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Re: New DIYer - What kind of tools do I need? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 7 Dec 2004 06:24:12
In Reply to: New DIYer - What kind of tools do I need?, 1993 Turbo, Mon, 6 Dec 2004 23:09:11 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Don't bother with the Chilton's - get the Bentley - it's the best tool you can have.
A digital voltmeter is invaluable. Don't overspend and get sucked in by one with stuff you'll never use - get something basic. If you outgrow it and need a fancier one, you'll have a spare for the toolbox.
A good floor jack and jack stands. You don't need a huge floor jack that'll be big and heavy - a 1 1/2 or 2 ton is plenty. Two things to look for - one that goes low, and has at least a 17" lift. For jack stands, get adjustable ones. And two blocks of wood for chocks.
As to tool brands, there are a lot out there. Don't get cheap, usually Chinese-made tools. Many of them are softer than the bolts you'll work on. You can't go wrong with Craftsman. Since it's Christmas, Sears is having sales. I'd recommend getting one of their multi-piece tool sets - standard and metric sockets and ratchets. You'll need 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". These will give you a complete set from 6 mm up to 20 or 22 mm. That's a good start. Usually comes in a nice plastic case, and you can pick it up for a little over $100. As to odd size, sockets, wait until you need them - don't tool up to replace wheel hubs or harmonic balancer pulleys if you never need to.
A 1/2" breaker bar - an 18" shaft with a universal joint on the end for a socket - is invaluable.
Get a set of screwdrivers - nothing fancy, just phillips and slot. You don't need 47 sizes from really short to way too long. A couple will do.
Get a Torx set. At a minimum, get a set of Torx sockets you can put on the end of your 1/8 ratchet. size 15 up to 40; up to 50 if you can. Another valuable thing is a set of torx drivers - these look like screwdrivers, but have torx on the end. The advantage over torx sockets is that they are thinner, and the end won't fall off in a tight space.
And yes, a torque wrench. You don't need a fancy digital model. Just a nice 'click' type. I recommend a larger one, 20 to 150 lb-feet. That covers just about anything you need, especially the important stuff like wheel lug bolts (85 ft-lbs). If you end up needing less than 20 ft-lbs (like valve cover bolts), get a 'beam' type - it's got a beam that bends, and a pointer on a scale. Cheap and easy.
OK, so you get the Craftsman socket/wrench set, some torx drivers, a way to safely jack up and secure the car, and a meter and torque wrench. That's pretty good damage for now.
That's general stuff. for fancy stuff, wait until you need it.
And last, but not least, an oil filter wrench and an oil drain pan.
posted by 192.249....
, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 11:35:55
, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 08:10:55, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 08:11:32, Tue, 7 Dec 2004 06:24:12 <-- Viewing This Message
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