Best tools- specific tools, not brands and not Duke.

Cactus · Post by **Cactus** » Dec 06, 2012 9:59 PM

Xmas/Jewmas/whatever other holidays my insensitive self can't remember are coming up, what tools would make good gifts?

What tools make you happy every time you use them? What saves you so much time it's a worthwhile purchase on the first use?

For me, possibly my favorite tool is my power bleeder. Kinda pricey for what is essentially a plastic jug and a bike pump, but damn it saves me a lot of trouble. I do a lot of track days, so I bleed more often than a hemophiliac wrist cutter. My other favorite tool is a simple rubber mallet. Who needs an impact, when mine takes nothing but a free hand, and can tap anything loose or tight in about the same time frame. Plus I got it free in the trunk of a car.

mooseheadm5 · Post by **mooseheadm5** » Dec 06, 2012 10:41 PM

Long zero offset wrenches.

lilpoindexter · Post by **lilpoindexter** » Dec 06, 2012 10:49 PM

A in-lb torque wrench, and a foot lb torque wrench...the click type if you can afford it, the beam type, if you can't. These will elevate your mechanic status to "boss".
I also bought a cheap seal driver set from harbor freight two years ago...they are all banged up now because I used them for more than just installing seals, but they are so cheap, they are worth it...Think of all the hokey ways you normally install seals, like with a socket, or a chunk of wood or whatever...the seal driver is worth it.

freetoride · Post by **freetoride** » Dec 06, 2012 10:51 PM

GearWrench set. Also, you can never go wrong with LED flashlights.

TheLazyDog · Post by **TheLazyDog** » Dec 06, 2012 11:08 PM

My favorite tool by far is the cow. It makes mowing the lawn a breeze.

alijonny · Post by **alijonny** » Dec 06, 2012 11:13 PM

CanisLupusRobotus wrote:My favorite tool by far is the cow. It makes mowing the lawn a breeze.

I can agree to this. Bonus props to a milking cow that makes a hard to resist glass of powdered nesquick, of course after letting the milk get ice freaking cold.

thespeedfactory · Post by **thespeedfactory** » Dec 06, 2012 11:33 PM

Engine support bar.

Used it everytime I dropped the front subframe for oil pan replacement. Big time money maker for me.

Works great for transmission work as well.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Dec 06, 2012 11:54 PM

Sometimes I think too small, but metric nutdrivers. Especially 10MM, especially if you can get the good ones with rubber handles. But nutdrivers work so well, so quickly, for the 10MM and under stuff to me they're a must. 11/12/13 aren't bad, but 6-10 are essential.

Even Harbor Freight or Sears cheapie line are worth having if you don't have something better. I was trying to do a heater core at a Wrenchfest and the guy had a big box full of Snap On tools, but I felt like I was working with oven mittens on without nutdrivers. The rubber handles allow you to get off stuff that is much tighter, along with tweaking your wrist since your arms are stronger than your wrists.

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Dec 07, 2012 1:44 AM

This is hands down the best tool investment I've made in a long time. Subframe bushing removal/install tool for the e53 X5. I wasted a number of hours fabricating a homemade tool like it, then another 4-5 hours of my Saturday replacing one bushing (of the four) and destroying my puller before deciding to buy the real deal. The following Saturday I spent about 2 1/2 hours replacing the other three. Since then I've rented it out to three other guys on xoutpost.com. The bridge of the puller seems to be somewhat of a universal fit, so next time I need to do subframe bushings on the e32 or e28 I'll check to see if it's possible to buy plates that will fit those cars as well. Or maybe make them.

Here's a less-than-perfect time-lapse video of me doing the first bushing with the tool. That first one only took about an hour, even with hunting for tools, and finding that the bushing was installed wrong & having to pull it back out again.

pleasefixitup · Post by **pleasefixitup** » Dec 07, 2012 1:52 AM

Cactus wrote:Xmas/Jewmas/whatever other holidays my insensitive self can't remember are coming up, what tools would make good gifts?

What tools make you happy every time you use them? What saves you so much time it's a worthwhile purchase on the first use?

For me, possibly my favorite tool is my power bleeder. Kinda pricey for what is essentially a plastic jug and a bike pump, but damn it saves me a lot of trouble. I do a lot of track days, so I bleed more often than a hemophiliac wrist cutter. My other favorite tool is a simple rubber mallet. Who needs an impact, when mine takes nothing but a free hand, and can tap anything loose or tight in about the same time frame. Plus I got it free in the trunk of a car.

what do you not have?

I love having a 220v compressor. wiring up the fuse box was a pain...had to install a separate fuse box next to the main one for the house, put another fuse box in the garage...and do all the wiring in between (conduit is a pain to bend)...drill through some concrete (pain in the butt!) but, having 220v power is amazing. I run the compressor and the welders from it.

other tools I love...mac tapping kit...hub puller...anything that makes a job easier is amazing to have, even if you only use it 5 times a year.

bhopp · Post by **bhopp** » Dec 07, 2012 2:12 AM

A nice set of ratcheting wrenches and anything made by Knipex.

