Tool kit to start with?

[canoehead]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a tool kit that will help me tackle most tasks in a 911 SC. For example, I would love to do a complete service and tune up myself but I am afraid to start and realize that I need another tool or size every 20 minutes.

All I own is a drill.

Any recommendations?

[sc_rufctr]

Buy the best you can afford. I bought Snapon tools and have never looked back.

You'll need a full metric set. Spanners and sockets.
My main set is 3/4inch but I also have some 1/2 inch for the bigger stuff.

Torque wrench? Depends on how skilled/experienced you are. I have two... 5 to 75 foot pounds and 50 to 250 foot pounds.
I also have a small "torqometer" that I use for trim screws and small stuff but it really isn't necessary.



You'll also need a good jack and jack stands. I generally don't use ramps.

[Tidybuoy]

Unless you have gobs of dough, it will take time to build a good tool chest. Start with the basics but your 911 will mostly need a metric socket set and end wrenches. Almost everything will be 10mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, or 21mm. You will ocasionally need larger sizes. You will also need screw drivers, allen wrenches, and probably a small socket set with a 1/4 driver for the really small stuff. A Spark plug wrench, various extensions and a swivel estension is needed to change the plugs (their a pain on the 911 because there's very little rrom to maneuver).

Don't forget that using a torque wrench will spare you some future headaches.

[Packet82]

If you don't want to spend a lot of money now, buy one of the preassembled sets that has a good number of wrenches and sockets and expand from there. Chances are you'll probably end up replacing a lot of it in the next couple years, but you don't know what you'll need now.

Alternatively, you can buy a full set of metric wrenches, good screwdrivers, a set of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" sockets and the associated ratchets, good pliers, a metric allen wrench set (both socket and key types), a breaker bar, a plastic face hammer, a dead blow hammer, an 2 good torque wrenches (20-50 and 50-250 lb ft). That should take care of 90% of what you'll need. Get any of the specialty stuff as needed based on whatever projects you're taking on.

[Dave Colangelo]

If you really get in to this you may end up spending as much on tools as you did on the car. Any way In my opinion your basic set of tools to do basic stuff on this car would include,

- Sockets 5-24mm both regular and deep style, you will most likely find your self purchasing a set that goes from 5-17mm 1/2 inch drive and 18-24mm 3/4 inch drive, that just seems to be how they are sold. The smaller sockets 5-10 may be 1/4 inch drive so you will need adapters or 3 different wrenches.

- A variety of socket wrenches, extenders and adapters. I have like 7 different wrenches, all drive sizes and all kinds of moving and rotating heads and what not. For starters a regular style wrench will do you just fine.

- A Torque wrench. This is very important and often over looked. All serious bolts have a torque spec if you over do it you can damage or completely destroy parts properly torquing a nut can save you a lot of money in damages.

- Spanners (wrenches) again the sets usually come in 5-17mm packs if your local store has an 18-24mm pack that may be useful as well.

- Alan keys, metric of course, I also have the sockets with the alan key bits on the end they are quite useful as well but not necessary.

- Pliers and vise grips in assorted sizes and shapes, a good needle nose, channel lock, and regular pliers will do fine.

- Assorted screwdrivers, Philips and flat head, long and short, all sizes. You may find you have these lying around your house.

- A light hammer or rubber mallet.

- A drop light so you can see what you are doing....

These tools should get you through the basics. The rule I like to keep for tools is buy them when you need them. I can understand why you would buy these tools all at once, but after this you will find that you will buy tools as the projects come up. For example when I had to change my fan belt I went out and got the 24mm socket for the bolt. You will find with the large stuff you will only need it for one or two bolts/projects on the car and there is no reason in my opinion to get them before hand.

Some other tools you may consider near in the future

- A jack and 4 jack stands, a must if you need/plan to do work under the car.

- An air compressor, this will make many things like taking the wheels on and off far far easier

- Depending on the shape of your car taps and dies may be in order for cleaning up the bolts and nuts

- A nice tool chest

- A second and third set of spanners to fill the drawers

- More sockets again to fill the drawers

- A tool that you dont quite know what it is for or how to use it but you own it any way.

