I wanted to make this thread for a while now, but I decided it would be wasted on most of the folks in fast threads. So I'm posting it here, for people who can appreciate tools. So, without further ado, I present:
[img]http://s23.postimg.org/5xiw9xwcb/topthread.png[/img]
[b]We all have one.
It can fix any and every problem you run into.
It's got a hundred different uses, and a thousand more it wasn't even intended for.
What is it?
Your favorite tool! [/b]
For me the choice is easy. Vice-Grips! They're pliers, a clamp, a wrench, and in a pinch even a decent hammer.
They can hold on to any bolt tighter, and longer than anyone's hand could. Whats not to like? [img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp/ratings/heart.png[/img]
[t]http://yourfixitshop.org/media/vise$20grip.jpg[/t]
[b]Your turn now... What's in your shop/toolbox that you can't live without?[/b]
Impact gun
SO HELPFUL when working on my super rusty coronet with its rusted on bolts.
I have a really good Spring Compressor that I can't live without
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/934969_568489846519259_986367274_n.jpg[/img]
It works much better than a two piece, and allows you to be away from the business end if the spring pops out and sends a strut hat rocketing across your shop floor.
Oh, and these things I couldn't get a good pic of:
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/935011_568489989852578_649859300_n.jpg[/img]
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/422022_568490149852562_1301425931_n.jpg[/img]
[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/603829_568490136519230_1045380493_n.jpg[/img]
It's a set of bolt extractors, I've pulled many a rounded off bolt with this set, including 4 rounded-off F22 head bolts that were torqued down and then overheated to the extreme. Great little box set, pick one up if you ever find one cheap enough.
As far as general tools, channel-lock pliers are the best. You can hold way more torque on a bolt without slipping, I guess it's just the design. They work so well, though.
When in doubt, get a bigger hammer.
For "simple the tools" I will have to agree on bradley. Channel Locks.
For more advanced tools gonna have to say impact wrench and air ratchet. Fuck yeaa air tools.
A big-ass screwdriver, impact, and a torch.
I like my Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro "composite" ratchets, excellent quality and have a lifetime warranty for when a retarded ex-friend decides to remove the exhaust from his 94' V6 automatic convertible white Mustang with a red interior which would idle at 3500/32mph with your 1/4" drive on rusty cat bolts which would probably never break loose. My original 3/8" and 1/2" were routinely used as hammering devices as they are quite similar to a rubber mallet. Had been dropped in the oil pan many times and even rolled over by a Tacoma. I've used ridiculously priced ratchets, and everything in between but there's no way I'd even bother to trade my $9ish dollar ones which I wouldn't think twice about and are pretty much just as good. All you have to do is show someone at Harbor Freight it's broke and they'll hand you a nice new one and send you on your way.
[url]http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66312.html[/url]
[url]http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html[/url]
[url]http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66314.html[/url]
Just read the reviews, there's not a single bad one and the only cons are is they aren't Snapon and get dirty. The only bad ones are that the 1/4" is a 1/4" and someone broke one.
Oh and the $6 8 screwdriver set which has a big ass flathead screwdriver to abuse by hammering/prying on things. I don't know how many things that screwdriver has helped with, it's also a good Fram filter removal tool for Ford trucks which it's had to a few times.
I really like my 3.25 ton Arcan jack, it's $99.99 at Costco and has the Costco lifetime warranty incase it shits out. It lifts my car as high as I could ever want and doesn't suck ass like my old walmart Blackjack jack. It's incredibly solid and weighs in at like 110lb, the pad works really well at lifting just about any car and it has a rapidpump action but only when not under pressure which allows fine control of the height. It lets down the car at a perfectly smooth rate and does everything I could ever want out of a jack.
[url]http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200345429_200345429[/url]
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-3-25a-Steel-Floor-Xl-35/dp/B009QYROBE/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1367558369&sr=1-6&keywords=arcan+jack[/url]
[url]http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36136[/url]
Honestly, I can't really pick a favorite tool. I like [b]all[/b] of my tools and the ability to do most everything I'd like to.
[img]http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/f1/Oxy-Acetylene-Outfit.jpg/251px-Oxy-Acetylene-Outfit.jpg[/img]
Nightmare without one.
Don't have one at home right now.. and was trying to adjust the toe on my Prizm... wasn't happening. Soaked the dumb adjusters is squirrel piss, heated with a propane torch (sorry hank, useless), and beat the hell out of the wrench I had on them.. nothing. Useless.
and OA torch wouldn't have them loose in 10 seconds. Best ever.
Also:
[img]http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/258505_lg.jpg[/img]
and
[img]http://shop.willyselectronics.com/prodimg/MM2000.jpg[/img]
and
[img]http://www.rapidonline.com/catalogueimages/module/M074740P01WL.jpg[/img]
and of course.. a car's whip AM/FM antenna with both ends cut off and sharpened as a tool to pull wires through firewall grommets. It's my big and endlessly useful sewing needle.
[IMG]http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/product_images/f/stl75612__17909.png[/IMG]
best flash light ever, iv dropped this little guy in diesel and it works just fine, its bright as hell, and expensive as hell...
[IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-seIflXtE87E/T3eCUTrVDjI/AAAAAAAAG80/NmBWQxnirI4/s1600/B.A.S.H.Hammer_ClaireBenoist+copy.png[/IMG]
i love these things, i was working as a diesel mechanic/ scrap yard worker, we would break so many damn hammers. finealy our cornwell guy showed us these and told us that they have a 1000 dollar guarantee. we figured that we can break them... we were wrong...
