Tools of the trade

[XYZ]

Hi Gang-

I have been formulating a TOOL wishlist for working on my car. Since christmas is coming I thought the experts out there might be able to help formulate a good list for a set of tools. I will of course be asking for some of these things at christmas. I know there are basics that are needed for auto work and then there are the 'extra's' that make life easier or at least more fun because of the tool. So, I would appreciate your input and I think it will help everyone build up a better tool chest.

Thanks

[mmagnus]

The first one that comes to mind that I just had to run out and get is a 10mil flair nut wrench to open the brake lines. Without it, you will strip the nut. They are a bear to get off of a 32 year old car. Otherwise the usual metric socket set is a must. An air compressor and air tools definately make the work go faster.

Good luck.

[zachb55]

yeah everything on these cars is metric, unless a previous owner replaced with SAE bolts which always sucks cause it leaves you switching around between tools alot. also when i took my brake lines off a 10mm flared wrench didnt even cut it for me, so if you really need to get some parts of then dont forget a quality pair of vice-grips... also if your gonna be doing lots of body work, and repainting then your certainly going to want to get lots of sanding tools, air powered does certainly save alot of time. also a dremel helps you get into all those nooks and crannies and lets you do really nice weld jobs too:classic: . well that should be a good start on your list... oh yeah, if you got money to spare a blast box and a parts cleaner will help.

[Ed]

Santa is bringing me a brand new air compressor.

[clive parker]

Penetrating fluid, Band aids, industrial strength hand cleaner and a sense of humor often come in handy when taking on an old `Z`

[2ManyZs]

Did someone say TOOLS? Hmm, Tim Taylor flashback.....

Socket sets: deep well, shallow well, 3/8 drive, 1/2 in. drive. 6 point! Don't mess with 12 point sockets unless you like rounded off bolt heads....

Wrenches: combination open end and box end. 6 point box end, see reason above....

The best screwdrivers you can afford, don't skimp on these or you'll be drilling a lot of stripped screws, and we all no how many a Z has.

Punch and chisel set, ball peen hammers in a couple differnet sizes

The best set of easy out's and/or a set of left hand drill bits.

Definately the 10mm line wrench.

Can chain tool, clutch alignment tool, head bolt tool, valve adjustment tool, any special service tools for the Z you can afford

Air compressor is nice, along with a 3/8 and 1/2 inch impact, air chisel (for those darn comtrol arm bushings), small rotary cut off tool and sanders if you plan on doing body work....

But most of all a very large garage to fit all the tools into, if you get into the tools like some of us, you might need to move out the car so you have room to buy more tools.....:stupid:

That's a good start..... good luck, it's taken almost 22 years of tinkering on cars for me to collect nearly all the tools I want, and the list of tools I still want is not complete....

[EScanlon]

You can get a pretty comprehensive kit from Sears that has both Metric and Standard socket sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch sizes. Both shallow and deep all in 6 point. About $120.00

Screwdrivers: Again Sears has a good set with most of the sizes in both Phillips and Straight. About $30.00

A good set of pliers; needlenose, regular, pipe (I maybe have the wrong name here). Wire cutters and Dykes.

Vise Grips, 9" and 6" both in standard version and needlenose in the 6".

Clamps, I like the various sizes of the QuickGrip line. Get at least 2 each of the smaller two sizes.

Small Mag-Lite flashlight; a head light will also work.

Safety glasses! or at least a Face Shield.

Dust Masks!

A 3.5 ton jack is sufficient. You can get a high reach or fast lift or heavier base, but there is a small compact unit at Sears with a case for about $80.00

TWO sets of Jack Stands. Trust me you'll find more times you want to lift all four corners of the car than you think. You can get the spendy ones at Sears or go to Harbor Freight Tools and pick up a pair for about $15.00

A good set of Metric Tap and Dies. Again, Sears has a spendy one, and yes they are the better harder sharper steel, but the cost is VERY high, usually starting at $90.00 for a basic set. Harbor Freight has a good 40 piece Metric set for about $25.00 It has almost all the sizes you need and the right pitches. Remember it's not only the size, it's also the pitch of the thread.

A Dremel 395 Pro set. Just about any one of the packaged sets they offer. About $60.00 to $95.00 I prefer the 395 because it's variable speed up to 30k rpm, the digital one is nice, but the speeds are fixed and for the extra money they want.....I don't think it's worth it, about $120.00 Get the one with the most bits and pieces you can get. While you're at it, get several of the wire brushes, not only the cup, but also the wheel and the tip.

A creeper, you'll be spending plenty of time under the car. You can get a real basic one from about $15.00 (on sale) to a real fancy one (about $150.00) with extra low pan, large wheels and an adjustable headrest. You decide.

A Magnetic pick up tool.

A three prong finger pick up tool. (the one you press, it expands three "fingers" they go around the item, then you release and it grips it.)

Two or three different inspection mirrors, in different sizes.

A set of padded knee pads.

A gallon of Orange GoJo.

A bundle or two of shop rags.

A greasy rag can, so you can dump your dirty ones into and reduce the chance of fire. If you are careful you can usually wash your rags with lots of detergent, bleach and degreaser and they'll come out clean, although maybe stained.

There, I've given you what I consider to be the basics. Granted I don't get into the grease mechanics, I'm an old body man, so check what the guys who get into engine work as well.

Good Luck.

[XYZ]

Nice list guys! Keep them coming. That's exactly what I'm looking for! No one has mentioned the micro fiche set yet - I imagine that's a handy tool.

[St.stephen]

Owners of Z cars should not ever be without a MIG welder.

[Britt Boyette]

That's all good stuff but, I want a rotisserie. If anyone has one they would like to loan out for a month or two, let me know.

I've got most of that other stuff and the welder is coming.

Britt Boyette

[phi22b@ck]

You should definitely have a welder.

All the tools listed above, + get a good setof c-clamps and maybe a couple of pipe clamps too, I have used these on more than a few occasions.

A good space heater for the cold days and a fan to help ventilation too.

[carguyinok]

SEARS all the way here. They back up everything the sell all the way. You snap a wrench just take it to the store and walk out with a new one. No waitng for some truck to show up once a week( if your lucky) to get a new one.

One thing no one has said ( that I saw) a cutting torch for cutting and or heating up rusty nut & bolts. Oya sorry we never deal with rusty bolts.