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

If I wanted to maintain and do some projects on my 79SC what tools are the basics that I need?
I've never been a big DIYer on my cars except for occasional oil change and I think I've changed brake pads once or twice so the real big projects (engine drops and such) are probably going to see a good Porsche mechanic.
So, what's the P-car DIY guy have in his garage?

You need a set of basic hand tools:
Metric wrenches
Screw drivers
Pliers - regular, needle nose, channel locks and vice grips at a minimum.
I would suggest a 3/8" ratchet and a set of sockets including a spark plug socket.
A rubber mallet

There are lots and lots of others you could go for but this will get you started. Think about a timing light and a dwell meter or multi meter too.

You can do a search for the topic but the simple answer is a basic set of QUALITY metric handtools including sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, allen wrenches and a torque wrench. Think of the "mechanics toolbox set" offered by Sears.

Once armed with these basic tools, you can do most common tasks. Buy additional tools as needed for a specifc job.

I wanted to have some extras of tools. I just recently picked up a 137 piece mechanics tool set from Sears for $99. Has a complete socket set up to 18 mm and it has 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive ratchets, etc.

You'll also want to pick up a 19 mm socket, a good set of allen wrenches, and some good socket extensions (preferable wobbles). The wrenches that are open box ends on one end and ratcheting closed ends on the other are also pretty handy, but not a requirement. Oh, and do yourself a favor, get a MAPP gas torch, some PB Blaster and a BFH. :-) It's a given that you'll need them at some point in your PCar wrenching.

My only beef about Sears sets is too many sockets for the guy starting out. You don't need all three size drives to start with.

What are you talking about?:confused:
Also, I have 4 jack stands but no jack. What's a good one for the money?

I got mine from Costco. Heavy but works great.

PB Blaster is a rust penetrant. Do you know what WD-40 is? Like that but SO much better. Buy it at Pep Boys or your local hardware store.

A BFH? A Big Fuchin Hammer! I think you can figure out if you have rusted bolts you're going to need more than PB Blaster.

I second Harry's comment that you don't need an expensive jack. For years I had a cheapo little floor jack. When it crapped out I replaced it with another pretty cheap one from Pep Boys and it works fine. I think I paid $39 on sale for it. NEVER get under any car with out jackstands in place.

I picked my jack up from sams club. It was $70, very heavy, and works great.

Here is a link:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=344333

You should also definetly get books:
1st 101 projects for your Porsche 911 by Wayne Dempsey, will cover probably 90% of what you want to do.

2nd Bentley repair manual

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

That was me before I found this place. Get yourself started like others have suggested, then acquire what you need as you go along on various projects. You will spend quite a bit the first few years (depending on your projects), but think of the tools as a one time investment and compare the costs of them vs. shop rates. Plus, it's been a lot of fun :)

Get the Bentley Manual for SC's and Wayne's 101 projects.
Get some good quality jack stands..you are going to be under the car.
Get a good floor jack..I'm using the sears aluminum ya da ya da. Its nice.
Get some good lighting.
Get a Digital Volt meter

Thanks guys. But, that's it. For some reason, I'm picturing all this equipment that has specific needs for each piece. I have the 101 projects on order.

Thanks guys. But, that's it. For some reason, I'm picturing all this equipment that has specific needs for each piece. I have the 101 projects on order.
Other than tools what other equipment/stuff can make it easier to work on your car.
Think of the basics.

A REALLY big bucket to catch the oil when it is changed!
Can't get much more basic than that.

Hand held shop light
dental mirror
long, telescoping magnet
spark plug gapping tool
pry bars
a bench vise
disc grinder
die grinder


Some might not seem "basic" but they really are. Plus, what others have said.

-Chris

Oh yeah, here is your drain pan. Home Depot for about $8, big enough to drain both at once :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1179856481.jpg


-Chris

Sears makes an all metric set that is very nice...but you may have to order it through the catalog, very few stores carry it. Go to a Sears store. Ask for the 2007-2008 catalog...just out. On page 49, you'll find it. #0933284 283 piece all metric set. $699.99.

They sell a lesser 140 piece set for $199.99, but you'd quickly find yourself wishing you'd bought the larger one.

This will get you through the basics...you can add specialty tools as needed later. Dittos on the advice above regarding multitestor, oil drain pan, jackstands, floor jacks, etc.

Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a fluorescent drop light. I still have scars from the old incandescent bulb style.

The single most flexible, multi-purpose tool for working on a Porsche is a checkbook.

BEER....

This will usually attract a Porsche crowd and they may even bring some tools and knowledge........or not!!

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

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/17200/17155.JPG
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?)
http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0...scl=4&fmt=jpeg
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)
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...896cb8_300.jpg

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.

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:D

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.:mad:

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"

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. ;)