A word on brands and quality. I was lucky enough to inherit many of my grandfathers tools, he was an auto mechanic and they are beautiful 50's American made snap-on and other brands. They are rock solid but that being said so is a great deal of my craftsman stuff. For your purposes I would not necessarily jump to super expensive tools unless you have the money and seriously intend on using them very very often. For the weekend oil changer and DIY'er, craftsman or home depot brand or where ever you shop generic brand stuff will most likely do just fine. I have plenty of 20 year old craftsman sockets that work just fine. I will say I do not like the craftsman socket wrenches, I prefer my old snap on ones they are a bit more solid and ratchet much cleaner, I have had lots of success will all of the other products of theirs I have owned.

A good things to look out for when buying tools is estate sales/ebay/craigslist. These can be great sources where people will sell lots of tools for cheap. Estate sales can be great, I have heard of people finding thousands and thousands worth of tools for nothing.

Regards
Dave

[timmy2]

If you want all new: Craftsman mechanics tool set(s) are a great starting point. Harbor Freight has a decent tool chest top and bottom with locking roller drawers. $1500.00 or less for both.

[theFONZ]

6-24mm combo wrenches
6-24mm deep and shallow sockets (can be mostly 3/8, but also have 1/4 & 1/2 drive)
2-10mm hex bit sockets (3/8 drive)
Long 8mm hex bit (IIRC the size of the Heat exchanger nuts)
13/16 spark plug socket
Assorted sizes and multiple lengths of ratchets, extensions, and swivels
Long 1/2 drive breaker bar
Metric Allen wrench set
Good assortment of pliers and screwdrivers
Jack and stands
Assorted hammers
pin punch set (metric if you can find one)
8 and 10 triplesquare drivers (3/8 drive)
1/2 & 3/8 drive torque wrenches (important to get a quality ones)
feeler gauge for valve adjustment
Set of picks
Set of files
CIS fuel pressure tester

Nice to haves:
Vice and workbench
Interior clip tools
36mm oil line wrench
Quality tap die set
Compression tester
Multimeter
Power tools and compressor
Swivel sockets
Crowsfeet

I'm sure I forgot a few things in there but that will get most basic-intermediate jobs done (for 911s and most european cars). There are several things that need specialized tools though.

Also, buy the best tools you can afford, you are going to have them forever. I'd recommend Wright, SK, or Snap-on. Used on eBay or pawn shops is the bet way to get Snap-on and other pricey brands. Craftsman will work, but their tools are getting outsourced and the quality is going downhill.

[esample]

Originally Posted by canoehead

Hi guys,

I am looking for a tool kit that will help me tackle most tasks in a 911 SC. For example, I would love to do a complete service and tune up myself but I am afraid to start and realize that I need another tool or size every 20 minutes.

All I own is a drill.

Any recommendations?

Lots of good suggestions already, but I'd add Wayne's book:

"101 Projects for Your Porsche 911"
www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=101+projects+for+porsche+911&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=5935669469&re

It has a comprehensive chapter on what you need, with pictures.

-e

[Prairie Lizard]

+1 Definitely Wayne's book. It has saved me hours of research and re-work.

[canoehead]

Wow, there is a ton of great advice and info here.

I think I have a good feel for what I will need now, and I will definitely pick up a copy of Waynes book as well.

Thank you all!

[rwest]

The best advice you can get is: don't buy cheap (read poor quality) tools. I have an idiot friend who buys the crappiest tools and they end up rounding over fasteners and stripping bolt heads making an hard job even harder and making it take a lot longer. I started out with Craftsman and now have mostly Snap-on. As people have pointed out, older Craftsman are pretty decent, but quality has gone down, if you're on a tight budget maybe look for some older used Craftsman wrenches and sockets to get you going and upgrade as needed. I really don't like Craftsman screwdrivers and would strongly recommend going straight to Snap-on for these, you can get a nice set for around $100. Many guys I know try and buy one good tool every paycheck and you don't even miss the money and pretty soon you have a great set of tools!

Good luck and good wrenching,
Rutager

[theFONZ]

As far as books go, Wayne's book and the Bentley manual are indispensable. Like tools though, you can never have enough books.

