Show your new tool arrivals

[LXCam]

And the 13mm is dirty.......Ford?

Ya I’m a bit pissed off about that. There are two of my guys who I allow access to all my tools. One of them obviously used it with an impact guy and didn’t seat it so the first 1/8” is damaged. The dirty part is a different conversation.

I don't know if I could sleep at night knowing there was a missing size. I could give myself a pass on the 20mm, but once in the dim past I once used a 9mm socket.

I’m with ya, I hate sets that aren’t complete. And just like yourself, I remember the one time I used a 9mm wrench … I felt vindicated

But don’t discount the ever elusive 20mm. When I built Ralph Gilles Pacifica minivan I got to use both the wrench and socket on the rear camber adjusters..

 

[DAustin]

Ya I’m a bit pissed off about that. There are two of my guys who I allow access to all my tools. One of them obviously used it with an impact guy and didn’t seat it so the first 1/8” is damaged. The dirty part is a different conversation.


I’m with ya, I hate sets that aren’t complete. And just like yourself, I remember the one time I used a 9mm wrench … I felt vindicated

But don’t discount the ever elusive 20mm. When I built Ralph Gilles Pacifica minivan I got to use both the wrench and socket on the rear camber adjusters..

Damn, now I'll have to go buy a 20mm. Just in case.

 

[LXCam]

Damn, now I'll have to go buy a 20mm. Just in case.

One should always be prepared for the minivan soccer mom crowd

You want me to do WHAT to a minivan?!!!!

Recently I got hit up to complete a air ride install on a minivan. Call me a prude or even a ****, but I don't touch no stinking minivans. Gosh darn it if I'm gonna work on it, it's going to have a V8, haul flipping *** and FOR SURE they'll be noooooo sliding side door. :thefinger :lol...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[ChefRex]

10mmx1.00 taps and die to modify my fuel inlet, still have a clearance issue will probably need to turn the mag out.

 

[Beerhippie]

9mm has many uses. For instance... something... I know I've used one... somewhere? Oh, yeah, it's the next size above 8mm!

I remembered!

The electrical terminals on a Euromotor-brand gearmotor for a conveyor we had used 9mm nuts! We don't have that one anymore....

 

[Squankum]

10mmx1.00 taps and die to modify my fuel inlet, still have a clearance issue will probably need to turn the mag out.

Banjo fitting too thick? Can it be filed carefully?

Also, if it won't start, check your plug wires.

 

[Professor Gascan]

Grabbed the 3/8 and 1/2 long flex head rachets from advance auto. Seemed to be the best deal I could find for a pair of stout, long pattern, fine tooth f.h. ratchets. Surprisingly nice feel to the mechanism for the money.

 

[ChefRex]

Banjo fitting too thick?

It clears the cover no problem but it hits the plug wire posts when advancing or retarding

 

[Squankum]

I remembered!

The electrical terminals on a Euromotor-brand gear drive motor for a conveyor we had used 9mm nuts! We don't have that one anymore....

I have a mid-80's VW that... well, let's just say that when I found GJ and people were saying, "Well I have a Honda, so I only need..." and "Well, I drive Fords, so these four sizes..." And I was totally baffled. Why don't I know what sizes my car uses?

Then I realized, I never learned the pattern because there was no pattern. Thinking about it today, probably not 16mm. Off the top of my head, 7, 10 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 And I'm not at all sure about 6, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21 there. There's a small cover plate by the bellhousing/inner CV that uses tiny bolts but of two different sizes to get your attention for some good reason. 7mm is brake bleeder screws, which might be larger sizes if replaced...

 

[Squankum]

It clears the cover no problem but it hits the plug wire posts when advancing or retarding

Well, maybe you could take inspiration from Porsche and offset your distributor, all you merely need is a small Gilmer belt and toothed cogs. Now, there's ozone inside there so you will need a vent pipe for the distributor cap and...

