Your Favorite Tools

Reversible ratcheting wrenches from Duralast (Autozone) Each wrench is 4 sizes (14,17,18,19 and 8,10,12,13)

They are the best thing ever.

whenry wrote: any size Gear Wrench How did I go for 20yrs working on cars without them?

THIS. During the rebuild of my 164's motor, I was constantly borrowing my buddy's Gear Wrenches. They're so handy in the tight spots of the engine compartment. I found a full metric set on sale at a hardware store in Boston's Back Bay, of all places, and bought them on the spot.

mad_machine wrote: All the 10mm sockets I found since becoming a MegaDork

Did you just let out the secret of MegaDorkdom?

I've found 10mm sockets in the strangest places. Never at a loss for a 10mm socket.

The Craftsman gear wrench set I got myself for Xmas a few years ago. In metric. Most used set of tools I have.

fidelity101 wrote: A requirement in Dirt Kart Racing for sure. Also, A small Screwdriver and 8mm ratchet wrench is my favorite for my Taxi. Hands down: Really? no one but me thought of this? Or all of you live in the rust free south and/or are not pyros...

I used to say I could strip my 2006 xB to scrap with a Phillips screwdriver and 10mm socket/wrench.

fidelity101 wrote: Hands down: Really? no one but me thought of this? Or all of you live in the rust free south and/or are not pyros...

I have never used a torch when working on a car.

I don't need a torch to start one hell of a fire.

m4ff3w wrote: Reversible ratcheting wrenches from Duralast (Autozone) Each wrench is 4 sizes (14,17,18,19 and 8,10,12,13) They are the best thing ever.

I have the Craftsman version of these and LOVE them. I also love my corded DeWalt drill. Yes, corded. I tend to not use a drill for months and with cordless ones the battery was inevitably dead by then. I know modern ones are better than they were a decade ago, but I finally said berkeley it and got a decent corded one and have been happy ever since.

When I use it properly, I get better at repairing my cars.

My favorite tool might very well be the little magnet on the end of the telescoping rod, dammit.

My favorite tools are my wobble sockets. I think hobbyists might blanch at the price, but you cant possibly imagine how great they are until you've gotten used to using some good ones. I bought one set of Matco 3/8" metrics from 10-19mm for $260 (pretty deep discount at that time) and i have loved them ever since. Ive only worn out 2 in the~7 years i've owned them and thats probably because i used to constantly use them on my IR titanium with a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer. They were warrantied for free anyway though, so no biggie.

If i was super baller i'd buy ALL the sets.

Here are my two faves:

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A hammer and vice that belonged to my grandfather who passed away a month after I was born.

I don't know how I lived without it.

The Pittsburgh 1/2" extendable ratchet has become one of my favorite tools of the tool box. It's a fine tool from harbor freight.

I forgot 2 others. I didn't know Fiskars made axes, but they do, and it's the best such thing I've ever swung. And when we first moved onto acreage, I bought a Poulan wild thing chainsaw, cuz I couln't afford a real one, I figured it might last a couple years and then I can spring for a husky or a Stihl. Well that was 16 years ago. It's still on its original spark plug. It's needed nothing but a new bar, not its fault, and I had to reattach a fuel line once. Kinda amazing considering how many dozens of cords o' firewood it's chewed through.

Jay_W wrote: I forgot 2 others. I didn't know Fiskars made axes, but they do, and it's the best such thing I've ever swung.

True story. Love my Fiskars splitting axe.

DaveEstey wrote:

Jay_W wrote: I forgot 2 others. I didn't know Fiskars made axes, but they do, and it's the best such thing I've ever swung.

True story. Love my Fiskars splitting axe.

Ha! I've got one of those too. Best therapy money can buy.

I was killing time at a Tractor Supply store between appointments and found a Gear Wrench set for sizes between 19mm to 25mm. I havent been that happy about tools in a long time.

I love my HF stubby ratchet set:

Best of all, they can be had for $8 ($10 - 20% off coupon).

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-flex-head-stubby-ratchets-46742.html

I need a double flare tool that doesn't suck for less than $100 bucks. The harbor freight one I had worked ok, but I lost some of the parts. The one I just bought at O'really's stripped out on the first flare. I can't afford the hand operated hydraulic one.

when I dropped the seat belt bolt inside the b-pillar and it fell inside the sill my favorite tool was a 4' long 1/4 steel rod with a magnet duct taped to the end.

For most of the TR4's rust repair panels a few hammers and a 50 lb anvil

In reply to moparman76_69:

I use a OTC kit I bought on amazon for ~$30.

I'd have to say my lathe and my BFH.