tools to consider when building a car
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Western Suburbs of Chicago
tools to consider when building a car alright.... so i don't have a vette yet, but i am waiting ever so paitently to save my pennies. in the mean time i want to take more classes on engine building, brakes, suspension, etc to get a firmer grasp on the layout not just the vette but other cars.
i've worked on numerous cars and it seemed at first it was drop in the engine and go, but i found out shortly after no project would be complete without its snags. with thatsaid i am curious to know what tools i should invest in this winter to help build up a car/truck.
from must have to convient to have is what i am looking for, what tools are rather worthless to have on ls1 cars/trucks.
please help me. thanks!
erik
i've worked on numerous cars and it seemed at first it was drop in the engine and go, but i found out shortly after no project would be complete without its snags. with thatsaid i am curious to know what tools i should invest in this winter to help build up a car/truck.
from must have to convient to have is what i am looking for, what tools are rather worthless to have on ls1 cars/trucks.
please help me. thanks!
erik
Buy metric. Get nice ratchets (Snap-On, Matco, Mac, Cornewell) and Craftsman sockets (because they are easy to replace).
MUST HAVES:
3/8" flexhead ratchet
3/8" standard ratchet
1/2" ft/lbs torque wrench
1/2" standard ratchet
1/4" standard ratchet
Reducers and extensions for all
Metric 6 point deepwell ~1/2, 3/8 & 1/4
Metric 12 point midlengths ~3/8
Metric 6 point and 12 point shallow ~3/8 & 1/4
Metric swivel sockets
Good set of metric wrenches (at least 8mm-19mm)
Cheaper set of metric wrenches (10mm-19mm) ~Craftsman, Stanley, S&K, Husky, etc.
Ratcheting metric wrenches (I use Gear Wrenches)
CHEAP!!! metric stubby wrenches (I bought mine for $4 on ebay, invaluable tool)
Craftsman screwdrivers (long, short, skinny, fat... big assortment pack) ~I use Snap On but Craftsman work fine
Assortment of needle nose, wire cutters, channel locks, regular pliers
BFHs
Telescopic magnet
Good jack (3+ ton)
Optional:
Pick set
Telescopic mirror
Plastic ramps from Autozone
In/lbs torque wrench
Laptop with cable and scan tool
That should be enough to let you do most bolt ons and heads/cam (need in/lbs torque wrench). If you go to the store because you need something like Vise Grips, buy the 4-5 piece assortment. You will ALWAYS find a use for them.
MUST HAVES:
3/8" flexhead ratchet
3/8" standard ratchet
1/2" ft/lbs torque wrench
1/2" standard ratchet
1/4" standard ratchet
Reducers and extensions for all
Metric 6 point deepwell ~1/2, 3/8 & 1/4
Metric 12 point midlengths ~3/8
Metric 6 point and 12 point shallow ~3/8 & 1/4
Metric swivel sockets
Good set of metric wrenches (at least 8mm-19mm)
Cheaper set of metric wrenches (10mm-19mm) ~Craftsman, Stanley, S&K, Husky, etc.
Ratcheting metric wrenches (I use Gear Wrenches)
CHEAP!!! metric stubby wrenches (I bought mine for $4 on ebay, invaluable tool)
Craftsman screwdrivers (long, short, skinny, fat... big assortment pack) ~I use Snap On but Craftsman work fine
Assortment of needle nose, wire cutters, channel locks, regular pliers
BFHs
Telescopic magnet
Good jack (3+ ton)
Optional:
Pick set
Telescopic mirror
Plastic ramps from Autozone
In/lbs torque wrench
Laptop with cable and scan tool
That should be enough to let you do most bolt ons and heads/cam (need in/lbs torque wrench). If you go to the store because you need something like Vise Grips, buy the 4-5 piece assortment. You will ALWAYS find a use for them.
You forgot a good half inch drive breaker bar, about $10 at harbor freight.
Also halogen lights, and I have a nice florcent light too that is pretty helpful, oh and don't forget a creeper to roll on under the car! Two of them won't hurt if you have a buddy helping you out often.
Also halogen lights, and I have a nice florcent light too that is pretty helpful, oh and don't forget a creeper to roll on under the car! Two of them won't hurt if you have a buddy helping you out often.
Launching!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
You're going to need an air compressor for many things.
A good impact wrench will save you're back on common jobs.
A good quality (read: spend more money than you think you should on this) shop vac will come in very handy. Mine has been used to suck up oil, coolant, sand from said oil and coolant spills, and just about everything else.
If you plan on doing a lot of exhaust swapping, look into a good welder.
A good impact wrench will save you're back on common jobs.
A good quality (read: spend more money than you think you should on this) shop vac will come in very handy. Mine has been used to suck up oil, coolant, sand from said oil and coolant spills, and just about everything else.
If you plan on doing a lot of exhaust swapping, look into a good welder.
