What tools do you own, use the most, wish you had, etc.

[DJB]

A tool I didn't expect to use as much as we do: a 20 ton press.

Yesterday we were replacing control arm bushings in a friend's Honda. I don't think that a 19 ton press would have done it.

The other vital tool was the $7 Harbor Freight air powered 3" disk cutter. Small enough that you use it like a big Dremel cut-off wheel, but with sparks that sting. I bought it after a bunch of different nut removal tools failed to remove a frozen transmission mount nut on my e30. Almost nothing else would reach. Why waste a half-hour trying to get a Bolt-Out to cut into the rounded-off nut when you can just sweep up the dust five minutes later...

[SeriousBusiness]

I know this is more basic stuff but some don't think about it till they are needed.

Brass punches. Nothing like safely removing a fuel pump!

[idanity]

4 inch angle grinder, w/the safety sheild removed. (experts only)
got it for $30 bucks, (the cheapest) at Lowes years ago (over ten) and has;
cut suspension, on a datsun (not under tension)
removed rust in seconds
fixed rubbing on my friends chevy truck (oversized tires) (cut ends of bumpers)
bobbed the back of his truck
prepped cars for bodywork
shaped fiberglass
cut plexi glass (1" thick)---*actually melted back to gether, but cut it again)
cut and made brackets
removed a rusted on rear rotor(s) (mounting bolts are inset, and stripped, no other way ( 3 minutes per side )
built, shaped wood.

and recently helped make seat brackets for my sparcos...


all work, has taken hours of my friends time, and once here, all jobs took less than 8 minutes (even the rotors). just an awesome tool for that "get er done" attitude.

http://img.underbid.com/180x135/710/5754443130373639_0.jpg

*** please use eye goggles (not glasses,) and gloves) ive used glasses, but always prefer the goggles, and if/when cutting fiberglass, we need a respirator, long sleeves help too)...

[machined]

Yay! A new sig! My absolute favorite, and one that comes in handy thousands upon thousands of times - the tiny mechanic's screwdriver. Awesome.

[jlevie]

4 inch angle grinder, w/the safety sheild removed.

I highly recommend leaving the shield on except for the occasional job that can't be done with the shield on.

I agree with this being a most handy tool. I have one that I keep a grinding disk on and another that I keep a cutoff disk on (I dislike interrupting work flow to change disks).

[dashboardmonkey]

I have been an auto tech for a while now so I have lots of tools. Sockets, pliers, wrenches, air tools, and of course a plethera of hammers. I use my sockets the most. I wish I had an air compressor and a lift the most.

[THE FEZMAN]

20 years worth of snap on tools.

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i needed a welding bench so i built one, and added a crappy kobolt box too it, i over loaded it with hammers and dolly's and had to re build it.
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[Atreus]

oh, can't forget about ratcheting wrenches, i got my metric set at sears for like 35 bucks, now theyre going for 70. and they're awesome.

and a real ball joint splitter i suppose, lol.

[Bishop]

I've been wanting to buy a set of ratcheting wrenches next but I'm not sure which ones would be the best to go with.

[THE FEZMAN]

gear wrench is what i use every single day and ive never had one break in about 6 years of professional use all i do is squirt some motor oil in them every once in a while

[Bishop]

Thanks, I'll look into a set. Any particular suggestions as to what you use the most? Standard or metric, what range of sizes (I haven't even looked to see what is available, but I want to spend my money wisely since I'm a full-time student and only working part-time).

[Jalves619]

For brake work get Flare nut wrenches.
Just bought a set yesterday after being too cheap to buy a second set of wrenches when I thought my open ended ones would work just fine. Trust me its worth the money to not have replace brake fittings or entire brake lines for that matter because you stripped out the brass fittings. Facepalm for being a cheap bastard

[Atreus]

bishop just get the gearwrench metric set, should have like 6-8 wrenches or something of the sort..

thats the one you'll want, trust me. unless you work on american cars too..

[Bishop]

Thanks Atreus, I'll look em up. I just added to my box tonight though so I'm gonna be tapped on tool / gun / car mod money till next pay check (to at least be semi-responsible ;) ) I don't USUALLY work on America, but I'm not against it. But for that, I have metric stuff since I don't usually touch American.

[b*saint]

Or if you get the craftsman version, sears will honor the warranty like any other craftsman.