The Tool You Couldn’t Live Without

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

^

That wimpy Amazon thing would likely collapse under the weight of a 35" Milestar on a beadlock rim.

I looked at a bunch of them online and any that would handle the weight were significantly more expensive than that crap Ryan linked. I'm retired, have a pretty set up shop so doing stuff like this using my tools is more of a passion more than just passing time.

Originally Posted by ryans65

35s are small

Sure, there are guys on 38's & 40's in my club and they don't go anywhere I can't go on my measly 35's. What size tires are on your offroad rig?

[MBAtarga]

Is the significance in the rollers that they allow you to rotate the wheel easier to align the studs for placement?

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Is the significance in the rollers that they allow you to rotate the wheel easier to align the studs for placement?

Yes.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Good ideas. More pictures would be great. I'll send you a PM with my email.

I won’t laugh at your welds, because of you saw mine, you would laugh!

Jim,

Sent some photos and explanation of what I did during the design & construction noting a couple of changes I had to make as I went that you should skip and go right to what my final example is.

One thing I did not mention in the email was that once the roller rack is removed you can reinstall the jack pad and it's a jack again! No modification was made to the jack.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

[juanbenae]

One other quick bit. The slight angle of the rollers was not by design, but ended up working nicely cause it tilts the wheel some so you can engage the highest lug stud first and then the others follow suit pretty effectively.

[GH85Carrera]

When working in my garage I have several mandatory tools, I will never live without ever again. The scissor lift is one.



In the winter, the heater, in the summer the AC. Of course my battery powered ratchet, and an entire tool box of tools. The air compressor is needed for many projects. The vacuum pump and AC gauges for those projects. The LED flashlight on a headband is a wonderful tool.

It really is impossible to say what single tool is the one thing I can't live without, except my two hands and brain to make my hands do the work.

[A930Rocket]

Toby, got your email and I really appreciate it. I’ve ordered a couple of rollers on Amazon and they will be here Saturday. Once I get them, I’ll look at what steel I need to start fabricating.

[Jczimmel]

Milwaukee M12 Die grinder

[brp914]

Originally Posted by Jczimmel

Milwaukee M12 Die grinder

For some reason Lowes, HD, and HF don't sell bits for cutting metal, so I got some off Amazon that work well. I also got a 1/4 in mandrel from HF to mount cut-off wheels. I also got the M12 right angle drill and have used it much more than expected.

[stealthn]

My wife!

Thanks I’ll be here all week, try the fish

[speeder]

I have a ton of tools that I like/need/can’t do the job without, including most of the ones listed above. The one tool that I absolutely cannot live without in my pocket is this little guy…always needed and always there.

[pwd72s]

^Got one...in the rollaway's screwdriver drawer. Mine advertises Quaker State motor oil. A freebie given at the 1971 PCA Parade. Yeah, I tend to hang on to stuff.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

I have a ton of tools that I like/need/can’t do the job without, including most of the ones listed above. The one tool that I absolutely cannot live without in my pocket is this little guy…always needed and always there.

Hard to go wrong with a low profile slotted screwdriver with a magnet on the end. In his younger years my dad (former mechanic) used to carry one in his front shirt pocket. Yes he looked like a dork.

[JackDidley]

One of my buddies always said I am the only one he knows that builds a complete small block chevy with a 1/4" drive ratchet. Possibly my favorite tool.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Hard to go wrong with a low profile slotted screwdriver with a magnet on the end. In his younger years my dad (former mechanic) used to carry one in his front shirt pocket. Yes he looked like a dork.

I always have it in my shirt pocket when I'm at the shop, I just can't work without it being there. I can use it on small Phillips screws on automotive trim and remove them without having to get off my ass and walk over and get the correct screwdriver. I use it on the small plastic clips that always hold electrical plugs and connectors on cars, I use it to pry things open, etc., etc...

Then there's the magnet for all of the small things I drop into places my hands don't fit. Yes, I have better magnets on long, bendy copper wires but I'd have to get up and walk over to the big toolbox to get them. This is already in my pocket.

[KFC911]

My bwain ... and too thumbs

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Hard to go wrong with a low profile slotted screwdriver with a magnet on the end. In his younger years my dad (former mechanic) used to carry one in his front shirt pocket. Yes he looked like a dork.

I have one that I've been using a lot that was my father's. He was an industrial electrician. The clip is broken off and he put another one on so he could have it in his shirt pocket. With his smokes I'm sure!

[Cajundaddy]

Small Swiss Army knife. I use it every day to open boxes, trim things, simple screwdriver, etc.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

Jim,

Sent some photos and explanation of what I did during the design & construction noting a couple of changes I had to make as I went that you should skip and go right to what my final example is.

One thing I did not mention in the email was that once the roller rack is removed you can reinstall the jack pad and it's a jack again! No modification was made to the jack.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

I’ve tinkered with mine over the last couple days and have ordered a couple of drill bits, and a tap, so I could mount it to my jack. I tried to make it as low as possible and it’s 6 inches. Everything is tack welded, and next time I need it, I will make sure everything fits and weld it up.