Help on designing a set of tools

[bczygan]

OK,
Here's the deal. I need to design a list of tools for myself and start to acquire them. It's me and my wife, early 60's. One car (Astrovan), 3 motorcycles, 4 boats, 20 pop up, camping and utility trailers and 10 bicycles in an average city lot 2 story colonial. I have no background in mechanics, but a year as a machinist. Want to set up a woodworking/metalworking shop and facilities to do my own car repairs including things like water pumps, alternators, brakes etc. No major engine or trans rebuilds or swaps. Money is an object but I know the value and joy of using quality tools and working on quality engineered machines (I have some top of the line bicycles). I also have 3 Ultralight airplanes (One a project plane) and want to work on them. What to include in the shopping list? I have the usual Cman and some Husky stuff scattered throughout the entire house, garage and storage sheds. I need to get organized and equipped. Time to work indoors rather than on the curb and to have my tools where they can be found in less than a week.
You guys on here are the experts on which tools, cabinets and equipment give the most bang for the buck and which particular brand, model, style etc. are the choices to make. I'm looking for user, not collector stuff.

Some things I have:
Bridgeport
2 South Bend Lathes
Many Vises
HF Press
Engine stand
Engine hoist
Big *** horiz. 3ph compressor
Misc. woodworking power and hand tools

Bill

 

[crewchief888]

1. clear out a place to organize your tools
2. find ALL your tools
3. seperate everyting into piles by type
automotive
home improvment
plumbing
electrical
wood working
metal working
4. organize, organize, organize
5. organize some more.

byhaving everything together, you should be able to tell how much storage you'll need for what you have.

just a suggestion, & my $0.02

 

[Jim C.]

That's a pretty broad question. How do you have all those vehicles, some heavy machinery, and hand tools scattered sound your house and not know what you need? If you have airplanes and campers and bikes etc., and want to work on them, don't you know what you need to do that? Maybe you don't need any more tools. Maybe you need some organization.

A collection of tools is a lifetime acquisition. You buy what you need when you need it. Buy the best you can afford and go from there. What you need will totally depend on what type of work you're planning to do. I guess you need everything.

 

[bczygan]

1. clear out a place to organize your tools
2. find ALL your tools
3. seperate everyting into piles by type
automotive
home improvment
plumbing
electrical
wood working
metal working
4. organize, organize, organize
5. organize some more.

byhaving everything together, you should be able to tell how much storage you'll need for what you have.

just a suggestion, & my $0.02

That's a pretty broad question. How do you have all those vehicles, some heavy machinery, and hand tools scattered sound your house and not know what you need? If you have airplanes and campers and bikes etc., and want to work on them, don't you know what you need to do that? Maybe you don't need any more tools. Maybe you need some organization.

A collection of tools is a lifetime acquisition. You buy what you need when you need it. Buy the best you can afford and go from there. What you need will totally depend on what type of work you're planning to do. I guess you need everything.

Thanks guys. You are right. I haven't given my tools their due. I don't even have dedicated storage places for any of them. They just end up everywhere. I even found a socket in the back yard. Time to do A LOT of work and analysis. I need to read all the threads on here on tools, equipment and storage. Start making a have and a need list.

Bill

 

[reptilezs]

for your bicycle tools i would set up a specific area or tool box with those tools. running around finding allens and screwdrivers while working on the bike is a pain. most of the bicycle specific tools will come from park tool. i would avoid most of pedro's tools and the imports. i would defiantly get a pair of knipex plier wrenches if working on bikes. bondhus allens/t handles. torque wrenchs

 

[greenreese]

What kind of bikes ya got?

 

[crewchief888]

Thanks guys. You are right. I haven't given my tools their due. I don't even have dedicated storage places for any of them. They just end up everywhere. I even found a socket in the back yard. Time to do A LOT of work and analysis. I need to read all the threads on here on tools, equipment and storage. Start making a have and a need list.

Bill

being organized takes the stress out of working.
i have tools and toolboxes in 3 different locations, at work, in my service truck and at home.
all my tools are organized pretty much the same in all 3 setups. std & metric wrenches in the same drawers, screwdrivers, pliers ect all in the same drawer location. i know when i reach into the top long drawer in any of my boxes, i'm grabbing a std wrench 3/8-1".



helps me keep my sanity

 

[bczygan]

What kind of bikes ya got?

Well, I shouldn't have said they were real fancy, in fact, they are real old, mostly steel frames, nothing like today's super bikes......Road bikes: Raleigh Pro, Raleigh Competition GS, Schwinn LeTour , Mongoose Carbon Fiber mountain bikes, a bunch of Alum. mountain bikes from Mackinaw Island rental and a Guerciotti (picked up for $20 at Salvation Army!).

Bill

 

[dwm]

Given that you're finding sockets in the grass , I'd say you could use a decent 26" roller right away. Even if it's nowhere near enough to hold all of your hand tools, it's a start and 26" rollers are easily repurposed later for bring-the-tools-to-the-work tasks. I don't think any home DIYer should be without one. You don't need a big-dollar one, though I'd suggest one with ball-bearing slides.

 

[bczygan]

Given that you're finding sockets in the grass , I'd say you could use a decent 26" roller right away.

You made me chuckle with that one!!! And good advice. I'm looking at CL right now. What brands would you suggest? I am also looking for tackle boxes and plastic tool boxes. Anything to organize for specific tasks.

Bill

 

[kc-steve]

Given the facts that you "have no background in mechanics, but a year as a machinist. Want to set up a woodworking/metalworking shop and facilities . . ." I would say first slooow down and think about what you intend to do.

Right off the top I can see a BIG problem mixing a wood shop with a metal shop. The likelihood of a fire is extremely high.

Steve

 

[bczygan]

Given the facts that you "have no background in mechanics, but a year as a machinist. Want to set up a woodworking/metalworking shop and facilities . . ." I would say first slooow down and think about what you intend to do.

Right off the top I can see a BIG problem mixing a wood shop with a metal shop. The likelihood of a fire is extremely high.

Steve

Boy Steve,
You haven't seen my house, garage, yard and 7 sheds........The likelihood of a fire here is extremely high EVERYWHERE!

Seriously, I will separate, compartmentalize, organize and plan out everything carefully. Suggestions very welcome!

Bill