The Top 5 tools you want to buy next

[the intimidator]

WELL here is my lidt of stuff I need,

1. good screwdriver set Snap-on 8 piece black industrial finish Should be getting them this week
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=153081

2. 3/8" drive s.a.e and metrick swivle sockets Brand unknown probably mastercrft maximum and i'll replace the comonly used ones with snap-on

3. Good set of torx drivers. snap on mini set and a full size brand unkown
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...ID=6182&group_ID=684&store=canada&dir=catalog

4. new tool box mayby snap-on if I can find a good price or a older set of beach cornwell ect that are in good shape and are big enough

5. Would be a nice 60 gallon compresser 18+ cfm I'll probably save up the cash for a quincy as I know it will never lose it's value and I'll be able to pass it along when I croak

 

[justinmc]

2. Ratcheting tap handle to replace the joke of a tool that came with my Craftsman set. Yesterday I found myself using a 1/4" wrench instead.

Screw the ratcheting handle... I just use tap sockets. I love em. You can buy the "name brand" off the truck stuff for like $40-60 depending on the truck and the Lisle stuff (I swear these things are all made by the same co cause my snap-on ones don't even have S/O markings on them) is like sub $30.

 

[malibu101]

There's always one so I'll be it this thread.
A ball joint press was mentioned in a few posts. I borrowed one too many times or took the arm off completly to use my press and finally "invested" in the HF press BJ press kit and the kit of different size recieving tubes. Here goes-I have used it many times and it works perfect. Of course I keep the screw oiled and even use the impact on it.
One of the VERYfew tools (mine and other peoples) that I have touched from HF and have no problem reccomending.
Beware that I'm sure the quality changes with each batch of steel that the Chinese pour to make the press as wel as other HF tools.
PS- many times to me is about 20 BJ's. I'm not a professional wrench.

 

[BadBloodRacing]

My next three tools/ equipment to buy is:

1) Sand blast cabinet

2) Shop press

3) Welder

4) Weight scales

5) Lift

But before I can buy anymore tools, need to build an outbuilding for all the lawn care equipment so I have the room for them. Have almost a 2 1/2 car garage and can only get one car in and barely walk around it.

 

[1320stang]

Hmmm, trying to make seperate lists for the top 5 that I need to buy vs. the top 5 that I want to buy. I guess I also ought to include my dream list.

Need:
1. GearWrench sets, 13 piece SAE (9312) & 12 piece metric (9412)

2. GearWrench 3 piece driver adapter sets in both SAE (9231) and metric (9230)

3. Jackstands 4 ton or 6 ton mainly for the height, I often put 2x12s under my 2 tons.

4. American made 3 1/2 ton floor jack

5. A good 5" or 6" Machinests vise

Want:
1. 10 Gal. blasting pressure part (probably the Clarke at TSC, $109.63)

2. blast cabinet (again, probably the Clarke at TSC, $319.63)

3. Plasma cutter (Miller Spectrum 375, $1095 at Cyberweld)

4. Shrinker/Stretcher (probably the ones from HF, $240)

5. TIG (Lincoln Precision 375, about $5000)

Dream (in my future shop):

1. Rotary SPOA10 10k# assymetrical lift

2. A downdraft paint booth

3. CNC Mill

4. CNC Lathe

5. Water Jet

 

[strizzy]

I going along with bmw's list:

1. Snap on screwdriver set
2. Flare Crowsfeet (not sure who)
3. Polished long pattern wrench set (from someone, prob Craftsman)

and

4. Slide hammer and puller (not sure who)
5. 1/2" Long Handle Snap On ratchet SL936 (used)

also would like:
Mac Pick Set
Snap On 1/4" drive sae 12pt shallow sockets (in trade for my 6pts)

Will be buying tomorrow:
Horrible Freight spring compressor (just had a coil spring brake on me and have to have my father get a dolly to tow my car home from school so I can replace it with one that I have by chance...hate that car)

 

[wrigh003]

My list. All/mostly big stuff, which ***** because it means that it takes forever to see any progress.