[IMG]http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/wreckercologist/10-8-10022.jpg[/IMG]
also awesome. you actually have to be careful not to put to much torque on bolts, even larger ones.
[IMG]http://hfreviews.com/thumbnails/41798.gif[/IMG]
Dead blow hammer super useful in knocking seized parts off each other without damaging the surface or bouncing off to smash your face.
[IMG]http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_206758501?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0[/IMG]
Essential in making sure you don't strip bolts, I like bar torque wrench types because the readings are instantaneous. Bradley hates me for this
[IMG]http://images.outdoorpros.com/images/prod/5/Alltrade-Tools-642504-rw-52335-62599.jpg[/IMG]
Breaker bars in all sizes and lengths have saved my ass in several situations.
[IMG]http://www.best-b2b.com/userimg/310/360-1/ratchet-wrench-220.jpg[/IMG]
USA ratcheting wrenches are so strong they can also work as breaker bars. Taiwan sucks
[QUOTE=sHiBaN;40516970][IMG]http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_206758501?hei=315&wid=315&op_sharpen=1&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0[/IMG]
Essential in making sure you don't strip bolts, I like bar torque wrench types because the readings are instantaneous. Bradley hates me for this[/QUOTE]
You've confused "hate you" with "think you're an amateur for not knowing how to tighten bolts when they need less torque than a click-type torque wrench can measure".
I forgive you though. Also, breaker bars man. I couldn't agree more. Way better than tearing up a good ratchet by sticking a pipe over the handle to get more leverage.
[QUOTE=bradley;40517126]You've confused "hate you" with "think you're an amateur for not knowing how to tighten bolts when they need less torque than a click-type torque wrench can measure".
I forgive you though. Also, breaker bars man. I couldn't agree more. Way better than tearing up a good ratchet by sticking a pipe over the handle to get more leverage.[/QUOTE]
unless on a large single over head cat head... Then you just snap five of their little heads off and give up for the day... i mean if a 1' impact gun cant take it off, and u snap a 3/4" breaker bars drive off, its safe to say, the bolt has won.
if you're wondering how i snapped a 3/4" drive breaker bar, it was with a 10 foot long pipe over the end of it, and two guys pushing...
All the shit I'm carrying in my trunk. Used 3-5 times on my own car. Four times that on my friends cars, I'm always the savior when something breaks down.
[editline]4th May 2013[/editline]
(I'm carrying a 3/8 ratchet set and a toolbox with 8-23mm wrench set plus all the other necessarities like screwdrivers, all kinds of pliers, bunch of abiko plugs etc.)
[QUOTE=chiefcoyote;40519056]unless on a large single over head cat head... Then you just snap five of their little heads off and give up for the day... i mean if a 1' impact gun cant take it off, and u snap a 3/4" breaker bars drive off, its safe to say, the bolt has won.
if you're wondering how i snapped a 3/4" drive breaker bar, it was with a 10 foot long pipe over the end of it, and two guys pushing...[/QUOTE]
I've done shit like that, broke several breaker bars. One of my breaker bars has a permanent twist in the tip, I'll have to get a picture of that sometime.
I have "USA Forged" or something breaker bar with a pretty twisted tip from trying to bust loose the crank pulley bolt off the B16A with a 6 foot pole. I tried so hard to bust that damn thing loose, 5th gear would have probably shattered first....
Not exactly a tool
[img]http://www.wd40.fr/Images/gallery/products-fr/WD-40%20400%20ml-l.jpg[/img]
but its just sooo useful.
Also PB blaster
PB blaster is way better than WD-40, and it's better on the nose as well.
[img]http://tuotteet.etra.fi/tuotekuvat/20540616/crc-5-56-yleiskayttoinen-huoltospray.jpg[/img]
the best
Slide hammer,
and a framing hammer
Both used for fine adjustment.
Vise-grips and an impact gun would be second.
Fav tool: 18mm Socket.
18mm is the key to any bolt on my vehicle.
I've only seen 18mm on GM stuff
Usual order is 10->13->14->17->19->21->22(->23->28->30->32->36->42)
[QUOTE=opaali;40534659]I've only seen 18mm on GM stuff
Usual order is 10->13->14->17->19->21->22(->23->28->30->32->36->42)[/QUOTE]
You forgot 8mm
My Civic's got 10mm for small things, 12mm for medium things, 14mm for brackets, head bolts, and mains (as well as smaller suspension components), 17mm for large suspension componenets and bellhousing/crank snout bolts, and 19mm for wheel nuts. The axle nuts are 32mm but the stock size was something smaller, 28mm maybe. I don't remember.
10, 12, 14, 17, 32, and a 4-way lug tool. I've taken this thing apart with a handful of tools several times.
My OBD reader is about to be my best friend. I hate the check engine light, I wish there were 3 or four lights, like check this area, not check engine because that could mean one of a million things.
It's an 85 right? Just bridge the diagnostic ports on the connector with a paper clip.
[editline]5th May 2013[/editline]
Actualy I found a 82+ GM OBD tester in my garage last week. :v:
[editline]5th May 2013[/editline]
It looks like it's never been used.
I went ahead and ordered a nice one that tells me the code without having to watch for flashes. It also reads OBD II so I can use it on my friends cars.
Induction heater!
[img]http://norskvt.no/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ch371.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.biltema.no/ProductImages/12/large/12-1022_l.jpg[/img]
[editline]6th May 2013[/editline]
These two get any bolt loose
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