 

[Beerhippie]

I have a mid-80's VW that... well, let's just say that when I found GJ and people were saying, "Well I have a Honda, so I only need..." and "Well, I drive Fords, so these four sizes..." And I was totally baffled. Why don't I know what sizes my car uses?

Then I realized, I never learned the pattern because there was no pattern. Thinking about it today, probably not 16mm. Off the top of my head, 7, 10 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 And I'm not at all sure about 6, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21 there. There's a small cover plate by the bellhousing/inner CV that uses tiny bolts but of two different sizes to get your attention for some good reason. 7mm is brake bleeder screws, which might be larger sizes if replaced...

I DDed a '85 Vanagon for over twenty years, and will do so again when my ship comes in. I feel your pain!

My favorite repair was replacing the front heater core. I looked for You Tube videos on how to do it, and my favorite had an opening banner that read "You might want to consider buying a new van before attempting this repair." No kidding--the procedure is basically "Remove vehicle from heater core."

 

[Wiz02]

I DDed a '85 Vanagon for over twenty years, and will do so again when my ship comes in. I feel your pain!

My favorite repair was replacing the front heater core. I looked for You Tube videos on how to do it, and my favorite had an opening banner that read "You might want to consider buying a new van before attempting this repair." No kidding--the procedure is basically "Remove vehicle from heater core."

Don’t all vehicle assembly lines start by suspending a heater core in mid air and building the vehicle around it?

 

[WNYflyer]

Was looking for a cheap socket set to throw in one of my vehicles so found at Advance Auto a set on clearance. 68 piece 1/4" & 3/8" drive in SAE & Metric, item # DHP55149. Not in stock at my local Advance but in stock at an Advance in the area of today's errands. Online at $37 + tax. Looks to be rebranded GearWrench set #83000

 

[DAustin]

I have a mid-80's VW that... well, let's just say that when I found GJ and people were saying, "Well I have a Honda, so I only need..." and "Well, I drive Fords, so these four sizes..." And I was totally baffled. Why don't I know what sizes my car uses?

Then I realized, I never learned the pattern because there was no pattern. Thinking about it today, probably not 16mm. Off the top of my head, 7, 10 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 And I'm not at all sure about 6, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21 there. There's a small cover plate by the bellhousing/inner CV that uses tiny bolts but of two different sizes to get your attention for some good reason. 7mm is brake bleeder screws, which might be larger sizes if replaced...

I had some old 60s and 70s VW Bugs, and it seems like every other nut and bolt was a 10mm or 13mm. But I still needed 7,8,11,14,15,17,19,21. I guess they have changed some of the DIN sizes now, so you now need 16 and 18mm.

 

[Squankum]

Now, maybe I just got this so I would always remember the cheapest Knipex product I ever bought. Amazon, $5.99.




Not forged out of metal in Germany, so, yeah, Taiwan. Probably $1.20 from some other source.





The teeth are pretty crisp and grabby. The bits in the middle don't lock it shut, just bottoming-out stops.
Really can't have enough fiddly little tools for odd situations.

 

[Squankum]

I DDed a '85 Vanagon for over twenty years, and will do so again when my ship comes in. I feel your pain!

My favorite repair was replacing the front heater core. I looked for You Tube videos on how to do it, and my favorite had an opening banner that read "You might want to consider buying a new van before attempting this repair." No kidding--the procedure is basically "Remove vehicle from heater core."

I see your Vanagon wasserboxer and raise you a Quantum Syncro heater core!

Internet wisdom included:
a) can you think of another way to build a battery tray?
and
b) "remove right front wheel, A-arm, strut..."

 

[mikeinri]

And now I notice the trigger lock on the bottom of the grip so I didn't need the quick-clamp....

I don't use the corded drills much anymore, except for things like this where the drill needs to run continuously under load for up to ten or fifteen minutes at a time... if you want to see what the Magic Smoke inside your cordless drill looks like, try that. Besides, that Skil corded drill cost like $25. If the smoke gets out, there are more where that one came from.

