Caster/camber/toe tool vs. alignment shop
 

I need to have my front end aligned, as I did a renovation on the front suspension this winter/spring. However, the next winter I will be renovating the rear-end, which means I need a new alignment next year. Taking several trips to an alignment shop is quite costly, so my question is this:

Can one achieve good results by using a tool like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CAMBER-CASTER-TOE-GAUGE-ALIGNMENT-RACING-AUTOCROSS-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZQ7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3 a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el1262QQhashZitem3e f5a6c447QQitemZ270409319495QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiv eQ5fTools

Or is this not accurate enough without having turn-plates? Has anyone used tools like this with success?

ive done the home alignment. to get it right its pretty time consuming, but doable. yes thats one of the tools youll need, or its equivalent.

You could just get a digital angle finder from Harbor Freight for $20. With a straight piece of wood or aluminum, it becomes a great camber gage. Because the 911 strut is coaxial with the kingpin, you can just hold it to the strut to measure caster (though it is a PITA to get it attached). For toe, you can make blocks that register against the tire, use strings, or get a HF toe gage (all <$20).

The key is to get wiggle plates for the tires to sit on. Do the front first, then put the plates on the rear. Remember to bounce the suspension a few times before each reading.

You could make your own alignment rack. Search for alignment. Here are two threads to get you started:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/80904-home-alignment.html?highlight=alignment

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/329363-4-wheel-alignment.html?highlight=alignment

Really not much you can do with the caster and the camber is easy to set along with toe.