Philosophy of Tools

Grady Clay · 03-02-2005, 03:35 PM

Philosophy of tools.

Mechanical tools are an extension of your hands. There are some things that our human hands can’t do. This is where tools come in to extend our capabilities. In the stone age it was a long stick to move a rock, today it is a long handle wrench with extension and a specialized tool to fit a precision fastener.

There are also things that our eyes can’t measure. Sure, you can tell a 5” sphere won’t fit through a 4” hole. How about the crank-to-rod clearance? At some point you poured babbitt bearings and felt how they turned. Not today. Precision measurement is the hallmark of today’s industry – including Porsche.

These tools come from three sources; Porsche Factory P-tools, commercially available tools, and special “of local manufacture” tools that are for a specific purpose. All have their place.

How does this apply to Pelican DIY?

I think part of the fun is having and sharing all the cool specialized tools. There are many procedures that can’t be carried out properly without the special tools. So what if you only use it a few times – pass it on to the next user. I see that regularly among Pelicans.

Best,
Grady

rcwaldo · 03-02-2005, 04:15 PM

Interesting thread!

Just today our Snap-On guy stopped by. I went into his truck only to make a payment, and what do you know. He had tube flairing kit on sale. Couldn't resist

Dont need one, but would come-in handy someday.

Any more, I just ask, 'how much a week does this tool cost'?

Also, great forums like this are very valuable tools as well!

Chris

Crachian · 03-02-2005, 04:27 PM

Great topic Grady.

I watched an incomplete set of MFI tools (the little wires and protractors) go for over $200 on ebay earlier this week. It seems like this would be a perfect candidate for a $50/90 days rental.

jbrinkley · 03-02-2005, 04:30 PM

I'll pass on a ball joint socket if someone can send over a half case of bridgeport coho pacific.

KobaltBlau · 03-02-2005, 04:33 PM

jbrinkley, is that offer good out of state? If so, I'll take it! now how can I send you a half case of coho pacific?

jbrinkley · 03-02-2005, 04:37 PM

I dont know, I've never seen it down here
they don't sell it in Denver?

KobaltBlau · 03-02-2005, 04:40 PM

they do sell bridgeport, haven't looked for coho pacific specifically. Now I see why you want it

I'll see what I can find

H.G.P. · 03-02-2005, 04:46 PM

No, I see tools as the product of creative innovations, not of necessity.

Today I bought my first offset screwdriver.

Oldporsche · 03-02-2005, 04:47 PM

I have literally a drawer in my tool chest that is set aside for Porsche only tools. Some of these are speciality tools like the P1800 factory "soft socket". A lot of them are homemade. I happened to make a ball joint socket. I have also made things like the gas tank plug removal tool. Some speciality VW tools are also used on the Porsche. One of these is a Hazlet wrench that will remove the plug in the side of the 901/915 transmission.

I share my tools with some of the foreign repair community. Sunday night, I saw my engine stand for the first time in 7 years. It was holding a 2.2L. Its still holding up well. By sharing my tools I have actually had more of them. When my buddy who had the borrowed engine stand felt he owed me something for the use, he sent his buddy over,.........who was a Snap-on dealer. The guy needed a set of heads done. I did very well.

Share the tools, there's not that many.

David Duffield

jbrinkley · 04:52 PM

did some searching, NO MORE coho pacific
..... Coho Pacific has unfortunately become extinct (hopefully its namesake Northwest wild salmon will not follow suit.)......
ya leave the northwest for a only a couple years and the whole place goes to ****

I now officially prefer Snowcap Ale (pyramid)
edit, get me your address, I'll send you the socket, beer or no beer

RoninLB · 03-06-2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grady Clay

Philosophy of tools.
How does this apply to Pelican DIY?

many procedures that can’t be carried out properly without the special tools.

not very philosophical but a wide range of various blue collar tools often allow me to fake the job. Otherwise the dimensions of Snap-On's flex head socket's universal area are nice when working on a 911. Also a vice-grip needle nose when working under the dash. I've also been sniffing around for one of those $400-$500 exotic scopes as advertised in Nuts & Volts. Being able to get after market adapters seem to be a key to success with it. I think I have a line on a good supplier? I love tools.

911pcars · 03-06-2005, 10:53 PM

I've got a friend who must have the latest "essential" woodworking tools. It eventually grew into collecting multiple variations of the same tool i.e. 12 electric hand drills, 3 table saws, etc. He only uses one of each. He's not alone in this sickness is he?

One can spend serious money on tools that one will only experience grease single digit times in one's lifetime - if even that. But if you can justify having it, good for you. That's why they build big, shiney rollaways and large homes.