I've done the drill pump thing quite a few times with an old corded Craftsman drill, except it was for a king sized water bed mattress. That takes some time...

Mike

 

[jade97]

 

[Beerhippie]

I have a mid-80's VW that... well, let's just say that when I found GJ and people were saying, "Well I have a Honda, so I only need..." and "Well, I drive Fords, so these four sizes..." And I was totally baffled. Why don't I know what sizes my car uses?

Then I realized, I never learned the pattern because there was no pattern. Thinking about it today, probably not 16mm. Off the top of my head, 7, 10 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 And I'm not at all sure about 6, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21 there. There's a small cover plate by the bellhousing/inner CV that uses tiny bolts but of two different sizes to get your attention for some good reason. 7mm is brake bleeder screws, which might be larger sizes if replaced...

16mm is the oil drain plug on the '89 2100 engine I put into the '85 Vanagon--but 5/8" works just fine in a pinch. The rest of those sizes you list are standard for older VWs.

 

[Beerhippie]

Don’t all vehicle assembly lines start by suspending a heater core in mid air and building the vehicle around it?

That or the starter motor.

 

[swsman]

Already have the 5in orbital and have been hard on it. Still going but I figured I should grab another... just in case for $20

I missed this one earlier in the week, thanks for posting that.

Picked up the sander and some supplies for it, as well as a few boxes of ceramic magnets for a small project with my tool box.

Now all of my Capri extra long wrenches are easier to get to in one place.

 

[Squankum]

That or the starter motor.

I hear that modern times have made all our past tales of suffering quaint. And by modern times, I mean, "VW Touareg V-10 TDI." The car is said to have been built around the engine to about the degree of the old Mercedes R129 V-12 SL600 convertibles.

 

[hobie18]

Don’t all vehicle assembly lines start by suspending a heater core in mid air and building the vehicle around it?

Can only like once.
Therefore:

 

[hobie18]

I've done the drill pump thing quite a few times with an old corded Craftsman drill, except it was for a king sized water bed mattress. That takes some time...

Mike

Long hose to basement drain or... create suction, let flow. Works great.

 

[hobie18]

9mm for the front tonneau cover bolts by windshield.

 

[Squankum]

Long hose tobbasement drain or... create suction, let flow. Works great.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I siphoned mine, back in the day. It was a long project but once it was started, not much work.

 

[Squankum]

That or the starter motor.

Some modern cars are having the starter in the valley of the V-6?/V-8. Under the intake manifold. This keeps them cooler than near an exhaust downpipe, but you'll never give it a tap when it acts up.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Wife wanted to stop a walmart in a different town to see if they had something that the local store didn't have. I picked these up from the tool section.

 

[Skyman]

There are fasteners on many vintage Schwinns that require 9mm tools.

 

[Skyman]

Some modern cars are having the starter in the valley of the V-6?/V-8. Under the intake manifold. This keeps them cooler than near an exhaust downpipe, but you'll never give it a tap when it acts up.

Yeah, and it's gonna be more than a coupla wires and a coupla bolts to deal with when it becomes necessary to replace that when it fails.

 

[Meursault74]

There are fasteners on many vintage Schwinns that require 9mm tools.

I have a Shimano Alivio (90's) rear derailleur with a 9mm hex nut for the cable pinch bolt. First bike tool kit I bought (assortment of bike specific tools) came with a small double open-ended wrench. One side 10mm the other 9mm. The Cantilever brakes on that bike take the 10mm. After that bike, everything else was hex key.

 

[Beerhippie]

Long hose tobbasement drain or... create suction, let flow. Works great.

Hell, it's easy to drain a water bed! Just hook up a hose sealed to the filler tube, throw the hose out of a window and lie down on the mattress. Self-starting siphon!

