Garage Tools

[Kai Robinson]

I'm honestly trying to think of anything that i dont already have, hand tools wise, so maybe you guys can help out here. Now i dont have an engine hoist, or an engine stand (have you seen the PRICE of them?!), but i do have a block & tackle ready to mount up on a beam.

So far i have:

Small Stuff:

90pc Halford Professional Socket Set (1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" Drives & Extensions + TORX/Allen sockets & screwdriver bits)
3/8" Halfords Professional Torque Wrench (6 - 45lb/ft)
1/2" Halfords Professional Torque Wrench (30 - 150lb/ft)
Ball Joint Splitter
Irwin Bolt Grippers (f*cking FANTASTIC!!!)
Coil Spring Compressors
Valve Spring Compressor
Piston Ring Compressor
Feeler Gauges
Steel Rulers (15cm and 30cm)
Digital Vernier Calipers
Gunson Timing Light
Gunson Brake Bleeder
Gunson Compression Test Gauge w/14mm plug adaptor
Valve Grinding Paste & Stick (don't you love the fact its just a bit of wood with a sucker on the end? )
Gasket Scraper
Tap & Die Set
Magnetic Tray
Hammer
Screwdrivers
Angled Needlenose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Soldering Iron & Stand
2 x Multimeters
Halfords FakeDremel (Its a dremel with a halfords badge on it)
Wire Brushes (Drill Attachments)
Simple Electric Drill
Toyota TCCS Tester
Toyota Cruise Control System Tester
No Shortage of Glass Jars
BIG ORANGE FUNNEL!
12 litre Plastic Tray for Fluids
Oil Drain Pan

Big Stuff:

2 x Car Creepers
2 Tonne Trolley Jack
2 x Axle Stands
2 x Ramps
2 x Chocks

What else am i missing guys?

[Nanometer]

I think I have a hammer and a few screw drivers

[Kai Robinson]

A man can never have enough tools

[STEvil]

crash cart (two layer cart to toss tools and parts in as you work)
creeper (lay on it to get under vehicle)
hydraulic jacks
welder
torch
grinders (1 large, 1 small)
general purpose air power rotary tool (big dremel)
chop saw
second drill
couple buckets for water/oil/etc during metal work or whatever
....

i'll just stop now.

Oh, and an engine stand is very easy to make.

edit - tire changer (easy to make than you might think!) and air compressor are a must.

[Kai Robinson]

Already have some of those - lemme update the list...

I'd like to get a compressor and some air tools....but the expense of a decent compressor that can do paintwork as well is a little higher than i'm willing to pay out for at the moment. Interested in the crash cart though - got link?

[RADCOM]

what about the "long stand" LOL

[Kai Robinson]

Long Stand...?

[fallwind]

This is a "crash cart" that MM was referring to. It's handy for throwing your nuts, bolts, parts and tools on while working.

If you do any work on newer vehicles then an OBD code reader is very useful. They are actually quite cheap now. Air tools are nice but save up and buy descent equipment. You need a BIG compressor and 1/2" hose to properly run the larger air tools. I maintain a fairly large dleet of commercial vehicles so I'll list a few things that I find useful:

-bench vise
-bench grinder
-drill press
-tire inflator with built in gauge
-mig welder
-acetyene cutting torch
-tap and die set
-axle nut socket set(BIG sockets for removing front wheel drive CV axle nuts)
-various pullers for gears, pulleys, steering wheels, etc.
-digital multi-meter.
-telescoping magnet (to retrieve that nut you dropped in an unreachable place!)


Im sure there's tons more but it's late and I can't think of anything else. Oh, and don't forget to put one of these on your christmas wish list!

[Kai Robinson]

List updated again - its all the small stuff i forget!

Already got a tap and die set, large sockets in the 3/4" range are PRICEY and i rarely need to use something that large, but will add to my list or things to get, along with the 3-leg gear pullers. Already have a multimeter as well if you look at the list.

[JasonDTM]

I'm wishing I had a spark tester or a Snap-on modis to use right now, I've been hunting a 1500 - 2000rpm miss on my Mercedes for the past 3 days. >.<

Would be nice to see a parade pattern to see the firing line and spark line with the modis. I really love the modis and it's ignition scope. >.<

[Kai Robinson]

Just as a heads up - this is the size of workspace i'm looking at:



Rough sketch i know, but that leaves me with 11.625ft (139.5") after the width of the workbench is taken into account. Say 2ft of clearance either side for exit/entry into vehicle and you're left with 7.625ft (91.5") of width for the vehicle itself. As the Supra is the largest vehicle i'm ever going to work on (it's already borderline too wide for the roads!), i should be fine, as it's only 6.25ft (75") wide (from wing mirror tip to tip - approx).

