Tools & Fabrication - What tools do you use the most?

I have a 50% off Snapon that only works if your currently enrolled.
I get some Snapon Hand Tool kit when I finish school as well. Just some of the basics (3/8 Ratchet and some Sockets, Screwdrivers, Some wrenches, etc.)

So I was wondering, what tools to get to take advantage of it.
I was thinking about getting a Torque Wrench and their best 1/2 Impact Wrench.

Well, most recently I've only been using a grinder, bandsaw, and welder. I was making go-karts..lol

But yes, you definitely need a GOOD torque wrench. One in ft. and in. if you can afford it.

Also, ratchet wrenches...they are so awesome. Especially flex head ratchet wrenches.

Have you ever used those Digital ones? Might save me some money and do they need to be calibrated?

I tried one in school and I didn't know how to use it lol. So I ditched it for the clicker.

all torque wrenches should be calibrated once a year. at the shop today i mostly used my 1/2" drive impact and micrometers(brake checks). don't forget a good light. seems like nobody ever says, "hey don't forget the good work lights". the more the better. i personally have 4 in my toolbox.

I'd say a torque wrench a bigger hammer and a pipe. No really though a good set of half inch drive sockets and deep well sockets. Oh and what he said^^

hmm, so light, impact and impact sockets, big ass hammer, half inch ratchet and sockets, ratchet wrenches, a good torque wrench.

I'll think about the micrometers.

saw, welding machine,assprted hammers, i usually buy my socket sets as a set...... atleast 20 different screw drivers... all shapes n sizes, a good flexible magnet thingy ... a little mirror, nut splitters and bolt extractors, test light, volt meter, universal fuel rail disconnect tool , C clamps(6-12'') ... hand files, die grinder, couple air ratchets, 2 impacts..

ratchet wrinches are a mans best friend!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use a 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive 18V impacts A LOT!

if you do a lot of electrical work, look into a power probe. they are bad ass. i second the magnet thing, i forgot that one.

if you do a lot of electrical work, look into a power probe. they are bad ass. i second the magnet thing, i forgot that one.

Is a power probe the same as a multimeter? Because I have a Multimeter

and the kit comes with a Magnet thing or so I saw :)

the power probe is has a voltmeter in it, but what makes it great is that you can add power or ground anywhere in a circuit to see if the problem is before that point or not.


http://www.toolsource.com/power-probe-pp319ftc-p-99668.html

Makita 3/8 90 degree drive 18V LXT rachet.

I'd gave to say my good ole trust IR 3/8" Titanium impact. My single most favorite tool, and definitely the most used. This little bastard packs a punch and will break some shit if you're not careful. I've snapped lug nuts off with this thing on a 1 ton pickup truck.

http://www.air-supply.com.au/shop/image.php?type=P&id=16745

I'd gave to say my good ole trust IR 3/8" Titanium impact. My single most favorite tool, and definitely the most used. This little bastard packs a punch and will break some shit if you're not careful. I've snapped lug nuts off with this thing on a 1 ton pickup truck.

http://www.air-supply.com.au/shop/image.php?type=P&id=16745

Do you think it's worth it to pay $120 more for the IR? I hear a lot of good things about IR.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=88359&group_ID=19753&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-2115QTiMAX-8-inch-Impactool-Quiet/dp/B001BQLZYC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1250620091&sr=8-10

or the $70 for this
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2115TiMAX-8-Inch-Impactool/dp/B001BQK7B4/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1250620196&sr=8-21

its NICE to have two torque wrenches, but really only NEED one.

IR is worth every penny they put into thier tools. i have the 1/2 drive inpact

My newest favorite tool is my Dewalt 18v cordless 1/2" impact, makes me leave most of my air tools in the box...and FWIW, I own both an inch pound and a ft pound torque wrench, I don't think I have ever used the inch pound wrench...I wish I would.

I use a 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive 18V impacts A LOT!

a must for everything

Cordless sounds inconvienient. How long do the batteries last?

