1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Since I bought my BMW motorcycle two years ago, I've become a big fan of DIY, and I especially enjoy shopping for and buying tools. Try to buy a tool a month, whether you need one or not, and soon you will have a large collection, plus its easier than buying all the tools you need at one time for a big $ hit (and tools make a great Xmas / B-day gift from the wife)
My opinion, buy based on both quality and price, and shop around, different manufacturers are better at one tool than at another. Brand loyalty is nice, but doesn't help you when a poorly made tool breaks and your engine is in pieces. Buy smaller sets at a time, to save money, not larger sets (like 500 piece mechanics sets, where you will wind up with some poor quality tools), but individual tools, bought one at a time, will cost more. Here's an example:
I purchased a cheap 3/8 ratchet from home depot. After about five uses, it broke. Another cheap ratchet replacement also broke. That's $30 right there. So for items that can break, and that you use frequently, like ratchets, buy quality. I recommend Stahlwille for ratchets, sockets and drivers b/c their ratchets can be fixed (as can some other brands), they are top quality, german engineered, and have very tight tolerances which is important in not stripping bolts (albeit they are a bit pricey). Also, buy sets of drivers, sockets, etc. (e.g., 8 mm through 14 mm) because it usually comes out cheaper than buying one at a time, plus you'll have it there when you need it.
Another example, I just bought an 18 piece metric combination wrench set (12 point seems to be the most common), Craftsman, from sears, for about $50. I just saw a similar set, manufactured by Facom, for $229, and by Stahlwile for about $130! For something like a combo wrench, that can't break and is a fairly simple to manufacture, I'll settle for a name brand that I can trust over price.
Check out http://www.ontool.com for excellent prices, but they don't carry all brands. Most manufacturers also have their own websites.
Have fun!
'95 900 SE v6
posted by 64.2.2...
, Thu, 28 Mar 2002 12:03:26
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