LiL BenNy

first off not sure if this is the right section.. mods please move if so...

I've started to work on my car and my buddies car more and im looking to get a collection of good tools..

im curious what you guys would recommend.. im looking for mid range price(brand names?) and also what tools would you recommend? i have a bunch of scattered tools so im trying to get a set and have everything i need..

im looking into...
impact wrench
bigger air compressor
a good ratchet wrench set ( any recommendation for these since they are quiet expensive)
good floor jack (any recommendation on which one under 100?)

what else are everyday mechanical tools a DIY'er would need?

sorry if this doesnt really make sense its 3:45am as im posting this..............

xsnipersgox

i don't know much, but i say invest a bit more on jack, get a low profile one so you can jack up ur car 2 wheels at a time, get 2 good jack stands. a set of socket and wrench, a torque wrench if u want. some plugs socket if ur set dont' come with it. (remember, metric, for our plugs, 13/16 i think.
a pair of nice glove, safety glasses (engine oil/coolant dirt getting in ur eyes is not good) a nice breaker bar. a set of dremel tool. the impact wrench is not really necessary.

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

I use my teeth to wrench off the nuts and bolts on my car. Tools are for n00bs.

rx8convert22

For socket and other hand tools I go with Craftsman when they are on sale. They are not the best quality out there but better than the lowest. The main reason to buy them is if you break a tool you can just take it back and get a new one.

auzoom

2 x electric scissor jacks if you can get them, jack stands, REALLY good socket set (you need 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 23, 24 and 25mm and a spark plug one). Make sure you get and extension and wobble bar and that you have a long, heavy ratchet as well as a small one. A good ring spanner set.

I bought an air compressor but it takes so long to build up pressure I generally dont use it. The one thing I would use it for though is the clean things with compressed air.

hth

Andrew

Juice

iTrader: (1)

Most of the responses have covered everything else so I will just add a couple of other things that you may not think of. If you plan on doing brake work, get some c-clamps to push the pistons back and get the special tool to turn the rear pistons back to fit new pads. I would also get a good set of allen wrenches for the random things that you may need them for, like the sway bar endlinks.

I use Husky tools. They are good tools and I haven't had any problems with them, but my brother has broken a few wrenches and just goes and gets new ones for free from Home Depot.

For a jack, I just got a cheap set from autozone (jack and 2 stands) and they work fine. Since my car is lowered now, I usually just have to drive up on some paver bricks or use the stock scissors jack to get the car started up off the ground since the jack I bought doesn't go low enough.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

You will need Lots of good quality Socket, deep socket, wrenches, in both metric & SAE. Remember, GOOD QUALITY, it sucks to see it break when u need it.

you can get them from size 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Long or short, extension bar is a must for the 1/4 and 3/8".

Well if possible, you should aim for a good quality *set* of tools with lots of sockets/deep sockets and other stuff. cuz it WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY in the long run. buy the ones that comes with a life time warranty, like craftsman or husky, or even better, snap-on(very expensive).

I got a small compressor thats like 1.5 hp or 2(cant remember), 150 bux from pepboys. Its not the fastest pump, but its alright for my impact. oh yes I have a 1/2" impact with 400lbs. Its freaking whack, but very helpful to break some nuts loose. the Impact wrench I got a *good year* brand set. The 400 lbs impact plus a 50 lbs ratchet for smaller jobs. for like 50 bux. For smaller jobs this is ok, but now I kinda regret that I should've got some better quality ones like Ingots. meh, I'll just use these for now.

Oh remember to get a *good quality* torque wrench.

I got a very low profile 3 ton professional jack for 100 bux, my car was lowered(coilovers, now higher) and I can still use it. For Jack stands, 2 & 1/2 ton is good but, I recommend you to get Four 3 ton jackstands.

Just remember this, expect to spend a bit more money to get some better tools, it WILL SAVE YOU A LOT of money and time in the long run.

LiL BenNy

for a impact wrench what specs do you recommend? whats the min lbs i wanna have it run?

RK

iTrader: (1)

Shopping for a jack and a torque wrench. Just curious if anyone has any recommended brands w/links or notes of good B&Ms to buy from. I am planning on getting mine from Summit Racing since they're only 30 minutes away so I'll list them. Anyone with any experience with any of these brands or have good experiences with competitors feel free to chime in. If you know of other online sites or other B&Ms that have good deals on tools post 'em if you got 'em.

Jacks needed for track & home DIY use. Needs to be able to deal with a low profile.

OTC 2-Ton Aluminum Racing Jack
$239.95, 45lbs, 2 Ton cap, low profile, 18" max

Summit 2 Ton Low-Profile
$189.95, ~100lbs, 2 3/4 to 20" height

Clark 2-Ton Aluminum Racing Jack
$275.39, 42lbs, 3 1/2-17in height

Leaning towards the OTC.

Torque Wrench for track & home DIY.

Summit Torque Wrench, Click-Style, 20-150 ft.-lbs., 1/2 in. Drive, Steel, Chrome, Ball Bearing, Slip Collar
$62.95

Summit Torque Wrench, Click-Style, 20-150 ft.-lbs., 1/2 in. Drive, Steel, Chrome, Storage Case
$27.95

Titan Torque Wrench, Reversible, Click-Style, 20-150 ft.-lbs., 1/2 in. Drive, Steel, Chrome
$59.95

Leaning towards the Titan.

bsteimel

iTrader: (5)

i would also recommend a couple of things for a new DIYer.