1/2: (they trade places all the time) air compressor, small MIG setup- turning over both in my head, can't decide what to do first. I'll probably snap one day and rush out and buy both.
3: Quiklift or other non-hydraulic/ lowbuck get-the-car-in-the-air-a-couple-feet solution
4: dado set for my table saw
5: router and some bits, maybe even a router table

 

[Charles (in GA)]

1. Snap on screwdriver set
2. Flare Crowsfeet (not sure who)
3. Polished long pattern wrench set (from someone, prob Craftsman)
4. Swivel Vise
5. Some sort of socket set... I have to sort out what I have

2. http://www.harryepstein.com/bonney.html

3. http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1542640

Charles

 

[the intimidator]

woot woot should be picking up my screwdrivers tommorow i'll post a nice review of them. at least they are all black so I won't have to worrie too much abought getting them dirty

 

[BoostAddiction]

1. Plasma cutter, probably Lincoln for loyalty (we are in their Motorsports program)

2. 8" grinder sander combo

3. Blast cabinet, probably the 960 from TP

4. A cart for pit use (we are going to make this tool using the quick jack we made recently)

5. Roll-on stands for our existing scales for the race car. When scaling a car, taking it up off the pads for the suspension to settle is too much trouble, so we will be building a set of pad stands that let us roll the car forward and backwards a little to let the car settle after a change.

 

[rocco]

1. Shop Press

2. Oxy/Aceteline torch set

3. 12ft ladder

4. 3/8 fine tooth ratchet

5. bigger jack

Alex

 

[ImportTuner]

I going along with bmw's list:

and

4. Slide hammer and puller (not sure who)
5. 1/2" Long Handle Snap On ratchet SL936 (used)

also would like:
Mac Pick Set
Snap On 1/4" drive sae 12pt shallow sockets (in trade for my 6pts)

Will be buying tomorrow:
Horrible Freight spring compressor (just had a coil spring brake on me and have to have my father get a dolly to tow my car home from school so I can replace it with one that I have by chance...hate that car)

Too bad you didn't live closer; I bought one of those clam shell compressors from HF and have never used it; occupying space in my garage ...

 

[Major Ramifications]

From the very first post, what is an engine hanger? Thanks.

 

[TNToy]

Guessing here because 'engine hanger' isn't what we usually call 'em... but on most late-model cars, swapping motors or trannys goes something like this:

Assemble brackets above engine, and use them to hang motor and ****** from fenders.
Drop suspension, sub-frame, and motor mounts off of bottom of car.
Remove all wiring, hoses, linkages, etc, holding motor to vehicle.
Drop engine or ****** or both out bottom of car.

The 'engine hanger' looks something like this. The feet at the ends go on the strut towers and along the edges of the hood opening. The hooks hold the motor by it's hooks or intake manifold...

Virtually all late-model cars are designed to let you drop the engine out the BOTTOM of the car. It's much easier for their technicians working under a lift: Hange the engine from the fenders/ strut towers, set the engine down on something, and lift the car off of the engine.

The last F-body camaro and firebird were great examples of this: 2/3 of the engine is back under the windshield. It's ridiculously hard to pull the engine out through the hood. It comes out the bottom much easier.

He could also mean one of those screw-adjusting load-levelers to hang and engine from a cherry picker.

 

[the intimidator]

From the very first post, what is an engine hanger? Thanks.

My guess would be a engine stand

 

[martell06]

1. tool cart
2. air/nitro cat 3/8" impact and sockets
3. shop press
4. parts washer
5. good floor jack

5 tools i want/need and can't afford
1. GOOD air compressor
2. mig welder
3. sand blasting cabinet
4. plasma cutter
5. cherry picker

 

[kartracer55]

Guessing here because 'engine hanger' isn't what we usually call 'em... but on most late-model cars, swapping motors or trannys goes something like this:

Assemble brackets above engine, and use them to hang motor and ****** from fenders.
Drop suspension, sub-frame, and motor mounts off of bottom of car.
Remove all wiring, hoses, linkages, etc, holding motor to vehicle.
Drop engine or ****** or both out bottom of car.

The 'engine hanger' looks something like this. The feet at the ends go on the strut towers and along the edges of the hood opening. The hooks hold the motor by it's hooks or intake manifold...

Virtually all late-model cars are designed to let you drop the engine out the BOTTOM of the car. It's much easier for their technicians working under a lift: Hange the engine from the fenders/ strut towers, set the engine down on something, and lift the car off of the engine.

The last F-body camaro and firebird were great examples of this: 2/3 of the engine is back under the windshield. It's ridiculously hard to pull the engine out through the hood. It comes out the bottom much easier.

He could also mean one of those screw-adjusting load-levelers to hang and engine from a cherry picker.

I have never seen one dropped like this. Obviously I have never pulled an engine on my own from a late model car, but I have helped on a few.

The way it is done at work is on a monster steel table with some 4x4s. We disconect everything, and set up the table under the car, and lower he car down and position 4x4s under the engine cradle. When the car is resting on the table as well as the lift, the we finish unbolting the cradle and let it rest on the table, and raise up the car. Pretty slick, and it leaves the engine at working height. No fussing around, because you can unbolt the engine and drop the new one into the crade, and roll the table back to the same spot and everything fits up perfectly. Ill tell ya one thing tho, Dropping an engine on a lift DEFINETLY kicks ***!

