tool envy...or, all I want for Christmas is a...

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:38 pm

I have yet to buy this set, but will either do so or Santa will bring it. It's the Gearwrench Pass Thru series. Ever have a bolt you need to reach but it's in a tight spot that even a 1/4" ratchet with socket can't fit into? This will do the job: Gearwrench Pass Thru 3/8"

Here's a pic:

- AB

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:06 pm

if anyone's interested, Eastwood's running a 25% off sale on Battery Tenders...

http://www.eastwood.com/email/default3. ... ry+Tenders!

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

I got the GearWrench set Aaron mentioned a few years ago. I don't use it often but when I do it is much better than using an open end wrench. I also found that on my old C4. The last spark plug that everyone hates to pull. This thing slid right in there and I had the plug out in 2 minutes with no cuts or bruises.

I got a Motive Power bleeder and it beats the MightyVac stuff and is great when you are alone. I still have Ann come out and pump the pedal a few times at the end if she is around. It just seems to work out better having someone push the pedal.

I just bought that Batter Tender Junior and so far so good. It came with hard wires I can bolt on the batter and leave there. Since the car sits a lot it's worth the $30 for it.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:39 pm

No self respecting workshop/garage is complete without an angle grinder.

My $15 Agrisupply just gave up the ghost.

Which one of these, the Dewalt D28402W 4 1/2", 10 amp angle grinder or the Dewalt DW840K kit with 7", 13 amp angle grinder?

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:55 pm

Graham Jagger wrote:

I got the GearWrench set Aaron mentioned a few years ago. I don't use it often but when I do it is much better than using an open end wrench. I also found that on my old C4. The last spark plug that everyone hates to pull. This thing slid right in there and I had the plug out in 2 minutes with no cuts or bruises.

I got a Motive Power bleeder and it beats the MightyVac stuff and is great when you are alone. I still have Ann come out and pump the pedal a few times at the end if she is around. It just seems to work out better having someone push the pedal.

I just bought that Batter Tender Junior and so far so good. It came with hard wires I can bolt on the batter and leave there. Since the car sits a lot it's worth the $30 for it.

1) good set of "box end" gear wrenches

2) second set of "common tools" for a race toolbox.

3) good, organized tool box for race tools

I'm on the hunt for a decent multi-drawer semi-portable tool box for "race weekend" common tools. I've been using small craftsman tool bags, with one designated for just "brake job tools", and this works well for that, but when I'm at home and need one of those tools, it's a pain in the rear to hunt through loose tools in bags.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

Graham Jagger wrote:

I got the GearWrench set Aaron mentioned a few years ago. I don't use it often but when I do it is much better than using an open end wrench. I also found that on my old C4. The last spark plug that everyone hates to pull. This thing slid right in there and I had the plug out in 2 minutes with no cuts or bruises.

I got a Motive Power bleeder and it beats the MightyVac stuff and is great when you are alone. I still have Ann come out and pump the pedal a few times at the end if she is around. It just seems to work out better having someone push the pedal.

I just bought that Batter Tender Junior and so far so good. It came with hard wires I can bolt on the batter and leave there. Since the car sits a lot it's worth the $30 for it.

1) good set of "box end" gear wrenches

2) second set of "common tools" for a race toolbox.

3) good, organized tool box for race tools

I'm on the hunt for a decent multi-drawer semi-portable tool box for "race weekend" common tools. I've been using small craftsman tool bags, with one designated for just "brake job tools", and this works well for that, but when I'm at home and need one of those tools, it's a pain in the rear to hunt through loose tools in bags.

I don't know if this is "decent" enough but it works perfect for me as a to-track toolbox. Also it's plastic sided (metal drawers) so it's less likely to scratch truck bumpers, etc. $40

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

1) good set of "box end" gear wrenches

On sale, not a bad price. I have these and they get a good workout and so far no problems.
Metric
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 000P?mv=rr
English
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 000P?mv=rr

As for your 2nd set of "common tools". I don't bother. I have a tool box similar to what Mike showed. It's full. That is my track/home tool set. All other tools are hanging up at home as they aren't used that often.

I'm visual and would much rather have a giant peg board and hooks. With all my tools hanging from it so I can see where everything is.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 1:11 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

I don't know if this is "decent" enough but it works perfect for me as a to-track toolbox. Also it's plastic sided (metal drawers) so it's less likely to scratch truck bumpers, etc. $40

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

That rules! Its on my list

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Ryan Holton wrote:

That rules! Its on my list

I have one just like it by Craftsman. If you travel with it, tools can flop around and stage themselves to fall behind the drawers when you pull them out which keeps them from staying closed when the lid is shut. It's not a huge pain to deal with (it's happened twice), but I'd recommend throwing a shop towel or something on top of the drawers to keep the contents from bouncing too much.

Jason Panciera · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:01 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

Marty Howard wrote:

Powerbleeder since you can not count on your spouce/significant other to sit in the car at 2 am to press the brake pedal.

Yeah, my Motive power bleeder is among the most useful tools I own.

Just be sure to inspect and replace the hose on a regular basis....You'd be amazed at how quickly a quart of brake fluid can be blown all over the garage and car when it bursts.....

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:44 pm

Jason Panciera wrote:

Just be sure to inspect and replace the hose on a regular basis....You'd be amazed at how quickly a quart of brake fluid can be blown all over the garage and car when it bursts.....

Maybe they changed the hoses? Mine is several years old now, and I've never changed the hoses, or anything else on it. The hoses on mine are nice and thick, and haven't gotten hard like I've seen bleed hoses sometimes get.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2009 1:48 pm

Another tool that I wouldn't be without: my paint thickness meter. I wouldn't be without it when doing paint correction. It's also proven extremely useful when shopping for used cars - it's a pretty sure fire way to know if a vehicle has been in a body shop. When looking for my truck, and later, when shopping for a car for my aunt, I was able to turn down vehicles before the sales guy even got out of his office chair.

http://www.highlinemeter.com/

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Got one of these a few weeks ago and I _really_ like it. Press halfway to bleed, full to inflate. Wish it had an auto-on feature.

http://www.amazon.com/International-KTI ... 873&sr=8-7

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:28 pm

...but I thought it'd be better than starting a new thread.

Anyone have experience with the InstaJack? Saw it in a recent AutoSport catalog, looks interesting. All the interweb reviews say it does fine but people don't like how it won't jack up their full-size pickup. I figure it might do well for litlle sporty cars--thoughts/opiions/expereinces?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=JQE5BALZEGGCFLAQBBICCN3MCAEFCIWE?id=0046152523068a&type=product&cmCat=froogle&cm_ven=data_feed&cm_cat=froogle&cm_pla=2000502&cm_ite=0046152523068a&_requestid=105973

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 10:58 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

MikeWhitney wrote:

I don't know if this is "decent" enough but it works perfect for me as a to-track toolbox. Also it's plastic sided (metal drawers) so it's less likely to scratch truck bumpers, etc. $40

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

That rules! Its on my list

Since this thread was brought back, I'll add that I bought this Kobalt box and LOVE it. It is big enough to hold all the tools I had been spreading around 3-4 soft-side tool bags, and I can actually find tools MUCH easier. The top is big enough to hold my cordless impact as well, with battery removed and sitting beside it.

If I were to do it again, however, I'd look for one of these (which I found a week after I got the Kobalt). The benefit - full extension ball bearing drawer slides, and much lower cost.

THSCC Forums

tool envy...or, all I want for Christmas is a...

Who is online