DIY Tools Recommendation

[flipm3]

I plan on doing more DIY work on my cars and I was hoping to get a thorough recommendation on tools that I should be readily equipped with.

I plan on doing pretty much any basic installations and maintenance on my cars. Ideally I want to do my own suspension, brake, and maintenance work.

I would love to get recommendations on the following:

• Complete Tool Sets
• Portable Impact Wrench
• Portable Lights for night work
• Stools
• Affordable Lift (Scissor type)
• Brands: SnapOn vs Craftsman vs MAC vs Anyone else?

Anything would be very helpful. Thanks again!

[m3heaven]

Torque Wrench is essential IMO.

[LiM3y]

I found the BMW 7mm Allen Wrench socket tool very useful as it smaller and easier to work with behind the calipers. Search BMW tools online.

[elm3]

If you can afford it, I would go with Snap-On or Mac. I'll stay away from Craftsman. I would go with Kobalts too, it is part of Snap-On. I have all three of them. I have about a $6k-$7k in tools at the house, pretty much can take the engine apart and put it back together. It is worth to buy a set of good brand tools, they'll last you forever.

[SS32]

I know this is a little old, but honestly you can nearly take the car apart with a basic metric socket set, some screwdrivers, and a torx set.

[takashin]

I use Makita LXT for my cordless tools, I particularly love both of their impacts (there is a big one and a little one) the big one is good for wheels and the little one is good for suspension bits and other not-so-stuck and not-so-big parts. I recommend spending good money or a torque wrench, as they tend to need to be serviced every few years and accuracy is pretty important.

Keep in mind, the 50% point is the most accurate a torque wrench is so plan on that when buying wrenches.

Torque sockets are pretty much necessary above ~60 ft-lbs, just to be safe, the chrome ones have a tendency to explode instead of to just deform like the black impact type.

also, six point sockets provide the best grip to bolts on the car, and I don't think i've seen any oe 12 point bolts on the car, so try checking those out. it prevents a majority of rollover.

[PINHEAD]

Originally Posted by alphamarquis

I use Makita LXT for my cordless tools, I particularly love both of their impacts (there is a big one and a little one) the big one is good for wheels and the little one is good for suspension bits and other not-so-stuck and not-so-big parts. I recommend spending good money or a torque wrench, as they tend to need to be serviced every few years and accuracy is pretty important.

Keep in mind, the 50% point is the most accurate a torque wrench is so plan on that when buying wrenches.

Torque sockets are pretty much necessary above ~60 ft-lbs, just to be safe, the chrome ones have a tendency to explode instead of to just deform like the black impact type.

also, six point sockets provide the best grip to bolts on the car, and I don't think i've seen any oe 12 point bolts on the car, so try checking those out. it prevents a majority of rollover.

can you clarify this more? Are you talking about the black chrome sockets some manufactures offer?

And also for the TQ wrench, the midpoint of a torque wrench's range is the most accurate correct?

[takashin]

Originally Posted by PINHEAD

can you clarify this more? Are you talking about the black chrome sockets some manufactures offer?

And also for the TQ wrench, the midpoint of a torque wrench's range is the most accurate correct?

Uhm, not sure if it's black chrome but they look like this:



And if you are thinking about torque sticks, they only work best with air impact tools

And yes, the midpoint of the wrench is more accurate (my snapon wrench after it's most recent calibration has a 1.9% error at 150 ft-lbs ( it is a 50-250ft-lbs) and a ~4% error at the 50 and 250 settings. I know, it isn't that much, but the values will begin to drift after a while and become an issue, i generally use that wrench in the 100-200ft-lb range.

I got a discount on the snapon torque wrench and that's why I got it, there are plenty of other reputable manufacturers out there, the half inch drive is good for wheels and a 17mm socket is the size for OE bolts. 100ft-lbs is a good setting.

EDIT: not torque sockets, brain fart they are impact sockets.

[PINHEAD]

Originally Posted by alphamarquis

Uhm, not sure if it's black chrome but they look like this:



And if you are thinking about torque sticks, they only work best with air impact tools

And yes, the midpoint of the wrench is more accurate (my snapon wrench after it's most recent calibration has a 1.9% error at 150 ft-lbs ( it is a 50-250ft-lbs) and a ~4% error at the 50 and 250 settings. I know, it isn't that much, but the values will begin to drift after a while and become an issue, i generally use that wrench in the 100-200ft-lb range.

I got a discount on the snapon torque wrench and that's why I got it, there are plenty of other reputable manufacturers out there, the half inch drive is good for wheels and a 17mm socket is the size for OE bolts. 100ft-lbs is a good setting.

EDIT: not torque sockets, brain fart they are impact sockets.

oh..thx for the clarification

[geneatals]

if you are going to be doing some interior work:

http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too.../dp/B000LNBLTK

[takashin]

Originally Posted by geneatals

if you are going to be doing some interior work:

http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too.../dp/B000LNBLTK

Absolutely!! More than a few brands make them so check the competition out too

[ThunderMoose]

With respect to car lifts - this one may not be the most affordable, but it is portable and doesn't require any special tools or power requirements.

www.ezcarlift.com

[takashin]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

With respect to car lifts - this one may not be the most affordable, but it is portable and doesn't require any special tools or power requirements.

www.ezcarlift.com

When using a scissor style lift, I would be careful and read the instructions.

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by alphamarquis

When using a scissor style lift, I would be careful and read the instructions.

I agree. However, I will tell you this sucker is solid. I have powder coated 359M's and the first time I took them off to put on my track wheels, they were pretty much stuck to the hub. It took quite a bit of beating to get the wheels off and the scissor lift never budged.

[takashin]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

I agree. However, I will tell you this sucker is solid. I have powder coated 359M's and the first time I took them off to put on my track wheels, they were pretty much stuck to the hub. It took quite a bit of beating to get the wheels off and the scissor lift never budged.

On that note: have a rummer hammer and a deadblow on your list too.

[DavidZ]

Should I get 3/8" or 1/2" Torx bits? Specifically I'm thinking of the Torx 50 that hold the front seats. Is a 3/8" ratchet enough for that or should get a bit for my 1/2" ratchet?

Thanks