What's in your tool box?
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 69
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From: Omaha Nebraska
What's in your tool box?
Inspired by golf articles of a similar title - I am interested in what tools, sockets, wrenches etc. you have in your tool box.
The motivation for my post came this weekend when I jacked up my vette for the first time to:
1). Remove wheels and paint the caliphers.
2). Change the oil
3). Attempted to torque sway bar connections to remove annoying sweaks. Didn't happend as my sockets weren't deep enough and I had the wrong size metric sockets.
Before I go "under again" I want to get the right stuff.
The motivation for my post came this weekend when I jacked up my vette for the first time to:
1). Remove wheels and paint the caliphers.
2). Change the oil
3). Attempted to torque sway bar connections to remove annoying sweaks. Didn't happend as my sockets weren't deep enough and I had the wrong size metric sockets.
Before I go "under again" I want to get the right stuff.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
1/4 metric & english deep sockets also
3/8 metric & english deep also
1/2 metric & english up to1.5 & 36 mm deep also
3/8 breaker bar
3/8 torque wrench
1/2 torque wrench 25-150 lbs
1/2 torque wrench 25-250 lbs
1/2 breaker bar
3/8 flex handle
3/8 t handle
torx bits & sockets to #55
phillips & straight bits
allen wrenches english & metric
drills ac & battery
pop rivet tool
almost forgot box & open wrenches Metric & english
flare nut wrenches
Box wrenches (long) are really handy as they don't round off bolts & nuts as easily!!!
all kind of other stuff picked up over the years (I'm a tool junkie)
3/8 metric & english deep also
1/2 metric & english up to1.5 & 36 mm deep also
3/8 breaker bar
3/8 torque wrench
1/2 torque wrench 25-150 lbs
1/2 torque wrench 25-250 lbs
1/2 breaker bar
3/8 flex handle
3/8 t handle
torx bits & sockets to #55
phillips & straight bits
allen wrenches english & metric
drills ac & battery
pop rivet tool
almost forgot box & open wrenches Metric & english
flare nut wrenches
Box wrenches (long) are really handy as they don't round off bolts & nuts as easily!!!
all kind of other stuff picked up over the years (I'm a tool junkie)
Last edited by ErnieN85; Jul 10, 2006 at 07:47 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Wayne In
Everything that ErnieN85 has on his list,plus I have found a set of metric gear wrenches very handy.Also,when you buy your socket sets check for skipped sizes,and buy singles to fill out the set. Good mechanics gloves can save alot of hide. White lithium grease on the swaybar bushings usually takes the squeeks away.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 24
From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by Thanatos
..... White lithium grease on the swaybar bushings usually takes the squeeks away.
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by Vetter Atl
Hijack Alert*****
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Originally Posted by Vetter Atl
Hijack Alert*****
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by Vetter Atl
Hijack Alert*****
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
Sorry, but where do you apply the white litium, I ve WD-40ed them all over the out side and it only works for a day or two, or untill it rains.
to WD-40. Get some real grease in there...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by Dream Machine
Inspired by golf articles of a similar title - I am interested in what tools, sockets, wrenches etc. you have in your tool box.
no matter what you will always need another tool
Besides the standard sockets I found the need for a breaker bar and torque wrench. I also found that a torq #15 dedicated screw driver is very important.
You might want to add 4 rhino ramps, 4 jack stands, 4 wheel chocks and a low profile jack. This will make your life a lot easier when changing oil and doing other things.
I drive the car up on 2 ramps and then lift the front and add 2 jackstands. I then chock the front wheels and go to the back and lift the rear of the car to put the other 2 ramps under them (I face the ramps in the other direction so that it would be hard for the car to roll off). I then add 2 more jackstands.
At this point I feel somewhat comfortable getting under my car
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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You will ALWAYS find a reason for a new tool. That said, I have the following:
Full 6 point 3/8 Drive Metric and Standard Socket Set through 7/8" and 20mm, short and long
Short 1/2" Drive M and S socket set
1/4" Drive short and long M and S socket Set
2,3,6,9" 3/8 drive extensions
Screwdriver set
7 Piece Craftsman REversible Ratcheting Wrench Standard Set (You WANT these)
7 Piece Craftsman REversible Ratcheting Wrench Metric Set (You WANT these too)
Craftsman Professional Stubby Wrench Set, Standard
STandard and Metric 7 piece (each) Allen Head Socket Sets
Torx Bit Socket Set, 7 piece
Metric Allen Wrench Set
Standard Allen Wrench Set
Craftsman Digitork 1/2" Torque Wrench
Standard and Metric Boxed End Wrench Sets
Various Pliers, Lock Jaws, Vice Grips, Wire Cutters, ect.
