Good Tools For My Tinkering??

[Guest]

Here's one that hasn't been listed but saved me a few times......

telescoping magnet wand for retrieving dropped nuts and bolts in the worst possible spot

 

[koolaid_kid]

Here's one that hasn't been listed but saved me a few times......

telescoping magnet wand for retrieving dropped nuts and bolts in the worst possible spot

Yeah, I have two. A small one with a swivel head for really tight hard to reach places and a large one with lots of magnetic power.

 

[ValorSolo]

Craftsman at Sears

It's been years since I've used one, but in the past, I would bust a Craftsman ratchet almost every time I tried to use it.
The wrenches and sockets are great, though. And if Sears wasn't 50 miles away, I'd probably have a few Craftsman wrenches.

If you haven't looked at HF tools in a few years I'd go take a look again.
They have really improved the tool line..

Harbor Freight and Northern Tools are both great for certain tools, like hard to find bits, blades and other accessories.
A lot of their hand tools are very decent, as well. You kinda have to have an experienced feel for tool quality and be selective.
I've always stayed away from off-brand power tools, so for those I go to Home Depot or Lowes.

Chuck has a good point on Flea markets, industrial surplus stores, heck pawn shops too.

Around here, flea markets only carry the Chinese crap, but I get a lot of great tools from pawn shops.

To the OP, I think all the tools you'll need have been covered in this thread, just look around for deals, but don't try to go too cheap.
Oh, well maybe some gloves and safety glasses would be a good bet. Safety first. Now if I could only practice what I preach.

One more thing, if you will be polishing your covers, a bench grinder, assortments of sand paper, polishing wheels and compounds are needed.

 

[dyoung]

Wow, Thanks a Ton Guys...Im imagining you've saved me a alot of time and frusteration with all these tips. Keep them coming if anybody thinks of other things that have saved them in the past because I believe this is very helpful thread and will give me a good start to cleaning up my bike this summer and getting a proper toolbox going...Cheers!!

 

[koolaid_kid]

I'd also get a rubber mallet from HF. They are not the highest quality, but they are only $1 on sale. Very handy as a persuader.

 

[sschering]

When it comes to electrical repairs I prefer to use OE style connectors from Vintage connections and their Ratcheting open barrel crimper.. Best $35 I've spent on a tool.
http://www.vintageconnections.com/

If I need to replace any wire I try to match the OE color and tracer with TXL wire from EFI Connections. TXL is the same wire GM uses to make OE wiring harnesses.
Way better than the primary wire you get from an auto parts store.
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/Wire.aspx

Multimeter.. $3 at HF will get you one that will do 99% of what you need on a bike.

 

[ndaugbjerg]

dyoung,
You really need a second tool box; something you can pick up next to someones trash can before the truck arrives. Then stock it with the cheapest sale items from HF. This box is always used on jobs that are preceeded by: " Hi neighbor, I'm trying to fix Gloria's hair dryer; do you happen to have a small 'flips' screw driver"?
Niels

 

[dyoung]

quick question, does anyone have any experience or opinions about Menards Masterforce line of tools? was thinking about getting a set because it has alot of what i'd need but I don't want to buy crap tools?

 

[JATO]

Most all of my hand tools are either K-D or Napa Professional series. They've served me well for over 10 years now.

 

[haztoys]

The best tool you can have for motorcycle reparts is ........Friends... that have the info and tooling allready....

Do some digging around you ..You will find some old fart like me (I'm 47) that can help you ...I have most tools anyone would ever need to repair a motorcycle and the info and know how from a life long doing it too... They dont get used much these days do to a job change (Sort of a job change )...Would rather let the boys in the hood use them then let then just sit...Said part is dont really have some one around me these days to ride and wrench with .....

 

[850GT_Rider]

quick question, does anyone have any experience or opinions about Menards Masterforce line of tools? was thinking about getting a set because it has alot of what i'd need but I don't want to buy crap tools?

IMHO, Masterforce tools are cheap junk from deepinaharta the Orient.

 

[Normk]

A great list of solid advice but maybe I can add a bit:

Buy a tin of grease or oil mix valve lapping compound. It is wonderful stuff for helping a screwdriver tip to grip a tight or worn screw head. People who haven't tried it are missing a huge advantage. It also helps a socket or wrench to grip a partially rounded nut or bolt head.

Avoid cheap tools! As some have said, weak or poor fitting wrenches and sockets will round off fasteners and/or fail when you most need them. You need not buy the top line stuff such as Mac, Snap-on, Williams, Proto, etc. but don't buy cheap no-name stuff as it will cost you. Of course, this isn't an issue for low torque locations but rounding off a flywheel/rotor bolt head and life is not improved!

Interesting how often people advise using cheap tools in the tools carried on the bike or such applications. Let's say that you are on a back road with no habitation for miles and need to do a repair. Which tool is best, the cheap piece of junk which may break or round off the fastener, leading to an even greater level of problems? Maybe a good quality tool which will get the job done? You do the math.....

Go slowly in acquiring tools and plan the aquisitions as you are doing now. Make sure that you have the tools needed for the operations which will justify the tool purchase. Needing to buy $200.00 worth of tools to do a job which can be done by a professional for $50.00 doesn't pay well.

As someone said, "friends". I help out friends all the time with professional tools as have them from my years as a tech. No need for someone to buy a high priced special tool for one time use.

Hook up with a couple of friends and have each specialize in tools for some aspect of common bike servicing. One can acquire a basic tire replacement set; another a vacuum brake bleeder; and maybe the third a decent multimeter and some good crimpers. You do the divvy. No use spending $30,000.00 on tools you might only need once every couple of years.