Roanoke Va
Every thing said here is great, but one more thing, stay with American made tools. I would stay away from Craftsman tools as they are now made in China and you'll be running back and forth swapping tools when sockets and torxs break, and they will. Nothing is more aggravating than having to stop what you're doing and run back to Sears for another tool.
I'm Biased, I work for;
I'm Biased, I work for;
But i have all Kobalt tools!