Cordless sounds inconvienient. How long do the batteries last?

The Makita stuff..... LXT Lithium Ion 18V lasts forever.

http://www.toolking.com/category/search-by-brand/makita-tools/makita-lxt-tools.aspx

One thing I wouldn't live without now is a set of gear wrenches. Just last night I was working on the pulling the front bumper off the car and remembered doing it years ago and had problems getting to some of the nuts with a regular ratchet. Then, I remembered that I now have gear wrenches and it made it simple.

One thing I wouldn't live without now is a set of gear wrenches. Just last night I was working on the pulling the front bumper off the car and remembered doing it years ago and had problems getting to some of the nuts with a regular ratchet. Then, I remembered that I now have gear wrenches and it made it simple.

Gear wrenches? Same as Ratchet wrenches?

hmm, if the cordless impact wrenches work well then I can hold off on that until I actually get in the field.

Do you think it's worth it to pay $120 more for the IR? I hear a lot of good things about IR.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=88359&group_ID=19753&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-2115QTiMAX-8-inch-Impactool-Quiet/dp/B001BQLZYC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1250620091&sr=8-10

or the $70 for this
http://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2115TiMAX-8-Inch-Impactool/dp/B001BQK7B4/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1250620196&sr=8-21

It's worth every penny. I used to have the Matco version of this gun, and the IR runs right along side the Matco version in every step of the way.

I actually picked up the IR while I still had the Matco, and did some back to back testing on them. Needless to say, I sold my Matco 3/8" Impact, made my money back on the IR purchase with enough left over for a couple of nice steak dinners. Haven't looked back, and don't miss the Matco.

I also have IR's 1/2" Titanium impact, and it's a fucking ANIMAL. It's as strong as some 3/4" impacts.

Gear wrenches? Same as Ratchet wrenches?


This:
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00942645000?hei=180&wid=180&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75

Not this:
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00944996000?hei=180&wid=180&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75

This:
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00942645000?hei=180&wid=180&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75

Not this:
http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00944996000?hei=180&wid=180&op_sharpen=1&qlt=75

oh, I was thinking it was the combination wrenches with a Ratchet type mechanism on the closed end.

For the Cordless impact, do you have to service them like the air ones? I think $290 for a CT4850 with 2 batteries and a charger seem like a good deal.

1/2 impact for sure.... 90% of cars I work on I must take the wheels off. Gearwreches are a MUST for me... If I could only use one set, it would definatly be flexhead... If your looking for tool ideas, it depends on what you will be using the tools for, and I would be able to give what you need, want, and dont need....

Sweet, I was working on my sister's car and took out the jack. What do I find behind it? A 1/2 Proto Torque Wrench.

Has a little corrosion on the body of the Torque Wrench though. I'm going to ask my dad if I can bring it in to someone to look it over and calibrate it.

I saved $200 :)

I would have to say my engine hoist... It lifts all of the heavy stuff that my weak ass can't. It's prob the most useful because I'm doing a motor swap and tranny swap

Well, most recently I've only been using a grinder, bandsaw, and welder. I was making go-karts..lol

But yes, you definitely need a GOOD torque wrench. One in ft. and in. if you can afford it.

Also, ratchet wrenches...they are so awesome. Especially flex head ratchet wrenches.

I completely agree with this statement. A good torque wrench is a must.

the battery powered ones dont seem to pack the same punch a 110 psi good impact wrench does, and thats the tool i use the most.

+1 for the IR Titanium 3/8 impact.

Also 3/8 impact swivel sockets. For me I couldn't work without those 2 things.
The flex-head ratchet wrenches are nice too.

I may be getting a CT6850 for my Birthday next month :)

but I'm unsure how long the battery lasts. In the long run, I will probably have an air one as well but the battery one is more convenient now, cause I don't have to turn on the air compressor every time I need to do something.

the battery powered ones dont seem to pack the same punch a 110 psi good impact wrench does, and thats the tool i use the most.

110? I thought they're usually 90?