greg928GTS

I would like some advice on what to purchase for tools to work on my GTS.

I'm interested in different brands of tools that you guys have used and which you thought offered good value, and also how to buy the tools, i.e. as a kit or piecemeal.

Pretend I have no mechanics tools and I'd like to outfit my new shop with tools for basic wrenching and maintenance. Where do I start?

FlyingDog

Craftsman, except for torque wrenches. I got a set of Craftsman reversing gear wrenches for my birthday and love them. They feel much better made than any other gear wrenches I've used.

the flyin' scotsman

I started with a full set of metric Craftsman wrenches and sockets; 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive 8mm up to 27mm. Sets of screwdrivers both flat and philips and a set of allan keys. Various pliers needle nose, cutters etc. Then bigger stuff like hammers 8 & 16oz, soft hammer, chisels, punches hacksaw. Specialised measurement tools; feeler guages micrometer, timing light, dial indicator, 'kemp' tool, compression guages, spring compressors etc, etc.

Then over the years I gradually replaced my craftsman sockets with 'Snap On' tools, sets of wrenches and other specialised items to the point I'm got a full rolling mechanics top and bottom box full.

Its a never ending process though; there's always something you 'need'.

pmotts

The Craftsman Gear wrenches are great. You will pay about $40 bucks more for a set than if you buy the Gearwrench brand but they are guaranteed for life. As for the socket sets, make sure and buy extensions in different lengths and the wobbly thingy's.

Rob Edwards

Dunno if your definition of basic includes air tools, but I am really, really happy that I splurged for this air compressor. It is relatively small-footprint, has plenty of oomph (disclaimer- I haven't tried to run a sander or anything high CFM yet, but someday), and (by far) most importantly, it's pretty quiet. Not Kaeser roatry screw compressor quiet, but I didn't need to build an insulating closet. Also, my neighbors love me, as I'm the local compressed air facility for pool toys, etc. Gotta amortize the cost! Oh, and make sure you've got a good 20A circuit to plug it into, it really dims the lights when it kicks in.

greg928GTS

Thanks for the info guys, and especially Malcolm for the specifics.

One thing I've decided is to not use tool boxes. I'm hanging everything on pegboard.

Sounds like I should piecemeal my tools together instead of buying a whole Craftsman tool kit?

the flyin' scotsman

Welcome Greg; as I mentioned though I bought my tools in sets to get started. At the time Sears/Craftsman had very good prices and you should save considerably over buying 'one' wrench at a time. The sets I mention were bought locally in Western Canada, no worries with warranty and I still use many of them today..........I bought the first sets in 1982!.

Forgot to mention other garage stuff you'll need to get the car in the air; a good trolly jack, 4 or more jack stands, air compressor and assorted air tools, brake bleeders, oil drain pans.

Its amazing what you collect over the years.

BTW tool boxes keep you tools dust free and you can lock them for added security/ away from kids & wifes (sorry honey). Then you get to buy them there own and it starts all over.

H2

Get TWO torque wrenches... one about 30-200lbs and another (more important) from 0-40lbs. You'll not strip bolts nearly as often. Best tool investments I made

Harvey

H2

BTW, the cheap torque wrenches are junk and only good for lug nuts, IMO.

HH

greg928GTS

Now you got me thinking how to jack the car up on the same points where you would put the jack stands?

AO

Greg-

I have this small Craftsman 3/8" tool kit. It's the main staple of my tools. I can do just about everything on my car with this kit (with the addtion of a set of Gear Wrenches) - plus I can easily take it with me.

I eventually stepped up and bought a set of 1/2 sockets and now have a 1/2" & 3/8" torque wrenches. I also have a 1/2" breaker bar. A couple of adjustable wrenches and various pliars round out the basic neccessities.

I also have a 35 Gallon single stage air compressor, but I find it's just a bit too weak to drive the impact wrench, so I would either go with a smaller compressor or step up to a larger 2-stage.

Just my $0.928.

pmotts

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/296628-liftbars-get-your-liftbars-here.html

greg928GTS

Cool.

Is there any other way?

greg928GTS

Gear wrenches? Are they the same as ratcheting wrenches?

What should I get for torque wrenches? I recently bought a 1/2" adjustable torque wrench for tightening my lug nuts.

AO

Gear Wrench is a brand... available at mot places (Lowes, Harbor Freight, Sears, etc.). Dave Roberts has thrown out all of his other wrenches and exclusively uses these. They are the best wrench money can buy! I hope the guy who invented them is filthy rich!

The 1/2" torque wrench is fine for the bigger stuff, but you'll find that on some of the smaller nuts and bolts where you only need 20-30 ftlbs, that the 1/2" won't go down that far. That's where the 3/8" comes in handy.