Jim

 

[Deafautotech]

when i did worked at former independent shop as i pulled about 10 engines with engine hoist but i did drop the engine from bottom as it is GM vehicles. also i did used engine hoist to pick up 5.4L v8 on E-150 van as it is very worn out because customer had that in 2002 and had it drove over 100,000 miles in two years but he did had oil changes oftens.

i am missed the work of pull engines out of vehicles because i am very enjoy to work on engine to pull out and install in again.

 

[strizzy]

Too bad you didn't live closer; I bought one of those clam shell compressors from HF and have never used it; occupying space in my garage ...

Hey I wish I was closer! So freakin cold and snowy here in Buffalo...

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Guessing here because 'engine hanger' isn't what we usually call 'em... but on most late-model cars, swapping motors or trannys goes something like this:

Assemble brackets above engine, and use them to hang motor and ****** from fenders.
Drop suspension, sub-frame, and motor mounts off of bottom of car.
Remove all wiring, hoses, linkages, etc, holding motor to vehicle.
Drop engine or ****** or both out bottom of car.

The 'engine hanger' looks something like this. The feet at the ends go on the strut towers and along the edges of the hood opening. The hooks hold the motor by it's hooks or intake manifold...

Virtually all late-model cars are designed to let you drop the engine out the BOTTOM of the car. It's much easier for their technicians working under a lift: Hange the engine from the fenders/ strut towers, set the engine down on something, and lift the car off of the engine.

The last F-body camaro and firebird were great examples of this: 2/3 of the engine is back under the windshield. It's ridiculously hard to pull the engine out through the hood. It comes out the bottom much easier.

He could also mean one of those screw-adjusting load-levelers to hang and engine from a cherry picker.

You are correct, this is what I was referring to. All I have ever known it called was an engine hanger (See link). What do you call it?

http://www.shop.com/op/~Lisle_Engine_Hanger-prod-33831999


-BWP

 

[bobthecop]

1. Metal band saw
2. Metal belt disk sander combo
3. Table saw
4. plasma cutter
5. 20-50-ton press

 

[bmwpower]

2. http://www.harryepstein.com/bonney.html

3. http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1542640

Charles

Alas, I need metric.

You love those Bahco's thought, don't you!

 

[ImportTuner]

Alas, I need metric.

You love those Bahco's thought, don't you!

No Bahco Metrics in the US ...

 

[m4ff3w]

1. Air Compressor
2. Air Ratchet
3. Air Impact Wrench
4. Drill Press
5. Low profile jack.

 

[danski0224]

Lista toolbox... short on space, though...

 

[Moltar]

1. A/C refrigerant leak detector
2. Cooling system/radiator cap pressure tester
3. Mityvac silverline kit
4. Fuel injection test set
5. Noid light set

I'm stocking up on diagnostic tool at the moment.

 

[Sack]

Ya'll crack me up as you make me realize I'm going in the wrong direction... my list is a list of stuff I have but need to get rid of to make room for more stuff

Things to ditch soon:
1. Dake electric powered 25H press old
2. Delta Rockwell 6x48 belt sander from the late 40's?
3. Rikon 14" wood bandsaw 2 yrs old
4. Delta Rockwell Drill press from the late 40s
5. Too many old school 4" vises from when I went on a buying binge at shop that was closing up.
6. 50lb Arm & Hammer anvil
7. Lyon (like Lista/vidmar) short cabinet on rollers
8. Mac shop cart
9. Thermal Arc Tig welder T/A 185

I love all the above, but they take up so much room considering they either never, or at least rarely ever see any use.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

1: Tool cart, I hate placing tools on an engine to having them fall on the ground or walking back and forth to my work bench.

2: Oil filter pliers, makes removing oil filters on a Subaru a dream come true

3: A transmission jack, removing a ****** with a floor jack might work but installing one on a floor jack won't work

4: A new curcuit tester, mine is 25+ years old

5: All the missing sockets to fill the pegs on my Hansen trays

That was last February, since then I bought the tool cart, that oil filter wrench and the circuit tester. I'm still looking for those other missing sockets and I'm getting close to having them all


My new list is:

1: Snap On 1/2" drive impact wrench
2: 1/4" air ratchet
3: Hydrolic press (why? I don't know)
4: Hand held oil pressure gauges
5: Craftsman bolt out set (the eBay deal went south)

 

[Jokeman]

This is a tough one.

