Question for professional shop mechanics. What are the most frequent tools you use?

[H.G.P.]

In terms of frequency and multipurpose use for the Porsche?

Air tools?, swivel sockets?, the tools in Wayne's book?

But basically I'm trying to find out what is used the most frequent.

[cstreit]

Not a pro, but play one on the weekends.

Plain old open/closed end wrenches... and 3/8 deep and shallow well sockets are my daily bread.... ...and beer.

[H.G.P.]

Originally posted by cstreit
Not a pro, but play one on the weekends.

Plain old open/closed end wrenches... and 3/8 deep and shallow well sockets are my daily bread.... ...and beer.

Do you do all the work yourself?

[H.G.P.]

also, what do you use on your "stub" axles, cvs.? particularly the "S"?

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by cstreit
Not a pro, but play one on the weekends.

I like stuff my pro friends don't have, electronic vac leak detector, borescope, etc..
but my buddy said to get a set of racheting wrenches. he said to get the Sears, not the Snap-On. it's a finer tool by a better mfg.. he said they're great.

[Thack]

In order, 13mm open/closed end wrench, 10mm socket 3/8" drive with extension adapters, and 1/2" drive socket set. The Europeans use the odd # socket sizes like 13mm, 15mm and 17mm. Try to get metric wrench sets and sockets from a quality source like Craftsman or Snap-On etc. For average use you can get by with average tools but they will break eventually. For exaust work you will need allen wrench sockets, I think 5mm or 6mm. For spark plugs get the factory tool or a swivel adapter with the plug socket that holds the plug from falling off. Also for jacking the car up you will need the jack tool that fits in the square hole. And don't forget the fan pulley wrench, it should be in your factory tool kit.

Mike

[H.G.P.]

I've got them all then more...maybe "overkill" on my part. But everytime I walk into a pro shop (muffler shops mainly), they have air tools too. Seem to rely on them.

[AFJuvat]

Craftsman sockets are great (6 point) - I've never broken one - can't say the same thing about snap-on sockets

Stahlwille and Hazet make excellent tools as well.

Most common fastener size on 911:

8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, 36

For starters, get yourself a set of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch sockets, you will need at least from 7mm - 19mm You can get individual sockets over 19mm as needed

The sparkplug wrench and the fan pulley wrench in the tool kit are invaluable.

Wrenches - 7mm - 19mm 22, 24, 27, 30, 32, and 36mm

Assorted screwdrivers

Allen wrenches and allen sockets - 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 mm
XZN sockets (triple square): 6, 12mm

3/8 torque wrench - good for up to 100 ftlbs
1/2 torque wrench - good for up to 250 ftlbs

AFJuvat

[Porschekid962]

I wouldnt go out and get air tools for the sake of having air tools. If you are not accustomed to using them you can easily strip bolt heads, crossthread, break off bolt heads and improperly torque things down. I guess I might be slow and methodical but I prefer my sockets and ratchets, plus I think they sound cool.

Dead blow hammer.

Foam floor matting, its amazing how much better your whole body feels.

A good degreaser for cleaning yourself up.

Towels, rags.

Shop light.

Hood prop.

Magnet stick and mirror stick.

Waynes books.

[papi]

This is what I keep in my toolbox and what I would recomend to any weekend mechanic.

http://www.sears.com/sr/craftsman/craftsman_home.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0173012446.108 5636933@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccieadcliilkhkmcehgcemgdffmdflf.0&vertical=SEARS

Catalog that is....


It's a good thing to have around prior to your birthday or X-mas...gives the significant other ideas on what to get. You can even circle your wish list.

[xlr8]

I'm not a pro, but I really like a bent handle flex head ratchet:

found here!

[xlr8]

Go for broke!
Get one of everything-

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by xlr8

WOW

Nice garage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The car not to shabby either.

I would have built a bigger garage in case I needed to add to my collection.

[xlr8]

I just wish that were my garage!

I also like this ratcheting screwdriver.

[Superman]

Pros use air tools extensively because of the enormous time they save. Eventually the serious home mechanic will go there too. For example an air ratchet alone will save perhaps a good half-hour on a valve adjust. Valve adjust require removal and replacement of no less than thirty-four 13mm nuts.

