| Author | Message | ||
     matthew t (_matt_) New Member Username: _matt_ Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2003 |
Hey everybody, I'm new here, and I'm sure this subject has been addressed many times before, but just for clarity's sake I'd like to start fresh. Please feel free to ignore. I have just acquired a '66 88 IIa from David at Thatched Roof. Got a fair deal, got a great truck. Happy as I can be. But here's the thing: I haven't got a single tool. The few tools I did have were lost in our recent move. So I'm starting from scratch. After reading over as many posts as I could before my eyes crossed, it seems Snap-On is just the way to go. So I am. But I'd hate to waste money on cool but obscure tools I'll never/rarely use. Instead, can anybody suggest a solid base from I should start? And I mean _basic_. Please speak as you would to a small child. I'm not proud, just eager. Warm regards, matt | ||
| matthew t (_matt_) New Member Username: _matt_ Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2003 |
I should add to that: John, I think your explanation of the various options was awesome. I don't mean to detract from it one bit. I'm just in need of something _very_ simple... For instance, if you had a IIa and three hundred bucks, what tools would you start with? Thanks, matt | ||
| John Lee (Johnlee) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Johnlee Post Number: 489 Registered: 03-2003 |
"Snap-On is just the way to go. So I am.... if you had a IIa and three hundred bucks, what tools would you start with?" If you've decided on Snap-on tools but you have $300 to spend, you're in for a rude awakening. | ||
| matthew t (_matt_) New Member Username: _matt_ Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2003 |
Hey John, Thanks for the response. I know it's going to add up -- I was just trying to think of a way to say I'm not after every extension and widget Snap-On sells. If I had said a thousand bucks or more, the responses would be various. But I thought a low number might bring some consensus on what's absolutely necessary. Thanks anyway, matt | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 215 Registered: 03-2002 |
Matt, Did you mean you have $300 per week to spend  What do you plan to use the tools for? Basic maintenance (oil changes, spark plugs,etc.), basic repairs (replacing water pumps, shocks, etc.) or more? And, not to offend you, but how much experience do you have maintaining or repairing this, or any car? I'm only asking because expensive tools will not make you a better mechanic, but there is nothing wrong with building a nice tool collection, starting with quality tools. If you just need some basic maintenance tools (screwdrivers, oil filter wrench, etc.), you could get by with something less expensive than Snap-on. | ||
| David Woo (Davidwoo) Member Username: Davidwoo Post Number: 48 Registered: 01-2003 |
Matt: we 2a owners gotta stick together Kinda hard to believe that you have NO tools: everyone has some sort of oddball collection of stuff laying around. My stuff is leftover carpentry tools and welder tools, not specifically mechanic's tools. Only snap-on stuff is the telescoping magnetic pickup and the magnetic parts bin that my son made me get after he saw them at the EE shop. I looked into the Tuffy toolbox in the back of the 2a and here is what I see: sockets, metric, 3/8" sockets, sae, 3/8" a couple of big sockets, for lug nuts socket wrench, 10" breaker bar, 15" a couple of extensions, adaptor for 1/2", angle adaptor various flat and phillips head screwdrivers a couple of pliers diagonal cutters elect continuity tester 22 oz hammer metric folding hex wrenches sae folding hex wrenches roll of wire, trail repairs roll of duct tape, poor man's cup holder for 2a The pelican holds the recovery gear and other misc. trail junk (fire extinguisher, wd40, deflators, power tank...). Oh shit, a bunch of loose ammo, 9mm, 223, 40 ca, that shouldn't be there. DW | ||
| matthew t (_matt_) New Member Username: _matt_ Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2003 |
Hey guys! Jack, my few mechanical skills are non-Rover related, I'm afraid. But in spite of my meager ability, I'm looking to do full-on repairs. I know it'll take a while to learn, but I've got nothing but time. And I know the tools won't make me a better wrencher. They'll just make me handsomer, and probably taller. David, I do indeed have a few random tools somewhere, in a box, apparently on the highway somewhere between our old house and the new. But even so they wouldn't do me much good with the Rover, so I'm just going to start fresh. I figured that as long as I'm at square one, I might as well collect the good stuff. Your list was exactly what I was looking for. Especially the cup holder. And if you can get by without the 1/2" wrench, then by gum so can I. Thanks for your patience and time -- matt | ||
| George Collins (Zinhead) New Member Username: Zinhead Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2001 |
Just get a Craftsman set. 100 piece, 200 piece, whatever, then just fill in with a good set of plier, tourque wrench, breaker bar, duct tape, etc. | ||
| John Lee (Johnlee) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Johnlee Post Number: 490 Registered: 03-2003 |
"Only snap-on stuff is the telescoping magnetic pickup and the magnetic parts bin that my son made me get after he saw them at the EE shop." OK, good to know. Next time you stop by the shop, I'll be sure to show Micah some air tools. | ||
| Peter Sharratt (Gummikuh) Member Username: Gummikuh Post Number: 221 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hi Matthew My first ever Snap-on purchase was the metric version of the following: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?tool=all&item_ID=1607&group_ID=2313&s tore=snapon-store&dir=catalog If I had a 2a, I would get the SAE version. This was bought about 12 years ago on Holiday in the States, the exchange rate was blinding, and I couldn`t spend my cash fast enough! I still have this set and use it nearly every day. You will need wrenches, but probably buy a couple each of 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 and you should be OK, you will need a big hammer! Pete | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 796 Registered: 02-2002 |
I agree with George, a decent size mechanics tool kit from Sears is gonna have all the basics and some more, and the quality is probably just what you need right now. Add to that a few others (vise grips, files, breaker, torque wrench, torx set, mallet, good pliers, longnose pliers, adjustable wrench, bigger metric and standard wrenches (huskey in HD are good) and vise and you're all set. I think most of this is guaranteed for life too. Dean | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 954 Registered: 02-2003 |
i agree it's foolish to start out with the best tools avalible, what if you hate to wrench? 254pc tool set goes on sale every few months for ~$200 at sears once you see your habits and get sick of bloddy knuckles, upgrade to the good shit. you will always have a use for the beater tools. rd | ||
| han chung (Hanchung) Member Username: Hanchung Post Number: 105 Registered: 10-2002 |
matt if you'r not in a hurry, buy tools as you need them... project by project. this way, you'll always have quality useful tools. you don't need craftsman 500pc set to do an oil change. a good combination wrench(perhaps a snap on ) and maybe an oil filter plier for removal. and so on... |
