Cool Tools

[6-Speed]

I haven't seen any threads started that discuss our favorite tools so I thought I would start one.

Are there any special tools you have in your garage or shop that you find beneficial when working on your cars? Please share what those are.

Let's keep it clean guys.

[6-Speed]

I already posted this in another thread. Here's a good and inexpensive brake caliper tool that I purchased at Harbor Freight for $20 (on sale). I used it for the first time a few weeks ago for resetting the caliper pistons on my wife's Honda Odyssey; it worked great and made the job much easier to do.

I started with an adapter plate that fit into the pegs on the tool's plunger; but that rotated the plate against the caliper piston as I was turning the handle. I was afraid the plate turning against the rubber boot might damage it. Then I found that there's an adapter that floats between the plunger and the adapter plate. That worked much better since the plate remained stationary relative to the piston as I was pressing it back into the caliper. Nice tool overall.

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

I already posted this in another thread. Here's a good and inexpensive brake caliper tool that I purchased at Harbor Freight for $20 (on sale). I used it for the first time a few weeks ago for resetting the caliper pistons on my wife's Honda Odyssey; it worked great and made the job much easier to do.

I started with an adapter plate that fit into the pegs on the tool's plunger; but that rotated the plate against the caliper piston as I was turning the handle. I was afraid the plate turning against the rubber boot might damage it. Then I found that there's an adapter that floats between the plunger and the adapter plate. That worked much better since the plate remained stationary relative to the piston as I was pressing it back into the caliper. Nice tool overall.

I need to go get that.



Here's one.

This is used if you blow out a spark plug in a 5.4L motor.

It drills out and puts in a new threaded insert...




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[Alloy Dave]

I like my strut spring compressor. I call her "Allie".

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

I like my strut spring compressor. I call her "Allie".

Is it a bench mount type?


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[6-Speed]

These are real knuckle savers if you encounter a bolt that just won't budge with a standard size ratchet wrench. The big daddy of them all is 24" long and makes breaking loose lug nuts installed with an impact wrench a breeze. I got these at Harbor Freight. They are high quality and very inexpensive. The shorter ones are useful in confined spaces - like inside a wheelwell. The top bar is for 3/8" sockets and the two longer ones accept 1/2" sockets. Harbor Frieght even carries one that accepts 3/4" sockets.

[Carnut]

Flex head gear wrenches are my favorite overall tools.

I grab one of these before I grab anything else.

If that doesn't work I grab the BFH.

[6-Speed]

To keep from having to use a breaker bar the next time, I like to torque bolts to specification if available. This habit comes from working on bicycles and being an engineer by trade; I just prefer precision work.

I have a few larger torque wrenches for higher torque applications, but I also use torque wrench for smaller bolts that have lighter torque specs. I have three torque wrenchs for light-duty work that are graduated in lb-in. The Craftsman accepts 3/8" sockets and the two below it accept 1/4" sockets. The Park Tools (bottom) beam-type is good when I like to see the torque applied progressively.

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Is it a bench mount type?


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No, it looks like this.


When I worked in the shop, I could change a set of struts and have the car aligned in less than an hour.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

No, it looks like this.
When I worked in the shop, I could change a set of struts and have the car aligned in less than an hour.

That's the one I have, another Harbor Freight find. I have not used it yet. Those threaded-rod types scare me.

Can you release spring pressure with this tool?

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

That's the one I have, another Harbor Freight find. I have not used it yet. Those threaded-rod types scare me.

Can you release spring pressure with this tool?

Mine's a Snap On. I've had it for 25 years...although I've only used it about 5 times in the past 20 years.

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

That's the one I have, another Harbor Freight find. I have not used it yet. Those threaded-rod types scare me.

Can you release spring pressure with this tool?

Me too, (threaded rods scare me). I added extra jamb nuts on mine.

I need to get a good one.

[SLGT750]

I have some favorites as most of you but here is a few more:
3/8 impact Snap-On mg31 it's an animal and lightweight
Snapon torque wrench is digital... it beeps and vibrates
flexhead gearwrenches are the best invention
and my top favorite is my Bend Pak ACX-10 two post lift... it's the best investment ever!

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

Mine's a Snap On. I've had it for 25 years...although I've only used it about 5 times in the past 20 years.

My Harbor Freight one must be a copy cat version of the Snap On then.

Have you used yours to release spring pressure to a fully expanded state or to compress a spring from a fully expanded state? I was wondering if that was even possible with this tool i.e. use it to replace a spring rather than a strut.

[6-Speed]

These cone wrenches are made to adjust the hubs on bicycle wheels but they saved the day when my regular 17mm wrench was too thick to get onto a caliper nut to hold it stationary while removing the bolt. These are very thin and got right onto the bolt. They are more delicate than a regular wrench so I don't recommend them for everyday use, but they'll work well if a thin wrench is needed. You can get these at any good bicycle shop.

[6-Speed]

Plastic pry bars are handy for interior work in leiu of a screw driver - they keep from scuffing up your car. You can get these pry bars as a set at Harbor Freight.

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

These cone wrenches are made to adjust the hubs on bicycle wheels but they saved the day when my regular 17mm wrench was too thick to get onto a caliper nut to hold it stationary while removing the bolt. These are very thin and got right onto the bolt. They are more delicate than a regular wrench so I don't recommend them for everyday use, but they'll work well if a thin wrench is needed.

I could have used a thinner wrench many a time.


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[TOMMY GUN]

This tool always comes in handy when working outside...






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[TOMMY GUN]

This is one of my favorite tools, although I haven't had the chance to use it in the past couple years....

I have many hours on this including a great amout of time welding some aluminum.







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[Birdman]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

This is one of my favorite tools, although I haven't had the chance to use it in the past couple years....

I have many hours on this including a great amout of time welding some aluminum.







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TG I'm thinking about getting a welder for the shop. Could you talk a bit about this one please. thanks...