scottv
Well-known member
Ok guy's I would like to see your work area's and tools you use for repairing small engine's this is for any one who does it for a living or as a hobby. If you have home made tools for a job feel free to share them. Scott
Small engine tech's tool's and tool boxes
- Thread starter scottv
- Start date
RedBKM
Well-known member
I'm not a small engine mechanic by trade but I will tell you what I've used recently during the annual Spring repair blitz. Seems that every April all my trimmers, mowers, chainsaws, pressure washer etc. is slow out of hibernation.
1. Single D Carb adjusting tool
http://www.amazon.com/Homelite-Part-308535001-Carb-Adjustment/dp/B00DCZBKFO
2. Spark plug sockets
3. Long shaft screwdrivers
5. Rolls of fuel hose
6. Assortment of fuel filters
7. Lots of Ethanol-free gas and high quality 2 cycle oil (if needed)
1. Single D Carb adjusting tool
http://www.amazon.com/Homelite-Part-308535001-Carb-Adjustment/dp/B00DCZBKFO
2. Spark plug sockets
3. Long shaft screwdrivers
5. Rolls of fuel hose
6. Assortment of fuel filters
7. Lots of Ethanol-free gas and high quality 2 cycle oil (if needed)
NeuseRvrRat
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2015
- Messages
- 130
My Dad and I used to build hopped up 5 hp B&S flatheads for kart racing. Got all kinds of special little tools and homemade stuff for fooling around with them.
Nut drivers, 3/8 and 1/4" drive sets, a good multimeter, compression tester, pick, needle nose pliers and a few hollow ground screwdrivers will do the basics and then some. Depending exactly what you are working on, a few specialty tools such as pullers, feeler gauges, caliper, dial indicator.
DieselRiver
Well-known member
While i'm not technically a small engine tech (I work on the bigger stuff 
) I do ocassionly build one up and hot rod it for fun. Theres not too much specialty tools i've found i needed other thing a briggs style valve spring compressor (Side opening in the block)
) I do ocassionly build one up and hot rod it for fun. Theres not too much specialty tools i've found i needed other thing a briggs style valve spring compressor (Side opening in the block)bobcatdan
Well-known member
Outside of normal hand tools, the special wrench for removing recoil starter clutch is very handy. For work space, if you're working on push mowers, tillers and such, a lift table is the way to go. Other then that, spend the money on a good blade balancer.
Farmall450
Well-known member
A point file and some feller gauges/cards for the ignition system.
just like any mechanic it all depends on what you work on. I do this for a living and have way too many tools to list here at this time. The main tools I use is a Torq Wrench and grease gun. After that I suggest getting every puller known to man as you will need them. When I get time I want to do a shop tour for insurance reasons. I might just post it on youtube so it is backed up.
Hook yourself up with Stens, Oregon, or Rotary for parts. For the most part, their parts (even though they are aftermarket) are very good and can save a lot of "curb side" destined units. I have saved a lot of equipment over the years with their stuff.
Milton Shaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,835
Go to Home Depot and get a roll of 28 gauge wire. A 8" piece of it tied to a recoil rope makes it easy to retread it into the housing after you wind the spring up. Its in the picture frame hanging display. Any thing else does not work as well or as cheep as that roll of wire will. Works on mowers, chainsaws, etc anything with a recoil starter. Also one of the BBQ lighters makes it easy to flame the end of the rope to keep it from unraveling. These are two things that will make your day a lot easier. I saw a mechanics stool at Northern the other day that was 4 casters and a seat on a tool box with two drawers and a rack for screwdrivers. That would hold just about all you needed for most repairs. An angle grinder and impact wrench for changing/sharpening blades also should be available.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Get yourself an inline spark plug tester. You can't reliably verify sparking in-cylinder just checking it outside in the open atmosphere. You need one of these inline testers to verify an ignition is working good. It is almost always Fuel or Spark. Eliminate the spark on any engine problem quickly or identify it. If Fuel, start with the carb, so spare carb kits are good for the particular engines you are working on. I'm tempted to break down and get an ultrasonic cleaner for carbs. If not, soak them good for a day or two. There are always some holes that are so small you can hardly even see them. - Paul, small engine hobbyist
If you are going to get a carb adjustment tool get a tac, and an utrasonic cleaner. you should always clean a carburetor before you adjust it. I do this professionally and I use my adjustment tools less then a dozen times a year. Most of the time is is due to someone else adjusting a carb when they should have cleaned it.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Better yet, convert to electronic ignition !
B&S has a kit for their ubiquitous 5 hp horizontal shaft that is quick and easy to install and you can buy on eBay for under $20. My ancient (50+ years old) rototiller now starts on 1 or 2 pulls all of the time,
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pauls_workshop
Well-known member
What do you recommend for a good small engine tach? I need one of those too. - Paul
Everyone I know uses an Opama PET 1100 however as that is the only tac I have ever used and is the same tac that almost everyone I know uses. I feel my opinion is kinda like asking a guy with only snapon in his toolbox what what wrench to buy. Like most small engine shops I acquired an echo 2 cycle repair kit that included this tac, and since it works well I have never looked for a new one. I am sure however they have other ones that work as well. The main requirement that seems hard to find is the high rpms that some 2 cycles require.
pauls_workshop
Well-known member
Thanks, being new to looking for a tach, this is still great info to me ! I'm not a pro, but having a tach would be good. I just love working on small engines as a hobby and fixing stuff up to run good again. - Paul
This is true. Actually, I believe it's just a solid state unit for a newer Briggs, nothing more. They just happened to keep the same bolt pattern after all those years. I have done it, and it works great as noted.