[sniperbob]

I know you said it was out of your price range but a good compressor with a good 1/2 impact gun will get you pretty far. My 1/2 impact and 3/8 ratchet are my two most used tools, closely followed by my 17mm box wrench and 19mm impact socket/torque stick (I work at a Honda dealer and i can get through most days with just these tools haha)

[[XC] Lead Head]

You can get decent high-CFM compressors second hand. Provided it doesn't have blown rods, most better brand name compressors have rebuild kits with new valves, rings, etc.. Just whatever you do, stay away from direct drive and oil-less compressors.

[STEvil]

Or get two cheap compressors and use them both on one line

[[XC] Lead Head]

And when both cheap compressors blow up simultaneously?

A Compressor is nothing something I would cheap out on. The cheap ones are almost always oiless AND direct drive. Extremely low air output, extremely loud, and guaranteed to blow up. Sure they can be fine for filling the occasional tire, or using something relatively "easy on air" like a nail-gun, but for big pneumatic tools like die grinders, air ratchets, impacts, etc...they won't deliver the air you need, and they will NOT last.

For me, at a minimum a compressor should have a dual stage cast-iron pump, and have a nice large sump, and be belt drive.

[trance565]

24 inch, 1/2inch drive breaker bar, cherry picker and engine mounts can be found for like 200 a piece

[Kai Robinson]

Would someone please explain what a cherry picker is? Going to order a breaker bar, and already got a 7M crank tool being custom made - see here for details: http://www.forum.mkiiisupra.net/showthread.php?t=27844

[trance565]

Would someone please explain what a cherry picker is? Going to order a breaker bar, and already got a 7M crank tool being custom made - see here for details: http://www.forum.mkiiisupra.net/showthread.php?t=27844

cherry picker is an engine puller

lol, i find the best way around that crank tool, is a 1500ftlb impact wrench. (that's what i used when getting my lexus crank pulley off as im not gonna spend money on "specialty" tools when i dont need to)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92353

i got it from a friend who never asked for it back

[[XC] Lead Head]

A breaker bar is essentially a ratchet - minus the ratcheting part, and they typically have a 2.5ft or longer handle. For "breaking" bolts free.

[Kai Robinson]

I know what a breaker bar is, i just didn't know what a cherry picker was - its the term we use here for a flatbed truck with a scissor lift on it

I'd never use an impact wrench on a crank pulley - especially not on a Toyota engine - i actually shouted at the last person to wield one near the Supra - USE THE RIGHT TORQUE, ASSHAT!

[trance565]

lol, it's 350 ftlb, so i used the big impact to get it off, since unlike most cars i've worked on, it doesnt lock into place to keep from spinning the crank in reverse.... i used my small 1/2 incher to tq it back on.

[[XC] Lead Head]

Oh sorry, I read your post as what is a breaker bar

But yes, a cherry pickers is just an engine hoist/puller

[STEvil]

And when both cheap compressors blow up simultaneously?

A Compressor is nothing something I would cheap out on. The cheap ones are almost always oiless AND direct drive. Extremely low air output, extremely loud, and guaranteed to blow up. Sure they can be fine for filling the occasional tire, or using something relatively "easy on air" like a nail-gun, but for big pneumatic tools like die grinders, air ratchets, impacts, etc...they won't deliver the air you need, and they will NOT last.

For me, at a minimum a compressor should have a dual stage cast-iron pump, and have a nice large sump, and be belt drive.

I didnt mean that cheap lol

[Kai Robinson]

lol, it's 350 ftlb, so i used the big impact to get it off, since unlike most cars i've worked on, it doesnt lock into place to keep from spinning the crank in reverse.... i used my small 1/2 incher to tq it back on.

Thats why i like the crank tool John89t makes - you can hold the crank in position out of the car, and in conjunction with a breaker bar, makes taking it off easy as pie. Putting the bolt back on enough will require more torque than either of my torque wrenches can handle though...1/2" one here i come!

[Kai Robinson]

I can has shelf! Not put up yet, but freshly bought! Along with the brackets, chevilles (dont know the english translation, oddly), storage bins and an assortment of fixings. Would have bought the main work surface, but my car is too small to put it in - i'll probably have to get it cut to size as well - they have sheets of melamine (plain white) in 2400x1750 (mm) for €28 each - which is pretty reasonable. If i get one of those, have them slice it down the middle to get two 2400x875 sheets - that will be ideal.