A good set of drill bits for metal and for multipurpose.
Also if your a new DIY and haven't had time to amass a random bucket of hardware go and get a assortment set of washers, nuts, bolts, machine screw, and self taping screws.

Its such a pain when all you need is a simple screw or bolt and you have to reassemble everything go to the hardware store for a 10 cent item then come back and disable to put it on. Also a a bunch of wire ties are good for a temporary fix in the same situation.

I didn't see anyone mention a good pair of wire cutter/strippers and also a assortment pack of wire connectors, taps, and wire plugs. Whether your working on electrics in the car or accidentally cut something that stuff is good to have.

shaunv74

I might get a lower range torque wrench.

The suspension bolts only need 70 ft lbs but there are some smaller bolts that need less than 20 ft lbs. If you get a 1/2 in torque wrench make sure you have the sockets you need in 1/2 inch. Most sets don't have a full set of 1/2 inch sockets. My torque wrench is a 3/8 Craftsman and it serves me well.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

Get the blue aluminum jack from Harbor Freight for $80, can't beat it.

Get a set of jack stands.

Go to sears and get a crafts man mechanics tool set, then get a torque wrench.

Your set.

RK

iTrader: (1)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40105

Not bad but it only supports 1.5 tons and doesn't give nearly the clearance (15"). I know that's probably enough since I'm never lifting the full weight but I want excess in case I need it for heavier cars - plus excess with these seems like a good idea. Still pretty good and I've never heard of harbor frieght. They've got a retail location nearby too so that definitely works.

This one is $200 and comparable to the ones I listed @ 2 tons and 3.25-18.25" clearance.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92782

I've got jack stands and a mechanics set. Just need the wrench.

I believe I have the sockets I'd need with 1/2 or with my adapter but I'll double check tonight. I'll keep looking for a torque wrench with a wider range but my primary need is to torque my lugnuts so I have to have 90. Might just have to get 2 torques so I'm not compromising. Not sure I trust any of them enough to think they'll be able to be accurate at the lighter torque while able to provide the heavier torque.

Thanks tho.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

Your only gonna jack part of the car @ a time never the full weight. Get the craftsman torque wrench, if you really don't trust them get snap-on which is probably the best and most trusted.

To be named later

As far as tools I prefer Cobalt (Lowe's) over Husky (Home Depot) over Craftsman (Sears)

And as far as Husky and Cobalt, if you wait until their Xmas selection gets in stores you usually can get a pretty damn good gift set for a nice price.

Also........don't buy based on the fact that some tool kits come in some nice and convenient carrying case......because odds are over time the cheap plastic hinges will fail and you will be left with a bunch of tools or drill bits or what have you in a two piece case.

Nubo

+1. The HF jack is fast, low enough profile for RX-8, and reasonably priced. Seems to be reliable, though I only use it on my RX-8, so not THAT often. As with any jack, don't rely on it to hold the car, only for lifting -- so jack stands are a must.

I usually go for Craftsman. Hard to beat the lifetime guarantee. Have only had to use it once, but it was no questions asked.

Impact wrench would be low on my list of priorities but I guess it depends on what you're doing. For wheel lugs, you can speed up things a lot with just a cordless drill and the socket adapter, just need a breaker to loosen them, and a torque wrench to get 'em tight.

Oh, and make sure you have the right sockets if you're going to be changing tranny and diff fluids. A 23mm and 24mm, iirc.... One was hard to find; I forget which -- got it at Ace hardware.

Nubo

108 lb-ft for lug nuts.

Razz1

A shop manual!


I win!

ken-x8

Might be showing my age, going back to before cordless drills (or even variable speed corded), but I like using a speed driver to crank the lug nuts on and off.

I go along with your preference for Craftsman. I've never had any of their stuff break. Also, Sears has so many tool sales throughout the year that it's pretty easy to build up a good collection without going broke.

Ken

RK

iTrader: (1)

Craftsman doesn't lifetime guarantee their torque wrenches. 90 days.

Besides I'm much more interested in -accurate- torque. I'm more likely to pay a little more for a good torque wrench then to pay extra for a guaranteed inaccurate torque wrench. I'm not saying that's craftsman - I was using one this past weekend - I'm just looking for some good/bad experiences to make a judgement on Craftsman and/or other manufacturers.

Yup. I need the last part. The rest is cakewalked.

Really? Seems way too tight. You're risking a break at that kind of torque, aren't you? Never had a problem with anything getting loose at 90 lbs. and I check lugs after any track session.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

the 108 lb is the official spec.

although I usually just torque it at 100. I mean wow, 8 lbs not gonna throw my wheels off @ 60 mph

I got a "Pepboys" brand "PowerBuild" Torque Wrench. Its pretty accurate IMO. I have yet to break anything with it.

Like I said b4, When it comes to tools, its always always ALWAYS better to spend more in the beginning to get some good/high quality tools than cheap crap.

I made some mistakes, Im planning to correct it soon. probably gonna go for Snap-On or Crasftman(cuz Sears is close to where I live, and their tools are pretty good, Im looking at their Titanium set, freaking expensive. lol)

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i believe official spec is 65-82 lbs/ft of torque. where do you see 108lbs/ft? the racing shop manual?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

The original Service manual did call for 65-87 f-lbs. but in one of the later TSB. they up the spec to 108 f-lbs. SEARCH N00B !

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i see no reason to tighten my lugs to 108lbs/ft, thats really tight. i've never had a lug come loose on me.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

they up the spec becuz some ppl got some "noise" on their 8.

90 even 80 should be fine.

P.S. if ur lug nut come loose, it might be too late