Your handiest tools

[Danny]

1/2" electric impact.

[TurboJake]

By far, the handiest tool I own is an air compressor.

[kronus]

8, 10 and 13mm gearwrenches

[Quadrajet]

A 3/8" socket extension, that locks the socket to the extension. Or "Ball swivel" sparkplug sockets. These items are spendy, but if you do enough work they save on frustration.

[yyi]

Bfh

[MaksV]

CraftsMan 3/8" Drive Flex Head extra long ratchet

[nomansland92]

When I started wrenching I got a craftsman kit. I think it came with like 260 pieces or something. It was only like 200 bucks or something. It came with a set or metric and standard wrenches and 1/4 3/8 1/2 sockets with deep and short well 6points and 12points. Has 3 ratchets also. I still use the sockets pretty much everyday and I have no complaint. And for a multimeter the only thing you would need it for is testing continuity and 12 volts and a $20 craftsman will do fine, no need for a fluke or anything special.

If your just starting a set of torches might be out of your price range but I've found that a "bernzomatic torch" helps out and lowes and home depot have them cheap

Hope this helps for you

[dothadance]

Animal Kotulak multi tool

[AT-JeffT]

+1 on the PB Blaster

I just buy tools as needed. works well for me. That said, I couldn't live without my breaker bar. 90% of the time all you need for a DIY project is a set of metric sockets (3/8in) and a set of metric combination wrenches. I bought a set of Greatneck wrenches from autozone and that's what I've been using for the past 3yrs.

[jan318]

PD Blaster

[LicensedToM]

Hey everyone,

I'm just starting to undertake DIY projects on my e30, and I've started to order parts and tools. As I'm going through this process, I keep coming to this forum to check on what tools people recommend, but I haven't found a consolidated list of recommendations. Essentially a "starter kit." So here's what I've got and what I'm planning on getting... any recommendations for specs and brands would be super helpful!

1. Soldering iron - I picked up the Weller SP23LK Marksman 25 Watt Soldering Iron Kit from Amazon
2. American Terminal AT-31604 60-40 Rosin Core Solder
3. Wire crimper/striper - any specific brands or specs?
4. Multimeter - I hear Flukes are the best, but Extech, RSR, Equus, and Mastech are also good.
5. Heat gun & shrink wrap - No idea what to look for
6. BMW specific tools?

Any recommendations would be great!