[intakexhaust]

Having many years and tools for the trades- mechanic, machine, woodworking - buy the best quality you can afford and slowly build upon. As mentioned above, they can be acquired new and used and the better makes like Snap-on, Craftsman, Matco, etc. all have lifetime warranty. So even if a tool is purchased used and worn out, just swap it out for free.

If you're after a starter set and budget minded, the US made Craftsman very basic sets for under $200.00 is a nice start. (Avoid the low brand china stuff from both Snap-on and Craftsman.) The starter combo set should have 1/4 in, 3/8 in, 1/2 in drive metric sockets and wrenches. Add some socket extensions and swivels. You don't need all the gazzilion screwdrivers and sockets endless allen wrenches that they pad into the bigger starter sets. Also, invest in a decent 1/2 inch drive torque wrench, quality plier set, feeler guage, a basic VOM meter, a quality floor jack and must have jack stands.

Personally, I despise any asian made tools and avoid them at all cost. The poor tolerance, incorrect heat treatment and quality just isn't worth getting busted knuckles or ruined fasteners on your car. Also, don't rush buying, take the time to test feel how the wrenches and ratchets feel to you. Have fun shopping -

[CCM911]

Two words: Crafts-Man

I started with one of their smaller sets and then moved up to the 150 Piece set. I have been quite satisfied.

Also, if you start with a set, you will only need to add tools as future projects dictate. That way, you'll never need to spend a ton of cash at once.

[super9064]

I really like Facom, They are much nicer than Snap-on or Craftsman.Their ratchets are like jewels. The sets also come in sturdy plastic dividers to keep them organized.

Facom

[arbita1]

I started off with something like this and added on from there.

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

A lot of people will put down Craftsman and I agree with them for the power tools, etc. But as far as hand tools go, they are more than adequate for the DIY hobbyist. Plus they have a lifetime warranty which is important. I've broken ratchets, brought it back and they give me a new one.

[Packet82]

You don't necessarily need snap-on, especially if you're just doing it DIY. There are tons of other brands out there that make very high quality tools that don't have the price of snap-on. Craftsman isn't exactly high quality, but it'll definitely get the job done as far as hand tools are concerned. I'd probably look elsewhere for ratchets, but most everything else isn't terrible.

Personally, I like the following brands:

Wright, Williams, Wera, Wiha, Gedora, Hazet, Stahlwille, NWS, Fluke, Grey Pneumatic, and SK. There are lots of others out there, just take your time getting everything.

[Justin@Athens]

Ok, I'm going to catch hell for this but I am going to suggest you buy the cheap stuff. I actually think that some of the Task force stuff put out by Lowes is pretty good quality. Also, the Pittsburg Pro line available at Harbor Freight is pretty good. But as with anything, the tools themselves will vary in quality within the same brand.

Alot of Pelicans will never complete an engine rebuild, or even refresh their suspension--many just like to tinker or do routine maintenance--the tools required for many of these types of jobs are just the common stuff you find in every mans garage.

My tool box is sparce, I usually borrow tools that I'll only use once or twice--or sell them on ebay after using them.

Like I said the Pittsburg Pro line at HF is not too shabby and will allow you to complete most jobs the same as if you had spent 5X as much on a SnapOn tool.

Stubborn fasteners on our old cars, and years of heat cycling and debris make alot of the stuff we do to our cars harder than it should be. This is where buying good sockets, rounded head allen keys, and several cans of PB blaster and a MAPP gas torch can make working on your car ALOT easier.

I'd also suggest a squeeze wrench, a box cutter, torque wrench, RATCHETING WRENCHES such as Gearwrench/Kobalt, and of course a battery tester, all 3 sizes (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) ratchets with sockets and a vice are all pretty essential.

And, here is my workbench--cant beat it in my opinion:
Ultra Heavy-Duty 12-Drawer Rolling Workbench - Sam's Club

I'd look at Makita power tools for just about everything you'll want to buy--there priced in the medium/upper tier, but their quality is on par with Bosch for much less money in my opinion.

[timchar]

Depends on your budget...for a part time, weekend warrior, HF, lowes or home depot will be fine. Tim

[Dave Colangelo]

+1 for PB blaster, thats a must for these old bolts