I don't know about you but I dream tools

[tsbt]

I've got a modest collection of tools, slowly growing with each fix. Saw a sexy torque wrench on youtube the other day by Snapon that got my heart rate up  :drool:. And it got me thinking...who makes the best tools? Do the best tools matter? And what tools should one invest in? And at some point the toolbox matters as these accumulate, who makes the best toolbox? Okay lots of questions. Just curious what other Brickers think  :mbird

Nerdvision:

c

[Photog]

IMHO, you should buy the best tools you can afford. Bad tools in the hands of a good mechanic are a much better combination than poor tools in the hands of a inexperienced mechanic.

Snap On makes good stuff, but most of it has always been beyond my ability to buy it, so Craftsman has been my choice for a long time.
However, recently their stuff doesn't seem to be what it once was, and I'll probably look more closely at SnapOn or maybe Mac in the future.

Fortunately, I already own most of what I need, but excuses for new tools are always nice. :lol:

[frankenduck]

I dream of somebody else doing the work for me. (With the right tools, of course.)

[CRASH]

Just curious, what makes this particular torque wrench so sexy?  Looks pretty average to me. I have a couple of different brands quite similar.  Now, a nice digital torque wrench would make me salivate.

Buy the best quality tool (not necessarily the most expensive) that you can afford.  A good tool often makes the job far easier and less frustrating than "making do" with some cheap piece of junk (says the man with a Chinese bike lift that works fantastic).  If you are doing a once in a lifetime project ... A - don't believe that ... once you do it once, you will probably do it again and B) if it really is a low probability, don't spend a fortune on a tool, get something just good enough unless you plan to sell the expensive tool later.  When a specialty tool is called out, I have learned about 90% of the time, that tool really is necessary to maintain your sanity.  Sometimes you can make a specialty tool. I have scores of weird tools - I had more before my Snap On Roll Away was rolled away by thieves.  Which brings me to my next point - you never really own anything, even if you paid for it ... you are just the one that has it in your possession at the time.  If you do invest a lot in tools, make sure your home owners insurance will cover them. When my Snap On box was stolen, I was young and a renter ... the renters insurance did not cover the $15k in tools that I lost.  Where I live now ... for anyone to even find the place is a miracle ... so having anyone find the bodies after I shot and dismembered them would be just as challenging.  As for a box ... having lost a really expensive box in my life, as long as I have some form of organization, a box is a box to me.

Last thing ... if there is a tool that you have always wanted ... figure out a way to get it ... if you wait, you will kick yourself for waiting so long.  I changed tires on Oil Drums for far too many years before I bought my tire changer and there is nothing like turning a 15 minute fight into a 2 minute "pop" - especially when tires last 4k to 5k miles and I ride 25k+ a year.

[johnny]

what tool do you use to dismember dirt bags... reciprocating rotary or other...

j o

[CRASH]

what tool do you use to dismember dirt bags... reciprocating rotary or other...

j o

It all depends on just how pissed off they made me ...

[thebob]

I often have tool fetishes. The BMW kit is a good start, but with a reasonable set of combination wrenches, a reasonable 6 point socket set, a torque wrench and a few other parts you can do most jobs.

In Japan we have a chain called Astro Tools The site is in Japanese but you will get the idea. I can spend hours in here just fondling tools I'd like to buy.

http://www.astro-p.co.jp/

[tsbt]

Just curious, what makes this particular torque wrench so sexy?  Looks pretty average to me. I have a couple of different brands quite similar. 

Love the enthusiasm Crash. Bummer about your Snap-on box. It's like owning a lot of rare gems. I guess I like the crosshatched stainless steel handle and the simplicity of design, how they sound when they snap. They probably make way better Torque Wrenches with ridiculous price tags. I once had a friend who was an automotive mechanic and had a running tab with the Snap-on guy, every time that truck pulled in he couldn't help himself but buy something new and shiny. Because of this habit he got all this free gak, shirts, jackets, and had a pretty spectacular spread in his box. When that drawer slid out it was like going to Man World.

I have mostly Craftsman and some Canadian Tire stuff, a bunch of hand me downs, one step at a time I guess. When the need arrises though I always dig through catalogs and dream.

I often have tool fetishes. The BMW kit is a good start, but with a reasonable set of combination wrenches, a reasonable 6 point socket set, a torque wrench and a few other parts you can do most jobs.

In Japan we have a chain called Astro Tools The site is in Japanese but you will get the idea. I can spend hours in here just fondling tools I'd like to buy.

http://www.astro-p.co.jp/

Interesting, thebob. This one is sleek: http://www.astro-p.co.jp/cgi-bin/search/newitem.cgi?2002000021281

c

[DRxBMW]

Love the enthusiasm Crash. Bummer about your Snap-on box. It's like owning a lot of rare gems.

My fav tool caddy is an ex hospital "rolling pharmacy" pill cart. Ball bearing loaded drawers,3 outside shelves for chemical storage, ____ cat's ass,all stainless. 

Ferno Illle/Market Forge manufacture,read expensive. I'll NEVER unload it period.  Procured for $15,employment perk during renovation. 



Plus, I have extra modules that are interchangeable,impressive engineering.

911 diagnostic reader for the GS would be a neat gizmo. 



rain,rain, and more rain here in the Mid Atlantic.

[mystic red]

The one tool that makes all the other ones easier to use.



BTW, Gary, all those blue cabinets across the front of the shop are from the horsepistol where my wife works.
All I added was the bench top.

[DRxBMW]

BTW, Gary, all those blue cabinets across the front of the shop are from the horsepistol where my wife works.
All I added was the bench top.

Ya, I was always amazed on what the hospital threw in the dumpster.  Granted, some of the items were recycled but still. Ha, I have a stainless collection in my basement after they gutted the OR suite.  BIG ass portable operating lights now used for stage props.

Kewl looking shop RED __________________.

[CRASH]

The one tool that makes all the other ones easier to use.

I like your front wheel clamp much better than mine.  I need to modify it.

[tsbt]

Sweet shop Red, that's like a church!!!

[mjydrafter]

Hi, my name is mjydrafter, and I have a tool problem... :neener:

I love all tools, but when you can start making your own, it becomes really addicting.  I have had a few failures (my homemade manometer comes to mind), but my carb sync' wrench worked well, and my clutch holding vise grips work great as well.  I even made a flywheel remover for my now-gone KLR out of an old socket and a 22mm truck wheel stud.



Here is a pic of the world's most over engineered spoke wrench I whipped up.  Made out of 0-1 tool steel, parkerized, and completed with an oak handle:


But my most valuable tools are my welder, milling machine, and lathe.  With those you can make just about anything.

edit to add: I will mention one nice thing about cheap tools, I would have a big problem modifying a snap-on, Mac, or even some craftsmen tools, but the cheapies, no problem. cut parts off, weld new parts on, etc... :yes

[thebob]

Interesting, thebob. This one is sleek: http://www.astro-p.co.jp/cgi-bin/search/newitem.cgi?2002000021281

Yeah! that one is about $35. Roller ratchet so it doesn't click.

This is an awesome tool!