Say I'm starting from scratch, what tools should I have to do some DIY?

[euro911sc]

Tools are a slippery slope... but at least they can be used on everything

+ 1 on basic metric set... I got mine from home depot... what ever you buy, get the LASER ETCHED ones... I'm going blind trying to read the damn sockets!

Some of the most useful sockets I have are swivel 13mm and 10mm bought at Sears.

Don't forget socket rails and a magnetic bowl.

I got my AL jack from Harbor Freight. If you are ever going to pull an engine (not uncommon and not hard, REALLY!) I would recommend a jack that has at least 18-22" of lift. More is better, but expensive. I also had a cheap jack for some time and still use it... nice to have 2 jacks just in case.

Impact wrench is nice. You can get an electric one, or, if you picture yourself really getting into this DIY thing you can get a compressor, hose, and air impact wrench. Frankly, you can buy electric versions of every Air tool known... except a blast gun... at which point you will be deep in the jungle like me (just tried out my new HF blast cabinet last night! WOW what fun is media blasting!)

I got heck for buying that cab. and not a 2nd fridge/freezer for the garage... heheheee The fridge would not have looked as good in the garage .... it would keep the beer cold though!

Best regards,

Michael

[eskimo]

Originally posted by euro911sc
Tools are a slippery slope... but at least they can be used on everything

You could get THIS, although to rebuild the engine you'd still need to spend another grand here at pelican on specialty tools.

I kid.. Actually a craftsman set will probably do you quite well to start, then you work your way as you find what you need multiples of, or specialties.. (an anyone say 19mm hex for g50?)

I see this craftsman set on ebay going for half of list quite a bit. (263 piece) that would be a good start.

~

Also, I find that I use this style of wrench more than anything else.
Ratcheting flex head combo wrenches (husky)


Most us us built up our tool stock over MANY MANY years.. Trust me, there will never be a time where you go, "I don't need any more tools to get this job done".
Also, multiples are never a bad thing.

[oregonmon]

Thanks for the info.
Eskimo, listened to a couple of your songs from your Colder Still album. Is it all done on the computer?
By the way your bio scares me! Just kiddin

[eskimo]

It was recorded to a computer, but done on synths.. When I did that stuff.. -1998.. softsynths didn't work as well as do now. I still hate them (softsynths) but they do sound nicer than they did.

I always say that I'll go back to producing music when I'm done working on the cars, but I've been saying that for YEARS now, and either the cars keep breaking, or I wind up buying worse basket cases. -I guess that makes me a very sick man...

Right now I'm working on a Westfalia, I think I'll be working on that, nightly, for about... 20 years. (give or take) When done, I'll give it to one of my sons so they can take it to college and smoke weed in it.

[randywebb]

take the original kit and its open end wrenches....

now add sockets in those same sizes - 3/8" drive & Craftsman is fine -- get used to save more $$
- add a 3/8" ratchet handle

a special 'soft' lug nut socket & a 1/2" drive torque wrench (no long warranty for them from Sears so don't be fooled)

that is your base set - If I was to do it all over again, I'd get flare nut/open end combo wrenches which can be used on the brake lines & small (cam) oil lines. I also like the dual closed end (really called box end wrenches), but that is maybe cuz I already have a basic set of combination (open end one side, box end other side ones).

Next, THINK about what your jobs will be on the car over the next 1-2 years. Get the tools to do those.

- Trans refill? big Allen wrench or socket or regualr socket - what type lug do you have?

- Oil & filter change? - for sure you will do that. what plug sizes do you have? you do not need a special oil filter strap wrench - use a big old screwdriver (from a used tools place or pawn shop - or buy a Crapsman and beat it up).

- Brake Fluid refill? - small 7 mm box end wrench for the bleeder screws on most calipers

- Pad change?
- 4 mm pin punch - or cut the head off a nail and file it flat
- pry bar or caliper spreaders if you want - the ones on a thread I'm on that also work as clamps look good

You are gonna want a bench vise - get a good one that is big and heavy and has a good screw action* - Used ones are all over - find one that has screws on the inside of the jaws - the jaws will be beat up so buy used, replace jaws & you are in business

Review threads on Jack Stands before buying!
Buy a scissors jack and keep that in the car - use it to save $$ over a big jack. Find the Bilstein "man-maimer" jack that came with the car and sell it to a concours person. Or give it to an enemy who is not your insurance group...
A bottle jack can be handy...

A lot of people are using this thread to talk about some fun tools. They glitter, they shimmer, they save time, they cost money and you do not need them. ... at least for now.



* this can be a meritorious factor in many "tools"

[HarryD]

Once you have your basic set of hand tools(think 1/4" and 3/8" sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys, hammers. 1/2" torque wrench with suitable adapters, do what i do.... Only select projects that require a new tool.

After several years you will have fine assortment.