what tools should I get?

[zspturbo]

well, its finally time for me to buy my own tools. later in the summer I plan on doing a RB swap, so I need all the hand tools needed for that. I can borrow/rent the power tools that are really expensive, but I would like to have all the hand tools needed, so that I dont have to borrow dumb crap like that.

so what should I get?

[misnomer]

-Full ratchet set (metric) with breaker bar
-Torque wrenches (make sure you have at least one precise and one big)
-Mallet and hammer (for those hard to reach back teeth)
-Good set of screwdrivers
-WD40


An air compressor and wrench would be very very handy



oh wait a tick. . .
Is it bad to start a project as complex as an RB motor swap without knowing which basic tools you may need?

[misnomer]

Well. . . Some of us use US sized wrenches. . .

Granted, the metric half of my toolbox is much dirtier, but there's still some grease on the standards :P

[240 2NR]

A good breaker bar is always a nice device to have laying around when working on 10 year old car...still need one myself

Various depth sockets (at least shallow and deep)

Sears just had a BADASS set on sale like a week ago. Something like 271 peices for $159, I would have been all over that, but I pretty much already had most of it from building up piece by piece (well more like 24 piece wrench set by 14 socket set...)

A good low clearance dolley jack is very handy (the big kind with like a 4" cup).

As are 4 jack stands

ZIPTIES!!!!

[mistert]

also a good set of box end wrenches (metric as well)
if you're doing an RB swap youre gonna need to do wiring so a soldering iron and the other stuff for that

the sears thing is a good idea, craftsman makes good stuff and you get a great warranty

[mvaters]

so you dont even have your 240 and you already want to do a RB swap? anyways, get a rachet set. if you dont get 6 and 12 point, just get 6. it will grip better. and get metric. standard is mostly for domestic cars. and mostly older ones.

[zspturbo]

here is my dilemma... craftsman doesnt seem to make any tool sets that are just metric, and I dont want to pay for SAE tools if Im gonna almost never use them. and I heard Snap on is way too expensive, so what else should I look at? I guess Im looking to pay maybe 200 bucks, but if I cant find another Metric set, Those Craftsman sets that are on sale look pretty darn good.

[zspturbo]

would it be a good idea to piece my own kit together, get a big ass metric socket set, and then a set of combo wrenches, precise and big torque wrenches, mallet, breaker bar, and jack stands? what else would I need? I already have a soldering iron, and friends to help me who are experienced. the friends are gonna be the most important tool

[crioten]

hey man i work at sears in balwin, it will be way to much if you piece it together. my boss calcualted it out, its like 3 times more expensive...

anyway we have some great sales on tool sets right now, even if you arent looking to use all the sae tools, you can sell them to buddies when they break/loose their own, or just keep them, maybe mom or dads car might be american...

just drop me an email, and i can hook ya up...

[AceInHole]

Originally posted by zspturbo
here is my dilemma... craftsman doesnt seem to make any tool sets that are just metric, and I dont want to pay for SAE tools if Im gonna almost never use them.

Hmm...

Sears part #......... Set
34497................... 22 peice 3/8" drive 6pt metric socket set
...................................regular 10, 12, thru 19
...................................deep 9 thru 19 + 2 spark plug sockets
$39.99 (catalog order only)

34456.................... 10 peice 1/2" drive 6-pt. metric socket set
.................................... 9 thru 15, 17, 18, 19
$21.99 (should be a store stocked item)

34817..................... 27 pc 3/8in drive 6pt sockets
..................................... 9 thru 19 normal and deep sockets
..................................... 2 extensions, 2 sprk plugs, + long ratchet
59.99 (catalog only)

There's a couple more... but get your own catalogue.

Also, dont get 12pt sockets. Might as well get 6pt sockets so you don't have to worry about stripping nuts/ bolts. Thus I didn't list 12pt sets.

[Wiisass]

Check Harbor Freight, good prices on decent stuff. I just bought about $100 of stuff from them. They had a 65 piece metric socket set with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drives in a whole bunch of sizes for like $40, but it was backordered so i just went with a 150 piece set from Sears.

Tim

[kandyflip445]

Go with Craftsman for the bulk of your tools. But, when you get down to the smaller sizes (around ~11mm) go with something like Snap-on. They are much better with their quality control and the last thing you want is to round the corners of a small bolt.

EDIT: Oh, and like James said ratcheting wrenches OWN. Some of the best tools you can buy. So if you have the money, GET THEM!

[radhaz]

I don't really recommend ordering craftsman unless you have gone to your local sears first. I did some set pricing recently and found that the sears near my place has cheaper sets on ave than what I was able to order through them.

Craftsman isn't be all end all of tools but they are definitely a step up from the generic tools you can buy. The single biggest selling point imho is they are the most readily available, lowest costing, lifetime warrantied tools you can get. Just keep in mind when you're buying tools that the $1.00 screwdriver might last you a year or two, but the $2.00 screwdriver will last forever.

[zspturbo]

is 45 bucks OK? how much would shipping be?

[zspturbo]

I have no idea how much it should cost, is 60 closer to what you want? just give me a price.

[zspturbo]

Originally posted by James
I can do $85 shipped since shipping itself will be $10.
Lemme know. Not a bad price.

I'll ask my dad, figure it out tomorrow, expect a pm tomorrow early afternoon.

[SilviaDriver]

a big hammer.

y? cuz if u get frustrated..u can use it to break something haha

[Fibercus]

I just picked up a 251 pc. mechanics tool set @ sears for 179.00 clearance (normally 299) they have the promo going on for a bit longer....

I am VERY HAPPY with them. Everything is very good quality / durable for what I would be using them for... it is an awesome set = ] I also picked up a top / bottom chest set as well, so im pretty much on cloud 9 right now

Tool Set @ Sears (if link works)

otherwise:
Sears Item #00934251000
Mfr. Model #34251 (use # in search it will come up)

Good Hunting