1. New box. Most likely a 50ish with a deep top drawer for sockets on hansen trays. Most likely a used one. Dont wanna spend the scratch on a new one since Im a weekend wrench.

2. 3/8 IR TI Impact Gun.

3. Gas bottle for the welder.

4. A project to work on.......

 

[toolfreak]

This is a tough one.

1. New box. Most likely a 50ish with a deep top drawer for sockets on hansen trays. Most likely a used one. Dont wanna spend the scratch on a new one since Im a weekend wrench.

2. 3/8 IR TI Impact Gun.

3. Gas bottle for the welder.

4. A project to work on.......

I hope you have some good impact sockets for the 3/8's IR TI. First day I used mine I broke a Snap on swivel socket after a couple of bolts. It is a very impressive gun. I can't believe I waited as long as I did to upgrade from my snap on im31.

 

[Jokeman]

I hope you have some good impact sockets for the 3/8's IR TI. First day I used mine I broke a Snap on swivel socket after a couple of bolts. It is a very impressive gun. I can't believe I waited as long as I did to upgrade from my snap on im31.

Sounds good to me! Ive been on my 3/8th SK Impacts with a 1/2 impact gun and an adapter. They have held up so far.

 

[boiler7904]

All tools for work around the house:

1. Pancake or twin-tank air compressor - leaning towards a Quincy Air Master series)
2. 18 ga brad nailer
3. 15 or 16 ga finish nailer
4. Ladder - can't decide if I want a regular 20' extension ladder or the 17' Werner version of the Little Giant.
5. Floor Jack

Once those are in hand it's:
1. Snowblower
2. Laser Level
3. Sliding Compound Miter Saw
4. A rolling tool box
5. Tile Saw (wet) - my wife has a lot of tile projects in line for me in the next couple of years.

 

[snorvet]

1. air compressor (looked at sears last night, but couldnt decide which one)
2. cordless drill (Dewalt)
3. socket set
4. floor jack
5. impact gun

 

[SteveU]

1. aircat 90* diegrinder
2. clamp type multimeter
3. good screwdriver set
4. 3/8" nitrocat
5. good vise
6. bench grinder




If you get one of the pancake or twin tank compressors make sure that you get some type of hearing protection, THEY ARE LOUD!!!

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I keep a running log of all the tools I would like to buy, and then decrement them based off need and want (Essential or Enhancing).

These are my top 5. What are yours?

1. MATCO 3/8 Drive metric impact swivel socket set.

2. Snap on Puller set (The one in the cabinet)

3. Engine hanger

4. OTC ball joint kit (USA Made)

5. Snap on 3 drawer tool cart (KRSC30).

Just scratched off the NITROCAT (LOVE IT!!!) and a Fuel injection cleaning kit (Induction service).

-BWP

I was just wondering if others got what they wanted, or kinda shifted like myself?




After being gone for a while I looked back on this old message. I finally did get my:

1. MATCO 3/8 Drive metric impact swivel socket set (Luckily found for a song at a flea market)

2. Snap on puller set (Got on Ebay for 900 bucks!)

3. (Still have not got engine hangar) Guess because I haven't found one at a flea market, or because I haven't really needed one yet!

4. OTC Ball Joint Kit (Got on Ebay for good price)... Highly recommend by the way.

5. (Not going to buy Snap on 3 drawer Tool cart (KRSC30) ). I guess sometimes priorities shift?


Well I have shifted my next 5 to:

1. Plasma Cutter

2. Cordless Milwaukee 28v Impact Gun

3. Right angle impact wrench (Lisle.. Check it out) good for tight spots!

4. DOHC Cam lock (Lisle more than likely)

5. Ethos (New Snap on Diagnostic tool)


-BWP

 

[bmwpower]

1. Snap on screwdriver set...bought
2. Flare Crowsfeet (not sure who)
3. Polished long pattern wrench set (from someone, prob Craftsman)...bought
4. Swivel Vise...bought
5. Some sort of socket set... I have to sort out what I have

Thanks for reminding me.... I just bought a vise!

 

[PhantomEB]

Air over hydro Tube bender
Kick *** tube notcher
Milling machine
Hydro press
Plasma.

 

[jimvannoy]

1 was a OBD-II code reader but I just got one since my service engine light came on in my truck.

2 Planishing hammer

3 English wheel

4 Shrinker/Stretcher

5 Plasma cutter

Well since I postred my list back on 2/14 I have 1, 2, and 4. I think the english wheel will be next.

 

[brianpgriset]

Where'd you get the p-hammer and shrinker/stretcher from?

How do they perform?

 

[brianpgriset]

Oh and I've purchased or made 2, 3, and 5