But traditionally, I like my hand tools. Dead blow hammer was mentioned, but I did not notice one of my all-time favorites...the soft-faced hammer. Sears sells one that's red rubber on one side and yellow plastic on the other. This puppy is worth its weight in gold. Also, those little pick tools are often-used. I have heard from many sources, including pros, that the ratcheting box wrenches are very handy. I believe that. Pry bars, or at least a BFSD (large screwdriver) is a must. Stubby, perhaps flex, ratchet (3/8"). FLOOR JACK! Good, heavy duty, jackstands. Mirror. Long-reach grabber and/or magnetic retriever, plus long-reach mirror.

For someone with nothing, one of those Craftsman tool sets is a smart idea. Oh, and a decent digital multi-meter with dwellmeter, ohmmeter, voltmeter functions. High-end ones (Fluke) can be had on E-bay for good prices, or a Craftsman would be about $60 new.

[Wrecked944]

For me, I use mostly bandaids, aspirin, heating pads, and the telephone to call Chris Bennet for help when I've f*cked the car up beyond all recognition.

Okay, to be sort of serious, I use a (craftsman) electric impact wrench as recommended by Wayne's book. The thing rocks. I also use a Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver and I don't know why anybody uses anything else for screws. That things gets more use than any other tool I own. My combo wrenches are all Craftsman Pro series with the long handles. A pleasure to hold in your hand. I have a set of *monster* jack stands from the same place that you got the garage picture from. I think Wayne sells the same brand (some Danish company I think?). I've also got a ratchet handle from Facom - yes, pricey, but it has become my fave above and beyond my snap-on, craftsman, etc

[yelcab1]

I am not a professional, but I play one in my own garage.

All of the above tools, plus air tools. The most useful airtool for me is the Ingersol Rand Impact 1/2 gun. Not mentioned above are:

1. One set of all sizes "wiggle" extensions that allow you to move it a bit side to side.
2. 3/4 inch Sears breaker bar, with a 5 foot long pipe (from home depot)
3. The newest 1/4 inch ratchet handle from Sears, smooth and better than Snap On, that is hard to do! I reach for my 1/4 inch ratchet 50% of the time now.
4. One complete metric tap and dies set.
5. A special 34mm (maybe 36) oil line wrench just for Porsche.
6. A small, short, 1/4 inch allen socket, 5mm (I think) for the rocker arms shafts.
7. Cam holding tool for your porsche, sadly I broke mine
8. Engine yoke for the 911, with a cheapie chinese stand, and crane
9. Dial indicator and some accessories for the cam timing stuff.
10. One home made 17mm allen socket for the tranny drains.

All I can think of.

[Randy Webb]

Tidbits:

Jerry Woods told me he does not use air tools... YOu can get by w/o them. But impact can be your friend - not just speed, but shock to break apart corroded fasteners and the ability to turn a nut w/o moving the bolt much (as on the F. shocks).

The one good thing Griot's has is the littel close quarter tool kit - it's great and I've not been able to find it elswhere (tho if you search prev. posts someone may have posted a source).

We should have a thread on torque wrenches & how to use them - they need to be checked frequently on a tester.

The points you accumulate on the AT&T MasterCard can be used to get free tools from Snap-On (!)

Facom make a nice little shorty 3/8" ratchet handle - another fav. is the "Palmster" - google on that to find it.

Most common tools have got to be screwdrivers, mirrors, and flashlights...

The LED strap on the head lights for climbers are great.

[vash]

you know what, maybe i love the 911 because i love tools so much! i dont have that much, but i do love adding to the collection. some must haves in my box are flare nut wrenches, C- clamp, magnetic pickup tool, my $40 on sale multimeter from sears, my long handled 3/8" ratchet for extra humph, and my metric allen sockets. the rest is bread and butter. i still need more, but that comes later.

i have helped some friends with wrenching help. how do you politely tell them that they need some better tools? i did a brake job on a neighbors taurus and it took four times as long. i was running around the corner to my tool box repeatedly!

[Danskman]

Originally posted by xlr8
Go for broke!
Get one of everything-

This cracks me up. All the tools in the world and a nice place to work, but the car still leaks oil enough to have to buy a drip pan! Fix the oil leaks!!!