I didn't see anything like this so I thought I'd start one. Let's discuss what you like, don't like, or something you just found to be helpful for the do-it-yourself person in all of us. Also if you have a question about a specific tool, post it up! I'm sure someone here has something to say about it.

I'll start:

For Christmas this year I asked for tools because I want to be able to do most of my own work, with exception to some things. My goals are to be able to do suspension, exhaust, and install a SC on the stang in the near future. So for Christmas I recieved an awesome Kobalt mechanics tool set and a 6gallon 3.5hp compressor. So now I need some air tools.

What are some essential air tools to have in your garage? What torque specs are a must have on an impact gun...230...350lbs?

Here's a tool I found to be extremly helpful when I changed the belt on my Jeep:
Kobalt 8-piece metric crossform wrench set. Having the twisted handle gave extra grip while trying to loosen the akwardly placed tensioner nut. It was either these or a ratcheting set and I chose these for the price.

 

Don't know about must haves. I have just about everything. Makita 3/8 electric impact is a great little tool. Ingersol 1/2in composite body impact is hard to beat.

Hand tools: Snap-on is the best but most expensive. Cornwell is about the most affordable pro line tools out there.

 

Edit. Dupl. post

 

Is a 3/8 or 1/2 impact better to have as a starter?

 

1/2in air impact for heavy work. 3/8 electric for underwood and small stuff keeps from dragging air hoses over your fenders. 1/2in is a must have. And I highly recommend the composite Ingersol.

 

The Ingersol looks like a quality piece. I see it goes up to 550ft lbs, I take it the models I was considering at 230-350 would be too weak then. Now I have another question, if I go with that high power of an impact, is my 3.5hp 6gal compressor going to have enough power to keep it going without the compressor running constantly?

 

It's gonna suck it down pretty quick. An air ratchet will even quicker along with a die grinder. That compressor should handle 1 wheel at a time though. Can never have too much compressor. I just pulled a wheel with my little carpenters pancake compressor but needed a couple charges.

 

Cool that should be sufficient then, not like I'm going to be doing any Nascar style pit stops in my garage lol.

 

This is all you need to know about tools

DRILL PRESS:

A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock
out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer
across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had
carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.



WIRE WHEEL:

Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench
with the speed of light . Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned
calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh sh--!'



SKILL SAW:

A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.



PLIERS:

Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of
blood-blisters.


BELT SANDER:

An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into
major refinishing jobs.



HACKSAW:

One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle... It
transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more
you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.



VISE-GRIPS:

Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing
else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat
to the palm of your hand.



OXYACETYLENE TORCH:

Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on
fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which
you want to remove a bearing race.



TABLE SAW:

A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for
testing wall integrity. May also have value in quickly removing various
fingers and thumbs.



HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:

Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your
new brake shoes , trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.



BAND SAW:

A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good
aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can
after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.



TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:

A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to
disconnect.



PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:

Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style
paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be
used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.



STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:

A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted
screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.



PRY BAR:

A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you
needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.



HOSE CUTTER:

A tool used to make hoses too short.



HAMMER:

Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a
kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the
object we are trying to hit.



UTILITY KNIFE:

Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered
to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats,
vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund
checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work
clothes, but only while in use. (see: DIY harpoon)




HAND TOOL (Noun; Generic):

Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the
garage while yelling 'Son of a BI*CH!' at the top of your lungs. It is
also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
__________________

 

^^LMAO!!

 

2 other must haves are:
PB Blaster - break loose stubborn rusted nuts and bolts
Torque Wrench - without the correct spec there may be safety and performance issues. Plus elimintes the possibility of stripped and snapped bolts

 

A torque wrench.

 

I bought a 15 piece air tool kit from Lowes today. It came with a 250 lbs impact wrench and a 50 lbs ratchet, and sockets. I'm going to tackle my XJ's axel nut in the morning and try change the front axel u-joint. I'll post back the results.

Where's everyone else's opinions on tools.....come on now! I thought by now we'd have more responses..

 

This is the kit in case anyone was interested. Brand is CH... I'll post back if it's quality.

 

Price?

 

Only $50. I bought the 2 year full replacement warranty for $7 just in case.

 

That sounds like a pretty sweet deal!!!

 

I just hope they work good. I should be in the garage working on the jeep now but I'm being lazy.

 

Wow so no one uses tools here??

Sorry for not updating sooner on that impact and ratchet kit I bought from Lowes. They're decent quality, but I can only use them for a few seconds at a time without my air compressor continuously kicking on. Not ideal for my living situation as my neighbors live right above my garage. I'll be returning them and saving up for a cordless set. I'm really diggin the DeWalt kit.

 

"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." -Clint Eastwood / Gran Torino

I have an rolling toolbox of so many tools I haven't bought anything in years - and I forget half of what I have, which would explain why I have three caulk guns and six rolls of electrical tape.