Exhaust Pipe Spreader/cutter set
LARGE c-Clamp for brake jobs
40 Amp battery charger
Large 3 Prong Pulley Puller
Hub Puller
...........that's all I can think of right now. Yes, I do most of my own work. Just waiting for the engine machines.......
Full 6 point 3/8 Drive Metric and Standard Socket Set through 7/8" and 20mm, short and long
Short 1/2" Drive M and S socket set
1/4" Drive short and long M and S socket Set
2,3,6,9" 3/8 drive extensions
Screwdriver set
7 Piece Craftsman REversible Ratcheting Wrench Standard Set (You WANT these)
7 Piece Craftsman REversible Ratcheting Wrench Metric Set (You WANT these too)
Craftsman Professional Stubby Wrench Set, Standard
STandard and Metric 7 piece (each) Allen Head Socket Sets
Torx Bit Socket Set, 7 piece
Metric Allen Wrench Set
Standard Allen Wrench Set
Craftsman Digitork 1/2" Torque Wrench
Standard and Metric Boxed End Wrench Sets
Various Pliers, Lock Jaws, Vice Grips, Wire Cutters, ect.
Exhaust Pipe Spreader/cutter set
LARGE c-Clamp for brake jobs
40 Amp battery charger
Large 3 Prong Pulley Puller
Hub Puller
...........that's all I can think of right now. Yes, I do most of my own work. Just waiting for the engine machines.......
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
I just skimmed the post...
what about air tools.
Two air compressors (but not a two stage), impact gun, air ratchet, bead blast cabinet, cutting wheel, air chissel, air sander, ... oh an tire valve stem adapter
I don't have any welders though...hmm.
what about air tools.
Two air compressors (but not a two stage), impact gun, air ratchet, bead blast cabinet, cutting wheel, air chissel, air sander, ... oh an tire valve stem adapter
I don't have any welders though...hmm.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Harbor Freight.com is a cheap and easy way for people to get their tool "quantity" up to snuff...then when you break them you replace the broken ones with "quality" ones like Crapsman, Snap-On or Husky.
I bought a metric large socket set from 19 to 50mm for $35 rather than $400+ at Sears......if I ever break that 3/4" drive breaker bar or one of the sockets, then I'll replace that part with the $20 socket from Sears. You'll need a large metric socket for your rear shocks, its like 24 or 30mm or something like that.
Same goes for lots of the tools that you'll probably use a half dozen times if your life.
However, I'm with the guys above who talk about "gear wrench", those things are the BOMB...mine go up to 25mm! They're costly but worth every penny.
I bought a metric large socket set from 19 to 50mm for $35 rather than $400+ at Sears......if I ever break that 3/4" drive breaker bar or one of the sockets, then I'll replace that part with the $20 socket from Sears. You'll need a large metric socket for your rear shocks, its like 24 or 30mm or something like that.
Same goes for lots of the tools that you'll probably use a half dozen times if your life.
However, I'm with the guys above who talk about "gear wrench", those things are the BOMB...mine go up to 25mm! They're costly but worth every penny.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: The Internet
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Too much to list
Just for clarification, was the OP's question relating to tools for use on the car that are in the toolbox on the trailer, the toolbox in the back of the car, the contents of the toolboxes in the lock-up, the tools in the spare bedroom, those under the stairs, the ones in the basement, or...?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by chocoholic
Bingo. If you lads are able to list what you have from memory, you clearly don't have anywhere near enough tools!
Just for clarification, was the OP's question relating to tools for use on the car that are in the toolbox on the trailer, the toolbox in the back of the car, the contents of the toolboxes in the lock-up, the tools in the spare bedroom, those under the stairs, the ones in the basement, or...?
Just for clarification, was the OP's question relating to tools for use on the car that are in the toolbox on the trailer, the toolbox in the back of the car, the contents of the toolboxes in the lock-up, the tools in the spare bedroom, those under the stairs, the ones in the basement, or...?
It's a never ending quest
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
hijack alert -
try wrapping teflon tape around the swaybar where the bushings go - this is supposed to help w/ squeeking.
Tool wise, I agree, if you can list them from memory, you don't have enough - also agree, you never have all the tools you need for any given project - therefore, "sorry hun, I gotta get this tool, but think of the money we're saving on repairs"
try wrapping teflon tape around the swaybar where the bushings go - this is supposed to help w/ squeeking.
Tool wise, I agree, if you can list them from memory, you don't have enough - also agree, you never have all the tools you need for any given project - therefore, "sorry hun, I gotta get this tool, but think of the money we're saving on repairs"
