mkrvgoalie
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I am looking to open a classic Fiat Specific repair shop, after I get my auto training at my CC, and was wondering, what the best brand of tools is, for working on classic Fiats are?
best tool brand for Fiat?
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Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Is there something special about Fiats (other than changing your name to "Tony") that require special tools?
In all seriousness, are you talking specialty tools or in general?
In all seriousness, are you talking specialty tools or in general?
Would think the Fist bolts won't know if they are be torques itch an American, German or Japanese wrench. Your customers will likely never see your tools, so why the concern? Get what you can warranty locally and what is readily available.
That would be awesome... I love old Fiats, the Dino Coupe is probably my favourite one.
I don't think there would be a single specific brand of tools you should be looking at, but
with old fiats you will need a good angle grinder, plasma cutter, plenty of sheet steel, a good
welder, good fabrication skills and loads of wire and a good soldering iron.
If it's going to be your own business you should start to make good contacts with people
who can supply you with Fiat parts, and also getting in with a good body shop, if you're not
going to be painting yourself, and a good trimmer.
I suppose brand wise for hand tools, you could buy Beta or USAG... Both Italian and both
very good quality.... You know, Keeps it all in the family...
I don't think there would be a single specific brand of tools you should be looking at, but
with old fiats you will need a good angle grinder, plasma cutter, plenty of sheet steel, a good
welder, good fabrication skills and loads of wire and a good soldering iron.
If it's going to be your own business you should start to make good contacts with people
who can supply you with Fiat parts, and also getting in with a good body shop, if you're not
going to be painting yourself, and a good trimmer.
I suppose brand wise for hand tools, you could buy Beta or USAG... Both Italian and both
very good quality.... You know, Keeps it all in the family...
Hey Buck, you beat me to it...."Fix It Again, Tony"
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
In fairness, older Fiats had some interesting engineering; they were the first car I'd seen with a centrifugal oil filter. It was well designed, and appeared to filter the engine oil quite well.
RM209
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Oooo I don't think so Monte.... That is Stanleys Cheaper brand sold under a myriad of
different names all over the world. I think if you're gonna go Stanley then go USAG.
Much better quality for a pro shop.
mmack66
Well-known member
Snap-On
Lotek
Well-known member
Ummmm...Do you have any experience in auto repair? Running a shop? Is there a need in your local community for a specialty shop like this?
Oooo I don't think so Monte.... That is Stanleys Cheaper brand sold under a myriad of
different names all over the world. I think if you're gonna go Stanley then go USAG.
Much better quality for a pro shop.
but it´s an italian brand
This. Actually might be a good idea, quality tools matter on older vehicles. why strip a bolt with a craftsman wrench when a Snap On woulda turned it just fine. Or a screw/screwdriver.
Fix it Again Tony, haha thats too funny
bassbone52
Well-known member
Man, I never see any old Fiats around here (Indianapolis). I mean never! Maybe the winters ate them up. I had a 124 Spider back in the early 70's. Very advanced - 4 wheel disc brakes, DOHC, 5-speed OD gearbox. But everything about it was so fragile. After two years the gearbox was failing, couldn't keep exhaust manifold gaskets in it, electrical issues. There would be a need for fixing these old timers but one would need to find one first.
OP
mkrvgoalie
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thats what I figure, thing is new 500s are a dime a dozen out by me...so I would figure that the oldies are gonna become more popular sooner.
OP
mkrvgoalie
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sorry bout that guess I shoulda been a lil more specific...
Lotek
Well-known member
Do a business plan, check the market, you might be better served by getting a job at a good indy shop, find out what makes money in your locale, or better yet go back to school for a 4 year or better degree and get a good job. That way you could buy old Fiats (or even Maseratis or Ferarris) and tinker with them as a hobby.
Not trying to be Debbi Downer, but it doesn't seem like you have thought this one through..."If you build it they will come" only works in the movies.
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ex-x-fire
Well-known member
Where are you located? Even in urban, wealthier areas of the American south I hardly ever see Fiats.
I doubt you're talking hardline stuff (if you are, and live in the US: SNAP-ON, duh). You're asking about tools unique to Fiat, right? Asked a friend of mine who has a Spider, he pointed me here:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tools-c-10660.html
I'd also check with USAG, Facom, or maybe some of the German companies on specialty tools.
I doubt you're talking hardline stuff (if you are, and live in the US: SNAP-ON, duh). You're asking about tools unique to Fiat, right? Asked a friend of mine who has a Spider, he pointed me here:
http://www.fiatplus.com/tools-c-10660.html
I'd also check with USAG, Facom, or maybe some of the German companies on specialty tools.
Zelatore
Well-known member
I have no idea where the OP is located, but there are few markets in the US that will support a Fiat specialist. And of those few, places like California, maybe Seattle/Portland areas, probably a limited number of eastern areas as well, most are already served by a local guy.
I saw mention of somebody about Indy. As a former Hoosier myself who used to mess around with funky Italian cars (Alfas in my case, but the principal is the same) I can say very few mid-westerners are exactly fond of anything Italian but the big dogs of Ferrari and Maserati. (never mind that Fiat actually owns them both now, as well as Alfa, and most of the rest of the Italian auto industry) There are a FEW Alfa/Fiat/Lancia types around, but making a living out of servicing them? Good luck.
BTW - I would suggest that if you are serious about working with older Fiats you also include the Alfas and Lancias of the era. Much similarity, and it will open your market a bit.
