bimmerjeeper
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- USA
I just got an XJ, and it looks like I am going to need to add a few new tools to my collection (like stuff to deal with rusted bolts) I just need help in picking one from each group.
So, I am hoping someone here knows which tools are worth spending more on, and which are fine to stick with the cheaper stuff. I just need "good enough", but I do not want to to buy junk that breaks. Some of these tools I may never even use. Yes, a $400 ratchet handle would be nice, but my $150 Craftsman 355 piece socket set has been fine for my basic uses. I can't spend $10,000 on pro quality tools (Snap-on, Matco, etc) Anything job that requires pro caliber tools is probably out of my league anyway. The heavy lifting is shopped out to a real mechanic anyway. I am a "tune up" kind of guy. I have plenty of light-duty stuff from Harbor Freight that has worked fine for me. In some cases, getting a cheap tool from HF allows me to have one in the first place (B/c spending 4x more would just mean not owning it at all. Like a $99 welder) That said, I bet CERTAIN tools are not to be cheaped out on b/c they break.
I will post some links to give you an idea of what tool I am talking about. I am really looking for ideas of the right one to buy. Best price/performance combination. If you know of a better item or place to buy, please post a link. Thanks for the help.....
1) Screw Extractor Set.
I have read that the "square" ones are the best ones, hands down.
I also read that many cheap ones just snap like a twig.
So, this seems like a tool that's not worth cheaping out on, since a lot of force/torque may be applied.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00966196000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-screw-extractor-set/p-00952315000P
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=466512&_requestid=10476745
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-screw-extractor-set-40349.html
What are these about?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=291335&_requestid=10476443
Do I also need this?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=466616&_requestid=10476822
Or this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEDIUM-GENERAL-T-HANDLE-TAP-HOLDER-HOLDING-WRENCH-TOOL-/250850898999?
2) Bolt extractor set. These are reverse threaded sockets that grip onto the bolt?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-mm-bolts/_/N-25qe?itemIdentifier=486979_0_0_
3) Tap and die set. Used to re-create threads after drilling out a screw or bolt.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-pc-tap-and-die-set-master-rethreader/p-00952105000P
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...nd-die-set/_/N-25ez?itemIdentifier=54577_0_0_
4) Tap Socket set? What is this for? Should I get these?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=tap socket set&_sop=15
5) Torch to heat bolts. I can't remember the type I was told to get. It was hotter than propane and cost about $50. Do you know what kind of torch I need?
6) Hose clamp pliers. I want to replace all 4 radiator hoses. Which should I get?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...KeyWord=hose+clamp+removers&fromString=search
7) Impact screwdriver. Don't cheap out here?
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-reversible-impact-driver-set-93481.html
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...river-Set/_/N-25dw?itemIdentifier=529289_0_0_
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...toTools&sName=Automotive Specialty Toolsmv=rr
8) Quick disconnect tool (fuel and tranny lines)
I see 2 styles. Are these the same thing? Or are they for different uses?
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-quick-disconnect-tool-set-38732.html
vs.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-fuel-and-auto-trans-line-disconnect-tool-set-96834.html
9) Pitch Gauge tool. Do I want 55 or 60 degree? Or both?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=pitch+gauge+thread&_sacat=0&_from=R40
10) Angle Grinder $20? Which one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=angle grinder
11) $99 Welder to patch a small hole in the rocker panel (Or to replace entire rocker)
http://www.harborfreight.com/Wire-Welder-90-Amp-Flux-68887.html?
Misc things I am going to add:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-square-drive-socket-caps-67011.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-stubby-swivel-head-ratchet-98668.html
So, I am hoping someone here knows which tools are worth spending more on, and which are fine to stick with the cheaper stuff. I just need "good enough", but I do not want to to buy junk that breaks. Some of these tools I may never even use. Yes, a $400 ratchet handle would be nice, but my $150 Craftsman 355 piece socket set has been fine for my basic uses. I can't spend $10,000 on pro quality tools (Snap-on, Matco, etc) Anything job that requires pro caliber tools is probably out of my league anyway. The heavy lifting is shopped out to a real mechanic anyway. I am a "tune up" kind of guy. I have plenty of light-duty stuff from Harbor Freight that has worked fine for me. In some cases, getting a cheap tool from HF allows me to have one in the first place (B/c spending 4x more would just mean not owning it at all. Like a $99 welder) That said, I bet CERTAIN tools are not to be cheaped out on b/c they break.
I will post some links to give you an idea of what tool I am talking about. I am really looking for ideas of the right one to buy. Best price/performance combination. If you know of a better item or place to buy, please post a link. Thanks for the help.....
1) Screw Extractor Set.
I have read that the "square" ones are the best ones, hands down.
I also read that many cheap ones just snap like a twig.
So, this seems like a tool that's not worth cheaping out on, since a lot of force/torque may be applied.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00966196000P
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-pc-screw-extractor-set/p-00952315000P
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=466512&_requestid=10476745
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-screw-extractor-set-40349.html
What are these about?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=291335&_requestid=10476443
Do I also need this?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...5qe?itemIdentifier=466616&_requestid=10476822
Or this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEDIUM-GENERAL-T-HANDLE-TAP-HOLDER-HOLDING-WRENCH-TOOL-/250850898999?
2) Bolt extractor set. These are reverse threaded sockets that grip onto the bolt?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-mm-bolts/_/N-25qe?itemIdentifier=486979_0_0_
3) Tap and die set. Used to re-create threads after drilling out a screw or bolt.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-pc-tap-and-die-set-master-rethreader/p-00952105000P
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...nd-die-set/_/N-25ez?itemIdentifier=54577_0_0_
4) Tap Socket set? What is this for? Should I get these?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=tap socket set&_sop=15
5) Torch to heat bolts. I can't remember the type I was told to get. It was hotter than propane and cost about $50. Do you know what kind of torch I need?
6) Hose clamp pliers. I want to replace all 4 radiator hoses. Which should I get?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...KeyWord=hose+clamp+removers&fromString=search
7) Impact screwdriver. Don't cheap out here?
http://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-reversible-impact-driver-set-93481.html
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...river-Set/_/N-25dw?itemIdentifier=529289_0_0_
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...toTools&sName=Automotive Specialty Toolsmv=rr
8) Quick disconnect tool (fuel and tranny lines)
I see 2 styles. Are these the same thing? Or are they for different uses?
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-quick-disconnect-tool-set-38732.html
vs.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-fuel-and-auto-trans-line-disconnect-tool-set-96834.html
9) Pitch Gauge tool. Do I want 55 or 60 degree? Or both?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=pitch+gauge+thread&_sacat=0&_from=R40
10) Angle Grinder $20? Which one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=angle grinder
11) $99 Welder to patch a small hole in the rocker panel (Or to replace entire rocker)
http://www.harborfreight.com/Wire-Welder-90-Amp-Flux-68887.html?
Misc things I am going to add:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-square-drive-socket-caps-67011.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-stubby-swivel-head-ratchet-98668.html