My humble tool collection

[stioc]

I've always been a car nut but it wasn't until about three years ago that I started buying tools and doing my own work on the cars. In the three years I feel I've come a long way from just knowing how to do oil changes to now be able to do more or less anything the cars need i.e. timing belts, waterpump, struts, suspension bushings, differential swaps etc. all thanks to the Internet and helpful folks and sites like this one.

So here're some of the tools that help me maintain our 3 cars. Mostly Craftsman, a couple snap-on. a few harbor freight and some specialty tools.

 

[stioc]

Here's an additional set of tools that I bring with me to the race tracks or long trips.

 

[stioc]

OOPS! almost forgot this guy

 

[Luckydevil]

son of a...

Everytime I see one of these threads I see another tool I need to "complete" my collection.

Nice setup!

 

[bmwpower]

Nice stuff. Shout out to fellow AC owner (I've got a DK20Q).

 

[bmwpower]

Is that green thing a band saw?

 

[stioc]

OK last one.

Luke, thanks...I thought you were going to yell at me for killing your bandwidth with so many pics. I know what you mean though, some of my tools were bought that way and I have yet to use them

BMWPower, I love my AC Hydraulics jack, I think mine is the same model as you. I wanted their long model but I figured it'd be a pain to move around in my tight garage.

Yes, that green thing is a Harbor Freight bandsaw on a home made stand It works great with a good quality blade in it but it doesn't cut 100% straight. The edges look like / instead of | - a couple of mins with a file fixes that.

I haven't used it or my welder for a while since my current single car garage doesn't have a 220v hookup - I really miss not being able to weld stuff together. In fact, I'm thinking of maybe selling it and buying a 110v welder but I'll probably regret it

 

[Major Ramifications]

Very Nice!

 

[ChucksCrib]

Nice collection...........and I'm sure you would tell me ......."it's a ggod start"

 

[awdirtdrifter]

Is that an e36 hood in the first pic?

I'm like you in the sense that I didn't start working on cars till several years ago, but I feel I've come a long way. You mention a couple things that I haven't done yet, but the Internet has been a great source of information. Thanks for sharing.

 

[C_F]

I haven't used it or my welder for a while since my current single car garage doesn't have a 220v hookup - I really miss not being able to weld stuff together. In fact, I'm thinking of maybe selling it and buying a 110v welder but I'll probably regret it

Just go unplug your wife's dryer, she won't mind.


Nice looking tools...which reminds me, I need a new floor jack.

 

[stioc]

Thanks guys, its nothing special but it seems to get the job done. Of course, tools are always a work in progress

Chuck, it sure is nice to be able to fix stuff on my own and most importantly learn new stuff. However, sometimes I get annoyed if the same problem keeps coming back or if something breaks when I'm feeling lazy and not in the mood for fixing it - but overall its great.

Chris, you're dead on, its a 97 328i. It has earned several names from me but lately its a 'cheap man's M3' when its working well or a 'money pit' when I find myself under it 3 weekends in a row for some new 'upgrade'

C_F, the wife usually didn't mind when I did that at our old house but right now we're in an apt

 

[eschoendorff]

... all thanks to the Internet and helpful folks and sites like this one.

Amen to that!!!!

Nice collection so far, Russ...

Next time you're at Sears, look at their pliers down toward the bottom. There are usually 3 different SK pliers down there. Think you might like 'em. The SK Facom needlenose have saved me a couple of times!

BTW... what do you think of HF's "Pittsburgh" impact sockets? Mine are holding up better than expected. They are Taiwan made (not mainland China)... I think the same ones that are branded by Stanley. Just a hunch.

 

[kartracer55]

If your lookin for cheap Sk stuff....

www.thetoolwarehouse.net

I got 300 in impact sockets from the for 130.

Jim

 

[stioc]

eschoendorff and Jim, thanks for the tips, I don't like the long reach needle nose pliers I got from HF. However, my impact sockets are holding up just fine. Although, like most of my tools they too live easy life since they never see rusted/frozen bolts.

I'll be sure to check out the SK stuff. In fact, I've been meaning to buy a few of their items including sockets but I'm not sure if they offer lifetime guarantee on their tools ?

 

[eschoendorff]

eschoendorff and Jim, thanks for the tips, I don't like the long reach needle nose pliers I got from HF. However, my impact sockets are holding up just fine. Although, like most of my tools they too live easy life since they never see rusted/frozen bolts.

I'll be sure to check out the SK stuff. In fact, I've been meaning to buy a few of their items including sockets but I'm not sure if they offer lifetime guarantee on their tools ?

Yes they do. I've used it... I actually shipped a tool back to their main offices in Chicago and they mailed me back a replacement that was much nicer than the original tool. Very pain-free.

Jim's right... check out the SK stuff online. But if you want to see it before you buy it, I know that Sears stocks three of their pliers. Justa thought.

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Yeah SK is good stuff. Better than craftsman. Thanks for the tip on that website.

 

[Luckydevil]

OK last one.

Luke, thanks...I thought you were going to yell at me for killing your bandwidth with so many pics. I know what you mean though, some of my tools were bought that way and I have yet to use them

No worries on the bandwidth, this site has plenty. Post as many pics as you want, everyone likes seeing all the toys.

 

[kartracer55]

Gaurunteed for life like most other USA brands. Their torque wrenches are only a year though, but same deal with snap on, MAC and matco. The only tool I have a problems with are thier bit sockets because they use a wierd spring steel retainging ring clip thing inside for easy bit replacement if needed, and sometimes the bits fall out. I shipped one back, and they shipped another one back very quickly. YOu are fine as long as you dont really wedge in the bit sockets or put a big side load on them. Overall, I rank SK right up there with Snap on, but alot cheaper, and after you use one, you wont be buying anymore knuckle breakers from HF.

SK is a much smaller company than snap on or mac, so thier line isnt as extensive. They still make every hand tool a serious mechanic needs, the only derawback is that they dont make airtools or scan tools, which is a big part of snap ons line. Still My favorite tool brand.

I know people who love thier SK pliers, but the Facom red/black ones they sell are supposed to be very comfortable to use.

Jim

 

[stioc]

Thanks guys. I have these 'tripple square' sockets from SK but I wasn't impressed by them. Tripple square sockets look almost like the hex sockets except they have 12 teeth rather than 6. Well, these SK pieces I have, the hex part of the socket rattles around inside the socket, they could've at least JB welded the darn things in there

 

[kartracer55]

I agree with that. The bit sockets are the one thing im not impressed with about Sks line. The larger ones do come wih set screws like snap ons though. All thier other stuff is very good quality. The idea behind the "removable" bit is that if the bit ever breaks you can simply replace the bit without having to repalce the socket. I guess it saves them money. You cant deny the rest of thier lines quality though


Jim

 

[Swift]

Wow! There's nothing humble about your tool collection. Looks like you have everything to maintain your 3 cars. Love the pics and the tools.

 

[tonydanzah]

how about a 5 year update?