Especially These,

http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603180-7- ... rds=knipex

I have a Precision Instruments torque and it is great,

http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Instrum ... nstruments

bhopp · Post by **bhopp** » Dec 07, 2012 2:18 AM

I also like Wiha for screw drivers, torxs, etc. You can't beat the quality.

http://www.wihatools.com/

This is one of the sets I have, fantastic handles.

http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-30297-12-Pie ... words=wiha

Das_Prachtstrasse · Post by **Das_Prachtstrasse** » Dec 07, 2012 5:46 AM

BMW Toolkit red handled large screwdriver. Most useful tool I've got in my toolbox. That, and these Sunflag clip removers. (Probably because they've got a red handle.. ) Brilliant tools, I use them every day in my line of work.

johnnye23 · Post by **johnnye23** » Dec 07, 2012 5:54 AM

I bought a Snap-On 13mm long gear wrench for doing the rear upper shock mounts on E28's . It has been worth every penny and well used.

TheLazyDog · Post by **TheLazyDog** » Dec 07, 2012 7:43 AM

alijonny wrote:
CanisLupusRobotus wrote:My favorite tool by far is the cow. It makes mowing the lawn a breeze.
I can agree to this. Bonus props to a milking cow that makes a hard to resist glass of powdered nesquick, of course after letting the milk get ice freaking cold.

Yes!!!!

bhopp wrote:...anything made by Knipex.

+1

bhopp wrote:I also like Wiha for screw drivers, torxs, etc. You can't beat the quality.

I would challenge that with Felo.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Dec 07, 2012 8:07 AM

Floor Jack.

I just retired my old floor jack to back up service due to it dropping way to fast.

Got this one at Harbor Freight -

Very low and has "rapid pump". Great buy for $80.

Post by **tsmall07** » Dec 07, 2012 8:14 AM

Stubby handle 3/8 ratchet. Buy one or grind an old one down.

Brad D. · Post by **Brad D.** » Dec 07, 2012 9:09 AM

Offset reversible ratchet wrenches.

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Dec 07, 2012 10:01 AM

Harbor freight Motorcycle lift.

No more aching knees and back. I should have bought one of these years ago!

ScottWL38 · Post by **ScottWL38** » Dec 07, 2012 11:03 AM

Best tool. One size fits all and it fixes almost anything. The adjustability is lacking at times...

ldsbeaker · Post by **ldsbeaker** » Dec 07, 2012 11:33 AM

davintosh wrote:

This is hands down the best tool investment I've made in a long time. Subframe bushing removal/install tool for the e53 X5. I wasted a number of hours fabricating a homemade tool like it, then another 4-5 hours of my Saturday replacing one bushing (of the four) and destroying my puller before deciding to buy the real deal. The following Saturday I spent about 2 1/2 hours replacing the other three. Since then I've rented it out to three other guys on xoutpost.com. The bridge of the puller seems to be somewhat of a universal fit, so next time I need to do subframe bushings on the e32 or e28 I'll check to see if it's possible to buy plates that will fit those cars as well. Or maybe make them.

Here's a less-than-perfect time-lapse video of me doing the first bushing with the tool. That first one only took about an hour, even with hunting for tools, and finding that the bushing was installed wrong & having to pull it back out again.

Same process/tool for e83 x3s?

Brad D. · Post by **Brad D.** » Dec 07, 2012 11:47 AM

ScottWL38 wrote:

Best tool. One size fits all and it fixes almost anything. The adjustability is lacking at times...

The primary tool of the checkbook champion!

C.R. Krieger · Post by **C.R. Krieger** » Dec 07, 2012 12:34 PM

davintosh wrote:

Pretty sure that's for E39, too. We need to talk ...

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Dec 07, 2012 1:52 PM

ldsbeaker wrote:
davintosh wrote:This is hands down the best tool investment I've made in a long time. Subframe bushing removal/install tool for the e53 X5. I wasted a number of hours fabricating a homemade tool like it, then another 4-5 hours of my Saturday replacing one bushing (of the four) and destroying my puller before deciding to buy the real deal. The following Saturday I spent about 2 1/2 hours replacing the other three. Since then I've rented it out to three other guys on xoutpost.com. The bridge of the puller seems to be somewhat of a universal fit, so next time I need to do subframe bushings on the e32 or e28 I'll check to see if it's possible to buy plates that will fit those cars as well. Or maybe make them.

Here's a less-than-perfect time-lapse video of me doing the first bushing with the tool. That first one only took about an hour, even with hunting for tools, and finding that the bushing was installed wrong & having to pull it back out again.
Same process/tool for e83 x3s?

Probably close; the bushings are most likely a different size though and may need different follower plates to push the old one out/new one back in.

C.R. Krieger wrote:Pretty sure that's for E39, too. We need to talk ...

Could be... PM me (or give me a call this weekend; still have my number?)

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Dec 07, 2012 1:53 PM

ScottWL38 wrote:

Best tool. One size fits all and it fixes almost anything. The adjustability is lacking at times...

Mine is never big enough.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Dec 07, 2012 2:35 PM

davintosh wrote:Mine is never big enough.

Do you hear that a lot from your lady friends?

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Dec 07, 2012 3:50 PM

Duke wrote:
davintosh wrote:Mine is never big enough.
Do you hear that a lot from your lady friends?

Gotta be one in every crowd, but we've got dozens here.

Don't give up yer day job just yet, Mr. Comedian.

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Dec 07, 2012 4:43 PM

Gearwrench ratcheting nut driver set.
One of the best $20 bills I ever spent.

13mm non reversing Gearwrench, makes short work of all those tough to reach 13mm nuts.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Best tools- specific tools, not brands and not Duke.

Best tools- specific tools, not brands and not Duke.

Re: Best tools- specific tools, not brands and not Duke.