have about $100-200 to spend. any ideas?

[austinmark]

i have about $100 to spend on some new/used tools. i don't do much fabricating -- just tinkering and bolt-on/off kind of stuff. any suggestions on some must-have tools to pick up? a torque wrench? breaker bar? soldering gun? thanks for your input.

mark

 

[inthewall]

Cordless impact gun.

 

[Junk]

Cordless impact gun.

Dude, that's a luxury that most don't need.

Torque wrench would be a great pick up. Soldering iron would be key too.

Do you have a decent jack and/or jack stands?

 

[CruisinGA]

^ what junk said plus -

Easy choice- gear wrenches. Amazon.com: GearWrench 9412 12-Piece Metric Combination GearWrench Set: Home Improvement

Need more info on what sort of hand tools you already have. Got air?


Depending on what it is, don't be afraid to go used. It's often used American for the same money as new Chinese and the tools will be much better and last much longer.

 

[austinmark]

i don't have air, as i don't do too much of my own work. i'm not a serious wrench, and it's my daily driver, so i usually trust it to my real mechanic. but a torque wrench, soldering iron, and a jack would be a good pickup. the combination wrenches would be nice, but i recently got a metric&sae set from autozone. thanks for the advice.

 

[CruisinGA]

They're not normal combination wrenches. One end ratchets. I find my set extremely useful, and often a lifesaver when a regular socket and ratchet won't fit.

However, if you don't have a jack and jack stands, I would invest in that first. Don't mess with one of the crappy two ton ones. You need 6 ton stands and at least a 3 ton jack.

It's not so much the weight rating as the lift height and stability that you need. The 2 speed jacks that lift to the frame on the first pump are nice, as are aluminum race jacks.

This is what I have, got it on sale, but mine came with a little stool. - http://www.sears.com/shc//p_10153_12605_00950188000P

Those 3 ton stands are good for supporting the axle etc, I got some 6 ton stands from Costco that are tall enough to support the frame on any of my cruisers.

If you invest in a soldering iron, go ahead and buy a big assortment of heat shrink and crimp connectors etc. I find that the biggest hurdle to doing quality electrical work is having the proper materials and tools on hand.

Let us know what you end up with.

 

[rusty_tlc]

After jacking/lifting safety stuff I'd say a bench grinder with a wire wheel on one side. I constantly use mine to clean up threads on bolts, knock off sharp edged on cut metal, etc.etc.

 

[85 FJ60]

I use my impact alot. Can't go erong with a new grinder.

 

[bugsnbikes]

well if you want to dip your foot into some easy repairs----it would be kewl to search what tools are needed---and tackle an easy job yourself (if you have the time or interest).

I recently did my front axle rebuild first time-- spent some money on tools i didnt have.....and now know how to do this and have a few more tools in the hopper to tackle another easy project as it pops up or repack bearings every 30k miles as needed.

Some people simply dont have the time or interest--which is understandable with family/work/life/etc. But it sounds like you like to tinker....so maybe slowly start and spend your money on a few tools vs. your mechanic for everything.

 

[Leaping Deer]

If you don't have a breaker bar I would get one. What do you have for basic tools already. I love my gear wrenches buy are needed. My grinder gets a ton of use. You can grind, wire wheel and cut.

A nice 3lb hammer is good too.

I think post up what basic tools you have already and we can give you a better idea.

 

[BG_TX]

Hard to say without knowing what you already have. Along with the items previously listed:

• Grease gun
• Spark plug socket (maybe a driver extension as well)
• Multimeter
• Dremel kit