6G Celicas Forums

One of these for when the times get tough...

I said it once and I'm saying it again.

Nutdrivers.

They may not be universally versatile. But c'mon, tell me nutdriver isn't fun to say. Almost as much fun as universally versatile.

You know the right choice.

Very good post, this was on my mind as well. Thanks.

thanks.lol...

figured i'd revive this thread.

i was a tech for about a year at sears and i must say having good tools saves time at the end of the day, on a professional level time is money. i have a lot of snap on, mac, and matco tools, but i also have my fair share of harbor freight craftsman and other lower end tools. sometimes you get what you pay for... others you don't. with the tool trucks a lot of what you pay for is the service. they come to you, they pick up the tool box that cost $10k and move it for you when you change jobs. sometimes you get that $10 steal for harbor freight and it is a game changer time after time. here is a basic list of tools that i have and really do like.

dewalt 1/2 cordless impact wrench part# dcf889b
-got it off the mac tool truck with an extra battery, charger, and bag

snap on 0 degree high performance spline wrenches part#-XDHFM606
-great for leverage (also have the 15 degree set)

mac triple squares part# SXMTS8B
-great for toyota head bolts and anything euro

matco valve stem retainer tool part# vt102
-makes valve retainers easier to install (no stupid c clamp tool)

snap on torque wrench part# TQFR250
-i like this wrench because there is no need to reset the meter back to zero after each use. it is a split beam style wrench

adjustable stillson pliers snap on part number pwz0, pwz1, pw2, pw3
- i actually have the harbor freight version great for leverage (the twisting motion is the leverage better then a vise grips)

breaking it down...
not everyone has the coin for expensive tools, and some people like having the brand name. buy smart! get tools that you can afford and trust. make sure they feel good. i've found that buying off ebay and craigslist can save money! continue the thread with any cool tools have you think might help the next guy. happy wrenching!

For basic maintenance. Get a metric set of socket and ratchet. At least 8mm-19mm sockets. A medium hammer, Flat head and Phillips head screw driver, jack and jack stands, chocks and last but not least.....a flash light.

Some 6GC-specific stuff to acquire:

--10mm swivel socket (lower thermostat nut on the 5S, get the impact grade set)
--27mm 6point socket (rear stub axles if your bearing assemblies didn't come with new)
--14mm 12point socket (head bolts on 5S)
--30mm 6point socket (valve cover on 5S/front axle if not OEM)
--32mm 6point socket (front axles)
--wobble extensions (try them, you won't go back)

Above all else, know where to buy quality and when you can skimp. Harbor Freight isn't as bad as people make it out to be, most of my impact grade stuff is from there because I couldn't afford the tool trucks (still can't lol). I wouldn't buy a ratchet or normal socket there, but their impact stuff is as good or better than the trucks.

As for non-impact stuff, wrenches, etc...Craftsman. You'll notice I name brands everyone can get. Not everyone has access to the tool trucks, and not everyone wants to pay that kind of scratch. I've been a mechanic off and on for 14 years, and most of my box is stuff Joe Blow can buy at Sears, HFT, or Carquest. Sure, I have SOME Matco or Snapon, but it's mainly specialty tools that would be irrelevant to a normal guy.

The average home mechanic doesn't need a huge box to store their tools...what I recommend and use every day is a tool cart. I keep all my most commonly-used tools on it, and I can wheel it around. A good one at HFT can be had on sale for $100-$150 with drawers, locking lid, and plenty of storage.

Have fun!

Beer.

"you can have any beer you want, as long as it's a corona."

its a sad response but I only have 1 tool, an American Express card.... however it seems to fix any problem I ever had with the car

^ That's the expensive solution, no bueno.

If it can be attained somehow, AIR COMPRESSOR. An air ratchet can be a lifesaver. Something more realistic though is a spin disk; bit of a small task, but helpful when it comes to removing and tightening bolts and whatnot.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Jul 31, 2013 - 9:25 AM

That's my next thing to have in my garage. An air compressor.

I found myself using a small portable tool chest with a set of combination wrenches, 3/8" + 1/2" rachets with deepwell + normal sockets. Set of extensions, elbow joints, 2 small + 2 large screwdrivers, several small files, a dead blow hammer and an oil filter wrench.
In my garage i keep a 4" grinder, 250 ft-lb impact gun, torque sticks and impact sockets + spare sockets and wrenches for modifying. Last but not least a 2 ton low pro jack with 1 small set of 2 ton jackstands and 1 large set of 6 ton jack stands and a creeper...

I need an air compressor as well.

In all of my years of working on cars, I have found the best tool known to man. ARE YOU READY? HERE IT IS!


Seriously though, it makes life a million times better when it comes to working on cars. Doesn't really matter what other tools you have if you can't fully utilize them, and a lift allows you to do just that. Pneumatic tools come in second I'd say, that or a close first to a lift. Of course you must really work on your own cars a lot for any of this to remotely start paying for itself. Realistically the best thing is to buy a Craftsman 200+ piece mechanic's set when they're on sale, it'll do just about everything you'd want to do with your car while it's out in your driveway/garage.

my dremal so many uses

i do appreciate the dermel. i have the 7700 and the 3000. the 7700 is battery operated and the 300o is corded. the 7700 is more of a basic tool (speed and battery life) but is nice do to size and cordless. the 3000 has more power behind it. both serve their purpose. get tool. if ya don't have on get one.

dont have favorites, i cant live without any