Good Tools For My Tinkering??

[Gonzo]

Add a fire extinguisher to that cart for carb and electrical work.

[koolaid_kid]

Some tools I have:
1/4 socket set and ratchet
3/8 socket set and ratchet
ratcheting wrenches
combo wrench set
Allen wrench set for on the bike [URL="http://www.harborfreight.com/fold-up-hex-key-set-94589.html"]
Allen wrench set for the workbench
extensions (could not find the 1/4" extensions on line)
heat gun
crimper
wire cutter/stripper
spade connectors Menards has the best prices
high temp extra thick electrical tape I use Scotch Super 88, got mine at Lowes
shrink tubing available everywhere. I use the adhesive type because it seals better.

HF also has 10-20% off discount coupons. You can find them in many "handyman and auto guy magazines".

[koolaid_kid]

Add a fire extinguisher to that cart for carb and electrical work.

Good point. Get an A/B/C one. I use the KIDDE brand, small ones are around $20.

[GateKeeper]

HMM...i got a full box of old flea market ones and never an issue withn any of them. Look at the brands on them too. Just cuz there in the cheapo bin doesnt necessarily mean they arent decent ones. Youll find all kinds of brands in those bins. Can get a basic full outfitting for not much over 25 bucks or so. All you really needs is 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 1nd 19 MM as a starter set. And whatever sizes the clutch hub abd sprockets nuts are. Heck you can even find a working electric impact gut for near dirt cheap. I got a nice Milwaukee 4 inch angle grinder for 5 bucks. I added a new longer length of cord and its been working well for maybe 6 or 7 years now. Check the names on things in the bins and youll be surprised!!!

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..

I have their 3/8 hex drive sockets and they work just a swell as my craftsman ones. I don't think I'd get a ratchet there but the sockets and the smooth chrome hand wrenches look ok.

Chuck has a good point on Flea markets, industrial surplus stores, heck pawn shops too.
I have a bunch of snap on sockets I picked from the socket bin at Boeing Surplus. They sold em for $3 a pound!

I got full sets of standard and metric crafstman ignition wrenches (little wrenches about 4" long) for $5 at a pawn shop.

When someone says flea market, or bargain bins, etc, I am thinking and seeing your el cheapo stuff from China, or what ever 3rd world crap, stamped metal, rough as chit tools, handles on screwdrivers so brittle they shatter if you drop em,,,,, etc.....

if your getting stuff out of a bargain bin and it's full of Snap On or Husky or some sort of name brand, then it's just the price that is a bargain, not the tool....


as for the HF stuff, we don't have them up here in the Great White North (Canada) so I don't know, I do know the Princess Auto line (Power Fist) is not all that great.....

.

[GSJim]

as for the HF stuff, we don't have them up here in the Great White North (Canada) so I don't know, I do know the Princess Auto line (Power Fist) is not all that great.....

.

Last time I was at Princess Auto, they had Propoint branded tools, which are supposed to be higher quality than Power Fist. I haven't tried any yet. Someone told me they had JIS screwdrivers, but I never managed to find any (or anyone who knew what they were).

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman (Sears) or Mastercraft (Canadian Tire). Most new purchases are Mastercraft because CT is closer to home. My mechanic son sometimes gives me his old Mastercraft stuff when he upgrades to Mac or Snapon.

Jim

[thewiz]

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 .....