Just don't ever think it would be a good idea to put a queen-size water bed mattress in the back of a van... that was a really bad idea. There may have been psychoactive substances involved.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Dynabrade DS53 3" grinder and a Dynabrade 59025 DA




Tooling up to start on my 1965 Corvair retirement project car
Next up will be a Hobart 210 MVP welder

 

[PelicanPines]

If we all just invested in a good set of adjustable wrenches... we wouldn't need all of these ratchets and sockets... just saying.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Dynabrade DS53 3" grinder and a Dynabrade 59025 DA




Tooling up to start on my 1965 Corvair retirement project car
Next up will be a Hobart 210 MVP welder

I'd like to know how that 3" grinder works out.

If you're looking for a 210MVP, most places have it for about $1150. Cyberweld includes the spoolgun for $1300.

Hobart Handler 210 MVP w/SpoolRunner 100 951787

Hobart Handler® 210 MVP with SpoolRunner™ 100 MIG Welding Package 951787The Hobart® Handler® 210 MVP™ MIG Welder with SpoolRunner™ 100 spool gun is a complete 210 amp MIG welding package. This portable system has the output to handle 3/8 in. thick mild steel and enough control for 24 gauge...

store.cyberweld.com

 

[Beerhippie]

Some modern cars are having the starter in the valley of the V-6?/V-8. Under the intake manifold. This keeps them cooler than near an exhaust downpipe, but you'll never give it a tap when it acts up.

So, they build the engine around the starter motor, then build the car around the engine. Clever little beavers!

 

[Squankum]

If we all just invested in a good set of adjustable wrenches... we wouldn't need all of these ratchets and sockets... just saying.

That's right!

 

[Outahere]

Bought a few magnetic sockets from Zoro and Amazon over the last 4 weeks, five in 1/4" drive and one in 3/8" drive. They range in price from $6 to $11 each.
From left to right:
1/4" Proto, made in USA
9/32" Sunex, made in Taiwan
5/16" Grey Pneumatic, made in Taiwan
11/32" Sunex, made in Taiwan
3/8" Sunex, made in Taiwan
7/16" Sunex, made in China




The $11 Proto (far left) has a hybrid battery mixed with nylon. It is noticeably weaker than the smaller Sunex magnet next to it, when tested with a 1/4" hex bit. The magnet in the made-in-China Sunex (far right) is noticeably weaker than the same diameter magnet in my made-in-Taiwan Sunex 11mm socket.


Finding a strong 1/4" magnetic socket to use with hex head sheet metal screws is a challenge. I bought, and returned to Amazon, a made-in-China Sunex and a made-in-Taiwan Grey Pneumatic. The magnet in the Sunex was too deeply recessed to hang onto a screw, and the magnet was not secured inside the socket. The magnet in the Grey Pneumatic was ridiculously tiny (around 2.5mm diameter) and would not retain a screw. That left me with the Proto and its hybrid magnet. Here it is next to my old "no name" 1/4" Taiwan socket. The Proto has substantially less strength than the old socket with its large magnet, but can still do a decent, but not great, job of holding on to a screw.



I don't remember where or when I bought my old Taiwan socket, but it could have been over 20 years ago. It does have impressive magnetic strength. On it is side it has an inverted vee, over the letter G, and to the side of it are the letters CT or CI. A google search did not turn up a Taiwan manufacturer with that name.

 

[WWheeler]

Some modern cars are having the starter in the valley of the V-6?/V-8. Under the intake manifold. This keeps them cooler than near an exhaust downpipe, but you'll never give it a tap when it acts up.

Yeah, I've been blessed with doing a couple Toyota/Lexus 4.7Ls and a Caddy Northstar 4.6L with starters under the intake just like that. The Toyotas have a coolant bypass pipe on the back by the firewall that needs removed that had me stumped trying to figure out what combination of tools and tactics it was going to take to get at those bolts I couldn't even see or get my fingers on. After wasting a day cussing I finally stumbled onto this <3min YT video that saved the day for me.

 

[Etchase]

$4.50 on Amazon haul a couple weeks ago. $9 now. Haul started out giving 60% discounts, which dropped to 50%, and now are gone entirely. Not really a deal anymore. I like these.