If it makes you and SO happy and life easier, go for it.

Sherwood

RoninLB · 03-06-2005, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 911pcars
.
He's not alone in this sickness is he?

oh yeah, I've got this electronic vacuum&exhaust leak sniffer. I've already loaned it out to shop owners more than once after the leak was impossible to track. This thing finds leaks like no other method.. about $100

Wil Ferch · 03-07-2005, 05:23 AM

Over the last two years the tool(s) I mostly reach for are the KD Gear Wrenches with 15 degree offset and reversible. Very precise mechanism with short swing requirements ( 5 degrees)...and gives you the belnd of ratchet and box wrench in one tool. Great for tight spaces or when you're glad you simply "found" and "landed" on the obscure nut of your choice...and you don't have to lift and re-insert.

Like this from our host-->http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/ShopCart/TOOL/POR_TOOL_CAT196_pg6.htm

I find myself using these more and more, especially in "tight" spots, and we have plenty of those with our Porsche's don't we?

.....anyone else?

Wil

KTL · 06:46 AM

Wil,

I've got the Craftsman version of the wrenches you mentioned. They do rock. My std. non-ratcheting 10mm and 13mm are quite neglected these days!

A good tool to have for removing heat exchangers (with clean, unfrozen studs!) is a 13mm socket with built-in universal joint.

I hate tapping in oil/grease seals. I'm always afraid to damage them. So I got the Porsche crank seal tools that press the seals into place. No worries with these tools! Not cheap- about $120 total. But I like the peace of mind that came with the purchase!!!

I offer to lend all my tools to locals. The ball joint socket, oil line wrenches, big monster channel locks (okay, not a Porsche tool, but handy nonetheless), chain tensioner tool, oil seal installers. Friends really appreciate it when you provide them with a tool that makes life easier. Especially when the job is a tough one.

Wil Ferch · 07:05 AM

Kevin:

I Love that idea!

Recall the debate we had on these pages when I suggested that to get 0.004" clearance ( 0.1mm) , it would be something like 1/10 of a turn of the screw from "solid" ? I remarked that this can be eyeballed fairly well by turning the screw 1/4 turn and cutting that in half....yielding 1/8 turn ( not quite 1/10 turn but close...and "safe").

It seems this "clicker" will get you right on the money !!

Nice find....but it better be available for a 8mm pitch thread to be useful for us!

Wil

randywebb · 03-07-2005, 07:52 AM

There's an odd/unusual tool thread I started a month or two ago - lots of things posted - people might want to search that out.

jerry - beer doesn't travel well, and should be drunk fresh. You're close to Abita.... also IPAs are brewed to travel well. Otherwise, Widmer Hefe is great in hot weather.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I've made a lot of specialized tools, like an special offset wrench for removing 930 rear calipers; a T-handled puller for 930 front hub cabs; an extra-long allen wrench for CV bolts; teeny little sockt mod for removing 911 door handles from the inside.

Yesterday, I helped a neighbor remove a suspension arm bolt by welding a piece of 1/4" flat stock to it and then using a piece of pipe on that. He and a buddy of his had taken so many attempts at it with vice grips and whatnot that it was almost perfectly round.

Zeke · 03-07-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rcwaldo
Interesting thread!

Also, great forums like this are very valuable tools as well!

Chris

Well said.

Tools are like vocabulary. You don't have to always use every word you know, but it's nice to have them when you need them. Also, it's nice to understand them when some one else uses them.

I will share my tools in my presence. They don't go out of my sight. When they do, they seem to stay out of my sight forever.

KTL · 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
Kevin:

I Love that idea!

Recall the debate we had on these pages when I suggested that to get 0.004" clearance ( 0.1mm) , it would be something like 1/10 of a turn of the screw from "solid" ? I remarked that this can be eyeballed fairly well by turning the screw 1/4 turn and cutting that in half....yielding 1/8 turn ( not quite 1/10 turn but close...and "safe").

It seems this "clicker" will get you right on the money !!

Nice find....but it better be available for a 8mm pitch thread to be useful for us!

Wil

Oops. Apparently my edit of my above post deleted the clicker valve adjust tool link(s).

Here it is again.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/MG_Elec-Tech/Clikadjust_0.html

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/tools/ts080.htm

See what you guys think. It ain't cheap, and that's why I didn't bother to try one out.

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke:

I will share my tools in my presence. They don't go out of my sight. When they do, they seem to stay out of my sight forever.

Amen, Brother. I'm too nice of a guy and I let people take the tools home with them. I've learned to make a list of who's got what. Otherwise, the tools get "lost."