I saw mention of somebody about Indy. As a former Hoosier myself who used to mess around with funky Italian cars (Alfas in my case, but the principal is the same) I can say very few mid-westerners are exactly fond of anything Italian but the big dogs of Ferrari and Maserati. (never mind that Fiat actually owns them both now, as well as Alfa, and most of the rest of the Italian auto industry) There are a FEW Alfa/Fiat/Lancia types around, but making a living out of servicing them? Good luck.
BTW - I would suggest that if you are serious about working with older Fiats you also include the Alfas and Lancias of the era. Much similarity, and it will open your market a bit.
Zelatore
Well-known member
Oh wait....special tool needed? 11mm wrench.
That should take apart about half of the typical Fiat.
That should take apart about half of the typical Fiat.
Finally , a Fiat thread . I do miss my Dino , but used my everyday SO tools to work on it .
No , not really .The only problem it ever had was a leaking axle seal .
When the guy who bought it drove off , I finally heard the wonderful sounds of the engine.
No , not really .The only problem it ever had was a leaking axle seal .
When the guy who bought it drove off , I finally heard the wonderful sounds of the engine.
OP
mkrvgoalie
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Jagmandave
Well-known member
There aren't a lot of specialty tools you'l need, maybe the double finger tool for pushing down the cups on the single cam engines so you can change the clearance shims and a few things like that. Most of the tools needed are generic, metric tools.
Older Fiats are very easy to work on, with the possible exception of the X1/9 and there aren't many people who will tackle one nowadays, but then there aren't a lot of them around in this country anymore.
Where are you located?
There must be enough of them in your area that you would consider this as a living. As an Automotive teacher at the local CC, I seriously doubt this training will be specific enough to let you make money at working on Fiats for at least the first year or so.
What we teach these days is more geared towards newer American and Japanese cars and trucks, as that's what the majority of our students will be working on as they start their careers.
The older stuff is similar in principal, but far different in execution. No carbs or points/distributors on new cars, for example. If you'e planning on working on the new 500, your best bet is to go to a Fiat dealer and get a job there.
Maybe you could be a little more specific about what you want to work on and how you plan to do it before investing in a bunch of tools that you might not really need?
Older Fiats are very easy to work on, with the possible exception of the X1/9 and there aren't many people who will tackle one nowadays, but then there aren't a lot of them around in this country anymore.
Where are you located?
There must be enough of them in your area that you would consider this as a living. As an Automotive teacher at the local CC, I seriously doubt this training will be specific enough to let you make money at working on Fiats for at least the first year or so.
What we teach these days is more geared towards newer American and Japanese cars and trucks, as that's what the majority of our students will be working on as they start their careers.
The older stuff is similar in principal, but far different in execution. No carbs or points/distributors on new cars, for example. If you'e planning on working on the new 500, your best bet is to go to a Fiat dealer and get a job there.
Maybe you could be a little more specific about what you want to work on and how you plan to do it before investing in a bunch of tools that you might not really need?
marlinspike
Well-known member
It would be neat to use all Beta Utensili.
There have been four 124 Spiders in my family, and I love them, but I would kill for Fiat Dino
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/syi0vS7QoZw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
OP
mkrvgoalie
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look around, do you REALLY see a need to say that?!?!!?
I hate the internet, I really do(or maybe it's idiots like you
)All I did was ask a simple question, you really DONT need to be a **** about it!!!
RalphInCA
Well-known member
look around, do you REALLY see a need to say that?!?!!?
I hate the internet, I really do(or maybe it's idiots like you
All I did was ask a simple question, you really DONT need to be a **** about it!!!
Don't be so sensitive. Especially if you plan to get into the professional wrenching business. This field takes a thick skin.
While worded a little tersely, Mech's comment is actually valid. You seem to be a asking pretty basic question for somebody who wants to be a professional automotive technician specializing in foreign cars.
4xdog
Well-known member
Maybe a ten-foot pole?
(been there -- in the stable years ago, a 1972 Fiat 128. Here's what I did to it at sixteen.)
To the OP:
This book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0947981985/?tag=atomicindustr-21
And Guy's website: http://www.guy-croft.com/
...would be two very useful tools for working on Fiats.
This book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0947981985/?tag=atomicindustr-21
And Guy's website: http://www.guy-croft.com/
...would be two very useful tools for working on Fiats.
OP
mkrvgoalie
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senlow
Well-known member
The best tool brand for a Fiat would be...
Estwing
Estwing
Wasn't trying to be a ****. It's just you asked the question in a web forum. Silly questions get silly answers. All joking aside I would look at getting feet wet, dealer or independent shop. I worked for 4 years at a shop geared towards European cars. I saw Porsche, Audi, vw, the occasional Lamborghini, Bugatti, Alfa. Just pigeonholing yourself into one brand which I assume you like (have one or a fanboy of the brand) will get yourself into a jamb business wise. You have to build the client base (be good and damn good at working on them) but in this economy and how many people really drive one it might be hard to keep a business like that open. This is coming from an ase certified mechanic. Don't limit it to one brand you will be more marketable
And to answer your question any tool with a good lifetime warranty. Doesn't have to be a truck brand. Tooltopia.com is a great site! Any used snap on, Mac, Craftsman from pawn shops, yard sales, eBay are good and build your tool stash up slowly. Don't go into debt for tools.
OP
mkrvgoalie
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fair enough, I am sorry for the lash out. Just having the roughest time with the family.
Lotek
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Jagmandave
Well-known member
And yet you still didn't answer any of our questions, how the heck are we supposed to help you when you ask open ended questions and don't supply any real info?
Here's the answer to the question you asked, the best tool is the one that will do the job.
Here's the answer to the question you asked, the best tool is the one that will do the job.
marlinspike
Well-known member
Someone who likes classic cars can always be made to feel better by www.comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com